Happy New Gardening Year! MSU Tollgate Gardens Volunteer

The Tollgate Farm News
Volume 19
Issue 1
January 2013
Happy New Gardening Year!
MSU Tollgate Gardens Volunteer General Meeting
in the Conference Center
Thursday, January 17, 7:00 PM
All Hosta Are NOT Indestr uctible
Thursday, January 17, Andy Torvinen of Perennial Accents will give his Hosta 202 presentation that
looks at Hosta and the differences in their growth rates and performance based on genetic backgrounds.
He will talk about why some grow like weeds and some seem to sit there year after year.
A twenty-some-year gardener and practicing plant-aholic with a particular fondness for hostas, Andy
describes himself as owner/HOSTAge of his Royal
Oak plant sales (Saturday and Sunday on Mother’s
Day weekend, and Saturday through Monday on
Memorial Day weekend). He is a founding member
of the Metro Detroit Hosta Society, where he
continues to serve on the board.
Andy gave his Hosta 101 presentation at the Tollgate
meeting in February of 2009 and his Catalpa talk
about shade plants and drought tolerant plants in
January of 2011. He often sells hostas and other
perennials at Tollgate’s Summer Celebration (July
Open House).
Hostas at Hidden Lake Gardens 2012
Tollgate Garden Volunteer Important Dates and Events
Jan
Meetings
17
TGV General Meeting
19
AGL/Team Planning Meeting
Feb
Mar
Meetings
7:00 PM
5
TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM
10:00 AM
21
TGV General Meeting
7:00 PM
Meetings
Mar
Activities
5
TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM
2
Ornamental Grass Cutback
9:00 AM
21
TGV General Meeting
7:00 PM
9
Pruning
9:00 AM
16
Mulch Nursery Paths
9:00 AM
23
Demo Mulching
9:00 AM
Page
Feb
23
Activities
Maple Syrup Tapping
9:00 AM
from the
To l l g a t e
Fa r m
Manager
GREETINGS
Roy Prentice
Collecting and boiling is very weather dependent.
We communicate with anyone interested in the
maple syrup project via e-mail. If you are interested
in being “in the know” about maple syrup happenings, let me know. I will make sure that you are
added to our maple syrup e-mail information list. It
is a fun way to get out of the house and enjoy the
farm early in the season.
Greetings All,
Amazing Moving Barn. You may notice that the
pole barn that used to be along the drive to the
vegetable garden has strangely disappeared. As
you gaze around your surroundings you will see
that it is not actually a disappearance that has
taken place, but a relocation. During the past few
weeks, the barn has traveled a hundred feet or so
east and north. It has become part of the youth
programming on the site and will house animals
that will be used for kid agriculture exploration
programs. Now, if you peek in the windows, you
are likely to see a motley assortment of ducks,
geese and chickens – all happy to have indoor
digs for the winter.
Spring will be here before you know it. Think green!
Labels!! Labels!! Labels!! I am again making a
pitch for plant labels for the gardens of Tollgate. If
you would like to have some of our snazzy green
labels made for the plants in your garden, please
send me a list. I have label makers standing by to
create whatever you might need. If there are plants
in the Tollgate garden that you look after, now is the
time to get their identification assured. Labels make
our gardens much more accessible and user
friendly for our visitors.
The Prentice Dogs, Tank and Hoosier, Hibernate in
their Favorite Spot
Maple Syrup News. The maple syrup making
project is starting to get in gear for 2013. Our
tapping day is set for the last Saturday in February,
the 23rd, beginning at 10:00 AM. We will meet in the
Activity Center and then head to the woods.
Bark of the Dawn Redwood in the Demo Garden
Photos by Roy Prentice
Page 2
N otes from the President
Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope you are enjoying the winter
season making snowmen, taking walks or just planning for the spring.
“Every gardener knows under the cloak of winter lies a miracle-a
seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to light, a bud straining to
unfurl. And anticipation nurtures our dream” - Barbara Winkler
Your newly elected TGAC has been planning the
season calendar and preparing for the 2013 schedule!
Hope to see you all at the January meeting to kick off
another great year of gardening, socializing and learning together.
Area Garden Leaders/Team are scheduled to meet
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 10:00 AM IN THE
ACTIVITY CENTER.
All interested members are invited to attend if they have
an interest in being more involved in a specific garden as
we attempt to form teams to help manage the garden areas. See the informative note on what is an AGL as well
as a look at a few (of the many) areas in need of management teams.
Thank you for being a Tollgate Gardens Volunteer.
Renee Cottrell, President
Photo by Roy Prentice
Bakers Needed for 2013
Create smiles from your fellow Tollgate gardeners by bringing some
delicious treats to share at our monthly meetings. Sign up now to get
your preferred month.
Call or e-mail, Yvonne, 248-348-1946 mainwoods@comcast.net
MEMBERSHIP
In this issue of the Tollgate Farm News, you will find the 2013 Membership
Form. And, as you know, you have until May 1st to get that form returned to
Roy's office. But wouldn't it feel wonderful to have that baby sent in early and
not have to even think about it again? Just think how warm & fuzzy you'd feel
when you'd see the reminders in the up coming Tollgate Farm News and think
"Yep, I did that already!"
To contact me with any changes to your information please use the following
e-mail address tollgatemembership@gmail.com
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Nancy Roggers
Page 3
Page 4
  Winter
Around the Pond by David Komraus

