• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
Somervell County Master Gardeners
Somervell County Master GardenersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Gardening Info
  • News
  • Members Only
    • Members Hour Form
    • Meeting and Financial Documents
    • Constitution and By- Laws

The Beginning of Paper

July 6, 2014 by lheideman

by Katie Hunholz, Somervell County Master Gardener Intern 

With the current trend of viewing documents on the internet, writing letters via email, and reading books on ipads or Kindles, paper is slowly becoming a thing of the past.  However, I believe that paper will never completely disappear, due to people who prefer being able to feel the paper in their hands rather than read it on a screen (I, myself, am one of those old-fashioned readers).  I wouldn’t call myself a ‘tree-hugger’, but I do value trees for all the amazing materials they provide us, and for their beauty, and the part they play in the ecosystem.  However, paper wasn’t always dependent on trees; it originally came from Cyperus papyrus.

The word ‘paper’ is derived from the Egyptian word ‘papyrus’.  Paper- a thin, flexible material in sheets, made from rags, wood, etc., and used for printing or writing on (Webster’s New World Dictionary)– was first made from the papyrus plant, which originates from Ethiopia and Egypt.  Papyrus, also known as Nile grass, or paper reed, can reach up to 15 feet tall, growing in water depths up to 3 feet.  Despite its willowy appearance, the stem of papyrus was often woven into baskets, or even boats.  With both strength and flexibility, papyrus was valued as a building material and a writing medium.

The use of papyrus as a paper originated with the Egyptians, about 4000 years ago.  Paper made from papyrus comes from the pith, or core, of the plant.  The pith is gently peeled into strips, which are then laid out in two layers, with the second layer being laid on top of the first layer, but at a 90 degree angle.  The sugary sap from the plant acts as a natural glue, combining the two layers as they dry.  The front side of the paper was always the side with the horizontal strips, not the side with the vertical strips.  As other nations began to desire a way to transcribe their written language, the use of papyrus quickly spread; it was especially popular with the Greeks and Romans.   Even after parchment was developed (a type of paper made from animal skin), papyrus was still desirable.  However, the use of papyrus slowly began to fade beginning around 800 AD.  

The creation of paper, beginning with papyrus, allowed countries to advance in culture and technology.  Previously people had no way of communicating except through their spoken language.  It’s difficult to imagine a world with no written documents, but without papyrus that would be our world.  Unfortunately, papyrus is now rarely used as a paper, or as a building material.  Its lack of use has led to papyrus being an endangered plant; perhaps it is time to begin the cultivation of papyrus once again.  It would be a shame to lose such a significant plant with its historical, cultural, and technological value. 

Sources:

Laws, Bill. 2010. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History.  Quid Publishing. pp. 62-63. 

Seid, Timothy. (2004). Papyrus. Interpeting Ancient Manuscripts.[Online]. Available: http://legacy.earlham.edu/~seidti/iam/papyrus.html.[7/14] 

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Timely Tips for June

June 7, 2014 by Donna Hagar

by Donna Hagar, Somervell County Master Gardener

Ahh, wasn’t all the rain we got in May just wonderful? Everything greened up and flourished. You could tell the trees, grass and shrubs were heaving a huge sigh of relief! This is a great time to want to sit back and really enjoy our lush and thriving landscapes. But what if that was it? What if the rains will be fewer and farther between? What can we do to keep our trees, plants, gardens and lawns happy?

mulchFor starters, MULCH! This is something we Master Gardeners push very hard, as it makes such a difference in retaining moisture and keeping weeds at bay. And I’m not talking a scattering or just top dressing of mulch. More like 3-4 inches thick. Just make sure the soil underneath is good and moist before you load that much on top. If you have drip irrigation or soaker hoses, place these under the mulch, as it takes quite a bit of water to get thru that thick layer of mulch. When you do water, you want to make sure you are actually watering the soil so plants can get their much needed drink.

Be sure to stay on top of weeds. We don’t want our precious plants competing with weeds for water and nutrients. That thick layer of mulch will certainly help keep weeds at bay as well. And weeds that do come up in heavily mulched beds generally have germinated in the mulch itself and will pull up very easily.

