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THE MICHIANA BROADCASTER
April 2021
President’s Note by Barbara
Hello Master Gardeners,
It has been good to see many of you on our zoom MMGA meetings. We all
need to thank Jeff for all his help in setting up the meetings. I also want to thank
Nancy for a great job getting the new member books printed and sent out.
We have all seen a big change now that the snow is melting. It is nice to get
rid of the dirty snow and see grass. Now we should be looking for some of the
first signs of spring.
A number of years ago there was a local business owner who hosted a Saturday morning radio program on
gardening. This man was Master Gardener and he also taught one of the Master Gardener’s classes. He was
Mike Maloney. Every year he would have a little contest by asking his listeners to call in when they saw the first
sign of spring. The little purple and yellow crocus blooms. I have not planted any crocus bulbs for years since I
realized I was planting chipmunk food. I do have a couple surviving crocus bulbs next to the house that have
survived all through the years and I always watch for those little blooms. Then I know spring is not far behind.
One of his favorite sayings was “keep your green thumbs up”. Thanks Mike.
I am getting anxious to get out and start cleaning up the remnants of leaves from last fall and all the oak leaves
that fell through the winter months. It will also be time to put the snow blowers and shovels away and get the
lawn mowers ready.
If you have not been able to attend the MMGA zoom meetings, I would like to pass on that there will be a Fair
this year, and there will also be the horticulture judging held in Ag Hall. The Horticulture Committee is asking
you to think about entering vegetables, flowers and plants for the judging. If you have never entered something,
you might want to try. Kate Rink has the instructions for the items entered. It is a lot of fun and you might win
some money.
As we get closer to the planting season for flowers remember there will be several ways to get those important
volunteer hours. The Quilt Gardens, at the Fairgrounds and at the Bristol Historical Museum, will need to be
planted and weeded. The Garden Tour will be held the last Saturday of June and volunteers will be needed to
help with that. There will be times to sign up to staff AG Hall during the Fair. The Garden Expo Committee will
also need help with various duties. For those of you who are new to the organization, helping in some of these
areas is a great way to get to know us and for us to get to know you.
Until next month enjoy the warmer weather and I hope to see many of you at our MMGA zoom meetings. I
can’t wait to meet in person.
Thank you,
Barbara Heeter, 2021 MMGA President
Page 1 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Purdue University is an affirmative action, equal access/equal opportunity institution.
Tick Season is Upon Us
By Jeff Burbrink, Extension Educator-Agriculture & Natural Resources, Purdue Extension-Elkhart County
It may seem a little early in the year, but ticks came out in force last week, stimulated
by the warm weather. Most of the stories I read were from people who found ticks
on their dogs, but there were several people who found ticks on themselves or loved
ones.
The predominant tick being found was the deer tick, which has several other names
including black legged tick, Lyme disease tick and bear tick. There were also several
pictures of America dog ticks sent to me. Both these ticks, along with the Lone Star
tick, are the predominant ticks of concern in Indiana for public health issues.
Local veterinarians are also noting more cases of Lyme disease in dogs the past few
years. When you take your dog in for a checkup, the vet will likely suggest you give
your pet the Lyme disease vaccine. It is a vaccine that needs to be updated annually. Unfortunately, there is
no longer a vaccine on the market for Lyme disease for
humans. The anti-vaxxer movement scared the
manufacturers away. Flea and tick controls for dogs can
also reduce the incidence of tick bites, but will not
prevent Lyme disease if the tick bites the animal before
the tick control kicks in.
For humans working or playing outdoors, the best way
to avoid tick feeding is to wear long sleeves with cuffs, and
long pants, tucked into your socks, along with repellents
such as DEET or clothing treated with permethrin.
After being outdoors, it’s a good idea to check for ticks.
Look in area like skin folds, armpits, beltline, groin,
hairline, scalp and behind the ears. The nymphs, or baby
ticks, of the deer tick and Lone Star tick are capable of
carrying disease as well as the adults. Nymphs are about This is a female deer tick, one of several ticks in Indiana
the size of the period on the end of this sentence, so be that are of public health concern. This tick was one of
several ticks crawling on a dog. For a size reference,
vigilant. there is a tip of a ball point pen in the photo.
