compost in...take advantage of february’s milder days to prepare your planting areas for spring....

A Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - a volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension

February 2011The Compost Bin

The Mueller Blackland Prairie

Recreated with guest presenters...

Barbara Austin, Chris Lalich and Emily

Manderson In this issue ...

In the Vegetable GardenAnts or Termites?Celebrating the Holiday CactusCost-Saving Strategies for GardenersTCMGA 2011 BoardPresident’s Messageand more!

The Compost Bin February 2011

Inside this Issue....

• FebruaryMeetingSpeakers• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• CelebratingTheHolidayCactus• Cost-SavingStrategiesforGardeners

• AntsorTermites?• EducationalOpportunities• ComingEvents• 2011TCMGABoard• Credits

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Mueller’sBlacklandPrairie

BarbaraAustinandChrisLalichfromRViandEmilyMandersonfromLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenterwillspeakabouttheredevelop-mentoftheformerRobertMuellerMunicipalAirportfromalandscapearchitecturaldesignpointofview.RViwasselectedtoprovidecom-prehensivelandscapearchitecturaldesignservicesforthis700-acreproject.AttheTCMGAmeeting,Barbara,ChrisandEmilywillspecifi-callydiscusstheBlacklandPrairieportionwhichisjustonesegmentof thetotaldesign. RVicollaboratedwiththeLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCentertore-createaBlacklandPrairiefortheMuellersite.

TheMuellerOpenSpacesystemcreatesanecklaceofgreenthatsurroundsthe700-acreMuellerAustinsite.WhencompletedtheOpenSpaceSystemwillincludetrailheadsigns,maps,interpretivegraph-icsfordemonstrationgardens,andaninterpretivebelvederemuralexplainingtheinfluencesofhumandevelopmentonprairiegrasslands.

Oneofthemanyuniquestoriesisthecreationofnativeplantsdem-onstrationgardensandtwolakesforfishingandboating.Interpretivesignsarestrategicallyplacedthroughoutthedemonstrationgardensexplainingthecharacteristicsofriparian,hillside,sensory,prairieandpollinationplantspecies.TheLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenterassistedRViinthecreationofthesegardensandmeadows.

RViembarkedonamission in1982toprovidethehighestqualitylandscapearchitecturaldesignandplanningservicesavailable inTexas.StartingfromasmallcoreofpartnersRVihasgrownintoamajorregionaldesignfirmwidelyrecognizedthroughouttheU.S.foritscreativecontributionsinlanduseanalysis,master-plannedcom-munities,designofoutdoorspaces,parksandrecreationdesign,andwayfindinggraphics.

LadyBirdJohnsonandactressHelenHayesfoundedtheNationalWildflowerResearchCenter,renamedLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter,in1982toprotectandpreserveNorthAmerica’snativeplantsandnatural landscapes. ThroughresearchandthevisitorscenterenergiesarefocusedonprotectingandpreservingNorthAmerica’snativeplantsthroughnativeplantlistsandimagegalleries,andcon-servation.

MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,February2nd,2011startingat7pm.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

February Meeting Speakers — Barbara Austin, Chris Lalich and Emily Manderson


Hello Master Gardeners:

A Message From Your President

Theholidayshavecomeandgoneforanotheryearandoutsidethe land goes quiet as our brief winter appears. Tome itseemsatimeofrepose,ofcollectingmythoughts,ofrelaxingbefore gearingup towelcomespringandall itsassociated“hurry.”

AtthistimeoftheyearIenjoywalkingthroughthegardento see what ideas come tomind, what plants worked wellandwillbeallowedtostayandwhichonesdidnotliveuptomyexpectations,andwillbepulledout.SometimesduringwalksatthistimeofyearIcanreallyviewmystructureanditbecomesclearwhereaplantneedstobeaddedorsubtracted.YesterdayIdecidedtheFirebushhadgrowntoolargeforitsspot andwill bewrestled from theground. Also theTurksCaphas crept forward, thinking I hadnotnoticed, andwillbe yanked back to its designated area. Being a gardenersometimesmeanstakingstrongmeasuresinyourownEden!

In the vegetable area Februarymeans I start adding someamendmentsandturningoverthesoilgettingitpreparedforMarchplanting.Ineedtolookforoniontransplantsandgetthem into the soil. February alsomeans thatMichael,myhusband and I start our annual debate over which tomatovarietywefeeldeservesaspotinourraisedbeds.SuchisthelifeofaFebruarygardenerinCentralTexas!

OtherthoughtsstartgatheringinmyheadandIrealizeitisthe“startoftheroseseason.”Afavoritegardeningdelightistoprune,fertilize,mulchandtalktomyroses.Lastyear’sspringandsummerrainscreatedalushheavenofrosebloomsandIamhopefulofarepeatthisyear.Valentine’sDayisaperfecttimetobeoutsidetendingtoyourrosesand, ifyoudonothaveanyroses,itistheperfecttimetopurchaseoneortwotoaddtothegarden.Iamsurethereisaspotinyourgardenforatleastonebeautifulrose!

