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Master Gardener

cooby classic Aug 14 2012 12:50 AM

I don't know what it'll mean to my beloved city-dwelling friends here, but I am applying to become a Penn State Master Gardener! Class start in October and I am excited! My first real certificate!

Edgy MD Aug 14 2012 01:41 AM Re: Master Gardener

It's all that time with Linus in the pumpkin patch what done it. Nice work. Come plant up my twelfth of an acre.

themetfairy Aug 14 2012 10:12 AM Re: Master Gardener

How fabulous, my friend! All the best with that :)

cooby classic Aug 14 2012 03:36 PM Re: Master Gardener

Thanks! Maybe I'll learn when to pick apples, lol...

Ceetar Aug 14 2012 04:10 PM Re: Master Gardener

cooby wrote: Thanks! Maybe I'll learn when to pick apples, lol... or when to grow them so they're ready when you want them. ;-)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 14 2012 04:15 PM Re: Master Gardener

Grow me some pineapples. I love them.

cooby classic Aug 14 2012 04:36 PM Re: Master Gardener

mmmm, Me too! I hope there's a pineapple class

TheOldMole Aug 16 2012 03:02 AM Re: Master Gardener

I think this sounds great.

Edgy MD Aug 16 2012 03:03 AM Re: Master Gardener

To those about to rake, I salute you.

Mets Willets Point Aug 16 2012 01:27 PM Re: Master Gardener

Do you get a cool nickname like Capability Brown?

cooby classic Aug 16 2012 02:18 PM Re: Master Gardener

I LIKE that idea!

cooby classic Aug 29 2012 03:25 AM Re: Master Gardener

Well, I sent in my application and money; classes start in a month. Start sending me your gardening/pest questions.

Ceetar Aug 29 2012 12:55 PM Re: Master Gardener

cooby wrote: Well, I sent in my application and money; classes start in a month. Start sending me your gardening/pest questions. what are the best hops to grow in New Jersey?

cooby classic Aug 30 2012 04:04 PM Re: Master Gardener

golden ones.

soupcan Sep 11 2012 12:21 AM Re: Master Gardener

I had never heard the term 'Master Gardener' ever before this year. Now if cooby goes through with this I will know 3 of them. I think that is really fantastic that you are doing that. Kudos to you my friend and good luck!

cooby classic Sep 11 2012 12:34 PM Re: Master Gardener

Thank you! You should think up a question to ask all three of us and see if we give you the same answer

cooby classic Oct 04 2012 03:13 PM Re: Master Gardener

Tonight is my first class.

themetfairy Oct 04 2012 04:26 PM Re: Master Gardener

Have a great time!

cooby classic Oct 04 2012 05:33 PM Re: Master Gardener

Actually I am nervous

Vic Sage Oct 04 2012 05:43 PM Re: Master Gardener

As a "master gardener", will you be given control over a particular section of land... you know, like your own domain? And will you be the master of it? please say yes.

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 06:13 PM Re: Master Gardener

do you get the green thumb immediately, or is there a qualification process to acquire the color?

cooby classic Oct 04 2012 06:31 PM Re: Master Gardener

Vic Sage wrote: As a "master gardener", will you be given control over a particular section of land... you know, like your own domain? And will you be the master of it? please say yes. OMG would that be great. I would choose, I don't know, maybe a remote Hawaiian island.... Ceeter: do you get the green thumb immediately, or is there a qualification process to acquire the color? With me it'll take a while. DO you know those little sticks they put in plants to identify them at the nursery? When I plant a plant, and put those little sticks in with it, they usually end up as tombstones....

