Watch for Warner's gardening and cooking seminars throughout the spring on the calendar. Stop by the nursery and meet the 2 new 4-legged employees - Cruiser (a black and white feline) and Pancho Bob (an elusive white cat with a large tail). They are still kittens in training for their work and sometimes difficult to find but worth the effort.
If you are itching to get started with gardening they have lots of new seeds and material to get them started.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
1st Friday Art Walk Fundraiser for Olivia White Gardens
The Flagstaff Leadership Program has chosen the Olivia White Hospice Garden as their project for 2011. They will be spending a workday in the garden, helping us to get the garden started for the season in April.
In addition they will be doing a fundraiser for us on 4/1 in conjunction with First Friday Art Walk in the courtyard in front of Rainbow’s End, Black Bean, Flag Brewery, etc. There will be music at Rainbow’s End, which is always packed full of people in that small space. There may be music on the outdoor stage at Flag Brew. They will have members of the class at each of the businesses, with OWH brochures and a donation jar. The members will solicit funds and the amount gathered will be matched by the businesses up to a certain amount (which has not yet been determined).
Please come and join in the fun while supporting the gardens at Olivia White.
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator
Olivia White Hospice Home
In addition they will be doing a fundraiser for us on 4/1 in conjunction with First Friday Art Walk in the courtyard in front of Rainbow’s End, Black Bean, Flag Brewery, etc. There will be music at Rainbow’s End, which is always packed full of people in that small space. There may be music on the outdoor stage at Flag Brew. They will have members of the class at each of the businesses, with OWH brochures and a donation jar. The members will solicit funds and the amount gathered will be matched by the businesses up to a certain amount (which has not yet been determined).
Please come and join in the fun while supporting the gardens at Olivia White.
Loni Shapiro
Volunteer Garden Coordinator
Olivia White Hospice Home
Gardening Column from the Daily Sun 3/26/11
LATIN NAMES FOR PLANTS
Susan Lamb
I remember how bored I was in Latin class, gazing out the window at birds chirping in the trees. I’d been persuaded that Latin would come in handy for its own sake but also as the basis for lovelier languages. True on both counts, but sing-songy grammatical drills and readings from pompous elders of the Roman Republic seemed awfully irrelevant at the time. Biology class was much the same in those days: studying life sciences meant rote-learning of taxonomic terms and performing ghastly dissections. I didn’t see a connection between either of the subjects and the real world that called to me from outside that window.
But life has a funny way of creating connections, of tapping all our experiences and yearnings to assemble the creatures we eventually become. I thought I’d left those rigid disciplines behind when I joined the National Park Service but failed to consider how interpreting the natural world would bring me face to face with my old adversaries: Latin and Life Sciences.
I resisted them at first, preferring folklore to facts and stubbornly refusing to learn the Latin names of plants. Of course, this couldn’t last. Simple curiosity and the urge to do my job properly soon had me reading books and magazine articles about scientific discoveries and learning Latin names.
A world of wonders unfolded! Scientists now have the most remarkable tools to observe the infinite forms and behaviors with which life expresses itself, and they describe much of what they learn using the Latin vocabulary. There are so many stories in those clickety-clack names as well as puns, tributes, geography lessons, pharmacological tips, rapturous descriptions, and most of all, connections.
People everywhere have always given interesting “common” names to local plants they use for medicine, food, and ceremonies. In western culture, it was Greek philosophers who began to organize the known world systematically. Romans adapted Greek names into Latin forms that persisted in medieval texts about herbal remedies. During the Age of Exploration, scholars continued to use Latin in their efforts to organize the flood of unfamiliar plants and animals brought back to Europe.
In 1757 the Swedish physician Carl Linnaeus conceived the system still in use today. Linnaeus’ father was first in his family to adopt a last name, Latinizing a word from his local dialect for a giant linden tree on his land. Carl used Latin names to classify plants and animals according to what he thought were family resemblances. (With the advent of DNA analysis, science is now in the process of revising the Latin names of plants using genetics instead of flower shapes.) For instance, Linnaeus placed milkweeds — a group of plants with similar flowers and potent chemistry — into the family Asclepiadaceae, a Latinized name for Aesculpius, the Greek god of medicine.
Linnaeus further divided families into groups called genera (think “generic”), based on even closer similarities in flower anatomy. He modified each genus name with a species (“specific”) name to distinguish between closely-related plants, resulting in our binomial system of paired names such as Valeriana arizonica. Valeriana is from valere which means “health” in Latin, for the plant’s tranquilizing properties later synthesized as Valium. The species name arizonica means “of Arizona” because this sweet little pale pink shade lover is a local native.
“All rootedness is learning to call things by their right name,” Confucius. Instead of spending six years majoring in Greek and Latin, it’s much easier now to discover the meaning and derivations of plant names in The Names of Plants by David Gledhill and websites such as Calflora.net/botanicalnames/.
Try it yourself! Look up Calochortus nuttalli, the Latin binomial for sego lily. You will learn that the genus of this member of Liliaceae — the Lily Family — means “beautiful grass” (a description of its leaves) and that it was named for the English botanist Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), who ventured into the wild American West to collect plants. Voyageurs who accompanied Nuttall described him as “some whimsical kind of madman” who used his rifle to dig up plants and store seeds. You’ll never see a sego lily the same way again.
Susan Lamb is a local writer and naturalist (www.susanlamb.net). Dana Prom Smith is the coordinating editor of the column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com.
