Garden Allies: Pollinators, Predators and Parasitoids That Help You Garden

March 1st, 2012

The myriad of insects and other critters that are helpful to the gardener often outnumber those that cause all the problems. But you need to know the good guys from the bad guys. Learn about the many insects that pollinate your crops and those that keep the pests at bay. Learn too how to make your garden a welcoming habitat for garden allies. Gail will also cover purchase and release of beneficial insects.

The speaker is Gail Gredler, horticulture Instructor at Chemeketa Community College, where she teaches integrated pest management, soils, plant propagation, and nursery and greenhouse production. Gail also spent seven years as an OSU Extension Agent with the OSU Master Gardener program and four years as education director with the Oregon Garden. She is an avid home gardener who loves to watch the bugs in her garden.

When: Tuesday, March 13th, 7pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., Portland

Cost: Free. 

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by the Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association.


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Gourmet Gardening: Growing Your Own Groceries

February 9th, 2012

Juicy strawberries glistening with morning dew; plump pea pods dangling like earrings from their vines; freshly sliced tomatoes still warm from the afternoon sun—kitchen gardeners have access to some seriously amazing food. In this photo-filled lecture, Willi will explore the diversity of food in our gardens. Many crops can be eaten at more than one stage of growth or have several edible parts, including fruit, roots, leaves, flower buds, and seed pods. You’ll learn how to harvest crops like garlic scapes and green coriander, learn about the best vegetable varieties for the Pacific Northwest and how to create a succession planting plan that will allow you to keep your garden productive all year long. 

Willi Galloway is an award winning writer and radio commentator and author of the new book, Grow Cook Eat: A Food-Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening, Including 50 Recipes, Plus Harvesting & Storage Tips. 

 

A gorgeous garden-to-table handbook, Grow Cook Eat, fills in the blanks between growing food in the garden and using it in the kitchen. With 50 guides to the best-loved vegetables, herbs, and small fruits, Willi offers easy-to-follow planting and growing advice and specific instructions for harvesting and storing all the edible parts of the plant, including uncommon but delicious extras like pea shoots and arugula blossoms. Each guide concludes with a simple recipe that celebrates the flavor of fresh food.

Copies of Grow Cook Eat will be available for purchase and signing prior to Willi’s talk at 6:30pm and following her presentation.

Willi writes about kitchen gardening and seasonal cooking on her popular blog, DigginFood and pens the weekly column, The Gardener, on Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest blog. Each Tuesday morning, Willi offers vegetable gardening advice on Seattle’s popular NPR call-in show, Greendays. She also teaches a joint gardening and cooking class with chef Matthew Dillon at the Corson Building in Seattle and hosts an online garden to table cooking show, Grow. Cook. Eat., with her husband, Jon. Willi was the West Coast Editor of Organic Gardening magazine from 2003 to 2009.  In 2004, she earned her Master Gardener certification from WSU Extension. Willi lives and gardens right here in Portland, Oregon

Date: Tuesday, February 14th

Time: 6:30pm book sales and signing, 7pm presentation

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., Portland

Cost: Free. 

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by the Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association.

 


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Speaker Series: Full Frontal Gardens – Gone the Lawn

November 30th, 2011

Courtesy of Lucy Hardiman

Traditional front lawns and foundation plantings are obsolete and unsustainable. Innovative gardeners are eschewing them for gardens that speak to the sidewalk and dialog with neighbors. Low water use Mediterranean and gravel gardens are replacing overgrown rhodies and productive kitchen gardens are rooting where lawn once dominated. It is time to examine how our front gardens impact our immediate surroundings and our planet.  Join garden designer Lucy Hardiman, as she shares inspiration for successful garden designs with the lawn GONE!

Lucy Hardiman is a fifth generation Oregon gardener. She is the principal of Perennial Partners, a garden design collaborative, distinguished by innovative hardscape, playful planting design and a creative approach to problem solving. She is a past president of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, is vice president of the Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection and is on the Great Plant Picks perennials committee. She was a contributing editor for Horticulture magazine, also writing for regional and national publications. Her garden has been featured in many books and magazines, including Martha Stewart Living. She is a sought-after lecturer speaking from coast to coast.

When: Tuesday, January 10, 7pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St.. parking on SE 54th Avenue, across from the church. Enter building on 54th Ave.

Cost: FREE!

Who: Everyone is welcome.