Mets Willets Point Oct 04 2012 07:56 PM Re: Master Gardener

Ceetar wrote: do you get the green thumb immediately, or is there a qualification process to acquire the color? It would be great if it was like karate belts and you had to work through several color thumbs to get to the green thumb.

cooby classic Oct 04 2012 08:44 PM Re: Master Gardener

I might suggest that...

cooby classic Oct 05 2012 02:46 PM Re: Master Gardener

Last night was good; we met our team (seven of us), got our stuff, learned how to do public speaking, and had apples and (I am not making this up) Dunkin Donuts.

themetfairy Oct 05 2012 03:21 PM Re: Master Gardener

With or without coffee? ;) I'm glad you enjoyed your first class :)

cooby classic Oct 05 2012 03:34 PM Re: Master Gardener

No (DD) coffee! But they offered cider or water

metirish Oct 05 2012 04:53 PM Re: Master Gardener

cooby wrote: I don't know what it'll mean to my beloved city-dwelling friends here, but I am applying to become a Penn State Master Gardener! Class start in October and I am excited! My first real certificate! very cool, good for you

cooby classic Jan 22 2013 03:47 PM Re: Master Gardener

My test is Thursday night. I am studying for it right now

Swan Swan H Jan 22 2013 04:21 PM Re: Master Gardener

I can see your thumb getting greener from here.

cooby classic Jan 22 2013 04:54 PM Re: Master Gardener

It's pretty boring reading though. I keep looking out at the driveway and thinking I'd rather be out shoveling. I think I am going to go do that very soon. Soil composition is just not keeping me happy today.

themetfairy Jan 22 2013 05:04 PM Re: Master Gardener

You'll do great!

cooby classic Jan 22 2013 05:06 PM Re: Master Gardener

Thank you :) But after lunch, I still have to shovel the driveway, sigh...

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 02:57 AM Re: Master Gardener

Well that's that. Tomorrow I will find out if I passed. I had some issues with the bagworm questions, and there were three of them, out of 100 questions.

themetfairy Jan 25 2013 04:05 AM Re: Master Gardener

I'm sure you aced it!

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:11 AM Re: Master Gardener

That I doubt :/ but I think I at least passed

Edgy MD Jan 25 2013 02:54 PM Re: Master Gardener

It's not fair to give somebody a gardening test in the winter. That's sort of spin-straw-into-gold deal right there.

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 03:59 PM Re: Master Gardener

Hi Amy, Just looked at your test and you had a score of 37. But I am happy to say that was the score on your first test. Congratulations, with a score of 93, you are now a Master Gardener Apprentice!!! Remember our next meeting is 2/14 at 6 pm in the Learning Center. You will be taking notes so come prepared. Q

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 25 2013 04:08 PM Re: Master Gardener

MY INTERNET FRIEND IS AN HONOR STUDENT IN GARDENING SCHOOL

Edgy MD Jan 25 2013 04:12 PM Re: Master Gardener

cooby wrote: Hi Amy, Just looked at your test and you had a score of 37. But I am happy to say that was the score on your first test. Congratulations, with a score of 93, you are now a Master Gardener Apprentice!!! Remember our next meeting is 2/14 at 6 pm in the Learning Center. You will be taking notes so come prepared. Q Nice. Tease them with heartbreak, but behind that goat... IS A NEW CAR!! Coogratulations!

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:13 PM Re: Master Gardener

Lol... I must have guessed right on bagworms and wilted cauliflour! And yeah, I thought the 37 was my score for last night at first!

Mets Willets Point Jan 25 2013 04:16 PM Re: Master Gardener

Congrats to Apprentice Pius I of Pennsylvania!

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:18 PM Re: Master Gardener

Oh yeah! I can call myself that now!

seawolf17 Jan 25 2013 04:23 PM Re: Master Gardener

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: MY INTERNET FRIEND IS AN HONOR STUDENT IN GARDENING SCHOOL Bumper sticker ordered. Congrats Cooby!

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:26 PM Re: Master Gardener

Thank you everyone!

themetfairy Jan 25 2013 04:29 PM Re: Master Gardener

I knew you'd ace it :) So - when are you going to design landscape for my yard?

