Contest for Garden Photos

Julia Child Rose by Laura Davis

The Master Gardener Association will be creating a calendar for 2011 as a fund raiser. A photo of your garden or pictures you have taken of another garden could be featured in this calendar. The calendar will have 13 color photos of gardens or flowers/vegetables in the Flagstaff area. Photos should be of gardens in Coconino County and horizontal shots are preferred for the 9x12 calendar. They can be summer or winter photos and landscape or individual flowers. The photos need to be taken with a digital camera as they will be sent to the company making the calendars digitally. We need a copy of the photos sent to the association for judging (4 x 6 photos are adequate).

Cooperative Extension Office
Attn: Loni Shapiro/Master Gardener Association
2304 N. 3rd Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Officers of the Master Gardener Association will decide on which photos will be used at their May meeting (5/11/10). Once winners are chosen we will then request that a digital file be sent to us.



Olivia White Hospice Garden
February 2010
Photo by Loni Shapiro



Olivia White Garden Inferno Strip
Swallowtail Butterfly on Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Photo by Loni Shapiro

Our goal is to have the calendars ready by the time our 2010 High Elevation Garden Conference is held in Gila County (August). They will be sold there first and any leftovers can be purchased from the Association for the remainder of 2010.

Please get your photos in before the deadline - May 3rd, 2010. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail Loni Shapiro - maxmaddy@infomagic.net.

Notes from a Lecture on Pine Trees

On Tuesday evening, March 23, the first AZNPS meeting had Brad Blake from the NAU Greenhouses as a speaker. His department was responsible for raising trees for the Rodeo-Chediski Fire area - "Trees for the Rim". Many master gardeners participated in that project. His talk on Tuesday was about 10 pine trees that can be found in Arizona. The US has 35 different speciies and Mexico has 47. The only state with more than Arizona is California with 17 species.

Pines in Arizona:
*Ponerosa - Pinus ponderosa
---State tree of Montana - 3 needle - 150 ft. tall - 3-4 foot diameter - 300/500 years
*Single Needle Pinyon - Pinus monophylla
---Variety of the mexican Pinyon
*Bristlecone - Pinus aristata
---5 needle pine, similar to limber pine but cones are smaller and have incurved prickles or bristles on the tips of the cone scales. Rings counted to 4,600 years. The pines in CA, NV and UT a separate species Pinus Longaeva
*Limber - Pinus flexilis
---Needles bunched at the end of the twigs unlike the bristlecone. Branches are limber which is an advantage at high elevations with winds and heavy snows. Ground and red squirrels, chipmuns, pinyon jays and magpies eat the seeds, and mule deer, elk and mose brouse its foliage
*Chihuahua -Pinus leiophylla var. chihuahuana
---Relatively small pine 35-50 feet and 2 feet in diameter. 3 needles pale waxy green and 2-4 inches long. Cones 1.5 to 2.5 inches long and light chestnut brown. They stay on the tree for years. Can be found in the Chihuahuan National Monument in Southern Arizona
*Pinyon - Pinus edulis
---New Mexico's state tree. Often has a crooked trunk, no more than 35 feet tall, 100-150 years, 6-10 inches in diameter. Chunky cones with pinyon nuts, pitchy fragrant firewood.
*Five Needle Ponderosa - Pinus ponderosa var. arizonica
---5 needle pine has shorter cones and thinner needles
*Southern White - Pinus flexilis var. reflexa
---Strong reflexed tips of the cone scales. Pale blue green needles in bundles of 5 in 3-5 inch lengths unlike the limber pines 1.5 to 3 inches. Santa Rita Mts. of AZ.
*Border Pinyon - Pinus cembroides (Mexican Pinyon)
---Has 3 needles from 1-2 inches long. Cones are irregular and stubby. Seeds are sold in markets throughout the SW. Largest of the pinyon nuts. Can be up to 20 feet high and 250-350 years old.
*Apache - Pinus engelmannii
---Occurs in SE Arizona. Similar to the poderosa (3 needle) but very long needles. 250-500 years, 50-60 feet tall and 3 feet through. Bark darker than the ponderosa and needle lighter green.

Not all can be found in the Flagstaff area. Many are only seen in the southern part of the state. On Sunday, Brad Blake will be doing a tour of the NAU greenhouse. You will learn about all the projects that they are involved in.

He also suggested taking a tour of the campus Arboretum. NAU has a brochure with a map of all the trees that are part of that. There are three different walks with a variety of trees (native and non-native) that grow in the Flagstaff area. Brochures are available or check on-line at www.nau.edu/arboretum.

