Diggin’ Up the News Master Gardener Newsletter

Pinal County, Arizona

Volume 1 Issue 3

November 2011

SaddleBrooke 1

MAC Greenhouse Observations

2 2

Our Tucson Trip 3

Doings in the Mountains: Garden Conference

4

Dealing With Freeze Damaged Land-scape Plants

5

Meet the Advisory

Board Calendar This N That

6 7

MG Program Policy To All Master Gardeners

8 8

Inside this issue:

The SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners are off to a great start this fall. On October 13, we

held a plant sale, an Ask Your Master Gardener Clinic, and hosted MarciBeth Phillips, a

Biocontrol consultant from ARBICO and a Pima County Master Gardener, who did a com-

munity education program on ―Container Vegetable Gardening‖. Later that week our mem-

bers had an opportunity to tour the ―bug room‖ at ARBICO. ARBICO offers organic solu-

tions using beneficial insects and organisms for weed and disease control. It was one of the

best IPM sessions we’ve had.

A big thank you goes to Rick for getting the working groups together at Pima County Ex-

tension for a day of training on October 20. Nine of our volunteers were able to attend and

we all enjoyed the day. Kudos to the Pima County MG’s for all the work they have done to

create and maintain their beautiful gardens. And who wouldn’t be impressed by those hy-

droponic tomatoes the students are growing?

In October we held the first class of the Casual Gardener Series with Joe Friend talking to

45 students about cacti. This will be followed by ―Irrigation and Soils‖ in December taught

by Louise Grabell and ―Citrus‖ in January taught by Kathie Griffin.

In November we began the month with Diagnostics Training. On November 10, we will

host another community program. Greg Starr, author and owner of Starr Nursery will speak

on ―Desert Landscaping and Plant Selection‖. We will hold another Ask Your Master Gar-

dener clinic before his presentation.

Thanks to Jim Morris, SMG Intern, our website is now up and running. Check it out at

sbmastergardeners.wordpress.com.

“Man masters nature not by force but by understanding. “ Jacob Bronowski

Happy gardening and keep cool!

Kathie Griffin,

President, SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners

Legal Disclaimer Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kirk A. Astroth, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. 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. If you have a disability, for which you seek an accommo-dation, please notify us prior to the event. Trade names used in this publication are for identifica-tion only and do not imply endorsement of products named or criticism of similar products not mentioned.

SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners

SaddleBrooke Master

Gardeners enjoying the

Day in Tucson.

Editor’s Note: This edition was really jam packed with a lot of events! I didn’t do justice to the pictures I received from the Day in Tucson and the Desert Highlands Conference. I will be expanding the December Calendar Update to in-clude more pictures. If you have any pictures you would like included please email them to me. My email address is:

bjseem@cox.net or call 520-431-6167.

BJSeem

Page 2 Diggin’ Up the News

Maricopa (City) Master Gardeners

The greenhouse is transitioning from trying to get summer potted plants through our 115+ days to starting our

Spring transplant seedlings. We tried to start some tomatoes and peppers in June but the day the temp hit 119

something in the temperature control system went wrong and the heater came on turning the greenhouse into a

pizza oven. Nearly all our seedlings bit the dust.

Bob Wurth has several pomegranate and fig transplants that he nursed thru the summer. The survivors are

now being moved to the orchard. Laura Gwynn is starting to germinate several varieties of peppers using the

excellent seeding mix that Miracle Gro donated. We will be reorganizing our supplies and sanitizing our reus-

able pots in preparation for starting our Spring Garden Transplants. Tomato, pepper, and eggplant seeds will

be going into six packs in early December.

During one of our Short Course sessions this year, Rick Gibson, showed us a worm farm he is tending in his

office in Casa Grande. That demo sent Bob Wurth into action and he 'liberated' a near-new Worm Factory

from one of the researchers at the MAC. After some research and a false start when our first shipment of

worms was 'poached' in the Arizona sun by UPS, we have a 1000 happy worms feasting away on kitchen

scraps. In return, they have agreed to provide us with castings and a 'tea' called Liquid Gold. Just like the man

who jumped from the 15 story building shouted as he passed the 10th floor - 'so far so good'.

Dave Brady

Master Gardener Volunteer, MMG

Maricopa Agricultural Center Greenhouse

Observations of a Short Course Student

I guess I was lucky I knew what the Short Course involved because I have been unofficially helping for about

4 years now. My mother has been a Certified Master Gardener for 5 years and now my dad is a newly Certi-

fied Master Gardener. They have been dragging me—er having me help at functions for a number of years.

