Cedar Apple Rust

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This is the time of year that owners of Eastern red cedars and apple trees will be on the lookout for a fungal disease known as Cedar Apple Rust.

cedar apple rust

According to OMAFRA’s Publication 310, Integrated Pest Management for Apples,

Symptoms begin to appear at about the same time apple trees are in the pink stage, after a wet period caused by a rain or heavy dew. Galls on the eastern red cedar produce orange telia horns 10-20 mm long that grow from the galls and become orange-yellow and gelatinous.

Symptoms of this rust disease look very different on these two species, but both apple trees and Eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginianae) are affected. This condition can result in complete defoliation and loss of crop.

In apple trees, small, pale yellow spots appear on the upper surface of leaves and on the fruit.

For more information about Cedar Apple Rust, including treatment and management strategies and detailed images of the galls and telia horns on Eastern red cedar, see:

(Photo source: OMAFRA)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

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A new invasive pest is making its way to Durham Region. This pest is especially of interest to growers of apples. OMAFRA has published a pest alert on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), indicating that although the pest has not yet been detected in any Canadian crops, it has been found in some shipments coming across the border. Features that set this insect apart from other stink bugs are the white bands on the legs and antennae.

If you think you have identified the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in your home or garden, please:

  • Take a detailed digital photograph of the pest.
  • Record the date, location and a list of the plants you believe it has damaged.
  • Contact OMAFRA at 877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.

(Image source: OMAFRA)

Sustainable Pickering Day

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Durham Master Gardeners recently attended Sustainable Pickering Day at Pickering Town Centre. Sustainable Pickering Day

The group was thoughtfully mentioned in a post over at the Clean Air Partnership blog:

Gardening expert Ken Brown was accompanied by some of the gardening zen masters from the Durham Master Gardeners, ensuring that residents could ask questions related to growing herbs, fruits and vegetables regardless of whether they have a backyard, a balcony, a patio or just a few pots in their window.

Thank you for mentioning us!

If you have a gardening question, visit with the Durham Master Gardeners at our next public appearance on May 2, 2012 at the Clarington Public Library, Newcastle Branch, where we will be talking about Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring at 6:30 pm.

Emerald Ash Borer Info Session

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The Emerald Ash Borer Comes to Oshawa

Durham Master Gardeners would like to inform the public about an upcoming information session being held in the City of Oshawa regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, an extremely invasive pest that has been killing ash trees and has now arrived in Oshawa.

Educational material will be made available to the public for drop-in on Wednesday, April 4 at:

Civic Recreation Complex
99 Thornton Rd. S.
Room 5
Drop-in 9:00 am until 9:00 pm

According to the City of Oshawa News website,

The EAB infestation in Oshawa is spreading faster then expected. It is important for residents to learn what an ash tree looks like, the signs and symptoms of EAB infestation and what can be done. Property owners play a significant role in preventing the spread of EAB.

The City has prepared a plan to help manage the impacts of EAB on publicly owned lands (along streets, in parks and open spaces). Private tree maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.

EAB has killed millions of ash trees in southwestern Ontario, and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban forest in Canada and the United States.

For additional information about the Emerald Ash Borer in Canada, see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s fact sheet, Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus plannipennis

(Image source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Bulbs for All Seasons at Canada Blooms

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Bulbs for All Seasons with Pam Love at Canada Blooms

Our very own Pam Love will be speaking today at Canada Blooms, giving a talk on Bulbs for All Seasons. Pam has decided to go green and offer up the information related to her talk here on our website.

Please see the following sections of our site for more information about Bulbs for All Seasons:

Reference Sheet for Bulbs
Twelve Weeks of Bloom: Sequence of Flowering Spring Bulbs
Iris: Four Months of Bloom

We hope you enjoyed her presentation. Happy growing!

Durham Master Gardeners at Seedy Saturday 2012

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Seedy Saturday 2012 at Pickering Recreation Complex

Durham Master Gardeners were present at last weekend’s Seedy Saturday event, held at the Pickering Recreation Complex. Hosted by the Pickering Museum Village, Seedy Saturday is an annual event held to bring gardeners together to learn about, shop for and chat with other gardeners about all things “seedy.” A movement that was started by the organization known as Seeds of Diversity, Seedy Saturdays and Sundays take place all across Canada each spring.

In addition to the Durham Master Gardeners, multiple organizations from all across Durham Region were also in attendance, including the Whitby-Ajax Garden Project and Durham Organic Gardeners as well as many seed organizations such as Urban Harvest and Terra Edibles. The ladies from the Bloomers & Britches Heritage Gardening Club also had a table where gardeners could either take one free packet of heritage seeds, or swap out packets they had brought along for packets of heritage seeds.

Master Gardeners in Training Sherry and Karen were on hand Saturday morning to answer questions about gardening in Durham Region as well as to answer questions about Durham Master Gardeners.

Sherry and Karen at Seedy Saturday

Did you miss us this time around? Be sure to bring your gardening questions along to the following upcoming spring gardening events:

  • March 19-25, Canada Blooms, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto (Durham Master Gardeners will be on site along with other Master Gardeners of Ontario to answer questions specific to growing conditions in Durham Region)
  • March 27, Pruning Demonstration and Naturalized Gardens talk, hosted by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Petticoat Creek Conservation Centre, 470 Kingston Rd. W., Pickering, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
  • March 30-April 1 Metro East Home & Garden Show
  • April 11, Shrubs for All Seasons, presentation, Legends Library, Oshawa, 7:00 pm
  • April 25, How to Plan a Successful Garden, presentation, McLaughlin Library, Oshawa, 6:30 pm
  • May 2, Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring, presentation, Clarington Public Library, Newcastle Branch, 6:30 pm

Fusion Landscaping Guide for Homeowners

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A rock garden in Bowmanville, Ontario (Photo Credit: Amy Urquhart)

The Durham Region Works Department has published a wonderful gardening guide book, the Fusion Landscaping Guide for Homeowners (see p. 7 of PDF).

To order, contact:

Durham Region Works Department
Water Efficient Durham
605 Rossland Rd. E., Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Fax: 905-668-2051

e-mail: watereffiecientdurham@durham.ca

Don’t forget to include your name, address and postal code when ordering!

Welcome

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Welcome to the new online home of the Durham Master Gardeners.  Here you will find information about our group, its members, scheduled events and articles about all things gardening-related.  Updates are ongoing, so please be sure to visit us again!