[email protected]. · additional information: a beehive is not for everyone by claudia oney,...
TRANSCRIPT
Whether you’re new to the area or to gardening itself, are seeking the latest scientific information on pestmanagement, or want to join a community of gardening enthusiasts, you’ve come to the right place for
reliable, researched information.
Hays County Master GardenersThis newsletter is packed full of information and things to do.
April 2018President’s Message
Branding Texas MasterGardeners/Texas AgriLife Extension
Branding was a focus of the TMGALeadership Conference held April 2ndat College Station. The Hays CountyMaster Gardener Association(HCMGA) is a Charter Member thatstipulates that all volunteer servicehours be performed onactivities/projects identified assponsored (or co-sponsored) by TexasAgriLife Extension. This identification isreferred to as “Branding.” MasterGardeners are also asked to wearLogo shirts, tee shirts or other appareland/or our HCMGA badges whenvolunteering in public to identify our“Brand.”
All our demonstration and communitygardens must be branded by the use ofposters when the garden is adjacent toa building with windows and/or with ourgarden plaques/stakes that identify theproject as being cultivated by or withassistance of HCMGA volunteers. TheJacob’s Well Natural Area Poster(JWNA) shown in here was created byMaster Gardener Diana Black.
Phyllis (Philly) JanowskiPresident of HCMGA
The logo is clearly visible and it istagged as “A Hays County MasterGardener Project.” Our co-sponsorJWNA is also specified.
Banners and signs brand ourinformation tables at libraries, events,and farmers markets. Flyers forHCMGA speakers highlight our MasterGardener Brand and Informationalhandouts should bear AgriLife Brandingas well.
Check your current volunteer projectsfor branding and if the properidentification is lacking, please conferwith the Project Leader, CommitteeChairman for assistance. Posters andbanners can be ordered by [email protected] and for gardenplaques/stakes
It is an excellent example of the desiredconcept: the Texas Master Gardener/Texas AgriLife Extension
HCMGA Greenhouse atJacob’s Well Update
A License Agreement for Use ofJacob’s Well Natural Area was madeand entered between Hays County,Texas and the Hays County MasterGardeners Association. This is the legaldocument HCMGA requested prior tobeginning construction on ourGreenhouse. Now that we are a legalLicensee with terms and conditionsagreed upon, construction cancommence. If you are interested inparticipating in this project please signup in VMS under “Hays County MasterGardeners Greenhouse” and contactour Greenhouse Chairman, RoyThornton [email protected] forfurther instructions and projectinformation.
Do you enjoy Facebook?
Like our Facebook page, Hays CountyMaster Gardeners Outreach, so youwill see what others are doing tobeautify their world!
Check out our new website:https://txmg.org/hays/
Officers President – Phyllis Janowski [email protected] President-Elect – Matt [email protected] Vice President – Mary [email protected] Recording Secretary - Janet [email protected] Corresponding Secretary – [email protected] Treasurer – Anne [email protected]
Director at Large – Carol J. [email protected]
Upcoming MG GeneralMeetings
Rescheduled! Wednesday, April 1810:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “Tour of Boggy Creek Farm” 3414 Lyons Road, Austin, Texas 78720Farmer, Carol Anne Sayle will lead thistour of the historic, urban farm.
April MeetingWednesday, April 256:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.“Bugs in the Garden” with Molly KeckExtension Office, at 200 Stillwater, offHighway 12 Voting on By-laws will be discussed atthe meeting.
Get Your Copy Today!Seeds to TableThe Hays CountyMaster GardenerCookbook Now $10.00.
Available at:Dripping Springs Farmers Market -WednesdaysGeneral Meetings
May MeetingWednesday, May 236:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m."Plants of the Night: How to Create aMoonlight Oasis in Your Garden" with Amanda Moon, Texas LandscapeDesigner and Consultant Wimberley VFW, 401 Jacobs Well Rd,Wimberley, TX 78676
**Please note that evening meetingshave been scheduled for those whowork. All of the meetings listed aboveare CEU eligible. 2018 Members arerequired to complete 6 CEUs andcomplete 15 volunteer hours. This is agreat opportunity to get started early!
