Gia with Lorenzo and

The Foundation ConnectionA monthly e-newsletter from the Master Gardener Foundation of King County

March 2016 Issue

Gia Parsons:A Gourmet Chef's 'Kitchen Garden'

...by Master Gardener Marty Byrne

Gia's interest in growingdelicious food comes togetherfor her at the Marymoor ParkCommunity Garden in Redmondwith the Growing GroceriesProgram. On working with hightech workers from all over theworld to cultivate their favoritefood, "It is absolutely my pleasure

In This Issue

Gia Parsons - A GourmetChefs's "Kitchen Garden"

Growing Groceries Program

The 2016 NW Flower &Garden Show

Cascade Collaboration

The Plant Sale Starts with aPreview Party

Minding My Own Beeswax

Gardening Book of theMonth

Congratulations Susan

Veronicato help them succeed in growingtheir heart's desire." You canmeet Gia at the Plant Sale in May in the Herbs andEdibles Section recommending food combinations incooking.

Read the full article

Dodd!!

Plant Sale & Garden Market

Can you Help?

What's Happening- News &Updates

Growing Groceries ...by Elaine Anderson, WSU Extension Master Gardener ProgramCoordinator

Many people want to raise their own food,but aren't sure how to get started .TheMaster Gardeners' Growing Groceriesprogram helps these first-time gardeners tosucceed. Master Gardeners provide adviceand mentoring so that new gardenersexperience success and don't abandon the

idea of growing their own food.

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Our Harbinger of SpringThe 2016 NW Flower & Garden Show ...by Master Gardener Marty Byrne It must be spring--time for theNorthwest Flower & GardenShow. Last month's show wasthe 28th year of this particularextravaganza, the second largestsuch show in the country.According to the show's history, our Northwest version was inspired by thelargest and oldest show, the Philadelphia Flower Show, which dates from1829.

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Snoqualmie ValleyMaster Gardener Clinic

Carol Arnold with Ciscoe and Roy Breiman

Cascade Clinic CollaborationSnoqualmie Valley and Issaquah Clinics join forces to meetcommunity need -- Part 1 of 2 ...by Paul Gardiner, MGF Communications andCommunity Relations Chair

Last year, clinic members learned that there was astrong interest among customers at the SammamishFarmers Market for Master Gardener advice and so rana seven-clinic pilot program on Wednesday eveningsfrom 4 to 8pm. These clinics were well-received and asa result of the pilot, the market staff asked for more in2016. With only nineteen members in the SnoqualmieValley group, staffing a full new clinic seemed unlikely.

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The Plant Sale Starts with a Preview Party

...by Master Gardener Bonny Nordgren

Each year since the inception of the PreviewParty nine years ago, the Master GardenerPlant Sale has started with this party. Everyyear things change a bit, but it is still a chancefor Master Gardeners, friends and clients toenjoy great food, good wine, and camaraderie.The entertainment includes Ciscoe Morris, aKing County MG, presenting his Golden

Brussels Sprout Award to the people's choice chef winner. There have beencelebrity chefs from Graham Kerr to Roy Breiman of Cedarbrook Lodge andMatt Dillon of Sitka and Spruce bestowing the Celebrity Chef Award. Musiclast year and this is by Tony Lewis and his jazz band, Kaffeine. Best of all,first pick of the plants! This year the sale will be open before the party just forthe party-goers to shop early. Watch for tickets athttp://www.mgfkc.org/events/plant-sale-preview-party.

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Minding My Own Beeswax ...by Master Gardener Wendy Lagozzino

...they looked like a small Master Gardenerclinic operating under a clay roof. Since theywere milling around between the sticks, I figurethey must be discussing the value of promotingdrainage from a clay pot to prevent crackingduring a freeze. They stayed all summer until I

finally had to uncover them and let them find a new place to stay.

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The Elisabeth C. Miller LibraryGardening / Horticulture Book of the Month:The Tao of Vegetable Gardening ...article by Michelle Roedell, MGFKC CommunityRelations March's featured book from the Miller Library isThe Tao of Vegetable Gardening: CultivatingTomatoes, Greens, Peas, Beans, Squash, Joy,

and Serenity by Carol Deppe

Read the full article

Congratulations! Susan Dodd

Susan Dodd was recently selected as Wells Fargo'sWashington Volunteer of the Year. Susan is aMaster Gardener Foundation Board member, clinicliaison as well as clinic member for more than oneclinic, and contributes countless hours to SeattleChildren's Hospital. She received a monetaryreward as part of this award and donated a portion of

it to MGFKC. Susan has volunteered at Children's since 2007, using herMaster Gardener skills in implementing the Children's Growing Garden atthe hospital in 2013. "I started volunteering with Seattle Children's Hospitalbecause I love kids and I wanted to give back to the community," Susan

said.

We are proud and pleased to have Susan as one of King County's MasterGardeners. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her.

2016 Master Gardener Plant Sale & Garden MarketSaturday, May 7 & Sunday, May 8

Plant Sale, May 7 and 8 - find all the detailsPreview Party, Fri., May 6 - purchase ticketsPotting Party, Sat., March 19 - sign up onlineto volunteer and to bring plantsVeggie/Herb/Edible Starts needed - learn more

Check these links regularly to find out what's going on and how you canvolunteer.

Don't Check Your Skills at the Door!We can find a use for them

If you have career skills you have shelved orjust not found a use for as a Master Gardener,and you would like to dust them off once in a while, we are looking for you.The Foundation is interested in what made you special in your career and infinding a place for you among our various committees and projects. Here aresome of our current needs.

Website & Graphics is seeking creative and 'techy' skillsMembership is calling HR ProfessionalsCommunications is searching for writers and photographers

Much of the important work of our Foundation is handled by our committees.You do not need to be on the Board of Directors in order to participate on acommittee, and yet you can have a big impact. Are you up for it? Contact usif you are interested or want to find out more.

Read about our needs

What's Happening?News and Updates

Next MGF Board Meeting: Thursday,Mar. 10, at CUH.March 5, 9am-4pm. PlantAmnestyPrune-a-Thon at Sky Nursery inShoreline.March 19 2016 Potting Party. New thisyear, sign up to help. Let us know you'llbe there, and bring plants!April 30 - BDG Eastside Edible Plant Sale, 9:30-1:00 at BellevueDemo Garden.May 6 - Plant Sale Preview Party, a fund raiser for Master Gardenerprogram in King County. Purchase tickets early.May 7 and 8 - MG Plant Sale.New! Find Master Gardener clinics and gardens in King County usingthe new MGFKC map.

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