If you find a tick attached, remove it carefully. You do not
want to twist, squeeze, poke or burn the tick off your
body. That could force harmful bacteria from inside the tick into the wound. Instead, use a fine-tipped tweezers
to grasp around the base of the mouthparts. Gently pull the tick upward, slowly and steadily, until it releases.
Put the tick in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of in the trash. If you find one tick, it is possible there will be
more.
Pay attention to the area where the tick bites you or your animal for a week. Look for a rash that is red and
expanding. If you have an expanding rash, or other symptoms such as a headache, fever or flu-like symptoms,
see a doctor immediately.
Mowing tall grass and removing low hanging limbs can also lower tick contact with people and animals.
For more information, visit extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/tick.html.
Page 2 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
April Events July Events
Monday, April 5 Garden Tour Meeting Tuesday, July 13 Board Meeting
6:30 p.m. TBD 6:00 p.m. TBD
Tuesday, April 13 Board Meeting Monday, July 19 Fair Set-up & Pizza Party
6:00 p.m. TBD
Friday-Saturday Elkhart County 4-H Fair
Tuesday, April 27 Member Meeting -Loanne Harms July 23-31
7:00 p.m. 2021 Garden Trends, Location TBD
August Events
May Events
Monday, August 2 Garden Tour Wrap-up
Monday, May 3 Garden Tour Meeting 6:30 p.m. TBD
6:30 p.m. TBD
Tuesday, August 24 Member Meeting
Tuesday, May 25 Member Meeting-Michiana 6:30 p.m. Garden Tour
7:00 p.m. Waterways-Diana Scott Appreciation Dinner
TBD
September Events
June Events Tuesday, September 28 Member Meeting
7:00 p.m. Member Awards
Monday, June 7 Garden Tour Meeting TBD
6:30 p.m. TBD
Saturday, June 26 Garden Tour October Events
Tuesday, June 29 Member Meeting-Michiana Bee Tuesday, October 12 Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Keepers-Henry Harris 6:00 p.m. TBD
TBD
Tuesday, October 26 Member Meeting
7:00 p.m. Game Night
TBD
***A Notice from the Board of Directors***
If you want to post a Master Gardener Event on Facebook or other social media, you must clear the posting with Nancy
Borkholder at the Extension Office to get the proper Purdue information to be included in the posting.
MEETING CANCELLATION NOTICE
If the President and/or Vice-President feels it would be in the best interest of the membership to cancel an event, a blanket
email will be sent out to all members no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event. For those persons who do not have
access to email, a phone call will be made notifying them of the cancellation.
Page 3 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Poetry
By Jim Carpenter
Cooking Sap
I once had a pen go dry out here,
with not another in sight.
But now I see that I have six.
No running out of ink tonight.
I am sitting in my nature shack,
which has changed its name for a season.
It now is called the 'sugar shack'.
I think you know the reason.
I'm spending a lot of time out here,
with a process that has a purpose.
Slowing cooking that maple tree sap,
to make that delicious syrup.
The hotter the stove, the quicker the boil,
so the fire gets tended a lot.
Adding more sap as the steam rolls off,
and gathering more all the while.
So much effort must be given,
with really not much to show.
But actually it's more than that.
It's food for body and soul.
Jim Carpenter
March, 2021
Page 4 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Answer Line Action
By Dan Carlson, Answer Line Chair and
Jeff Burbrink, Extension Educator-Agriculture & Natural Resources, Purdue Extension-Elkhart County
The Answer Line is one of the ways we help the public with their questions.
This week, a small group of Answer Line veterans put together a plan for Master Gardeners to answer
horticulture and gardening related questions from the comfort of their homes. While we would love to have
Master Gardeners in the office, because of COVID, we will take a different approach via email.
