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Dues Waiver Passed for 2024 Interns
The WCMGA Board approved an end-of-year present to 2024 interns at their December meeting. The Board opted to waive 2025 dues for 2024 interns.
Normally, interns receive free WCMGA membership in their training year and begin paying dues in the subsequent year. However, 2024 interns started later in their training year and many struggled to get their volunteer and continuing education hours. In sympathy, the Board chose to waive the 2025 dues for that cohort. This applies only to the 2024 interns as new training is expected to occur on time.
Some 2024 interns may have paid their 2025 dues already. They should contact Treasurer Connie Kirby (wcmgatreasureroregon@gmail.com) promptly if they would like a refund. However, they should be sure to submit their contact information to Inrun Kaur to be included in the 2025 member directory.
On the same page you will see four additional ways to support your Chapter: Bottle Drop, Fred Meyer Rewards, Intel Involved Volunteer Matching Program (this one is just for Intel retirees), and Renee’s Seeds. Clicking on the + sign will show the details of how to take advantage of the option to support your Chapter. These are simple ways you can give a financial boost to your Chapter.
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Tuesday, January 7, 2025
7:00 - 8:00 PM PDT - Free Webinar, Open to All
Registration Required
8:00-9:00 PM PDT - Members Meeting
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Join the Washington County Master Gardener Association and Oregon State University Soil Science Instructor James Cassidy for a free webinar. It’s ALL about soil! Most people have only a vague idea of what soil is and how it works.
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You will learn more than you ever thought possible from this webinar. The reason you are alive, what nutrients are, how soil stores water and nutrients – just to name a few.
James Cassidy, Senior Instructor, Soil Science & Sustainable Agriculture, Oregon State University, will lead us on a journey to discover the fundamentals that all humans on the planet should know. James is the founder and faculty advisor for the OSU Organic Growers Club – OSU’s Student Farm. The student farm project has over 300 student volunteers. The farm is largely self-supported through produce sales and cultivates over 50 different fruit and vegetable crops. It is just beginning its 25th season.
Approved for one hour Master Gardener Education Credit
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I’ve been led to believe the days are getting longer. Maybe it will be apparent by the time you read this. I’ve done some pruning and moved a couple of plants to where I hope they will be happier.
Our next in-person social will be February 15 at the Beaverton Library. You’ll find more information below. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
If you haven’t renewed your membership, please do so quickly so we can get the 2025 Directory out.
I’ve started working on the State of the Chapter Report for 2024, and once again, am impressed by the amount of good work the Chapter and all of you do.
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Most of the Learning Garden volunteers are taking a well-deserved break during the cold winter months. The garden has been frosty and peaceful!
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Photo courtesy of Anna Stubbs
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The vegetables planted in the fall grew well and Dan McDonald was able to harvest arugula and Brussel sprouts to donate to a food pantry at the end of December.
Learning Garden regular work parties will resume on Thursday, February 6th, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., weather permitting. For more information contact Steve Kister kansammy@yahoo.com or Robin Burnham robin.e.burnham@aol.com.
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The garden is taking its winter rest while the Education Garden team focuses on indoor tasks preparing for a very full year of educational events. There are 13 In The Garden Series sessions and 5 Master Gardener Intern Workshops on the slate for 2025. This month we will have a table at the PCC Rock Creek Landscape Technology Open House on January 27 from 4 – 6 pm. Master Gardeners are welcome to attend this event.
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Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' proudly holding its feathery plumes in December
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Our weekly garden check-ins reassure us that the garden is weathering all the rain well so far. Last summer’s roving deer moved on for the time being.
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Fungi showing their caps above Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
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A newly updated Education Garden brochure is now available thanks to MG Jorie Helwig and Ed Garden Team members. You can pick up a brochure at the OSU Extension Office.
Other Happenings
- The monthly Education Team Meeting will be held January 15th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Watch your email for the agenda and Zoom link.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10 am – 12 noon. Mason Bees 101. PCC Rock Creek Building 4, Room 103. Presented by Master Gardener Ron Spendal.