Presented by the Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association


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Speaker Series: A Guide to the Best Hardy Shrubs for Your Garden

October 20th, 2011

 

 

For most homeowners, shrubs are an essential part of the yard or garden
because they provide shade, flowers, and foliage from spring through fall.
Unfortunately, the choices available at many garden centers tend to be
predictable and often unsuited to the local climate and growing conditions.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The superior plants available today can
transform ho-hum gardens into scenes of beauty and serenity. For decades,
the Gossler family has tested, propagated, and sold the very best hardy
shrubs from around the world. Nurseryman and author Roger Gossler will highlight characteristics and growing conditions for many beautiful, versatile and growable shrubs.

Roger Gossler grew up in Springfield, Oregon on the Gossler family farm, and is one of those rare individuals who knew his career from birth. He became interested in plants at an early age and quickly became a leader in promoting the use of woody trees and shrubs. Roger is currently the buyer and main grower for Gossler Farms Nursery. He avidly researches what is new in the trade and worthy of inclusion in the nursery’s catalog.

Roger will have a beautiful selection of Gossler Farms plants for sale starting at 6:30pm prior to his presentation and also following his talk.

When: Tuesday, November 8th
              Plant Sale: 6:30pm
              Presentation: 7:00pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., parking on SE 54th Avenue, across from the church. Enter building on 54th

Cost: Free!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by: Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association


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Incorporating Natives into our Urban Landscapes

October 11th, 2011

 

Photo Courtesy of Kathy Shearin

How can we successfully incorporate native plants into our urban landscapes? And what is the value in doing so?

Gardening with native plants can save us time, money and resources. We can choose native plants that are hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance, and beautiful! Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage and provide shelter and food for wildlife. What more could a gardener and steward of the land ask for?

Kathy Shearin, from the East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District, will offer tips, guidance and, best of all, visual inspiration for gardening with a native pallet in our home landscapes.

To accompany Kathy’s presentation, Livingscape Nursery, a local seller of native plants, will offer an array of natives for sale.

Kathy has been with the EMSWCD since 2002. She is the program supervisor for the Sustainable Urban Landscapes Program, best known for their Naturescaping and Rain garden workshops. Kathy has degrees in Sociology and Plant, Soil and Insect Ecology. Prior to her position with the Soil and Water Conservation District here in Oregon, she worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) and the Soil and Water Conservation District for Pima county in Tucson, Arizona where she managed a water conservation program.

Livingscape Nursery offers plants and products that turn one’s yard into beautiful outdoor living space and one’s kitchen into the source of great local food. Their native plants give a feel of the northwest, their edible plants put tasty food on your table, and their insect-friendly ornaments help preserve the birds and the bees. They are located at 3926 N. Vancouver Avenue.

When: Tuesday, October 11,
              Plants for sale starting at 6:30pm and following presentation.
              Presentation, 7:00pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont Street

Cost: FREE!

Who: Everyone is welcome.

Presented by the Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association


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Speaker Series: Extending Your Gardening Season Into The Fall

June 7th, 2011

With our cold, wet start to this years vegetable gardening season we are yearning more than ever to lengthen the growing season. That is possible with some careful planning and know-how.

Learn how to take advantage of fall gardening, how to select the right varieties, and how to take care of the vegetables.

Photo courtesy of John Jordan

Sue Berge of New Dimension Seeds will share her garden season extension techniques, cooking tips, and best of all, she will also have a variety of New Dimension Seeds available for purchase with a 20% off discounted price! Check out the New Dimension Seeds offerings at www.newdimensionseeds.com

Sue Berge is the founder of New Dimension Seed, a line of high quality Asian vegetable seeds and recipes. She operates a mini-homestead in her Scappoose garden, where she grows vegetables and raises chickens. She tests vegetable seeds from China and selects easy to grow, early maturing varieties specially suited for home gardeners. An avid gardener and a creative cook, she takes the simple approach in creating tasty recipes with few ingredients

When: Tuesday, June 14, 7pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St.. parking on SE 54th Avenue, across from the church. Enter building on 54th Ave.

Cost: FREE!

Who: Everyone is welcome.

Presented by the Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association


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Earth Day Celebration

April 16th, 2011

Join OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners on Saturday April 16th for a family friendly Earth Day Celebration.  The fesivities will include free food, plant starts, music, door prizes, children’s activities, educational booths and gardening workshops. 

OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners will be available to answer any home gardening questions. 

The celebration is being organized in conjuction with the Learning Gardens Laboratory, OSU Extension Service, Portland Community Gardens and Portland State University.

Come join the celebration!                                                           

When: Saturday, April 16th, 11am to 1pm

Where: Learning Garden Laboratory at Green Thumb, 6801 SE 60th, between SE Duke and Flavel Street

Cost: Free!

