The Dirt for August 11, 2017: Garden Classroom, August Classes, Companion Planting

The Garden As A Classroom

by Alice Cross URIMG Class of 2011

GardenClassroomPick up a three-legged stool and step outside into the garden. Find a spot to sit and observe the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Go on a scavenger hunt: draw something living, something that once was living, something non-living.

Think about how you KNOW these things. Make charts of what you see in the fall. Compare that to what the garden presents to you in the early spring, then, again in June before you leave school for the summer.

When you return in September, what patterns and progressions do you see in the life cycles of the plants? Of the pollinators that visit them?

Providence city school students from kindergarten on are having these and other hands-on educational experiences thru a program co-sponsored by URI Cooperative Extension and the Providence Public School District. No longer do students learn solely from what they read; they also learn from direct observation of and interactions with the natural world, habitats which some of them help design and plant. As Kate Lacouture, Providence School Garden Initiative (SGI) Coordinator puts it, the outdoor spaces become “a living laboratory.”

According to URI and the SGI, the goal of the program is “to build…enthusiasm and understanding of standards-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) concepts with hands-on engagement.” The 2016-17 school year marked the start of SGI endeavors in nine city schools. URI mentors have been working with administrators and teachers to help them choose garden sites, select appropriate plants, and to provide advice and plans to implement standards-based curricula in sustainable practices and environmental studies.

At Kizirian Elementary School, the teachers, along with the Partnership for Providence Parks, and the Rogers Recreation Center at URI Extension, have been developing an edible forest garden in the park adjacent to the school. Over time, the space will not only support the science curriculum but also provide nutrition education for young people in the neighborhood. The students at Feinstein at Sackett Street Elementary School planted trees on their playground as part of their Earth Day celebration.

And those kindergarteners at Charles Fortes Elementary School who took part in a number of scavenger hunts? Teacher Jessica Marchand states that student findings “create awesome conversations as well as great teachable moments. Students love learning in the garden and are eager to participate….It is common to hear students saying… “can we go in the garden today?”

September Continuing Education Classes

AgronomyFarm2High Tunnels
Thursday, September 21th, URI Agronomy Farm 4:30-6:00pm

Learn from URI Agriculture Extension Agent Andy Radin about best practices for growing in high tunnels (unheated hoop houses).  We’ll learn about growing through the seasons with different crops, soil management and pest management.  This class will be geared toward people growing in school and nonprofit settings.  Bring you questions along about your high tunnel!  Please register in Volgistics.

Middletown Library Community Garden

Innovative Demonstration Gardens
Saturday, September 30th, URI Pharmacy 170 12:30-2:00pm

The URI Master Gardener Program has over 40 project demonstration gardens that teach about natives, herb gardening, vegetable production, edible forests and more!  This class will explore ways to increase the educational experience for visitors including signage and live teaching experiences.  Using tools developed at the University of Georgia, we’ll help projects design tours and workshops. We will also hear from some of our project leaders about successful tools they’ve used to engage learners in the garden!  This is a great class for anyone involved in a community project, historic or demonstration garden throughout the state.  All project teams are encouraged to attend!   Please register in Volgistics.

Do you grow herbs?

herbsWe’d love to talk with you. We’re working on a study about herbs in Rhode Island, and we’d like to learn about which ones you’re growing, how you’re growing them, and how you use them. We’re offering $25 cash compensation for taking part in the study. Activities include an interview about your gardening or farming practices and a visit to your garden or farm.

Participating in the study will require a total of approximately 2 hours. The study is completely voluntary and confidential. To find out more about the study and whether you’re eligible to participate, please contact Dr. John Taylor, the principal investigator for the study, at The University of Rhode Island at 401-868-1415 or jr_taylor@uri.edu. This research has been approved by The University of Rhode Island Institutional Review Board.

Schedule your interview before August 30th.

URIMG Interview on Medicinal Herbs in Local Outlet

MGinterview
photo by Susan Dunn

We invite you to watch this interview with URI Master Gardener, Melissa Pace! The below information is re-printed from GoLocal Providence.  Thanks for representing us so well, Melissa!

http://www.golocalprov.com/live/live-medicinal-culinary-plants-with-uri-master-gardener-melissa-pace

University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Melissa Pace says herbs can be extremely beneficial if used properly.  For thousands of years, Pace says people have used herbs in for medicinal, culinary and spiritual usage, even growing them just for beauty.