RosesareoneofmygardenpassionsandIenjoysharingthatpassionwithothers.Whateveryourgardeningpassionis,givethoughttojoiningtheSpeakersBureauandhelpingusgiveback to our community by sharing your sound horticultureadvice.

WhileeveryoneisstillenjoyingtheslownessofFebruary,pleasemarktheseimportantupcomingdatesonyourcalendars:

• PassionforPlantsGardenFair—Saturday,March19th, ReaganHighSchool

• ZilkerGardenFestival—Saturday,March26th&Sunday, March27th,ZilkerBotanicalGarden

• InsideAustinGardensTour—Saturday,May14th

Soonyouwillbereceivingadditionalinformationabouthowtovolunteerforeachoftheseexcitingevents.

Enjoy your rest because springfever begins soon and we lookforwardtoyouvolunteeringwiththeseevents. Shareyour timeandtalentwithus!

HappyGardening.

CarolynWilliams


TherearemanyreasonstoloveTexas,andoneofthem,forme,isourshortandrelativelymildwinter.Nodoubttherearestillsomecolddaysahead,butthisisthemonththatourgardensgraduallybegintheirreawakening.Microbialactivitypracticallycomestoastandstillwhensoiltemperaturesdropbelow40º,butastemperaturesgraduallywarmuplifeinthesoilwillstarttotingle.

Thisisagoodtimetostartacompostpile,ifyouhaven’talready,bycollecting leaves,gardenclippingsandkitchenwaste.Grassclippings provide an excellent nitrogen sourcewhich helps thepiletoheatup,butsincegrassisnoteasytocomebyinFebruarytrysprinklingyourpilewitha littleorganic fertilizeranda fewshovelfulsofsoilasyoubuildthepile.Cottonseedmeal,bloodmeal,fishmeal,batguanooranygeneralgardenfertilizerwillwork.Ifdogsorcrittersfrequentyourcompostareaitisbesttoavoidbloodandfishmeal,astheywillsurelysniffitout.

Yardwaste isarenewableresource,andshreddingandcomposting it isanexcellentwayto“reduce,reuseandrecycle.”Achipper/shreddermakesquickworkof it,but it’sanexpensivepieceofequipment(mostI’veseenare$600-800). Ifyourbudgetandstoragespaceallows,itisalong-terminvestmentthatwillgetusedtimeandagain.AnditmightjustbethatperfectValentine’sDaygiftyou’vebeenlookingfor!

Asoiltestisagoodideaifyouhaven’tdoneoneinthelast3or4yearsandyoucanbeatthespringrushbysendinginasamplenow.TheA&Msoillaboffersaroutinesoiltestfor$10andforanadditional$10youcanaddthetestfororganicmatter.Ournativesoilsareverylow(1-2%)inorganicmatter,andthelonghotsummerscanquicklyburnupwhatweadd.Alevelof5%isagoodamounttostrivefor.Downloadasoiltest form with instructions from the TexasAgriLifeExtensionSoilTestingLabathttp://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/soilwebform.pdf.

Above:Cold-hardykaledoesn’tmindafrostywintermorninginCentralTexas.TopRight:Don’tforgetthecompostpileinthewinterforyourkitchenscrapswhenyoureduce,reuseandrecycle.BottomRight:Achipper/shreddermakesquickworkofabrushpileandmakesagreatmulchtoo.PhotosbyBruceLeander

In The Vegetable Garden

by Patty Leander


TakeadvantageofFebruary’smilderdaystoprepareyourplantingareasforspring.Donotworkthesoilifitiswetoryouwillendupwithhardclodswhenitdries.Adda½-1”layerofcompostandapproximately½-1cupoforganicgardenfertilizerper10footrowandlightlymixyouramendmentsintothesoilwithaspadeoradiggingfork.Thereisamovementawayfromheavytillingasitisnotreallynecessaryinanestablishedgarden–itdisturbsallthosemicrobiallayersandchannelsthatareformedundergroundandalsobringsweedseedstothesurface.Ifyouhavealargeareatoworkorjustlikethefeelofusingatiller,trythetechniquethatCarolAnnSayleutilizesatBoggyCreekFarm.Shecallsit“tickle-tilling,”andshejustbarelyrunsthetilleroverthetopfewinchesofsoilwithoutdisturbingthelayersbelow.Oncethesoilislooseandtheplantingareaisformed,donotcompactthesoilbysteppinginit.

Thecoolweatherisconducivetoallsortsofgreens—lettuce,spinach,collards,kale,kohlrabi,mustardandSwisschard.Getanearlyspringharvestbyusingtransplants.Thereisstilltimetogrowbroccolifromtransplants,andcarrots,beets,radishes,turnipsandsugarsnappeascanallbeplantedfromseed.

Potatoes can be planted mid-month;‘Kennebec’, ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Lasoda’are excellent varieties for Texas gardens.Planyourgardenspacecarefully tobesureyouhaveroomtotransitiontowarm-seasonvegetablesnextmonth!

Transplantsofpeppersandeggplantareeasytogrowifyoustartnow.Allyouneedisawarmspotinthehouse,seed,lightandpottingsoil.