Forager's Path School of Botanical Studies

Looking for more information about foraging, making your own herbal medicine, some continuing education hours for certification. Check out this web site for information and their schedule of classes:
Forager's Path School of Botanical Studies

The Forager's Path School of Botanical Studies specializes in herbal medicine of the American Southwest and the healing traditions of Indian Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The focus of our school is to provide you with quality learning experiences in both theories and practical application of healing traditions and herbal medicine. We offer a wide range of classes, plant walks, and workshops that are designed to enable you to become more knowledgeable about your own health needs, and to provide you with the essential skills to help others.

Our director and main instructor is Mike Masek. He has been studying herbs for more than 20 years and considers himself a lifelong student. He is a graduate of the Clinical Herbalist program at the New Mexico Herb Institute, directed by Tieraona Low Dog, MD, and a graduate of the Ayurvedic Healing program from the American Institute of Vedic Studies, instructed by Dr. David Frawley, OMD. He completed a three year apprenticeship in Chinese healing and herbalism while living in Asia. He has been a member of the American Herbalist Guild for over 15 years. Mike has a deep knowledge and understanding of plants and healing which he enjoys teaching to others during our courses and workshops.

Here are some additional locations at which our herbal medicine courses have been taught:

~ Northern Arizona University
~ Coconino Community College
~ Yavapai Community College
~ Ancient Pathways
~ The Arboretum in Flagstaff
~ Willow Bend Environmental Education Center
~ Grand Circle Field Institute
~ National Park Service

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Spring Events

If you're planning on heading south in the coming weeks head over to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA). Beautiful weather, intriguing plant talks and an amazing plant sale.

Spring Plant Sale at BTA Daily Through March 28
Plants, Lectures, Tours --- Special Guests

Boyce Thompson Arboretum's annual spring plant sale fundraiser continues
daily through March 28 -- here's a quick rundown on events of prime
interest to master gardeners, wildflower fans and AZ botano-philes:

* Bonsai Lecture & Class March 17
* "Weeds or Wildflowers?" walk with Patti Fenner March 21
* Legumes of AZ Tour with Author Matt Johnson March 23
* Lunchtime concert - guitar jazz with Uno-Dos March 28
* Edible / Medicinal Desert Plants Walking Tour with Dave Morris March 28

For more information check out the BTA website at
http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/events/plantsale.html

AZNPS Volunteer Opportunity

Would you be interested in volunteering for Jan Busco, Horticulturist at the Grand Canyon, and co-author of Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens, and the Vegetation Crew at Grand Canyon National Park?

The Flagstaff Chapter of AZNPS is organizing a volunteer opportunity on the South Rim, and we are trying to plan it so as many people as possible can take part.

These are the time frames that we can choose from: May 1-2 (2 days at Desert View); May 15-16 (2 days at Desert View); May 28-31 (4 days at South Rim); July 9-11 (3 days at South Rim); Aug 7-8 (2 days at South Rim). We would go up the evening before, so we could start working at 8:00 the next morning.

There would be a variety of projects: plant salvage, restoration site planting and maintenance, and invasive plant removal.

There is a lot more information on the website www.gcvolunteer.org. (Click on Grand Canyon.) We would be camping at a site provided by the Park, and lunch would be provided by them also. We could do breakfast as a group, and we could go out for supper. No plans have been finalized.

So if you would like to get in on the fun, please call me (Dorothy Lamm) at 928-779-7296 or email me at Lammke@msn.com by Wednesday, March 24 to share your ideas and preferences. We will have a fabulous time.

Thanks,
Dorothy Lamm

Spring Garden Classes at CCC

Extending the Season AG118 (13652 CRN)
4/2/2010-4/4/2010 Friday-Sunday
Howell-Costion

The classes are each 1 credit hour - $80 each (include $5 tech fee and $5 material fee)
To register on line www.coconino.edu
Phone 1-800-350-7122
Open registration at the 4th Street Campus January 4-8 8am-6pm

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 3/18/10

Attending:
Loni Shapiro, Freddie Steele,Val Bryant,Gretchan & Dana Prom Smith,Julie Holmes, Irene Mathews,Steve Shields,Gwen Koreltz, Ann Eagan, Jim Mast, Joe & Susan Harte, Judith Chaddock,Crys Wells, Andra & Galen Guerrette, Sabrina Kager, Ruth Ellis, Jeanne Baker

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda
Jim Mast
Reviewed agenda
Sabrina Kager-Robinson introduced speaker

6:40pm-7:25pm Continuing Education
Selection and Care of Houseplants
Speaker: Jeanne Baker Foliage Unlimited
Jeanne has been with Foliage Unlimited for 25 years in Flagstaff. With her staff they care for houseplants throughout Flagstaff.