Susan Lamb
I remember how bored I was in Latin class, gazing out the window at birds chirping in the trees. I’d been persuaded that Latin would come in handy for its own sake but also as the basis for lovelier languages. True on both counts, but sing-songy grammatical drills and readings from pompous elders of the Roman Republic seemed awfully irrelevant at the time. Biology class was much the same in those days: studying life sciences meant rote-learning of taxonomic terms and performing ghastly dissections. I didn’t see a connection between either of the subjects and the real world that called to me from outside that window.
But life has a funny way of creating connections, of tapping all our experiences and yearnings to assemble the creatures we eventually become. I thought I’d left those rigid disciplines behind when I joined the National Park Service but failed to consider how interpreting the natural world would bring me face to face with my old adversaries: Latin and Life Sciences.
I resisted them at first, preferring folklore to facts and stubbornly refusing to learn the Latin names of plants. Of course, this couldn’t last. Simple curiosity and the urge to do my job properly soon had me reading books and magazine articles about scientific discoveries and learning Latin names.
A world of wonders unfolded! Scientists now have the most remarkable tools to observe the infinite forms and behaviors with which life expresses itself, and they describe much of what they learn using the Latin vocabulary. There are so many stories in those clickety-clack names as well as puns, tributes, geography lessons, pharmacological tips, rapturous descriptions, and most of all, connections.
People everywhere have always given interesting “common” names to local plants they use for medicine, food, and ceremonies. In western culture, it was Greek philosophers who began to organize the known world systematically. Romans adapted Greek names into Latin forms that persisted in medieval texts about herbal remedies. During the Age of Exploration, scholars continued to use Latin in their efforts to organize the flood of unfamiliar plants and animals brought back to Europe.
In 1757 the Swedish physician Carl Linnaeus conceived the system still in use today. Linnaeus’ father was first in his family to adopt a last name, Latinizing a word from his local dialect for a giant linden tree on his land. Carl used Latin names to classify plants and animals according to what he thought were family resemblances. (With the advent of DNA analysis, science is now in the process of revising the Latin names of plants using genetics instead of flower shapes.) For instance, Linnaeus placed milkweeds — a group of plants with similar flowers and potent chemistry — into the family Asclepiadaceae, a Latinized name for Aesculpius, the Greek god of medicine.
Linnaeus further divided families into groups called genera (think “generic”), based on even closer similarities in flower anatomy. He modified each genus name with a species (“specific”) name to distinguish between closely-related plants, resulting in our binomial system of paired names such as Valeriana arizonica. Valeriana is from valere which means “health” in Latin, for the plant’s tranquilizing properties later synthesized as Valium. The species name arizonica means “of Arizona” because this sweet little pale pink shade lover is a local native.
“All rootedness is learning to call things by their right name,” Confucius. Instead of spending six years majoring in Greek and Latin, it’s much easier now to discover the meaning and derivations of plant names in The Names of Plants by David Gledhill and websites such as Calflora.net/botanicalnames/.
Try it yourself! Look up Calochortus nuttalli, the Latin binomial for sego lily. You will learn that the genus of this member of Liliaceae — the Lily Family — means “beautiful grass” (a description of its leaves) and that it was named for the English botanist Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), who ventured into the wild American West to collect plants. Voyageurs who accompanied Nuttall described him as “some whimsical kind of madman” who used his rifle to dig up plants and store seeds. You’ll never see a sego lily the same way again.
Susan Lamb is a local writer and naturalist (www.susanlamb.net). Dana Prom Smith is the coordinating editor of the column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Gardening Column from the Daily Sun
Whetting the Penstemon Appetite
CINDY MURRAY Master Gardener | Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2011
My neighbor, Judah, one a blustery June afternoon asked me, "Cindy, what're all those tall pink flowers growing in your front yard?"
"Oh yes, they're my Palmer's Penstemons."
"Oh, that's what they're called! Could you spare a few plants?"
I said, "Sure. Come on down. We'll dig up a few."
Penstemons have a way of doing that to a person. Once people see these seemingly delicate beauties, they want to grow some for themselves.
Penstemon is a genus of perennial wildflowers composed of 250 species endemic to North America with the highest concentration growing in the Four Corners area. Arizona boasts over thirty native Penstemon species, many of which grow in the Flagstaff area. The name, Penstemon, comes from the Greek pente meaning five and stemon meaning thread, referring to a filament-like and sterile fifth stamen. Since the sterile stamen is hairy and hangs out of the bilaterally symmetrical tubular flower, Penstemons are sometimes dubbed "beardtongues." Most are hummingbird magnets.
Penstemon blossoms may be delicately beautiful, but the plants can be tough as nails. Jennifer Temkin of Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed says, "Penstemons generally prefer full sun and dry soil. They don't like wet feet." Additionally, they're best left to their own devices-too much fertilizer or mulch will shorten their normal several-year lifespan.
One of the first wildflowers to herald in the summer season is the Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus). Don't let the name fool you -- it's native to our region and you can't miss it. Sporting deep purple, slender flowers on 2- to 3-foot stalks, it thrives on gravelly roadsides, ponderosa forests, and open meadows. Its dark green foliage stays lush all winter.
Another early bloomer is the imposing Palmer's penstemon (Penstemon palmeri). Its inflorescence consists of a 2- to 7-foot stalk bearing pale pink flowers. The Palmer's blossom consists of a uniquely large, bulbous tube with two small upper lobes and three rounded lower lobes. This provides the perfect landing platform for a prime pollinator, the bumblebee. Judah says her favorite thing about Palmer's is the exquisite fragrance, a rare attribute in the genus.