THE HOSTA VIRUS X
Voles in the Shade House
Priscilla and Paul Needle were cleaning up the shade house
in mid November. They were working on removing the dried
hosta foliage and found that many hostas had no roots. They
dumped about 20 pots. They did see what they thought could
be a vole running out of one of the bays. After further investigation, they found that the voles were enlarging the holes in
the plastic nursery pots. Most hostas had no roots and some
no buds. Priscilla took some of the remnants home to see if
she can get what is left to root.
Meanwhile, Roy is working on eliminating the vole population.
Our hostas for the 2013 Plant Sale were already compromised due to parameters we established regarding Hosta
Voles are Enlarging Holes in Garden Pots for
plants for the sale because of Hosta Virus X (HVX) ‘TGAC
Easy Access to Roots and Rhizomes
has made the decision to limit outside hosta donations for
the plant sale’ (from Farm News, Notes from the President by Renee Cottrell,
September 2012).
Since voles might spread the HVX, I did some more research on voles and protecting hosta as my own hosta garden is in jeopardy with an increasing vole population
in my neighborhood. Roy suspects that the Tollgate voles are Meadow Voles
(Microtus pennsylvanicus). You can read more about the meadow voles at:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10319-59149--,00.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Microtus_pennsylvanicus/
It seems that the critters like to tunnel under garden litter, mulch, grass or snow.
The American Hosta Society recommends large quantities of sharp 3/8 inch
gravel mixed with the soil when planting hostas. They also recommend making
cages of quarter inch hardware cloth. They said plastic nursery pots could be
used but, as we can see, this would not work in the Tollgate nursery situation.
Many hosta gardeners combine the gravel and the hardware cloth. The Western
Massachusetts Master Gardener web site has a great “Hosta and Voles” article written by Bruce Aune for their variety of vole. I based my dimensions of the cage on his
A Close-up of Roots
article. Some gardeners add bottoms and some make the cage deep enough (at
Gnawed Away
least 8 inches) so a bottom
wouldn’t be needed. Some vole varieties don’t go deep. I did
read, however, that voles can travel mole tunnels. Most say it
is important to extend the cage above the ground so the voles
are deterred from crossing over. They don’t like the sharp edges. An added advantage of using the hardware cloth is that
hostas can easily be moved when the roots attach around the
cage. You would need to adjust the size of your cage to the
hosta. For lack of a photo, I have created a drawing described
in the “Hostas an Voles” article. You will need 1/4 inch hardware cloth and tin snips. Small plastic cable ties are suggested to attach the hardware cloth to make a cylinder.
3 inches
Soil Line
11 inches
8 inches
Small Cable Ties
Hardware Cloth
References:
A Publication of the American Hosta Society. 2008. Hosta
Adventure, A Grower’s Guide. 32 pp.
Aune, Bruce. “Hostas and Voles.” Master Gardener Gardening Topic for August 2010. Provided by the Western
Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. http://
www.wmassmastergardeners.org/1008.htm
Photos by Priscilla Needle. Article by Darretta Ferasin
Page 5
Areas Available for AGL Assignment
Throughout the Tollgate gardens we have garden sites that would greatly benefit from a little
extra attention from an Area Garden Leader (AGL) or Team. These folks contribute to the overall
management of our gardens by monitoring the needs of the garden, participating in the
designated activity day and working the site. There are also plenty of opportunities to help
design, choose plants and further develop these areas. In an attempt to make the task less
daunting, co-AGLs/Teams can be established and smaller areas assigned that will fit the
interest and time availability of an interested individual volunteer. Each garden has budget
dollars available, activity days assigned for group work as well as special project scheduling
available. The TGAC assists in coordinating help as you request, approving design and budget
requests, and introducing you to your site and its’ features. If just 10 volunteers would accept
some small portion as new AGL or Team member the presentation of our Tollgate gardens would
increase ten fold. Please take the time to review some of the opportunities listed below.
The Front Farmhouse
The Front of the Farmhouse Garden is a wonderfully
designed, richly planted area that could be shared or
divided responsibilities for different areas. There is
plant diversity, hardscape, and sun and shade
plantings of perennials, bulbs, groundcovers and
shrubs. Early mulching is the key to weed control
and some pruning, and deadheading is required.
There is opportunity to plan to add plant material
where others were lost over the past few seasons.
The Demonstration Gardens
The east hill of the demonstration garden is the “lilac
hill”. The primary plantings are various lilacs, iris and
daylily. This area could be divided or shared with more
than one AGL. It needs division of the daylily this season
(special project day), ongoing mulch management for
weed control, and new ideas for companion ground
covers for summer, fall interest.
The west hill of the Demo area has carpet roses,
crab apple trees and a variety of iris and day lily.
This area can be spectacular in the spring but has
been one of the areas lacking regular maintenance.
The iris and daylily will need dividing, and with
Roy’s help will need initial aggressive weed
management. Once controlled the area will be low
maintenance after the dead heading of spent early
summer blooms. Some pruning of tree suckers and
yearly control of carpet rose growth is needed.
Demonstration Gardens Continued on Page 7
Page 6
The Demonstration Gardens continued
Patio Area
The patio area is a popular quiet sitting
area on the north west corner of the
demonstration area with a brick paved
patio, tree and grape arbor for shade, and a
variety of perennials surrounding the patio.
The actual gardening area is small, easily
managed by one or two and in need for new
companion planning ideas.
English Gardens
The English Gardens sponsored portion of the
Demo Garden features the focal point gazebo.
The paths leading up to and around the area
have low maintenance shrubs, carpet roses,
grasses, daylily and some tree plantings. This
is also an area that could be shared or divided
into 2-3 parts. Daylily division, major shrub
pruning and the removal of a dead tree were
recently completed. The area could use a fresh
focal planting and is in need of control of the
planned vinca plantings as well as the
invading cone flower.
The Nursery
This area lends itself well to a Nursery Team
management approach. Though it is a
functional rather than demonstration area,
management is key to our fundraising
efforts. There are sections for sun and
shade plants in need of routine weeding, reorganization, cataloging inventory and
researching plant info which could be fun
for those that soak up knowledge! Busiest
work activities in spring and fall for division
and Plant Sale event.
Page 7
Tollgate Volunteer Information
Activity Days
If you aren’t getting
Activity day hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM unless otherwise noted on the
Tollgate Garden Volunteer Important Dates and Events listed on the first
page of the Tollgate Farm News or by the Area Garden Leader (AGL).
Lunch will be provided - veggie alternatives are available upon request.
This schedule does not exclude you from working independently on the
site. However, on non-scheduled days, your efforts will need to be selfdirected with guidance from the garden area clipboards located in the
Volunteer Communication Center.
The Tollgate Farm News
e-mail, Check your
SPAM folder
Volunteer Activity Day and
Meetings Information
248-347-3860 ext. 400
Garden Tools Available
for Use at
Tollgate
List of Suggested Gardening
Implements to Bring
from Home as Needed
 Spades
 Garden Hoe
 Garden Rakes
 Long Handled





