Somervell County Master GardenersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

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!

 

Donna Hagar Elected President of Texas Master Gardener Association

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2015 TMGA Officers

2015 TMGA President Donna Hagar, left, from Somervell County Master Gardener Association. Other 2015 TMGA Officers, Mary Means, 1st VP, of Collin County MG, Peggy Rogers, 2nd VP, of Wood County MG, Dale Powell, Treasurer, of Denton County MG and Nicky Maddams, Secretary, of Grimes County MG.

On Saturday, December 6, 2014, local Somervell County Master Gardener, Donna Hagar, was elected 2015 President of the Texas Master Gardener Association during the quarterly Board of Directors meeting held in College Station. Donna became a Master Gardener in Somervell County in 2007 and served as President of the local association from 2008-2012. Donna was co-chair of the 2011 Texas Master Gardener Association State Conference, held in Glen Rose in April 2011.

Donna has fulfilled the duties as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Master Gardener Association as a representative from Somervell County since 2008. She took over the TMGA Newsletter editor position in 2008 and went on to serve on the TMGA Executive Board, first as Treasurer, 2011-2012 and then 2nd and 1st Vice President 2013-2014 respectively.

Master Gardeners Give Donation to Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Project

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SCMGA GardensGreenwayDDOn Saturday, December 6, 2014 Donna Hagar, presented a $5000 check from the Somervell County Master Gardener Association to Dr. Doug Welsh, as a donation for the Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway project. This donation will be combined with funds from other Master Gardener Associations in Texas in an effort to raise $100,000 for the naming rights to a portion of the Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Project, specifically The Texas Master Gardener Earth-Kind® Garden.

The Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway project will be a premier teaching garden on the west campus of Texas A&M University.  As they strive to be one of the top ten universities in the nation, one thing that has been missing from the campus is some sort of garden or arboretum complex. The Gardens and Greenway project will not only restore and preserve the White Creek and surrounding riparian area but will bring to Texas A&M an outdoor classroom for all agriculture disciplines as well as a peaceful sanctuary where everyone who attends or visits A&M can relax and learn.

Dr. Doug Welsh is leading the charge for the Gardens &Greenway project. Founder of the Master Gardener program in the state of Texas, Dr. Welsh knew that the Master Gardeners have carried the torch of the Earth-Kind® principles for decades. Having a Texas Master Gardener Earth-Kind® Garden is a befitting recognition for the continued efforts the Master Gardeners make preaching the gospel of the good news of Earth-Kind® throughout Texas. The Texas Master Gardener Earth-Kind® Garden will be a 3 acre portion of the whole 45 acre Gardens &Greenway complex, containing 14 separate gardens including an herb garden, butterfly garden, wildflower meadow, vegetable gardens and more.

The Somervell County Master Gardeners were one of the first groups to lead the charge in raising funds for the Texas Master Gardener Earth-Kind® Gardens. To date, over $25,000 has been raised for this particular naming endeavor. For more information on the Gardens and Greenway project, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-RRz5VzRLs

Master Gardeners Receive Awards

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DSCF2238, MGOn October 24, Somervell County Master Gardeners met at Storiebook Café for their award ceremony.  After a wonderful meal served by the café, President Shirley Smith led the presentations.  First, the Class of 2013-14 was presented their certificates of completion.  Those receiving certificates were Linda Heideman, Katie Hunholtz, Christine Morgan, Sheryl Kleinschmidt and Earl Earp.

Receiving service pins were Bonnah Boyd, Kathy Singletary, Merlyn Cranford and Donna Hagar.

As pictured, Somervell County Master Gardeners President, Shirley Smith, presents a Service Award to Donna Hagar, Somervell County Master Gardener and the 2015 President of the State of Texas Master Gardeners.

 

 

 

 

 

December Gardening Tips

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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

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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

          8 detail_keyholeKeyhole 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.

The Tree

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by Sheryl Kleinschmidt, Somervell County Master Gardener

DSCF2219One deciding factor in choosing my house in Glen Rose was the fact that “the tree” was on the property.  Being a tree-hugger/appreciator, it was love at first sight when I saw the old native pecan hugging the carport behind the house.  This sturdy tree has stood guard near the Paluxy River for well over a century—his girth will attest to that fact alone.

Old Man isn’t the only native pecan in my yard, but he is the biggest and has thrown his weight around (literally) more than once.  He has been known to shed some rather large limbs, seemingly at will, in some rather inconvenient places such as my neighbor’s driveway!

But, even with the surliness that comes with age, Old Man has his finer points.   For starters, he gives me much-needed shade from the Texas heat, puts off a lot of fresh oxygen, and looks good in the landscape.  The squirrels are especially fond of him and lie on his knotty (arthritis?) ledges for naps.  He also is a quiet companion when family or friends come over to sit around the fire pit beneath his branches—or maybe he’s just napping.

After living with Old Man for seven years now, I’ve gotten to know his habits fairly well.  For instance, he has only been generous with his pecan crop once in all this time—the year when even the acorns were abundant (2012). Given we’ve been in a drought for several years, I can’t fault him too much, but I would appreciate a little more effort on his part! Native pecans generally produce every other year, but they will adapt to survive.  I guess Old Man must be thinking of self-preservation.