Chinese Evergreen

First she discussed selecting the right plant – Home Depot/Safeway vs a nursery plant. Often store plants have shallow roots (grown quickly for sale), are not well cared for due to need for quick sale, and may have more problems (fungus gnats, etc). In selecting the right plant you need to think about where it is going (exposure, light), and quality you want.

The 2nd part of her talk was about what it needs (light, water, fertilizing). Some quick tips on each:
Light – exposure, thinner the leaf the more light needed (exception succulents), the more color the more light

Water – “killing with kindness” too much water most frequent problem, more light-warmth will need more water.Sign’s of over watering – leaf drop, yellowing, root rot (usually kills), black new growth. Tips for deciding on water and preventing problems – check with finger in 1 inch of soil, lift pot to see if it is heavy, water from bottom first If very dry then evenly over top. Don’t soak too much when initially planting (roots need air/space to move out).

Temperature – not that critical other than protecting from freezing (window sills, drafty areas, cold house (below 55F)

Fertilizing – only half of the year rest the other half, Jeanne uses Miracle Grow and Superthrive (1 drop per gallon of water, 10 drops per gallon for a tree). Superthrive is good for transplants and stressed plants.

Diseases – keep plant clean to prevent (50% water/50% rubbing alcohol, drop of kitchen soap, tsp. mineral oil). Spay the leaves and wipe off, trim dead material, trim new growth if too tall to get more growth in the middle. Spider mites/mealy bugs – pure rubbing alcohol

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) given as easiest to care for and attractive.
Other individual questions by those attending were answered. Contact Jeanne for any questions about houseplants or to hire her company to care for plants 928-779-2060.

7:25pm-7:40pm Social/refreshments
Thanks to Ann Eagan

7:40pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:40pm-8:10pm Vote on Temporary Bi-laws to be made permanent Crys Wells – Approved as written
Call for nomination of officers. (Members only) – None added
Vote to include those nominated last month. (Members only) - Approved
President Jim Mast
Vice President Steve Shields
Treasurer Ed Skiba
Secretary Loni Shapiro
Report from Temporary Executive committee meeting – Jim Mast
Jim reviewed the Temporary Executive Committee ideas and asked for further suggestions from those attending. They are noted below.
Skip meeting in September/December (Annual Recognition Picnic – Holiday Party)
Meeting schedule will remain 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at Northland Hospice for 2010.
The community at large can attend the lecture, but the meetings are for Master Gardeners and trainees.
Retain connection with U. of A. Benefits are recognition, insurance coverage, and
support.
Open bank account under a non-profit for any fund raising activity
Publicity
Continue with previous activities (Sunday Markets), work towards annual participation in Home Show (Steve), blog, U. of A site, newspaper as appropriate, speakers bureau
Fundraising
Jim reviewed what Yavapai County has done?
Plant and Garden Sale? Group liked this idea. We will need someone to head a committee and find help for this. Hattie offered the Extension as a site.
Calendar? For 2011 Group also liked this idea. Loni will begin work on this. Crys to look at alternative to company used before (printing our own).
A jar to be placed on table to donate for snacks. (clarify at Exec. Mtg.)
Membership
Looking for ways to increase
Do we want to charge a membership fee? Group approved a charge a $10 for membership. Collection method needs to be decided, Bring to Executive Committee meeting.
Hattie (Extension office) to contact all MGs to see if they want to participate.
Currently over 300 on list.
Executive Committee to meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7am for coffee. April 13– About Coffee on Steves Blvd.
8:10pm-8:30pm 5 minutes for each committee chair
Officers and trainees can participate in committees but not chair.

CE & Social Support- Dana Prom Smith
Upcoming speakers listed on agenda. Dana needs more participants on this committee. Freddie Steele is helping with editing the column. Irene Matthews offered to help edit. A discussion continued about encouraging more writers, and the need to emphasize that Dana helps new writers and they will get credit for their writing time. Many people have great ideas to share in this column, but are reluctant to write.

Community Programs-Steve Shields
Julie Holmes offered to chair with help from Steve Shields, Molly Larsen and a master gardener trainee. Steve working on a plan for the home show for the next 3 years,speakers bureau needs more work (Loni Shapiro & Jim Mast are the only ones signed up), Sunday/Wednesday markets will continue in 2010.