At the opposite end of the size spectrum are the diminutive pineleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius) and narrowleaf Penstemon (Penstemon linarioides). Both form compact clumps less than 15 inches tall. Pineleaf is noted for its narrowly tubular crimson flowers and bright green needlelike leaves. Narrowleaf has lavender flowers and tiny linear leaves. They're great specimens for rock and fairy gardens.
Growing throughout ponderosa pine forests and roadsides all over northern Arizona is the beardlip penstemon (Penstemon barbatus). Its tall spikes hold dense clusters of drooping vermilion flowers. Beardlips are more tolerant of shade and moisture than the average penstemon.
My most prized penstemon is the Sunset Crater penstemon (Penstemon clutei). In the wild, it's geographically restricted to the cinder fields of Sunset Crater National Monument. At first glance, you might confuse it with Palmer's, but the stalks are much shorter and the blooms are a deeper pink. Although rare, this penstemon is not difficult to grow. Mine thrive along the edge of the gravelly ditch at the front of my property. As with others of the genus, I deadhead regularly to encourage new flower stalks throughout the summer and into the fall.
Because Penstemons typically take two years to flower, propagation by seed calls for a bit of patience. Temkin says penstemon seeds also require a cold treatment, which is simple: to simulate a winter's exposure to cold, mix sand or perlite with the seeds in a ziplock bag and add enough water to make the mixture moist. Put it in the refrigerator for one to three months. Once the ground has warmed in the spring, stomp the mixture into the soil. Water regularly until the monsoon kicks in. Of course, you can avoid all this by purchasing plants at a nursery, but not all varieties are always available.
The list of penstemon species that thrive in the high country is too long to address here, but hopefully, this introduction will whet your appetite. You may even become one along with me and Judah, a "Penstemaniac."
Cindy Murray, a biologist and substitute elementary teacher, is a Master Gardener. Dana Prom Smith, editor of the gardening column, can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com.
CINDY MURRAY Master Gardener | Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2011
My neighbor, Judah, one a blustery June afternoon asked me, "Cindy, what're all those tall pink flowers growing in your front yard?"
"Oh yes, they're my Palmer's Penstemons."
"Oh, that's what they're called! Could you spare a few plants?"
I said, "Sure. Come on down. We'll dig up a few."
Penstemons have a way of doing that to a person. Once people see these seemingly delicate beauties, they want to grow some for themselves.
Penstemon is a genus of perennial wildflowers composed of 250 species endemic to North America with the highest concentration growing in the Four Corners area. Arizona boasts over thirty native Penstemon species, many of which grow in the Flagstaff area. The name, Penstemon, comes from the Greek pente meaning five and stemon meaning thread, referring to a filament-like and sterile fifth stamen. Since the sterile stamen is hairy and hangs out of the bilaterally symmetrical tubular flower, Penstemons are sometimes dubbed "beardtongues." Most are hummingbird magnets.
Penstemon blossoms may be delicately beautiful, but the plants can be tough as nails. Jennifer Temkin of Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed says, "Penstemons generally prefer full sun and dry soil. They don't like wet feet." Additionally, they're best left to their own devices-too much fertilizer or mulch will shorten their normal several-year lifespan.
One of the first wildflowers to herald in the summer season is the Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus). Don't let the name fool you -- it's native to our region and you can't miss it. Sporting deep purple, slender flowers on 2- to 3-foot stalks, it thrives on gravelly roadsides, ponderosa forests, and open meadows. Its dark green foliage stays lush all winter.
Another early bloomer is the imposing Palmer's penstemon (Penstemon palmeri). Its inflorescence consists of a 2- to 7-foot stalk bearing pale pink flowers. The Palmer's blossom consists of a uniquely large, bulbous tube with two small upper lobes and three rounded lower lobes. This provides the perfect landing platform for a prime pollinator, the bumblebee. Judah says her favorite thing about Palmer's is the exquisite fragrance, a rare attribute in the genus.
At the opposite end of the size spectrum are the diminutive pineleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius) and narrowleaf Penstemon (Penstemon linarioides). Both form compact clumps less than 15 inches tall. Pineleaf is noted for its narrowly tubular crimson flowers and bright green needlelike leaves. Narrowleaf has lavender flowers and tiny linear leaves. They're great specimens for rock and fairy gardens.
Growing throughout ponderosa pine forests and roadsides all over northern Arizona is the beardlip penstemon (Penstemon barbatus). Its tall spikes hold dense clusters of drooping vermilion flowers. Beardlips are more tolerant of shade and moisture than the average penstemon.
My most prized penstemon is the Sunset Crater penstemon (Penstemon clutei). In the wild, it's geographically restricted to the cinder fields of Sunset Crater National Monument. At first glance, you might confuse it with Palmer's, but the stalks are much shorter and the blooms are a deeper pink. Although rare, this penstemon is not difficult to grow. Mine thrive along the edge of the gravelly ditch at the front of my property. As with others of the genus, I deadhead regularly to encourage new flower stalks throughout the summer and into the fall.
Because Penstemons typically take two years to flower, propagation by seed calls for a bit of patience. Temkin says penstemon seeds also require a cold treatment, which is simple: to simulate a winter's exposure to cold, mix sand or perlite with the seeds in a ziplock bag and add enough water to make the mixture moist. Put it in the refrigerator for one to three months. Once the ground has warmed in the spring, stomp the mixture into the soil. Water regularly until the monsoon kicks in. Of course, you can avoid all this by purchasing plants at a nursery, but not all varieties are always available.
