Monthly Meeting Minutes
May 2007
Regular Monthly Meeting of Llano Master Gardeners
Thursday, May 17, 2007; 5:30 p.m.
Llano County Extension Office
John Caballero, presenter
Sandy Shaw welcomed members and guests to the meeting. John Caballero, the owner of Apple Valley Orchards, was introduced as the speaker.
John spent twenty years doing television and freelance work in Texas. When John and Susan retired, they moved to the Llano area on Highway 16 because they found here a location with good soil and water. John made a documentary that tells the story of Texas apples and he shared that video with us.
As early as the 1850’s there were apple orchards in Texas from Lubbock to Medina. The Snyder brothers were growing apples in Georgetown in the mid 1800’s. William Gates propagated fruit in Lindendale in 1865. Roadside stands were selling apples in Fruitland in 1904. By 1950 apple production in Texas had almost disappeared because cotton root rot threatened apple trees. Texas A&M University in Uvalde did research and found that sulphur treated trees could survive. Baxter and Carol Adams bought an overgrazed ranch in Medina and developed Love Creek Orchards. They designed their orchards like those found in Romania using dwarf apple stock in high density plantings. Trees were trellised to allow for optimum growth. The Hi Plain Orchard in Idalou, Tx, continues to use these successful practices. Top of Texas Orchard in Farwell, Texas, is a cooperative of eight families that sells their apples to grocery stores. They use high density planting and a wire and trellis system. In addition to these practices they use netting to help block out sun and prevent hail damage.
Texas apples are the first to ripen and be harvested in the country. Apples are produced from June through November. At Apple Valley Orchards John planted 350 trees two years ago, 150 trees a year ago and 50 trees this year. John expects to have apples ready for harvesting next year. John stressed that color and appearance don’t necessarily make for good apples. He encouraged us to visit his orchard.
Sandy announced that we have $2894 in our treasury. Most funds will be used for the pocket park project. It has been decided that this park will be called Pioneer Park. Paul, the rock man, will be consulted about obtaining and placing native rocks in the park.
A make-up class for those who have missed any of the Master Gardner training classes will be held in Georgetown on May 23. This class will also count as volunteer hours for others.
Under new business, Norm asked anyone who was interested in selling produce at the Farmers Market to contact him. Lisa wanted to take pictures for the new Master Gardener web site and asked for pictures from other events.
Projects now underway or soon to be underway include the Red Top Jail, Jr. Master Gardeners, the library, Historical Museum, and the butterfly garden at Care Inn.
Respectfully submitted by;
Lillie Baker, Secretary
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