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:34 PM Re: Master Gardener

I'm thinking a nice little knot garden with a Mets emblem in the middle for you, ma'am... How is your drainage?...And have you had a Penn State soil test?... The pH value is very important to what we plant for you...Rutgers? I suppose we could use their soil test...

themetfairy Jan 25 2013 04:35 PM Re: Master Gardener

I like that! The drainage is good in the front. In the back, not so much. How would one get a ph test for the soil? Is it expensive?

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 04:38 PM Re: Master Gardener

Actually the Penn State one is only about 10 dollars. I could find out about Rutgers if you want but you would have to do it yourself since I push the Penn State ones. :) It sounds like a scam to get people to buy a soil test, but it really does matter to find out what your soil pH is and also what it needs to get the maximum benifits from it. They tell you what to do to enrich the soil. Oh, and plant native!!!

themetfairy Jan 25 2013 05:03 PM Re: Master Gardener

One day you'll come over and check things out for me :)

cooby classic Jan 25 2013 05:05 PM Re: Master Gardener

I surely will!

TheOldMole Feb 02 2013 10:57 PM Re: Master Gardener

Do you expect to solve any murders?

cooby classic Feb 03 2013 03:48 AM Re: Master Gardener

I surely do; like who keeps eating my indoor plants! Oh, wait.... I love Rosemary and Thyme, btw, and keep wanting to see it on TV...do you know when it's on? I have only seen it on Acorn.com.

TheOldMole Feb 06 2013 04:22 PM Re: Master Gardener

I get it on Netflix.

cooby classic Feb 15 2013 04:38 PM Re: Master Gardener

I am now an official Apprentice and will log 50 hours of service before becoming a Certified Master Gardener. Last night my class created our personal pages in the Penn State database, so I guess it's official! We have some specific projects to do individually and as a team. It's going to be a lot of fun! I am so anxious for spring I could just spit!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 15 2013 04:48 PM Re: Master Gardener

Pineapples for all.

cooby classic Feb 15 2013 04:51 PM Re: Master Gardener

With a straw!

TheOldMole Feb 15 2013 05:04 PM Re: Master Gardener

Are those pages public? What's the URL?

cooby classic Feb 15 2013 05:11 PM Re: Master Gardener

Not really, but once they get our bios in there I will let you know where to look for them :) Those pages are public...here is where they will be actually I can tell you now and then when I am in there I'll let you know. :) http://extension.psu.edu/clinton/progra ... ener/about

Farmer Ted Feb 22 2013 06:31 PM Re: Master Gardener

Come over and help me get this mushroom funk off my trees.

cooby classic Feb 26 2013 03:38 PM Re: Master Gardener

ew! But really, send me a picture...

cooby classic Mar 27 2013 09:09 PM Re: Master Gardener

Doing my first presentation on Monday night, about Earth Day. I'm wondering, does anyone here remember the very first Earth Day? I've only got a few days to throw something together, so I've been having fun doing research. BTW, I also did my first published article and am working on my second one.

cooby classic May 16 2013 09:24 PM Re: Master Gardener

Things have been pretty wild this week. I bought a bunch of plants at the MG plant sale last week and though they were not marked I had them sorted out and knew what they were. But with the frost Sunday and Monday nights, I was throwing flats of plants in the cold frame, under blankets, in the house, wherever, willy nilly. Everything was mixed up! Today I planted stuff in my flower beds around the pool and I have no idea what the one thing is. It is either a flower or brussels sprouts. I'll find out soon enough! Meanwhile, two and a half days after a hard frost, I was considering swimming except I ran out of time. Maybe tomorrow!

cooby classic Jun 30 2013 02:53 PM Re: Master Gardener

Herb Fest today. I made lavender cookies and lavender iced tea. Plus I have five different species of lavender plants to display and a fact sheet. Sachets, lavender bath products, etc etc. I have on a PA Lavender Fair tee shirt and a lavender skirt and purple flip flops. In short, I look bizarre. Wish me luck. In reference to the above mentioned mystery plants, I still don't know because they are not blooming so far.....

themetfairy Jun 30 2013 11:43 PM Re: Master Gardener

I'm sure you did great!