One plant that has a lot of use is St. John’s Wart. Pace says the plant is “very beautiful” and simple to take care of. If you want to use the plant for medicinal purposes, Pace says the berries can be ground up and mixed with petroleum jelly to help with mosquito bites, cuts, and scrapes. If you want to use the plant for helping with mood stabilization or depression, Pace says to contact a doctor first.

Echinacea or purple coneflower is known for boosting immune systems and helping fight cold and flu. Pace says the flowers the head of the plant can be ground up and used in tea, but best when used fresh.

All information is intended for educational use only, Pace says. If you are interested in using herbs for any type of medicinal reason, be sure to inform or consult with your doctor.

The URI Master Gardner Program is offering a free program on medicinal and culinary plants on August 13 at 2:30 at The Hunt House Museum, 65 Hunt’s Mills Road in East Providence.

Tree Steward Class

Do You Want to Do Something Fun, Beneficial and Healthy for You?

If you answered “YES” then become a Tree Steward!

Tree stewardship combines learning about trees, caring for trees, and understanding how people and trees can best grow together. Increase your knowledge and appreciation for: tree biology, tree identification, tree planting & pruning, trees health, urban forestry, soils, and tree benefits.

And here is another 22 reason why you should become a Tree Steward!

2017 Fall Class
Sept. 19,26, Oct. 3, 10
6:30pm-8:30pm
Oct. 14, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location:
Warren Town Hall/Senior Center 514 Main Street, Warren

RITree Member/Town Employee $50.00 Non-member $75.00
Registration can be made online at www.ritree.org or by calling the RITree Council 401-764-5885

The Myth of Companion Plantings

“Certain species will thrive, lean on, nestle with, and support each other in groupings”

Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University

The Myth

Anthropomorphism – assigning human characteristics to other species – allows people to feel more connected to the rest of the living world. Who hasn’t bestowed their pet with humanizing characteristics? It is in this context that the notion of “companion plants” first evolved many centuries ago. Historically, plants were associated with the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) and/or signs of the zodiac.

One of the outcomes of this categorization was the agricultural practice of planting together those species that “love” each other (an anthropomorphism reflected in the titles of at least two popular books on companion plants). The phrase “companion plant” has since entered the vernacular of both science and pseudoscience, so that its intended meaning is unclear. Is the concept of companion planting a legitimate horticultural practice?

The Reality

Plants, being immobile, must either adapt to their environment or alter it to survive. The alterations are often physical or chemical in nature. The mere presence of a single plant will modify environmental variables including temperature, soil moisture content, soil pH, solar radiation availability (both in terms quantity and quality of light), and nutrient availability.

These changes can affect the ability of other plants to survive; those that have a narrow range of tolerance for environmental change will be less adapted to their new environment and may die out. Other species that can tolerate or even require the changes can become established in their stead. Thus, a landscape will pass through successional changes, as the interactions among the living components continue to modify environmental factors. Some of these interactions are positive for associated species, and others are negative. Changes that affect multiple species in positive ways can often develop into mutually beneficial associations among those species.

This is a big picture view and it might help to look at a specific example to see how the concept of companion plants arose. In North America, Indians historically planted corn, beans and squash together in an intercropping system called “Three Sisters”. Beans are nitrogen-fixers and continually supply this macronutrient to the soil. Corn stalks provide structure for beans to climb, and squash vines provide a living mulch with their broad leaves that shade the soil, reducing evaporation and inhibiting weed seed germination. These three species have similar environmental requirements and don’t outcompete each other for water and nutrients, thus allowing all three species to survive.

The problem with using the phrase “companion plants” is that it is broadly used to describe plant interactions in the realms of science, pseudoscience, and the occult. A Google search of the phrase turns up nearly 10,000 hits on every type of web site imaginable – but only slightly more than 200 of these are .edu sites. On such sites and in the scientific literature there are credible and intriguing studies demonstrating the mutualistic relationships among companion plants and their associated, beneficial insects and microbes. On less credible sites and in some popular books are the pseudoscientific claims that companion plants can be determined by “sensitive crystallization” of their extracts (i.e. to discover which plants “love” each other), or through study of a plant’s “rhythm, its vibration, its music, and its note.” When the science gets lost in the supernatural, then it’s time for academicians and professionals to consider using different terminology.