Below are the procedures we will try to work with in 2021…
1. For the foreseeable future, you will be participating from home.
2. We will be asking people to sign up for a time slot, 10 am to 2 pm, on week days. You would be
volunteering to watch your email closely during those hours. (4 volunteer hours/shift).
3. When calls or questions come in to the Extension Office, our staff will gather the person's name, phone
number, and either their email address or home address, as well as a brief description of their
problem. That information would be emailed to you.
4. You would be responsible to see that question is answered from start to finish. The answers need to be
research/fact based, not home remedies or other unproven ideas. Preferably the answers would come
from Extension/University related sources.
5. Answer Line volunteers will be given password access to the Master Gardener email account, if the client
wants to send you photographs. You can use the Master Gardener account to send links to clients as
well. If you feel comfortable, you can have clients send plant/insect pictures to your personal phone as
well; that is your decision.
6. Once you have completed the contact, you would send a response back to Nancy. This would include
what steps you took to help the client. She could then send publications to the individuals who do not
have email. She will also print your return email and file it with the reports.
7. Historically, the Extension Office receives the most calls on Monday, then Tuesday, then Friday.
8. The expectation is you will be available when you sign up. If you cannot fulfill your time slot, please
either contact the Extension office immediately or find someone who can fill the slot.
9. It appears we will not be in the Goshen Farmers Market this summer, as all their spaces are filled.
10. Since this is a new way of meeting client needs, it is likely we will change some procedures during the
summer.
11. Training will be offered in early April via Zoom, and I hope to offer some face-to-face training outdoors in
the spring/summer.
Page 5 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
***To sign up for the Answer Line, click on the following link
or copy and paste it in your browser:***
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48ABAF2AA0F4C52-master
The theme colors and logo of SignUpGenius look like this, in case you are not sure you are at the correct site.
SignUpGenius will have a signup list where you put your name when you want to work. Our dates are essentially
April-September, Monday-Friday with a few Holidays knocked out. The signup sheet looks like this….
Call Dan or Jeff with any questions.
Give it a try if you will! Thanks!
Page 6 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Garden Tour Plant Sale By Len Harms, Garden Tour 2021 Plant Sale Chair Along with the Garden Tour, the MMGA hosts a plant sale. Any Master Gardeners are invited to share plants that they have or buy plants at the sale. Now is the time to begin potting up some of your extra plants as you divide your perennials or remove volunteers that you don’t want. Please pot the plants far enough ahead that they are established in the pot before you bring them. Also, the pots should be clean. If you need pots, check around with other Master Gardeners who may have a surplus of them. Before the sale I will send out plant identification tags that should be attached to your plants. As you plan, you will need to know these things: common name, botanical name, light requirements, bloom color, and bloom time. Botanical names are quite easy to look up on the internet. Search by the common name, and it will often give you the botanical name. Example: I typed in coral bells and also alum root, and the site pulled up the name Heuchera. This is a large genus, so I needed to identify its species. I was interested in the native one, which was listed as Heuchera americana. If you know the specific name, such as Heuchera Forever Red or Heuchera Lemon Lime, those are specific cultivars that are registered and cannot be legally propagated without a license. Forever Red had the letter R with a circle around it, and Lemon Lime had PP31223 after the name. Those are the indicators. It would be wise to choose another plant to give away. You should bring the plants to the Bristol United Methodist Church on Friday, June 25, between 8 and noon; and someone will be there to receive them. Questions can be directed to Len Harms, 574-238-5918 or lenharms@comcast.net. Garden Tour Crafts By Loanne Harms, Garden Tour 2021 Crafts Chair I am still looking for someone to saw some wood or paint some wood, as requested last month. Also, bring your finished crafts to my house before June 5 and receive a nice green face mask with a MMGA logo, made by me. These will be just the ticket to wear during garden tour and monthly meetings. They will also be for sale at the tour and later meetings until they run out. Be a help to us by bringing your finished crafts early so we can easily and safely set up for Garden Tour. Loanne’s address is 1128 Gilst Drive, Goshen IN. 46528, phone 574-238-5917 Page 7 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Volunteers are the Backbone of the Michiana Master Gardener Association
By Lois Anderson, Garden Tour 2021 Volunteer Chair
What are the benefits to you of volunteering for MMGA?
