Williamson County Texas Master Gardener Newsletter January 2014
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Williamson County Master Gardener Newsletter
Contents:President’s
MessageInternational
Gardening ClassesBerry Springs Park and
PreserveAwards DinnerGardening TipsSave the Date
Williamson County Texas Master Gardener Newsletter January 2014
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Happy New Year to all of you! Are you ready to kick off 2014? I know I am ready. Ready or not, it is here and we will just enjoy what it brings!
Williamson County Master Gardener Association had a good year in 2013 with our members volunteering more than 11,500 hours of volunteer service and 1,893 advanced education hours. Using the Texas A&M Agrilife standard for volunteer service of $20 per hour, that is $230,000 saved by Williamson County that they would have paid to full time employees to perform the duties you did. I know many of you volunteered more hours than reported. I am sure that 2014 will be a year that our volunteers will be performing even more hours.
We have 22 schools or partners that have Junior Master Gardener Programs in Williamson County. This includes two programs at the Boys and Girls Club in Georgetown. We also
have a relationship with the Juvenile Justice Center where we teach classes and volunteer to help with their vegetable gardening. Some of our members are in a program called International Gardening at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor where they teach the residents how to grow sustainable gardens and how to cook healthy meals. What better way can volunteers serve other than assisting our teachers in our school districts and serving in the community?
Our latest class finished in November, 2013 and 36 of the 38 students completed the class. Four have already certified as Master Gardeners.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our various volunteer opportunities throughout the year!
Wayne
Williamson!County!Master!Gardener!2013!Membership!Directory!
45!
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Redden,!Jan! !
1800!Pin!Oak!Ln.!! (512)!466R5668c!!
Round!Rock,!TX!!78681! !
Master!Gardener!Since:!2013! !
Specialty!or!Interest:!!Native!plants,!rainwater!collection!Skills:!!Plant!sales,!greenhouse/propagation,!organization/administrative!skills,!!vegetable!garden,!herb!garden,!refreshment!committee,!garden!fair!
Other:!
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Rhoden,!Wayne! (512)!869R8016h!
7725!Little!Deer!Trl!! (512)!966R7373c!!
Georgetown!TX!78628R3705! !
Master!Gardener!Since:!1996! !Specialty!or!Interest:!!Speaker's!bureau:!entomology,!native!and!perennial!plants,!Rose!Garden,!Certified!Specialists:!JMG,!Entomology,!Vegetable!Gardening,!Herb!Gardening,!Oak!Wilt,!Firewise!,WCMGA!past!President;!WCMGA!past!Secretary!Skills:!Computer!skills!(power!point!or!others),HTML/Wordpress!skills,!greenhouse,!public!speaking,!JMG!physical!labor,!organization/administrative!skills,!bookkeeping/accounting,!writing!(newsletter)!photography/media,!teaching,!supervising,!landscape!design,!publicity,!plant!sales,!fundraising,!MG!Class!mentor,!Help!Desk!!Other:!!!WCMGA!2008,!2009!Past!President!,WCMGA!2013!Junior!Master!Gardener!Coordinator!Chairperson,!!WCMGA!2013!Help!Desk!Chairperson,!!WCMGA!2013!Rose!Garden!Chairperson,!Native!Plant!Society,!Master!Naturalist!!
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President’s Message by Wayne Rhoden
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The International Gardening classes will start up again this spring at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor. The center presently holds about 500 women who are awaiting rulings on whether they return to their home country or will be permitted to remain in the U.S. We will begin classes on February 19 and continue for 10 weeks through April 23. We begin with check-in at the facility at 8:30 am and finish at 11:30 for three hours of volunteer time each session. We could use about five volunteers for each weekly session.
We have been very pleased with the response of the residents to our classes. We had planned on 15 students each week but our first class started with 17 and finished with 33 in the last class. We have only had a few that have been there long enough to attend more than one class. We have had excellent cooperation with the staff members who have been assigned to assist us. In fact, I think staff members have benefitted tremendously for they always have questions. We do the class in English and have translators for the Spanish. Any volunteers who speak Spanish would be welcomed with open arms. We have had students from many nations: Columbia, San Salvador, Peru, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and even Albania. So far Grace has not had to speak Chinese!
International Gardening Classes by Arlene David
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Weather permitting we hold classes in the greenhouse but during inclement weather we go into the chapel for classes. Our topics include plant nutrition, composting, planting seeds, lasagna gardening, propagation, square foot gardening, spiral herb gardens, benefits of gardening, and working outside to add amendments to the soil and taking care of raised beds for planting. We have a large area that we will have the residents plant this spring. At first we were fearful because it was a locked facility but having the students thank us for coming in their halting English is very heartwarming. It has been very rewarding for us.
