CMGA General Info

The San Francisco Peaks as seen from Timberline 5 miles northeast of Flagstaff.
Photo by Cindy Murray.

Welcome to the Coconino County Master Gardeners Association blog. The mission of the Master Gardener Program is to create a corps of well-informed volunteers, and to deliver quality horticultural education programs adapted to our regional high elevation environment. The purpose of the association is to provide support for those volunteers and Master Gardener graduates, continuing education, and opportunities to participate in community programs that increase the visibility and participation in the Master Gardener Program.
The Coconino Master Gardener Association (2009) began in 2009. This blog contains information on:
-How to become a member
-Volunteer and Education hours reporting
-Calendar of Events
-General gardening information articles
-Master Gardener Association Documents and forms
-References and Resources
-Interesting Websites and Blogs
-Old Gardening Etcetera columns
-Recipes
-Book Reviews
-How to contact Board or Committee Members
Meetings are held monthly on the 2nd Thursday from 600pm - 8;30pm. We meet at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 1601 N. San Francisco. This includes continuing education and a business meeting.

Reporting Master Gardener Hours

All master gardener trainees and certified master gardeners need to report their hours.
Beginning in 2010 certified master gardeners need to have 6 Education hours and 12 Volunteer hours in order to maintain certification.The on line reporting system allows you to report Education or Volunteer hours. You can sign in to record hours in the right hand column under Recording Volunteer and Education Hours. Just click on the U. of A.
If you have any questions or concerns about the new reporting system, please contact Brenda Smith (A - M) or Sue Madden (N - Z). Their contacts are listed at the bottom of the blog under
Contacts.



Ideas for hours------
--Attend monthly meetings
--Work on an association committee
--Work at an informational booth for the Master Gardeners
--Be a speaker about gardening topics at a variety of venues

--Host a garden tour
--Work at a fundraising event (Plant Sale - Garden Tour).
--Work at a MG site (Olivia White Hospice, the Arboretum, Riordan Mansion, or school gardens (many others)). Check out the Assoc. Doc. & Forms under Volunteer Sites.
--Work in the Extension office
--Write an article for the newspaper column -Gardening Etcetera
-Volunteer with the Seed Library
Be creative! There are many ways to fulfill your hours. Just remember for volunteering it needs to be a non-profit endeavor or an approved for profit site.

Change in Contact Information

Have you moved or changed your e-mail address, but would still like to be contacted about high elevation gardening information from the Extension? The Coconino County Extension Master Gardener Program has a site that will let you change your information on-line.

Click here to change your contact information!

Event Calendar

Monday, June 28, 2010

Looking for a Volunteer

Joleen Kaye a Navajo woman who works as a Senior Companion at Ponderosa Pines nursing home is looking for someone to help get some gardening started at the facility again. They have some large pots and a raised bed on their outdoor patio, that were planted several years ago. Joleen comes several times a week and spends time with Native American residents who don't speak English. If you think you might be interested in helping please contact her 928-856-1032. They do have an activities director, so it might be just a short term project in getting things started. We did not discuss funding which might be an issue, but Viola's or Warner's may be willing to help with a few plants. We also just had a plant sale at hospice and have some leftovers that you could have. I did an inservice for the Senior Companion program and Warner's gave us some plants to work with. If you have any questions you can also call me. This is a great project to provide activity/gardening for those in need and provides another opportunity to give master gardeners visibility in the community.

Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
cnslds@q.com

Saturday, June 19, 2010

MG Association Minutes 6/17/10

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 6/17/10
Northland Hospice Office
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda
Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda. Introduction of speaker

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Volunteering Through Gardening Around the World: experiences highlighted in Lesotho, Malawi, Australia, and Costa Rica
Julie Lancaster
Julie talked about her experiences with the Peace Corp in Africa (Lesotho) and with an organization called WWOOF (Started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.) in Malawi, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. In each case she was working on gardening throughout the world. She was learning and providing education to people from those countries. WWOOF provides a great opportunity to travel while helping others with organic gardening. They usually provide accommodations and food in exchange for work – variable lengths of stay. Contact them for more information at: www.wwoof.org

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Molly Larsen

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Vice President – Steve Shield has resigned due to a move to Yavapai County. Jim Mast has appointed Crys Wells to fill his position.
Finance update – Ed Skiba and Jim Mast will open an account at AZ Central Credit Union. Steve Shields has added a check for $50 and we have another membership from Bob Cooper. Exact deposit will be reported at the next meeting.
Calendar update/Loni- Winning photos circulated. Calendars should be ready by August. – proofs in July. Fee will be decided when calendars arrive. The Extension is supporting the start-up costs and taking 9%. This should be a profitable endeavor with 250 ordered -75 break even.
Flagstaff Evening Garden club /Hattie– Jean to continue to coordinate. Hattie to set-up an e-mail list and find someone for each visit to take a headcount. Loni to put on blog and in the newspaper. Jean to remain the phone contact until phone is set-up at the extenson.
Telephone at the extension – Hattie has an extra line that is currently used for the Hotline and the association could be added along with the Garden Club.