The list of penstemon species that thrive in the high country is too long to address here, but hopefully, this introduction will whet your appetite. You may even become one along with me and Judah, a "Penstemaniac."
Cindy Murray, a biologist and substitute elementary teacher, is a Master Gardener. Dana Prom Smith, editor of the gardening column, can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Coconino Master Gardener Assoc. Meeting Minutes 3/10/11
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Attending: Linda & Ted Neff Mast, Faith Brittain, Tess Wymore, Ed Skiba, Polly Velie, Carolyn Larson, Jeff Best, Beth Tucker, Rebecca Moore, Mathew Moore, Juanita Gillis, Paul & Julie Lambert, Irene Matthews, Sandy Bayes, Susan Thompson, Linda Guarino, Loni Shapiro, Crystal Wells, Ann Eagan, Liz Taylor, Rebecca Rosemon, Pam Koch, Andrea & Galen Gurerette, Leslie Penick, Beth Dykstra, Mary Latu, Linda Moriarity, Bob Corrigan, Debbie Shepard
6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Beth Tucker, the Director of the Extension announced that Jim Mast has been named the Extensionist of the Year.
Introduction of speaker
6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Chaa Organic Farm in Belize
Linda Neff, anthropologist
Linda and her husband have traveled to Belize for two years to do research and work on a farm/resort. They have farmed, and looked at the Mayan culture and their farm practices in this area. Much of the farming was done with terraces and rock walls. Stone tools, rock walls, and cultural remains tell the history. The area they visited is now a farm/resort, with the farm supplying the food for the resort. They went there as part of the Foothill Belize Program from a community college in northern California (Los Altos) and will be returning again in June of this year for the 3rd time. They will be working with other young students at the farm. The Neff’s focus is also on anthropology. The remainder of the talk was about what they looked at – cultural practices, gardening methods, mapping the area, soils, selection of plants and methods, climate effects, and this year they will focus more on plant inventories.
7:30pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Andrea and Galen Guerrette
7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
Bylaws – changes briefly reviewed and approved by the association. New version of the bylaws will be on the blog if anyone wants a copy.
Volunteer vs. Education hours document – Crys Wells reviewed the document outlining guidelines for recording volunteer and education hours. It is also posted on the blog. The main point was that Volunteer hours require you be doing something (does not have to mean hands in the dirt) and Education requires to attend some kind of educational program (not just reading your favorite garden seed catalog). Volunteers can help with planning and other work required by the Association or Extension. Educational opportunities abound this spring check out the agenda or the blog.
Volunteer hours for February 42.25/YTD 106.75
Calendar – Loni Shapiro went over the calendar photo contest requirements and urged people to get their photos in. We have only received photos from one MG thus far. The deadline is May 4.
Historian & need for photographer – Val Bryant is the historian and we are looking for a photographer. Several people offered association photos – Ed Skiba, Andrea Guerrette. If you have any send them to Loni. If you would like to become our official photographer contact Loni.
Finance Update – Ed Skiba & Jim Mast
Fundraising/Banking/Use of funds collected/new committee –
Ed reports more than $1200 now in savings for the association. These funds are used for paying for our venue ($250 per year), office costs, fundraising costs, and misc items. Other possibilities could be MG projects, conferences, scholarships to the MG program, MG University and the Intnl MG Conference. A committee needs to be formed to decide priorities for raising funds and what they should be spent on. If you are interested in chairing this committee or participating contact one of the officers or come to our next Executive Meeting on April 7, at 7am, at About Coffee.
8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – Dana Prom Smith (see schedule)
Community Programs
Home Show update Hattie Braun & Faith Brittain. Meeting was held following our regular business meeting to plan final details. The schedule for talks was circulated among those attending and is now posted on the blog.
Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino
The latest list of MG projects is posted on the blog and includes Jan Busco’s projects at the Grand Canyon.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Membership Cards - Crys Wells passed out the new membership cards which include discounts for a variety of nurseries. The details are posted on the back of the cards. Members are encouraged to wear badges to meetings so all can get to know each other.
8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Russian Olive seeds – What kind of birds eat? Grosbeaks and maybe others.
Discussion about tree – pros vs. cons, flowers, seeds (sweet), etc.
Okra – Any ideas about growing in Flagstaff? Needs protection at this elevation – longer season – not sure of varieties.
Loppers – Are they useful? Some use, but require good arm strength/vision.Faith willing to loan to try.
Dalhia – When can I move? – Maybe dead from cold winter, if not as soon as the soil an be worked. Ed reports his survive outdoors in a protected area near rock.
Next meeting: April 14, 2011
Shepherd of the Hills Church
1601 N. San Francisco
Therapeutic Horticulture vs. Horticultural Therapy
Loni Shapiro
1601 N. San Francisco
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Attending: Linda & Ted Neff Mast, Faith Brittain, Tess Wymore, Ed Skiba, Polly Velie, Carolyn Larson, Jeff Best, Beth Tucker, Rebecca Moore, Mathew Moore, Juanita Gillis, Paul & Julie Lambert, Irene Matthews, Sandy Bayes, Susan Thompson, Linda Guarino, Loni Shapiro, Crystal Wells, Ann Eagan, Liz Taylor, Rebecca Rosemon, Pam Koch, Andrea & Galen Gurerette, Leslie Penick, Beth Dykstra, Mary Latu, Linda Moriarity, Bob Corrigan, Debbie Shepard
6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Beth Tucker, the Director of the Extension announced that Jim Mast has been named the Extensionist of the Year.