 Brooms
Garden Forks
 Wheel Barrels
 Weed Buckets
 Leaf Rakes
Trowel
Hand Pruners
Loppers
Garden Scissors
Your Favorite
Weeding Implement
 Hand Saw






Plant Division Forks
Shrub Rake
Sun Screen
Gloves
Knee Pads
Insect Repellant
Tollgate Garden Advisory Council
Farm Manager
Roy Prentice - 248 347-3860 ext. 251
e-mail - prentic1@msu.edu
President ........................... Renee Cottrell
Vice President… ............... Peg Palmer
Secretary…........................ Dave Komraus
Treasurer ........................... Sue Janczarek
Membership ...................... Nancy Roggers
PR....................................... Yvonne DeMattos
Fall Fair .............................. Dennis Roggers
Programs ........................... Jackie Stengel
Hospitality ......................... Yvonne DeMattos
Farm News Editor ............. Darretta Ferasin
For membership questions or to update your
current membership information send e-mail to:
tollgatemembership@gmail.com
MSU Tollgate Gardens Volunteers
For general information and questions
Contact Roy Prentice
Page 8
● The Tollgate Gardens Advisory Council next
meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 5,
2013 at 7:00 PM in the Tollgate Office Building.
All Tollgate Gardens Volunteer members are
welcome to attend.
● Listings to contact individual Council Members
and Area Garden Leaders are available at all
general meetings and in the Volunteer
Communication Center.
● Tollgate Volunteer Membership is renewed
annually. The 2012 Tollgate Garden Volunteers
membership is from December 1, 2012 to
November 30, 2013.
THE TOLLGATE FARM NEWS
Tollgate Gardens Volunteer Office
28115 Meadowbrook
Novi, MI, 48377-3128
www.tollgate.msu.edu
MSU Tollgate Garden Volunteers
Membership Form
Please print all entries. Thank you.
Name:______________________________________________
2013
Date Submitted: _________________________
Telephone number:
Address____________________________________________
City:_______________________________________, MI.
Day _______ - _____________________________
Evening ______ - ___________________________
Zip:______________ - _________
________________________________
Name you would like on badge.




