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HOME & GARDEN |
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Planters
Elect
New President |
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Ironwood - April 14, 2009
The members of the 46th Parallel Planters
Garden Club have elected a new President .
Carol Canon from Marenisco was voted as
the club's new president for the coming
year. By being voted president, Carol has
become the first woman to hold that
position in the club's history. |
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Giving Weeds
The Boot |
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Ironwood - April 12, 2009
This past Thursday evening,
Range Master Gardener, Lynn Adams addressed the
members of the 46th Parallel Planters on the issue
of invasive plants.
Lynn described many of the
invasive weeds that find their way into our lawns
and gardens. Many of these invasive plants were
brought to our shores from Europe and Asia. Many
of these invasive plants are native to our
hemisphere.
Today, some invasive plants
such as Japanese Barberry are still being sold in
Michigan stores and through catalogs. Several
states protect their borders from problem plants.
Unfortunately Michigan isn't one of them. Lynn
didn't say that, but I will! |
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In addition to her great Power Point
presentation, Lynn brought along samples of the
little villains we might find about our yards.
Recognize any of these ? Unfortunately , I do. |
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Lynn, is a Michigan Master
Gardener and a Wisconsin Master Gardener. She is
the Horticultural contact at the Wisconsin
Extension Office. If you have any kind of garden
questions Lynn is the person to contact. In the
very, very remote chance that she can't answer
your question right away, she has some high
powered help in Madison who can. If your
interested in becoming a Master Gardener, Lynn is
also the person to see. |
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above - Lynn's slide on Purple Loosestrife.
This is a very beautiful plant that we have growing along
roadsides. Not withstanding its beauty this plant
is a major, major problem. It currently is causing
havoc in over half the states in our country. It's
everywhere and it's a menace. |
Weeds rob moisture and nutrients from your
garden plants. Your lawn and garden plants will
not receive what they need to thrive in the
presence of weeds. The more aggressive or invasive
the weed is the greater the damage to your garden.
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above - the common Trout-Lilly which can be
found in most lawns. |
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above - the very dangerous Giant Hogweed. This
plant has been found in Iron and Gogebic Counties.
It is often confused with Wild Parsnip and Queen
Anne's Lace. If you come across this plant do not
touch it! Call the DNR or the Extension Office.
you can find out much more about this plant at
http://rangemastergardeners.org/hogweed.html |
The next time Lynn offers this valuable
presentation try to attend as it will be well
worth your time. |
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A Lily By Any Other Name? |
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Ironwood - March 15, 2009
Attendees of the 46th Parallel
Planters Thursday's meeting were treated to a terrific
presentation by Range Master Gardener, Chris Ainslee.
Chris spoke to the local gardeners about Lilies. The
power point presentation covered both true Lilies, those
members of the Lilium Family and Day Lilies. Day Lilies
are not true Lilies. They are a perennial Hemerocallis,
which is Greek meaning "Beautiful for a Day" hence, Day
Lily. |
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Chris began her presentation
defining true Lilies as a perennial bulbus plant, with
over-lapping fleshy scales. True Lilies grow on a single
stem with lance like leaves that emanate from the stem.
Lilies grow in full sun and grow in height from 0ne to
ten feet tall.
Lillies require full sun, well drained soil, one inch of
water per week and protection from the wind.
Lilies are heavy feeders, and require a slow release
fertilizer, they also require protection from spring
frost |
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Propagation is best accomplished
by division. Dig up the bulbs and divide. Bulblets
sometimes form on the bulb and these can be peeled off
and replanted. You can also peel off some of the thick
scales on the outside of the bulb and plant those. There
are over 30,000 named varieties of Day Lilies. These
perennial plants are clump forming, strap forming leaves
and have Stolloniferous tuberous root system . |
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The Day Lilly flowers comes in a
variety of forms, and are occasionally fragrant. The
flowers bloom for just one day however, each stem has
many buds. The Day Lily flower comes in many colors and
are edible. |
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Like true Lilies, Day Lilies
prefer well drained soil, however, they can tolerate
poor soil. The Day Lily prefers full sun, however some
can tolerate shade. Lilies like one inch of water per
week . Plants should be divided every three three to
five years. Fertilize using a 5-10-10 fertilizer. Remove
scapes and deadhead to keep the plant looking good. Like
true Lilies, Day Lilies are best propagated by division.
Pest and diseases effecting the Day Lily include: gall
midge, aphids, spider mites, thrips, slugs and snails,
rust , crown rot, freezing and thawing.