Photo Courtesy of Carol Croft.Judy Curtis, Phyllis Janowski, and Carol Croft
TX Master Gardener Leadership Workshop Presentation “TheUse of Technology”
By Carol Croft, Master Gardener
Randy Seagraves, TAMU Junior Master Gardener Project Administrator spoke atthe Leadership Workshop Pilot on “The Use of Technology, Social Media and theWeb. Randy shared tips and tools to help raise our level of success when usingtechnology. There are three reasons we choose technology and they are toInform, to invest and to interact. We also need to consider if the target audience forthe post is external or internal when posting. Randy reminded us to alwaysmaintain credibility, ensure content is worth sharing, is TAMU Extension Agencybased, and is not in any way a personal post. Always ask the question is the postQuality vs Quantity and Quality vs Repetition? If not, rethink content beforeproceeding. Randy shared ideas on how to form a social media team, planpromotions for specific or multiple concurrent projects, the use of Like and Share,when and why to apply @ and # before messages to achieve certain goals andthe tools for tagging people on Facebook Live were all given in detail. Randy’sPowerPoint slides will be available on our web page soon and everyone isencouraged to read and apply these incredibly helpful tips and tools.
Photo: Courtesy Lori Broughton.Valerie Marburger, Lori Broughton & Marilyn Love
2018 TMGA ConferenceCelebrating 40 years
By Lori Broughton, Past President
Texas Master Gardener Conference took place in College Station at Texas A&Mon April 4-6. The venue included the Memorial Student Center, The Gardens at theAgrilife Center, and Reed Arena. The Gardens are expected to be opened in twomonths.
The breakout sessions featured speakers well versed in gardening in Texas andmany that have authored books. Skip Richter spoke about organic gardening andadvises using products that target areas that need attention. Using grass clippingsand leaves to make compost is the best. Three fourths of nutrients are in a tree’sleaves. Greg Grant shared plants that he considers his old favorites. Beautifulpictures of his collection brought delight to the audience. Peggy Martin, HeritageRose Foundation was a crowd favorite with people having photos made with her.
Mark Hirsch, author and photojournalist offered tips on photographing using smartphones because the best camera is the one that you have with you. Change yourperspective. Carrying a step ladder to get higher or lying down to take a picture.Quality of light is important. Turn off the flash and use a handheld LED light. Neveruse the zoom because it minimizes the pixels. He suggests zoom and focus onthe subject then go back to normal mode to take the picture. Using a tripod is best.If you do not have the tripod, exhale before you click. Use the volume buttonshutter release and hold with two hands. Clean the lens on your smartphone! Usethe burst mode to capture an insect and then review to select the best frame.Panoramic mode works best when the brightest part of the exposure is thebeginning.
The centerpieces for the conference were so creative and clever. It is always funto attend and then walk out with piece of the learning that other gardeners havecrafted. The Hays County group of gardeners were happy to be a part of thisyear’s conference.
More Ideas for Your Spring VeggieGarden
By Suzanne Love, Master Gardener
I would like to share some tips and ideas from PattyG. Leander’s presentation during the Texas MasterGardener Conference.Butter Beans: plant in early spring or late summer, asthey take 60 – 70 days. Pole varieties include:Christmas, King of the Garden, Violet’s Multi-Colored, and Worchester Red. Recommended Bushinclude: Dixie Speckled Butterpea, Henderson, andJackson Wonder.Soybeans/Edamame, plant after frost and grow earlyvarieties as they take 70 days. Varietiesinclude: Envy, Butterbean, and Edamame.
Trombetta Squash is an Italian Heirloom that is ready to harvest in 65 -75 days.