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith
Speakers scheduled through January 2011. Check blog for updates.
Looking for writers for the column.
Community Programs
Flagstaff’s Community Market – Molly Larsen
Worked the 1st 2 Sunday markets with good visitation.
Need volunteers for the Wed. markets – 1st and 3rd Wed. 4-7pm– dlipboard circulated for volunteers. Art Babbitt would like to see us there on Sundays – will let us know.
Hattie will have a tent shelter available for set-up at these markets. May have people pick up with a key from the office.
Speakers Bureau
Need more speakers available
Hattie working on getting someone from Toastmasters to talk about speaking and will do tech training for those interested (PowerPoint)
Dana volunteered – Hattie will send application
Application on the blog
Home Show
Free booth in exchange for 3 speakers each day and advertising
Need speakers/topics for the Home Show – at least 3 for each day
Coordination MG Projects –Linda Guarino
Nothing new to report. Would like more volunteers on committee. Working on
finalizing list for 2010.
Volunteer Support/Social - Crys Wells
Update on volunteer/education hours
People are asking for total hours reported. Crys is not set up for this so you need to keep your own records with a calendar. If you are desperate for numbers for May-June contact her by e-mail for totals. This will only be available for the next month – after that you are on your own.
Scheduling fall recognition picnic – September 12 – Hattie to reserve picnic shelter.

8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions
Several had questions about ground squirrels. Some using moth balls with limited success. Hattie recommended checking the eXtension web site (www.extension.org) for current info on how to control. Info on traps can be found at the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (www.icwdm.org). For local help contact Dan Caputo one of our former speakers - Arizona Wildlife Consultants – 928-864-6768.
Another question about fruit trees budding but not setting fruit – suggested late frost may have killed buds. A suggestion to hang red Christmas ornaments before fruit sets to fool birds.
Third question about the best grass in light of new fees on water. Hattie said that Kentucky Bluegrass is the only walkable grass, others are attractive (Blue Gramma Grass, fescue), but clumpy and not lawnlike.

Next meeting: July 15, 2010
Microclimates and Gardening in Flagstaff Lee Born

Speakers for future meetings:
August 19 Bugs Freddie Steele
September 12 Recognition Picnic
October 14 Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean
November 11 School Gardens Sue Norris, Lyndsey Langsdale
December Holiday Party

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Friday, June 18, 2010

The Arboretum Full Moon Soiree

ARBORETUM SUMMER SOIRÉE

Enjoy an evening of fine dining in the gardens at The Arboretum.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff’s 2010 Summer Soirée will take place on the evening of Saturday, July 17. The 2010 event includes a silent and live auction, with the feature painting donated by renowned Navajo artist, Baje Whitethorne, Sr. Whitethorne will be present at the event. Auction items from local artists and businesses can be viewed in advance on The Arboretum’s website, thearb.org.
New this year is the “Remembrance Photograph” station as guests enter, sponsored by Cameron + Kelly Studios. Dinner is provided by Thornager’s Catering, featuring carving stations of smoked turkey and grilled leg of lamb. Local jazz trio, Zazu, will be the musical entertainment. Bill Blume, always a crowd pleaser, will serve as the auctioneer once again.

The evening in the gardens will be relaxing and entertaining with the San Francisco Peaks as a backdrop. Appetizers and a silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and the live auction begin at 6:30 p.m. By attending The Summer Soiree and contributing to the fundraising activities, you are helping to sustain the beautiful gardens and supporting important programming that visitors continue to learn from and enjoy. Please call to reserve tickets ($100 each) or sponsor a table at the $1000 level. For more information, please call (928) 774-1442, ext. 124 or email Elizabeth.Vogler@thearb.org.

The Summer Soirée is sponsored by Morning Dew Landscaping and Viola’s Flower Garden. Beverages provided by Pesto Brother’s Piazza and Nackard Beverage Company. Flowers donated by Splendid Things.