In the vegetable garden, as crops are harvested and completed bearing, be sure to keep weeds in check in areas that have been vacated. Add organic matter and keep the area mulched to be ready for fall crops that will begin going in next month.

Oh and by the way, if you have tomatoes or squash with blossom end rot on the bottom or are cracked and split toward the top, this can easily be attributed to the fluctuations in moisture.

Blossom-End Rot

Blossom-End Rot

Blossom-end rot (BER) is generally caused by a lack of calcium being taken up in the plant. Soil moisture fluctuations we have had lately can reduce the uptake of calcium in the plant and can lead to BER.

tomatocracks

Cracks in Tomatoes

The cracking is caused when the tomatoes get too much water too fast and the skin can’t stretch enough to accommodate. These are still edible by cutting off affected areas. Keep the soil consistently moist (ah, that ever important mulch can help) and both conditions can be kept under control for future harvests.

Filed Under: Gardening Tips, Newsletters

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush

June 7, 2014 by lheideman

by Katie Hunholz, Somervell County Master Gardener16699scr_470fc6201335fb5

The nursery rhyme, “Here we go round the mulberry bush”, first published in 1840, can produce a little confusion since mulberries do not grow on bushes, but rather on trees.  The mulberry is from the family Moraceae, and the genus Morus.  There are many different species of Mulberry, but the 3 most well- known are black, red, and white.  But, other than being found in 2 popular nursery rhymes (“Pop goes the weasel” being the second), what makes mulberry so important?

The primary value of the mulberry is that the white mulberry is the sole food source for silkworms.  To make a single silk blouse about 8,800 pounds of leaves were required.  In case you are not familiar with silkworms, let me give you a brief overview of this famous insect.  Silk- which is still used today in the finest of clothing, sheets, and scarves- is best known for its incredibly smooth, soft, and silky texture.  Silk is made using the cocoon of the silkworm moth, which is created by the larvae of the moth as it enters the pupal stage.  Silkworms, the larval stage of the lifecycle of the silkworm moth, are not actually worms, but rather caterpillars.  Silk was first used in ancient Chinese cultures, but quickly became a coveted product by the rest of the world, traveling along what is referred to as the ‘silk road’.   White mulberry is now considered an exotic invasive species, since it is taking over the territory of the red mulberry.  It was first brought to Europe, then to the United States, in an attempt to establish the silk industry in those places.

Not only is mulberry critical for the silk industry, but it has also been influential in the areas of food, nutrition, livestock fodder, building materials, crafts, and ecology.  Here is a summary of its many other uses:

  • Food: The fruit of the mulberry can be eaten either cooked, or raw.  Black and red mulberry have the strongest flavor, but the berries of the white mulberry can be eaten as well.  Mulberries are well known for their use in wines, cordials, teas, tarts, and pies.
  • Nutrition: The fruit of the mulberry contains several powerful antioxidants and vitamins, including anthocyanins, resveratrol, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A.  Native Americans used red mulberry to treat dysentery, as well as using it as a laxative.  Anthocyanins are being researched as a treatment for cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and the effects of aging.  Resveratrol can help combat the risk of strokes.  And, of course, all vitamins are necessary for our bodies to function correctly.
  • Livestock: The leaves of white mulberry are used not only as a food source for silkworms, but they can also be fed to livestock.  It is believed that cattle fed white mulberry leaves have a higher milk yield.
  • Building materials:  The wood of the mulberry tree is known for its flexibility and durability.  These characteristics make it an ideal material for sporting goods such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, and cricket bats.  The wood is also used in fence posts, home building materials, and furniture.
  • Crafts: The twigs of the mulberry tree are often used to weave baskets, while the stems are used for making paper.
  • Ecology: For those desiring to attract wildlife, the berries are enjoyed by wild birds, game birds, and hogs.  If wildlife is not desirable, mulberry trees can serve as buffers which attract the pests away from crops or fruit trees.

As has been illustrated, mulberry trees have an abundance of uses.  Such an amazing plant should be known for more than its appearance in children’s nursery rhymes.