The Short Course is the study of plants and soils of an arid desert climate. Each instructor goes over a specific

topic having to do with desert gardening in Pinal County. I learned we have all different soils even in a small

area such as Casa Grande. One word I didn’t know before but am very familiar with now is caliche. Need a

refresher on it---just call me. We talked about bugs and weeds, now I can tell a weed from a plant I think.

Well, bugs are still not my favorite subject.

Did you know all plants need water? Yep, even drought tolerant ones. Irrigation and Native Plants/Low Wa-

ter Plants answered that.

All in all I have enjoyed taking the Short Course.

Kelley Seemuth

Master Gardener Trainee

Casa Grande Class

Bob Wurth tells me there are 3 new citrus trees in the orchard at MAC. A Ruby Red grapefruit tree, a Mexican key lime and a Meyer lemon. They have on order a pummelo if any are left

in stock for this year. BJ

Our Tucson Field Trip

Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 3

About forty Pinal County Master Gardeners enjoyed a trip to Tucson on October 20th. We started out with tour of "The

Gardens on Campbell Avenue." The Pima County Master Gardeners were working hard to prepare for their fall plant

sale, but were more than happy to stop and answer questions. The Gardens spread out over nearly three acres, and ninety

minutes wasn't nearly enough time to see it all. Despite all the people coming and going, the serenity of the garden

seeped through. My tendency to linger and enjoy meant that I didn't get to see everything, so this gardener-in-training

will be going back soon to spend a few more hours exploring.

After touring the garden, the group walked next door to the greenhouse, where Ursula Schuch explained the salinity ex-

periments taking place in the greenhouse. It was not difficult to see the result of excess salt on plant vigor. Ursula also

showed us the pomegranate trees being grown from cuttings taken in California. Thirty-one varieties are being grown

and will be planted in three different areas of AZ to see how well they will do in the various elevations and climates. We

are hoping to be invited back in about three years to taste test each variety!

Next in the schedule was Pat Rorabaugh in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Facilities. The teaching greenhouse

was filled with the kind of tomato plants that most gardeners will only dream of growing. Vines are planted and trained

by students to grow on wires that will be continually expanded over the nine months of growing. We saw tomatoes

reaching ten to twelve feet that would eventually stretch to nearly fifty feet! Because they were being grown by students

who are still learning the art of tomato pruning, each vine will only produce about seventy pounds of tomatoes. Profes-

sionals can coax well over one hundred pounds per plant and I admit that this fact left me speechless. The ripened toma-

toes are sold in local farmers markets to help finance the greenhouse. I can still see those fabulous tomato plants when I

close my eyes. They were the high point of my day!

Lunch was a welcome chance to sit after a morning spent walking through gardens and greenhouses. Jeff Gilbert spoke

to the group about irrigation systems and answered questions while we ate. He discussed system components and design,

watering schedules and system maintenance.

The group was unable to visit the Herbarium as planned, however Phil Jenkins was kind enough to come and speak to us

about the work that is done there. He brought along a plant press and a few specimens to show us while he spoke about

the correct ways to collect and press plants. Some of the pressed and mounted plants we saw were collected back as far

as the 1920's, and were still in perfect condition. It was particularly interesting to see how the parts of a saguaro could be

correctly pressed on just a few sheets of paper. He showed us how to make a plant press of our own (not at all difficult)

and explained how to put together a page containing the information necessary to correctly identify a plant.

Ed Martin, Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Program Leader, spoke to us for just a few minutes

and then Rick Gibson gave a talk on how to collect, preserve and ship insect samples. No, we cannot put an insect in an

envelope then drop it in the mail and expect it to be identifiable on the other end.

The day finished up with a walk around the Nature Conservancy offices and a talk by Jim Riley on rainwater harvesting.

As precious as water is to us in the desert, keeping every drop that falls on our property from running down the gutter

should be a priority for all of us. Jim's talk was an excellent way to end the day.

Becky Purvis

Master Gardener Trainee

Maricopa Class

Becky took all pictures too.

More in coming issues. BJ

Page 4 Diggin’ Up the News

The 12th Annual Arizona Highlands Garden Conference was held at the Prescott Resort and Conference Cen-

ter on Saturday October 22, 2011. Pre-Conference activities took place on Friday Oct.21, including a field trip

to the Verde River Headwaters to learn about riparian habitats and a tour of two Chino Valley farms and vari-

ous food production practices.