Photo: Suzanne Love
This butternut needs a trellis for its vigorous vines. The varieties Tromboncino andZuchetta Rampicante have edible blossoms, are heat resistant and outgrow thesquash vine borer!!Cucumber beetle resistant varieties include: Suyo Long, Poona Kheera, MexicanSour Gherkin and Vertina.Carrots that love container gardens and are high in nutrients are: Cosmic Purple,Solar Yellow and Atomic Red.Texas Heirlooms: ‘Porter’ and ‘JD’s C-Tex’ tomato, ‘Crawford’ reseeding lettuce
and ‘Stewart’s Zeebest’ okra.Seed Sources: Johnny’s, Pinetree, and Territorial. Heirloom: Baker Creek,Sustainable Seed. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Seed Savers, VictorySeeds.Additional Information: www.masterofhort.com
A Beehive is Not for EveryoneBy Claudia Oney, Master Gardener
Photo Courtesy of Claudia Oney
If you are putting plants or trees in your yardor garden, you might consider planting beefood. Bee hives are dying at an astoundingrate. Workers disappear and leave thequeen and baby bees stranded when themysterious “colony collapse disorder” strikes.This disorder combined with ants, moths,parasites and pesticides resulted in one third of bees dyingfrom 2016 to 2017. Read more.Bulbs that go in the ground in the fall, come up early in March and April when thebaby bees need pollen. Other bulbs provide for bees in the summer. Bulbs are funto me since they pay off long after they are planted. Bulbs bees love include:Purple flowering alliums (Allium spp.), Crocus (Crocus x luteus) and Dahlias,(Dahlia)
Nurseries and hardware stores are packed right now with annuals for sale. No pre-planning, no winter wait necessary. The annual plants best for bees includeSunflowers (Helianthus annuus), Portulaca (Portulaca spp.), Blue anise sage(Salvia guaranitica) and Profusion zinnias (Zinnia spp.) Elderberry, Sumacs and Summersweet grow like weeds. Lavenders are alwaysrecommended. The ubiquitous Crape Myrtle (a non-native) is a great bee favoriteand will hum with hundreds of bees on summer days. Vines bloom early; CoralHoneysuckle and Crossvines are loved by bees.
Almond trees will be swamped with bees in March. Fruit trees are loved by beesand the bees are necessary for fruit to set properly. Redbuds are ablaze rightnow; they are a valuable bee tree since they bloom early. Maples, Willows andAlders provide for bees later in the year.
Bees dine on nectar that provides the proteins, carbohydrates lipids, vitamins,minerals; the same list humans need. Nectar supports the worker bees’ lifestylesthat includes flying miles and miles from their hive to collect food. Bees use nectarto make honey. A bee sips nectar and an enzyme in the bee’s stomach thenconverts the nectar into watery honey. This watery honey is fanned by bees withtheir wings until it thickens. The honey is then stored in honeycomb and sealed withwax that comes from wax glands on the bees’ abdomens. The bees don’t mindwork.
Speakers Networkby
Joe Scott, Chairperson Speakers Network Hays County Master Gardeners
Have you considered joining the Hays County MasterGardeners Speakers Network? We have experienced speakers ready to help youbecome an effective and confident public speaker.
What makes a great topic? The best topic for you is one that you have personalexperience using and gets you excited, whenspeaking to an audience. Your topic does not have tobe a traditional gardening theme. The more researchand science you can use to support your topic thebetter.
Photo by Laura Dalton. Joe Scott Presenting “Soil Health”
Are you trying to finish or starting your Master Gardener Specialist Certification?The Speakers Network can provide assistance fine tuning your presentation,provide a practice audience with feedback to assist your development and helpyou to find venues for your presentations. Trying to find a Speaker for other groups? The Speakers Network Request Formand Topics available are also conveniently located on Hays County MasterGardener Webpage: https://txmg.org/hays/speakers-network/ . You can alsocontact a Library Liaison to learn about the topics being presented in theircommunity and open to the public to attend.
The 2018 In the Garden Library Series Calendar is available on the MasterGardener website and provided to attendees. All are CEU eligible and rememberto confirm dates and times with the Host Library.
Speakers Network Events are on the Master Calendar in VMS.The 2018 “In TheGarden Library Series” calendar is now on the webpage: https://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/ and the General Event Calendar in VMS.
