Somervell County Master Gardeners
Training for new Master Gardeners are set to begin April 2, 2019. There are a few details still to be confirmed but this is what we know so far… This will be a partnership with Hood and Johnson Counties. Classes will be on Tuesdays for 10 weeks and typically are scheduled from 9am to 5pm. The classes held in Somervell County will be at First United Methodist Church Family Center. Somervell County dates are 4/16, 4/30, and 5/21. More details to follow!!
By Shirley D. Smith, Somervell County Master Gardener Well, thank goodness the rains seem to have quit for a bit. I can’t believe that as a Texan I am actually not wanting more rain. However, this last “rain event” was something else. If you are seeing mildew on your plants then here is a great organic way to get rid of that: (1) dissolve 2 uncoated aspirin tablets (325mg) in 1 quart of water and use this mixture as a foliar spray; or (2) this is good… Read More →
GARDENING TIPS By Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener A healthy garden starts in the kitchen! That’s right – at the kitchen sink. If you make a pot of coffee every morning you are well on your way to improving your garden’s soil. Enjoy a crisp salad for lunch and the prettiest plants are within reach. So what does cooking have to do with composting? Everything. All of those nutrient-rich scraps you are scraping into the disposal or trash are food for… Read More →
Ellerie Jackson will be Somervell County’s new Extension Agent beginning in November. She is replacing Zach Davis, who transferred to Denton County. Ellerie is originally from Pflugerville, Texas and graduated from Tarleton State University with an Undergraduate degree in Animal Science with a minor in business and a Master’s degree in Agricultural and Consumer Resources. WELCOME ELLERIE!!
By Elaine Wilshusen, Somervell County Master Gardener The thornless prickly pear is ubiquitous around the Glen Rose area. It was one of the first things I wanted to plant in my yard when we moved here and also the first thing I was trying to share with others as its growth surpassed my expectations! Tall “tree” style specimens provide lovely structure in the garden. Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying it is one tough plant very well suited for Texas. You don’t have… Read More →
Written by Christine Morgan, N.D., PSc.D President of Somervell County Master Gardeners Prickly pear fruit, called “tunas” in Mexico, come in a variety of colors. My plants make a dark red fruit that matures in late August or September. Using them is a two-step process. First harvest and juice, then you can make jelly or jam. How to make Prickly Pear Tuna Juice 1. Harvest with tongs! DO NOT touch them, even with gloves!Burn off the nasty spines by holding the fruit over a burner on the stove… Read More →
The next scheduled CHES meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 19th at 11am. The location will be at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office located at 1405 Texas Drive in Glen Rose. As always, CHES meetings are open to the public. Christine Morgan, President of Somervell County Master Gardeners will present an interesting program titled Succulents/How to raise, care for and propagate
Written by Dr. Christine Morgan, N.D., PSc.D., Master Gardener and Vegetable Specialist President of Somervell County Master Gardeners Most plant people like succulents, I really love them! In this article I am going to discuss the ins and outs of raising and caring of them. Sedums are included in the succulent group, most are cold hardy and outdoor, direct garden plants. Sedums are a little different from container succulents and I will be covering them in my next article! Most succulents are from the Sempervivum, Echeveria, Crassula, Euphorbia,… Read More →
By Shirley D Smith, Somervell County Master Gardener Every once in a while I do something right and this summer I picked up a plant I had never tried before but looked interesting. Since I am really into trying different, this one really appealed to me. The full scientific name is Angelonia angustifolia and is a member of the plantain family. It is also called Summer Snapdragon. This little plant has been a workhorse in a flowerbed that gets full afternoon sun. It has bloomed from about June… Read More →
Submitted by Julie Conner, Somervell County Master Gardener Lasagna Gardening, sheet composting, or layer gardening is a no till method that is great for rocky or hard clay soils. This method creates a nutrient rich garden and is easy in either a raised bed or a ground surface area in your garden. For my flower garden, I created a raised bed with one row of landscape stones 4 inches high and placed in a circle. The first layer is of paper and cardboard, which will break down… Read More →