- If you would like to be added to our Education Garden email list, contact Susan Albright or Sue Ryburn.
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We’re Rooting for You
by Karen Anderson
It’s that time of the year when many outside plants are finally dormant, the ground is squishy, and you may be exhibiting signs of cabin fever. What’s a gardener to do? One idea might be to experiment with houseplants.
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Indoor plants can be fussy. Most are from tropical or semi-tropical climates—certainly not Oregon. Indoor plants face challenges where I live—my cats, not enough light, and usually too much TLC in the form of being overwatered. Although I research reliable websites or books to answer many of my plant questions, sometimes serendipity rules. Take the aloe vera plant that’s been in my family for several generations.
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Someone overwatered it and it died. Or so I thought. The dead plant was abandoned to a garage shelf. My part in this accidental experiment was that after many months I noticed the plant was living! Now I water it every few months.
Another accident, but this time an opportunity. Over the holidays, while caring for plants in the PCC/Rock Creek Greenhouse, I accidentally broke off a chunk of a hardy begonia mother plant. Knowing that I couldn’t discard it, I stuck the stem in a glass of water. This is an experiment that I will monitor.
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Now is a good time to purposefully take cuttings from a favorite houseplant and place them in water. If you haven’t tried this technique, make a point of it this winter and see how long before cuttings form roots. Keep a log with some notes about lighting, location, how long to root, etc. Once good roots have formed, transplant into some good potting soil and fertilize. Not all plants like this water-to-soil transition. Succulents prefer less water and can be stuck directly into a well-draining soil
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Succulents prefer less water and can be stuck directly into a well-draining soil.
If you’d like to learn more about houseplant propagation, join our monthly houseplant volunteer session at the PCC greenhouse—usually the 2nd Monday of the month. We have a full bench of lush plants, even some are blooming. (And, psssttt… There is talk of a houseplant sale in early February, so stay tuned for more details.)
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For a nice summary of houseplant care, go to:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/houseplant-care/
There are three super informative videos by the manager pf the University of Wisconsin-Madison Greenhouse. To pique your interest, a question: Is it a good idea to add rocks to the base of a potted plant? Why or why not? Watch the 3rd video for the answer.
Oh, and join us volunteers with the Plant Propagation and Procurement group. We meet Friday’s from 9-11 at the PCC/Rock Creek Greenhouse. Come ready to learn and to share your knowledge about propagating plants and their care. Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me, Karen Anderson, worthog42@gmail.com for more information. Happy New Year!
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Washington County Master Gardener Assoc. invites you to Mason Bees 101. This free public class addresses the identification and natural history of the mason bee. The class will be led by Ron Spendal,
OSU Extension MG Volunteer. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of the characteristics and activities of mason bees and why they are one of the earliest and best pollinators in our area.
Ron Spendal is an OSU Master Gardener who has been researching and educating on mason bees for over 15 years. He operates educational mason bee displays across Washington County and runs highly sought-after courses on mason bee management through the Washington County Master Gardener Association. Ron designs and builds his own equipment. He conducts research in conjunction with Oregon State University and Montana State University. Ron’s work with mason bees has been featured on the Oregon Field Guide program on OPB.
No registration needed. Free parking.
For more information:
https://washingtoncountymastergardeners.org/event/mason-bees-101-2/
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We see 2024 in our “rearview mirror” and it is time to recognize our outgoing Board members for their service to our Chapter for so many years and in so many ways. Sue Ryburn, Vice President, Marilyn Berti, Program Director, and Dan McDonald, Business Manager have held multiple Board positions in the past and have, and continue to, dedicate themselves to many Chapter activities. They are a constant source of ideas, volunteer their time without hesitation, lead by example, and inspire us all.
Sue, Marilyn and Dan will be missed on our Board but how lucky we are for their past and continuing contributions.
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