Volunteers will need to take a training class before being allowed to go into the facility. We are working on getting this set up for the last part of January. Volunteers will get eight hours for taking the class. Volunteers will also need to complete paperwork for a background check which will be competed as part of the training. You will need to show a driver’s license each time to get into the center and will be given a visitor’s badge. Grace is still waiting to get the #1 badge. We always have a staff member with us. No open toed shoes or shorts are allowed.
Fred and Jo Hoover and Gail Kelley have volunteered before and have done a wonderful job helping and we thank them for their efforts. We would like to give others the opportunity to see how rewarding this project can be. If you have questions, Arlene David, Grace Bulgerin or Valerie Clark would be most
happy to answer them. Give us a call or visit with us at the January meeting.
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News from Berry Springs Park & Preserve
Berry Springs Park & Preserve Receives "Best of Georgetown" Award Again
Winners of the city-sponsored "Best of Georgetown" contest were announced early in November. Months of online voting drew 62,959 votes from 2,573 registered voters. Residents chose their favorite business in 49 categories.
Once again Berry Springs received the Silver Award for "Best Local Park" from the Best of Georgetown.
In 2010 the Park received a Silver for "Best Local Park", a Gold for "Best Kept Secret", a Silver for "Best Picnic Spot", and a Bronze for "Best Hiking Area".
by Susan Blackledge
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United Way Day of Service, Monday January 20, 2014 Martin Luther King Holiday
Once again, Berry Springs is hosting a work day as part of Williamson County's United Way of Service on Monday Jan. 20th 2014 beginning at 8:30 am till noon. We will be continuing to develop the Nature Trail. The nature trail began development in January 2012. Two work days are year are scheduled in collaboration with United Way of Williamson County. There will also be a Fall Work Day during United Ways Day of Caring, date TBA.
Sign up to volunteer on the Master Gardener Volunteer Website or by Contacting Susan Blackledge at [email protected] or calling the Park at 512-930-0040.
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Deck the Halls at Berry Springs Park for the Holiday Season
It is a annual tradition at Berry Springs to decorate the park with garland, bows, gold glittered buffalo gourds, and lost and found toys items left in the park throughout the year. This year's elves helping to bring in the holidays and put park patrons in a festive mood were (pictured left to right) Mary Jo Griggs, Linda Carter, Gail Kelley, Betty Jo Phillips, Cathy Reyes, Jeff Metz, Keith Conner and Susan Blackledge.
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Berry Springs Pond Dam Construction Completed
It has been over three years since Georgetown received 16 inches of rain in a 24 hour period on September 8, 2010, knocking down the historical dam at the spring fed pond which was originally built in the late 1840s.
The new dam was finished in late November this year. The spring water now flows over the new dam creating a waterfall on the back of the dam and the water flows under the boardwalk into Berry Creek. Plans are for the pond to be restocked with bass, blue gill and red ear perch, catfish and grass carp. The springs are pumping more than I have ever seen since the park opened in October 2005. It is a beautiful sight worth making a special trip to the park to see.
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2013 Master Gardener Awards Dinnerby Claire Hall and photos by Claire Hall and Steve Echols
Approximately 90 guests and Master Gardeners gathered together for the 2013 Awards Dinner on December 9th. The Georgetown Community Center in San Gabriel Park was filled with holiday spirit as folks feasted on fajitas and all the fixins, courtesy of Bill Miller's barbeque. The meal was supplemented by Jeanne Barker's vegetarian rice and Janet White's vegetarian beans. For the first time this year, individuals brought their own beverages of choice. This turned out to make for a more festive evening.
Master Gardener Coordinator Fred Hall began the with evening with an invocation, followed by President Jeanne Barker who served as hostess and emcee. Master Gardeners who had achieved 100 hours of volunteer service for the first time were awarded a pin and an embroidered denim shirt. Others earning 100 hours who had received a shirt in previous years were awarded with a pin. Those who earned 200 hours or more received a star pin. The board decided to implement the new awards plan as a cost-cutting measure since the price of embroidered shirts has risen to just under $30.
Fred Hall formally presented the Texas Master Gardener State Award for First Place in the Projects Division to Claire Hall for Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery. Steve Echols stood in for Grace Bryce to accept the First Place award for WCMGA's 2012 Directory. The awards had been announced at the TMGA State Convention held in McAllen last October.
Finally, Jeanne introduced Wayne Rhoden as incoming president for 2014. Wayne in turn announced his executive committee: Cat McGrath-Farmer is vice-president; Sandy Lawrence is treasurer; Annie Bowersox is secretary.
Many thanks to Awards Committee Chair Mary Hargita who, with the help of Joy Mitchell, arranged the dinner this year. Thanks also to all those who came early to help set up the room and those who stayed late to clean up. And thanks to Steve Echols for taking photographs all night.
