Our next CHES Meeting (Community Horticultural Education Session) will be June 8th at the Somervell County Water District Offices, at 2099 County Road 301, Glen Rose. Kevin Taylor, General Manager, will be in charge of the program, and we will begin at 6:00 pm instead of the usual 6:30 pm. As always, this program is free and open to the public.
My Favorite Plant – Nandina
by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener
Nandina domestica, or commonly known as heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo is my favorite plant. It is a species of flowering plant native to eastern Asia. Despite the common name, it is not bamboo but an erect evergreen shrub that can grow to as much as 7 feet tall.
In spring, the glossy leaves are brightly colored pink to red before turning green; old leaves turn red or purple before falling. Nandina’s flowers are white, borne in early summer in clusters held well above the foliage. The fruit is a bright-red berry which ripens in late autumn and is attractive to fall landscapes.
Although grown extensively in Texas due to its tolerance for dry conditions, some varieties are considered invasive. However, this is primarily due to birds spreading seed into natural areas where nandina proliferates and crowds out native species, both through seeding and by the growth of underground stems.
Nandina is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant and is hardy to heat and dry growing conditions. A true low-care plant, it needs no special care or pruning.
So through the aforementioned description, maybe you can understand why this plant is my favorite. Since it needs no special care in our hot, arid summers, and yet produces the most beautiful orange and red leaves in the fall, it holds a special place in my garden.
The next time you are shopping for a plant that needs no special care, consider adding Nandina to your landscape for that splash of color you need. HAPPY GARDENING!
Source: Wikipedia
Community Horticultural Education Series
YES! We WILL meet this month!
Meet Zack Davis, our new Extension Agent,
and learn about saving our aquifers and water wells.
Monday, February 9th, 6:30 pm Citizens Center
in Glen Rose, 209 SW Barnard
Free and open to the public! Bring a friend!
What do you know about conserving our water supply? Our aquifers? Monitoring your well?
Answer all your questions at the next CHES meeting! Shawn Davis and Karen Siddall from Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District will present general information about the district, its activities and background including aquifer studies & well monitoring, upcoming public education events & opportunities.
Shawn Davis is the Field Technician for the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District located in Cleburne, TX. Mr. Davis, the former Texas AgriLife county agent for Somervell County, has 20 years of experience with the Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division in various positions throughout the state. He has a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University in Agribusiness. As field technician, Mr. Davis monitors water well drilling, develops sites for the placement of monitor wells, and tracks groundwater levels in the aquifers underlying the district’s four counties: Ellis, Hill, Johnson, and Somervell.
Karen Siddall is the Public Relations and Education Administrator for Prairielands GCD. Ms. Siddall worked in the municipal sector for 34 years spending the last 20 as the stormwater program coordinator for the City of Irving, Texas, where she gained extensive experience in regulatory compliance, public education and outreach. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington, and her tasks include developing and presenting water conservation education and outreach programs to residents, schools, and civic groups.
Our next CHES meeting will be June 8th. Go ahead and mark your calendar. Details coming up next month.
Meet Zack Davis, County Extension Agent
Zack Davis participated in a recent Master Gardeners Workday, January 27th, with Linda Heideman, Julie Connor, and Shirley Smith
Zachary A Davis, a five year tenured extension agent grew up in the 4-H program showing market steers and market swine. He was an FFA and FCCLA member for his local chapter and received a Gold medal in FCCLA parliamentary procedure at the national level. He was a Gold Star Award winner in 4-H, and County Council President. He also played on the varsity basketball team and was a regular livestock judger.
Upon completed of high school in Slidell, TX, Davis attended college at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX and graduated with an Agriculture Leadership and Development Degree, and a minor in Agriculture Journalism and Communications in May 2008. During his time in college he was involved in the Aggie Recruitment Committee, a student government association organization, and a member of Aggie Reps a student representative group for the ALEC department. For work, he was a referee for intramural basketball and worked for a beef cattle reproduction lab. At the end of his college work Davis interned for the House Committee on Agriculture in Washington DC from August 2008 to December 2008.
After his internship he became an extension agent for 4-H in Coryell County in Gatesville, TX. The 4-H program grew during that time and currently has 300-400 members. Main programs in Coryell County included College and Career days for youth, and Quality Counts curriculum education for livestock exhibitors. After working there for two years before he transferred to Nueces County in Corpus Christi, TX.
Planting Onions
by Zack Davis, Somervell County Extension Agent
It is hard to say when the onion came into being. They were grown in Ancient Egypt, and eventually arrived in Rome and became known as the word onion (from the Latin word UNIO, which means large pearl). In Middle English, it became UNYON. The status of the onion rose after French Onion Soup was made popular by Stanislaus I, the former King of Poland.
