Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter University of Arizona Cooperative Extension November 2007 Master Gardener Update ~ Getting to Know Daylilies A Survey of Varieties, Care and Culture Wednesday November 14, 9:00 a.m. ~ MCCE Office ~ 4341 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix Joe Allred has been raising daylilies since 1992 and hybridizing them since 1998. He is a retired schoolteacher, a native Arizonan and a long time gardener. As a child growing up in southeastern Arizona, he had his own vegetable garden every year. Now, this daylily enthusiast spends half the year in Overgaard, Arizona where he has more than 2,000 daylilies in 30 raised beds. During peak season, he has counted 300 - 400 blooms daily. Joe spends the other half of the year in Mesa and he tells me that there are varieties of daylilies that do well in Mesa and the Phoe- nix area, too. Joe tells me that daylilies have a lot of potential for gardeners since it’s easy to hybridize them and there are many varieties to choose from. Daylilies are old fashioned favorites and have even naturalized in some parts of the United States. They are often edible but not often seen in local gardens. This doesn’t mean daylilies won’t grow here. Joe Allred will tell us which daylilies are good candidates for our desert yards and about the conditions required. He will share some propagation techniques and his enthusiasm for the daylilies’ varied and vibrant colors and textures. Come to this Master Gardener update for pretty pictures of Daylilies, planting how-tos, information on optimum growing conditions and propagation and hybrid- ization. -Deb Sparrow In this issue: Wet Root Fix Is In the Mix Master Gardener Satellite Office News Fall Festival Diggings in the Garden Design Charrette Leaders Needed for MG Ambassador Program Diagnostic Clinics: An Insider’s View Book Review: Perennials for the Southwest Black Widow Spider Desert Chef Schefflera ...and more! As usual, there will be no Update in December, but we’ll resume in January 2008. R OOTS & S HOOTS
Transcript
Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter University of Arizona Cooperative Extension November 2007
Master Gardener Update ~
Getting to Know Daylilies
A Survey of Varieties, Care and Culture
Wednesday November 14, 9:00 a.m. ~ MCCE Office ~ 4341 E. Broadway Rd,Phoenix
Joe Allred has been raising daylilies since 1992 and hybridizing them since 1998.He is a retired schoolteacher, a native Arizonan and a long time gardener. As achild growing up in southeastern Arizona, he had his own vegetable garden everyyear.
Now, this daylily enthusiast spends half the year in Overgaard, Arizona where hehas more than 2,000 daylilies in 30 raised beds. During peak season, he hascounted 300 - 400 blooms daily. Joe spends the other half of the year in Mesa andhe tells me that there are varieties of daylilies that do well in Mesa and the Phoe-nix area, too.
Joe tells me that daylilies have a lot of potential for gardeners since it’s easy tohybridize them and there are many varieties to choose from.
Daylilies are old fashioned favorites and have even naturalized in some parts ofthe United States. They are often edible but not often seen in local gardens. Thisdoesn’t mean daylilies won’t grow here.
Joe Allred will tell us which daylilies are good candidates for our desert yards andabout the conditions required. He will share some propagation techniques and hisenthusiasm for the daylilies’ varied and vibrant colors and textures.
Come to this Master Gardener update for pretty pictures of Daylilies, plantinghow-tos, information on optimum growing conditions and propagation and hybrid-ization.
-Deb Sparrow
In this issue:
Wet Root Fix Is In the
Mix
Master Gardener Satellite
Office News
Fall Festival
Diggings in the Garden
Design Charrette
Leaders Needed for MG
Ambassador Program
Diagnostic Clinics: An
Insider’s View
Book Review: Perennials
for the Southwest
Black Widow Spider
Desert Chef
Schefflera
...and more!
As usual, there will be no Update in December, but we’ll resume inJanuary 2008.
ROOTS & SHOOTS
2 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
Wet Root Fix Is In the Mix
by Wayne Hall
Potted plants prefer soils which drain well so that the rootsare never wet for any extended period of time. Therefore air isnecessary in a good potting mix. The proper air fill porosity(AFP) ratio is 30 to 45 percent. For cutting propagation theAFP should be around 45%, and about 30% for potted plants.
The simplest way to determine the AFP ratio is to loosely fill apot to within one inch of the top of the pot with dry potting mixwithout compacting the soil. Fill the pot to the top with water.Count the number of seconds until the standing water disap-pears from the surface. If it drains down in approximately 3 to10 seconds you have a good AFP drainage rate. The fasterthe water drains the higher the AFP ratio or the more air themix contains.
A more precise way to determine the AFP ratio would be touse two clear containers of the same size. Fill one with waterand one with the loose dry potting mix. Pour the water into thecontainer with the potting mix until it rises just to the top of thepotting mix container. The waterthat remains indicates the airspace in the potting mix. If thewater left in the container was 1/2of the volume it would indicate anAFP ratio of 50%.
If you reverse this containerstraining out free water, whenplaced upright once again thepotting mix will remain saturatedwith a notable standing water levelat the bottom of the container.This is referred to as the perchedor retained water level.
I usually mix my potting soil in a 5gallon bucket starting with 50%potting soil and 50% pumice orperlite. Using the above methodand 2 clear plastic drinking cups, Ifill one cup with dry potting soiland the second cup with water toperform the above test. Depend-ing on the test results, I adjust thedry potting mix by adding soil orpumice/perlite to obtain the de-sired AFP ratio.