Specialgrowlightsaresoldforthispurpose,butfluorescent lights(onewarm,onecool)providesufficientlightandarecheaper.Multi-tieredseedstartingcartscanbepurchasedatgardencentersorfrommailordergardencatalogsbutitiseasytomakeyouronwithmetalshelvingpurchasedfromahomeimprovementstoreorContainerStore.Thisallowsyoutochoosethewidthandheightofyourshelves.PlaceyourseedflatsononeshelfandsuspendthelightswithachainandanS-hook fromtheshelfabove.Keep the lightsan inchorsoabove thedevelopingseedlings,adjustingthemwiththechainastheplantsgrow.

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

Top:Becarefulaboutcompactingsoilwithheavyfoot-steps.Left:ThereareanexcitingarrayofpotatoesfortheCentralTexasvegetablegarden.BottomRight:It’sseedstartingtime.Growthosehardtofindvarietiesfromseed.PhotosbyBruceLeander


Celebrating the Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter (Holiday!) Cactus

by Anne Van Nest

TheChristmascactusisapleasantdiversionfromtheboldnessofthepoinsettiaandmuchnicertoseeaftertheholidaysareover.TomeChristmascactuswillalwaysremindmeofmemoriesofcuttingsandplantspasseddownthroughthegenerationsoftheVanNestfamily.

Thatold-fashionedplantthatmygreatgrandmagrewwiththebrightreddish-pinkflowers,bloominginlatewinter,hasseenalotof im-provementsovertheyears.TheChristmascactusofferedinstorestodayhasjustafewsimilaritiestotheplantofyesteryear.Manynewcolorsandformshavebeendeveloped.Nowthere’sachoicetogrowthemanyvariedcolorsofChristmas,Thanksgiving,orEastercactus.Alloftheseplantsarefromagroupofepiphyticcactusnativetothetropicalrainforestsofsouth-easternBrazil.Theyaregrownfortheirattractiveflowerscascadingattheendsofgreen-fleshybranches.Whennotinbloomtheseplantsaresomewhatrattylooking,butwhentheyarebloomingtheyarespectacular.

What’s the differencebetween Christmas,Thanksgiving,andEas-ter cactus? Each ofthese are slightly dif-ferent plantswith dif-ferentbloomingsched-ules. Christmas andThanksgivingcactusarecloselyrelatedbecausetheybelongtotheSch-lumbergeragenus.TheEaster cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)isatotallydif-ferentplantwithstemsthataresomewhatsim-

ilartoSchlumbergera,buttheflowerhasmanymorepetalsandisfunnel-shapedinsteadofbeingtrumpet-shaped.TheEastercactusisfromeasternBrazilandhasthesameculturalrequirementsasthe

Christmascactus.

Alloftheseplantsarequiteeasytogrowindoorsandwillbloomreliably ifminimalattention isgiventoculturalrequirements.Manygreat colorshavebeencreatedtoexpandtheChrist-mascactuspalettewhichnowincludesyellow,salmon,pink,fuchsiaandwhite.

Thereisalotofconfusionaboutthe differences between theThanksgiving and Christmascactusgroups. Tomakemat-tersworse,plant taxonomistshavedecidedthattheThanks-givingcactuswhichusedtobecalledZygocactus truncatus isnowSchlumbergera truncata.Thisplant(alsoknownascrabcactus) has dark green stemsegmentsthathaveprominentteeth-likemargins.Thisgroupisbelievedtobeearlierblooming,althoughblooming times caneasilybealteredbycontrollingtheplantenvironment.

Theothergroup istheChrist-mascactuswhichbotanicallyiscalledSchlumbergera buckleyi(formerlySchlumbergera bridg-esii).Abroaddescriptionofthisgroupincludesascallopededge

Left: Schlumberga gaertneri (Eastercactus)Right (top & bottom): SchlumbergiabloomsImagescourtesyofwww.wikipedia.com


The Holiday Cactus Continued...

andmediumgreenstemsegments. This isaverypopulargroupofplantswithover200cultivars.Thetwogroupsareoftenveryhardtotellapart.Toavoidconfusion,itmightbeeasiertocallalltheseplantsHolidaycactus.

ThesecrettomakingallChristmascactusfloweristounderstandwhattriggerstheflowerbudstoform.Foralltypes,thetrickistoreducetheamountofwater,nighttemperaturesanddaylight.Inthefall,thenaturalshorteningofthelightlengthactivatestheformationofflow-erbuds.Anyextralightintheevening(beyondthenaturalsunlight)willdelayorstopthisprocess.Acooleveningtemperaturealsohelpstotriggerflowerbudformation. Keepingthesoilslightlymoistalsocontributestoflowerproduction.Whensmall,roundflowerbudsformattheendsoftheleaves,increasehumidityandlightaroundtheplant.Thekeytoflowerbudformation iscool temperatures(around55degrees)orlongnightswithover13hoursofuninterrupteddarkness.Ifboththetemperatureandlightrequirementscanbemetthenchancesaregoodforforthcomingblooms.Flowerbudformationcanbepre-programmedinadvance.ToprogramyourChristmascactustobloomfortheholidayseasonnextyear,starttheserequirementsinlateSep-temberandcontinueuntilflowerbudsareformed.Alteringthedaylengthisaneasytask.Simplyplacetheplantinaroomthatisnotusedatnightanddonotturnonthelight.Alternatively,youcanplacetheplantinaclosetorcupboardeachnight.Adarkclothorcardboardboxalsoworkstoblockthelight.

