Flagstaff Tour of Artful Gardens

Volunteer opportunities are available to organize this 3rd year of the event.  CMGA is sponsoring along with Viola's Flower Garden. Proceeds help to fund our annual garden grants. For information, call Colleen Tucker  853-0315 or email (tuckercolleen@ymail.com) or Jenny Quarterman (jennyanneq@gmail.com).

Volunteer Opportunity

Friends of Willow Bend Gardens

Help restore the gardens at Willow Bend! Tasks include weeding, pulling and snipping willow suckers, removing shrubs, and clearing away rocks and debris.

Gloves and tools are provided, or bring your favorite tools if you’d like. Our first volunteer day will be July 25, 7:30-10:30 am. Contact Kathleen Satterfield: k.satterfield@yahoo.com

If you’re interested but unavailable on this date, email Kathleen and she’ll keep you posted on future opportunities.

2017 Master Gardener Class

Coconino Master Gardener Program

Location

Flagstaff Family Resource Center

4000 E. Cumming St.

Flagstaff AZ

Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2017 Coconino County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training Course. This course is part of a nation-wide certification program that provides horticulture training to volunteers for the purpose of enabling them to help their communities through horticulture education. This course is designed for those who are interested in learning more about high elevation gardening and who are willing to share this knowledge with others. Participants will learn the keys to successful gardening in high elevation environments. The course covers basic botany, soils, plant propagation, plant problem diagnosis, insect management, pruning, fruit tree care, vegetable gardening, Xeriscape, irrigation, ornamental plants, composting, and urban forestry. Class runs for 15 weeks.

Date: 

08/29/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

09/05/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

09/12/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

09/19/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

09/26/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

10/03/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

10/10/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

10/17/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

10/24/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

10/31/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

11/07/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

11/14/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

11/21/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

11/28/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

12/05/2017 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Cost: $215

Registration Required: Yes

Instructor / Presenter: Hattie Braun

Offers CEUs: No

Heirloom Seed Expo

The National Heirloom Expo features three full days of nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers that include Vandana Shiva, Ronnie Cummins, Jeffrey Smith, Robert Kennedy, Jr., along with many more.  More than 4000 varieties of local produce will by displayed.  Purchase gardening supplies, seeds, sustainable living goods, and so much more from 300 vendors.  The exhibit hall will be home to more than 150 heirloom related exhibits.
  
Follow this posting for further details - http://theheirloomexpo.com/

Seed to Table

Our Seed to Table program is back and looks to be better than ever!

AmeriCorps member Emily Melhorn has been working on recipes, Derek Bowerman is back to assist, Rebekah Glassy is our extern for the summer, and Brian Moody is on hand to make sure we take care of the Bus Stop Garden. Liz George and Lynn Schiek have helped with the planning and planting. Loren and Joyce Cunningham will join us in August for more salsa making and tasting. Trish and I are just sitting back and relaxing!

The first Seed to Table is Tuesday, June 13^th from 5-7pm at the Coconino County Extension (2304 North Third Street). 

We’ll cover growing greens, composting, kale smoothie tasting, washing of greens and a micro-perforated bags demo.

June 27: Radishes and Onions and Rainwater Harvesting

July 11: Pesto and Herbs and Growing Herbs and Produce in Containers

July 25: Green Beans, Soil Amendments and Planting for Fall Crops

I’ve attached the flyer for the 1^st four classes.

The final four dates are:

August 8: Cucumbers

August 15: Berries

August 22: Tomatoes and tomatillos

September 26: Harvest Party!

Hattie

Hattie Braun

County Director/Horticulture, Coconino County

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

2304 N. 3rd St.

Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Phone: 928-773-6118

FAX: 928-774-1860

Volunteer Opportunity

Request for Master Gardener Volunteers from Laura Davis

The Michael Moore Medicinal Plant Garden needs two or three volunteers to help move the plants from the Olivia White Hospice Home (OWHH) garden to its new home at the Willow Bend Environmental Center (WB).