Wayne Hall
Wayne prepares potting soil for hismany varieties of hibiscus.
We are so pleased to announce the addition of a third Co-Director to our management team. Pat Greer gradu-ated from the Master Gardener program with the Spring, 2006 class and has been a most knowledgeable anddevoted volunteer in our office. You can read her most modest bio in this Roots and Shoots. Welcome Pat! Weare so glad to have you!
We have changed our office hours so that we are now open from 9-12, Monday thru Friday.
We continue with our monthly Library Q&A sessions and our involvement with the City of Surprise Water Dept.We welcome the assistance that several interns have been able to give to these activities as well.
There were 23 Master Gardeners, 1 intern, and 4 visitors at our Diagnostic Clinic on Oct. 4th. Jim Orovetzintroduced ELMO – our new technical assistant. He worked very effectively to project large, clear pictures ofthe plant and insect samples that had been submitted. It made it so much easier for all to see and facilitatedthe discussions very nicely.
We distributed information at two Newcomer Coffees this month – one in Sun City West and one in Sun CityGrand.
We acknowledge and appreciate all of the effort of our NW Valley volunteers who helped make both the DesertBotanical Gardens Ambassador event and the Fall Festival successful.
Seven of us are excited to be attending the Master Gardener University event Oct. 25th and 26th. We will takelots of pictures and bring back lots of info to share. Jim Oravetz continues teaching classes at PORA, CorteBella, and Rio Salado College.
- Mary Ann Garewal
From Pat Greer-
I have recently been asked to serve as a Co-Director for the North West Valley Master Gardeners group. I havebeen working with these dedicated, hard working Master Gardeners since graduating from the 2006 class inSun City West, and so I am pleased to say yes. I Just hope I can keep up with them.
Born in Tucson, I have lived and gardened in many of the small towns in northern Arizona before moving toGlendale in 1973. My dad was a County Agricultural Agent with the University of Arizona and mom is anornithologist and botanist; however the ability to garden without failure was not passed down to me. I havetaken many of the classes at Glendale Community College’s Urban Horticulture program and continue to studywith the Master Gardeners program as well as self-directed studies. The one thing I know for certain aboutgrowing things is that you can never know enough.
Gardening in the desert southwest is a challenge, but has huge rewards. As a volunteer with “Friends of theGarden” at the Glendale Public Library, and as an active Master Gardener, I’ve come to realize and embracethe beauty and diversity that is possible in our desert.
Northeast Valley: Volunteers Welcome!
Carol Stuttard led the plant diagnostic on October 11 at the Via Linda Senior Center where the Northeast ValleySatellite Office is located. She brought in several plants with only foliage to assist the volunteers in their plantdiagnostic skills. Nine Master Gardeners were in attendance and a member of the public stopped by to inquireabout problems with her roses.
We are looking for volunteers to help staff the office on Mondays 9:00am-12:30 and Thursdays 9:00am-12:30and 12:30-4:00pm. If you enjoy working with the public, this is the opportunity for you. Everyone likes talkingabout their plants. Contact Linda Belous, Debbie Lyding, or Linda Thiedke and let us know which day works foryou.
- Linda Thiedke
4 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
The Fall Festival took place on Saturday, October 20th and was enjoyed by all! The weather was perfect anddue to the outstanding job of the PR and Distribution Committees, we had a record number of 1005 visitors,recorded by our gracious Welcoming Committee.
We had a wonderful selection of plantsdonated by our amazing gardeners,which were lovingly transported by ourTransportation Committee. The plantswere enjoyed by all and did not last long-thanks to the brilliant sales staff at theplant booth!
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Julie Rodolico
November 2007 Roots & Shoots 5
Thanks to our Day of the Event Chairs we hadplenty of help and I was told by a couple ofvendors that they had sold out of goods andtheir sales were better this year than the lastseveral years.
After another long and hot summer, a big thanks to all who took part and shared your love of gardening in thiscelebration of fall.
-Nancy Ruby
Questions were plentiful and our experts in theQuestion Booth answered them with ease.
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Julie Rodolico
Julie Rodolico
Julie Rodolico
6 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
Dig up more gardening advice for November at http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/nov.htm
Diggings in the Garden
by Pam Perry
With the onset of cooler temperatures interns can stop by the garden before class to help with weeding andseeding, to select projects on which to work independently and in general make things happen! Trail Day onOct 6 saw us cleaning up in preparation for the Sales offered by the Herbies and the Rare Fruit Growers. It wasgreat fun to have gardeners in the gardens and folks from the public on the grounds.
Our timing for that Trail Day was serendipitous as several branches on the Texas ebony on the north side hadbroken in the freak storm. Sadly, that storm also took out the Sonoran Desert Palo Verde. Citrus is lookingperkier since the fertilizing in September, and the fall crop of figs is growing. Leucophyllum are putting on agrand fall show, and again reminding us why we grow them!
Four kinds of kale have germinated in the garden. Three kinds of peas are up. Onions and leeks have popped;seed is truly such magic. The seeded cucumber and squash are quickly catching up to the four- inch plants Iput in to make a comparison. Black-eyed peas are done for the year, but the beans that grew from the heirloomseed planted in April are setting lima beans now that the temperatures are cooler. All summer they were abright green tangle. Had I known they were to be so rangy I might have provided them trellising. They camefrom old soup bean stock!