Speakers Network welcomes theWimberley Village LibraryBy Laura Dalton, Library Liaison
Our “In The Garden” series at the Wimberley VillageLibrary is underway. We have completed twopresentations, the first was on February 27 at 2 p.m.and the topic was “Soil Health” by Joe Scott. Joe hasbeen a Master Gardener since 2009. Joe hascompleted multiple Texas A&M Master GardenerCertifications including Composting, Vegetables,Irrigation Efficiency, and Fruit Specialist and his maininterest is “Soil Health.”
Photo by Laura Dalton. Sarah Davis
The second talk was held on March 27 at 2 p.m. with Marilyn Love presenting EarthKind® Gardening. Marilyn has been a Master Gardener since 2012 and hascompleted the Texas A&M Master Gardener Courses for the Texas Strong
Superstars® and the Earth Kind® Specialist Training Certification.
Both talks had good attendance and were well received by theattendees. Wimberley Village Library is the latest Hays County Library to partnerwith the Master Gardeners Speakers Network. As the Library Liaison, LauraDalton, met with Sarah Davis, Circulations and Program Librarian to select topicsthe folks in Wimberley would enjoy. Some of the topics selected for the futureinclude Tree Care, Defensive Deer Gardening, Vegetable Gardening and FirewiseLandscaping®. Ms. Davis, Library Director said, "The Hays County MasterGardener Speakers Network has been a lovely addition to the classes we offer.This series will be very helpful because there are lots of gardeners inWimberley.” The Wimberley Village Library is currently in the planning stages for amajor remodel.
Texas Superstar®Program Monthly Update Marilyn McCray, Master Gardener
Turk’s CapMalvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Gardeners, hummingbirds andbutterflies have it made in the shadewith Turk’s cap, one of Texas bestloved flowering ornamentals. ThisTexas native generally has dark greenleaves and cherry-red or white flowersthat look like miniature Turkish turbans,therefore the name.
The Turk's Cap was designated aTexas Superstar® ,by Texas AgriLifeResearch in 2011 because when itcomes to climate and soils, it is a verytough, versatile plant, said Dr. BrentPemberton, AgriLife Researchhorticulturist and chair of the TexasSuperstar executive board. To bedesignated a Superstar, a plant mustbe not just only beautiful but performwell for consumers and growersthroughout Texas.
Turk's Cap is pretty well adapted to theentire state. Although native to southTexas, where it becomes an
Photo courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionService
established perennial, but in northTexas is should be used as an annual.
It is very drought tolerant onceestablished and will thrive in dry soils. Itdoes very well in the shade but will alsotake quite a bit of sun, so it is a veryversatile plant.
Spring is the best time to plant Turk’scap because the plant can getestablished before the main floweringperiod in the summer which lasts untilfrost. It can also be planted in fall. Turk’scap varieties can be found at mosthome gardening and nursery outlets.
Master Gardner Continuing Education
Plant Health Propagation WorkshopLivestock Barn of the Gillespie County Fairgrounds530 Fair Drive Fredericksburg,TX 78624Wednesday, April 25, 2018
The first half of the program will consist of a broad overview on the science behindplant propagation and cover general methods of propagating plants. The secondhalf will have three stations where participants will engage in hands-on plantpropagation techniques. Fee: $20Participants must pay when they register in order to hold their spot in the class. Toregister, contact Beth McMahon, AgriLife Extension horticulturist for GillespieCounty, at 830-997-3452 or [email protected].
Online Training Opportunities
2018 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series- FREE!Please join in for the 2018 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series. We willdiscuss troublesome insects such as invasive ants, landscape pests, and housedwellers as well as the 8-legged ones too (arachnids). Not all insects are bad,though, learn the differences in identification and how to welcome pollinators toyour area!.Webinars will be on the first Friday of each month at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Log inand Click on the title for more information.