The main conference began Saturday morning with keynote speakers on various topics that included Univer-

sity of Arizona's Ed Martin speaking about the importance of and the diversity within the Cooperative Exten-

sion Program. Dr. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University Associate Professor of Entomology, author

and educator presented an informative and humorous talk on Butterfly Gardening.

The remainder of the morning Master Gardeners from the entire state, including three from Pinal County, BJ

Seemuth (BJSeem), Greg Seemuth and Elane Headley, were given many choices for educational opportunities.

Break-out sessions on numerous topics included: Bryan Hughes speaking about that cute little snake in the

Garden; Gene Twaronite spoke about Native cold-hardy cactus and U of A's Ed Martin got us all caught up on

latest irrigation practices.

Breaks provided wonderful opportunities to meet and greet other Master Gardeners from around the state as

well as familiarizing one another with various Cooperative Extension Programs. It didn't hurt that the presence

of dozens of vendors provided endless ways to shop! Wares included fantastic gardening gloves and equip-

ment all the way to seeds and butterfly specialties. Numerous books and field guides were also available for

purchase.

The afternoon breakout sessions brought a whole new variety of speakers and seminars. Dr. Whitney Cran-

shaw gave a humorous talk on natural enemies of insect pests; Janet Rademacher showed us the new plant se-

lections available.; Dr Ursula Schuch from University of Arizona presented the abiotic factors on plants. To

be sure the conference was well rounded as there was also a speaker on the topic of backyard chickens and an-

other on Urban Wildlife.

This conference is an annual event held in various locations mainly in the northern part of our state. The wide

range of topics and the high level expertise of the presenters make this conference a resounding success year

after year. If you haven't attended the Arizona Highlands Garden Conference yet, it should definitely be put on

your to-do list for next year.

Doings in The Mountains

Carol Parrott and the MGs in the Superstition Mountains Working Group have been busy all of October.

They were busy propagating plants for the plant sale at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and helping out with the

Picket Post Mansion Tours. They also had a good showing at Our Day in Tucson. One of their MGs went up

to the Highlands Garden Conference in Prescott. The Arizona Highlands Garden Conference was attended by

3 MGs from Pinal County. I can tell you we had an awesome time and learned lots.

BJSeem

Newsletter Editor

Arizona Highlands Garden Conference 2011

Elane Headley

Master Gardener Volunteer

SMMG

Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 5

Dealing with Freeze Damaged Landscape Plants Part 1

Rick Gibson, Jack Kelly, and Glenn Wright

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

Even though the low deserts of Arizona are known for warm winter temperatures, from time to time a harsh winter storm will lower temperatures to levels that are dangerous to sensitive landscape plants. It is important to know how to deal with freeze damaged plants and how to minimize the potential for damage during severe cold weather events.

The Difference between a Frost and a Freeze

It is important to remember that there is a difference between frosts and freezes. Frost is the most common type of cold weather injury. It occurs when low temperatures and humidity combine with calm and clear nights to cause surfaces such as leaves, soil, and car windshields to cool faster than the surrounding air. The moisture in the air condenses and freezes in place. This condition is called a frost.

Freezes occur when temperatures drop below 32 F. All plants have a specific temperature at which they will begin to suffer damage. Once that temperature is reached, damage begins. Lemons, for example, will begin suffering damage right around 28E F. while oranges and grapefruit usually do not start showing freeze damage until 26E F. or below. Both the duration and temperature of the freeze are important. Four hours or more at 28E F. or less will cause damage to citrus. Typically frosts cause less damage to sensitive plants than a freeze.

Cold Weather Damage

Damage to plant tissues from a frost or freeze occurs when temperatures fall below the point of a particular plant’s resis-tance. Frost, the formation of ice crystals on the surface of a plant, or freezing, the actual solidification of liquids within the plant cell, both can create sharp edges and points that can puncture cell walls and cause the cell to dry.

Damaged plant tissue can display many symptoms, but most commonly the affected parts will first appear water-soaked or dark green or black in color and look as if water had been injected into the damaged area underneath the outside layer of cells. The affected parts will later wilt and turn black, then brown or gray after they dry. Leaves are normally the first tissues to be affected but heavily damaged plants may also have stem and trunk damage. Management strategies depend upon the type of plant affected, its growth habit, and its resistance to cold damage.

