Biweekly Update April 8, 2025
- Brenda Bye
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
President’s Message - From Paula Lupcho
I hope many of you were able to join us tonight for the Spring Social to meet the Class of 2025. Plant Problem Scenario has already had 2 sessions at training and the new class is very impressive.
Kudos to Stephanie Romine, Class of 2024, for stepping up to provide direction and guidance to the Grace Center Adult Day Care gardening program. Master Gardeners have been involved with this in the past, and we have learned that gardening has a very therapeutic effect for the center’s clients. Look for more information on this project in upcoming newsletters.
We have received several requests from local schools to help with school gardens. More schools have become interested in this. Most need advice about what to plant and how to grow those plants. Each school situation is a bit different and the level of involvement from Master Gardeners varies—from advice only to hands-on activities. Let me know if you are interested in this type of educational outreach. Pres.bcmga.board@gmail.com
And, lastly, Plant Sale is only 26 days away. If you haven’t yet signed up for a job, contact Leslie Hauser at lesliehauser107@gmail.com. See you there.
2025 BCMGA Plant Sale News
🌿The BCMGA Annual Plant Sale is coming up—and we need your help to make it a success! This event is essential to funding the Master Gardener program we all love. It’s also a fun, fast-paced day full of community, plants, and teamwork.
There’s a role for everyone—set-up, sales, hospitality, and more. Help make it all run smoothly by signing up for a shift: Signup Genius for the Plant Sale – May 2 & 3
Volunteer Shift Times: 📦 Set-Up Day – Friday, May 2: 8:00–12:00 & 12:00–4:00
🪴 Sale Day – Saturday, May 3: 8:30–12:00 & 12:00–3:30
Questions? Contact Leslie Hauser, Plant Sale Volunteer Coordinator, at (702) 340-6513.
🌿 Plant Propagation Workshops Want to get your hands dirty ahead of time? Join the plant propagation team at Philomath High School to help prep and care for the plants. There are many new shifts posted here: Signup Genius for Propagation Workshops
🌿Vegetable Propagation – Tomatoes and peppers have been transplanted and are looking great. There has been an extra seeding and transplanting day added for Friday, April 11, 2025. Join us for our final push to get our vegetables and herbs done. Vegetable Signup Genius
🌿Plant Sale Yard Signs - The Outreach Committee would like to get a lot of yard signs around the area for the Plant Sale. If you still have one from the last sale, please put it out or return it to the Extension Office; and let Bob or David know so it can be noted. We're also looking for new locations for yard signs - if you're willing to host one and live in a high traffic area, please contact Bob Smythe at smytherobert1@gmail.com or David King at daking9898@gmail.com
BCMGA Membership Activities
🌿 2025 Membership Directories - Good news, Benton County Master Gardeners! The 2025 BCMGA Membership Directory was mailed a week ago. If you have not received yours please reach out. Each envelope includes:
Your directory booklet with contact info for board members, committee chairs, and fellow MGs
Your OMGA/BCMGA membership card, which has a sticker on the back for local nursery discounts. Your card may be tucked at the bottom of the envelope—don’t miss it!
Big thanks to Michelle Brown, our Membership Secretary, for getting these out the door!
🌿BCMGA Membership Meeting - Vice President, Laura Horsey, welcomes all BCMGA members to the next membership meeting for socialization and Continuing Education credits. Raffle prizes for in-person attendees.
Monday, April 21, 2025 - Herbaceous Perennials: Successful Design and Group Plantings with Dan Blanchard, Horticulture Instructor and Curator of the OSU Campus Arboretum.
Location: Extension Building, Sunset Room (Use East side entrance)
Format: Hybrid meeting (in-person and online via Zoom) Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Recordings of past meetings and Gearing Up for Gardening lectures are available on the BCMGA YouTube Channel.
🌿 Save the Date: Member Garden Tour – June 25 Mark your calendar for a special BCMGA Member Tour to Leach Botanical Garden in Portland on Wednesday, June 25! This stunning garden has recently expanded and been featured in national publications—don’t miss it!
Tentative departure: 10:00 AM
Tour & admission: Approx. $10
Bring: A bagged lunch to enjoy on the patio
Optional stop: Rogerson Clematis Garden in West Linn on the way home (free admission)
Help us plan! Please take a moment to fill out this quick poll to let us know if you’re interested in attending and what rideshare options we should consider.
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🌿Announcing a new BCMGA project at Letitia Carson School Garden!
We have a great, new opportunity to work alongside garden caretaker Rebecca Johnson at Letitia Carson School Garden at 2701 NW Satinwood St in Corvallis (formerly Wilson School)! BCMGA volunteers’ role in the garden will be providing advice and garden education to volunteers (school staff, parents, community members) and students.
Do you have a 30-minute workshop you’d like to lead for the Garden Club? Sign up with Jennifer Klammer Jennifer.klammer@comcast.net, 541-602-0431
Sessions begin this week and continue through the week of May 22nd
1st and 2nd grades will meet on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 PM
3rd through 5th meeting Thursdays 2:30-3:30 PM
The target is 20 members per group.
🌿Call for houseplant cuttings!?! CGET needs cuttings for a houseplant propagation workshop on April 17th at the Basic Needs Center at OSU. To make it easy Cheryl will pick up your cuttings because she knows where you live! We’d love to have your expertise as a volunteer leader, both certified MGs and trainees! Expecting 20 college students. There will be snacks!
OSU Basic Needs Center, 1030 SW Madison
April 17th from 3-4 PM
Contact Cheryl Stratton Cheryl.stratton@comcast.net ASAP
🌿Join the Community Garden Education Team and teach the community how to grow its own groceries! CGET has announced an exciting list of activities for 2025. These hands-on gardening workshops are some of our most popular every year. Trainees are encouraged to join in the fun too. Check out the CGET Signup Genius before the spots are all gone.
🌿Help Needed at Plant Clinic - Plant Clinic is open year round, and questions will start increasing as the weather warms. Shifts are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Check the new 2025 Signup Genius to grab a spot!
🌿Public Seed Library – The Public Seed Library is getting busier as we approach the growing season. Folks are eager to grow their own food. There are multiple events with Pop-Up Veg Clinics as well as stocking the seed rack. If you are interested please check out the Seed Library SignUpGenius.
🌿 Wednesday Work Parties at the Demo Garden Begin April 9- Join us for weekly Wednesday Work Parties at the Demonstration Garden at the Benton County Fairgrounds—rain, shine, or even snow! All Master Gardeners, including trainees, are welcome. No need to sign up—just bring your gloves, dress for the weather, and come ready to dig in.
Starts: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Demo Garden, Benton County Fairgrounds 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis, OR 97333
How to get there: The main fairground gates are usually closed. To access the garden you will need to enter from the north past the Fairgrounds Office using Adams Way. You will see other volunteers’ cars parked near the Demo Garden.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
🌱2025 MG General Knowledge Classes available for CE Credit - Master Gardeners are invited to attend these trainee classes for 1 hour of CE horticulture credit. Trainees will have additional activities following these lectures.
Date: 4/10/2025 Plant ID with Dan Blanchard
4/24/2025 Weed Science with Alec Kowalewski
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Central Electrical Training Center (33309 OR-99E, Tangent, OR 97389)
Extension News
🌱If you need a replacement badge, now is the time! Please email Annie O’Shea to let her know.
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