The 190-page WGJ is an annual publication of the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association (MAMGA). Though I'm a member of the group, I don't do anything with the calendar other than use it. This is the fifteenth edition and, as always, it's as beautiful as it is useful. Essentially it's a weekly engagement calendar designed specifically for gardeners. So each month begins with a list of tasks — broken down week by week — along with space for weekly notes. Each day also has a space to record the high and low temps.
In addition to wonderful color photos marking the beginning of each month, the WGJ is filled with a multitude of illustrations by local artist/gardeners and short, informative pieces related to the 2010 theme: The Natural Garden. The WGJ would make a great gift for almost any gardener on your list. But for those who are trying to go native, it would be perfect.
That's because it contains three original and highly informative articles: Kate Heiber-Cobbs explains the hot buzzword "permaculture" or how to garden ecologically and sustainably; UW Arboretum naturalist Molly Fifield Murray gives you specifics on how to actually use native plants in your own garden, while UW Landscape Architecture prof Evelyn Howell looks at garden design using native ferns. The WGJ also contains a section of "yellow pages" which has hardiness charts, tables of recommended Wisconsin native plants, along with bloom time charts and design grids to name a few items that will help you get started hands-on gardening.
I've always used mine more as a straightforward engagement calendar while I enjoyed all the extras. Because I already have the 2010 calendar in hand as I'm doing fall clean-up, I'm beginning to make notes about what to do next Spring based on my observations now. And since I will see the notes at the right time — rather than discovering them on a scrap of paper weeks after I needed that info — I'm hoping the calendar will give me a head start in the garden next Spring. Order the WGJ online or purchase it locally at garden centers, book and gift shops, including Orange Tree Imports where I work.
MAMGA is a non-profit organization and the profits from the calendar fund community garden grants in the Dane County area and other non-profit activities. The calendar is geared to those who garden in the Midwest in Zones 3, 4 and 5. If you fit that category and need a great garden tool/journal/calendar, leave me a comment and I will do a random number drawing next Friday, November 13th.