Introduction of speaker
6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Chaa Organic Farm in Belize
Linda Neff, anthropologist
Linda and her husband have traveled to Belize for two years to do research and work on a farm/resort. They have farmed, and looked at the Mayan culture and their farm practices in this area. Much of the farming was done with terraces and rock walls. Stone tools, rock walls, and cultural remains tell the history. The area they visited is now a farm/resort, with the farm supplying the food for the resort. They went there as part of the Foothill Belize Program from a community college in northern California (Los Altos) and will be returning again in June of this year for the 3rd time. They will be working with other young students at the farm. The Neff’s focus is also on anthropology. The remainder of the talk was about what they looked at – cultural practices, gardening methods, mapping the area, soils, selection of plants and methods, climate effects, and this year they will focus more on plant inventories.
7:30pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Andrea and Galen Guerrette
7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
Bylaws – changes briefly reviewed and approved by the association. New version of the bylaws will be on the blog if anyone wants a copy.
Volunteer vs. Education hours document – Crys Wells reviewed the document outlining guidelines for recording volunteer and education hours. It is also posted on the blog. The main point was that Volunteer hours require you be doing something (does not have to mean hands in the dirt) and Education requires to attend some kind of educational program (not just reading your favorite garden seed catalog). Volunteers can help with planning and other work required by the Association or Extension. Educational opportunities abound this spring check out the agenda or the blog.
Volunteer hours for February 42.25/YTD 106.75
Calendar – Loni Shapiro went over the calendar photo contest requirements and urged people to get their photos in. We have only received photos from one MG thus far. The deadline is May 4.
Historian & need for photographer – Val Bryant is the historian and we are looking for a photographer. Several people offered association photos – Ed Skiba, Andrea Guerrette. If you have any send them to Loni. If you would like to become our official photographer contact Loni.
Finance Update – Ed Skiba & Jim Mast
Fundraising/Banking/Use of funds collected/new committee –
Ed reports more than $1200 now in savings for the association. These funds are used for paying for our venue ($250 per year), office costs, fundraising costs, and misc items. Other possibilities could be MG projects, conferences, scholarships to the MG program, MG University and the Intnl MG Conference. A committee needs to be formed to decide priorities for raising funds and what they should be spent on. If you are interested in chairing this committee or participating contact one of the officers or come to our next Executive Meeting on April 7, at 7am, at About Coffee.
8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – Dana Prom Smith (see schedule)
Community Programs
Home Show update Hattie Braun & Faith Brittain. Meeting was held following our regular business meeting to plan final details. The schedule for talks was circulated among those attending and is now posted on the blog.
Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino
The latest list of MG projects is posted on the blog and includes Jan Busco’s projects at the Grand Canyon.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Membership Cards - Crys Wells passed out the new membership cards which include discounts for a variety of nurseries. The details are posted on the back of the cards. Members are encouraged to wear badges to meetings so all can get to know each other.
8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Russian Olive seeds – What kind of birds eat? Grosbeaks and maybe others.
Discussion about tree – pros vs. cons, flowers, seeds (sweet), etc.
Okra – Any ideas about growing in Flagstaff? Needs protection at this elevation – longer season – not sure of varieties.
Loppers – Are they useful? Some use, but require good arm strength/vision.Faith willing to loan to try.
Dalhia – When can I move? – Maybe dead from cold winter, if not as soon as the soil an be worked. Ed reports his survive outdoors in a protected area near rock.
Next meeting: April 14, 2011
Shepherd of the Hills Church
1601 N. San Francisco
Therapeutic Horticulture vs. Horticultural Therapy
Loni Shapiro
Friday, March 4, 2011
Flagstaff Home & Garden Show
The Coconino MG Association is participating in this years Home & Garden show which will be from March 25th through the 27th. Because of remodeling at the Snow Dome it will be at the old K-Mart store on 4th street. The Association will have a variety of garden talks over the 3 days. Please check this link for the current schedule.
Link
Come visit our booth or stop by for one of the talks. The talks will qualify for continuing education for yearly certification.
Loni Shapiro
Secretary
Master Gardener Association
Link
Come visit our booth or stop by for one of the talks. The talks will qualify for continuing education for yearly certification.
Loni Shapiro
Secretary
Master Gardener Association
Monday, February 28, 2011
American Community Garden Association Conference
Here is a brochure for the American Community Gardens Association Southwest Regional Conference to be held in Phoenix April 1 and April 2. Please spread the word. It looks like a great program. Early bird deadline is March 1.
Link to brochure
Hattie Braun
University Of Arizona
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Link to brochure
Hattie Braun
University Of Arizona
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Garden Starts CSA
FYI Master Gardeners
Join the 2011 Flagstaff Garden Starts CSA! The CSA’s mission is to provide high-quality, responsibly grown vegetable, herb, and edible flower starts to the Flagstaff community, while educating and bringing together backyard growers. Members of this CSA will be taking local food production into their own hands, while procuring part of their food security.