In general, it is best not to cut out the damaged parts of plants like cacti, agave, aloe, and other tender plants such as Bougainvillea and citrus until after the danger of frost has occurred. The average date of the last killing frost varies by elevation throughout Central and Southern Arizona. Watch the weather trends and long term forecasts to determine the proper time to prune out dead and damaged wood (fig. 1).

There are two ways to distinguish dead wood from that which is alive. One is to wait until bud break in the spring and watch for growth. Wood or plant tissue that does not grow when the rest of the plant is actively growing will be dead. The other method is to scratch the bark with a knife, fingernail, or other sharp object to see whether the tissue under the bark is green and moist, or brown and dry. Brown and dry tissues are dead. When pruning, try to void making heading cuts, and especially do not shear the plants off. A heading cut is one that results in the removal of a part of a branch, often leaving a stub end. It is better to cut each branch back to a bud or shoot that is alive and growing instead of cutting between the nodes, or bumps on a stem. Such cuts lead to the growth of many branches from one location which can damage the plant. Cutting back to a bud or shoot that is pointed towards the exterior of the plant helps preserve the natural appearance of the tree and prevent unwanted growth.

Editor’s Note: We are fortunate to be some of the first to see this new UA publication. The rest will be published in the coming months.

Page 6 Diggin’ Up the News

Meet the Advisory Board

I became a Master Gardener in 2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was a member of the Update Team, worked on the Las Ve-

gas Springs Preserve, the Las Vegas Wash Wetlands Park and the UNLV Desert Demonstration Garden. I rescued cac-

tus, helped a biologist gather live mouse traps, scan the bar codes imbedded behind their neck and record data to support

an impact study on field mice BEFORE we could establish a garden. I learned native plants; to prune, to propagate, and

how and when to plant from Dennis Swartzell, Director of the arboretum at the UNLV.

I love the Master Gardener Program. I love it so much that when we were transferred to Phoenix in 2003, I drove 600

miles roundtrip just to make the first three class before we could officially move to Arizona.

I love our native and desert adapted plants. Because of our bimodal rain pattern and our milder winters, our Sonoran De-

sert has a diverse palette of habitats and species representing all of the world’s biomes. It is both a challenge and a de-

light to garden in Arizona.

My favorite native plants are Dicliptera resupinata – Arizona foldwing and Abutilon palmeri – Superstition mallow. The

foldwing survives by closing its’ delicate purple flower when stressed and later the windblown paper bracts enclosing

the seeds add sound and life to the garden. The Superstition mallow evokes the senses with cheery buttercup flowers and

soft, velvety heart-shaped leaves, perfect for a sensory garden.

Because of the Master Gardener program I have: been a Picket Post Mansion Host at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, at-

tended International and state wide MG Conferences, toured world class Gardens, wetlands, gathered seeds in the wild,

taken classes from Mary Irish, caught bats at BTA, certified as a Desert Landscaper by the Desert Botanical Gardens,

manned a booth at a Gourd Festival, joined a garden club, became President of our Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs

and am on the Board of Directors for National Garden Club…… and meet some of the most interesting people on the

planet. I have found gardeners to be caring and sharing people, and the best cooks ever! What a program! Friendships are

truly made here.

Carol Parrott

Superstition Mountain Master Gardener Coordinator

Dicliptera resupinata

Arizona foldwing

Abutilon palmeri

Superstition mallow

Picket Post Mansion

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

November Calendar

Volume 1 Issue 3 Page 7

Wed, Nov 2, SMMG Propagation Crew time TBA BTA Carol Parrott 602-438-4003

Wed, Nov 9, SMMG Propagation Crew time TBA BTA Carol Parrott 602-438-4003

Thus, Nov 10 SMG Greg Starr on Desert Landscaping and Appropriate Plants 1 pm Mt View at SaddleBrooke Kathie

Griffin 520-818-6744

Mon, Nov 14, SMMG Specimen Propagation Crew time TBA BTA Carol Parrott

602-438-4003

Fri, Nov 18, SMMG Update meeting time TBA Jeannine Daniels workshop - Hypertufa pots

Carol Parrott 480-438-4003

*Fri, Nov 25 GCGMG The Avocado time TBA Help with Living Rooftop Garden Experiment

BJ Seem 520-431-6167 or bjseem@cox.net There may be earlier in week volunteer opportunities.