Oneofthemostdishearteningsights isaChristmascactuswithun-openedflowerbudsdroppingtothetable.Themostcommoncauseofflowerbuddropisstress.Thiscouldbecausedbyoverorunderwater-ingorasuddenchangeinairtemperature.Acolddraftorhotairblastwillcausetheplanttogointostressanddropbudsorflowers.Keepyourplanthappywithalittleextratenderlovingcareduringthistime.

WhiletheChristmascactuscangrowindoorsinlowlight,moreabun-dantbloomsareproducedonplantsthathavebeengrowinginbrighterlight levels.Bright, indirect light isthebestbecauseitmostcloselyresemblesitsnativegrowingenvironment.Anindoorlocationsetbackfromasunnywindowisfine,butdonotexposeplantstothefull,strongsunoutdoors.Thesunistoostrongduringthesummerandthismay

burnorbleachtheirleaves.Ashadedoutdoor locationunderaporchoraprotectedspotinthegardenunderanoverhangingshrubortree isbetter.Christmascactusmustalsobepro-tectedoutdoorsfromexcessiverainandstrongwinds.

WateringisthemostcriticalpartofthecareofChristmascactus.Thisplantisnotatruecactusandnotastoughanddroughttolerantasitsnameimplies.Itisasucculentplantthatcanstorealimitedamountofwaterinitsfleshyleaves.Toachievethecorrectbalanceofmois-ture,allowthesoiltodryslightlybetweenwaterings.Waterthoroughlywhenthetophalfofthesoilfeelsdrytothetouch.Thetimeofyearandgrowingconditionswillaffectthefrequencyofwatering.Duringthesummer,whentheplantisactivelygrowing,keepthesoilevenlymoist.Duringthefall,watertheplantjustfrequentenoughtokeeptheplantfromwilting.DuringbudsetinOctober,theplantshouldhavealmostnowater.Benignneglectisthebestadvice.CautiouslyresumewateringmorefrequentlyinNovember,butdonotoverwatertheplant.Whentheplantisinbuditiscriticaltowatchthefrequencyofwateringsothattheflowerbudsdonotfalloffprematurelybecauseofwatering

Above:Schlumberga truncataImagecourtesyofWikipedia.com


The Holiday Cactus Continued...

stress.Whentheplanthasfinishedblooming,letitrestforsixweeksandwithholdwaterduringthistime.Whennewgrowthstarts,re-potifnecessaryortopdresswithfreshsoil.

Christmascactuspreferwarmtemperaturesduringthedayandcoolertemperaturesatnightwhentheyareformingbuds.Avoidhotdraftsfromfurnaceventsorfireplaces.Ideally,daytemperaturesshouldbebetween50and60degrees(particularlyduringbudinitiationtime).Adropinnighttimetemperaturesto55degreeswillhelpinitiatebudfor-mation(alongwithreduceddaylight).Thebudformationtimeshouldtakeaboutsixweeks.

ItisinterestingthatlightercoloredChristmascactusflowerssuchasthewhites,yellows,andapricotscanturnapinkorpurplecolorifthetem-peraturesdropbelow50degreeswithinafewdaysofthebudsopening.

Re-pottingisdoneveryinfrequently.Ifthepotisfilledwithrootsandthesoil looks like it isdepletedofnutrients,moveChristmascactusplantsuptothenextsizedpot.Thisisideallydoneinthespringabouteverythreetofouryears.Chooseawell-drainedpottingsoilbecauseChristmascactusdonotlikewetfeet.Theidealsoiliscomposedofequalpartssterilizedgardenloam,leafmould(orcompost),andcoarsesand.Thesoilandcompostcomponentsaddnutrientsandholdmoisturewhilethesandprovidesthedrainagenecessaryforgoodplanthealth.

FertilizerisnotneededinlargequantitiesbecauseChristmascactusarenotheavyfeeders.Topdressplantswithaslowreleasefertilizerthatwilllast6-9monthsoruseaweaksolution(one-halfstrength)liquidfertilizerregularly(monthly)oncegrowthbegins.Continuethisuntilamonthbeforebudsaresetintheearlyfall.

ARecapoftheCentralTexasGardening101Seminar

AbigthankyougoesouttoDaphneRichards,TexasAgriLifeExtensionHorticultureAgentforTravisCounty,forpresentingatalkonthebasicsofgardeninginCentralTexas!Therewereover50publicattendeesdespiteacoldanddrizzlydayonSaturday,Januarythe15th.Feedbackfromtheparticipantsurveysshowedthatthegroupespeciallyappreciatedthequestionandanswerportionsoftheprogram.

CherGroody


Cost-Saving Strategies For Gardeners

by Bob BeyerGardening can be very expensive — or not. For those who havelimitedbudgets,therearesomewaystosavecostsbythinking“outofthebox.”HereareafewideasthatIhavediscovered.