Chris Ainslee is a Michigan Master Gardener, a member of
the 46th Parallel Planters and the proprietor of Green
Knees Garden Design. |
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Master Gardeners
Sponsor
Gardening
Symposium. |
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March 2,
2009
On Sunday, April
19th, we’re
sponsoring a
symposium.
Gardening in the
Northwoods:
Meeting the
Challenge at The
Country Store,
just west of
Land O’ Lakes.
The program will
begin at 5 pm
and will feature
two speakers and
a panel. Mary
Stys, UW
Extension’s
Summer
Horticulture
Educator will
speak about
Vegetable
Gardening in the
Northwoods.
Gordon Frase,
co-director of
the Ironwood
Community Garden
and a longtime
“up-north”
gardener, will
then present The
Benefits of
Gardening in the
Present
Economy.
Following these
speakers, a
panel of local
gardeners who
have been
growing
vegetables
successfully up
here for many
years will take
questions from
the audience and
provide tips
from their own
experiences.
This is meant to
be an informal
and informative
evening open to
anyone
interested in
gardening, not
just Community
Garden plot
holders. The
program is free
but you’ll need
to reserve space
if you’d like to
have dinner.
The Country
Store will offer
an abbreviated
menu for the
evening and can
accommodate
about 40 diners.
You pay for your
own dinner, and
we’ll provide
the free program
and pass the hat
for donations.
We hope you’ll
join us.
Reserve space
now with Mark or
Kris at The
Country Store,
715-547-8222. Of
course, you’re
welcome to come
for the
symposium alone
without dinner
or reservation.
There should be
plenty of
standing room in
the back.
The Land O’
Lakes Community
Garden Committee
Call Sandie
Pauly
(715-547-3135)
and Corinne
Duerkop
(906-544-2425)
pictured above -
Range Master
Gardener Gordon
Frase teaching
gardening
techniques to
Norrie School
students. |
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2009 Backyard Beekeeping Workshops
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Ontonagon - February 20, 2009
Michigan State University Extension is
once again teaming up with White Birch
Apiary of Bruce Crossing to offer two
Backyard Beekeeping Workshops. Les
McBean, who has been in the beekeeping
business for over 22 years and owner of
White Birch Apiary, will instruct the
workshops. McBean will also be taking
orders for package bees .
Beginning Beekeeping will take
place Saturday, March 14th 10am to 4:30
pm EST Ewen- Trout Creek School, 144
Airport Road Ewen, MI .
READ MORE |
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Iron
and Ashland Counties
To Sell Native Plants
Proceeds to Provide Scholarships |
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The Iron and Ashland Counties
Land Conservation Department has begun its 2009
Native Plant Sale. The proceeds of this
year's sale will help to support the following:
- Scholarships for students to attend
Regional Conservation Camps
- Teacher Scholarships to attend Trees for
Tomorrow Education Workshops
- $1000 college scholarship for students
pursuing a degree in Natural Resources
Purchasing native plants does several things
to improve your gardening, including less
maintenance provided that they are planted in
conditions that match their cultural
requirements. Native plants have evolved
in their surroundings and tend to be more hardy.
Planting native plants instead of cultivars
helps keep out invasive, non-native plants often
sold at our nurseries.
On a much larger scale, using native plants,
helps preserve the natural heritage of our area.
Once a species becomes extinct, it can no longer
provide genes which would continue to contribute
the genetic diversity necessary to creating new
species adapted to survival in our area.
Landscaping with Native Plants by Lynn M.
Steiner is available at the Ironwood Carnegie
Library. Call to see if this must read book is
on the shelves. 932- |
The Order Deadline
is February 27, 2009
So Don't Dilly
Dally!
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Read More Click For Catalog and Order Form |
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Linda Does
it Again! |
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Ironwood
Members of the 46th Parallel Planters and
guests were treated to a fall floral arrangement
demonstration this past Thursday. Linda
Schlicher, proprietor of Lutey's Florist Shop on
Ayer street returned to gardening club once
again to demonstrate the fundamentals of floral
design. This time Linda demonstrated how to make
two different fall arrangements.
Linda used mostly items found in her yard or
along the roadways. Only a few items for
these arrangements needed to be purchased.
Yes Linda is a pro and everything she touches
turns out great, however, Linda is also a great
instructor. The next time Linda does a
demo somewhere try not to miss it, for great
shall be your reward in floral arranging! |
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Read More |
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Local
Gardeners Hit the Road |
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Leslie Kolesar Soltesz, introduces her
"Organic Farm" to the members of the 46th Parallel
Planters gardening group. The gardeners learned
about alternative energy as this farm
successfully uses wind power as it's energy
source. Afterwards, the gardening group
continued on to tour Joe and Pat Cattelino's "Jopac"
Farm on U.S. 2. |
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Read Full Story
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Nissila
to Close
Greenhouses |
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RIPLEY
-- A longtime Ripley business is closing its
doors, at least until a buyer is found.