The Arboretum is a botanical garden, research center, and nature preserve dedicated to educating the public about the plants and plant communities of the Colorado Plateau. It is located four miles south of Route 66 on scenic Woody Mountain Road in West Flagstaff. The Arboretum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., April through October. General admission is regularly $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for children 3-17 and free for children under the age of 3. For more information, visit thearb.org or call (928) 774-1442.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Coconino MG Meeting Agenda 6/17/10

Northland Hospice Office – 452 N. Switzer Canyon Drive
(Parking in front of the building or in the lot just north of it.)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda
Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda. Introduction of speakers

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Volunteering Through Gardening Around the World: experiences highlighted in Lesotho, Malawi, Australia, and Costa Rica
Julie Lancaster

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments
Molly Larsen

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Vice President
Finance update – Ed Skiba
Calendar update
Flagstaff Evening Garden club
Telephone at the extension

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith
Speakers scheduled through January 2011. Check blog for updates.
Community Programs
Flagstaff’s Community Market – Molly Larsen
Need volunteers for the Wed. markets
Speakers Bureau
Need more speaker available
Need speakers/topics/Hattie working on getting someone from Toastmasters to
talk about speaking and will do tech training for those interested (PowerPoint)
Home Show
Free booth in exchange for 3 speakers each day and advertising
Coordination MG Projects –Linda Guarino
Volunteer Support/Social - Crys Wells
Update on volunteer/education hours
Scheduling fall recognition picnic – Sept. 12 or 19
8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions

Next meeting: July 15, 2010
Microclimates and Gardening in Flagstaff Lee Born

Speakers for future meetings:
August 19 Bugs Freddie Steele
September (12 or 19) Recognition Picnic
October 14 Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean
November 11 School Gardens Sue Norris, Lyndsey Langsdale
December Holiday Party


Continuing Education opportunities and Events:
June 20 Native Plant Society walk – Harte Prairie
June 23 AERA Summer Plant Walks – Elden Pipline
June 24 Workday at Olivia White Gardens 8am-12pm
June 26 Hummingbird Festival
Arboretum at Flagstaff
June 26 Plant & Garden Sale – Olivia White Hospice Home 10am-12pm
July 1 Workday at Olivia White Gardens – 8am-12pm
July 7 Flagstaff Wednesday Eastside Community Market Begins
July 8 Workday at Olivia White Gardens – 8am-12pm
July 10 Monsoon Madness – Plant & Garden Sale
Prescott Extension Office
July 13 MG Association Executive Committee Meeting
July 15 Workday Olivia White Gardens
July 15 Coconino MG Association Meeting
July 17 10% of Proceeds at Warners Donated to the Olivia White Gardens
July 18 AERA Summer Plant Walks – Kelly Canyon
July 20 AZ Native Plant Society – talk
Ethnobotany of the Hualapai
July 25 AZ Native Plant Society – walk
Eldon Pipeline Trail
July 30-Aug.1 NAU Sustainable Communities Program
Permaculture Design Course
August 8 AERA Summer Plant Walks – Little Springs Fern Mountain
August 12 AERA Summer Plant Walks – Griffin Springs
August 19 Coconino MG Association Meeting
August 27-28 11th Annual Arizona Highlands Garden Conference – Payson, AZ
September 8 AERA Summer Plant Walks – Buffalo Park
Oct 13-16 American Horticultural Therapy Association
Annual Conference – Chicago, IL
Oct 16 13th Annual School Garden Conference – Chicago, IL
Oct 14 Coconino MG Association Meeting
Nov 11 Coconino MG Association Meeting

For details on above opportunities check out the blog – coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com

Saturday, June 5, 2010

LaPlaza Viejo Gateway Clean-up

Hi MGs and future MGs – La Plaza Vieja Gateway Beautification Project (aka the Xeriscape Garden in front of Furniture Barn) needs some general cleanup and sprucing up. This is a project that Master Gardeners helped plant last year.

The cleanup day is:

Saturday, June 19th from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Site: SW Corner of Milton & Clay

Kim Sharp from the City of Flagstaff and members of La Plaza Vieja neighborhood association will also be there to help. If you can join us, please do. You will need the usual: gloves, a hat, and sunblock. I’ll bring water and some shovels and weeding tools.

Hattie

Garden Club Update from Jean Hockman

June 19: Visit the garden of Gail and Grady Bell
July 17: Visit the garden of Judith Chaddock
August 7: Visit the garden of Christine Orr

Our garden club will visit the garden of Gail and Grady Bell on Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
When: Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m.

What: Garden Visit. Gail writes:

My garden is a work in progress which I am sure will never be finished. We live in the country on 2 1/2 acres which over 22 years we have planted with about 200 trees and bushes. We have raised beds with railroad ties that contain flowers and some vegetables with a lot of flagstone used for patios and paths, with an irrigation system as complex as a small city.

Where: 5455 Snow Bowl Drive

Driving Directions: Ttake Highway 89 North past the mall about 3 miles. Turn left on Sunset which is just before the trailer park and across from Titan Propane Gas. If you go through the lights and pass the Silver Saddle Trading post you have gone too far. Turn Right on Silver Saddle, Left on Forest, Right on Ponderosa and Left on Snow Bowl Drive. The address is 5455 Snow Bowl Drive which is the third house on the right. It is best to park anywhere below the small hill. Parking on the grass is okay.