• Meet new people and develop lasting relationships.
• Increase your happiness and better your mental health.
• Learn new skills and increase your brain function and self-esteem.
• Decrease your stress and accrue the health benefits.
• Do good in our Community, in the World and help make a positive difference.
• Have Fun!
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”
Winston Churchill
Why MMGA needs you:
Many hands make light the work (I’m sure you’ve heard that before!) and it’s true. Tasks that would seem
impossible, are made possible by so many members who give freely of their ideas, energy, time, and caring. Yes,
many hands do make light the work. Volunteers are a tremendous resource for nonprofits, like Master
Gardeners. Without volunteers, we would not be able to conduct programs, raise funds, or serve clients in our
community. The board members who serve to guide our organization are also volunteers. The members who
volunteer to manage major activities, such as: Garden Tour, Expo, Answer Line, Speakers Bureau, and more are
tantamount to Project Managers in large corporations who earn in the neighborhood of six figures--and yet,
they are joyful unpaid volunteers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, volunteerism peaked between 2003 and 2005, when 28.8 percent
of Americans reported having volunteered the previous year. Today, the numbers are far less. People are busy
and in more families two people may need to work fulltime, leaving less time for volunteering. However -
volunteer opportunities are shifting with the times and we need to shift with them.
Page 8 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Did you know that it's possible to volunteer virtually? Think about it! We have been meeting via the Zoom
Meeting Platform for our monthly membership meetings, our Garden Tour meetings, individual and small group
meetings to discuss and decide work and future actions. Being able to meet virtually has been a wonderful tool
that allows our volunteer work to go on--even when the government has imposed lock-downs and other safety
restrictions. Jeff has been providing us with links to web-based training to earn our education hours.
Personally, I have been able to build a Google Docs/Form to
collect all of the volunteer data for the 2021 Garden Tour.
This allowed the collection of information without the
concern that viruses would be passed via paper forms from
one person to another. This work has been accomplished as
I volunteered virtually. Your submission of your ability to
volunteer or not this year is also accomplished virtually. If you
have not already done so, please submit your form if you are
volunteering or not! Knowing who is not available is also
important information.
Rhonda Loucks was the prior Volunteer Chair and she has
virtually donated countless hours assisting me and answering
a myriad of questions--again, virtually. Rhonda is donating
her time, expertise, and counseling to make certain that I
fully understand the details of the Volunteer Chair position.
Other chairs have shared their experiences and insight to
assist me. What is the value of all this knowledge and
assistance given so freely? The value of all these volunteers
is PRICELESS.
Please do not ever think that your volunteer efforts on behalf of our Master Gardeners’ group are not valued or
appreciated. You are appreciated more than you can possibly imagine. Volunteers (YOU) are the backbone of
our organization and without you--the organization is NOTHING.
Page 9 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
The Fabulous Folklore of Lavender
By Kate Wolford, Class of 2016 and loves herbs and ancient rose varieties
Gardening is one of my great loves and folklore is another passion for me. But folklore and plants together—
that’s a fascinating combination!
To explore all the folklore of plants would take me years, and I’d have to write a giant compendium on the topic.
Fortunately for you and me both, I’m writing about just one plant today: Lavender, my all-time favorite herb.
You know the basics about lavender: It smells divine; its lovely,
spiky wands of flowers bloom off and on throughout the summer
(depending on the variety); and it has pretty, gray-green, skinny
foliage. I’ve grown it here in Goshen for at least 20 years.
Lavender has fascinated humans for thousands of years, and as a
result, it has worked its way into our stories of both the great and
humble. An intriguing example: “Cleopatra used its fragrance in
her grand seductions. It’s even claimed the asp that killed her hid
among her lavender bushes.” (Source: Icysedgwick.com). When
you’re associated with Cleopatra, can lasting fame be far behind?