Tiredof replacing claypots that crackandplastic pots thatbreakwhenweathered, tryusing simplegalvanizedbuckets, spraypainttheexteriorsides,drillholesinthebottom,andyouhaveavirtuallyindestructible 5 gal pot. Thisworks forwater gardens also, usingawashtubbutwithnodrainageholes.Withthecostofdecorativelookingplantcontainersbeingwhattheyare,thisisamuchcheaper,yetstillattractivewaytodisplayyourpottedplants.Thereisarusticappealtoitaswell.

Can’t remember plant names. Tired of plastic name plant tagsbreakingornamesfading,tryusingoldaluminumblinds—merelycut them into strips and label with a #2pencil.Theyareweatherproofandthenamewillnotwashoff.It’sagoodwaytorecycleaswell.Anotherhelpfulwaytorememberplantnamesistocreateaplantdatabasethatyoucanrefertoasnecessary–nolabelsneeded.

You can spend a small fortune on brandnamepottingsoils,butIfindthebestwayistobuythecheapersoilingredientsatalocalgarden center and blend your own pottingsoil.Ioftenusea40lb.bagofcompostandan equal amount of topsoil. Do check therelativequalityofeachoftheseingredientsbeforebuying.Onceblended,ifyoucanholdahandful,squeezeanditdoesn’tcompact,itwilldrainwell,yetretainmoisture,andgrowmostanyplantwellinacontainer.

Nurseryplantpriceshavebeenincreasingtowhereitcostsalotmoretoreplaceplants.Look intopropagatingsomeofyourownplants,tradingorswappingplantswithothergardeners(e.g.ataPlantSwap

or throughgarden clubs orwith other garden acquaintances).Weallendupwithsurplusplantsthatwecandivideorotherwisesharewithothers.Don’toverbuyforinstanteffectwhenbuyingaperennialthatcanbedivided intomultipleplantsafteronegrowingseason.Often,commercialgrowerspropagateandpottworootedplantspercontainertoensureatleastonesurvives.Whenbuyingapottedplantataretailoutlet,lookformultiplesthatcanbedividedintotwoormoreseparateplants.

Organicgardenerssavealotofmoneybynotpurchasingandusingtoxic chemicalsand fertilizers,butby focusingoncompostingandenriching garden soil naturally and dealing with insect and peskyweedsusingmanyof theenvironmentally friendlymethods.TexasAgriLifeExtensioncallsitIntegratedPestManagement(IPM).

Recycle pots: Reuse your pots until they can nolongerbeused.Nurserycontainersarenotcurrentlyaccepted for plastic recycling so offer them to anursery–mostofwhichwillgladlyacceptthemasitsavesthemmoney.Viceversa, ifyouneedpots,askyourlocalnurseryiftheyhaveasurplusofusedpotstheywouldliketogetridof.IdidthisforpottingplantsIpropagatedforacharitableplantsale.Washoutallusedpotstoreduceriskoftransmittingdiseaseorganisms. Recycle your old potted plant soil backintoyouryardandgarden.

Handwatereverything.Thiswayyoucanconcentrateyourwateringtotherootsystemandzoneofeachplant without wasting water. Automated systemsare wasteful and wasted water is costly bothenvironmentallyandpocketbookwise.Anothercostsaving,water-wisethingtodoismulchyourgarden

bedseachspringwithafreshlayerofgroundhardwoodmulch.Nativeplantsmaynotrequiremulchingastheyarealreadyadaptivetoourclimaticconditions.


Cost-Saving Strategies For Gardeners Continued...Don’tbuyorgrowtenderplantsornon-adaptiveplantsunlessyouhaveameanstoprotectandgrowthemsuccessfullyyearround.Thisrequiresresearchingandlearningaboutplantsbeforebuying,ratherthanimpulsebuyingatalocalgardenplace.Asaplantbuyer,youmustbeknowledgeableofwhatyouaregettingasmanysellersaren’tthatknowledgeableaboutwhattheyareselling.Knowwhataplantrequirestogrowwellbeforepurchasingit. Use of native plants always saves youmoney as they aredurableandrarelyneedtobereplaced.

Buyorgrowperennialsforseasonalcolorratherthanannuals.Annualsareindeedbeautifulbutarelessadaptivetoourclimateextremes,andarecostlytobuyandreplaceeveryseason.Manyplants sold at nurseries are perennials in certain areas of thecountrybutcanonlybegrownasannualsincentralTexas.

Forgardendécor,nothinglooksmorenaturalthannativestoneorartisticpiecesofdeadcedarwood.Withoutviolatingprivateproperty,therearemanyopportunitiestogatherthesenaturalaccentsforyourgardenatnocost.

Try growing clusters of plants in a single container. A goodexamplemightbeasmallcactusgardeninashallowandwidecontainerwheremanydifferentandcompatibleplantsareusedand displayed artistically.Another method is to makecolorful arrangements ofthrillers, fillers, and spillers.This technique used oneupright “showoff” plantsurrounded by smaller fill-in plants and bordered withcascadingplants. Thissavesmoneyonpotsandsoil.