After running the family business for 24
years, Pete and Jill Nissila announced
they're closing Nissila Greenhouses in just
a few weeks.
Pete's parents, Gert and Karl Nissila, ran
the business 25 years before that.
The Master Gardeners say operating the
greenhouses, originally built in 1895, was
becoming more work and less fun. Their
desire to move closer to family also
factored into the decision.
I"'m still still excited about plants," said
Pete. "I still enjoy plants, but other
facets of it I'll be looking toward now."
The Nissilas plan to sell the seven acre
greenhouse business, and move out of the
area.
That's sad news for the greenhouse's
longtime customers.
"I didn't know what to think," said Laurium
customer, Phyllis Limanen. "I just always
count on this place for a really nice gift
or a plant for my yard. I hope someone busy
it, who would be as knowledgeable."
She might not be the only one disappointed.
Nissila's is the largest greenhouse in the
Keweenaw, and draws out of town buyers every
year.
"They always come back to Nissila's, because
they've been coming since Pete's parents
began a business in the 40's," said Jill.
"So we have customers, it probably sounds
funny, but come buy things and take them
back to Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and
downstate."
Pete and Jill plan to close their year round
operation this fall. They don't have a buyer
yet, but say they've been talking with a few
people interested in the property.
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Gardeners
Award to Joyce Price |
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above left Lynn Adams, right Joyce Price
receiving awards |
Press Release from Lynn Adams
Date: Friday, August 08, 2008 1:10 PM
On July 31st the Range Master Gardeners hosted a
potluck party at Norrie Park for the 46th
Parallel Planters Gardening Club and the
gardeners at the Community Garden.
Joyce Price of MSU Extension was presented with
a award for her dedication and facilitation of
the Michigan Master Gardener Program. Joyce was
also given an award from the Range Master
Gardener Volunteers and the 46th Parallel
Planters Gardening Club for her service to the
clubs. Without Joyce facilitating the Michigan
Master Gardener Program many projects such as
the Community Garden, the 46th Parallel
Gardening Club, Pocket Park and other projects
around the area would possibly never have
happened.
God created rainy days so that Master Gardeners
can get their housework done.M
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46th Parallel Planters
Host Basket Weaving Class |
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A large contingent of the 46th Parallel Planters Gardening
Club gathered Thursday evening to hear Linda "Cricket"
Detloff discuss the art of basket weaving. Read Full Story
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Gardeners Kick Off Bulb Sale |
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Traditionally the 46th Parallel Planters hold a spring plant
sale on Mother's Day weekend. However, this year the planters
broke with tradition in order to offer something new to
Northland Gardeners. This summer they will be having a
fall bulb sale featuring "Premium Quality Bulbs" not
available at local retailers. Many great varieties are
being offered for sale. The bulbs selected will of course
be hardy and appropriate for our area. Prices are very
competitive. Order forms are available at various
locations throughout the community.
Read More |
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The
Ontonagon Flower
Committee Gets Busy |
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Ima Lerner Reporting
Early Saturday morning, May 30th, Betty Porter and Sheila
Razmus gathered their volunteers to plant flowers into the
urns which are placed up and down main street of Ontonagon.
After coming up with a color scheme, Sheila and Betty had the
task of purchasing the flowers and delivering them to the
Ontonagon Village garage. They also needed mulch, soil and
fertilizer. After the urns were filled with soil the planting
began. The volunteers for this project were Linda Graham and
Arvo Toolanen. After the urns, came the planting of annuals in
the garden by the Holiday Gas Station.
Read More |
Hurley Students Plant
Flowers at Monuments |
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Once again in what has become an annual tradition, students from
the Hurley K-12 School went to Montreal to plant flowers in
memory of Montreal's fallen heroes. The group of students split
up into four groups and planted flowers along the highway and at
the Montreal Monuments honoring the fallen servicemen and miners
of the community.
Read More |
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Local
Garden Club Sponsors
Garden Tour |
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Thursday, July 17th
the 46th Parallel
gardening club is
presenting another summer
garden tour. This year 4
Ironwood gardens and 1
Hurley garden will be
shown on the tour. In
addition, the tour will
terminate at the award
winning Downtown Pocket
Park, where lightr
refreshments will be
offered.
The tour will assemble at
the parking lot adjacent
to the Breakwater
Restaurant at 5:45 PM. The
tour information along
with a map will be handed
out at that time. The tour
is organized by Pat
Severenson, of Ironwood
and Diane Fontecchio, of
Hurley. |
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above
photos from gardens
featured on prior tours |
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46th
Parallel Planters
Honor Past President |
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Hurley WI.