Fortunately, there are several alternate phrases or terms with precise definitions that can be used in lieu of companion planting. “Intercropping” and “polyculture” are commonly used to describe agricultural production methods using mutually beneficial species. Ecologists use “plant associations” to define natural relationships among plants in non-agricultural situations. This latter phrase is my own choice for discussing the science behind plant interactions.

Researchers have documented several benefits in planting and maintaining diverse plant associations (PAs). Much of the work in this area has studied the effect of PAs on insects. Diverse plantings will attract and retain beneficial insects, including the predator and parasitoid species so important for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and PHC (Plant Health Care) strategies. Furthermore, the presence of several species in a given area disrupts the ability of many herbivorous insects to discover their appropriate host plants for feeding or egg-laying, apparently through both visual and olfactory mis-cues. The theory suggests that time wasted on non-host plants reduces reproductive efficiency of specialist insects, as they consume metabolic resources on aborted host selection events. Interestingly, one study reported that traditional “companion plants”, including aromatics like Mentha spp., had little or no disruptive effect on insect behavior, indicating that this characteristic alone may not be very useful in selecting PAs.

Increasing research on below-ground plant relationships has revealed that many plants share root system connections, primarily through mycorrhizal relationships. Mycorrhizae can transfer nutrients such as nitrogen between plant species, facilitating the growth of the receiver plant. Often, these receiver plants are completely dependent on these associations during some stage of their life and cannot survive without the donor.

Plants can directly benefit other plant species manifest in other ways as well. Some plants from arid climates accumulate salts and can be used as desalinating partners for salt-sensitive species. Others adapted to high mineral soils can accumulate and sequester heavy metals from soils, decreasing their toxic effects on other species. Nitrogen-fixing species, such as those in the legume family, provide this nutrient to other plants and microbes in their immediate vicinity. Nurse plants provide shade and moderate the microclimate for new germinants. All of these benefits of PAs have been documented through research and used in the management of agricultural, ornamental, and restoration landscapes.

There is no scientific basis, however, for any of the several lists that exist describing “traditional companion plants”. Like horoscopes, these lists may be fun to use, but they should not be perceived or promoted as scientifically valid any more than astrology. Furthermore, those of us who value the science behind our horticultural practices should avoid using this phrase for precisely the same reason.

The Bottom Line

  • The phrase “companion plant” is too vague to be useful to plant scientists and professionals; “intercropping” and “plant associations” are more definable and credible
  • Documented benefits from plant associations include physical, chemical, and biological alterations that can improve the establishment and survival of desired plant species
  • Pseudoscientific, mythological and occult applications of “companion plantings” are not scientific and will damage your credibility as a professional
  • Traditional “companion plant” charts have entertainment, not scientific, value

For more information, please visit Dr. Chalker-Scott’s web page at http://www.theinformedgardener.com

Did you know that plants can be preserved by pressing them?

plantpreservedVal Begin, URI Master Gardener Class of 2008, taught a class of 40 people last Saturday at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. This class raised awareness of our programs, as over 840 people indicated an interest through social media! Way to go, Val!

Workshops from the Ecological Landscaping Alliance

Native Woody Plant Materials

Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA

treeclassThis is a three-part class.

  • Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 10:00am – 2:30pm
  • Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 11:00am – 1:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 10:00am – 2:30pm

Explore the huge variety of native trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Learn which species grow well in shade, which support local wildlife, and how you should stagger your plantings for continuous bloom, fruit production, and fall color. This class will discuss growth characteristics, cultural requirements, and best horticultural uses. Read more and register.

Webinar: Kill Your Lawn And Opt for More Biodiversity
September 12, 12:30 -1:30pm EDT

Lawns are a soul-crushing time suck. Just read the headline of a recent article on washingtonpost.com. According to NASA, in the United States more surface area is covered by lawn than by any other single irrigated crop. Traditional lawns are resource-heavy, requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive in our climate and most of us would be better off reducing or eliminating them altogether. Learn how to replace your lawn with native plant alternatives that functional, beautiful, and environmentally friendly. Read more and register

landscapeCelebrating Native Habitats at Connecticut College Arboretum
September 21, 10:00am -12:00pm EDT
New London, CT

The Connecticut College Arboretum is located in southeastern Connecticut, 5 miles inland from Long Island Sound. Join tour guide, Maggie Redfern for a rare look at regional native plant and animal habitats including upland meadows, salt marsh, and Mamacoke Island. A meadow restoration project was completed on approximately 12 acres to restore early successional habitat and control invasive plant species. In addition, about five acres of pine plantation and early deciduous forest heavily infested with invasive plant species were completely cleared and planted with native grasses and forbs.   Read more and register.

