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, July 13, 2015

Seed Library



 
Gardening Etcetera: Growing a Seed Lending Library for Flagstaff

AZ Daily Sun July 03, 2015 12:24 am  •  JACKEE ALSTON

When I walked into the small, public library in Brandon, VT, it only took me a moment to notice the quaint, 15-drawer card catalog with a hand-painted sign over it, “Seed Lending Library”. I fell in love with the idea as soon as I opened a drawer. A place for the community to borrow flower and vegetable seeds, grow them, and then return the seeds from that year’s harvest? Sold. In a town of 1,500 people, I knew if Brandon could support a seed library, so could Flagstaff and Coconino County. Today there are over 400 seed lending libraries cropping up all over the United States. These libraries offer seeds not only encapsulating the potential for families to feed themselves, but locally-proven seeds with a history of success—some as ancient as the first people to inhabit the area. This summer a seed library will open to the public at the University of Arizona Coconino County Cooperative Extension Office located on 2304 North 3rd Street. Dubbed Grow Flagstaff! Seed Lending Library, seeds will include flower and vegetable varieties adapted to grow in our climate conditions, as well as native seeds attractive to local gardeners.
What is a seed library and how does it work? A seed library is a storehouse of open-pollinated or heirloom seeds available to the community as a free - though priceless - service much like a book lending library. It is based on an easy membership form and relies on the return of next generation seeds from its patrons as well as donations from local gardeners and seed companies. By collecting and providing a pure source of seeds optimal for our local conditions and the knowledge on how to grow them, a seed library promises that people will have a better chance of becoming successful gardeners each year.

Love A Lot Project

Subject: Work Day this Saturday July 18 - 9am-11 am or noon
Greetings all! 
Many thanks to all who have been pitching in to keep our SFdA grounds so beautiful!   And Praise God for the marvelous sun and rain!
Our current Public Enemy # 1 is the Diffuse Knapweed - now in full bloom and making itself at home all along the North Driveway.  (pics attached and below)
Don't let its delicate flowers fool you - this character is INVASIVE and strangles out more desirable grasses and flowers.
Shovels and picks can help get its deep taproot out - but at this point in the plant's life cycle, we can also use loppers or pruners to cut it off close to the ground.  Please carefully bag this for the trash so seeds will not spread.
 

Friday, July 10, 2015

Organic Gardening Month at Garlands






-
July is Organic Gardening Month  
at Garland's Oak Creek Lodge 
To celebrate and educate the benefits of gardening and sustainable eco-friendly products, Garland's Oak Creek Lodge will be hosting the first annual Organic Gardening Month with four events throughout the month, with all proceeds benefiting the programs of Gardens for Humanity. 
  • Practices and Principles of Organic Beekeeping (more>)
  • A Day in the Garden - Tour the Garland's Orchard & Garden with Tips from the Experts (more>)
  • An Afternoon of Pairs - Tasting Event Featuring Local Wines, Chocolates and Cheeses (more>)
  • Meet the Chef: A behind the scenes look at Garland's Kitchen with Chef Brian Widmer  (more>)

Thursday, July 9, 2015

CMGA Meeting


Master Gardener Meeting Agenda 7/9/15
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco

6:30pm – 6:35pm             Welcome – Jim Mast

6:35pm – 6:40pm             Dana Prom Smith – Loni Shapiro
                                            
Announcements               Meeting Raffle – $1 each or 6 for $5 - Must be present to win

6:40pm – 6:45pm             Introduction of speakers Loni Shapiro

6:45pm- 7:45pm               Continuing EducationJackee Alston, Nichole Gregory, Loni Shapiro -                                            Seed Saving/Seed Library
15 minute break
7:45pm-8:00pm                Raffle Prize Drawing
     Refreshments provided by Carol Chicci and Leslie Perrish

8:00pm - 8:25pm              Business Meeting – Jim Mast

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

CMGA 1st Annual Garden Tours



Flagstaff Tour of Artful Gardens

Saturday July 25, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Experience seven creative gardens and outdoor living spaces on a self-guided tour.

$12 per person

Maps available the day of the event at Viola’s Flower Garden (2654 E. Rte 66)

Tickets, Information, and Reservations: CT 853-0315
Sponsored by Viola’s Flower Garden and Coconino Master Gardeners Assoc.