-          the project will be ongoing throughout the summer

-          we will need to amend the soil at Willow Bend

-          do some design work

-          help with native medicinal plant guide for garden

-          move plants from OWHH to WB

-          plant new plants grown out at the NAU greenhouse

-          tidy up the gardens space at OWHH

-          may involve some native plant propagation, seed collection

Please email laura_s_davis@q.com if you are interested.

LEAF (Linking Edible Arizona Forests)

A new site has been added to Pages  on this blog under References & Resources. It provides the site for the organization LEAF (Linking Edible Arizona Forests). https://leafnetworkaz.org/. The site offers educational information about what trees are seen in AZ, where (what altitude), and how much water is required in addition to detailed planting info. Check it out!


HOW TO USE THE EDIBLE TREE GUIDE AT THE WEBSITE​
The LEAF Network’s Growing Edible Arizona Forests, An Illustrated Guide, helps you LEARN, CHOOSE, PLANT, CARE for, and HARVEST edible trees. We use the term edible trees to describe trees that produce fruits, nuts, seeds and pods that suit human tastes. Trees in people’s yards, communities, orchards and open spaces create Arizona’s Edible Forests. ​
You can download the entire Edible Tree Guide or go to sections of the Guide at this website to see more explanations, photos, illustrations, and resources to help you get started enjoying edible trees. At the top of each Guide section is a link that allows you to print that section. ​

Celtic Festival

If you are looking for volunteer hours there is an on line sign up with Vicky Neary to work in the Plant and Geology tent. Working in the tent will allow you free entrance.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4aaea622a4f94-2017

Prescott Garden Tour

Garden Tour in Prescott

Presented by The Native Garden

What: Self-guided driving tour of 5 local garde

When: Saturday, July 8^th 8:00AM –4:00PM

Where: Prescott, AZ (maps available day of the tour)

Tickets: $10.00, cash only

Purchase tickets at The Native Garden,

602 S. Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ

These gardens feature native/drought tolerant plants. Some also have vegetable gardens or fruit orchards and some have

a mixture of all of the above.

Garden owners will be in the gardens to answer questions. Get ideas for your own garden or just enjoy the day outdoors in the gardens.

Proceeds from the tour will be donated to The Hungry Kids Project. Ask for a brochure when you come to purchase your ticket.

Gardening Class at the SSLUG Garden

We are offering a one unit course June 23-25 at SSLUG Garden.   It is called Want to Grow a Better World:  Agrarian Skills for Positive Change.  We will review basic botanical and horticultural skills and knowledge and envision the many ways to use these skills to make positive changes our community and environment, while reinforcing knowledge with hands on projects in the garden and nearby sites at NAU.

I will be teaching.  Class is SUS 599 (Graduate level) and is suitable for anyone in the community. It is also offered as a workshop for $150. Times are Fri. 3-6pm, and Sat. & Sun. from 9am-4pm.

Jan Busco (jan.busco@gmail.com). 

Plant and Garden Sale

Volunteers are needed on June 24 to help with setup, vendors, the Master Gardener Table, and children’s activities.

We will collect garden related items to sell for the CMGA on June 23. You can drop items off at the extension office on the 23rd. Please do not drop them off earlier as we don’t have storage. We are looking for gently used garden books, tools, pots, and plants. Please – no irrigation equipment, fertilizers, pesticides, or items that are in bad shape. We need help to price items.

Several local growers, non-profits (including the CMGA) and businesses will be selling perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, houseplants, seeds, pots, books, bird feeders, garden tools, garden decor/art and more!

*Free Admission and Parking

*Master Gardener Education Table

*Kids' activities

*Proceeds to benefit the CMGA and local non-profits

For more information please contact:

Laura Davis at laura_s_davis@q.com or Judy Springer at 928-699-1027 or judyspringer@hotmail.com

