Meetings & Events Archive
Dodge County Monthly Educational Meetings
The Dodge County Master Gardener Association coordinates and host educational meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month from January through October. The meetings are open to the public and free of charge. They begin at 6:30 pm and are typically held in the Auditorium Room of the Administration Building located at 127 E. Oak Street in Juneau. We do, on occasion, have a change of night or venue.
March 2012
March’s monthly meeting featured Seamus Garvey of Back-in-Action Rehabilitation of Fond du Lac, Kewaskum, and Mayville. He showed ways to take on gardening work, but lessen aches and pains that typically result from such efforts.
Garvey’s presentation covered multiple tips for lifting, raking/digging, pruning/clipping and kneeling. He included some advice about warm-ups and stretches before tackling a project. He also encouraged mixing smaller jobs with bigger projects so that the same muscles and joints are not targeted repetitiously in a short time span.
February 2012
Carla Oestreich, a Dodge County Master Gardener, spoke on the topic, “Gardening to Attract Bees” at the February meeting. Carla’s presentation provided specific suggestions for attracting bees.
The zealous gardener may overlook a few of these practices that attract bees:
- A bee-friendly garden isn’t always neat and manicured; it may have some weeds that attract bees also.
- Rethink your lawn: Dutch clover, instead of grass in bare spots, and plantain are sources from which bees can collect pollen.
- Single flower tops are more attractive to bees; double flower tops look showy but produce much less nectar and make it more difficult for bees to access the pollen.
A major idea for all gardeners is to provide plant diversity and to plant at least 3 different types of flowers for each season to ensure bees have a constant source of both pollen and nectar.
Carla provided handouts that listed tried-and-true bee attractors, plants and shrubs that provide a balanced diet of pollen (proteins and fats) and plants that provide nectar (main source of energy). Additionally, numerous sources and websites were listed on handouts for more information.
October 2011
The October meeting of the Dodge Co Master Gardeners Association featured Sherry Shaft and Joan Schultz from the Madison Rose Society.
Their presentation included many photos of the different variety of shrub, hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, climbing, and miniature roses available to our area. Many of the photos were of roses grown in Sherry’s own gardens. The discussion also included proper pruning and fertilizing, preparing the roses for winter, common diseases and pests of roses and how to manage the disease and pests with both chemical and organic treatments. Sherry and Joan answered questions during their presentation, and spoke with individuals on specific questions or concerns after the meeting.
September 2011
Even though 68% of Wisconsin residents live in urban/suburban areas, Professor David Drake, an Extension Wildlife Specialist from the UW-Madison Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, claims we can do a lot to create a better habitat for Wisconsin’s vertebrate wildlife in our own yards. Food, water, shelter, and space can be provided if property owners give special attention to creating habitat diversity.
Drake’s talk to Dodge County Master Gardeners included a 26 slide Power Point presentation that provided specific objectives for wildlife management, numerous landscaping tips, and websites for additional resources.
August 2011 – Master Gardener Photo Contest Winners Announced
The Dodge County Master Gardeners announced the winners of their 2nd Annual Garden Photography Contest. Amateur photographers from throughout Dodge County submitted their works in five categories which included: “Flowers and Foliage”, “Fruits, Vegetables & Produce”, “Critters & Creatures”, “Garden Accents & Oddities,” and “Gardens and Landscapes”. The top five places were awarded in each group plus a “Best of Show” award of $50.
Winners of this year’s contest were from left, Carol Shirk – Mayville, Sonia Memmel – Columbus, Jamie DeVries – Beaver Dam, Terri Main – Mayville. Missing is Vikki Fischer-Kurth – Beaver Dam. The “Best in Show Award” went to Sonia Memmel.
July 2011
Our July meeting featured Brian Hudelson from U.W. – Madison, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. His three-hour presentation began with 30 samples of plants, shrubs, and trees that showed signs and symptoms of disease. The attendees examined each sample and compared it to a 4 page glossary of symptoms to try and identify the problem each example represented. It was a challenging task for most of those present, but typical of the challenge all of us face when trying to identify or diagnose the signs or symptoms of a diseased plant, shrub, or tree in our own backyard. Dr. Hudelson then discussed each sample providing the correct information and possible ways to deal with the problem. The meeting closed with Q. and A.’s.
June 2011 – Master Gardener Summer Bus Tour
On Saturday, June 11, dodge County Master Gardeners and guests took a bus trip to Madision to visit Allen Centennial Gardens and Olbrich Botanical Gardens. (Photo was taken at Olbrich Gardens). Lunch was enjoyed at Bunky’s Cafe.
June 2011
Our June Master Gardener meeting featured Jeanne Malterer, a Dodge County Beekeeper. Her topic was titled “Honey Bees and Me - and You!” Jeanne began beekeeping in 2003. She has received “Best of Show” several times for her honey at the Dodge County Fair. Jeanne shared information about how and why she began her beekeeping. She showed the group the beehive components and beekeeping equipment with explanations of their respective functions. She shared informative stories and some humorous anecdotes about her beekeeping experiences. Many in the audience were enlightened with her presentation. Andy and Karen Schnitzler of Dodge/ Jefferson County Beekeepers Association shared in the question and answer period.
May 2011
Master Gardeners solved landscape problems submitted by area homeowners. Participants provided photos, measurements sunlight/shade exposure, and preferences. Master Gardeners counseled them on their projects and supplied drawings and suggestions for their completion.
April 2011
Barb Larson, the Horticultural Educator for Kenosha County UW –Extension, spoke about initiating a Junior Master Gardener program in our region or beginning any type of youth gardening group. She shared her enthusiasm for such a project with personal experience stories, numerous teacher/leader guide books and helpful suggestions and considerations when considering a project of this sort for the first time.