Thursday the 46th Parallel Planters garden
club held their meeting at the Iron County
Courthouse. More than thirty members and
guests attended the meeting which featured a
lecture from Madison Wisconsin via WisLine
with a coordinated power point presentation on
premises. The lecture was given by Dr. Robert
Tomish from the University od Wisconsin. The
class was on small fruit production in the
Northland. The information included several
small fruits including strawberries,
Raspberries, Blueberries, Currents and several
other varieties.
At the meeting preceding the lecture Gordom
Frese received a plaque honoring his 11 years
of service as President of the club. Gordon
was an original charter member and founder of
the group.
In other business the 46th Parallel Planters
kicked off their latest "Bulb Sale" |
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Garden Trends For 2008
All About Green
Before you start diggin' in learn more
about some products and ideas that will make your yard, and you,
environmentally friendly.
Read Complete Article |
46th Parallel
Planters host "Rock Garden Demonstration" |
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Photo above; Barb Blow (left) gives
pointers to club member Carol Gannon |
An estimated thirty-five garden
enthusiasts gathered at the May meeting of the 46th
Parallel Planters. Guest speaker
Barb Blow from Stoney Creek of Minocqua will be gave a demonstration
on plants to use in a Rock Garden setting. Barb
brought extra plants for purchase and door prizes. |
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At the start of the evenings meeting
Gordon Frese hands over the gavel to the clubs new
president, Ron Zaleski, 2007 RMG "Gardener of the Year" |
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Photo above: outgoing president
Gordon Frese hands over gavel to incoming president Ron
Zaleski.
Story and photos by A. Toolanen |
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Range Master
Gardeners
Helping To Keep
Our World Green! |
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Students Complete Wisconsin Master
Gardener
Volunteer Training Classes |
The participants received 36 hours of
horticultural training with UW-Extension specialists and
faculty.
In order for the trainees to become certified and
maintain their certification, the Master Gardener
Volunteers must volunteer 24 hours in approved community
gardening activities and receive ten hours of additional
training every year.
The purpose of the UW-Extension Master Gardener Program
is to train volunteers to provide horticultural
information specific to local climates, soils and plants
to the gardening public, based on University research.
If you would like more information on the Wisconsin
Master Gardener Volunteer Program, call Lynn Adams at
the UW Iron County Extension office at 561-2695 or call
toll free from southern Iron County at 1-888-561-2695
Photo Left to right: Joe and Carol Goffnett –Ironwood,
Kris Henker-Manitowish Waters, WI, Susan and Dr.
Rob Gardner - Ironwood, and Maggie Callaham-Hurley.
Missing from photo Dr. Chris Pogliano-Hurley
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Downtown Pocket Park
Reveals Early Signs of Spring |
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Sure signs of spring are popping up at
Ironwood's Award Winning Pocket Park. If you are tired of
winter and need a springtime boost, vast the pocket park.
The spring show of beautiful colors is about to begin. Visit
often as the park palette changes often.
View more
signs of spring at the park |
Return to top of page |
Downtown Pocket Park
Reveals Early Signs of Spring |
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Sure signs of spring are popping up at
Ironwood's Award Winning Pocket Park. If you are tired of
winter and need a springtime boost, vast the pocket park.
The spring show of beautiful colors is about to begin. Visit
often as the park palette changes often.
View more
signs of spring at the park |
Return to top of page |
Range Master Gardeners
Instruct Norrie Students
In Gardening Basics |
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Master Gardener Gordon Frese instructs
the students at Norrie on gardening basics. Each year the
Range Master Gardeners go into the local schools and work
with the students on gardening projects. Student projects
are carried out in Montreal, Hurley, Bessemer and Ironwood. |
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Norrie Students prepare trays for
flower seeds. In late May the flowers will be transplanted
to Norrie Park for the summer. Student volunteers and Master
Gardeners will care for the Flowers throughout the
summer season.
Click To View All Photos |
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Northern Great Lakes Visitor
Center
Hosted the 2008 Chequamegon Organic Conference
The Chequamegon Organic Research, Education, and
Training Group held the 3rd
Annual Chequamegon Organic Conference on March 15th.
The conference was held for the first time at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor
Center on US Hwy 2 just west of Ashland.
Read More |
General Backyard
Beekeeping Workshop Was
Held in Ewen on Saturday, March 15, 2008 |
Story by Linda Graham
Michigan State University Extension teamed up with White
Birch Apiary owner, Les McBean to offer two beekeeping
workshops this month. On Saturday, March 15th, a General
Backyard Beekeeping Workshop was held at the Ewen-Trout
Creek School in Ewen. Forty-one individuals attended
this all-day class. Attendees were from as far away as
Ironwood, Hancock, Gladstone, Ishpeming and Marquette.