The confusing part is that each variety needs a particular combination. For instance, a variety that needs many hours of summer light will not perform well in an area that receives fewer hours of light. Onion growers categorize onions in one of three ways: Short Day, Intermediate Day, and Long Day. The best way to insure success is to plant transplants from January through February in Texas Zones III – V (USDA Zones 8 and 9).
Before obtaining your plants, you may want to begin soil preparation. Onions are best grown on raised beds at least 4 inches high and 20 inches wide. Onions need a very fertile and well-balanced soil. Organic gardeners should work in rich finished compost, high in Nitrogen and Phosphorus with plentiful minerals. Spread lime if soil is too acidic. If using commercial fertilizer (10-20-10), make a trench in the top of the bed 4 inches deep, distribute one-half cup of the fertilizer per 10 linear feet of row. Cover the fertilizer with 2 inches of soil.
Onion plants are hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. They should be set out 4 to 6 weeks prior to the date of the last average spring freeze. When you receive live plants, they should be planted as soon as possible. They should be dry, do not wet them or stick their roots in soil or water. Unpack your plants and store them in a cool, dry place until you plant them. Properly stored onion plants will last up to three weeks. Do not worry if the plants become dry, the onion is a member of the lily family and as such will live for approximately three weeks off the bulb. As soon as they are planted, they will “shoot” new roots and green tops.
Onions are best grown on raised beds at least four inches high and 20 inches wide. Onion growth and yield can be greatly enhanced by banding a fertilizer rich in phosphorous (10-20-10) 2 to 3 inches below transplants at planting time. Make a trench in the top of the bed fours inches deep, distribute one-half cup of the fertilizer per 10 linear feet of row, cover the fertilizer with two inches of soil and plant the transplants.
Onions require a high source of nitrogen. A nitrogen-based fertilizer (ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate) should be applied at the rate of one cup per twenty feet of row. The first application should be about three weeks after planting and then continue with applications every 2 to 3 weeks. Once the neck starts feeling soft do not apply any more fertilizer. This should occur approximately 4 weeks prior to harvest. Always water immediately after feeding and maintain moisture during the growing season. The closer to harvest the more water the onion will require.
Favorite Plant – Christmas Cactus
(This article first appreared in the Somervell County Master Gardeners Newsletter in 2010. However, since many folks may have received or bought this plant in November or December of 2014, it was thought it would be a good idea to repeat this information.)
by Sandi Stringer, Somervell County Master Gardener
The Christmas Cactus is not your normal cactus that is found in the desert. Most are native to the tropical areas of Central and South America and are members of the Xygocactus family. These plants are typically long-lived and easy to grow. However, if you want to get them in bloom for the holiday, they will need a little special care.
When selecting a plant, make certain it has an even green color throughout. Yellow spotting and branches that appear purple can be indicators of disease. But, don’t buy the plant that is full of blooms, buy the one with the most buds that are just beginning to elongate and open.
When caring for your plant, make sure the soil is moist, not completely dry or saturated. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Humidity is very important so have a glass, tray, or vase of water near the plant. Keep in a cool room with temperatures remaining around 50 degrees, don’t expose it to freezing temperatures or drafts and have it in a place where it receives bright indoor light during the day but at least 12 hours of total darkness at night. Having met all of the previously listed conditions, you should have a blooming Christmas Cactus during the holiday season.
After the holiday season, give the plant a 30-day rest, place it in a cool room and provide limited water. Do not prune or shape until March or April when new growth begins. Likewise, the best time for repotting a cactus is in February, March or April but keep in mind that the plant will do better if it’s in a container where it’s pot-bound. With proper care and placement of the plant, the cactus may flower several times throughout the year.
Other indoor plants that you might want to consider for holiday decorating or, as gifts for friends and family are the Poinsettia, Amaryllis, Rosemary Topiaries, Norfolk Island Pine, and the Cyclamen.
Source: Cactus and Succulent Society of America; Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac
Master Gardener Training Coming in March!
Gardening……..ahhh, to dig in the dirt, watch little seedlings sprout and grow into beautiful flowers, plants, vegetables or trees. Nothing can be more satisfying! Is this something that appeals to you? Have you been bitten by the gardening bug and are just not sure where to start? Or, maybe you already garden quite successfully and want to learn more? Maybe you just love to play in the dirt and want more playmates? Whatever the reason, maybe it is time to start thinking about becoming a Somervell County Master Gardener!
Just what is a Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are a dedicated group of ordinary folks who simply have a passion for gardening, desire to further their own knowledge, and wish to further good horticulture practices within our own community. They are volunteers sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Service.
To become a Certified Master Gardener one must complete the training classes and perform additional volunteer hours. By taking the training classes, you will learn not only how to plant things, but also how to keep them healthy. You will also learn to identify and prevent diseases, and how to recognize harmful, as well as beneficial insects. By the end of the class you will have a variety of tools to help problem-solve gardening issues on your own property, as well as to help friends and members of the community. All along the way you will be mentored by a seasoned Master Gardener.
