Submitted
Pickaway County Master Gardeners met on May 11 at the OSU Extension Office.
The educational segment of the meeting was presented by Susan Metzger, Horticultural Professor at Ohio University-Lancaster, who teaches at Southeastern Ross High School. Her topic was “Invasive and Non-Invasive grasses in Landscapes and Fields.”
She described invasive plants compared to recommended non-invasive plants (example, Russian Olive compared to Serviceberry). Also covered were topics including, “Why choose grasses?” What makes a plant native?” mechanical and chemical control and “How damaging are invasive species?” as well as native prairie grasses. Interesting Note: Quackgrass is an invasive pest, but a methanol extract made from quackgrass is used to control mosquito larvae.
The MGV meeting was led by President Loren Van Deusen. Nominations of members or programs for MGV state awards must be completed by May 30.
The “Buckeye Yard and Garden” website is now available for public viewing.
Nominations are being taken for the open coordinator position.
Projects and display-garden chairpersons gave reports.
The annual MGV Plant sale was set for Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library parking lot on North Court Street, offering a variety of perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, books and research-based gardening and horticultural information.
MGV members plan to assist at the Pickaway County Fair, present programs to school children and provide speakers at local organizations as requested.
Cincinnati radio personality Ron Wilson will be guest speaker at the fourth annual MGV Founders Day Event set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St., Circleville. Bring your gardening questions. His topic will be “In The Garden,” followed by a question/answer session.
Ron Wilson is host of the American nationally-syndicated talk radio program “In the Garden with Ron Wilson,” which airs from 6 to 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) Saturdays on many stations owned by Clear Channel Communications. The show originates from WKRC Cincinnati. The show is also broadcast coast to coast on XM Satellite radio 165. Wilson also does a two-hour local version of the show from 10 a.m. to noon, heard exclusively on WTVN in Columbus.
Do you have yard and garden questions? Call the Horticultural Helpline at the Extension Office, phone 740-474-7534, and a Master Gardener Volunteer will return your call to help resolve your gardening issues.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
