CMGA General Info

Apple blossoms. Photo by Cynthia Murray.

Welcome to the Coconino County Master Gardeners Association

The Coconino Master Gardener Association began in 2009 to create a corps of well-informed volunteers, and to deliver quality horticultural education programs adapted to our regional high elevation environment. The association provides support for Master Gardener graduates and volunteers as well as continuing education and opportunities to participate in community programs that increase the visibility and participation in the Master Gardener Program.


Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco St. in Flagstaff, Arizona.

On this page you will find:
- How to become a member Membership form
- How to report volunteer and education hours Report your hours
- Upcoming events calendar
- Gardening columns and articles
- Links to other useful websites and resources
- Master Gardener Association documents and forms

Change in Contact Information

Make sure you are receiving the regular emails from Master Gardeners, which are filled with reminders about upcoming events and useful gardening information.Click here to update your contact information!

Event Calendar

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Heirloom Seed Expo



Heriloom-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/

Saturday, July 15, 2017

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.

Friday, July 14, 2017

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. ​

Friday, June 30, 2017

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.



Sunday, June 25, 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 8th 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.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Gardening Class at the SSLUG Garden

SSlug Banner Upward Bound
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

Thursday, May 4, 2017

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


Monday, May 1, 2017

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.