Allamakee Master Gardeners

07/04/2024

Here is the 2024 Open Class Exhibit Building Fairbook

Open Class Fairbook is HERE!! https://www.allamakeecountyfair.org/open-class-events

Preparing Cut Flowers and Harvesting and Preparing Vegetables for Exhibit can be found https://store.extension.iastate.edu

July 17 - 21, 2024
Allamakee County Fair Grounds
Waukon, Iowa
All Allamakee County Residents are invited to participate.
Tuesday, July 16 Exhibit Entry - 11AM-2PM
Wednesday, July 17 Exhibit Entry - 12PM-6PM
**All entries MUST be processed by 6:00 PM
Sunday, July 23 Exhibits Released - 3PM-5:30PM
BUILDING HOURS
Thursday, July 18 - 1PM-9PM
Friday, July 19 - 10AM-9PM
Saturday, July 20 10AM-9PM
Sunday, July 21 - 10AM-5:30PM

07/03/2024

06/29/2024

Managing Flood Damaged Yards and Gardens
When flooding occurs in the landscape, its sometimes unclear how to proceed. Can I eat the produce in my vegetable garden? Will my trees die? What should I do to help my lawn recover from flood damage?
Utilize the resources below to help your yard and garden recover when flood waters recede.
Check out the Yard and Garden page for help https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/managing-flood-damaged-yards-and-gardens

06/27/2024

Prune unproductive suckers out of tomato plants to increased plant energy to fruit production instead!
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/tomato-pruning/
Wisconsin Horticulture
Nebraska Gardener
Iowa State Yard and Garden

06/25/2024

This also goes for us in Iowa! To reduce blossom end rot, water tomato plants on a weekly basis during dry weather to provide a consistent supply of moisture to the plants. (Tomato plants require about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season.)
Iowa State Yard and Garden

06/21/2024

Even though sugar has a preservative function in jams and jellies, molds can still grow and spoil these products. Regardless of whether a jelly or jam is made with or without pectin, all jams and jellies must be processed in a water bath canner or atmospheric steam canner – with the exception of some reduced sugar fruit products - to prevent mold spoilage. To learn more about safe water bath canning practices, watch this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiQzlzBipLo

06/21/2024

It’s Pollinator Week!
Our Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium team has a seed mix to benefit monarchs, bees and other pollinators. This mix also meets the requirements for a wide range of farm bill programs!
➡️ bit.ly/3708lvy
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

06/20/2024

Ready to do something to help the pollinators? Here are some simple ideas:
- Make sure you have plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season
- Leave the leaves/reduce disturbance in the garden
- Minimize or eliminate pesticide use and buy plants from pollinator-friendly garden centers
Check out these resources for more details:
How to Garden for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/.../how...
Protecting and Enhancing Pollinators in the Urban Landscape: https://www.canr.msu.edu/.../protectpollinatorsinlandscap...

Iowa State Yard and Garden Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Michigan State University Extension ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic

06/19/2024

Happy Pollinator Week! ☀🐝
Shared from Allamakee County Conservation

06/19/2024

Now’s the time to raise your mower height to 3-3.5 inches for the summer!
The additional leaf area during summer shades and cools the crowns of the turfgrass plants. Extremely high temperatures at crown level can kill the turfgrass. More summer lawn care information: https://go.iastate.edu/KMUFTS

06/18/2024

As summer kicks off, Secretary Mike Naig encourages Iowans to visit and support the more than 200 farmers markets located across the state.
Older adults with low-income and WIC recipients can use vouchers to purchase fresh, local and nutritious produce at participating vendors
Farmers markets and farm stands provide consumers with easy access to local fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey, cut flowers, eggs, meat, cheese, craft beer, Iowa wine and many other fresh or prepared products.
Vendors from the Waukon Farmstand are available to take these vouchers.
Check here to find farmers markets in your area and farm stands in your area - https://data.iowaagriculture.gov/fmnp/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR08rN5ovW4Mso-2vpjhpfilHtPG0JFIV8mJ3rFEYc_AO50IuHkJCXerilk_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

06/18/2024

It’s Pollinator Week!
the butterfly population has declined by 84% since 2000? The monarch butterfly pollinates and ensures a secure food supply! Learn 5 things you can do today to help!
➡️ bit.ly/2U75HiK
Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium

06/17/2024

It’s Pollinator Week!
1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat was pollinated by bees? We have much more to thank honey bees for than just honey! Learn about honey bee jobs, food and more here!
➡️ bit.ly/2U747gF
Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program
ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

06/11/2024

A pressure canner is the only safe method for canning low acid foods—red meats, seafood, poultry, and low acid vegetables. Get ready for summer canning with these AnswerLine tips to ensure your pressure canner is in good condition and working properly to safely prepare shelf-ready foods. go.iastate.edu/PT61PF

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County can test your gauges call 563.568.6345 to set up an appointment.