 

Sources:

Laws, Bill. 2012.  Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History.  New York. Firefly Books, Inc. p. 130-33.

Purdue horticultural department, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Morus_alba.html.

 

 

Filed Under: Newsletters

A News Blast!!!

May 30, 2014 by lheideman

Somervell County Master Gardeners will NOT be holding monthly CHES (Community Horticulture Education Session) programs during the summer months this year.  In lieu of those programs, we would like to invite you to attend the Native Plant Society’s programs on the first Tuesday of each month. 

 

June’s program will be “The Lazy Man’s Garden: Maximum Return/Minimum Input” by Paul Dowlearn, co-owner of Wichita Valley Landscape in Wichita Falls, TX.  Paul will be speaking at Somervell County Citizen Center, 205 SW Barnard here in Glen Rose on Tuesday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Newsletters

Community Horticulture Education Series

May 10, 2014 by lheideman

Somervell County Master Gardeners

Community Horticulture Education Series (CHES)

Area Winemaker Speaks in Glen Rose

Monday, May 12th, 6:30 pm

209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose

Free and Open to the Public

grapes-on-the-vineOn Monday, May 12, Red Caboose Winery’s own Evan McKibben will speak at the Community Horticulture Education Session about wine and growing grapes in our area.  Red Caboose Winery is located in Meridian and was the brain-child of Evan’s father, Gary, over a decade ago.

Evan calls himself a farmer, but his official title is winemaker and vineyard manager.  Most of the varieties of grapes grown out at the vineyard are the old, Mediterranean varieties.

If you are interested in winemaking, or learning more about growing grapes, come join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Somervell County Citizens’ Center at 209 SW Barnard.  As always, this session is free to the public.

Filed Under: CHES, Newsletters

HAVE ANTELOPE HORN? HAVE MONARCHS!

May 10, 2014 by lheideman

 

by Shirley D. Smith, Somervell County Master Gardener

 

If you attended April’s Community Horticulture Education Series presented by the Somervell County Master Gardeners, then you know that the Monarch butterfly is headed our direction.

IMG copyWhen you travel and it begins to be lunchtime and your tummy tells you it needs food, you probably start to look for a good place to eat.  Well . . . . . the Monarchs will be doing the same.  They will have flown from north central Mexico and are hungry!  They are also looking for a plant on which to lay their eggs.  The plant they will be looking for is called Asclepias asperula or antelope horn.  This plant grows right here in central Texas along with its cousins – other milkweeds.  If you see a somewhat strange looking plant such as shown in the accompanying picture, then you are probably looking at antelope horn.  It seems to be in abundance this year (at least it is on my property south of Glen Rose).

IMGAntelope horn milkweed is an erect-stemmed plant growing to about 15 inches tall. Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped and about 3 inches long. The flowers are greenish with distinctive purplish horns and are present from March to October. The fruit is a wrinkled pod containing silk-tufted seeds.

Every spring, millions of Monarch butterflies migrate north from the forested uplands of central Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental range.  Some reach as far north as Canada.   However, those making the journey in 2014 will be fewer in number than ever before.  To further elaborate on their plight, here is an except from USA Today dated April 27, 2014:

Monarch butterflies once were so common that some people find it hard to believe that they are declining so rapidly.

“If you tell an old-timer that, they say, ‘Well, that can’t be, because when I was a kid they were everywhere,’ “

That was the case when Taylor, who grew up in Minnesota, was a child. He would put a caterpillar in a peanut-butter jar with a leaf and watch as it became a butterfly. It was a common experiment for kids who grew up in the Midwest and had an interest in nature.

The key to the butterfly experiment was simple: The leaf had to be a milkweed leaf. That’s all the caterpillar needed to survive to adulthood. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed and nothing else.

monarch butterflyResearchers believe the loss of milkweed plants is a big reason for the Monarchs’ decline.

Milkweed is not a cash crop and so has been eliminated from many Midwestern farm fields to make room for more corn and soybeans. Nabhan and others believe that simply planting milkweed in the path of the migration can increase the Monarchs’ numbers.

