CMGA General Info

Christmas Amaryllis with Orchid to the right. Below Ruth Benson's holiday bears.
Photo by Loni Shapiro.

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

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Weed Identification

Here's your opportunity to learn about those pesky weeds on your property. 
Identifying Weeds at Willow Bend

Sunday, Sept. 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Willow Bend, 703 E. Sawmill Road

Do you have a mystery plant growing in your yard? Is it taking over? Bring your ‘suspect’ or pictures of it. The folks from the San Francisco Peaks Weed Management Area will identify invasive weeds and give advice. 

Posted by Dorothy Lamm

Flagstaff Festival of Science

During the Flagstaff Festival of Science Sept. 19-28, 2014  ("The 10 Best Days of the Year"), there will be an amazing number of excellent presentations and field trips.  You can find information on them all by going to http://www.scifest.org/

One that might be of particular interest to native plant lovers is the Open House at the Fort Valley Experimental Station on Sunday, September 21 from noon until 3 p.m., Hwy. 180, 1 mile north of Snowbowl Road.  The native grasses are astounding; and the blossoming flowers are outstanding all summer.  Late in September there still may be a few to see. 

This is the only day all year when the Experimental Station is open to the public.  You will be able to:
  • visit research plots and learn about on-going research at the station;
  • take a walking tour and learn about native grasses;
  • tour the historical buildings and learn about the history of the Station; and,
  • make fun pine cone crafts with your children.
 Posted by Dorothy Lamm
.  

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Garden Clean-up Raffle

Thanks to Molly Larsen and all those who helped with the "Garden Clean-up Raffle". More than $2000 was raised to assist master gardener projects in 2015. The winners of the two prizes were:  Carole Mandino (ticket sold by Michele Lytle) and Melanie Lembke (ticket sold by Debi Stalvey). The clean-up crews will meet and schedule October days for the work by Master Gardeners from Coconino County. The two lucky winners will get three hours of yard/garden work done by five master gardeners; that’s 15 hours of labor!   A load of aged horse manure is also available for delivery to the winners which can be spread by the workers. Thanks go also to those who purchased tickets for this first time event. I guess I will have to plant my own bulbs after all!

Loni Shapiro
Chair MG Projects and Finance committees

Garden Visits 2014

Hi Everyone-We have another visit this weekend, see below.  Unfortunately I don't have another lined up.  If you know someone or want to offer your own garden please let me know.  Thanks Christine and Duncan Orr for having us last weekend, it was awesome.  The following is what  Christine sent me regarding some of your questions.  See you Sat.  Debi 699-3504

> So…. the name of the powder coating business is Iron Horse Coatings, 1300 S. Thompson St., Set. B and the # is 774-3700. Doug and son, Matt are the owners and really nice people. Good communicators and that counts for a lot in business today! Our 6 pieces were completed in a very timely way.
>
> Catalog for my favorite self-watering containers for annuals, peppers and tomatoes: Gardeners”s Supply Company, gardeners.com I like their large 17” square containers better than the Earth Box or the one Warners sells. They also make a 15” square one. Pricey but watch for the price reduction sale when buying at least 2. They come with casters and the system to tell you when to water is great!

Sept 13th 10am:Jackie Clark-Foxglen
The yard is fairly mature. The bones were there when we bought the house 14 years ago. We have added and subtracted over the years. The yard is a series of gardens, separated by paths. We added a flagstone patio and a small lawn this year which greatly added to our enjoyment of the space.
1627 N Owl (Foxglen).  Take 4th St to Butler. Left on Butler. Left at the light onto Foxglen. Right (after the condos) onto DeerCrossing. Left immediately onto Owl. We are on the left at the end of the block.