Jason Johnson took one look at the irrigation valves in the veggie garden and provided a shopping list. Withparts procured, he set about replacing worn parts and pieces. Now all systems are working well and not leak-ing! Compost has been turned one more time, and is well on it’s I have yet to see coffee grounds arriving, butwe were gifted by Frank Martin with oodles of worm poop. I am wasting no time getting this into the garden!
We have plenty of projects around to work on so another Trail Day is scheduled for November 17, 8:00 am.Bring hand tools you love to use, dress for the weather, bring gloves, and water. If you are anything like me,you may want another cup of the morning’s coffee ration!
I will continue to be in the gardens on Tuesdays after the interns graduate, and will use the listserve to an-nounce expected hours for November and December.
Happy gardening, Pam.
Pam Perry is the Director of the MCCE Demonstration Gardens.
Design Charrette Saturday, November 17, 9:00 a.m.. - noon
Cave Creek Twofer! Love Gardening? Love Art? This Charrette’s for you. We’re off to Cave Creek to helpGinny Jamieson tackle two problem areas: a meditation garden and the front entrance of her home.
We have two big challenges: Cave Creek’s hard winter freeze and the ever present deer and javelina thatenjoy munching on the plants.
ART? It’s your lucky day! Cave Creek is having its annual “Hidden in the Hills Art Show” that features FREEtours of over forty art studios in the area.
Remember, everyone is welcome, brand new and seasoned Master Gardeners alike. Each and every one ofus has at least one idea that can help Ginny come up with a great plan. The only requirement is to bringyour imagination and a dish to share.
Come enjoy the morning with fellow Master Gardeners and the Art Show in the afternoon.
To reserve your space, please email [email protected] or call Carol Parrott 602-438-4003.
November 2007 Roots & Shoots 7
Leaders Needed for MG
Ambassador Program
by Charlie Stephens
The Ambassadors are a group of dedicated MasterGardeners who staff the Master Gardener Booth at thelocal home and garden shows and at a few other publicevents, such as our Fall Festival, Citrus Clinics, andGarden Tour. Having about 3500 contacts annually, theyprovide a major interface with the public for the MasterGardener Program.
Their mission is “To teach people to select, place andcare for plants in an environmentally responsible mannerbased on research specific to the low desert,” to publi-cize the MG Program, and to make people aware of theresources available to them through Cooperative Exten-sion and the MG Program.
Some Ambassadors work most of the approximately 15annual events, while others work only one or a few. Allmake important contributions.
Shifts at events are usually three to 4 hours. The calen-dar and sign up sheets for Ambassadors events are
available at http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/protected/ambassadors.php. The user id is mgvol and thepassword is maricopa. Note that both must be all lower case letters.
The plan is to move this page to MG Central in the near future. A notice of upcoming events is published on theMG Main, Associate, and MG Intern listserves and in the Volunteer Opportunities section of Roots & Shoots.
There is an urgent need for volunteers to staff the Ambassadors management team. The following positions arecurrently open and all are welcome, including interns. Each of these positions could be shared by two people.
• Ambassadors Manager
• Booth setup (Requires pickup truck or vehicle capable of hauling six ft. tables.)
• Booth teardown (Requires pickup truck or vehicle capable of hauling six ft. tables.)
• Booth Stocker
• Mail, Badges & Show Check in
• Artistic Director
For additional information Contact Kristen Wagner or Charlie Stephens: [email protected] / 602-957-9865.
Help is needed at events such as last month’s
Green Expo in Scottsdale.
Chris Schnier
8 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
Diagnostic Clinics: An Insider’s View
by Lynn Nau, Master Gardener Intern
Attending the Friday morning Diagnostic Clinic has helped familiar words take on new meaning. No longer iswitches broom just associated with Halloween, but now I know it is also an unusual growth of twigs on a branchof a tree that resembles a broom. Honeydew is not just a melon but the sticky excrement of aphids that encour-ages the growth of mold.
My first visit to the Clinic was to find answers to some of my family’s gardening concerns. Not only were thequestions answered, but also I now look forward on Friday mornings to find out what new samples have beenbrought in for analysis and learning how these problems can be addressed.
I am in awe of the knowledge and insights of Terry and this dedicated group of Master Gardeners. How fortu-nate I am to have an opportunity to learn from these kind and accepting people!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that most garden problems are people related. Many concernsare the result of improper watering. Serious problems are frequently tied to stress and related to care of –orlack of care of—the plant. Solutions to concerns begin with the simplest and least aggressive approach.
Attending the Diagnostic Clinic I’ve learned:
• There are a number of trees that fail to thrive after about twenty years. They too have a limited life expect-ancy. Arizona Ash, Chinese Elm, and California Peppers are among the trees in this group.
• For soil testing, use a local group or local kit. Kits from out of state do not give an accurate reading of ourtype of phosphorus.
• Once again, DDT is being used to control mosquitoes in some third world countries. A concern is that DDTnever dissipates. It is not water soluble, and once it is ingested it remains in fatty tissues of animals. Theserealities are weighed against the growing problems of malaria.
• Nutsedge can be discouraged in gardens by consistent removal of leaves. It is working!!
• Texas Root Rot is found only in dicots. Leaves turn brown but remain on the tree. Citrus usually is exemptfrom this problem.
• Is there a “fruit cocktail” tree that you want to determine which area is orange, lemon, etc.? Tasting theleaves or giving them the scratch and sniff test should help solve the problem.