Coordination MG Projects/Linda Guarino-Loni Shapiro
Document completed and now on blog site. This committee needs more work. Linda
Guarino will chair and Galen Guerrette/Loni Shapiro agreed to help. The committee needs to document what sites have extension approval already, so that if new ones that request help or are suggested by master gardener trainees can be approved.

Volunteers /Crys Wells
On line reporting of hours and address changes. These forms can be accessed from the blog, the Olivia White Volunteer site and eventually the U. of A. site.
Hours form: http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dERqSEQxSS1yQ2dWZWdCWmF2M2sxVHc6MA
Address change form:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGN6SEV4NlVwNVB1T3U2TFZIbS13T2c6MA

Next meeting: April 15, 2010
Speaker: Sheila Murray, Research Botanist,
Arboretum at Flagstaff
Research at the Arboretum
Basic Botany for Plant ID, Seed & Cutting Gathering (rules and ideas).

Speakers for future meetings:
May 20 - Herbs - Sue Collins
June 17 - Central American Gardening Practices Applied to Northern Arizona - Julie Lancaster
July 15 - Microclimates & Gardening - Lee Born
August 19 - Bugs - Freddie Steele
October 21 - Hopi Agriculture - Susan Lamb Bean
November 18 - Looking for Youth Garden Speakers

Beginning in 2010 we have a sign-up for MG hours for all meetings. The lecture will count for CE for new master gardener trainees and those needing recertification. Attendance at the business meeting will count for volunteer hours. You are all invited to contribute to the blog. In order for you to do that, I need to first enter your e-mail, so let me know if you want to be included (we can have up to 100 writers). If you have a web site you would like to add to the Interesting Blog/Web sites send it to me (maxmaddy@infomagic.net).

Announcements:
March 20 Warner’s Landscape and Nursery Composting
March 21 Boyce Thompson Arboretum Weeds or Wildflowers?
March 22 NAU Dubois Auditorium Green Economy Event
March 23 NAU AZNPS Monthly Talk Pine Trees
March 24 & 27 Warner’s Landscape and Nursery Gardening in Raised Beds
March 25 Olivia White Hospice Garden Meeting & Indoor Planting
March 27 NAU Greenhouse AZNPS Monthly Walk Greenhouse Tour
March 28 Boyce Thompson Arboretum Edible/Medicinal Desert Plants
April 1 Arboretum at Flagstaff Opening day
April 2-4 CCC East Campus – Kim Costian Extending the Season

The details are posted on our blog (coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com/). AZNPS also posted several volunteer opportunities to work with Jan Busco at the Grand Canyon this spring.

Loni Shapiro
Secretary

Coconino MG Association Meeting Agenda 3/18/10

Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
3/18/10 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Northland Hospice 452 N. Switzer Canyon Drive
(Parking in front of building or just north of building)

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

6:40pm-7:25pm Continuing Education
Selection and Care of Houseplants
Speakers: Jeanne Baker Foliage Unlimited
Sabrina Kager-Robinson

7:25pm-7:40pm Social/refreshments
Ann Egan

7:40pm Business Meeting
7:40pm-8:10pm Vote on Temporary Bi-laws to be made permanent Crys Wells
Call for nomination of officers. (Members only)
Vote to include those nominated last month. (Members only)
President Jim Mast
Vice President Steve Shields
Treasurer Ed Skiba
Secretary Loni Shapiro
Report from Temporary Executive committee meeting – Jim Mast
Vote on temporary bi-laws to be made permanent
Skip meeting in September/December (Annual Recognition Picnic – Holiday Party)
Meeting schedule will remain 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30pm
Retain connection with U. of A.
Open bank account under a non-profit for any fund raising activity
Publicity
Continue with previous activities (Sunday Markets),work towards annual participation in Home Show(Steve), blog, U. of A site, newspaper as appropriate, speakers bureau
Fundraising
What have other counties done?
Plant and Garden Sale?
Calendar? For 2011
Membership
Looking for ways to increase
Do we want to charge a membership fee?
Hattie (Extension office) to see if they want to participate.

