WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLORS?

 

October 3, 2023 by Sherrie McCleary, Master Gardener

October is here and fall is officially upon us. Thoughts turn to favorite things like football, bonfires, crisp days, and all things pumpkin. Add fall foliage to that list. Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation -- or anywhere in the world. Pennsylvania, with its abundance of mountains and state parks provides a front row seat to experience the palette transformation from the rich greens of Summer to the vivid reds, oranges, and golds of Autumn. This is the season to enjoy nature’s process of preparing to protect its trees to survive the cold of the winter ahead.

Why do leaves change colors? An interesting fact is that some of the colors have been in the leaves all Summer. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and trees use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar. This provides nutrition to the tree. During this process, trees produce chlorophyll, a light absorbing pigment, which gives the tree its green color. The colors are masked by the dominant green color while the leaves are busy turning sunlight into food. Carotenoids (golden pigment) have been present in the leaf throughout the growing season. Most anthocyanins (red pigment) are produced in autumn. As Fall approaches, the tree prepares to shed its leaves because the tender leaf tissue will not survive the cold winter. The primary influence of change is that days shorten providing less light. Nights are longer and cooler, and the chlorophyll production slows down and eventually stops. Eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed, and the carotenoids and anthocyanins are unmasked and show their colors. The timing of the color change varies by species, as well as the color pigment. Some trees become vividly colorful late Summer or early Fall, while others are still green. Oaks on the other hand show their colors after others have already shed their leaves.

The intensity and brilliance of the colors are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is diminishing. Temperature and moisture are the main influences. A warm wet spring, favorable summer weather and warm sunny fall days with cool nights can produce the most intense autumn colors. A severe summer drought can delay the color transformation by a few weeks. A warm period during fall can also lower the intensity of autumn colors. Abnormally dry conditions and high temperatures can also cause early leaves to drop in late September and early October. Although we have been experiencing drought conditions, Marc Abrams, a professor of forest ecology and physiology at Penn State University, has written “a lessening of extreme heat and drought and a continuation of cool nights can go a long way to save a season.” He also went on to note “I have been impressed in my years of gauging foliage at the resiliency of the display.”

So go out and enjoy this season of transformation. Whether the color is good or great, it is one of nature’s finest displays. The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers information on state parks, state forests, as well as Fall foliage reports on their webpage. Check out the Visit PA webpage for where and when to view our 2023 seasonal beauty. https://www.visitpa.com/article/when-and-where-view-best-fall-foliage-pa

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 Now is the time to start planning to harvest and preserve your herbs. There’s lots of good information in the

HERB SAMPLER Second Edition

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more as the winter holidays approach – hostess gifts, housewarming and holiday presents.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is exclusively sold retail at Snavely's Garden Center, Chambersburg or available through Amazon at this

 link.

BALD BLUEJAY & more

Seen in the birdbath this week/ bald Bluejay

Sept. 2, 2023

Here's why I never seem to get much done as my office window looks over the front garden.

Sighted 5 minutes ago. BALD BLUE JAY!!!😲

Stopped what I was doing. Looked it up on line.  (What I call my “but I digress moments) Never even considered this was a thing.

Check out Laura Erickson’s “For the Birds”  https://www.lauraerickson.com website.

BLUE JAY information from Erickson:

"Every year in July and August, people here and there throughout the country notice bald Blue Jays and ask me about them. And every year I explain it pretty much the same way. Adult Blue Jays molt every summer. The feathers are replaced a few at a time over most of their bodies, so they retain enough feathers to keep flying and to protect their bodies from the elements.

"But some Blue Jays tend to drop all their head feathers simultaneously. This has one big advantage, reducing the number of days that the head is missing any feathers at all, but a big disadvantage, too, exposing the bird’s head to the elements with no protection whatsoever for as long as a week or two. I was licensed to keep an education Blue Jay named Sneakers for many years, and she molted this way. I was absolutely responsible for Sneakers, and very protective of her dignity, and this was also before I was taking many photos of birds, so I never took photos of her in her bald state. 

"That is, until this summer. Being home during the pandemic, one of my joys has been whistling to my neighborhood crows and Blue Jays when I set out peanuts. The nearest crow family brought off four chicks, and the family of six has been showing up regularly at my big tray feeder. One of the parents noticed this spring that if I went into the yard and whistled when it was nearby, I always put some peanuts in the feeder, and now the whole bunch is likely to show up if they’re within earshot when I whistle. So far, neither parent has lost all its head feathers.”

What about other birds?

GOLDFINCHES, notes Cornell’s e-Bird (https://ebird.org/home), molt twice a year. Here’s what they say:

“Every summer, goldfinches replace their bright body feathers with duller ones for the winter. The new feathers come in one by one, giving the birds that strange patchwork appearance.

Unlike most songbirds, goldfinches molt twice a year. At winter’s end, they’ll grow in a complete set of new golden yellow feathers. Again, each one will have a strange, patchy appearance for a few days, but soon they’ll be vividly beautiful again.”

CARDINALS, both male and female, molt every year. Here’s what AnyCardinals.com have to say:

    

Cardinals, both male and female, molt like many other birds. They molt once a year to shed their old, damaged plumage and grow stunning, new feathers to conduct flight efficiently, stay healthy, and allure their mates.Cardinals molt their feathers once a year, usually in the late summer and early fall.

Male cardinal will molt feathers from their whole body while female cardinals do not molt their body plumage, only their wings and tail feathers.

And on to another discovered bird topic

ANTING from birdwatchingdaily.com (Again, I digress…) 

And not only cardinals but other birds. 

“Have you seen a cardinal bird covered with ants? If yes, then you should know that there is no reason to panic. Cardinal birds covered themselves with ants. This behavior is called anting, where they voluntarily cover their whole body with ants. Although it is a bit unusual and alarming, cardinals are not the only bird species that do that. Ants release formic acid that helps birds ward off lice, so they do anting once in a while. 

One theory is that the acid secreted by the ants kills mites and other parasites that might try taking root in a bird’s feathers. Another possibility is that formic acid acts as a sort of natural balm, soothing the irritation caused by molting.”

And that was a bit of my morning. Now writing it up to share.

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 Now is the time to start planning to harvest and preserve your herbs. There’s lots of good information in the

HERB SAMPLER Second Edition

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more as the winter holidays approach – hostess gifts, housewarming and holiday presents.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is exclusively sold retail at Snavely's Garden Center, Chambersburg or available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it.

Franklin County Master Gardener Participates in Award-Winning Bee Monitoring Program

 August 24, 2023                                                                                                                                                                              

Ceratina (small carpenter bee) at a nesting site
 in a Rudbeckia stem (Ron George)

Franklin County Master Gardener Participates in Award-Winning Bee Monitoring Program

By Sherrie McCleary, Master Gardener

The many roles of a Master Gardner include teaching, problem solving,  community outreach, and advising the public on best gardening practices. Did you know community scientist is now added to this list? What is a community scientist? The definition of community or citizen science is “work undertaken by volunteers or the general public, often done in collaboration, with or under the direction of professional, scientists, or scientific institutions.”

Pennsylvania Master Gardeners are participating in a bee monitoring program investigating and collecting data on bees at a highly trained level. Under the direction of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Science and the lab of Associate Professor of Entomology, Margarita Lopez-Uribe, bee monitoring is a multiyear effort to understand Pennsylvania’s native bee population. Since bees are the most important pollinators of plants, it makes them critical for plant reproduction and a balanced ecosystem. While studies show evidence of bee decline, there has been a lack of standardized long-term monitoring data. The participants have been recognized for their work in this important program.

 In June 2023, Penn State Master Gardeners earned first place in the research category of the David Gibby Search for Excellence Awards at the International Master Gardener Conference held in Kansas. The award was for exceptional volunteer work and dedication to the bee monitoring program. Recognized for the first-place award were 20 Penn State Master Gardeners.

Tracy Snyder collecting bees for the monitoring project

Penn State Extension is proud to announce Franklin County Master Gardener Tracy Snyder as one of the 20 volunteers recognized. An avid gardener for more than 30 years, Tracy became a Master Gardener in 2018. She has volunteered her time to other projects such as Victory Garden, Greenhouse Planting, and Program Advisory but her love and passion for insects is what interested her in the bee monitoring project. According to Tracy, “Becoming a Master Gardener was an easy choice based on my gardening experience, but I had no idea that it would give me the opportunity to participate in something like this. I am really grateful for that.”

She has received advanced training on the protocols used to collect, pin, label and identify native bees.  “I have no formal scientific training, so it is really great to be making a meaningful contribution to the scientific community,” Tracy said. “I hope that my efforts can help protect our native bees.” A follow-up workshop is held each year for additional training and interaction with fellow bee monitors.

Thanks to Tracy’s efforts and involvement, Franklin County Extension is now part of this important initiative. Penn State will use the data collected to gain a better understanding of the nature of Pennsylvania bees, including distributions, host plants, and timing of developmental cycles. As a Franklin County Master Gardener, Tracy will be able to use her knowledge and experiences to educate people in the community on the diversity of bees in Pennsylvania. “A lot of people are unaware of the huge diversity of bees that could be right outside their door,“ said Tracy. “The 2020 checklist of bees in PA showed 437 species.” She also noted, “Native bees provide vital pollination services and are often better pollinators than honeybees. They evolved with our native plants, so they are uniquely qualified to pollinate them.”

Pinned bees and labels are ready to be examined for identification (Penn State Extension)

To date, Tracy has collected 493 specimens, 58 varied species and 37 county records. County records indicate that the species had not been recorded for the county previously, even though they may have existed. These species were not officially recognized because many areas of the state have been poorly sampled or not sampled at all. Tracy notes that, as time goes on, it will be harder to get county records because the easy species will already have been recorded.

The Penn State bee monitoring program continues to make strides with totals of 4,761 specimens, 185 species, and 488 county records collected so far for 2022. The Master Gardeners involved have been applauded for their dedication to learning the skills required and devotion to research. Plus, they are winning first place awards! Congratulations to Franklin County’s Tracy Snyder and the other 19 state-wide Master Gardeners for being recognized and honored for your outstanding research.

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Now is the time to start planning to harvest and preserve your herbs. There’s lots of good information in the

HERB SAMPLER Second Edition

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more as the winter holidays approach – hostess gifts, housewarming and holiday presents.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is exclusively sold retail at Snavely's Garden Center, Chambersburg or available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it.

  

IF YOU FIND A BABY BIRD

 

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Interested in herbs? Looking for a gift?

Perfect for a hostess gift, or birthday or housewarming.

And there is a price reduction as we head into the holiday season.

 Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog  

SPECIAL Price reduction on this 5  *  *  *  *  * book

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available exclusively retail at Snavely's Garden Center, Chambersburg, PA or you can order from Amazon.  Please note: Amazon's price will increase as of June 20, 2023.

Just click this link to find it.

Look Alike Weeds and Health

Articles have appeared recently about two poisonous plants that are in bloom at this time of year. Questions have come up on several different social media pages asking if they are the same plant.

You can find information about the dangers of these plants at http://turfweeds.cals.cornell.edu/weeds-and-human-health

Poison hemlock is a different plant from giant hogweed although they look very similar. Giant Hogweed is Heracleum mantegazzianum and Poison Hemlock is Conium maculatum.

It would be excellent if media outlets understood that many plants look alike but the scientific names are assigned to a specific plant. They should print the scientific name with the common one (s). This would help anyone interested in finding out more about a specific plant.
There are several look-alike plants in our area.

Cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), Angelica (Angelica spp.), & Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota). Queen Anne's Lace 

A Facebook post prompted a quick review of the problems with these plants.

You can find more information (and photos) online at http://turfweeds.cals.cornell.edu/weeds-and-human-health

Giant Hogweed -When exposed to skin, giant hogweed sap causes phytophotodermatitis, a chemical burn from increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Poison Hemlock-Its sap can cause dermatitis (skin irritation) on some people-can be severe; all parts of poison-hemlock are poisonous, esp. spring leaves; people may be poisoned by eating any part of a hemlock plant; Whistles made from hollow stems of poison-hemlock have caused death in children.

Cow parsnip - It can cause rashes, burns, and blisters.

Wild parsnip- It can cause photodermatitis when combined with sunlight. Contact with sap can cause severe burns, blisters, and photosensitivity.

Angelica- It may cause sensitivity to sunlight and contact dermatitis.

Queen Anne's Lace-May cause phytophotodermatitis where sap touches the skin and is exposed to sunlight; wear long sleeves if handling.

CKagan, Master Gardener

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Interested in herbs? Looking for a gift?

Perfect for a hostess gift, or birthday or housewarming.

And there is a price reduction as we look forward to spring gardening.

 Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog  

SPECIAL Price reduction on this 5  *  *  *  *  * book

Now available retail at Snavely's Garden Center in Chambersburg, PA

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it.

MEMORIAL DAY AND RED POPPY DAY

 

Papaver rhoeas, known variously as the
Flanders poppy, corn poppy, red poppy and corn rose. 

Memorial Day, May 25, 2026 is a day to remember and honor those who died in active military service. Veteran's Day, observed on November 11th, honors those who have served in the past, present, and even pays tribute to those who will serve in the future. In the United States, the poppy is not traditionally worn on Veterans Day but on Memorial Day, to commemorate the lives of those who died fighting for their country.

May 22, 2026, is National Poppy Day.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. 

How did the Red Poppy become a symbol of remembrance?

The Remembrance Day symbolism of the poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian who served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit in World War I, tended to the wounded near the front of the fighting. Many were killed on both sides during a battle that featured the first use of chlorine gas by the Germans. McCrae lost a close friend in the fighting.

The intense red poppies growing in the broken ground of battle made a deep impression on him. This was the inspiration for his poem, “In Flanders Field,” in which he used the voices of the fallen soldiers buried under those hardy poppies.

On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion. The American Legion Auxiliary  distributes poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower donate to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs. 

“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

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Rosemary is the "herb of remembrance." Pin a sprig of fresh rosemary alongside your Red Poppy

Are you interested herbs? Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog 

It has a list of the meanings of herbs and how to make nosegays or "tussie-mussies."

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is now available at Hip-Gypsy Emporium in Duffield or through Amazon.

Fresh Seasonings

Chives in bloom. Flowers are edible.
Leave a few for the pollinators.

Fresh Seasonings

The best seasonings are fresh herbs. Compare fresh parsley and parsley flakes in your cupboard.  Pesto needs the sweet basil and what is homemade salsa without the cilantro?

It is spring time and we often turn to lighter meals and fresh ingredient spring salads. What herbs go with lamb, or fish, or all those left over Easter eggs?

Don't GOOGLE!!! Grab your copy of the HERB SAMPLER. Available locally at Snavely's Garden Center, Chambersburg, or online at Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Herb-Sampler-Second.../dp/1482067463

At least click on the link and check it out. An excellent hostess gift (pick up or order several) or for most any occasion (pick up or order several).

What about Cucumber Yogurt Soup or salad with Oregano and Parsley Dressing? A Green Goddess Dip, light green in color from the fresh parsley, chives, and maybe a touch of tarragon, can be set among the pastels of colored eggs celebrating spring.

When summer comes - check out Medieval Cuckoo Foote Ale for a fresh non-alcoholic drink, pesto pita chips, or gazpacho (soup).

There is also plenty of herb growing, using and storing information plus crafts for kids and lots of reference material.

Grow at Home

All that is needed for most herbs to thrive is lots of sun, good soil drainage and occasional harvesting. Most herbs will become straggly if they do not get enough sun. Here are a few tips we’ve learned over the years about some of the popular herbs.

If you are interested in supporting pollinators, plant enough herbs for your use and a few that can be left to flower. 

Plant extra dill and parsley for the colorful black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars to munch on.

Cilantro will bolt when the weather turns warm. For fresh cilantro throughout the season practice succession planting. Plant a new pot every three weeks and it will be ready when the prior one begins to flower. Leave the white flowers for the pollinators.

Plant mints in pots. Mints are notorious for spreading with underground roots. Once they spread, they are difficult to remove since a small piece of root left behind will grow into a plant.

Harvest throughout the growing season to encourage branching and new growth. Cut before it flowers on the plants you are using but let it flower on others for the pollinators.

Wishing for warmer weather and getting out to grill? Include perennials such as rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme to use for grilling. Use them to make a marinade for use in preparing your meat. Tie a bundle of herbs to a wooden utensil and use as a basting brush. Soak some stems in water and put them on the coals when ready to cook and close the lid. No lid? Just enjoy the aroma. The sense of smell contributes to how we taste and enjoy our food.

Our Greenhouse Team is growing sweet basil, chives, cilantro, dill, lemongrass, Greek oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme for our plant sale. Visit the herb table and meet the Herb Team. We plan to have some recipe handouts on hand to share.

The Master Garden Plant Sale on May 20, 2023,  starts at 9 AM at 145 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. Free on-site parking. Vegetables, herbs, sun and shade plants, annual flowers, and more. Credit cards, checks or cash. Watch for updates with more tips and information.

* * * * *

Interested in herbs? Looking for a gift?

Perfect for a hostess gift, or birthday or housewarming.

And there is a price reduction as we look forward to spring gardening.

 Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog  

SPECIAL Price reduction on this 5  *  *  *  *  * book

Now available retail at Snavely's Garden Center in Chambersburg, PA

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it.