Read Full Story
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Easter Treat for
Northland Gardeners |
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The U/W Extension provided area gardeners with a special
seminar about planting Spring and Summer flowering bulbs.The
program was held at the former u/w extension experimental
station in Ashland, Wi. Attendees came from all over the
northland and as far away as Madison WI. What made this program special was that
the guest speaker was Dr. Susan Mehr, from U/W Madison. Dr. Mehr
is the state coordinator for the U/W Master Garden Program.
Read More
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Northwoods Goes Organic!
Michigan and Wisconsin
gardeners spent the evening learning how to go
organic, eliminating most if not all man made
chemicals from their gardens
Read Full Story |
It Was 5° & Snowing Outside But
the Garden Season But The Garden Season Has Started
in the Northwoods
Master
Gardeners Jump Start the 2008 Garden Season
Read Full Story |
The Gogebic Conservation
District is once again holding its annual tree sale ,
which is the District's largest fund raising events. The
sale will take place on Saturday May 10th from 8:00 am to Noon and
will again be located at the Gogebic County Fairground's Welcome
Center. Master Gardeners will assist members of the district
at the sale. Catalog and order form are included in this
story.
Read Full Story |
Master Gardeners Get Jump on 2008 Garden Season
February 19, 2008, Hurley Wisconsin While most gardeners are sitting at their kitchen tables
reading through the avalanche of seed catalogs received this
winter, members of the Range Master Gardeners met at the
Iron County Courthouse to plan for the busy season that lies
ahead. Neither snow nor sub-freezing temperatures could keep
this group of garden-faithful from their "Season Opener".
Read Story
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WAITING FOR SPRING
We sit and wait for the end of winter, wondering when we will see the
first spring crocus. This is a great time for gardeners to rest, review
last year's garden and plan for the season ahead. For those who
start their plants from seed it is almost time to gather up our seed
trays and soil-less potting mix and test our grow lights. This is a good
time to review last year's Garden Journal and all those photographs we
took of our gardens this past season. Were there plants that did not
live up to our expectations? Were there poor combinations of plant
neighbors? Did we buy all those beautiful plants and just stuck
them in the ground without a formal garden plan? Well those problems are
easily remedied if we start to plan this year's garden NOW. In our next
issue of Ironwoodinfo.com We will begin to go over all these things and
more. In addition we will start our Questions and Answer segment. Send
your questions to
mail@ironwoodinfo.com |
READ A GOOD BOOK
"A PROPER GARDEN" by Elizabeth Sheldon
At last, a distinctive voice for the gardeners of North America.
Elisabeth Sheldon, a superb plantsman, offers her extensive
horticultural knowledge in A Proper Garden, a fresh, inspiring book of
splendid prose. Her own gardens are proof of exquisite taste -- and
successful cultivation of temperamental beauties. In the formidable
climate of upstate New York, she has woven an enviable array of
perennials into a living tapestry of shimmering colors and exciting
textures. In A Proper Garden she shares her experience with all of us
who face extremes of heat and cold yet yearn to grow the cottage gardens
and formal mixed borders of our fellow gardeners in the mild British
Isles.
An important,
immensely
informative book, A
Proper Garden
explains how to
achieve a balanced
play of color
throughout the
seasons ... how to
use silver foliage
as a foil for
brilliant blossoms
... how to handle
the behavioral
idiosyncrasies of
otherwise desirable
plants ... how to
design a beautiful
border that is
distinctly yours ...
how to succeed with
the more tender
specimens in the
rudest of winters.
Individual chapters
focus on the
choicest examples
and best varieties
of species both well
known and
under-appreciated:
campanulas,
dianthus, anemones,
veronicas, yarrows,
perennial salvias,
hardy geraniums. A
special chapter
considers unusual
plants for the
rockery, whether you
have a rock garden
proper, a rock wall,
or a raised bed.
Generously
illustrated with
finely detailed
drawings and
appealing color
photographs of
Elisabeth Sheldon's
own borders, this is
an authoritative
book, written with
elegance, clarity,
and wit.
Return to top of page |
IronwoodInfo is a
Michigan, Non-Profit
Media Corporation |
Contact IronwoodInfo.com |
email:
mail@ironwoodinfo.com
snail mail: P.O. Box 305
Ironwood, MI 49938
Telephone
Ironwood:
906-932-1402
Ontonagon:
906-885-5683
FAX
906-884-2544 |
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