Aboutnow,youareprobablythinkingI’mouttoputeveryhorticultural enterpriseout of business. Not at all!I shop for and buy new

plants and supplies regularly, but I am merely pointing outsomecommonsenseideasthatcansavetheaveragegardenerwith limited resources, time and money as well as help ourenvironment. I know there aremany unique ideas that othergardenershaveimplementedthathaven’tcrossedmymind.Asgardeners,wemightwantto lookfornewandinnovativecostandlaborsavingideaswhichrequireunconventionalthinking.

UsedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.blogspot.com


Ants or Termites?

by Wizzie Brown

Springisjustaroundthecornerandwhiletomostofyouthatmeansgettingoutintheyardanddiggingin;tomeitmeansinundationofphonecallsande-mails.Manyofthephonecallsande-mailswillbepeoplewantingtoknowiftheyhavetermitesorantsflyingaround.Areyouabletotellthedifference?

Swarmerisanothertermusedtodescribethereproductivestageofantsandtermites.Theseinsectshavewingswhentheyinitiallyleavethecolony,butthewingsareeithershedorchewedoffbeforeforminganest.Withafewkeycharacteristics,youcanlearntotellswarm-ingantsfromswarmingtermites.

Antswarmershaveelbowedantennaeandanarrow,orconstricted,waist.Thewingsofantsarenotsimilarinsizeorshapeandhavefewveins.Ifthewingsaremissingfromtheantswarmer,therewillnotbeawingstubleftonthethoraxwherethewingwasattached.

Termiteswarmershaveantennaethatarenotelbowedandawaistthatisnotnarrowed.Thewingsontermitesareofsimilarsizeandshapeandhavemanyveins.Termiteswarmershaveawingstubleftonthethoraxoncethewingdetachesfromthebody.

Termiteswarmers(right)

Antswarmers(left)


Soil Biology and Fertility Management – Advanced Education Class

Travis County Master Gardeners will haveanopportunity to receiveadvanced trainingin soil biology and fertility management.Theclass isSaturday,February26,9am–noon at Austin Community Campus, South,1820 W. Stassney Lane, Room 1130. Thespeaker, SteveDiver, is a former ExtensionHorticulturistwithOklahomaStateUniversity.

Mr. Diver’s lectures will feature an (1)Introduction to Soil Biology: Ten Principlesof the Soil Foodweb, (2) Practical Ways toManage Soil Organic Matter and ImproveSoil Biological Activity, and (3) Soil FertilityforOrganicGardeners. Stevehas years ofexperience to share and will include slidesfromfarmsandgardensthatareusingthesemethods.

Steve Diver earned B.S. (1981) and M.S.(1984)degreesinHorticulturefromOklahomaState University. He currently operates ahorticulturalandorganicconsultingserviceinCentral Texas. Previously hewasResearch& Development Scientist for SustainableGrowthTexas,AgriculturalSpecialistwiththeNationalCenterforAppropriateTechnology’sATTRAprograminArkansas,organic farmerin Missouri, and Extension Horticulturist inOklahoma.

Steve serveson theTexasOrganic FarmingResearchCenterboard,theFarmandRanchFreedom Alliance board, and The Organic

Center’s Science and Technical AdvisoryCommittee.

Thereisafeeof$10toattendtheAdvanceEducation class. Make check payable toTCMGAandmail it toRosalieRussell, 2401SpringCreekDrive,Austin,TX78704.Yourcheck will hold your spot in the class andmust arrive prior to the class. Twenty ormorestudentsmustattendortheclasswillbecancelled.Classroomwithholdamaximumof 60 students. Attendees will receive 3hours of Continuing EducationUnits toward2011TCMGArecertification.

An Afternoon with Felder

Wednesday,April6th,2011

2:00p.m.-3:30(maybe4:00p.m.)

Austin Community College,South Campus, 1820 WestStassneyLane,Room1130

Cost:$25/personbyApril1st.

Class limited to 50 TCMGmembersandgardenbloggers.

CEU based on time of lectureroundedtonearesthalfhour.

Itisguaranteed!YouwilllaughalotandlearnasFelderRushingdiscusseshowtowritebooks&articles/givepresentations/

talkontheradio/etc.Heisveryexperienced.Rushingisauthororco-authorof15gardeningbooks (including several national awardwinners)andisformerlyanExtensionServiceurbanhorticulturespecialist.Hehaswrittenthousandsofgardeningcolumnsinsyndicatednewspapers,andhashadhundredsofarticlesand photographs published in regional andnationalgardenmagazines.HehashostedatelevisionprogramthatwasshownacrosstheSouth,andappearedmanytimesonotherTVgardenprograms.Feldercurrentlyco-hostsa call-in garden program on NPR affiliatestationscalledGestaltGardener.

Make$25checktoTCMGAandmailtoRosalieRussell, 2401 Spring Creek Dr, Austin, TX

78704. Please write youre-mailaddressoncheck.Youwill be notified when checkarrives.CheckmustarriveonorbeforeApril1st.Attendeeswill be e-mailed full detailsseveral days prior to April 6.Questions?CallRosalieat804-2257 or e-mail [email protected]

Felder Rushing will also bethe program speaker at theregular TCMGA meetingApril 6th at 7 p.m. at ZilkerBotanicalGarden.