Shares include 25 six-packs of seasonally appropriate vegetables, herbs, and edible flower seedlings. In the beginning of the season, participants will receive cold-tolerant plants, such as cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc.), lettuce, and onions. As the season progresses and the weather warms, the share will shift to crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, etc. Shares will also include seed for beans, peas, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, and a winter rye cover crop that are best sown directly in your garden. Pick-ups occur at the Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed Nursery on Wednesdays (3-6pm) from May through June. Click here to see the tentative pick-up schedule.
Learn the joy and satisfaction of growing your own food! For more information here is a link to the registration form If you have any questions you can e-mail Jen at flaggardenstarts@gmail.com.
Shares are limited, so be sure to sign up before they are all gone!
Hattie Braun
University of Arizona
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Join the 2011 Flagstaff Garden Starts CSA! The CSA’s mission is to provide high-quality, responsibly grown vegetable, herb, and edible flower starts to the Flagstaff community, while educating and bringing together backyard growers. Members of this CSA will be taking local food production into their own hands, while procuring part of their food security.
Shares include 25 six-packs of seasonally appropriate vegetables, herbs, and edible flower seedlings. In the beginning of the season, participants will receive cold-tolerant plants, such as cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc.), lettuce, and onions. As the season progresses and the weather warms, the share will shift to crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, etc. Shares will also include seed for beans, peas, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, and a winter rye cover crop that are best sown directly in your garden. Pick-ups occur at the Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed Nursery on Wednesdays (3-6pm) from May through June. Click here to see the tentative pick-up schedule.
Learn the joy and satisfaction of growing your own food! For more information here is a link to the registration form If you have any questions you can e-mail Jen at flaggardenstarts@gmail.com.
Shares are limited, so be sure to sign up before they are all gone!
Hattie Braun
University of Arizona
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Flagstaff Foodlink Garden Coordinator
Flagstaff Foodlink Seeks a Community Garden Coordinator
Flagstaff Foodlink (FFL) is seeking a coordinator to work collaboratively with Flagstaff Foodlink's Community Agriculture Program, the City of Flagstaff, and over 100 community gardeners, at both the Bonito and Izabel Street Community Gardens. This Garden Coordinator (GC) will be hired on a contract basis and is expected to start April 1st working approximately 12 hours per week. FFL, with the GC’s support, anticipates securing additional funding to increase the GC’s position to approximately twenty hours per week by mid-May.
Flagstaff Foodlink, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, has been working to connect the Flagstaff community to healthy regional and local foods since 2004. We offer strong programs and educational, organizational and fundraising tools to the exciting and emerging local food movement in the greater Flagstaff area.
FFL runs four programs, one of which is the Community Agriculture Program. We partner with the City of Flagstaff to create community agriculture sites on public land. The program began in 2009, and since its inception we now have two, quarter-acre community gardens in Flagstaff. The gardens are designed for inexperienced gardeners of all ages and backgrounds who do not have gardening space/resources/support at their own residences, to have a place to grow fresh produce, herbs, and flowers. Both gardens are designed using permaculture principles. All gardeners have access to educational workshops on-site, one-on-one time with the GC for support or guidance, sheds full of shared tools and gardening literature, and community potluck dinners.
Coordinator Responsibilities
Outreach and Organizing:
Recruiting new gardeners, as well as cultivating community support,
Working closely with City of Flagstaff employees and Flagstaff Foodlink Board members,
Maintaining and strengthening relationships with other community organizations,
Developing relationships and maintaining good connections with local and regional media,
Speaking publicly about the program,
Volunteer coordination,
Fundraising, donation seeking, and grant writing, and
Planning garden potlucks and celebrations for gardeners and the community.
Education:
Mentoring new gardeners,
Designing and conducting educational workshops on gardening and related topics, and
Facilitating workshops led by local and regional gardeners.
Gardening Maintenance:
Maintaining the perennials, shrubs, and trees at both gardens, as well as planting annuals each spring,
Maintaining the structures at each garden (sheds, fences, art installations, and signs), and
Overseeing the development and implementation of large projects.
Qualifications
Garden/farm experience, and a basic knowledge of horticulture,
The ability to be self motivated, to create and maintain your own schedule, as well as the ability to work with a wide variety of individuals and groups,
The ability to perform strenuous physical labor,
The ability to multi-task and handle several projects at one time,
A genuine interest and commitment to the local foods movement, and
Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.
Compensation
Flagstaff Foodlink will initially offer $12.50/hr for twelve hours per week from April 1st to October 1st, as well support for grant writing and fund seeking to increase your hours per week.
To apply
Please send a resume, two references, and a cover letter including pertinent experience, and why you are interested in this position to flagstafffoodlink@gmail.com.
This position will remain open until it is filled.
Start Date
The coordinator position will begin on April 1, 2011. Hands-on training and materials will be provided.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Lyndsey Langsdale at 775-815-1113 or Jo Hale at 928-814-5559/joannahale@gmail.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 2/10/11
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Attending: Freddi Steele, Loni Shapiro, Hattie Braun, Faith Brittain, Jim Mast, Jeff Best, Lee Lansing, Ann Eagan, Tess Wymore, Beth Dykstra, Linda Moriarty, Kerry Ronk, Ed Skiba, Debi Stalvey, Debra Crisp, Galen & Andre Guerrette, Linda Guarino, Dana Prom Smith
6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Introduction of speaker
6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Spiders of the Winter
Freddi Steele, former naturalist for the National Park Service and master gardener.
Freddi talked about the differences between insects and spiders. Spiders have jaws or fangs, no wings or antennae , young are similar in shape but not necessarily color. Other members of the family include ticks, mites, and scorpions. She also talked about some basics about their bodies and legs.