cooby classic Jul 20 2013 12:11 AM Re: Master Gardener

I've been promoted to Clinton County Master Gardener Facebook page Content Creator! I'll be sending an invite to all my facebook friends to stop by and check it out :)

themetfairy Jul 20 2013 12:34 AM Re: Master Gardener

Awesome - WTG cooby! Pretty soon you'll be the head Master Gardener :)

Swan Swan H Jul 20 2013 02:58 AM Re: Master Gardener

Cooby, when you're named Head Gardener this can be your first assignment:

cooby classic Jul 20 2013 05:24 PM Re: Master Gardener

themetfairy wrote: Awesome - WTG cooby! Pretty soon you'll be the head Master Gardener :) Oh my god, no... A head garden, :)

Vic Sage Jul 23 2013 05:21 PM Re: Master Gardener

Thomas Franklin: It's that gardener. Johanna: Yes, Chauncey Gardiner. Thomas Franklin: No, he's a real gardener. Johanna: He does talk like one. I think he's brilliant.

cooby classic Jul 26 2013 02:58 AM Re: Master Gardener

Wow, white gardening gloves! :) Thank you to all who have "liked" our facebook page so far! I am grateful :)

cooby classic Jan 09 2014 10:02 PM Re: Master Gardener

We are having a January Educational series the next three weeks. I am the first presenter....homemade suet cakes! We have 25 people signed up already! I was planning to give out a free suet cake at the end but I guess I will have to have a drawing :)

cooby classic Jan 09 2014 10:04 PM Re: Master Gardener

Here's my handout; please let me know if you see anything obviously stupid about it... MAKING HOMEMADE SUET CAKES Birds need the fat in suet in order to maintain their metabolisms. With the lack of bugs and insects in the winter, the suet provides bug eating birds with a substitute for the nutrition they get from the insects. The seeds and grains in the suet cakes provide roughage and protein and the fat provides all birds with the calories they need to stay warm and active. In fall months, suet helps to store fat to prepare for migration and colder weather. It is not an especially good idea to put out suet in summer months for two good reasons: 1) The suet can spoil and make the birds sick 2) The oils from the suet can get on the bird’s bellies and thus transfer to eggs in the nest. If the pores of the eggs are clogged, the embryos will not get enough oxygen. It is important to keep homemade suet cakes cold!! They will not have preservatives. Fat will become rancid; peanuts and corn can harbor bacteria. Also, fat that has been used to fry meat could contain carcinogens! Please be sure to only put out bread or other household foods that are not moldy or spoiled. Don’t give our wildlife bad food, only fresh! Questions to consider! *How many of you feed birds in the wintertime? *Why feed birds in the wintertime? To help them live through the cold winter. To give us entertainment. They are pretty. It is good stewardship. *What benefits to your garden will feeding birds through the winter give you? (Suet will provide a source of food to insect eating birds, keeping them close so when grubs and insects reappear, the birds will be there already.) *What are some of the birds you have seen this winter? What are you feeding them? *Are these items that could be incorporated into a suet cake? (probably) The more variety you put into your suet cakes, the bigger variety of birds you will attract! Make it a smorgasbord! Birds that eat fruit: Catbirds, orioles, Jays Birds that eat seeds: Blackbirds, doves, finches, sparrows, Jays, cardinals Birds that eat insects: woodpeckers, robins, bluebirds, sparrows, cardinals And of course many birds eat a variety of foods from the different categories. *Do you have any objections to other animals feeding on your suet cakes? Squirrels, chipmunks, etc? If so, use chili powder in mix. This might work. *Where to hang your suet cake: Be sure to hang it where it won’t be in the sun. Hang it close to branches or tree trunks, or a bush, so birds have not only an easy place to rest while they eat, but also for nearby safety and cover. They can also be placed on the ground on foil trays. . Note: I notice that my ground feeders had not been eaten this week even during the cold snap….maybe they don’t like them on the ground after all? I moved them up to a hanging tray. Keep them away from your house to keep unwanted animals away from them (skunks, bears, and raccoons) but close enough that you can enjoy the show! Part One: How to make suet mix to form and chill in a cake pan, foil pie pan, or small can. Use baking spray to treat small cans. For cake pans, line the pan with waxed paper. I tried using foil (as the recipe calls for) and parchment paper but I found it undesirable because the foil stuck to the suet and I did not want the birds to eat small particles of the foil, and the suet would not come free from the parchment. Waxed paper worked fine! Part two: How to make round suet cakes to hang by a ribbon or put in a mesh bag or suet ball holder and also suet cake bars for log jammer. I have not done this at home so it will truly be an experiment for all of us! Use popsicle sticks with holes drilled in for “hooks” and also for perches Popsicle sticks are fine because when the suet is gone, the popsicle sticks will just fall to the ground. The wooden sticks will not be a hazard to wildlife or the environment. It is important to keep homemade suet cakes cold!! They will not have preservatives. Fat will become rancid; peanuts and corn can harbor bacteria.