Announcing ... Two Educational Opportunities


Continued ...

Top Left: Felder Rushing’sGreenRoofEntryArboratthishomeinMississippi.TopRight:Thebackgardenduringsummer.Bottom: The view fromFelder’s front door to thestreetathome.

Felder’sRushing’sFAQ...Q:Don’tyoucarewhatyourneighborsthink?

A:Of course I do - in thebigschemeof things, it justdoesn’tmatterawholelot!


Everything’s Coming Up

Roses

Saturday, February 5, 2011, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746(512)477-8672

Rosesaddcolorandwonderfulscenttoyourgardenyearround!Joinusforthisfreesemi-narandyouwill learnhowtoselect,plant,pruneandcareforthesewonderfulplantsinyourgardenor landscape. Wewilldis-cussEarth-KindandAntiqueroseswhichareknownfortheirhighperformance,diseasere-sistanceandinsecttolerance.TravisCountyMasterGardenersCarolynWilliamsandHollyPlotnerwillarmyouwiththetoolsyouneedtoexplorethis fascinatingareaofhorticul-ture!

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.It ispresentedbytheTravisCountyMas-terGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.org

Planning and Planting the

Spring Vegetable Garden


SunshineCommunityGarden4814SunshineDriveAustin,Texas78756

Free!Handsonseminargivesyouknowledgeonplant&seedselection,tipsforincreasedgermination,spacingandothertechniquestoensuregardeningsuccess.Streetparkingavailableonly.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.It ispresentedbytheTravisCountyMas-terGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.org

Termite Training for

Homeowners

Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:30 am - 10:30 am

TravisCountyAgrilifeExtensionOffice

1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,Texas78721(512)854-9600

There’s anold saying in thepest controlindustry…“therearetwotypesofhomesinTexas-thosewithtermitesandthosethatwillhavethemwithinsevenyears.”Whichcategory do you fit into? This classwillarmhomeownerswith informationsotheyfeel comfortable discussingmanagementoptionsfortermiteswithpestprofessionals.

Doyouknowhowtermites lookfor food?Canyou tell thedifferencebetweenantsand termites? Come to learn how toidentify the types of termites found inCentral Texas and their managementoptions.

Coming Events


ComingEvents Continued...

Taking Care of the Lawn


SunsetValleyCityHall

3205JonesRoadSunsetValley,Texas78745

Twoincrediblesessionsonlawncare.Joinusforoneorboth.“It’sDead!HowtoEstablishaNewLawn”from10-11am;“HowtoPromoteLawnHealth”from11am-12pm.Learnwhattodotostartanewlawnorreplacea lawn,includinggrassvarieties,soilpreparation,andwatering. Discovereasymowing, irrigating,andfertilizingtipsformaintainingyourlawn.ParkinginTonyBurgerCenteracrossthestreetfromSunsetValleyCityHall

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGar-deners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.www.tc-mastergardeners.org

Soil Biology and Fertility Management

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011,9:00 am - 12:00 p.m.

AustinCommunityCollege,SouthCampus,

1820WestStassneyLane,Room1130Austin,Texas

TravisCountyMasterGardenershaveanop-portunitytoreceiveadvancedtraining insoilbiologyandfertilitymanagementduringthismorningworkshop.Thespeaker,SteveDiv-er, isa formerExtensionHorticulturistwithOklahomaStateUniversity.

Mr.Diver’slectureswillfeatureanintroductiontosoilbiology:tenprinciplesofthesoilfood-web,practicalwaystomanagesoilorganicmatterandimprovesoilbiologicalactivity,andsoilfertilityfororganicgardeners.Stevehasyearsofexperiencetoshareandwill includeslidesfromfarmsandgardensthatareusingthesemethods.

Cost:$10/personpaidinadvance.ChecktoTCMGAmailedtoRosalieRussell,2401SpringCreekDrive,Austin,Texas78704mustbere-ceivedpriortoclass.Minimumof20studentrequiredforclass,maxof60students.Actnow!Sendyourchecktoholdyourspot.Moredetails:[email protected]

Chickens in the Garden

Saturday, March 12, 2011,10:00 am - 12:00 pm

ZilkerBotanicalGardens

2220BartonSpringsRoadAustin,Texas78746(512)477-8672

Mostanysizegardencanbenefitfromafewchickens.Theyrootoutpersistentperennialweeds,eatinsects,fertilizethesoil,andpro-videeggsinthebargain!Allittakesisalittleplanningandasmall investment in fencingandshelter.MasterGardenerJoyWilliamsonwillexplainhowtoselectbreeds,raisechicks,buildandmaintainacoopandhowtoprotectthesegardenmascotsfrompredators.Joinusforthisfreeseminartoexplorethefascinatingworldofchickensinthegarden!

Thisseminar is freeandopentothepublic.It ispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.org



Spring Vegetable Gardening

Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

OldQuarryBranchLibrary

7051VillageCenterDrive,Austin,Texas78731

Enjoy the pleasures of fresh homegrownvegetables.Imaginebasketsofokra,toma-toes,squashandgreenbeansfromyourowngarden!LearnhowtoplantandmaintainthisgardenfromMasterGardenerandVegetableSpecialist,PattyLeander.

