OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers

Our Biocontrol of the Month for June is Bacillus subtilis! This bacteria lives in the soil and competes with harmful bacteria and fungi that may cause damage to plants. It also directly destroys fungal pathogens by breaking their cell walls. Although research on Bacillus is still limited, experiments done within the past couple years have shown that the bacteria is an overall positive addition to a soil ecosystem. As an additional fun fact, Bacillus subtilis is also the same bacteria found in natto, a Japanese health food made with fermented soybeans! To learn more about this fascinating biocontrol, follow the link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10686189/

Join us for our final Horticulture Lunch and Learn of the season! We’re excited to welcome Dr. Tim McDermott of Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County, who will present “Tomatoes 201: Advanced Techniques for Maximum Harvest.” Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just love growing a few plants each summer, tomatoes always offer something new to learn—did you know that consistent watering is one of the keys to preventing common issues like blossom end rot, and that pruning and proper staking can significantly increase airflow and yield? From choosing the best varieties for our region to maximizing flavor and production, this session will help take your tomato-growing skills to the next level. Join us on Tuesday, June 16 at midday for this informative and engaging presentation. For more information and to register for free, visit go.osu.edu/mgvlearn

Happy June, Master Gardener Volunteers! Our Plant of the Month is the wild strawberry. This perennial native plant is an ancestor of the hybridized domesticated strawberry. Though wild strawberries are smaller and more delicate than their descendants, they're often said to be far tastier! Wild strawberries can be distinguished from mock strawberries, a similar species found in Ohio, by their white flowers and seeds that look "sunken" into the flesh of the fruit. Mock strawberries have yellow flowers, and their seeds are more "spiky" in appearance. Wild strawberries are easy to grow in home gardens, and many native plant nurseries offer seeds or rooted stolons for purchase! To learn more about this plant, follow the link:https://plantpath.osu.edu/sites/plantpath/files/imce/images/NativePlants/edited%20Wild%20Strawberry%20Flyer.pdf

Please join us for our penultimate Horticulture Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, June 9 at noon. Ann Channon from Lake County will be presenting on “Plants and Chemical Warfare,” exploring the fascinating ways plants use natural chemicals to defend themselves, communicate, and even influence the world around them—did you know that some plants can release compounds to warn neighboring plants of insect attacks or deter herbivores from feeding? For more information and free registration, please visit go.osu.edu/mgvlearn

Our Pest of the Month is the asparagus beetle! This insect is a particular pain to any gardeners trying to grow a spring crop of asparagus. The beetles feed on the asparagus spears, causing browning and a bent, hook-like shape. An aggressive population of these insects can wipe out a garden's worth of the vegetable. There are two different species, the common asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus beetle (pictured below); both can be huge pests! To learn more about these pesky insects, follow the link: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/asparagus-beetles

Our Biocontrol of the Month for May is the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (otherwise known as Hb) nematode! Nematodes, also called roundworms, are microscopic animals that often feed on other microorganisms or insect larvae. Hb nematodes are a beneficial species that can be used to attack the grubs of harmful beetles in a gardener's soil. As with last month's biocontrol, milky spore disease, Hb nematodes are often used to manage Japanese beetle populations! Different strains are commercially available to interested gardeners who would prefer a biocontrol over a pesticide. To learn more about how Hb nematodes function, follow the link: https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/heterorhabditis-bacteriophora-beneficial-hb-nematode

Check out the gardening essentials our MGVs can’t live without! This week, Christine Osterman is spotlighting her must‑have tools, including the powerhouse and most recommended soil knife, perfect for digging, cutting roots, dividing plants, and tackling tough garden tasks with ease.

🌿 Celebrating Dyana Robenalt, a 15-year Master Gardener Volunteer from Athens County!

Favorite Project: "Completing the Rutgers MG course and the most recent project in the Athens, OH Community Garden called 'The Food Realization Lab", a Live Food Art demonstration garden to inform and educate the public about the importance of planting native plants for pollinators."