Email:___________________________________
Has previous year’s info changed? _______


Were you a Tollgate volunteer member last year? Yes ( )

No ( )
If yes, do you need a new Tollgate Garden Volunteer badge? Yes ( )
Are you interested in:
No ( )
Serving on a committee or garden project? Yes (
) No (
)
If yes, please note below if you have a particular area of interest, e.g., rose garden,
children’s garden, hospitality, public relations, computer skills, etc
__________________________________________________________
Are you a MSU Master Gardener?
( ) certified
( ) candidate
County ___________
(It is not necessary that you be a MSU Master Gardener to volunteer with Tollgate Garden
Volunteers. An interest in gardening is all that is required.)







A donation to offset costs would be greatly appreciated. ($15 suggested amount)
Make checks payable to Michigan State University.


Return to:


Thank you.



Tollgate Gardens Volunteer Office
28115 Meadowbrook,
Novi, MI. 48377-3128
Phone: 248-347-3860 ext. 212
Note: Membership is renewed annually.
2012 membership is from Dec. 1, 2012to Nov. 30, 2013.
Members receive a newsletter, the Tollgate Farm News, once a month (No News in Dec.).
Would you prefer to receive the newsletter by mail_______ or E-mail_______
In the event of an emergency please notify:
____________________________________________
Name
__________ - _____________________________
Phone
MSU Tollgate Garden Volunteers
Activity Calendar - 2013
Revised: Dec 2012
January
February
3-TGAC
17-TGV General Meeting
19-AGL Planning Meeting
7:00 PM 5-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 21-TGV General Meeting
10:00 AM
Activity Days
23-Maple Syrup Tapping
April
7:00 PM 7-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 14-Fall Fair Meeting
7:00 PM 16-TGV General Meeting
20-Volunteer Orientation
9:00 AM
Activity Days
6-Pond
13-PAR Prep and
Nursery /division
20-Spring Clean-Up
& Pancake Brunch at Noon
27-Spring Clean-Up, Hosta
2-TGAC Meeting
9-Fall Fair Meeting
18-TGV General Meeting
Activity Days
6-Demo/Hosta
13-Open House Clean Up
20-Tollgate Open House
27- Children's/Nursery
October
1-TGAC Meeting
8-Fall Fair Meeting
17-TGV General Meeting
Activity Days
5-Plant Division & Potting
12-Fall Clean-Up
19-Fall Clean-Up
26-Demo
7:00 PM 5-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 21-TGV General Meeting
June
7:00 PM 4-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 11-Fall Fair Meeting
7:00 PM 20-TGV General Meeting
Activity Days
4-Rose Garden/Rock Ledge/Heritage
11-Children's/Xeriscape
18-plant sale prep/division
PAR Planting/Demo
31-Plant Sale Set Up
9:00AM
1-Spring Plant Sale
9:00-2:00
8-Office/Entrance/Farmhouse
15-Heritage Festival
10:00-3:00
22-Xeriscape/Activity Center/Dry Shade
29-Heritage/Rose
September
7:00 PM 3-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 10-Fall Fair Meeting
7:00 PM 19-TGV General Meeting
Activity Days
3-Pond/Activity Ctr
10:00-3:00 10-Entrance/Dry Shade/Farmhouse
17-Xeriscape/Office
24-Rose/Heritage/Rock Ledge
31-Labor Day Weekend
Activity Days
7-Hosta/Children's
14-Fall Fair Clean Up
20-Fall Fair Set-Up
21-Fall Fair
28-Plant Division & Potting
November
7:00 PM 5-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 9-Recognition Dinner
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Activity Days
August
7:00 PM 6-TGAC Meeting
7:00 PM 13-Fall Fair Meeting
7:00 PM 15-TGV General Meeting
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Activity Days
10:00 AM 2-Ornamental Grass Cutback
9-Pruning
16-Mulch Nursery paths
23-Demo Mulching
May
2-TGAC Meeting
9-Fall Fair Meeting
18-TGV General Meeting
July
March
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
10:00-3:00
December
7:00 PM 3-TGAC Meeting
4:00 PM
Activity Days
28-Thanksgiving
Activity Days
7-Rose Garden Mulching
Happy Holidays
**All activity days are subject to change. Please consult the newsletter or call
248 347-3860 ext 400 for updated information.
Visit on web: www.tollgate.msu.edu
7:00 PM