If you have any ideas for next years Awards Dinner or if you would like to serve on the committee, please contact Claire Hall at [email protected].
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Mon!ly Gardening TipsJanuary 2014
by Winola Van A"sdalen
• Transplant trees and shrubs now. If you did not divide bulbs and perennials as needed last fall, you can still do so, but mulch well. You may delay or miss this year's bloom.
• Trim oaks, but remember to paint all wounds any size, any season, immediately! Trim crepe myrtles and vitex now. Cut back ornamental grasses and cold hardy perennials after a hard freeze, but wait to prune spring-blooming plants after bloom.
• Dig weeds now while they are easy to see in turf. Keep beds free of weeds, too, as roots will grow during our mild winters.
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• Incorporate amendments in bed for spring planting, but be sure soil is moist, not wet. Digging in wet soil can damage soil structure.
• Water everything before a freeze.
• If you use an automatic sprinkler system, turn off your controller and only water when needed, but do turn your irrigation on once a month to check the system.
• Watch for insect problems on houseplants.
And, have a great new year!
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Save the Date
Williamson County Master Gardener Meetings
Monthly meetings are held at the Williamson County Extension Office, 3151 SE Innerloop Road, Suite A, Georgetown, Texas.
January 13th, 2014, 6:30 pmCitrus Plants in the Pot and In the Yard
Michele Pfluger of Green-n-Grow Nursery will share information on growing cold hardy citrus in Central TX, both in a container and in the ground. She may bring a few plants to sell. One hour educational credit for this meeting.
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Educational Opportunities for Master Gardeners
Travis County Master Gardener Education Classes
Saturday, January 11, 2014 10:00 am-NoonZilker Botanical Gardens, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746, 512-974-6700Worm Composting
Patrick Van Haren, owner of Microbial Earth, will detail the value and management of earthworms. Learn how worm composting can help recycle kitchen and paper waste in your home, providing you with castings and ‘tea’ to boost garden productivity.
Monument Cafe Market Gardening Classes500 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626, 512-240-4715
January 4, 2014, 10:30 am January in the Garden
Michelle Perry will cover the “Garden To-Do” list for the month.
January 11, 2014, 10:30 am Preparing the Soil for a New Garden
Michelle Perry will discuss what you need to know to start your garden off right.
January 25, 2014, 10:30 amGrowing Potatoes!
Michelle Perry will teach how to plant, grow and harvest potatoes and sweet potatoes.
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Natural Gardener Gardening Classes8648 Old Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78735, 512-288-6113
January 11, 2014, 10:00 amThe 12th Annual Fruits, Nuts, and Berries Workshop
Jim Kamas, Texas A&M Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist – Pomology & Viticulture, and Texas Pierce's Disease Program Outreach Coordinator – Texas AgriLife Extension, will present all aspects of home orchard production, from variety selection to pruning and harvesting. He also demonstrates pruning in the Natural Gardener orchard. The class is at least two hours long.
Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 am Basic Seed-Saving for the Vegetable Gardener.
Linda Wall, Horticulturist at The Natural Gardener and owner of AustinGardenConsultant.com, will show how to save your own vegetable seeds to save money, preserve genetic diversity, and ensure you’ll never be without that favorite vegetable variety. Which crops are wind-pollinated and which are insect-pollinated? Which plants are biennial, meaning you cannot collect seed until the second year? What’s the difference between hybrid seed, open-pollinated, heirloom, and GM seed? This class is about one hour long.
Saturday, January 25, 2014, 10:00 amOrganic Vegetable Gardening 101
Rosina Newton, Horticulturist and Education Coordinator at The Natural Gardener and owner of bioMUNDO, will discuss how to create successful vegetable, herb, and flower gardens in Central Texas. Learn site selection, soil preparation, fertilization, and more. This class may be slightly over one hour.
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Online classes:
The state Texas Master Gardener Association allows only three online educational hours per year. They offer 12 different free online EarthKind Modules from which to choose. The link for these classes is here:
WCMGA also has approved the webinars from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to the approved list. There is a small fee associated with their webinars.
A total of three online educational hours per year is allowed whether they are all through A&M or a combination of EarthKind and Wildflower.
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Copyright 2014 Williamson County Master Gardeners Association. WCMGA is a volunteer program of the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
This issue of the Williamson County Master Gardener Newsletter was made possible because of the contributions of the following Williamson County Master Gardeners and Interns: Wayne Rhoden (president), Jinna MacLaurin (editor), Martha Baddour, Arlene David, Susan Blackledge, Claire Hall, Steve Echols, and Winola VanArtsdalen.
If you would like to contribute to the February 2014 Williamson County Master Gardener Newsletter, please send your submissions to Jinna MacLaurin at [email protected] by January 16th, 2014. As you garden, volunteer and learn, please take a moment to share your experiences with other gardeners. Thank you!