CMGA Agenda

Coconino Master Gardener Meeting Agenda

Thursday, May 11 – 6:30pm

Viola’s Flower Garden

7085 S. State Route 89A

6:30pm – 6:40pm     Welcome – Sherline Alexander
6:40pm – 6:45pm      Introduction of Speaker – Gilli Thomas
6:45pm – 7:45pm     Education: Richard Hofstetter on “How to Attract Beneficial Insects
                                      and Deter Unwanted Insects in Your Garden”
15 minute break (refreshments)
7:45pm – 8:00pm     Raffle Prize Drawing – $1 each or 6 for $5 - Must be present to win
8:00pm – 8:25pm     Business Meeting – Sherline Alexander
     MG Coordinator Happenings - Hattie Braun
     Financial report – Molly Larsen
     Committee Reports:
     Volunteer Support – Crys Wells
     Fundraising – Cindy Krznarich
     Continuing Education – Gilli Thomas
     ·       July – Stephen Scott, Terroir Seeds – Using Cover Crops Including Raised Beds     
     ·        August – Cindy Krznarich – Preserving Your Harvest
     MG Projects – Jackee Alston
     Historian – Tammy Valdovino
     Community Markets – Andrea Guerrette
8:25pm – 8:30pm     Gardening Questions?         

Next meeting: June 8:  Judy Springer – Unique and Unusual Herbs to Grow at High Elevation

Gardening Ninjas Tour

Gardening Ninjas Tour!
Saturday May 13th
Do you feel like you're battling the elements when gardening in Flagstaff? Join Flagstaff Foodlink on a Garden Ninja Tour and discover the practical and innovative methods community members developed for successful food production and preservation.

9 - 11 a.m. Flagstaff EcoRanch - With a focus on education, water conservation, and community, Flagstaff EcoRanch is experimenting in sustainable living and gardening. Join founder Jeff Meilander for a farm tour and learn about growing under hoop houses, new water conservation techniques, and preserving food in a root cellar. Please park and carpool from the parking lot at the bottom of Snowbowl Road. Carpools running at 9 am and 10 am to Ecoranch.

Noon - 1 p.m. Forestdale Farm (455 Beech Dr.) - Tour Forestdale Farm's growing operation and see the innovative containers and systems in place that have led owners and Farm Stewards Rylan and Jamie to run a successful CSA and make value-added home- and health-care products. There will be plants, starts, and Farmacy products available for sale.

2 - 4 p.m. Elden Trails Bed and Breakfast (6073 N. Snowflake Dr.) - Join community leader and bed-and-breakfast owner Marnie Vail on a tour of her small, highly-efficient residential lot that maximizes 4-season growing. You'll see multiple rain water collection systems including 3 cattle tanks and 3 smaller tanks, efficient watering in 2 wicking garden beds, and 1 greenhouse. Take a peek in the carport and learn successful food storage and preserving options. (Additional directions: North on 89 past mall; turn left after light at Smokerise onto Winter (can only turn left); 2 blocks turn right onto Snowflake Drive; we are halfway up hill on left (you will see Elden Trails B&B sign).)

Fruit Tree Care in Edible Urban Landscapes

Arizona Community Tree Council Presents

Fruit Tree Care in Edible Urban Landscapes

 

Friday, June 9, 2017

Location:  Flagstaff Hirsch Center on 3350 Old Munds Hwy.

Time:  8:30am - 4:00pm

Deadline to Register May 26, 2017

Agenda:
8:30am – 9:00am registration

9:00 – 10:00 Selection of fruit trees for edible landscaping. 
Species and varieties that are suited for the various Arizona zones, including needed chill hours, water needs, pollination, tree size, tree lifespans, and microclimate considerations. Fruit trees come in four different sizes: Standard, semi-dwarf, dwarf, and less commonly, super-dwarf. How to choose a tree that will fit your space perfectly including when to consider growing urban fruit trees in containers. Successive ripening considerations.

10:00 – 11:30 Water harvesting to sustain fruit trees 
How to identify and harvest alternative sources of water to support edible trees including rainwater harvesting. Site designing with water harvesting in mind. Understand the watering needs of fruit trees and the surrounding landscape for best production results.

11:00 – 12:00 Propagation methods for fruit trees 
Exploring the various methods for propagating fruit trees including grafting, clonal propagation, cuttings, seeds and bare root.

Beekeeping Class

Master Gardeners – Are you interested in beekeeping? There are only 5 slots left for this introduction to beekeeping class being held Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hattie

Thinking about starting your own beehive, but don’t know where to begin? This two-day workshop will show you how to get started as a successful beekeeper, here in Flagstaff, and beyond.