They have 2 main parts to their body and they have a hard shell, generally start with 8 legs but can have 2-8 later in life. Some have legs that can re-grow and some can drop off legs. Legs have tongues on their feet for sensing, and breathing organs with slits on the underside of their body. They have an extra set of hands near their mouth. They often have hair and are fuzzy and this is used for hearing and feeling. Their webs are spun of silk (liquid protein) and they create webs, egg sacs, draglines and snares. While spinning they can actually appear to fly (ballooning). The remainder of the program was about specific winter spiders. They are actually around all year but we generally only see them in the winter. Freddi provided details and photos on wolf spiders, daddy long-legs, cob web spiders, black or brown widows, jumping spiders, grass spiders, and the brown recluse. Black widows and brown recluse can be dangerous and most bites likely will require a visit to the Dr. Widows can cause tissue to die (necrotic) leaving a hole or indentation in the skin when healed. For more specifics about each spider checkout references on the web or at the library.
7:30pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Ann Eagan and those who donated to the refreshment donation
jar.
7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
-Work on bi-laws changes with new membership. Revised bi-laws will be available for all to vote on next month. Major changes are in categories for membership. There will be 3 levels of membership:
- Member /certified MG up to date on volunteer & education hours
- Associate member / MG but not up to date on volunteer & ed. Hours for 2010
- Trainee / master gardener in training, not yet certified
All eligible for discounts if purchasing membership
Hattie working on revising Program Rules for initial MG certification and maintaining MG certification.
-Membership cards to be available beginning next month and Ed made collections the past two weeks. The cost is $10 and you will receive 10% discounts at Viola’s, Native Plant & Seed, and Warner’s. The discount will not apply for sales and they each have some restrictions which will be printed on the back of your cards. Jim suggested wearing your card or your MG badge to meetings so we can get to know each other.
-The committee also worked on a document to outline the differences between
volunteer and education hours. Jim reviewed a few of these such as adding travel time to volunteer
hours. The details will be provided at the next meeting.
-Repeat of calendar project for 2011 (May 4 deadline for photos) – see handout. Flyers are available that outline the requirements for entering. Calendars are still available for purchase for $5. Remaining will be given to the new MG class.
-Any ideas for other fundraising projects for 2011? Some ideas included a plant and garden sale, AV materials for the association, funds for MG projects for non-profits, speakers, and conferences. Hattie stated that her budget, because of state issues, is smaller and she cannot provide many of the things she used to, so we need to use this money to meet some of those needs. We also will be paying a $200 fee to the church for the use of their facility (utilities). The Executive committee needs to put spending on the agenda for the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
Finance Update – Ed Skiba
The checking account has been closed to avoid monthly fees. All monies are now in savings. Last month 16 signed up to be members ($160) and we sold 7 calendars ($35), $3 was given to the food donation fund. Current total in the bank is $1229.42. An issue to be addressed at next Ex. Mtg. – procedure for obtaining money for purchases, food donation jar (should we keep it aside to purchase needed food item to avoid withdrawls), ideas for funds for the year, pursuit of non-profit status.
8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – Dana Prom Smith (see schedule) Dana has about 6 weeks of articles but is always looking for people. Loni reminded people that there are many opportunities for the next couple of month to find CE. She circulated 2 - Gardens for Humanity’s week of lectures and a school garden conference in Tempe. Follow the blog for more details.
Community Programs
Community Markets- to continue in 2011. Schedules and sign up will not happen until the market is close to opening.
Speakers Bureau-need more to sign up as regulars for this program so Hattie has a pool to choose from when requests come in.
Home Show – Hattie Braun/Faith Brittain Faith & Hattie have a tentative schedule with people to set-up/take-down, man the booth, and speak. They are still looking for more speakers and people to man the booth. Hattie will send out a current list of sign ups. The Home Show is from 3/25-27. Call or email them if you are interested in helping. You will get free entry to the Home Show.
Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino This is currently on the blog but will soon be revised with Riordan Mansion, Grand Canyon Project with Jan, Coconino Center for the Arts? Hattie stated there is a need for two types of projects (Non-profit initiated and master gardener initiated). Executive Committee and Project committee will look at this.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Crys reports that tallies for 2010 of hours reported include:
Volunteer – 3525.25 Continuing Ed – 539
For 2011 January thus far:
Vol. 70.75 CE 10
Reporting of hours is necessary to justify the master gardener program with those that care.
Board of Supervisors
U. of A
Reporting on the computer is recommended, but if you are unable to do this you can report on paper. A form is available. This should be done monthly so those that keep tally, don’t have to do it all in December. Those that are interested in the numbers don’t always work on a Jan-Dec budget, some are July to June, so numbers need to be up to date.
8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Galen G – question on appropriate lights for use in indoor growing. Least expensive florescent lights are the best (Hattie & Ed).
Questions on watering due to dry winter. Hattie may reprint watering article in newspaper.
Next meeting: March 10, 2011
Shepherd of the Hills Church Chaa Organic Farm in Belize
1601 N. San Francisco Linda Neff, anthropologist
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Attending: Freddi Steele, Loni Shapiro, Hattie Braun, Faith Brittain, Jim Mast, Jeff Best, Lee Lansing, Ann Eagan, Tess Wymore, Beth Dykstra, Linda Moriarty, Kerry Ronk, Ed Skiba, Debi Stalvey, Debra Crisp, Galen & Andre Guerrette, Linda Guarino, Dana Prom Smith
6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Introduction of speaker
6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Spiders of the Winter
Freddi Steele, former naturalist for the National Park Service and master gardener.