The next tri-county training is scheduled for the spring of 2015. Classes will be held on Tuesdays beginning late March and running through mid-May. Location of classes will be either in Hood, Somervell or Johnson counties.
If interested, please call the Somervell County Extension Office at 254-897-2809 and give Cassie your name and contact information. You will be given priority for the class before it opens to the public. Don’t wait as class size is limited!
The Journey of a Master Gardener
By Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener
Since I was a small child, I’ve always enjoyed watching plants grow. I come from a long line of farmers and gardeners. So I guess growing things is in my DNA. As a child I used to watch my great-grandmother till and plant her backyard, making it into a wonderland of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Of course, her son, my uncle, had the equipment for tilling, but she did all the grubbing, watering and planting. Thinking about how hard she worked just makes me tired. But I truly believe her garden kept her active even into her 80s at which time she had to give it up.
Along with the garden, she also planted fruit trees. During the summer months, my mother usually helped her can the fruit or make jellies. I was there watching all the activity and learning from what I saw. Grandmother passed her love of gardening on to my mother, but mother was mostly a flowerbed gardener. She had some of the most beautiful flowers blooming around our home from one season to the next. At my home today, I have some of her irises and when they bloom I always think of her and am so grateful for the blessing she passed on to me.
I can think of nothing better than leaving a legacy of gardening to the next generation. Of my three children, all have inherited the gardening DNA (if there is such a thing!) and we have such fun trying new varieties of this or that and sharing the results with each other.
I spent my childhood in the Dallas area and grew to understand what it takes to garden successfully in the blackland of Texas. But as the years passed I have found myself living in many areas of Texas, from the coastal plains to the areas that border west Texas. In each, I found a challenge that opened up new vistas of learning. I became what I call a “trial” gardener. Try growing something, if it produces, great! If it doesn’t, dig it up and try something else. Through this trial and error method, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. But it wasn’t until 2007 that I really began to learn what it means to know about gardening and put that knowledge into practice.
In the spring of 2007, my husband noticed an article about the next Master Gardeners Training to be held and mentioned it to me in case I might be interested. So I sprang into action and enrolled. How glad I am that I did! The training was interesting and enlightening and as a result I now don’t depend on my trusty “trial and error” method of gardening any more. Best of all, I met some of the most interesting people. People who were interested in gardening, just like me. I might also add that my sister-in-law, who lives in Tennessee, was also enrolled in the master gardeners training in her state. As a result, we have so much in common and so much to share. So the timing for the training was just right and I truly enjoyed all the different lecturers, field trips, and hands-on activities.
Of course, I’m not an authority, but feel like I have just begun learning to garden with a sense of confidence I didn’t have before. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I step back and survey what has been accomplished in a day’s time. I’m tired, yes, and sore as well. But the feeling is good. Why not try it yourself? And don’t forget our new training classes are scheduled to begin this spring. Come join us!
December Gardening Tips
by Bonnah Boyd, Somervell County Master Gardener
*Cover flower and shrub beds with from 3 – 4 inches of mulch to prevent moisture evaporation and to modify soil temperatures.
*Clean out warm-season flower beds, add an inch or two of compost and mix it into the soil.
*Water the entire landscape at least once in December in the absence of significant rainfall to prevent freeze damage.
*If a hard, prolonged freeze (24 hours or more) is predicted, cover freeze-sensitive plants with cardboard boxes or blankets.
*Move tender container plants indoors near a very bright window to keep them healthy through the winter.
*Mow winter weeds to keep them in check.
*In areas of the vegetable or herb garden that are void of plants, pull winter weeds and plant a cover crop, such as cereal rye grain.
*Cover crops reduce weed establishment and can be tilled into the soil later to improve the soil.
*Use leaves from the trees to build a compost pile or as walkway materials. Continue to add leaves to the walkway as they press down with foot traffic.
*Remember to provide water for the birds during winter.
*This is a great time to plan next year’s gardens. Try some new things. Add a new “feature” to your garden.
Community Horticultural Education Series
Sommervell County Master Gardeners proudly announce
Local Master Gardener, Virginia Reynolds,
will present the November Program
on Keyhole Gardening
Monday, November 10th, 6:30 pm
Citizens Center, 209 SW Barnard, Glen Rose
Free and open to the public
Keyhole gardening was introduced years ago by missionaries in several African countries, where they needed to produce more food in a small space under drought conditions. This intensive gardening method was very successful, and the word has spread to the drought-stricken areas of our own country, especially here in Texas.
From personal experience with keyhole gardening, Virginia will share her knowledge of what works best in our area. Don’t miss what promises to be a very interesting program.