• The most interesting evaluation came during my first visit to Clinic. An elaborate collection of cotton balls, q-tips, and twigs with tape were all confined in plastic bags. They contained “no-see-ums” that were causingskin irritations for several family members. Terry bravely opened the bags and inspected the contents whilesome of us cringed. His bravery hinged on the conviction that there truly was nothing there! Closer inspec-tion proved his theory to be true. The samples were saved for further evaluation by the owner’s physician. Itwas also suggested that thegroup would be willing to exam-ine any additional samples.
Each week, I look forward to newinsights from the experts, and Ifeel grateful to have this opportu-nity to learn. I just hope thatsomeday I will know enough tohelp others.
Photos by Jeff Ross
November 2007 Roots & Shoots 9
Book Review: Perennials for the Southwest
by Jeanette Socaciu
Perennials for the Southwest: Plants That Flourish in Arid GardensMary IrishTimber Press, 2006$29.95
Mary Irish has published several books on desert landscaping over the past fewyears, and after reading the first one (Arizona Gardener’s Guide), I have been slowlyadding each of them to my library. Her writing style is easy to read, even for thenovice gardener or casual reader, and she includes an abundance of photographs. Inever fail to find new plants in her books that I either haven’t seen before or haveseen but couldn’t identify.
Perennials for the Southwest begins by defining a perennial plant and giving anoverview of the regions she intends to cover. Generally speaking, the book coversperennials in arid areas under 4,000 feet elevation from southern California to mid-Texas and, for the most part, the southern portions of those states. Mary devotesquite a bit of time in her book talking about design principals, including ways toaccomplish year-round color, accenting other xeriscape plants with perennials, andattracting birds and butterflies to the garden.
I wasn’t able to determine whether Mary is a Master Gardener…but the next 40 pages of her book on the careof perennials reinforced everything we interns have learned since July. Reading this section made a lot of the“book learning” from class “click” for me. In the section on beneficial insects, she explains why it is so neces-sary to be aware of the relationships between your beneficial insects and their prey, as well as their behaviors.Now I know why I can only ever find one praying mantid in my desert milkweed! (They’re territorial, cannibalis-tic little buggers!). Her propagation instructions are very clear, making a potentially “difficult” subject soundeasy, and she highly recommends propagation both as a means to share your favorite plants with your friends,but also as a way to reproduce a hybrid plant that may have appeared in your yard.
The last couple hundred pages of the book are my favorite part. Pages upon pages of perennials are describedin detail, including plant origin, habit, exposure, hardiness and a long, descriptive narrative. Each perennialincludes a photograph which, to my eyes, appears to be taken of the most obvious “desirable” aspect of theplant – whether that be flower or foliage. In a few cases, I would have liked to see more pictures of the overallshape of the plant, or even up-close pictures of the leaves, but she selected wonderful shots (some of whichare her own).
The narratives include a wealth of information, which vary from plant to plant. In some cases, she describes thebest way and time to prune, or the cultivars which you might find. Some descriptions include interesting infor-mation about the plant itself – such as that deer think fairydusters (Calliandra eriophylla) are quite tasty. Or thatrue (Ruta graveolens) dates back to the Bible – and has been used as a medicinal plant since that time. Thereare over 150 “common” perennials listed, many of which I was unfamiliar with, but I have over 30 of them in myyard currently (and another dozen or so used to be in my yard but didn’t survive my green thumb). In additionto the common plants, she includes over 15 “uncommon” perennials – those that cause the local nursery staffto scratch their heads and shrug their shoulders.
If you don’t have this book in your library, I highly recommend it. I am going to take it with me to the next DesertBotanical Garden sale, in hopes that some of the more interesting plants she includes might be available there.I’d love to find a Mexican Lobelia (Lobelia laxiflora) or Wine Cup (Callirhoe involucrate). There’s got to be aspot left for them somewhere in my yard!
10 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
Black Widow Spider
Bug of the Month by Sue Hakala
Black widow spider females are about ½” long, about 2" with legs, and glossy-black with a bright orange to red hourglass on their abdomens. Males are one-half the size of the females. They are poisonous at all stages, even the egg sackand their webs. They are quick as a wink, and have been known to scamperunder a pant leg when faced with a slow moving (to their eyes) shoe on footapproaching. Instead, squash the black widow with a heavy object or, spray withan insecticide labeled for spiders. Check for messy crisscrossed webs at nightwith a flashlight looking for the spiders. Crush egg sacks, being sure not totouch them with bare hands. Removing clutter and debris around your plants,pots, garage and house reduces places for them to hide.
Remove webs with gloves or a broom. Black widow spiders hide during the dayand sit in their webs at night waiting to trap a meal. They don’t hunt humans, butbite to defend themselves injecting a nerve toxin that is not generally fatal, butthe side effects aren’t something you’d care to experience. Contact your localpoison control center immediately and save the body for ID if bit. Be cautious inreaching in out-of-the-way and seldom used places as black widow spidersespecially like to make home in these places. The cooler months are a good
time to search for them among your unused/seldom moved yard items like flower pots, fireplaces, wood pile, etc.
When the male spider comes a-calling he makes his presence known by sending chemical signals, and by pluck-ing and tapping the edge of the web. He will only enter the web at her invitation or will probably be eaten. Themale places a sperm packet into her genital opening, and quickly exits out of the web. The female mates onlyonce, and then stores the sperm. She lays about 300 eggs at a time, generally from May to October, which shewraps in a silken, round, cream-colored egg sack guarding them until they hatch. She can produce several eggsacs in her life.