Topics covered include:
• Essential tools and equipment
• Where to get the bees
• Biology and ecology of honeybees and flowering plants
• Best beekeeping practices

Cost: $150.00 (partial scholarships available)

More information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1789950061332332/

This event is co-sponsored by Honeybeeteacher LLC and City of Flagstaff Sustainability Program.

Agriculture to Appetites: Sustaining working Landscapes in a Changing Arizona

Master Gardeners: You are invited to the next Agriculture to Appetites to be held on April 18 at 6:30pm at NAU’s Ashurst Auditorium. Please see the attached flier for more information.

Agriculture to Appetites: Sustaining Working Landscapes in a Changing Arizona

Spring Presentation/Community Roundtable Series to focus on preserving agriculture

Agriculture is important to Northern Arizona, where long--‐standing traditions of farming and ranching provide good food, good jobs, and valuable open space. Yet these traditions are under fire due to a growing population, rising land prices, changing markets, threatened water supplies, and a warming climate.

Agriculture to Appetites: Sustaining Working Landscapes in a Changing Arizona is an interactive series of three evening events that will take a close look at how agriculture is dealing with these threats, and what might be done in the future. The sessions, to be held on three separate evenings in Clarkdale, Tuba City, and Flagstaff, will feature short presentations by regional experts and roundtable discussions among interested community members. Anyone interested in food is invited to attend—growers, marketers, chefs, hunters, elected officials, eaters. Participants will hear details about the challenges growers face, and about opportunities for helping regional agriculture grow and thrive—and they will be given the opportunity to share experiences and insights of their own. The topics addressed will include preserving agricultural open space, the safeguarding of water supplies and ecological integrity, and the development of local markets for locally produced foods. The discussions will particularly focus on establishing and nourishing mutually beneficial relationships between rural food producers and urban food consumers.

Contact: Peter Friederici, Director, 928-523-6378; Peter.Friederici@nau.edu

Hattie Braun

County Director/Horticulture, Coconino County

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

2304 N. 3rd St.

Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Phone: 928-774-1868 x 170

FAX: 928-774-1860

Compost Source at NAU

Here is the message I received  from a friend at NAU regarding compost. Please contact Cat if you are interested.

Howard is looking forward to distribute some more blue ribbon compost! We have a few interested folks this Friday from 8am-10am. If anyone is available and interested in compost please let me know! Hoping to see you all and please let friends know too! We can also plan other dates too. Howard’s schedule for pick-ups is Monday-Friday 6am-10am.

Thank you and happy composting!

Cat

 Catherine Sullivan

Sustainability Specialist NAU Campus Dining

Catherine.Sullivan@nau.edu

928-523-5620 Office

Campus Dining Sustainability

NAU Compost Program

Nolo Bait Available

Master Gardeners: The Garden Club places a large order of NoLo Bait, a biological insecticide to suppress grasshoppers each year and shares the bait among its friends and members. The cost should be approximately $6.00/pound. Your order must be placed by Friday April 28 .  No orders will be accepted after April 28. 

To participate in this group order,  email Jean Hockman  hockman.jean@gmail.com with the number of pounds you want  to purchase. Once it arrives, she will divide the shares,  and notify you by email that it's time to pick up your share and tell you the cost/pound. You can pay when you pick up your share.  Expect the order to arrive no later than May 12.

For more information about Nolo and how much to use, visit  http://www.goodbug.com/nolobait.html

Jean Hockman

Ph: 928 526 5813

Hattie Braun

County Director/Horticulture, Coconino County

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

2304 N. 3rd St.

Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Phone: 928-774-1868 x 170

FAX: 928-774-1860

 

Firewise Landscaping Contest

Once again, there will be a FIREWISE LANDSCAPING CONTEST

The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership and the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

are hosting a FireWise Landscaping Contest. Join us and prepare your home for wildfire season while creating a beautiful FireWise landscape.

A TOTAL OF $1000 IN PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP CONTESTANTS

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MAY 12, 2017JUDGING BEGINS MAY 15, 2017

The reception will be May23.