Phone 814-2296


Mark your calendars now for these scheduled events:

When: Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m.
What: Visit the garden of Judith Chaddock
Judith writes: After completing the Master gardener class I had my blue grass lawn removed and a 2500 gallon rain water tank installed to water native drought resistant flowering plants .
Where: 610 Dohmen Dr.
Driving Directions: Take Lake Mary road go past the Chevron, Dohmen is on the right about 1/4 mile from Chevron 610 is the 5th house on the right.
Phone: 928 779 3552 or 699 0896

August 7: Visit the garden of Christine Orr

Our group meets when a member invites us to his/her garden, arranges a trip, or plans a gardening event. To extend an invitation contact Garden@npgcable.com or phone Jean Hockman at 526 5813.
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Jean Hockman

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Native Plant Society Monthy Walk and Talk


Greetings Plant Enthusiasts!!!

Evening Program Talk-Tuesday June 15:
JOINT AZNPS/HERBARIUM POTLUCK AT 6:00 IN OUR USUAL MEETING ROOM TO HONOR DAVID HAMMOND.

Please join us to honor David, who started working at the Deaver Herbarium in 1994 after a long and distinguished career at the New York Botanical Garden. David has been the Treasurer of the Flagstaff Chapter of AZNPS for many years. Following the potluck, Susan Bean will talk on “So much more than trees,” the whole picture of the forest, understory included, with highlights from her flower almanac. Climate and microclimates will be discussed, also.

Field Trip-Sunday June 20: The field trip will be in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy’s Guided Nature Walk at Hart Prairie Preserve. These ninety-minute walks offer a wonderful opportunity to learn about the wildflowers and forest ecology of the Bebb’s willow community where AZNPS is conducting the second year of its PAPAZ project. After the TNC walk we will also wander through the adjacent Fern Mountain Botanical Area of the Coconino NF.

Evening Program Talk-Tuesday July 20, 7pm: Carrie Cannon, Ethnobotanist from Central Washington University, will discuss her thesis research of the ethnobotany of the Hualapai. Carrie has done many projects with the Hualapai elders and youth, including a recipe book, playing cards representing the plants, and agave roasts.

Field Trip-Sunday, July 25: Carrie will lead a plant walk at Elden Pipeline trail, in the “banana belt” of Flagstaff, where plants overlap with those on the Hualapai Reservation. She will discuss Hualapai names and uses of plants found here such as cliffrose, agave, and yucca.

Wednesday, August 25: Flagstaff Garden Competition Extravaganza 2010 (Awards Presentation). For flyer describing the competition, click here.

Sunday August 29: Flagstaff Garden Competition Tour of all the gardens.

Field Guide to Forest and Mountain Plants of Northern Arizona:

Judy Springer, Mark Daniels, and Mare Nazaire, the authors of the 650-pageField Guide to Forest and Mountain Plants of Northern Arizona. The field guide, published by the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University is designed for professional and amateur botanists, and anyone else who has an interest in the region’s rich diversity of plants. The book sells for $30 at the NAU Bookstore or online at www.nau.edu/bookstore

This is the first book of its kind for the higher-elevation ecosystems of northern and eastern Arizona. It includes information about more than 1,400 species of conifers, flowering trees and shrubs, grasses and grass-like plants, wildflowers, cacti and agaves, ferns and fern allies, and aquatics.

Nearly every species entry has a botanical illustration to help identify the plant. In addition, there are 288 beautiful, full-color photographs of various plant species. A complete index of both common and scientific names helps users navigate the book with ease.

“I hope the field guide will advance our understanding and appreciation of native plant species in our backyards and in the forests that surround us as we are faced with unprecedented challenges in this century, including the effects of projected climate change on the environment,” said ERI plant ecologist, Judy Springer.

The field guide also offers a snapshot of the geology, human history, and climatic events that have shaped the region from the San Francisco Peaks, along the Mogollon Rim, and into the White Mountains. Photo: Potentilla thurberi (scarlet cinquefoil) by Max Licher, Field Guide to Forest and Mountain Plants of Northern Arizona.

All talks are the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm (unless we note a time or date change). They are held in room 328 of the NAU biology building (building #21). Park in the NAU biology building parking lot at the corners of Franklin and Beaver Streets (free after 4:30). Enter the biology building through the door behind the bicycle racks, at the southeast corner of the building. Immediately after entering two sets of double doors go up the staircase to the third floor. The room is past the Deaver Herbarium, down the hall.