Webinar: The Liberated Landscape.
Letting Nature Do the Work
Presented by Larry Weaner
September 25, 4:00am -5:00pm EDT

Over thousands of years plants have evolved to reproduce and proliferate on their own, yet we often go to great effort and expense to carefully place every plant in our designed landscapes. How can we capitalize on the reproductive abilities of plants and actively encourage planted as well as existing species to colonize our landscapes? In this lecture, well-known landscape designer Larry Weaner will discuss principles and protocols for creating dynamic, ecologically rich landscapes where nature does much of the planting.   Read more and register.

ELA Season’s End Summit: The Plant Pollinator Partnership
Four Pollinator Experts Share Research and Practical Tips
November 1, 8:00am -4:30pm EDT
North Grafton, MA

As native bees as well as European honey bees struggle for survival, their reduced numbers put natural ecosystems and agricultural systems at risk. And bees are not the only pollinators that are suffering. Beetles, butterflies, ants, birds, and bats all help with pollination. In response, landscape professionals and concerned homeowners across the country are learning more about the habitat needs of the creatures that pollinate plants – and using that knowledge to make planting decisions.  Read more and register.

“Inspiration for Next Year’s Garden”

inspiration

The Massachusetts Master Gardener Assn. (MMGA) is sponsoring an important regional educational event on September 23, 2017 in Westford, MA: our 2nd annual Gardening Symposium, “Inspiration for Next Year’s Garden.”

The agenda includes four nationally-recognized speakers: Thomas Rainer, author of Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes; David Culp, plant hybridizer, Sunny Border executive, and author of The Layered Garden; Kathleen Gagan, owner of Peony’s Envy, a nursery and display garden featuring the Northeast’s most extensive peony collections; Janet Macunovich, online, broadcast and hands-on gardening educator and the author of best seller Designing Your Gardens and Landscapes).

The Massachusetts Gardening Symposium will be held at Westford Academy in Westford, MA, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, on Saturday, September 23. Additional information and registration can be found at http://massmastergardeners.org/2017-gardening-symposium/. Tickets are $75.00 thru August 6; $90.00 starting August 7. Credit/debit cards, checks and PayPal are accepted. Registration closes September 16, 2017, and space is limited.

UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference

Student Union Ballroom (Room 330) 2100 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06269
October 19, 2017

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Registration and Coffee
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions Vickie Wallace, Extension Educator, UConn Extension and Dr. Michael O’Neill, Associate Dean and Associate Director, UConn Extension
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. “Lifestyles of Pollinators” David Wagner, Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut Learn about the ecology and behavior of insect pollinators and their conservation.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. “Native Perennials for Bees, Butterflies, and Birds” Emily DeBolt, Fiddlehead Creek Nursery, Fort Ann, NY Discussion of herbaceous perennials to support pollinators, including top-performing cultivars, and examples from design/build projects. 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. “Selecting Native Shrubs for Season-long Pollinator Support” Jessica Lubell, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut Landscape uses of native shrubs, both popular and under-used, will be covered in sequence of bloom to create season lasting pollinator support.
12:15 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. “Research Update: Examining Pollinator Attraction of Shrub Nativars” Jacob Ricker, Graduate Student, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut Report from the first data collection season of our UConn study to evaluate pollinator support of several native shrub species and their cultivars.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. “Native Trees for Pollinators” Andrew Brand, Broken Arrow Nursery, Hamden, CT Native trees with ornamental characteristics that also function to support pollinators through flowers and foliage.
3:00 p.m. Pesticide Recertification and Adjournment – Safe Travels!

Register online or visit the UConn IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu) Early Registration $50.00, by Friday, September 8, 2017 $60.00 after September 8, 2017 Students $25.00 with valid school ID

Registration fee includes parking, morning refreshments, and lunch. Parking is available in the North Parking Garage (103 North Eagleville Road) and South Parking Garage (2366 Jim Calhoun Way).

Please bring your parking garage ticket with you to check-in for validation. See UConn Storrs Campus map.

Please note that the registration system will accept only one credit card payment per email address, whether for an individual or group registration. If after submitting your individual or group registration, you need to pay for additional registrations, please do so by phone. Please call 860-486-3336 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday