MUSIC IN THE GARDEN August 4th & Meet Master Gardener #4

Reno County Master Gardeners present their final summer educational program by entertaining visitors Thursday August 4th in the Hutchinson Community College Demonstration Gardens from 6pm to 8pm. Larry and the NOTABLES will be providing some acoustic enjoyment while visitors can stroll the garden and enjoy the Prairie Star Annuals. Come to relax and be pampered for a lovely experience in the evening twilight. Pre-register at 620/662-2371. See you there!! Submitted by bcrock. 

Judy Eckhoff: Iris Lover 

Judy Eckhoff, Master Gardener 2007, is deadheading irises when I arrive to see her extensive gardens. Rebloomers, those flowers that bloom twice a year, are in their full glory despite the cloudy day.  Mariposa Autumn, Bountiful Harvest, Autumn Circus. Not only does Judy know her irises but often she knows the person who has hybridized (bred) the flower. After years of attending iris conventions she can even match the flower with the face. One day at a conference Judy said to her friend, “There’s Rosalie Figge.” 

Her friend started looking all over the iris beds for the blooming flower but couldn’t find it anywhere. Then Judy pointed towards a lady who was standing nearby. It was Rosalie Figge, the person who had the beautiful deep-violet rebloomer named in her honor!

Irises have been a part of Judy’s life since she was a child. Her mother and grandmother grew irises. As an adult in the mid-1980’s, Judy recalled how she and her sister “thought we had one of every color.” But her sister, JoAnne, attended the Hutchinson Iris Show, learned their iris actually had specific names, and spread the word. Judy recalls, “We didn’t know they had names; my goodness, what an eye opener!”

Medians are Judy’s favorite type of iris. (They start at 8” tall.) “I’m most fond of the Medians, the little ones,” she shares, “you get such tremendous displays. The big ones (Tall Bearded) get blown over by the wind but these guys always sit here and look pretty.” Check out this American Iris Society Blog for more information:  http://theamericanirissociety.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-are-theymedian-iris.html.

Judy’s interest in irises led her to the Hutchinson Iris Club and now she is the President of the local group that meets monthly and holds an annual show. (This year’s free show is Saturday, April 30, 1-4 p.m. @ Trinity Methodist Church, 17^th & Main). She joined Master Gardeners so she could learn more about better methods for caring for her plants. “I wanted to learn better how-tos, to take care of the soil,” Judy states. “I don’t believe in using chemicals and pesticides. Master Gardener teaches you what to do. First thing I did after Master Gardener class was to stop using Sevin (insecticide). I have so many butterflies and birds---why would I want to poison them?” she asks.

The MG class was something Judy had wanted to do but couldn’t start due to a full time day job. But she waited and was rewarded. Retiring in May, she started classes in August. Judy marvels at the growth of the number of MGs in recent years. The MGs used to have lunch at an eight foot table at the Extension Office and now chairs need to be brought downstairs to an overflowing basement in order to seat everyone. She also recalls how in the beginning the smaller HCC garden was serviced by only a half dozen MG volunteers.

Judy is always willing to help new gardeners with advice. When I tell her I’ve been composting to help enrich my garden’s sandy soil she cautions me on using the compost too soon with my irises. “Let it sit there a year. When I used new compost I got a lot of fungus in my iris.” Now that’s valuable advice from a valuable gardener. Submitted by  #diginthedirt