And dinner is served…black widow spiders have major weapons to secure prey. When insects touch the web theyget stuck, the more they struggle, the more entangled they get. The motion alerts the spider that dashes out andswaths her victim in a film giving it a mummified appearance. She injects her victim with venom, which startsliquefying the insides so she can suck it up. She may devour it then or wait until later. After her feast, she cuts theempty victim from the web.
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Real Gardens for Real People Tour
Save the Date!!
Fall is here and its time to buy those 2008 calendars! Please set aside Saturday, March 29, 2008 for the7th annual Master Gardener Real Gardens for Real People Tour.
This wonderful tour of six home gardens and a school garden is a self-drive tour in the Scottsdale/North-west Phoenix area.
Tickets are $20 each ($24 if purchased online) and will be available after January 1. Master GardenersMarion Adams, Pam Cullen, Dana Hiser, Lucy Schwab, Tammy Schwab, and Betty Spagnola are hard atwork preparing their home gardens, and Karen Klein has her hands full running a Junior Master Gardenerprogram as well as teaching botany at the Mission Montessori School in Scottsdale. All these gardens areon the tour and will be a treat to behold.
Watch this space for further details. And mark your calendars. -Margaret Spence, Publicity Co-Chair
November 2007 Roots & Shoots 11
Deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan
from the kitchen of Jenny Matlock
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
Spray a large flat baking sheet (with shallow sides) with Pam.
Into a large mixing bowl put:
• 2 Tablespoons of olive oil • 2 Tablespoons of chicken broth
Cut into large size chunks and place the following vegetables into the bowl in the order listed. It is important toput the eggplant in first to keep it from discoloring.
• 5 - 6 unpeeled Japanese eggplant
• 1 - 2 large yellow onions
• 2 - 3 bell peppers - any color you prefer
• 2 - 3 minced cloves of garlic
Toss together all vegetables with your hands until evenly coated. Pour vegetables into baking sheet and drizzlevery lightly with additional olive oil.
Bake on center rack of the oven for approximately 10 minutes and then stir contents of the pan a bit. Bake anadditional 5 - 10 minutes (based on water content of vegetables used) until the vegetables have all becomelightly golden brown.
Remove from oven and sprinkle top of vegetables with any combination of:
1 - 2 cups of parmesan or mozzarella cheese you like.
Return to oven and cook an addition 3 - 5 minutes until cheese melts and becomes lightly golden.
Variation: While vegetables are cooking, prepare 1 pound of any type of pasta you enjoy. Reserve 1 cup ofcooking liquid. Do not top vegetables with cheese or fresh herbs but toss with the hot cooked pasta. Use a bitof reserved cooking liquid of necessary to create a bit more sauce on the pasta. Then top with parmesancheese and sprinkle with fresh herbs and coarse black pepper.
• 1 - 2 minced jalapeno (only if you like it spicy)
• 5 - 6 coarsely chopped roma tomatoes (or 1 small can crushed tomatoes)
• Salt and pepper to taste
USDA
12 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
Sowing, growing and feasting with the...
Desert Chef
by Kay Benson
November is Native American Heritage Month. One ofthe most well-used and important plants was the mes-quite tree, often called the ‘tree of life’.
Southwest tribes have used the sweet mesquitebean pods as an important food staple for thou-sands of years. This tree produces reliablequantities of bean pods that are easily gath-ered during the summer months. They arestored and used throughout the year. The flouris commercially available now for us all to use.
If you gather your own, look for thick bean pods.Taste-test the pods by gently chewiing on onebefore collecting the beans from any tree that yousee or have in your yard. The pods from different treesvary in sweetness and flavor. The native velvet mesquiteis a favorite of the Pima. There are now some hybrid trees
being grown, so do taste the pods first if you are looking for a tree that will provide youwith pods for food.
Caution: If you are allergic to peas or other members of the legume family like peanuts, talk to your doctorbefore tasting the mesquite pods.
To grind the pods, get clean crisp beans and grind in a mortar and pestle, or use a blender. The little seedsinside are very hard and can wear down the blender blade if you use it for this purpose many times. Sift theseeds and chaff using a sieve. You will have to do this several times, or use sieves with smaller holes towardsthe end of sifting. Store the flour in the refrigerator or freezer. You can also buy the flour ready to use fromstores that cater to the tourist trade, Mexican markets, the Desert Botanical Garden Shop, Boyce-ThompsonGift Shop, and other places that carry Native American products.
Many other parts of the mesquite tree were used besides the beans. Some examples are:
Wood - very strong, used in the construction of homes
- burns with a hot fire and makes excellent firewood for BBQ’s
- made into balls that were kicked while running similar to soccer
- father made a cradle for his child right after it was born
- agricultural dibble planting sticks and weed cutters were made from the wood because of its strength
- weapons were fashioned, as were harpoons and fish-net frames
- twigs were made into curved pieces for boats
Pitch - looks like black tar running down the bark of the tree. Pieces of the bark with this pitch on it would bebroken off and boiled down to a thick syrup. This syrup was used as paint on pottery or gourds, as decorationfor the body and as a shampoo. It was mixed with clay or mud and applied to their hair. Left on for a day or two,it served as a shampoo, conditioner and treatment for insects. The clay was to help the hair grow.
Beans - used for food, to thicken soup or stew and made into staples and treats.