For more information and ideas on how to make your property FireWise,

visit:  www.Firewise.org

Hattie Braun

County Director/Horticulture, Coconino County

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

2304 N. 3rd St.

Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Phone: 928-774-1868 x 170

FAX: 928-774-1860

Fruit Trees for Flagstaff/Apple Grafting

Happy Spring!

In the spirit of Johnny Appleseed, I am on a mission create more tiny orchards in Flagstaff backyards, community gardens and schoolyards. I have been frustrated over the years trying to find locally adapted apple varieties that are known to thrive in our high desert climate. I am teamed up with TerraBIRDS and collected scion apple wood from established Flagstaff “rock star” trees this winter. Now we will be hosting a hands on workshop for Master Gardeners and others to graft them onto semi dwarfing rootstock. The project is a partnership between TerraBIRDS and A Wild Farmer Consulting. The goal is to graft apple 150 trees, so we have work to do! The Ponderosa High Greenhouse and Environmental science class will care for the trees at the school nursery. In spring 2018, we will plant grafted trees in Flagstaff community and school gardens with TerraBirds. We will sell the remaining trees to the public at the Flagstaff Farmer’s Market to benefit the Ponderosa High school gardening program and help cover the cost of materials and care. By participating in this workshop you will learn all about apple trees and help us make more trees available to our community.

Apple grafting workshop details:

When: Saturday, April 1
Where: Ponderosa High School 2384 N Steves Blvd, #B

Time: 9am-12pm

Cost: Free

Bring: Grafting knife if you have one or a very sharp knife.

Please email Kate Watters @ agavemariadesign@gmail.com if you would like to participate or have any questions.

Kate Watters

​​

A Wild Farmer

Planting words, like seeds, under rock and fallen logs--letting language take root, once again, in the earthen silence of shadow and bone and leaf. 

~ David Abram, The Spell of the Sensuous

Spring Into Seed Starting

Tuesday, April 11 at 6 PM - 8 PM

Coconino County Extension

2304 N. 3rd St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004

 

Come for a free talk on seed starting. There will be hands-on learning opportunities plus an introduction to the seed library and how to use it. Bring your questions and enthusiasm for gardening!

Seed - the film

Flagstaff Community Film Night featuring: Seed

 Monday, April 10, 630pm-930-pm

Orpheum Theater 

 

Don’t miss the award-winning SEED: The Untold Story in
Flagstaff on Monday, April 10th at the Orpheum Theatre!

In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds,
farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers fight a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these reluctant heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a
culture connected to seeds.

This exciting evening will also include a feature short film produced by STAR School elementary students, tabling by local food organizations and student groups, and an amazing group of panelists. Panelists will discuss how seed saving, biopiracy, and GMOs affect our local community. Doors open at 5:30 with programming beginning at 6:15.

$1 for each ticket will be donated to the local non-profit organization Flagstaff Foodlink:

www.flagstafffoodlink.com

SEED comes from the filmmakers behind Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? and the Real Dirt on Farmer John. The film features Dr. Jane Goodall, Vandana Shiva, Winona LaDuke, and Andrew Kimbrell.

Sponsors of the event include:
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff Foodlink
Grand Canyon Trust
Museum of Northern Arizona

Flagstaff community Seed Swap

MARCH 24 -4-7pm

Flagstaff Community Seed Swap

Join Flagstaff Foodlink, Coconino County Cooperative Extension, Northern Arizona University SSLUG Garden, Flagstaff Sustainability Program, and the Grow Flagstaff Seed Library at the Coconino County Cooperative Extension office for a community seed swap.

Seeds are a great way to share our local food heritage.

How to participate:
- Bring seeds if you have them (veggies, herbs, flowers, Arizona natives)
- Provide information on seed variety, year collected, location grown, tips from your personal experience.
- Bring envelopes in which to package seeds to take home and a pen to label your seeds.

New to gardening? No seeds to exchange? No problem. Everyone will leave with new seeds in their pocket.

After swapping seeds at the seed exchange, you can visit and signup for the Grow Flagstaff Seed Library located at the extension office.

Coconino County Cooperateve Extension

2304 N. 3rd St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004