“We have to get the message out,” she said.

Because this butterfly has recently been found to be in dangerous decline, their plight has attracted political attention.  Here is another except from that same article:

During their summit meeting in Toluca, Mexico, in February, the leaders of Mexico, the United States and Canada pledged to support the Monarch. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called it a “landmark species” and said they hope to form a task force to address the problem.

If you are over 50, then you remember how abundant the Texas horned lizard or horny toad was when you were a kid.  Up on the High Plains where I grew up, they were everywhere and we took their numbers for granted.  When was the last time you saw one of these little guys?  Yeah, me, too – not for years!  Hopefully, the Monarch will make a come back and not become threatened as is our beloved Texas Horned Lizard.

The reason for this article is to make you aware that we could possibly lose this beautiful creature as we have almost lost the horny toad.  What a terrible thought!  You can do your part by making sure the milkweed growing in your yard, in your pasture, in your flowerbed or wherever is not destroyed!

Filed Under: Gardening, Newsletters

Where Do Cashews Come From?

May 10, 2014 by lheideman

 

by Sheryl Kleinschmidt, Somervell County Master Gardener  Ever wonder where cashews come from?  You might think they grow inside a shell like any other nut, but their true origins are far more bizarre. 

cashews,2First of all, cashews are not actually nuts, but rather fruits from the cashew tree, a large evergreen tree that thrives in tropical climates.

The tree produces red flowers, which in turn produce yellow and red oval structures resembling apples.

These so-called cashew apples are very juicy and pulpy, and their juice is often added to tropical fruit drinks. 

However, cashew apples are not actually fruits in a scientific sense; the real fruit of the cashew tree is the kidney-shaped formation growing at the end. cashews, 3

These fruits, also called drupes, are harvested and become what we know as a cashew nut. 

 

 

 

In their raw form, the other layer of the fruit contains multiple toxins,including anacardic acid, a powerful skin irritant similar to the toxin found in poison ivy that must be removed prior to eating.  Roasting the cashews destroys the toxins, but roasting must be performed carefully outdoors because the smoke can irritate the lungs, sometimes to a life-threatening degree. cashews, 5

When they are roasted, cashews change from their natural greenish-gray color to the light brown nut sold in stores. cashews

Next time you crack open a tin of cashews, take a moment to appreciate the long journey those little c-shaped nuts took from the tree to your table!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Are You Smarter Than A Fox Squirrel?

April 11, 2014 by lheideman

By Sheryl Kleinschmidt, Somervell County Master Gardener

 

If you’ve ever watched the program, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” then you know what I’m talking about.  I live in an old part of Glen Rose near the river and believe me, the squirrels here make me wonder which of us has the highest IQ. 

First off, they are quite established, most likely due to a constant water source (The Paluxy River) and the abundance of old pecan and oak trees in the area.  But, if nature has already provided them an awesome source of sustenance, why do they continually dig in my flower pots, flower beds and eat all of my birdseed?  The answer—they like to eat cafeteria-style. 

The fox squirrel, Sciurus niger, prefers nuts, but will also eat flowers, flower buds, leaves, tubers, bulbs and seeds.  Add to that palate insects, bird eggs, and agricultural crops such as corn, and these little beggars can become quite destructive. 

I’ve tried a number of “squirrel-proof” birdfeeders (they aren’t), greased the shepherd’s hook with Crisco to keep them from climbing it, and put red pepper in my flower pots.  Thus far, the score is squirrels—85% to my 15%, but I keep trying.

 

Einstein trying to figure out how to get the sunflower seeds

Einstein trying to figure out how to get the sunflower seeds

Sunflower birdfeeder in Catalpa tree

Sunflower birdfeeder in Catalpa tree

One of the older males I have dubbed “Einstein”. He and I have recently engaged in battle over my prized birdfeeder filled with sunflower seeds.  You see, Einstein would rather eat sunflower seeds than anything else and will do most anything to obtain them.  So far, I’ve won this battle by suspending the birdfeeder on a rather slim branch of the Catalpa tree outside my kitchen window.  Einstein’s weight is too much for the little branch and he either falls off or unsuccessfully hangs upside down while grabbing for the feeder. 