In less exalted instances, ladies looking to lure their men to the
altar would put some sprigs of lavender under their gentleman’s
pillow to induce him to get moving. Then, to keep life interesting,
wives would use its scent to raise their husbands’ romantic
feelings. Yet, on the other side of the coin, lavender and rosemary
together were said to “preserve virtue.” (Ourherbgarden.com)
Meanwhile, in the language of flowers, so popular with Victorians,
lavender was said to symbolize distrust. What’s more, that asp
business slithers around again as the folkloric reason why lavender
Photo courtesy of Pinterest was considered suspicious. There’s the lasting fame. (“Myths and
Magic of Lavender” on Medium.com)
ThePracticalHerbalist.com is a fabulous destination for all things herbal, and it did not disappoint when I was
researching for this article. Here’s some of what I found: “In (folk) magic, lavender was most often used for
protection. It was said to drive off the evil eye and chase away demons and evil spirits. Fashioned into a cross,
it was hung over doorways and at the entrances to homes to protect the inhabitants against evil spirits.” Plus,
“During the plague, lavender found its way into the now famous Four Thieves Vinegar recipe as a protective and
cleansing agent.” The Thieves legend is worth a separate writeup, as it is a bit complicated and definitely falls in
the plant folklore category, but you get the idea.
Lavender is also said to bring good luck and protection if planted near your front door. I do, in fact, have it
planted near my front door, but mostly because I love to smell it as I walk in and out of the house. I also think
Page 10 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcasterits true “magic” is found in its antiseptic properties, its ability to calm the spirit just with one sniff, and how
pretty it looks in the garden.
My final and favorite lavender folk tale is that it got its unique scent when Baby Jesus’s mother hung His clothes
on a lavender bush to dry. The scent of His fresh clothes imbued it with that wonderful perfume forevermore.
Isn’t that a beautiful story?
Whether you love lavender for its practical uses, its stories, or its beauty, growing it here in Northern Indiana
can be pretty easy. Yes, I occasionally lose a plant after a very bad winter, but I always make sure to have at
least three plants in my garden, in case one doesn’t make it through winter. I also make sure to only plant
lavender in areas of my garden with well-drained soil, but I otherwise leave it alone. Lavender likes soil that
hasn’t been amended with compost or fertilizer or manure.
If you’re on the fence about lavender, go for it. It’s been a favorite for thousands of years, and it's got the stories
to prove it.
“And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.”
-Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Sensitive Plant
Page 11 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana BroadcasterThe Reward of Seed Starting and How To
By Diana Thornton
I've talked to many gardeners who are experienced at growing plants outdoors but hesitate to start seeds
indoors. To me, starting seeds is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. It gets my hands in the soil (or
at least the seed-starting mix) during the dark, cold days of late winter and early spring. And it's so amazing and
rewarding to plant a seemingly lifeless seed and watch it sprout and grow.
Why start seeds indoors? Gardeners start their own seeds for all sorts of reasons. First of all, if you start your
own seeds, you can plant hard-to-find varieties. You'll likely find fewer than a dozen varieties available as plants
at your local garden center, but hundreds more are available as seeds. You can save money, too; a packet of
seeds costs a few dollars and usually contains a dozen or more seeds — a single plant often costs more than an
entire packet. Nurturing a little patch of green indoors is a great way to beat the winter blues, and I think it's
particularly rewarding to grow a plant from seed to harvest.
If you're new to seed starting, begin with easy, reliable seeds, including tomato, pepper, basil, zinnia, marigold,
cosmos. These all germinate readily and grow quickly. Once you've mastered these, you can try your hand at
more challenging plants. When you're starting seeds indoors, timing is everything. The goal is to grow seedlings
that are the ideal size for transplanting into the garden at the proper time. Sowing dates depend on:
1. your average last spring frost date
2. whether the plant prefers cool or warm growing conditions
3. how quickly the seed germinates and grows
Most seed packets suggest a planting time, such as "sow seeds indoors six weeks before your average last frost
date." To calculate your planting date, start by determining your average last spring frost date, mark it on a
calendar, and count back in one-week increments.