Cream sugar and margarine or butter together. Add eggs and mix well. Sift dry ingredients in and mix. Use ateaspoon or tablespoon to scoop out dough on greased cookie sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Trail Treat
Mix some mesquite flour and a little water. Take tablespoonfuls,pat out to about 1/2 inch thick “cookies” and letdry. They will become hard and crunchy. Use to munch or dunk in coffee or tea, or on the trail.
* Recipe from the Desert Botanical Garden
November is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month, Fig Week (first week), and Split Pea Soup Week (2nd week).
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs
Another photo of our Festive Master Gardeners...
Julie Rodolico
14 Maricopa County Master Gardeners
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities. Persons with a disability may request a reasonableaccommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting Kristen Wagner, Program Coordinator, at [email protected] 602-470-8086x311. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A.Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.
SATELLITE OFFICES:EAST VALLEY: 480-985-0338 NORTHEAST VALLEY: 480-312-5810 NORTHWEST VALLEY: 623-546-1672Red Mtn. Multi-Generational Center Via Linda Senior Center PORA Office7550 E. Adobe 10440 E Via Linda 13815 Camino del Sol BlvdMesa, AZ 85207 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-6099 Sun City West, AZ 85375Mon. & Thurs. 9:00a.m.-Noon Mon. 9 -12:30 p.m.; Thurs. 9 -4 p.m. Weekdays 9:00a.m.-Noon
MG CONTACT LIST:East Valley Satellite: Wayne Hall 480-507-5422NE Valley Satellite: Debbie Lyding 602-789-7377
Linda Belous 480-991-4306Linda Thiedke 480-614-0150
NW Valley Satellite: Mary Ann Garewal 623-388-4900Marvene Walker 623-546-1023
Director at Large: Carol Stuttard 480-551-7291Educational Materials: Dottie Tucker 480-595-9329Demonstration Garden: Pam Perry 602-279-6250MG Support: Cheri Czaplicki 623-975-5397Public Events: Julie Rodolico 623-582-8422Public Training: Jim Oravetz 623-584-6068
For a complete listing, see the organizational chart under MG Business on the MG Central website
Maricopa County Master Gardeners
ScheffleraHouseplant of the Month by Pauline Marx
Schefflera is a genus of 150 to 200 evergreen trees and shrubs from tropical and warmtemperate areas of Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands. The plant, popularly calledschefflera, is actually Brassia actinophylla. The only houseplant in the genus Schefflera is S.arbicola. It is sometimes erroneously called S. digitata and Heptapleurum arboricola.Schefflera is named for J.C Schefflera, a nineteenth-century German botanist.
In summer, give your plant a well-lit and airy location out of the sun and especially out of anydraft. An ideal range is temperature is 60 to 70 degrees during the day and no lower than 50at night.
Schlefferas need lots of water in the summer, and should be watered thoroughly once ortwice a week with an occasional misting. Mist only every three weeks in summer.
Fertilize once a month in the summer. Wash leaves with room temperature water.
Schefflera can grow to 10 to 12 feet and can be 3 or 4 feet wide. It may be necessary to cutback from time to time if it is getting too large. This is best done in the fall when the plant has stopped growing for the year.
The leaves are particularly attractive, dark green or variegated and divided into 6-14 oval leaflets on a 4-6 inch stem. It rarelyblooms in the home, but in the wild it is covered with small scarlet flowers each spring and referred to as Octopus Treebecause of its spectacular tentacle-like flowers.
Excessive wetness or dryness will cause the leaves to drop. If the plant gets thin, long and leggy it is too warm and notgetting enough light. Move it to a cooler, brighter spot. Yellow, falling leaves are often the result of too much water, or waterthat has been left in the saucer underneath. Let the plant dry out and water less in the future. Scale insects on the leavesmust be dealt with immediately. If there are not a lot of insects dab each insect with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol thenscrape off the insect. If the infestation is large, spray the plant with insecticidal soap making sure to spray all insects on thestem and under the leaves.
Spider mites also infest these plants. Insecticidal soap will combat them also.
Thu 1 NW Satellite Office Diagnostic Clinic 10-12 noon, 13815 Camino del Sol, Sun City West (623) 546-1672
Thu 1 Rose Society of Glendale, Monthly Meeting
7 pm, Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St, Glendale. Room 102 Contact: Bill Sheperd or (623) 878-9607.
Thu 1 Arizona Herb Association General Meeting
7:30 pm, Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Mary Irish will talk about perennials for the Southwest and plants that flourish in arid gardens. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc
Thu 1 Peoria Workshop- Create a Moon/Night Garden
5:30-7:30 pm, Peoria Main Library, Willow Room, 8463 W. Monroe. Register at Online Registration or (623) 773-7286, Free, Kirti Mathura is guest speaker. Peoria Water Conservation
Fri 2 Desert Designers Meeting 10 am, contact Mary Lou Coffman for information. In Tempe.