06/07/2024

Heading outdoors this weekend with the family? Check out this Iowa 4-H family-friendly trivia game and learn about some of Iowa's most famous wildlife species!
➡️ go.iastate.edu/Q7BFSN
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

06/07/2024

Thinking of growing sweet potatoes this year? Now is the time to get planting.
Check out this article for information about how to grow sweet potatoes in the home garden: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-sweet-potatoes-iowa?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1FccUydPua0vIgX8upVka9zlY8A4mg-pGWjRz2Ab2-gATkzunP6c7BnwI_aem_AeYGWmiYCgwgPV_QuFwSHRZUkLemHGg8odHnUgGSJWErwBZtfB-57eM_NwQ5Bo2mkaB74MOAsR-85RVlcG6Yn7LS

Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Iowa State Yard and Garden

06/05/2024

Thinking about using animal manure in your home garden this season? It can be a valuable soil amendment, but there are important things to know about keeping yourself and your plants healthy. Check out our article from Wisconsin Horticulture - Extension for all the details 👉 https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/using-manure-in-the-home-garden/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0YHhVRJV_KE2kKVbDpejoAam5PMTa3_RJxGUObdecb6pjPbFQT8FtTk8g_aem_ARW2XYUrrG7JwpJTClQ8W6NooImArs0m4SYS4D7mKnpSEeTIVGJtb4gTJuuzvw2VEl8zLQDSlV1cCqgLHOwMWfQT
Photo: Black Copper Maran chickens in a field.

06/04/2024

It's . We believe in connecting with our communities to create a positive impact on our state! Here's a shout-out to our Iowa Master Gardeners program: These volunteers work daily to educate Iowans and coordinate gardening projects that promote healthy communities! 👏

06/03/2024

You may have heard about a "magical" garden additive called Diatomaceous Earth. Many gardeners tout its power as a natural insecticide, but how much do you really know about it?
Check out this fact sheet from the National Pesticide Information Center about Diatomaceous Earth so you can decide if it is right for your garden: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
Photo credit: NPIC

OSU (Oregon) Master Gardener Program Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

05/31/2024

Mississippi State University Extension Service · Follow
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☀️Summer squash plants need full sun! Water frequently, but avoid overwatering to prevent rotting.
They have a tender skin and are harvested at an immature stage, generally within 4 to 6 days after bloom.
Did you know? Summer squash have separate male (attached to the plant by a thin stem) and female flowers (small squash behind the yellow blossom) on the same plant and depend on bees for pollination. Hybrids may produce a few female flowers before male flowers appear, and without pollination, these fail to develop into squash.
Proper harvesting is important for continuous production. Remove all large and overmature squash.

05/29/2024

Perennials outgrowing their space? Splitting them is a great way to manage overgrowth and grow the beauty of your garden...or a friend's!
Before digging, be sure it's the right time of year for splitting your perennials ➡️ go.iastate.edu/6BFEH5
Iowa Master Gardeners
Reiman Gardens

05/27/2024

If you have apple or pear trees, you'll want to be on the lookout for fire blight. Warm, wet spring weather like this year's can exacerbate disease spread.
For more information about fire blight, check out this article: https://go.iastate.edu/HGS52X
Photo credit: Dr. Suzanne Slack

Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic Iowa State Yard and Garden ISU Graduate Student Horticulture Society

05/27/2024

Our red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it.
Happy Memorial Day!

05/24/2024

ISU Extension and Outreach experts share insights on when, where, and how to find common mushrooms in Iowa. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UIYweN

05/23/2024

What's Blooming: Beauty Bush "Pink Cloud" (Kolkwitzia amabilis). You can find this blooming near the East Gate at Reiman Gardens. It blooms April to May and is a member of the honeysuckle family. It can grow 6-10 feet high and 6 to 10 feet wide. Most often used as hedge.

05/22/2024

If you haven't already, now is the time to get your tomatoes and peppers planted outside.
Need help with your tomatoes? Check out this extensive guide that covers all the basics of growing tomatoes: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/.../growing...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Iowa State Yard and Garden ISU Graduate Student Horticulture Society

05/20/2024

Mental Health First Aid Training being held in June here in Waukon!

Raise awareness about mental health

Mental Health Awareness Month is a crucial time to foster understanding and compassion around mental health, Cavalier said. Here are some ways you can raise awareness:

Take a class. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers Mental Health First Aid training. Gain knowledge about mental health challenges and learn how to support people who are experiencing mental health issues.
Talk about mental health. Engage in open conversations about mental health. Sharing your experiences can benefit both your own well-being and offer encouragement to others.
Participate or volunteer. Join local or online events during National Mental Health Month in May. These events help spread awareness and promote understanding.
Allamakee County Extension Council will be sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid class at NO COST to the public on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Office, Allamakee County at 218 7th Ave SE, Suite 102, Waukon, IA. Lunch and refreshments are included. This class is limited to the first 30 participants.
🔴Registration deadline is TOMORROW -May 21!
Find more information and link to Register online at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/iowa-state-university-extension-and-outreach-offering-mental-health-first-aid-training

05/20/2024

Thank you to the community for coming out to the plant sale Saturday and supporting the Allamakee County Master Gardeners and the Waukon FFA Chapter.
Good luck with your purchases!