*Sat, Nov 26 GCGMG The Avocado time TBA Help with Living Rooftop Garden Experiment

BJ Seem 520-431-6167 or bjseem@cox.net There may be earlier in week volunteer opportunities.

*Wed, Nov 30 Project Wet MAC training 2-4 PM Project WET Family Science Night

Tasha Lynch Cooperative Extension 520-836-5221 ext 210 or Tasha@cals.arizona.edu

*Thurs, Dec 1 Project Wet Santa Rosa Elementary School 3:30-6 PM Project WET Family Science Night Tasha

Lynch Cooperative Extension 520-836-5221 ext 210 or Tasha@cals.arizona.edu

*Tues, Dec 6 Project Wet Maricopa Elementary School 3:30-6 PM Project WET Family Science Night Tasha

Lynch Cooperative Extension 520-836-5221 ext 210 or Tasha@cals.arizona.edu

*Good opportunities for Volunteer Hours

Master Gardener Short Course Casa Grande and Maricopa

Nov 3 Cactus and Succulents Peter Warren

Nov 10 Turf Dave Kopec

Nov 17 Pruning and Applied Learning Rick Gibson

Calendar Update: December 2011 any updates due November 25, 2011 email: bjseem@cox.net or 520-431-6167

Coming in the next Newsletter: January 2012 Calendar Update: December 2011

Meet the Advisory Committee Volunteer Opportunities

Calendar Advisory Members’ email addresses

New Publications Revised Publications

Working Group News Favorite Plant

Doings at the Office Educational Opportunities

Any questions or comments please call me 520-431-6167 or the Cooperative Extension 520-836-5221. Terry Ellsworth ext 202

You may notice a little difference starting in January. The newsletter will be in compliance with UA’s policies.

Editor’s note: All columns, pictures, decorations etc., in this publication were written or taken by me unless otherwise noted. Also I take full ‘credit’ for any mistakes in this newsletter.

BJ Seem Master Gardener Volunteer University of Arizona

“Until next time!” BJ

Happy Thanksgiving

Master Gardener Program Policy

Certification and Recertification

Upon acceptance into the Master Gardener Volunteer training program, volunteers are designated as

Associate Master Gardeners. In order to become Certified Master Gardener Volunteers, Associates must:

1. Complete the Master Gardener volunteer training course. Attendance is mandatory

and no more than 3 absences will be excused (makeup is required for excused absence).

2. Complete the final exam.

3. Complete and document 50 hours of approved volunteer service by December 31st

of the year following the completion of training.

4. Maintain a current Volunteer Information Sheet on file at the Extension office.

5. Maintain a signed Terms of Agreement on file at the Extension Office.

6. Record volunteer hours performed on an approved Extension report form.

Volunteer Service

To remain a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer, each volunteer must:

1. Submit documentation of completion of 25 hours of approved volunteer service each year.

2. Show documentation of 6 hours of approved continuing education hours per

year.

3. Maintain signed, current copies of the Volunteer Information Sheet and Terms of Agree-

ment on file at the Extension Office.

There will be no exceptions to these requirements. It is the responsibility of the volunteer

to maintain their credentials appropriately. The Master Gardener year runs from January 1

to December 31.

In order for activities to count toward approved volunteer service, the Master Gardener must be identi-

fied as a Master Gardener by wearing the approved Pinal County Master Gardener Badge. If applicable

promotion of the event should include reference to the contribution made by Master Gardeners. Hours

beyond the minimum requirement may not be carried over to the next year.

This was taken from the Master Gardener Program Policy governing all Pinal County Master

Gardeners and approved by Board of Advisors.

If you need a copy please call or email Terry Ellsworth at the Pinal County Cooperative Exten-sion Office.

You are probably wondering why this part of the Master Gardener Policy is in the newsletter again. The Advisory Board

feels it is important that you are aware of the educational and volunteer hour requirements. You must have six (6) edu-

cational and twenty-five (25) volunteer hours if you are a Certified Master Gardener for each calendar year and if you

are an Associated Master Gardener you must have fifty (50) volunteer and six(6) educational hours to qualify as a Certi-

fied Master Gardener. If that part is confusing please email either your Advisory Board member or me and we will clar-

ify the policy.

In short all Certified Master Gardeners need 6 educational hours to stay active. You have until December 31 to turn

those and your volunteer hours in to the Cooperative Office or your Advisory Board member.

BJ Seem

To All Master Gardeners