Informative Articles from Kids Garden News

Check out these two excellent articles published in Kids Garden News that include Creating Your Own Children’s Garden and Cleaning Indoor Air with Plants.  Great information for Master Gardeners interested in subject matter pertaining to indoor plants and gardening with children.

Introduction to Diagnostics for Master Gardeners

“Introduction to Diagnostics” was created specifically for Master Gardener volunteers to help in understanding the steps involved in plant pest diagnosis. Consisting of narrated PowerPoint presentations, handouts, fact sheets and other resources, “Introduction to Diagnostics” will help new and experienced volunteers gain confidence in the plant diagnostic process.  ”Introduction to Diagnostics” is sponsored by the North Central IPM Working Group and developed by Denise Elisworth, OSU Extension, and Sarah Ellis, OSU Department of Plant Pathology.

To enroll in the course visit the eXtension website campus.extension.org and set up an account using the “Create an account” link on the left side of the page. It’s free, easy and secure. Once you have that account created (you will receive an email with confirmation and a password), log into the eXtension site, scroll through the available course categories and select Master Gardener. Then select “Introduction to Diagnostics,” and pay for the course fee ($10). Once payment is complete, you can view the course website and get started. Participants will have access to the course for 10 weeks after payment.

IPM3 On-Line Courses and Master Gardener Discount

The University of Minnesota through Professor Mark E. Ascerno, Department of Entomology, will conduct a series of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) courses January 23 – March 12, 2012 and is offering a 33% Master Gardener discount. Courses are delivered online and asynchronously, and as such, are available 24/7 with the work being done entirely on the student’s own schedule.  Therefore, you can login and complete as much as you like in a given time period between course start and end dates.  Assessments are given periodically throughout the course, usually after each sub-unit; a grade of 80% or better is required for successful completion.  However, since the goal is to increase your knowledge and understanding, there are no limitations to the number of times a student may retake an assessment.

IPM³ training is designed to reflect practical, real world content –Modules are the fundamental element of IPM³ training, and range from 5-15 hours of student contact time.  Lessons use multiple media learning techniques that variously include text, videos, still photo, and case studies.  Courses offered for the IPM³ program training include the following:

IPM Core Concepts Module:  Discounted rate $250 (regularly $375)
Pest Biology – Weeds:  Discounted rate $168 (regularly $250)
Pest Biology – Plant Diseases:  Discounted rate $100 (regularly $150)
Invasive Species Specialty Module:  Discounted rate $168 (regularly $250)
Imported Fire Ant IPM:  Discounted rate $168 (regularly $250)
IPM for Facility Managers/Supervisors:  Discounted rate $250 (regularly $375)
IPM Core Concepts Module in Spanish:  Discounted rate $250 (regularly $375)

Visit www.umn.edu/ipm3 to register for any of the following courses at the discounted rate or for more information contact Professor Mark E. Ascerno at  mascerno@umn.edu

 

 

How to Make a Giant Holiday Wreath

If your looking to add to or compliment your holiday decorations this Christmas season, consider making a giant holiday wreath! It’s a great family activity that is fun, easy and only takes a few hours to complete. Paul Simon, a landscape architect with the National Gardening Association, provides an 8 step process for building your own super-sized wreath using 1/2 inch PVC conduit, gardening twine, and cuttings from your yard.

To view the article from Kids Gardening by Paul Simon that list the 8 steps, go to:

http://www.kidsgardening.org/article/how-make-giant-holiday-wreath

Homeschool Cooperative Gardening Class

Suellen Mullins, a Master Gardener from Desoto, Texas, began one of the only known homeschool cooperative gardening programs in Texas.  Her class of third through seventh graders has been named the “Nature Detectives” and is led to discoveries primarily through gardening experiences.

The curriculum used by Mullins for the Nature Detectives is compiled from several sources that includes information from her own experiences, her Master Gardener training, books, and on-line resources. Topics the Nature Detectives have covered thus far in the school year include: how to build a raised bed, soil science, plant propagation, composting, hydrology, and integrated pest management.

To read and learn more about this innovative youth gardening program by Suellen Mullins visit:

http://www.kidsgardening.org/article/homeschool-cooperative-gardening-class

Submit Photos for the 2013 Get It Growing Calendar

The LSU AgCenter is looking for photos for its 2013 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar and is inviting the public to participate. As in years past, professional or amateur nature photographers from Louisiana will have an opportunity to show off their work and earn recognition if their photos are selected for the 2013 Get It Growing gardening calendar.

Submissions must be high-resolution digital images on CD (which will not be returned) and must be submitted with a 2013 Call for Entries form. All images must be the original work of the photographer submitting the image, and individual photographers may submit up to 25 of their best gardening photographs. The deadline for submission of entries is Jan. 31, 2012 and entries must be postmarked by Jan. 31 and mailed to Elma Sue McCallum, LSU AgCenter, 101 Efferson Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. The entry form is available online at: www.LSUAgCenter.com/GetitGrowingCalendar.

For more details or to ask questions, contact Elma Sue McCallum at 225-578-2462 or email emccallum@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Reminder: Early Bird Registration for SRMG Conference

Just a reminder to all master gardeners planning to attend the Southern Region Master Gardener Conference scheduled for May 1-4, 2012 in Natchez, Mississippi that the early bird registration fee of $105 ends on January 15^th. The registration fee after that date jumps to $155. The registration link for the 2012 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference is: http://www.regonline.com/srmg.

And:  For detailed conference information go to this site:

View the 2011 Search For Excellence Winning Projects

Visit the eXtension Master Gardener blog at http://blogs.extension.org/mastergardener/ to view the 2011 SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE winners.  Weekly postings of these award winning projects will run through December 15^th.  For SFE winning projects that were posted previously, go to Recent Posts on the eXtension Master Gardener blog site.

2012 Louisiana Master Gardener State Conference

Plans are being finalized by the Southwest Louisiana Master Gardeners, hosts for the 2012 Louisiana Master Gardener Conference which will be held at the beautiful L’Auberge du lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana October 24, 25, and 26.  The 2012 conference will offer a variety of presentations, workshops, and vendors and the opportunity to share ideas and learn new things as we reinforce “Our Bridge to the Future” (the 2012 conference theme).  Conference registration will be $150 and the room rate (single or double occupancy) at the conference hotel will be $99.

More information on the conference program, including on-line registration, will be made available on the LMG website in the coming weeks.

Souther Region Master Gardener Conference in 2012

The Mississippi Master Gardener Association and Mississippi State University Extension Service are pleased to extend an invitation to master gardeners to come to beautiful Natchez, Mississippi – the site for the 2012 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference scheduled for May 1 – 4 at the Natchez Convention Center. This event will bring together master gardeners, vendors, horticulture professionals, and others with a common interest in all aspects of gardening.

Visit the conference website at http://msucares.com/srmg  to find complete information regarding registration, tours, program schedule, lodging and speakers.