themetfairy Jan 09 2014 11:48 PM Re: Master Gardener

Very nice cooby - I'm sure that you're going to have a great event!

metsmarathon Apr 06 2014 02:23 AM Re: Master Gardener

this is in my cheery cherry tree. well, not the quarter, i took it out. but the big giant hole is there. and there's at least a dzen smaller ones, maybe the size of a dime. this monster is the only one that's not conical. so... woodpeckers, right? also, i assume the tree is doomed. i mean, it's already been doomed before. it has a massive infestation of carpenter ants, as hte woodpeckers have surely noticed. it also has a split trunk, from the ground up to about three feet where it branches off, from when a big chunk of pine tree was dropped onto it. but, damn, woody. the tree don't need any help getting killed.

cooby classic Apr 09 2014 04:27 PM Re: Master Gardener

Sorry I missed this. A lady called the hotline last year and I thought woodpecker too. She declared no so after a little research I came up with a different theory. I never did find out if I was right. Can't wait to figure this one out!! I love cherries!

metsmarathon Apr 09 2014 06:15 PM Re: Master Gardener

what was your other theory? my only other working theory is a hooligan with a peculiar distate for flowering hardwoods. i can't imagine it would be insect-caused, as the edges of hte wood just look frayed, not nibbled. and its a big round hole, with the other holes being much more conical. if i just had this hole to go by, i'd almost be inclined to wonder if there's strange previously undiscovered tree-boring rodent that's moved into the fast-paced world of southern sussex county, nj. but the smaller conical holes do not fit that unlikely scenario. i suppose a rodent (squirrel or chipmunk) might've discovered the original hole in its smaller woodpecker-derived state and enlarged it to his liking...? the tree is a flowering kwanzan cherry tree. i'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has, given the split trunk and massive ant colony.

cooby classic Apr 10 2014 08:03 PM Re: Master Gardener

To tell you the truth I forget, but I think we might have speculated that it was a yellow bellied sapsucker, because the holes were in bands around the trunk of her tree. Is that the case in your tree? Kinda like this . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All around the trunk. Though I agree the big one does sound like a woodpecker. Really cool that he left a quarter in there :)

metsmarathon Apr 11 2014 03:35 PM Re: Master Gardener

definitely not a sapsucker. they're not arranged in any kind of array. plus, they're enormous. well, relative to the size hold a sapsucker would make. the holes go deep into the branch to the central core, wherein the ant infestation lies. i'm hoping next time he comes, though, he can leave a bigger denomination coin. a half dollar maybe, though a sacajawea or susie b would be nice.

themetfairy Apr 11 2014 04:10 PM Re: Master Gardener

What do you think you have - The Woodpecker Fairy?

cooby classic Jul 10 2014 07:33 PM Re: Master Gardener

Got stung in the scalp several times today. Surprised it didn't happen earlier; I've been pushing my luck crawling around in my garden all week. Yeeouch.

themetfairy Jul 10 2014 07:53 PM Re: Master Gardener

Ouch - feel better!