8:10pm-8:30pm 5 minutes for each committee chair
CE & Social Support- Dana Prom Smith
List upcoming speakers. Need help and more participants on this committee
Community Programs-Steve Shields
Looking for a chair for this committee. Jobs include Sunday market, speakers bureau and yearly Home Show.
Coordination MG Projects/Linda Guarino-Loni Shapiro
Document completed and now on blog site. This committee needs more members as they will approve initial projects and bring them to the full group.
Volunteers /Crys Wells
On line reporting of hours and address changes. These forms can be accessed from the blog.
Hours form: http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dERqSEQxSS1yQ2dWZWdCWmF2M2sxVHc6MA
Address change form:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGN6SEV4NlVwNVB1T3U2TFZIbS13T2c6MA

Next meeting: April 15, 2010
Speaker: Sheila Murray, Research Botanist,
Arboretum at Flagstaff
Research at the Arboretum
Basic Botany for Plant ID, Seed & Cutting Gathering (rules and ideas).

Speakers for future meetings:
May Herbs Sue Collins
June Topic TBA Julie Lancaster
July Microclimates and Gardening Lee Born
August Bugs Freddie Steele
October Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean

Beginning in 2010 we have a sign-up for MG hours for all meetings. The lecture will count for CE for new master gardener trainees and those needing recertification. Attendance at the meeting will count for volunteer hours. You are all invited to contribute to the blog. In order for you to do that, I need to first enter your e-mail, so let me know if you want to be included (we can have up to 100 writers). If you have a web/blog site you would like added to the blog contact maxmaddy@infomagic.net.

Green Economy Expert Event

Northern Arizona University Presents the Provost's Speaker Series:

Challenging America:
Achieving Sustainability and Justice through the Green Collar Economy

Van Jones author of The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix our Two Biggest Problems
Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; former Green Jobs Advisor (Obama administration)and Billy Parish Founder, Energy Action Coalition; Clean Energy Corps

March 22, 2010 * 4:00pm
DuBois Ballroom, NAU Campus

Provost Speaker Series brings author of “The Green Collar Economy”

The NAU Provost Speaker Series continues with a themed series focusing on diversity, sustainability and global education.

Van Jones and Billy Parish will appear together in a presentation entitled “Challenging America: Achieving Sustainability and Justice Through the Green Collar Economy” on Monday, March 22 at 4 p.m. in the DuBois Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public, with a reception following.

“From clean-tech companies to sustainable food groups to a robust set of community-based organizations and a university that is beginning to put sustainability into the center of its mission, Flagstaff is better positioned than almost anywhere else in the country to transition to a green economy, and show other communities how,” said Billy Parish.

The series topic is a reflection of efforts by the NAU Task Force on Global Education, charged by the president and the provost to transform Northern Arizona University into a global campus, helping students to become citizens of the world. This event is presented by the Office of the Provost and the Center for International Education and is co-sponsored by the Environmental Caucus.

“Van has been a kind of Johnny Appleseed for the Green Economy movement, inspiring communities to create green-collar jobs and sharing lessons he's learned about what works,” Parish continued. “I'm excited for him to help us bring even more members of our community on board and to hear the most exciting things he's seen emerge across the country, and I'm also looking forward to showing him how much we already have going on here.”

Jones is a globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and the clean-energy economy. He is the best-selling author of the definitive book on green jobs, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems. Jones co-founded the non-profit institutions Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Green for All, and Color of Change and served as the Green Jobs advisor for the Obama administration in 2009.

Parish is a leading youth organizer on climate change. As founder and coordinator of the Energy Action Coalition, he has traveled throughout the nation, organizing over 50 diverse, youth-led organizations into a joint campaign called The Campus Climate Challenge. Parish lives in Flagstaff, with his wife, Wahleah Johns.

“To have two such important figures talking about these problems in a conversation with Flagstaff students and leaders is an amazing opportunity for the future of our region’s actions and policies on the environment, the economy and social justice,” said Shelley Silbert, chair of the Environmental Caucus and director of Strategic Environmental Initiatives.

Open House at The Arboretum Tome

Trees That Please and Soil Secrets LLC along with authorized representatives of the Dave Wilson Nursery will be hosting the annual spring garden party and open house at the Arboretum Tome.

What: Open House & Garden Party with talk at 9:30am "Healthy Soil Grows Healthy Plants and the Science of Humus" by Michael Martin Melendrez.
11:00am "Back Yard Orchard Culture" by LeeAnn Barton
Afternoon will include easy listening music.

When: Saturday, May 15th, 2010 from 9:00am to 4:30pm

Where: 9 Gilcrease Road, Los Lunas, New Mexico 87031 (Google map)

The event is free and open to the public, but please no pets.
Bring your picnic and spend the day.
Call Trees That Please Nursery (505-866-5027 for more information.