Pattywillsharepopularvarieties forCentralTexas,recommendedplantingdatesandtipsfororganicgardeningandinsectcontrol.Thisfree seminar, packedwith informationandcolorphotographs,willbenefitbothnewandexperiencedgardeners,sodon’tmissthisgreatkick-off tospringgardening!Arriveearlytoensureaseatasthisisoneofourmostpopu-larseminars.

Thisseminar is freeandopentothepublic.It ispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerPublicGarden-ingHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

An Afternoon with Felder

Wednesday, April 6, 2011,2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

(maybe even to 4:00 p.m.)

AustinCommunityCollege,SouthCampus,1820WestStassneyLane,Room1130

Austin,Texas

It isguaranteed! Youwill laugha lotandlearnasFelderRushingdiscusseshowtowritebooks&articles,givepresentations,talkontheradio and generally communicate aboutgardening. And is he ever experienced!Rushing is the author or co-author of 15gardeningbooks(includingseveralnationalawardwinners)andformerExtensionServiceurbanhorticulturespecialistwritingthousandsofgardeningcolumns insyndicatednewspa-pers,andhashadhundredsofarticlesandphotographspublishedinregionalandnationalgardenmagazines.HehashostedatelevisionprogramthatwasshownacrosstheSouth,andappearedmanytimesonotherTVgardenpro-grams.Feldercurrentlyco-hostsacall-ingardenprogramonNPRaffiliatestationscalledTheGestaltGardener.

Cost:$25/personreceivedbyApril1st.Classlimitedto50TCMGmembers,Internsandgar-denbloggers.EarnCEUbasedontimeoflec-tureroundedtonearesthalfhour.

Checks payable to TCMGA and mailed toRosalie Russell, 2401 Spring Creek Drive,Austin,TX78704. Pleasewriteyoure-mail

addressoncheck.Youwillbenotifiedwhenyourcheckarrives.CheckmustarriveonorbeforeApril1st.Attendeeswillbee-mailedfulldetailsseveraldayspriorsession.Questions?e-mail:[email protected]


What’s Bugging my Vegetables?

Saturday, April 9, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

HomewoodHeightsCommunityGarden

2606SolWilsonAvenue,Austin,Texas78702

Learnaboutthemostcommongardeninsects…goodandbad. Knowledge ispowerandyou’llwalkawayknowingyoucanidentifytheeggs,nymphsandadults.DiscoverIntegrat-edPestManagement(IPM),aneffectiveandenvironmentallysensitiveapproachtopestmanagementthatreliesonacombinationofcommon-sensepractices.IPMprogramsusecurrent,comprehensiveinformationonthelifecyclesofpestsandtheir interactionwiththeenvironment.Thisinformation,incombinationwithavailablepestcontrolmethods,isusedtomanagepestdamagebythemosteconomicalmeansandwiththe leastpossiblehazardtopeople,property,andtheenvironment.

Park intheneighborhood. Thegarden isonthenorthsideofstreetwestofSolWilson/Ridgeway intersection.Thisseminar is freeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.org or call the MasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Funky Chicken Coop Tour

Saturday, April 23, 2011,10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ThroughoutAustin,Texas

ComejoinusforthethirdannualAustinTex-asFunkyChickenCoopTour!Haveyoubeenthinkingaboutkeepingurbanchickens?Doyouneedcoopdesignideas?Thenthisisthetourforyou!Hey,thisisevenforthoseofyouthatalreadyhavebackyardchickensandarethink-ingaboutchangingyourcoopdesign(there’salwaysroomfor improvement,right?).Also,feelfreetocomepeck(oops,meantpick;-)ourbrainsonraisingchickens.

Tourwillgoonrainorshine.

Where: All around Austin city limits.Carpoolingorothergreenalternativeshighlyrecommended!

Thisfreeeventfeaturescoopdesignideasandcommunityfellowship.

Formoredetailsvisit thehttp://fccooptour.blogspot.comwebsite.Watchforamapclosertothetouronourwebsite.



CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsCherGroody,VicePresidentforEducationMargarineBeaman,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsRichardMoline,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMaryLouBell,Co-TreasurerFerneMizell,Co-TreasurerBarbPowell,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJackieJohnson,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentativeVacant,DirectorofPublications

PastPresidents(Non-voting):

BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker

ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):

TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]

TrAVIS COuNTY MASTEr GArdENEr ASSOCIATION

2011 ExECuTIVE BOArd


ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardenersandWizzieBrown—TexasAgriLifeExtension:

ContributingWriters:

© 2011 Travis County Master Gardeners Association

512-854-9600

Visit the websites: www.tcmastergardeners.org and

http://travis-tx.tamu.edu

EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest

Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton

BobBeyer

CherGroody

PattyLeander

RosalieRussell

AnneVanNest

CarolynWilliams

The End... Time to Get Gardening!

compost in...take advantage of february’s milder days to prepare your planting areas for spring....

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