How do I know my last frost date in spring? You can visit the
Farmer's Almanac website or find a Master Gardener to ask...
Hint — you should know in northern Indiana the last frost date is
approximately May 1st to May 10th (Mother's Day is an easy way
to remember). The date of the actual last spring frost varies from
year to year so the "average last spring frost date" is just an
approximation, but it gives you a starting point.
Can I grow on a windowsill or do I need special grow lights?
Although it's possible to grow seedlings on a sunny windowsill,
you'll get much better results if you grow them under lights.
That's because the sunlight in early spring isn't nearly as intense
as summer sun, and the days are shorter, too. Seedlings growing on a windowsill will reach for the sun, resulting
in long, weak stems that bend toward the light. Plants grown under the consistent, bright fluorescent lights of
a light garden, on the other hand, will have strong, stocky stems that will adapt better once they're transplanted
into the garden.
Page 12 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana BroadcasterCan use garden soil to start seeds? Garden soil tends to drain poorly, especially when it's used in small seed- starting trays. It can also harbor disease organisms that can damage or kill young seedlings. You will get the best results by starting seeds in a mix formulated for starting seeds indoors. What type of pot should I use? Although you can start seeds in any container that has drainage holes, specially- designed seed-starting pots and trays provide optimal conditions. They let you start lots of seeds in a small space, and they drain freely to prevent rot. Some people prefer biodegradable pots; others prefer reusable trays. How deeply do I plant the seeds? Most seed packets tell you how deep to plant. A rule of thumb is to sow seeds two or three times as deep as they are wide. Take care not to plant seeds too deep. A seed contains a limited supply of stored food to nourish it during germination. If you plant it too deep, it will run out of food before it reaches the light and grows big enough to start producing its own. Some seeds require light to germinate; the seed packet should say this. Sow these seeds on the surface of the planting mix. Which is better, watering from the top or from the bottom? Bottom watering is usually preferable because it keeps the soil surface dryer, helping prevent disease problems. For small seeds or surface-sown seeds, top misting keeps the surface moist for better germination. Self-watering seed-starting systems, use a wicking fabric to supply water from the bottom, providing a steady supply of just the right amount of water to plant roots. You just fill the reservoir and don't need to worry about over- or under-watering. When do I remove the greenhouse cover on my seed starter? The greenhouse cover holds in moisture, raising the humidity for fast germination. As soon as you see the first tiny sprout, remove the cover. This allows air to circulate around seedlings, minimizing disease problems. How close should the grow lights be to the seedlings? Keep the lights a few inches from the tops of the seedlings to promote strong, stocky growth. Do I leave the lights on all the time? Most seedlings grow best when lights are kept on for about 14 to 16 hours per day. They need a period of darkness (as they would in nature) to rest and prepare for active growth when the lights are back on. Do I need to thin my seedlings? A few weeks after seeds start growing, they may start crowding each other. When that happens, it will be time to thin the seedlings. This is the hardest part of seed starting for me, choose the strongest seedling and removing the others nearby. This gives the remaining seedling room to grow. Although you can try to separate seedlings and replant, invariably you'll damage some roots, setting back growth. The best way to thin is to snip off extra seedlings at the soil line. When should I start fertilizing my seedlings The first set of leaf-like structures aren't leaves at all, but are the seed's food storage structures, called cotyledons, The second and subsequent sets are true leaves, and they resemble the mature plant's leaves. Begin fertilizing seedlings when they're an inch or two tall, or when they have their second set of true leaves. How do I know when it's time to transplant into larger pots? Tomatoes and other fast-growing plants may outgrow their pots before it's time to move them into the garden. About a month after sowing or when seedlings are about 4" tall, gently remove one of the seedlings from its pot. If the roots are beginning to fill the space, then it's time to transplant them into a larger pot. Avoid waiting too long, because root crowding can stunt plant growth and make it difficult for plants to recover after transplanting. Page 13 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
What is "hardening off" and how do I do it? Hardening off is simply acclimating plants to outdoor conditions.