Freddi talked about the differences between insects and spiders. Spiders have jaws or fangs, no wings or antennae , young are similar in shape but not necessarily color. Other members of the family include ticks, mites, and scorpions. She also talked about some basics about their bodies and legs.
They have 2 main parts to their body and they have a hard shell, generally start with 8 legs but can have 2-8 later in life. Some have legs that can re-grow and some can drop off legs. Legs have tongues on their feet for sensing, and breathing organs with slits on the underside of their body. They have an extra set of hands near their mouth. They often have hair and are fuzzy and this is used for hearing and feeling. Their webs are spun of silk (liquid protein) and they create webs, egg sacs, draglines and snares. While spinning they can actually appear to fly (ballooning). The remainder of the program was about specific winter spiders. They are actually around all year but we generally only see them in the winter. Freddi provided details and photos on wolf spiders, daddy long-legs, cob web spiders, black or brown widows, jumping spiders, grass spiders, and the brown recluse. Black widows and brown recluse can be dangerous and most bites likely will require a visit to the Dr. Widows can cause tissue to die (necrotic) leaving a hole or indentation in the skin when healed. For more specifics about each spider checkout references on the web or at the library.
7:30pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Ann Eagan and those who donated to the refreshment donation
jar.
7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
-Work on bi-laws changes with new membership. Revised bi-laws will be available for all to vote on next month. Major changes are in categories for membership. There will be 3 levels of membership:
- Member /certified MG up to date on volunteer & education hours
- Associate member / MG but not up to date on volunteer & ed. Hours for 2010
- Trainee / master gardener in training, not yet certified
All eligible for discounts if purchasing membership
Hattie working on revising Program Rules for initial MG certification and maintaining MG certification.
-Membership cards to be available beginning next month and Ed made collections the past two weeks. The cost is $10 and you will receive 10% discounts at Viola’s, Native Plant & Seed, and Warner’s. The discount will not apply for sales and they each have some restrictions which will be printed on the back of your cards. Jim suggested wearing your card or your MG badge to meetings so we can get to know each other.
-The committee also worked on a document to outline the differences between
volunteer and education hours. Jim reviewed a few of these such as adding travel time to volunteer
hours. The details will be provided at the next meeting.
-Repeat of calendar project for 2011 (May 4 deadline for photos) – see handout. Flyers are available that outline the requirements for entering. Calendars are still available for purchase for $5. Remaining will be given to the new MG class.
-Any ideas for other fundraising projects for 2011? Some ideas included a plant and garden sale, AV materials for the association, funds for MG projects for non-profits, speakers, and conferences. Hattie stated that her budget, because of state issues, is smaller and she cannot provide many of the things she used to, so we need to use this money to meet some of those needs. We also will be paying a $200 fee to the church for the use of their facility (utilities). The Executive committee needs to put spending on the agenda for the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
Finance Update – Ed Skiba
The checking account has been closed to avoid monthly fees. All monies are now in savings. Last month 16 signed up to be members ($160) and we sold 7 calendars ($35), $3 was given to the food donation fund. Current total in the bank is $1229.42. An issue to be addressed at next Ex. Mtg. – procedure for obtaining money for purchases, food donation jar (should we keep it aside to purchase needed food item to avoid withdrawls), ideas for funds for the year, pursuit of non-profit status.
8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – Dana Prom Smith (see schedule) Dana has about 6 weeks of articles but is always looking for people. Loni reminded people that there are many opportunities for the next couple of month to find CE. She circulated 2 - Gardens for Humanity’s week of lectures and a school garden conference in Tempe. Follow the blog for more details.
Community Programs
Community Markets- to continue in 2011. Schedules and sign up will not happen until the market is close to opening.
Speakers Bureau-need more to sign up as regulars for this program so Hattie has a pool to choose from when requests come in.
Home Show – Hattie Braun/Faith Brittain Faith & Hattie have a tentative schedule with people to set-up/take-down, man the booth, and speak. They are still looking for more speakers and people to man the booth. Hattie will send out a current list of sign ups. The Home Show is from 3/25-27. Call or email them if you are interested in helping. You will get free entry to the Home Show.
Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino This is currently on the blog but will soon be revised with Riordan Mansion, Grand Canyon Project with Jan, Coconino Center for the Arts? Hattie stated there is a need for two types of projects (Non-profit initiated and master gardener initiated). Executive Committee and Project committee will look at this.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Crys reports that tallies for 2010 of hours reported include:
Volunteer – 3525.25 Continuing Ed – 539
For 2011 January thus far:
Vol. 70.75 CE 10
Reporting of hours is necessary to justify the master gardener program with those that care.
Board of Supervisors
U. of A
Reporting on the computer is recommended, but if you are unable to do this you can report on paper. A form is available. This should be done monthly so those that keep tally, don’t have to do it all in December. Those that are interested in the numbers don’t always work on a Jan-Dec budget, some are July to June, so numbers need to be up to date.
8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Galen G – question on appropriate lights for use in indoor growing. Least expensive florescent lights are the best (Hattie & Ed).
Questions on watering due to dry winter. Hattie may reprint watering article in newspaper.
Next meeting: March 10, 2011
Shepherd of the Hills Church Chaa Organic Farm in Belize
1601 N. San Francisco Linda Neff, anthropologist
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