Fri 2 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic 8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix
Sat 3,4 Annual Orchid Society Show and Sale
9-5 pm Sat, 9-3 pm Sun, Encanto Park Club House at 2605 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix, for info contact at, Barbara Parnell or (480) 948-0714, Orchid Society
Sat 3 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Contact John Kudelka at (480) 948-4816
Sat 3 Phoenix Permaculture Mesquite Milling
9 am- 1pm, location to be announced. Event is Free - Donation for Milling: $5 for 5 gallons of dry pods. Go to http://www.permaculture.net/phxguild/calendar.html for info on how to collect pods. Greg Peterson, 602-565-7045
Sat 3 Master Gardener Q&A Session 10 am-2 pm, Northwest Regional Library in the Surprise Recreation Complex, 16089 N. Bullard Ave. Anne Thomson
Sat 3 Arizona Herb Association Weed and Feed
8:00 am, MCCE, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Come and see how the garden grows. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc
Sat 3 Southwest Gardener’s Mosaic Birdbath Class
10 am-5 pm, 2809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix, Mosaic artist Dave Jarvinen will show you how to make a birdbath using a metal base, topped with a 21” mosaic dish of your own design. $105, Register at 602-279-9510, Southwest Gardener
Sat 3 Boyce Thompson Arboretum Landscaping with Cactus
10 am-2 pm, Boyce Thompson, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Matt Johnson of the U of Arizona will teach you to propagate cactus, $20 members/ $27.50 non-mem. Register: (520) 689-2723. Info: Boyce Thompson
Sun 4 Southwest Gardener’s Gardening with Wildflowers Class
Noon, 2809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix , Get an autographed copy of award-winning author Scott Calhoun’s new book, Chasing Wildflowers and learn how to create your own wildflower garden. $35, Register at 602-279-9510, Southwest Gardener
denotes an MG event or opportunity to earn MG hours.
6:30 pm, Washington Adult Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way, Phoenix. Contact: Bill Carls (602) 942-1543
Mon 5 Scottsdale Garden Club Monthly Meeting
11:30 am, luncheon and speakers, for reservation and location contact Wanda Lamm at (480) 609-0410
Mon 5 Orchid Society of AZ Monthly Meeting
7 pm, Encanto Park Clubhouse, 2605 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Julie Rathbun or (602) 843-0223. Orchid Society of Arizona
Tue 6
MCCE Garden Maintenance 2:30 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. For more info contact Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250
Tue 6 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting 7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Elsie Andrade at (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society . Topic: Introduction to pines.
Tue 6 Deer Valley Water Festival 7:30-2:30 pm, Paseo Highlands Park at 35th Ave and Pinnacle Peak Road. Contact Mary Ann Stoll or (602) 470-8086 ext 813, AZ Water
Tue 6 Sun Country Iris Society Monthly Meeting
7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. Contact: Ardi Kary (480) 949-0253. Sun Country Iris Society. Guest speaker: Bob Van Liere
Tue 6 Down to Earth Toastmasters 5:45 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Contact: Olivette Aviso, or (480) 235-5989. Toastmasters
Tue 6 Chandler Landscape Class- Yard Watering
6:00-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street. Free to Chandler residents. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation
Wed 7 USDA-NRCS Tucson Plant Material Center Field Day
9 am-noon, 3241 N. Romero Rd, Tucson. Highlights: new plant materials for SE Az, species diversity in the Mohave, native plants in containers. Located off I-10 between Prince and Miracle Mile. Due to construction, exit on Prince Road (east-bound) or Ruthrauff Road (west-bound) & go south. Ramona or Mary at (520) 292-2999
6:30-8:30 pm, Glendale Main Library Auditorium, 5959 W. Brown St, Glendale. Register at (623) 930-3760, Glendale Water Conservation
Thu 8 Permaculture Guild’s Fruit Tree Class
6:30 pm, 2652 E. Butte Circle, Mesa 85213, $8, Greg at (602) 565-7045, or RSVP, more info at Phoenix Permaculture
Thu 8 Tolleson Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting
2:00-4:30 pm, Tolleson Senior Center, 9555 W. VanBuren, Tolleson, AZ. Contact Shelley Fletcher (602) 237-4496, Tolleson Gourd Patch
Thu 8 AZ Rare Fruit Growers Monthly Meeting
7:30 pm, Palo Verde Room at Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. AZ Rare Fruit
Thu 8
NE Valley Satellite Diagnostic Clinic
10 am-noon, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale (480) 312-5810
Thu 8 Mesa East Valley Rose Society Monthly Meeting
7 pm, Mesa Community College Library, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. (480) 807-3475. Learn about new 2008 roses. Bring cut roses and pruners. Mesa East Valley Rose Society
Fri 9
Main Office Diagnostic Clinic 8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix
denotes an MG event or opportunity to earn MG hours.
