The Garden Master News

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1 The Garden Master News Newsletter of the Atlantic Master Gardeners Association ISSUE # 1 VOLUME 3 SPRING 2010 AMGA INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Faded Flowers 1-3 Perennial Plant of the Year 4 - By Heather Connors-Dunphy Scattered Seeds 5 The Amazing Cucumber 6-7 AMG Notices 8 Phenology 9 PAGE 1

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3 PAGE 3 NEWSLETTER OF THE ATLANTIC MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

4 PAGE 4 PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE 2010 Baptisia australis Each year, members of the Perennial Plant Association vote on the Perennial of the Year (POY.) This started in The Perennial Plant Association s Mission is dedicated to improving the perennial plant industry by providing education to enhance the production, promotion and utilization of perennial plants. Their goal is to recommend perennial plants that meet the following characteristics: low maintenance, relatively pest and disease resistant, multiple seasonal interests, and readily available. Following is a list of their selections since the program was initiated: 2010 Baptisia australis 2009 Hakonechloa macra Aureola 2008 Geranium Rozanne 2007 Nepeta Walker s Low Catnip 2006 Dianthus gratianoplitanus Firewitch 2005 Helleborus x hybrids 2004 Athyrium niponicum Pictum 2003 Leucanthemum Becky 2002 Phlox David 2001 Calamagrostisxacutiflora Karl Foerster 2000 Scabiosa columbaria Butterfly Blue 1999 Rudbeckia fulgida var. sulivantii Goldsturm 1998 Echinacea purpurea Magnus 1997 Salvia May Night ( Mainacht ) 1996 Penstemon digitalis Husker Red 1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia 1994 Astilbe Sprite 1993 Veronica Sunny Border Blue 1992 Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam 1991 Heuchera micrantha Palace Purple 1990 Phlox stolonifera

5 PAGE 5 Latin For Vegetables - from "HORTICULTURE" Q&A: Latin for Vegetables March 23, 2010 Question: I've noticed in catalogs, books and magazines that Latin names are included for ornamental plants but not vegetables. Why is this? Do vegetables have Latin names? Answer: You're right conventionall catalogs, etc., call vegetables just by their everyday names. Ornamental plants often have English (or French or Spanish or whatever) names that vary by region, so the best way to communicate to a national (or international) audience is to use their universally accepted botanical name. A reader in Kansas and a reader in Oregon might see a certain English name and picture two entirely different plants. When it comes to vegetables, perhaps there is less concern that people would confuse two plants; for the most part, a "carrot" is a carrot in Texas, Alaska, Maine, etc. However all plants, whether ornamental or edible, have a botanical Latin name, and there is some benefit to learning the Latin of vegetables: There are some variances regarding common names; for instance in the United States it's an eggplant while in England it's an aubergine. In both places it's Solanum melongena. Plants in the same genus or family face similar pests and diseases. Knowing that watermelons and cucumbers both belong to the family Cucurbitaceae will help you rotate your crops in the proper way. Here are a few common vegetables and their Latin names: Legume Family: Fabaceae Beans, lima: Phaseolus limensis Beans, snap: Phaseolus vulgaris Mustard Family: Brassicaceae Brocolli: Brassica oleraacea Italica Group Brussels sprouts: Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group Cabbage: Brassica oleracea Capitata Group Cauliflower: Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group Rutabaga: Brassica napus Napobrassica Group Turnip: Brassica rapa Rapifera Group Amaranth Family: Amaranthaceae Beet: Beta vulgaris Swiss chard: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla Onion Family: Alliaceae Garlic: Allium sativum Leek: Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum Onion: Allium cepa Nightshade Family: Solanaceae Eggplant: Solanum melongena Potato: Solanum tuberosum Tomato: Solanum lycopersicum (syn. Lycopersicon esculentum) Gourd Family: Cucurbitaceae Cucumber: Cucumis sativus Squash and pumpkins: Cucurbita pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata Zucchini: Curcubita pepo NEWSLETTER OF THE ATLANTIC MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

6 PAGE 6 The Amazing Cucumber This information was in The New York Times as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems. 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. ( WOW ) 5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! (DOUBLE WOW) 6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! (Cont'd on pg 7)

7 PAGE 7 The Amazing Cucumber (Cont'd from pg 6) 7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. 8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water. 9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice, rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone! (I TRIED THIS ONE AND IT DOES WORK!) 10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean. 13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! Don't forget to include a few cucumber seeds in your garden this year! NEWSLETTER OF THE ATLANTIC MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

8 PAGE 8 AMGA Notices From the Desk of: Emily Miller AMGA Volunteer Coordinator AMG OPPORTUNITIES HRM resources To all members of the Atlantic Master Gardeners Association who are already certified members, or Students who are Graduating this July and wish to be a certified member of the association. This is a reminder that all your volunteers hours should be sent to me no later than June 30 th. You will find the forms to fill out your hours on the Atlantic Master Gardeners web site: If you have any trouble with ing them to me at: emilyrmiller@accesswave.ca you can mail them to me at: 54 Hartford Drive, Lower Sackville, N S. B4C 3R9 or for any help or Information about your hours you can also call me at: (902) Sincerely, Emily R Miller, Volunteer Coordinator

9 PAGE 9 PHENOLOGY Indicator Plants from Horticulture magazine, March 29, 2010 PHENOLOGY is the study of plant and animal activities and when they occur each year. Phenology is a real science that has many applications. In farming and gardening, phenology is used chiefly for planting times and pest control. Certain plants give a cue, by blooming or leafing out, that it's time for certain activities, such as sowing particular crops. Often the common denominator is temperature. Indicator plants are often used to look for a particular pest and manage it in its most vulnerable stages. They can also be used to time the planting of vegetables, apply fertilizer, prune, and so on. Here are some common garden plants and what they indicate to you: When lilac leaves are the size of a mouse's ear, sow peas, lettuce and other coolweather crops. When lilac is in full bloom, plant beans. Once lilac flowers have faded, plant squash and cucumbers. When daffodils begin to bloom, sow peas. When oak leaves are the size of a squirrel's ear, sow corn. When maple leaves reach full size, sow morning glories. When daylilies begin to bloom, plant tomatoes and peppers. When bearded iris are in bloom, plant peppers and eggplants. Once aspen has leafed out, plant pansies and snapdragons. When dandelions bloom, plant spinach, beets and carrots. When forsythia blooms, crabgrass is germinating. Treat for it. Also prune roses and feed your lawn. When crocus bloom, prune roses. When crabapple and wild plum are at budbreak, eastern tent caterpillars are hatching. Begin looking for and controlling them. When shadbush blooms, plant potatoes. When catalpas and mock orange blooms, sow cabbage and broccoli for fall harvest. Sometimes "Folklore" can actually be "Science"! Lily-of -the-valley's in bloom - time to plant Tomatoes! Plant perennials when maple leaves begin to unfold. When apple trees shed their petals, sow corn. When dogwood reaches peak bloom, plant tomatoes and early corn. When lily-of-the-valley blooms, plant tomatoes.