Master Gardeners of Steele County http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/ en Copyright 2009 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:00:21 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Steele County Master Gardeners Share Their Harvest With Others Bounty.jpg

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_master_gardeners_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_master_gardeners_1.html Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:00:21 -0600 Horn of Plenty Harvest Tables Fall is a time of harvest in Southeastern Minnesota. During the months of September and October the Steele County Master Gardeners sponsor a "Horn of Plenty Harvest Table" at several local churches. Fresh vegetables from the gardens of Steele County Master Gardeners and other members of local churches are shared each week with those folks who might not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information or to learn how you might start a "Horn of Plenty Harvest Table" at your place of worship contact Steele County Master Gardeners at: 507-444-7685

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/horn_of_plenty_harvest_table.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/horn_of_plenty_harvest_table.html Steele County MG Projects Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:19:30 -0600 Steele County Master Gardeners Annual Spring Plant Sale Farmers Market.bmp
Watch for information about the Steele County Master Gardener's annual spring plant sale usually held in May around Mother's Day at Central Park in Owatonna, Each year local Master Gardeners' share their favorite perrenial flowers, herbs and vegetable plants. This is a great way to expand your perrenial gardens with plants that have matured in local gardens and your purchase helps to fund Steele County Master Gardener community projects .

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/events/steele_county_master_gardeners.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/events/steele_county_master_gardeners.html Events Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:23:33 -0600 Steele County Community Gardens Community Gardens.bmp
Steele County Master Gardeners help design and maintain beautiful gardens throughout the community.
Visit the West Hills Memorial Gardens.

Angel Garden at the Owatonna Art Center
The Memorial Garden at the Owatonna Senior Center
The Perrenial Garden at the Steele County U pof M Extension Office

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/steele_county_community_garden_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/steele_county_community_garden_1.html Steele County MG Projects Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:57:47 -0600 Village of Yesteryear Village of YY Knowledge.jpg

Steele County Master Gardeners spend many hours at The Village of Yesteryear planting and tending the "Kitchen Garden" and Pioneer Gardeners featuring heirloom plants and perrenials. Each fall Steele County Master Gardeners "harvest" seed from these heirloom plants, many of which were carried by early pioneers as they came west to homestead this rich agricultual land.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/village_of_yesteryear.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/steele_county_mg_projects/village_of_yesteryear.html Steele County MG Projects Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:38:09 -0600 What planting zone are we in? Steele County is in zone 4. You may learn more about local planting zones and take a look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map by visiting the website:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/what_planting_zone_are_we_in.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/what_planting_zone_are_we_in.html Have a Question? Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:24:36 -0600 Where can I get my soil tested? The University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory provides routine soil testing and fertilizer recommendation services to: florists, farmers, cemeteries,composters,sod producers,agricultural lime producers,commercial vegetable/fruit growers, industrial lawn/landscape specialists homeowners, golf courses, athletic fields, nursery workers

Why should you have your soil tested? Soil testing: takes the guesswork out of fertilizer recommendations;
makes good economic sense; and ensures fertile soil without excess fertilizer application or pollution of the environment. Our fertilizer recommendations are: based on laboratory results, soil characteristics, past crop history, and crop nutrient requirements; and specific to Minnesota locations and conditions.

Soil Testing Lab, Rm. 135 Crops Research Bldg., 1902 Dudley Ave, St Paul, MN 55108-6089
Email: soiltest@umn.edu, Phone: 612 625-3101, FAX: 612 624-3420

The Soil Testing Laboratory is part of
the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/where_can_i_get_my_soil_tested.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/where_can_i_get_my_soil_tested.html Have a Question? Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:06:15 -0600 What is compost? Compost (pronounced /ˈkɒmpɒst/ or US /ˈkɒmpoʊst/) also known as brown manure, is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. It is used in landscaping, horticulture and agriculture as a soil conditioner and fertiliser. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover (see compost uses).

Compost serves as a growing medium,or a porous, absorbent material that holds moisture and soluble minerals, providing the support and nutrients in which most plants will flourish. To maximize plant growth, it is sometimes necessary to dilute compost with soil or peat to reduce salinity or to add neutralisers to bring the pH closer to 7, or additional nutrients like fertilisers or manure, wetting agents, and materials to improve drainage and aeration, such as sand, grit, bark chips, vermiculite, perlite, or clay granules.

I am giving you a live link to our publication on making compost. It is important to remember that you NEVER add meat, milk products, grease, whole eggs or feces to a compost pile. Vegetable scraps and egg shells are perfectly acceptable.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3899.html

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/what_is_compost.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/what_is_compost.html Have a Question? Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:03:02 -0600 Have a Gardening Question? If you've got questions, we've got answers! Here are several ways you can easily access yard and garden information.

Master Gardener Helpline

507-444-7685
Leave message 24/7. A Steele County Master Gardener will return your call.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/have_a_gardening_question.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/have_a_question/have_a_gardening_question.html Have a Question? Mon, 19 May 2008 15:53:11 -0600 About Us Educating people where they live and work about horticultural best practices

Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using readily-available, up-to-date research-based information. This educational effort is designed to enhance the public's quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment.

For more information or to request an application to become a Master Gardener, please contact:
University of Minnesota Extension Steele County Office 635 Florence Ave, Owatonna 507-444-7685

For gardening questions, please visit the "Have a Question?" page.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/about_us/about_us.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/about_us/about_us.html About Us Mon, 19 May 2008 15:52:13 -0600 For Steele MGs Only Put materials and information for Steele Master Gardeners here.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/for_mgs_only/for_steele_mgs_only.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/for_mgs_only/for_steele_mgs_only.html For MGs Only Mon, 19 May 2008 15:51:50 -0600 Join The Steele County Master Gardeners A love of gardening, a search for knowledge and a desire to share that knowledge with others is central to why people join the Master Gardener program. They remain Master Gardeners to enjoy the friendship of others who share their interests, to gain and share research-based horticultural knowledge and to give back to the community through their volunteer commitment.

If combining your passion for people and plants sounds appealing, you may be a good Master Gardener candidate. A formal education in horticulture isn’t necessary—we will provide the training and resources to help you teach others. There are five steps to becoming a Master Gardener – each step is described in more detail below.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/become_a_master_gardener/join_us.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/steele/become_a_master_gardener/join_us.html Become a Master Gardener Mon, 19 May 2008 15:51:25 -0600