Somervell County Master GardenersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Meet Zack Davis, County Extension Agent

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                         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.

Master Gardener Training Nears

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The Somervell County Master Gardener Association has been in existence since 2001. We are one of the smallest fully-functioning Master Gardener associations in Texas whose membership has varied between 10-25 members throughout the years.

But our small size does not reflect the amount of effort we put into our community. Since our inception, we have established several projects, including the landscape beds around the Farr House at Heritage Park, an EarthKind Rose Trial Garden (also at Heritage Park), promoted EarthKind Roses with the “Bring Back Roses to Glen Rose” campaign in 2010, and held the Texas Master Gardener State Conference in 2011, bringing Master Gardeners from all over Texas to Glen Rose for several days.

pooh-piglet-planting-pea-seedsBesides those endeavors, we publish a monthly newsletter and host regular Community Horticulture Education programs. Somervell County Master Gardeners thrive on the diversified talents of our membership. Some prepare and deliver horticulture-related programs to the public, some design and manage garden projects within the community, others create and maintain websites, write articles and publish newsletters. Many just like digging in the the dirt, but we all share a passion for gardening. And most of all, we do all these things while having FUN!

If this sounds interesting to you, call the Somervell County Extension Office at 254-897-2809 and put your name on the list for the Master Gardener Training class for 2015. Classes will run from late March to mid-May and meet once a week.

To speak with a Master Gardener regarding the training classes, email somervellmg@gmail.com and we will be happy to visit with you. We would also like to invite you to attend our monthly meetings held at the Extension Office on the third Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Planting Onions

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 by Zack Davis, Somervell County Extension Agent

onion transplantsIt 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

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(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

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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.

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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

Updates from SCMGA

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There will be NO Community Horticultural Education Series Program in January. Please watch your email for information on our February 9, 2015 CHES program!

Master Gardener Training Coming in March!

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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.

Tx Master Gardener handbookTo 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

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By Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener

merilynSince 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.

mg_logos_revIn 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!

Know Your Soil

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By Kathy J Gosdin, Somervell County Master Gardener

Happy New Year to you all! If you have recently purchased your property, have became interested in tilling some dirt to plant a tree or need to figure out why things just don’t grow or produce the way you would like, you may find it beneficial to have your soil tested. Obtaining a nutrient analysis of your soil helps you to know how to properly amend it.

soilsampleTesting for nutrients in the soil may be done through Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory. You may get an analysis from any lab of your choice but know if you send the soil sample to a commercial laboratory instead of the one at Texas AgriLife Extension Service, be sure to use an agronomic soil testing laboratory, not an environmental soil testing laboratory as most environmental laboratories are unfamiliar with agronomic soil testing and therefore may not make nutrient recommendations. Soil bags for sample collection and information sheets are available from your county extension office or line at http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/soilwebform.pdf .

There is a cost for the test and you do have to send it to the Lab, but the information you gain could give you the knowledge you need to have the success and enjoyment of watching your plants thrive.

Just know the accuracy of the soil analyses will be a reflection of the quality of the sample you have taken. It is recommended that a good representation of the area be gathered. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Use clean tools to retrieve the sample. Chose 10 random areas to a depth of 6 inches. Areas to avoid would be manure or compost piles, under eaves or near gavel roads or brush piles.
  2. Place the samples into a clean container and thoroughly mix them.
  3. Retrieve about a pint of the mixed soil placing it into the bag from the county agent or you may use a zipper-lock sandwich bag, just be sure to double-bag that sample if you do.
  4. Number the samples if you send multiple. Also identify the samples so that you know where you got them from. Two labels per sample is also good in case on gets messed up.

This procedure should be done for each area that you wish to get analysis on and if the area is small you may collect as few as three samples to mix up to obtain the one pint to send in.

As we mention so many time mulch and compost do so much in the way of improving your soil. Whether it be sandy loam or clay. Microorganisms are needed in your soil to help break down the nutrients your plants will feed on.

The nutrient analysis will return to you with results of levels and recommendations of fertilizer to use.

Knowledge is useful, correctly applying knowledge is wisdom

– may you be a Wise Gardener/Yardener.

Sources: Doug Welch’s Texas Garden Almanac

                 Texas Master Gardener Handbook

Gardening Tips That Save Money and Time

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by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener

Q & ADoes saving money and time in the garden sound good? Hey, I’m with you! With all we have to do every day, gardeners are very clever about coming up with ways to save on the work and expense of growing plants. Through the years, I’ve found many, and here are a few of my favorite money or time-saving tips on tools, plants and supplies.

#1 BUY INEXPENSIVE WATERING TOOLS: Don’t buy high-priced watering tools, such as wands, nozzles or sprinklers. Even the expensive ones will spring leaks, so save your money and buy cheap ones instead. Replace worn rubber washers where the tool connects to the hose to minimize leaks, and buy a good brass hose connector. The shutoff lever saves you trips back and forth to the faucet, and brass means it’ll hold up for many years.

#2 PAY NOW, SAVE LATER: Good quality tools can make tasks easier, and they’ll go more quickly. But you don’t have to pay a lot for every tool you use. Do invest in well-made trowels, spades and pruners – the tools you use most often. You’ll save yourself the frustration and loss of time of fixing bent, broken or non-working parts. Buy from companies that stand behind their products, just in case.

#3 GO FOR BROKE: When you shop for bagged mulch or soil, ask for broken bags. Employees usually pull damaged ones off to the side, and stores are often more than willing to get rid of them at a reduced price. While you’re at the store, look for chipped or cracked terra-cotta or glazed containers, as well. You can get several years’ use from a slightly damaged pot and often the plants will hide any defects.

#4 SPOT-TREAT WEEDS: If you don’t have a lot of broadleaf weeds in your yard, don’t apply weed killer to the entire lawn. Instead buy liquid ready-to-use with a hose-end sprayer and spot-spray weeds rather than applying granules with a drop spreader. You’ll save time, and the liquid spray works better anyway.

#5 DON’T THROW OUT YOUR POTTING MIX: Anyone who plants up large containers knows how expensive it can be to fill one with potting mix. Well, unless your plants had disease problems during the year, you don’t have to empty your big pots completely at the end of the season. Remove just the top 8 to 12 inches of mix – the depth the roots of most annuals will reach. In spring, use a trowel to loosen up the mix left in the bottom of the pot, refill it with fresh mix and plant!

#6 KEEP ‘EM TOGETHER: A good way to save money on tools is to not lose the ones you have. Keep the hand tools you use most often in a lightweight cleaning tote. Totes with openings are easy to clean with a spray of the hose.

#7 START PERENNIALS FROM SEED: Want a lot of perennials but don’t need them right away? Save money by buying seeds and starting your own plants right out in the garden. For the best selection buy seed online. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), pinks (Dianthus), salvias {Salvia hybrids) and blackeyed Susans (Rudbeckian hybrids) are all easy to sow. Some plants will bloom the first year, but most will take two to three years to reach full size and bloom. If you’re willing to wait, you’ll save big.

#8 WHAT’S THE BEST BUY? You might think that you’ll save money at the garden center by buying small plants rather than large ones. However, that’s not always the case.  So compare the plants and prices before you decide. Purchasing a large plant that can be divided into several small ones will give you more plants for less money.

I hope at least one of these tips will leave you with a little more spare change in your pocket and the time to enjoy it.  Happy Gardening!