Monarch program hosted by Master Gardeners

Mary Bulger, Naturalist from the Lee County Conservation Office gave a presentation on Monarch butterflies on August 25 at the Washington County Extension Office. Bulger shared with the group how essential milkweeds are for monarch butterflies. The milkweed is a host plant where the butterflies can lay eggs, drink nectar, and consume the plant. Bulger encouraged homeowners to consider growing milkweed to aid in the production of monarchs.

The program was hosted by the Washington County Master Gardeners with over 30 in attendance. The program was free and open to the public. Refreshments were provided by Vivian Rothe and Diane Debok. A business meeting was held following the program.

Thank-you cards from Geoffrey Huston and Crooked Creek 4-H Club were shared. The Master Gardeners held a drawing for 20 pots of flowers at the Washington County Fair with 171 people entering the drawing.

Sheila Gerot moved to pay $100 to guest speaker Mary Bulger to go toward education for the Lee County conservationist. Karla Stout seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Diane Nelson discussed a plant exchange among the master gardeners. It was decided to table it until next spring.

The next meeting will include a garden tour at Nile Dusdieker?s in North Liberty,  at 6 p.m., Sept. 27. Car pools will leave the Washington County Extension office at 5 p.m. and another car pool at Riverside Travel Mart at 5:15 p.m.

For more information on the Washington County Master Gardener group contact president Don Pfeiffer at 319-653-4912 or Nancy at Washington County Extension at 319-653-4811.