There are a few other tricks I’ve discovered to protect my plants—especially the potted ones outdoors.  The red pepper does deter the squirrels, but it has to be reapplied after a couple of waterings.  Once the plants are established, the squirrels pretty much leave them alone, however, and you can leave off the pepper. 

Lava rocks (or any other rocks for that matter) placed around the roots of smaller plants has worked pretty well and heavy mulch is also a deterrent.  However, nothing is fool-proof.  I’ve had to cover my old wash pot filled with spearmint as it is a favorite burial ground for hoarded pecans and acorns.

Lava Rocks in Planter

Wire Screen Over Planted Mint

Wire Screen Over Planted Mint

Lava Rocks in Planter

 

So far this spring, I at least feel a sense of progress in out-smarting my furry friends.  But, I do allow them some space as they provide a lot entertainment for me and my family.  We’ve even trained some of them to chase after pecans just as a dog would chase a stick.  Nuisance that they are, they’re here to stay and I still have to say, “I am not smarter than a fox-squirrel!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Gardening

Community Horticulture Education Series

April 11, 2014 by lheideman

Somervell County Master Gardeners

Community Horticulture Education Series (CHES)

Monday, April 14th at 6:30 pm

209 SW Barnard Street, Glen Rose

Free and Open to the Public

monarch butterflyThis month’s education program is entitled “RETURN OF THE KING” and will be presented by Fossil Rim’s Natural Resources Specialist, Curt Decker.  Decker will be talking about none other than the Monarch Butterfly.  He is concerned about the cross-border migration of the Monarch as well as establishing healthy breeding grounds for them as they visit our area.

Decker will also be discussing other issues relating to the Monarch such as raising feeder plants and international current events that affect the butterflies.

Our own Master Gardener, Bonnah Boyd, will also speak Monday night.  She will teach us how to germinate and plant milkweed, which is a host plant for Monarch larvae.

We invite the community to join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Citizens’ Center at 209 SW Barnard Street here in Glen Rose.  As always, this program is a free public service given by Somervell County Master Gardeners.

 

Filed Under: CHES, Newsletters

Favorite Flower – Texas Bluebonnet

April 11, 2014 by lheideman

by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener

DSC_4941, bluebonnets

          As spring is just around the corner, be on the lookout for the Texas Bluebonnet.  This  Texas trademark is to Texas what a shamrock is to Ireland.  The Texas Bluebonnet,  or lupines texensis, is the state flower as all Texans know.  Native American (Texans)  wove fascinating folk tales around this special wildflower, crediting them with  everything from having natural medicinal qualities to being spiritual messengers  from the heavens.     

             Just how this delicate blue beauty became the official state flower is a little-known  story.  In 1901, when the issue was up for a vote in the state legislature, the  bluebonnet was running second to the cotton flower and the bloom of the Prickly  Pear advocated by John Nance Garner who later became vice-president of the United States.  However, his efforts were unsuccessful and bowed to the lobbying efforts of a ladies group who made sure the bluebonnet was designated as the official flower of Texas.   

             Those who have tried to grow this beautiful wildflower, understand that patience is the primary ingredient.  Therefore, it may take several years to establish a good stand of bluebonnets in your yard.  For the most successful results, plant the seeds in October through November.  The seeds will germinate in the fall and grow throughout the winter, usually blooming around the end of March to mid-May.  Choose a sunny, well-drained location with slightly alkaline soil.  With a little rain and a lot of patience the results will be a blue blanket of beautiful bluebonnets that return year after year.

Happy Gardening!

 

Filed Under: Favorite Plants

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 32
  • Go to page 33
  • Go to page 34
  • Go to page 35
  • Go to page 36
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 38
  • Go to Next Page »

Get Updates

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

RSS Recent Posts

  • Somervell County Master Gardening Association Presents
  • Community Education!
  • Monday Funny
  • Master Gardener Open House

Administrator Only

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member
  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information