Now I must tell you of the trick Old Man played the year of the big harvest (2012).  Between him and the other pecan trees, I had more nuts than the grandchildren and I felt like harvesting.  There were pecan pies, cookies, roasted pecans, and nuts in the freezer!  I’d give anything to have another year like that one.

One morning as I was kicking around the grass in search of yet more pecans, my eye zeroed in on a huge, round pecan—no not just one, there were two, three……then more.   Where did these come from?  Old Man’s tasty pecans were small, round natives.   I picked up the strange fruit and put them in my sack, the whole time looking over my shoulder for the trickster who tossed them out.  I even considered that a squirrel had carried them in from across the street and dropped them.       DSCF2220

Continuing my harvesting routine, I took a few more steps only to find oval-shaped pecans in the mix.  Okay, now I knew someone was messing with me.  This continued on/off for a couple of weeks until I consulted an expert who explained what was going on.

Apparently, an early settler grafted some other pecan wood onto Old Man when he was but a youngster.  Since these branches are on top of Old Man’s head, they are not easily seen from the ground (he’s very tall).   For some reason, the grafted branches had not produced fruit for me up until the big harvest year.

Yes, Old Man stymied and stumped (pun intended) me alright, but now I’m onto his tricks.  So far, I have found 2 of the large, round pecans that fell during the thunderstorm last week.  I expect he’ll toss me another one or two just to keep me interested, but it doesn’t look like we’ll have much pecan pie this year!

But, given his history and stamina, I must give Old Man his due respect.  After all, my relationship with him will be found in but a few tree rings that record his life here on earth.  He was here long before I was born and will likely surpass me by decades—I hope that is the case.  To your health, Old Man!

 

 

American BeautyBerry

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By Donna Hagar, Somervell County Master Gardener

Common Name: American Beautyberry – Botanical name: Callicara americana

beautyberryAmerican beautyberry is a fast growing native perennial shrub; growing five to eight feet tall and almost as wide. It has long, arching branches and yellow-green fall foliage, but its most striking feature is the clusters of glossy, iridescent – purple fruit (sometimes white) which hug the branches in clusters along the branches in the fall and winter.

The fruit is an important food source for more than forty species of songbirds. The berry clusters are eaten by armadillo, foxes, opossum, raccoon and squirrels. White tailed deer consume the fruit in the fall after leaf drop. They will also browse the leaves in summer when highly preferred foods are not available.

The roots, leaves, and branches were used by various Native American tribes for medicinal purposes to treat fevers and rheumatism. In the early 20th century, farmers would crush the leaves and place them under the harnesses of horses and mules to repel mosquitoes. The farmers rubbed the crushed leaves on themselves to repel mosquitoes and biting bugs.

American beautyberry is used as an ornamental shrub in mass plantings or borders or can stand alone as a speciman shrub. It is best suited to semi-shaded sites with some moisture. It is remarkably tolerant of various soils and habitats.

I can attest that this is one hardy shrub. I transplanted a sapling from a friend in the dead heat of August. It has been dug up by armadillos and my chickens several times, but hasn’t given up yet! Maybe next year the chickens will be able to eat the berries!

November Gardening Tips

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by Linda Heideman, Somervell County Master Gardener

Ah!  November!  The weather is cool, flowers are blooming in season, the leaves on the trees are starting to turn.  It is truly fall!  Winter and Thanksgiving are on the way.  Time to get ready, but don’t forget there’s plenty to do in the garden!

1st week:  Finish dividing spring-blooming perennials.  Plant pansies (my favorite), ornamental cabbages, kale, snapdragons and dianthus.  Prepare to protect tender plants – average first freeze is November 21.  Pansies-150x150

2nd week:  Cut back fall-blooming perennials as they finish blooming, and finish mulching all beds.  Fallen leaves can be used in mulching your beds and/or added to your compost pile.

3rd week:   After a killing freeze, cut back freeze-damaged perennials such as chrysanthemums, lantana and cannas.

chrysanthemum

4th week:    After a hard freeze transplant established trees and shrubs.  Mulch and water them well.  Hardy, ornamental grasses can be cut back and divided after a hard freeze.

 

 

Community Horticultural Educational Series

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Community Horticultural Educational Series (CHES)

Somervell County Master Gardeners are proud to announce 

Paul Dowlearn is coming back to Glen Rose!

Monday, October 13th, at 6:30 p.m.

Citizen’s Center, 209 SW Barnard, Glen Rose

Free and open to the public

IMG1             Paul Dowlearn is the co-owner of Wichita Valley Landscape, past president of the Red River Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, member of the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Research Center, Riverbend Nature Center and Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association and several other non-profit organizations.

              Paul has lived in Wichita Falls, Texas since he was three years old and has been an avid gardener since childhood.  Paul does landscape design and installation through his nursery in Wichita Falls, and has focused on xeriscape and low maintenance landscapes for the last twenty years.

Paul has authored numerous articles on native and well-adapted plants, plus organic gardening methods for newspapers and magazines, as well as speaking to many organizations throughout Texas and Oklahoma.  He has hosted local radio and TV call-in shows and teaches landscaping courses at Vernon College.  His new book,  The Lazy Man’s Garden, will be available for sale and signing at the meeting!