Gardens for Humanity Fall Workshops

What to Plant in a Fall Garden
Saturday, September 13th
2-4pm
Sedona Pro-Build Garden Center
2385 Hwy 89A, West Sedona 
 
 
Hands-on Biodynamic
Compost Building Workshop 
Sunday, September 14th
10am-2pm
At the biodynamic farm of Joshua Capy in Cottonwood. Directions provided upon registration. Limited to 15 participants. $10
 
Check out their site for details
gardensforhumanity.org

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Master Gardener Picnic for 2014

See attached link for details on the Annual Picnic at Fort Tuthil Navajo Ramada on Sept. 7 - 4/6pm.
Link

Friday, September 5, 2014

50th Anniversay of the Wilderness Act Hikes in the Coconino National Forest

The Coconino National Forest will be hosting four hikes in local Wilderness areas every Sunday throughout the month of September. September 3rd 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the signing of   the Wilderness Act in 1964. This Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System,         outlining areas of public land that should be saved from development and human interference. These areas are left untouched for the enjoyment of the American people, with opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Come out and enjoy the lasting effects of this great legacy!

Sunday, September 7 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Inner Basin Beauty.
Enjoy the mixed conifer forest, Basque aspen carvings and the beauty of the Peaks with USFS interpretive rangers in this high elevation, moderate to strenuous hike from Lockett Meadow to the Inner Basin.  Wear sturdy hiking shoes, carry water and bring lunch. Meet at the bottom of Lockett Meadow road to carpool up. For more information: 928-527-8283. 

Sunday, September 14 7:30 am-1:00 pm. Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Humphreys Saddle. Are you ready for a challenging wilderness hike with USFS Interpretive Rangers? This climb to Humphreys Saddle will begin at 9,200’ and end at 11,800’ and will be strenuous! Sturdy hiking shoes, food and water are essential. To be part of this uplifting experience, e-mail flaghiker@yahoo.com for more information.  

Sunday, September 21 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, Fire Tower Lookout.  Come out and hike to one of the highest points in northern AZ. Led by Wilderness Ranger Dutch Maatman and Interpretive Ranger Chelsea Schroeder. Uncover the    history of the area, including the 2000 Pumpkin Fire. End the hike at the fire lookout on the summit with spectacular views. Difficulty: Strenuous. Take Hwy 180 north and turn left onto FR 245. At end of rd. (3 miles) turn right onto FR 171.  Meet at Kendrick   Mountain Trailhead off of FR171. 928-527-8283.

Sunday, September 28 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Strawberry Crater Wilderness, More Than Meets the Eye. Moderate 2.5 miles over the exotic landscape of Strawberry Crater, one of the area’s     youngest volcanoes. Meet 16 miles north on Hwy 89 where FR 546 turns off east. High   clearance vehicles recommended. Bring water and snacks. 928-527-8283.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

CMGA Fall Garden Clean-up Raffle

 
COCONINO MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION 2014 FALL YARD CLEAN-UP RAFFLE

Do you  get overwhelmed by autumn chores in the yard before a freeze occurs?  Would you like all those leaves or pine needles to disappear?  How about the spring bulbs you bought that are waiting to be planted?  Or the beautiful summer flowers that need to be cut back for winter?  CMGA is sponsoring a raffle fundraiser this summer to help with grants to local organizations wishing to develop, maintain, or beautify gardens.  Two lucky winners will get three hours of yard/garden work done by five master gardeners; that’s 15 hours of labor!   A load of aged horse manure is also available for delivery to the winners which can be spread by the workers.

Tickets are being sold for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20 by master gardeners.  The drawing will be held September 7 with the winners notified by phone.  Saturday, Oct. 4 is the scheduled work day with a bad weather date the following Saturday, Oct. 11.  This raffle is available to all city residents as well as Kachina Village, Mountainaire, TImberline/Fernwood, Doney Park, Fort Valley and Forest Highlands.

For more information and for tickets, call the Extension Office at 928-774-1868, ext. 190.  Thank you for supporting this fundraising event, and Good Luck!
 
Molly Larsen and Hattie Braun

ALL TICKET SOLD!

Monday, September 1, 2014

15th Annual Highlands Garden Conference

Harmony in the Highlands:
Gardening with Nature
 
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Optional activities on October 24th
 
Prescott Resort & Conference Center
1500 State Route 69
Prescott, AZ
 
Come hear the usual great speakers for the conference, visit with many gardeners from high elevation areas, and just have fun. See attached link registration form for details.