Seedlings grown indoors have been coddled — you've been giving them just the right amount of light, moisture
and nutrients. Outdoor conditions are more challenging, with fluctuating temperatures and light levels, more
variable soil moisture, and wind. About a week before you plan to set the seedlings into the garden, start
hardening them off. Place them in a protected spot outdoors (partly shaded, out of the wind) for a few hours,
bringing them in at night. Gradually, over the course of a week or 10 days, expose them to more and more
sunshine and wind. A cold frame is a great place to harden off plants.
What Went Wrong? Even the most experienced seed starters occasionally have problems. Here are some
symptoms, and possible causes:
• Poor germination. Although most common vegetables and annual flowers germinate readily, some types
of plants have notoriously poor germination rates. Often, this is indicated on the seed packet (with the
suggestion to sow extra seed). First of all, be sure you've given plants enough time to germinate. At
sowing time, mark the pots with the type of plant, date of sowing, and days to germination (found on
the seed packet). Some seeds take two weeks or more to sprout. Poor germination can be caused by
overly wet or cold soil, which causes seeds to rot. (l use a heat mat to avoid this.) If the soil was too dry,
the seeds may not have been able to absorb enough moisture to sprout. And if the soil dried out even
once after they began growing, the fragile new roots may have died before the shoot even emerged
above the soil. Poor germination can also be caused by outdated seed, and seed that hasn't been
properly stored.
• Damping off. If, after a few days, some of your seedlings keel over at the soil line then you're probably
seeing the effects of damping off. This is caused by soil-borne fungi attacking the stem. There's no cure,
and the seeds won't re-sprout. Start over with clean containers and sterile seed-starting mix. Allow the
soil surface to dry out slightly between watering, and place a fan in the room for good air circulation. To
disinfect used containers, sterilize them in a 10 percent bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water.)
• Mold and algae growth. If you see fuzzy white growth or slimy green patches on the surface of the
planting mix, or on the outside of biodegradable pots, it's probably mold or algae: Although generally
harmless to the seedling, they both indicate that the seed-starting mix is too wet. Allow it to dry out
slightly between watering and use a small fan in the room to increase air circulation.
• Pale, stretched-out seedlings with weak stems. 'I Leggy" seedlings are often the result of inadequate
light, both in intensity and duration. Place plants under grow lights, arranging them so the lights are a
few inches above the tops of the plants, and keep the lights on for about 14 to 16 hours per day. Leggy
plants can also result from too-warm room temperatures and overcrowding.
References:
Sue DeJohn Seed Starting-Questions & Answers
Farmer’s Almanac Spring 2018
Miracle-Gro.com
Burpee.com
Page 14 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana BroadcasterPhotography By Debbie Mann Page 15 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
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Member Meeting Minutes
By Rob Slaski
MMGA Member Meeting
February 23, 2021
7:00 p.m.
● – 56 Master Gardeners participated via Zoom for our second meeting of 2021. President Barb Heeter brought
the meeting to order.
● – Secretary's report from the January meeting was approved after Anne Overmyer made the motion and
Loanne Harms seconded.
● – Treasurer's report provided by Gail Weybright. Account balances as of 2/22/2021 were as follows: Checking
$3,358.82, Savings $1,281.08, Money Market $32,731.33. Bill Albaugh made a motion to accept the report,
Anne Overmyer seconded and the Treasurer's report was approved.
● – Educator's report provided by Jeff Burbrink. Jeff is getting ready to start the spring 2021 Master Gardener
Wednesday afternoon classes starting March 3rd. There will also be advanced training opportunities in the
coming months, so stay tuned and watch those emails.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
● – Answer Line – Dan Carlson reports an upcoming meeting with Jeff that will help to determine how we will
move forward, following Purdue guidelines. The Answer Line has regular hours to respond to public inquiries
as well as a presence at the Goshen Farmers Market on Saturdays.