The 2018 Webinars are brought to you by the Ant Pests and Urban IPMeXtensionCommunities of Practice; and by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, theUniversity of Georgia Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and ClemsonCooperative Extension.Series Coordinator: Dani Carroll, Auburn University. Marketing: Amanda Tedrow,University of Georgia Extension. Webinar Text Chat Moderators: TimDavis, University of Georgia Extension, and Vicky Bertagnolli-Heller,Clemson Cooperative Extension.
Earth-Kind® Training for Master GardenersTexas Master Gardeners may select on-line modules to obtain up to three hoursof re-certification education credits in a calendar year. Each module is worth 1 hourof credit. Master Gardeners are not encouraged to seek re-certification credit fortraining modules they have completed in previous years.
Go to http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/training for more information. Themodules available online are:• Landscape Water Conservation• Low Volume Irrigation• Irrigation System Auditing• Safe Use and Handling of Pesticides in the Landscape• Safe Use and Handling of Fertilizers in the Landscape• Reducing Landscape Wastes – Composting• Designing an Earth-Kind® Landscape• Landscaping for Energy Conservation• Creating Native Habitat• Earth-Kind® Roses• Integrated Pest Management• Pest Management for Crape Myrtles
Things to Do and Learn
San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Native Plant WalkFriday, April 20, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Explore our 11-acre Texas Native Trail with a MasterNaturalist. There are more than 250 plant species in collections thatrepresent three ecosystems. On this Walk you’ll learn about themedicinal uses of native plants as well as their historical and culturaluses, and which are favored by birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Click here to register.
Bird WalkSaturday, April 21, 2018 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Take a walk with a birding docent and discover how many different featheredfriends you can spot at the Garden. Meet at 9:00 am in the Breezeway of theHalsell Welcome Building for a walk that starts at 9:15 am with a birding docent.Sponsored by SAWS. Walk is free to members or with paid admission, butregistration is required. Click here to register Viva Botanica Plant SaleSaturday - Sunday, April 21 - 22, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Guests can visit the plant sale from 10 am – 5pm and choose from a variety ofmore than 200 native specimens, lovingly cared for by the Garden’s volunteers.Find the perfect plants for your south Texas landscape during the plant sale.Members enjoy early shopping at 9am.
Wildflowers of Texas: Talk and book signing by Michael EasonSaturday, May 12, 2018 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Author Michael Eason will take the audience through his species-selection thoughtprocess, as well as dive into details about discoveries of new species,rediscoveries, and the story of how far reaching our flora is. Ticket price includesan author-signed copy of Wildflowers of Texas. Fee: $30 ($27 members) Signedcopy of new wildflower book included.Click here to register
Zilker Botanical Gardens
Violet Crown Garden Club Flower ShowSaturday - Sunday, April 21 - 22, 2018 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Violet Crown Garden Club presents “An NGC Standard Flower Show”Free to the public with paid park admission.
“The Beauty of Cacti and Succulents” Saturday, May 12, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Presented by Travis CountyMaster Gardeners. Free to the public with paid park admission.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterAfternoon Explorers: Wild About Wildflowers – NEW Saturday, April 20, 2018 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Take time after the school (and work) week to stop and smell the wildflowers! Seewhat’s blooming, learn about plant structures and adaptations, go on a flower hunt,and create a spring-themed item to take home. Suggested for ages 6-10 years.$15 per child, includes one adult. Space is limited and registration is required.Click here to register
The Lazy Gardener – NEW
Saturday, April 21, 2018 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Time spent with your hands in the soil is time well spent, and you don’t have to bea studied horticulturist to enjoy it. Take the “work” out of yard work and unearth yourinner green thumb as a pro gardener arms you with the basics of native plantcaretaking. We’ll get you growing! $30 per person Space is limited and registrationis required. Click here to register
Foraging for Native Edibles Saturdays, March 31, April 28, May 19 2018 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Fruits and flowers everywhere, but not a bite to eat? Learn foraging skills anddiscover the native plants that are safe for your plate like prickly pear, purslaneand spiderwort on this identifying and harvesting tour with an expert. $25 perperson. Click here to register
Garden Bug Trackers Saturday, May 12, 2018 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.What’s got six (or more) legs and can be found in our gardens? Families will findout together as the class gets up close to the critters of the Center. Sweep forinsects and learn to identify them using field guides and digital microscopes, thencreate a “bug hotel” to take home for observing and supporting beneficialbackyard inhabitants!$15 per child, includes one adult. Space is limited and registration is required.Click here to register
Local Farmers Markets
Love local food?
