September-October 2007
A Note from the President
By Sandy Shaw
Well, Llano Master Gardeners, what a great job everyone is doing! I know how busy you all are with other interests and with life in general. It makes me proud to see the projects that you are working on finished and in progress. The Park project, Pioneer Park, is going well. We are in a little bit of a lull this month, some of our main “players” are away. We’re also waiting on the city to anchor the benches before we continue to work and finish up. Those involved with this project are John Collins, Dave and Inell Franks and Roy Petty. They have worked in heat, humidity, am/pm, sunshine, rain-it looks great. Dave and Inell are the rock experts, no one weeds like Roy and John is the idea man!
The Jr. Master Gardener group met for the second planning at Patty Kuykendall’s a couple of weeks ago. They made a plan and will be in the 3rd and 4th grade science classrooms in October. How exciting! There are eight involved in this project-Patty Kuykendall, Candace Hauser, Janice Shannon, Joan Myers, Gerry Gilbert, Sandy Osbourn, Jennifer Adams and Celia Griffin. Good work you all.
We had a banquet committee meeting, made a plan and carried it out with great results for the Extension Banquet this past Tuesday evening. Celia Griffin called together Janice Shannon, JoAnn Coston and Barbara Spain. They set a theme and did the work and everyone loved it.
Most of you have seen the wonderful project report that was put together by our three Castell/Mason MGer’s, Susan Chadwick, Martha Rowlett and Kathy Hardin. They landscaped a Habitat for Humanity House in Mason. They made a plan, were funded by HH and did the work! What a great job. Impressive thing about this project is the documentation. The ladies even made a plan, a “how-to” to take care of plants for the new homeowner who never has taken care of a garden before. I have a copy of the project and will be glad to share with anyone who didn’t see it at the monthly meeting.
And then there is our webmaster, Lisa Miller. Lisa has set us up on Llano’s very own web site. I am really impressed with this, because you all know I am almost computer illiterate and even I’m able to take part in this. I think you all have the address, if not, it is: http://llanomastergardener.org/.
Patti Felts has made a plan for Red Top Jail and it’s perfect. Barbara is working on the Library plan. We will call a meeting soon and share the work, set a “dig/work” date and get on it. It is summer, it’s hot and folks are vacationing, but we’ve got a wonderful start.
Last month five of you, John Collins, Roy Petty, Dave and Inell Franks and Lisa Miller certified, and there are several to certify this month. I hope I haven’t left anyone’s accomplishments out in this “brag sheet”! It’s just such fun to see our progress. Thanks to all for the hard work, we really do make a difference in our community. See you on projects or September 20 at our monthly meeting.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Inell
Inell Franks, one of our newest members, had surgery in Corpus Christi on Tuesday, August 21. We wish her a speedy recovery and are looking forward to seeing her back. Cards can be mailed to her at 16707 RR 2323, Llano, TX 78643 or e-mail her at ifranks@hotmail.com. She could use the words of encouragement.
Certification Requirements
By Lillie Baker, timekeeper
With the interns working so hard on certification, I want to clear up some concerns about keeping the time sheets, earning hours and what happens after certification. As you know, you need 50 hours the first year to become certified. In order to retain the title “Master Gardener”, individuals are required each year to participate in a minimum of 6 hours of education hours and an additional 12 hours of volunteer service hours. Documentation is required.
As time keeper, I record your hours as you report them to me. After I have recorded your hours, I will contact you with your total hours. If you report your hours to me via e-mail and do not get a reply within a few days, you need to re-report—something happened to the e-mail. I will always let you know I received your hours. In this fashion, you will know how many hours you have.
Volunteer hours should be educational in nature, supportive of Texas Cooperative Extension mission, objectives and issues. Also the activity should be identified as sponsored (or co-sponsored) by Texas Cooperative Extension. Approval of a project for volunteer hours should be given by the County Extension Agent or Master Gardener Coordinator. Master Gardeners aid the Extension by conducting school garden projects, answering phone requests on horticultural information, establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens, working with special audiences in the community and designing and implementing community improvement projects, as well as coordinating Master Gardening projects. You can find answers to other questions you may have about the association on the Texas Master Gardeners website or on the Aggie Horticulture website then click the Texas Master Gardeners link.
September-October Events
September 1-3 - Austin Cactus and Succulent Society Fall Show and Sale. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Zilker Botanical Garden. For information call: 512-327-1173
September 13 - Oak Wilt Seminar Kerrville, Texas 9:00-4:00 Kerr County Extension Office, 3655 Hwy. 27 S. Hosted by Roy Walston, CEA Kerr County Mark Duff, Texas Forest Service. Fee: $10.00 RSVP to jhouser@tfs.tamu.edu. Deadline September 11
September 15 - Herb Association Of Texas Annual Conference: Explore the Five Senses through Herbs at Brenham. To find out more or to register, go to www.texasherbs.org or call 830-257-6732. Deadline for advance registration is September 7.
September 20 - Monthly Meeting of Llano Master Gardeners. Llano Extension Office, 5:30 p.m.