● – Archivist – Marilyn Horvath reports the 2020 book is put together. This year it is primarily composed of
Jeff's newspaper articles and photos from the Garden Expo and the Community Gardens. The archive is a
repository and celebration of organizational accomplishments and all members are urged to collect and
contribute anything toward that end.
● – Broadcaster – Barb thanked and congratulated Tammy O'Rourke and Nancy Borkholder on the really nice
work they do putting the Broadcaster together for us.
● – Community Gardens – Anne Overmyer reports their first meeting is scheduled via Zoom for March 23rd.
Three plots remain to be rented for $10 each, a real bargain at 2.5 cents per square foot for the 20 x 20 plots.
● – Fair – Jeff reports he has spoken with the Fair Board president and there WILL be a fair this year. The changes
will be many as they move forward, doing whatever is necessary to provide a safe environment for all
participants. Barb reports the Green Earth Day will be the first Friday of the fair this year, July 23. Green Day is
held in the Heritage Park area, and Master Gardeners have participated in the past with programs on
composting and creating a rain garden, among others. Any program should be interactive and educational,
promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. A table and chairs will be provided, and any group
taking on the challenge will be expected to maintain a presence the entire time, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
● – Fair Volunteers – Kathleen Cripe reports that she will begin working to secure volunteers starting in March.
Fair volunteers staff Ag Hall, which consists of keeping a presence in the building as well as answering questions
from the public. It is a great way to earn some volunteer hours while interacting with the public and getting to
know your fellow Master Gardeners.
● – Garden Expo – Penny Stroup reports the first meeting will be February 24th to begin the work for Expo 2022.
The committee is still in need of a co-chair for this event.
● – Garden Tour – Gaye Yoder reports they are gearing up fast. Volunteer questionnaires have been distributed
via email, with positive reviews that it was well put together. Sherrie Zou reports they have been readying save-
the-date cards and other publicity for distribution.
Page 18 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster● – Membership –Linda Harkleroad asked the members to let Carol Swartzendruber know if anyone is in need of a sympathy or pick-me-up card, and Carol will get that out to them. ● – Merchandise – Connie Kline can be contacted directly for merchandise inquiries. Branded shirts, hats and gloves are among the available items. ● – Programs and Property: – There is a change in programs for the March meeting, when Kate Rink will talk about the Horticulture program at the fair. ● – Quilt Gardens – Meg Mitzel (Bristol site) reports they are waiting for the weather to warm up before picking up the plants. Len Harms (Goshen site) added that he would like to pick-up and plant on the same day. ● – Website – Barb reports that the board voted to keep the current website hosting level and use Square to support online ticket sales. Weebly (website provider) will charge 3% per-transaction and Square charges 3.5% plus 15 cents per transaction. There will be a service fee associated with online sales to help offset the added expense. Poorna Bhagat has agreed to work to set it up. ● – 2020 Class – Dennis Sanders reports the 2020 class is meeting once a month. Barb concluded the meeting thanking Nancy Borkholder on the nice work getting our member directory together. ● – The next member meeting will be Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Respectfully submitted by Robert Slaski, Secretary Page 19 of 20 April 2021 The Michiana Broadcaster
Michiana Master Gardeners’ Association
Elkhart County
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Michiana Master Gardeners’ Association is to
improve the quality of life in the community by providing
information and technical assistance about home horticulture
using volunteers trained and certified through Purdue Extension
of Elkhart County.
MOTTO
“Helping Others Grow”
Purdue Extension Elkhart County
Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds
17746 County Road 34, Suite E
Goshen, IN 46528-6898
574-533-0554
Jeff Burbrink, Extension Educator-Agriculture & Natural Resources
jburbrink@purdue.edu
Nancy Borkholder, Extension Secretary
nborkholder@purdue.edu
EEOC STATEMENT It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal
opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color,
sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a veteran. Purdue
University is an Affirmative Action institution.
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