Looking for farmers markets in the Hays Countyarea?
BudaSaturday 9:00 a.m. – Noon (March – October) 121 N. Main Streethttp://www.budafarmersmarket.comTuesday 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 767 Main at Gray Gardens
Dripping SpringsWednesday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Highway 290 & RR 12http://www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/default.aspx?name=fm.homeLockhartSaturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. South of City Square 512-565-3981
New BraunfelsSaturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. S. Castell next to Friesenhaus 830-629-2223Friday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 2629 E. Common 830-534-7908
San MarcosSaturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Near County Courthouse 830-534-7908Tuesday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.312 Hopkinssanmarcosfarmersmarket.com
WimberleyWednesday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. In the Parking Lot adjacent to the CommunityThrift Shop Ranch Road 12
Volunteer Opportunities*
AustinLadybird Johnson Wildflower Center (see website forapplication: http://www.wildflower.org)
BudaBuda Farmers Market Information Booth –temporarilyon hold, looking for Project LeaderOnion Creek Senior Center – PamAla [email protected]
Dripping SpringsDripping Springs Farmers Market Information Booth -
Helen Aristar-Dry [email protected], Sue Zinn [email protected] Library Information Table – George Attie [email protected] Springs Founders Day Parade (April 27) - PhillyJanowski [email protected]
KylePublic Library Information Table – Christine Greve [email protected] Library Gardens- Rupali Pawar [email protected]
San MarcosSan Marcos Farmers Market information Table – temporarily on hold, Looking fornew Project Leader and Volunteers.Alamo Community Garden – June Tidwell [email protected] Marcos Discovery Center – Melissa Katz at [email protected]
West Cave PreserveWest Cave Preserve Butterfly Garden – Linda Gurasich 480-570-7814lindagurasich@aol,com
WimberleyHCMG Demonstration Gardens at Jacob's Well – RuthDaunt [email protected] and Oona Mekas [email protected] Gardner Greenhouse – Roy Thornton [email protected] Tree Sale and Event Planning – Janet Culver [email protected] Public Library Information Table – FranAdams [email protected] Farmers Market Information Booth- OonaMekas [email protected] Garden Tour HCMGA information booths- MarthaBarchfeld [email protected] Ann Theater – Shirley Hunt [email protected] Meeting Food Committee – Judy Curtis Kuempel [email protected]
These are on-going projects with a regular need for Volunteers. Contact the projectleader at the email listed to be scheduled. Please visit the project list athttps://texas.volunteersystem.org to sign up for these projects and/or to review thecomplete list of volunteer opportunities available.
Need to record your hours in VMS?
Hays County Master Gardeners depends on volunteers.Here's a link to log in!
ThanksThanks to all of the contributors to the Newsletter. Special thanks to PhyllisJanowski, Carol Croft, Suzanne Love and Claudia Oney for their help with theproduction of this issue.Marilyn McCray and Kathy Mixon
Newsletter SubmissionsWe are always looking for Hays County Master Gardeners who are interested inwriting or providing photos for our newsletter and we would love to see yourarticles, photographs, book reviews and gardening ideas.
General Guidelines:• Please first email the editor to discuss potential article ideas. • All drafts are due before the 10th of each month.• Email contributions as attachments (preferably in Word with a .doc or .rtf suffix).Space is limited so the text should be concise.• Please send images as separate attachments .jpg suffix). Please make surethat the images are not under copyright and can be used without restrictions. Don’tforget to include photographer acknowledgments and captions. Send your submissions, announcements, and questions to: Marilyn McCray,[email protected] or Kathy Mixon, [email protected].
Hays County Master Gardners | 512.393.2120 | [email protected] | http://txmg.org/hays/