9-noon, continental breakfast at 9, walk begins at 9:30, Desert Botanical Garden, $50 mem/$55 non-mem, DBG’s director of research, Dr. Joe McAuliffe will lead the walk to discover low-desert ecology, geology, plants, and animals. Register: (480) 481-8146
Sat 10 Bonsai Workshop at Baker’s Nursery
8-noon or 1-4:30 pm, $50, For more info: Kerry Boehmer or (602)653-6755; Alex Gray or Cameron Stewart, Phoenix Bonsai Society
Sat 10 Curb Appeal and Landscape Lifestyles
10 am, Gardener’s World at 3401 E. Baseline, Phoenix. Register at (602) 437-0700, Ext. 120 or #2. Gardener's World
Sat 10 Southwest Gardener’s Ceramic Coaster Class
10 am, 2809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Using leaves, flowers, and twigs you will create a set of 4 stoneware clay coasters. They will be kiln dried off site and returned to the shop for pick up. $35, Register at 602-279-9510, Southwest Gardener
Sat 10 Boyce Thompson Edible/Medicinal Plant Walk
1:30-2:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60 Superior, AZ. Apache Junction authors Jean Groen ("Foods of the Superstitions") and Don Wells lead the walk. Info: Boyce Thompson
Sat 10 Boyce Thompson Live Music Festival
10 am-3 pm, Boyce Thompson, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Enjoy music in the gardens Info: Boyce Thompson
Sat 10 Water Wise Landscape Designs 9 am, Gardener’s World at 3401 E. Baseline, Phoenix. Register at (602) 437-0700, Ext. 120 or #2. Gardener's World
Sat 10 Phoenix Pond Society Meeting Elizabeth Good (623) 388-3590, Election of officers. More info: Phoenix Pond Society
Sun 11 Bonsai Workshop at Baker’s Nursery
9 am, $50, For more info: Kerry Boehmer or (602)653-6755; Alex Gray or Cameron Stewart, Phoenix Bonsai Society
Tue 13
MCCE Garden Maintenance 2:30 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. For more info contact Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250
Tue 13 Arizona Native Plant Society Monthly Meeting
7-9 pm, at Webster Auditorium Desert Botanical Garden. Contact Doug Newton or (602)438-9628, Arizona Native Plant Society
Tue 13 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting 7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Elsie Andrade at (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society . Topic: Demonstration/Workshop on pines.
Tue 13 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting
10 am, for location contact: Ann Stoetzer or (623) 872-9020. Desert Sun African Violet Society
Tue 13 Sonoran Desert Iris Society Monthly Meeting
7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Darol Jurn or (623) 932-3412
Tue 13 West Valley Rose Society Meeting
7 pm, Landscape Mart at 8028 W. Thunderbird Rd, Glendale. Info: Heidi Leavitt or (602) 971-0179
7:30 pm, Eldorado Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale (480) 926-3064
Thu 15 Desert Valley Orchid Society Meeting
6:30 pm, Scottsdale Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Contact: Steve Grass, or (602) 508-1808, Desert Valley Orchid Society. Orchid Auction
Thu 15 NW Valley Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting
3:30-5:30 pm, Nadaburg School in Wittman, AZ. Contact Robynn Bell or (623) 214-5259, NW Valley Gourd Patch
Thu 15 Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society Meeting
6:30 pm social, 7 pm meeting, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society
Fri 16
Main Office Diagnostic Clinic 8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix
Sat 17
Master Gardener Trail Day at MCCE
8-11 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring water, tools, gloves. For more info contact Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250
Sat 17
Design Charrette 9 am-noon, Ginny Jamieson’s home in Cave Creek. For address and reservation contact: Carol Parrott or (602) 438-4003.
Sat 17 Mesa East Valley Rose Society Show
1-5 pm, Mesa Community College Student Center. See hundreds of roses and arrangements, pruning demonstrations. Rose Society
Sat 17 Southwest Gardener’s Tin Can Flowers
10:30 am, 2809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix, Bring empty aluminum cans to recycle into zinnias or daisies using templates, glue, and wire. $28, Register at 602-279-9510, Southwest Gardener
Sat 17 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Contact John Kudelka at (480) 948-4816
Sun 18 Central AZ Cactus & Succulent Society Mtg.
2 pm, Dorrance Hall, Desert Botanical Garden . Contact Judy Braun-Brody (480) 481-8129. Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun 18 Boyce Thompson Arizona 101 Class
10 am-3 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn to choose the ideal plants and to install irrigation. $20 mem/$27.50 non-mem. Register: (520) 689-2723 Boyce
Tue 20
MCCE Garden Maintenance 2:30 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. For more info contact Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250
Tue 20 West Valley Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting
1:30 pm, Glendale Library at 59th Ave. and Brown. Contact Joanne Griner or (623) 937-3268 West Valley Gourd Society
Tue 20 Phoenix Rose Society 7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N 15th Ave, Phoenix. (480) 967-7001. Phoenix Rose Society.
Tue 20 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting 7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Elsie Andrade at (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society . Workshop on pine trees.
Tue 20
Down to Earth Toastmasters 5:45 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Contact: Olivette Aviso, or (480) 235-5989. Toastmasters
denotes an MG event or opportunity to earn MG hours.
7-9 pm, Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Contact Cheri Williams or (623) 322-5660, AZ Gourd Society
Wed 21 Phoenix Chrysanthemum Society Monthly Meeting
7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15 Ave, Phoenix. Contact: th
Wayne Wight or (602) 943-7418
Sat 24 Concepts of Landscape Design 10 am, Gardener’s World at 3401 E. Baseline, Phoenix. Register at (602) 437-0700, Ext. 120 or #2. Gardener's World
Sat 24 Landscape Maintenance for Homeowners
11 am, Gardener’s World at 3401 E. Baseline, Phoenix. Register at (602) 437-0700, Ext. 120 or #2. Gardener's World
Sat 24 West Valley Rose Society Show 1-4 pm, Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Dr, Glendale. Info: Heidi Leavitt or (602) 971-0179
Sat 24, 25 Boyce Thompson Fall Foliage Finale Festival
11 am-3 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior Info: Boyce Thompson
Sun 25 Boyce Thompson Edible/Medicinal Plant Walk
1:30-2:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60 Superior, AZ. Ethnobotanist and Choctaw Tribal nation member David Morris leads the walk. Info: Boyce Thompson
Tue 27
MCCE Garden Maintenance 2:30 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. For more info contact Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250
Fri 30
Main Office Diagnostic Clinic 8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix
denotes an MG event or opportunity to earn MG hours.