September 22 - Native Plant Society of Texas 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 1800 N. Llano St. (Hwy 16 North) Admission $30.00 (non-members) Wildscapes: Waterwise Gardening for Birds, Plants and People. Speakers: Jill Nokes, Horticulturist, Austin Landscape Design; Dr. Calvin Finch, Conservation Director, San Antonio Water System; Skip Richter, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent; Katherine Crawford, Ingram Landscape Designer. For information call: 830-997-9960
September 25 - Tap Into Rainwater for In-Home Use - Boerne, Texas. Contact: rainwaterharvesting@baen.tamu.edu for questions.
September 29 - Ready, Set, Fall - Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Free with $3.00 parking fee. Travis County Master Gardeners Association, Texas A&M Extension Service, Director of Horticulture at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. More information: http://www.tcmastergardeners.org/html/events.html
October 18 - Monthly Meeting of Llano Master Gardeners, Llano Extension Office, 5:30 p.m.
October 18-21 - Native Plant Society of Texas Annual Symposium Sun City, Admission: Registration Required. Williamson County Chapter of Native Plant Society and Native Prairies Association of Texas are hosts. For more information,
http://www.npsot.org/symposium2007/home/index.shtml
October 20 - Heritage Day Llano, Texas. Llano Master Gardeners will host a booth of information, sell plants and registration for the new Master Gardener class.
October 20-21 - First Austin African Violet Society. Austin Area Garden Center, Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. Free 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact information: 512-365-1818
April 24-26, 2008 - Texas Master Gardeners State Convention. Montgomery County (Conroe), Texas. For more details see: http://www.2008texasmastergardenerconference.org/
Now that we are in September and fall is around the corner, it is time to think about fall gardening activities and projects. Two wonderful sites to check out for what to be doing and what to be planting are Central Texas Gardener for September and for October. Even though our soils are not the same as in Austin, our temperature is very similar.
Another great site to find information on fruit and nut trees check out Fruit and Nut Resources. Harvesting of pecans will begin in October. Pears and apples are being harvested now. There is a lot information available on this site. Another interesting site, for those who like to cook with what they produce, check out Plant Answers recipe index.
This is the best site I have found for water gardens, Water Gardens in Texas. Plant Answers Publications has information on just about anything you want you learn. If you are asked to give a presentation, here is your information!
A great Fall Planting Guide can be found on this site. It has a place to click on for spring when that time of the year comes.
Since the Llano Master Gardeners may sell herbs at their booth on Heritage Day in October, it may be informative to read up on some herbs at This Site.
Hope you find some of these sites helpful to you.
Home Gardening Do's and Don'ts
Do:
1. Use recommended varieties for your area of the state.
2. Sample soil and have it tested every 2 to 3 years.
3. Apply preplant fertilizer to garden area in
recommended manner and amounts.
4. Examine garden often to keep ahead of potential problems.
5. Keep garden free of insects, diseases, and weeds.
6. Use mulches to conserve moisture, control weeds,
and reduce ground rot.
7. Water as needed, wetting soil to a depth of 6 inches.
8. Thin when plants are small.
9. Avoid excessive walking and working in the
garden when the foliage and soil are wet.
10. Wash and clean garden tools and sprayer well after
each use.
11. Keep records on garden activities.
Don't:
1. Depend on varieties not recommended for your area, but do try limited
amounts of new releases.
2. Plant so closely that you cannot walk or work in the garden.
3. Cultivate so deeply that plant roots are injured.
4. Shade small plants with taller growing crops.
5. Water excessively or in late afternoon.
6. Place fertilizer directly in contact with plant roots or seeds.
7. Allow weeds to grow large before beginning to cultivate.
8. Apply chemicals or pesticides in a haphazard manner or without reading
the label directions.
9. Use chemicals not specifically recommended for garden crops.
10. Store leftover diluted spray.
Using What We Grow
This is my favorite marmalade. I started making this when I was in my 20’s so you know I have made it a long time. I found my recipe in a cookbook by Kerr Canning Company but this one came from the recipe site mentioned in Just Some Interesting Information. It may not be the recipe for everyone since everyone does not like to can. But if you want something different to use as a Christmas gift or for your table and have plenty of pears, try this recipe. It makes a pretty jar with the red cherries, yellow pineapples and white pear. Enjoy!
PEAR AMBER MARMALADE
2 oranges
4 pounds pears (9 cups, diced)
2 cups canned crushed pineapple
Sugar-See below - Add half as much sugar (drained)
as fruit mixture
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 8-oz. bottle maraschino cherries (thinly sliced)
WASH and remove peel from oranges. Add 1 quart of water to peel and boil 5 minutes. Drain and discard water. Add another quart water, boil 5 minutes. Drain and discard water. Grind the peel and the peeled oranges together. Wash, pare and remove core of pears, cut into small pieces. Combine oranges, pears and pineapple. Measure. Add half as much sugar as fruit mixture. Add lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Cook rapidly until almost thick (about 40 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add cherries and cook about 5 minutes longer. Pour into sterilized Kerr jars to within 1/2 inch of top. Put on cap, screw band firmly tight. Process in Boiling Water Bath 10 minutes. Yield: 6 eight oz. jars.
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