Who: Everyone Welcome!

 


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SPEAKER SERIES: SEED SAVING STEWARDSHIP OF A NATURAL RESOURCE

March 7th, 2011

According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, crop genetic resources are disappearing at the rate of 1 to 2 percent a year. About 75 percent of agricultural crop diversity is estimated to have been lost since the beginning of the last century. What’s more, seed knowledge is eroding even faster than seed biodiversity.

Here is where the home gardener can step into the important role as a Stewardship Super Hero. Not only can the home gardener save seeds to be more economical, and to grow varieties that grow well in gardener’s home environment. But, the home gardener will be acting as a good steward in helping to preserve genetic diversity and heritage.

Saving seeds is easy, fun, and a profound act of social and environmental empowerment. Here in the Willamette Valley, fertile soils, mild winters, and dry summers combine to create some of the best conditions in the world for growing seeds.

Sarah Kleeger and Andrew Still, seed stewards, from Adaptive Seeds will illustrate why saving seeds is so important, how to plan your garden for seed saving, and how to process the seeds you’ve grown.

Sarah Kleeger and Andrew Still began The Seed Ambassadors Project in 2006 when they traveled through northern and eastern Europe collecting and sharing open-pollinated seeds in places with climates similar to or harsher than those of the Pacific Northwest. In 2007 they began growing out many of the 800 varieties they collected on their travels, evaluating them for flavor and suitability for growing in the Willamette Valley. They started Adaptive Seeds in January 2009 to help some of these incredible varieties find their way into more gardens. Sarah and Andrew are the authors of A Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship, and Seed Sovereignty, a ‘zine that is available free on their websites at www.seedambassadors.org and www.adaptiveseeds.com. Please join us.

When: Tuesday, March 8, 7pm
 

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., parking    on SE 54th Avenue, across from the church.  Enter building on 54th

Cost: Free!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by: Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association

 


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Speaker Series: Genetically Modified Plants – Their Biology, Uses and Potential Concerns

February 8th, 2011

Genetically modified (GM) organisms, plants, crops, and food are definitely in the news these days with recent decisions from the US Secretary of Agriculture and the federal courts. The Multnomah County Master Gardeners Speakers Series: Genetically Modified Plants – Their Biology, Uses, and Potential Concerns examines the complex world of genetically modified crops and plants in a straight forward way. This presentation will explore the science that led to genetically modified plants, take a look at their role in agriculture and horticulture. Plus, delve into some of the issues and potential concerns about their use.

Chip Bubl an OSU Extension Service Horticulturist and a perennial favorite instructor at Master Gardener trainings offers a research-based discussion on this complex subject. This is great opportunity to learn and ask questions. Please join us.

When: Tuesday, February 8, 7pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., parking on 54th. Enter on west side of building.

Cost: Free!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by: Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association


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Speakers Series: Getting a Grip on Clematis, Speaker: Linda Beutler, Curator, Rogerson Clematis Collection

October 18th, 2010

Gardeners are met each spring by a confounding selection of clematis accompanied by a baffling array of pruning “rules”. Join Rogerson Clematis Collection curator Linda Beutler for an evening of illustrated clarification and demystification.

Photo courtesy of Linda Beutler

 

Linda Beutler is a fearless gardener who grows a great number of plants on a simple, flat 50’ x 100’ city lot in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. She was a professional florist for 20+ years, and her first love in her own garden was growing flowers and foliage for cutting. That focus started changing when Linda purchased her first clematis as a misnamed plant. Her personal collection of this genus now numbers 250 separate species and cultivars.

This passion for clematis led to the publication of her first book, Gardening with Clematis (Timber Press, 2004). Clematis not withstanding, hers is a fully functioning organic cottage garden, including fruit trees and room for favorite vegetables, in a style appropriate for her 1907 cottage home. Linda is one of two Vice Presidents of the International Clematis Society (I.Cl.S.). She is a founding member of the Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection (in 2003), and served on their Board of Directors until she was named the collection’s first curator, beginning July 2007. Linda Beutler has been an instructor of horticulture at Clackamas Community College (CCC) for 13 years.  In spring 2007, Timber Press presented her second book, Garden to Vase, on growing and using your own cut flowers, featuring photography by Allan Mandell.  

When: Tuesday, November 9, 7pm

Where: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., parking on 54th.  Enter on west side of building.

Cost: Free!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Presented by: Multnomah County Chapter of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association

 

 


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