Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter University of Arizona Cooperative Extension April 2008

In this issue:

African Violets

Arizona Diagnostic

Network

Book Review: “Green

Housekeeping”

Design Charrette

Diggings in the Garden

Garden Plot Opportunity

The Gardener and the

Gourmet

Glendale Garden Festival

News from the

Northwest Valley

Parade Of Ponds

RGRP Tour A Real Success

Spring Garden Walk

...and more!

Master Gardener Update ~

Identifying and Managing Weeds

with Dr. Ed Northam

Wednesday April 9, 9:00 a.m. ~ 4341 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix

Dr. Ed Northam is a Weed Biologist and the Program Manager for InvasivePlants at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. He chairs the CentralArizona Weed Management Association [CAWMA] and has his own business,Northam Weed Science Consulting.

Dr. Northam started in plant science as a youngster. He grew up dry-land farm-ing with his father in north central Texas. Ed moved on to do range conservationwork with the USDA in west Texas, then rangeland weed research in Idaho andlater cropland weed research in Kansas.

He accomplished all this before coming to Arizona to work in weed biologywhere he has been serving a mix of agricultural, wildland and urban interests.His long-term experience dealing with varied points of view is very valuable. Dr.Northam can teach us a lot about the peskier plants and about sharing theinformation, too.

Onsite Field Trip: Sharpen Your Weed ID and Weed Management Skills

We’ve all noticed it isn’t just wildflowers that are blooming... This wet spring isan ideal time to learn about weeds. We’ll take an onsite field trip with Dr.Northam and learn how to identify them. Weeds look different this year becauseof the regular rains we’ve had.

The Perennial Question - Ever wonder how to remove a rogue African Sumacfrom the inside of a favorite perennial, be it a rose bush or a wolfberry? Come tothis update and find out.

Has a favorite plant become a problem? Dr. Northam will share how hefigures out which plants will be weedy and which won’t. He’ll tell us about someof the variables that go into this, from gardening practices and location, to plantcharacteristics.

Ed invites us to bring some weeds to the April Update.

-Deb Sparrow

ROOTS & SHOOTS

2 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

ROOTS & SHOOTS

Editor: Donna Walkuskidwalkuski@deru.com

Associate Editor: Carlene Warner

Calendar Editor: Karen Sankman

Copy Editors: Meg Paterson, Karen Sankman

Website Questions: Cathy Munger 602-470-8086

USPS Mail Questions: Debbie Mauldin 602-470-8086

Submission deadline is the 18th of the month prior

Roots & Shoots is published monthly by and for

MARICOPA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

and is printed under the direction of:

The Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office

4341 E. Broadway Rd. / Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807

Phone 602-470-8086 FAX 602-470-8092

Hours: 8:00A.M. - 5:00p.m. Weekdays

www.maricopamastergardeners.org

STAFF:

Terry Mikel, Extension Agent

Kristen Wagner, Program Coordinator

602-470-8086 x311 krwagner@cals.arizona.edu

Debbie Mauldin, Administrative Assistant

Hours: Mon - Wed 8A.M. - 5p.m.

602-470-8086 x308 dmauldin@cals.arizona.eduCover photo of RGRP volunteers welcoming visitors to Pam Cullan’s garden

by Julie Rodolico

News from the Northwest Valley

Four volunteers responded to questions from 16 visitors to our ‘Saturdays at the Library’session on March 1st in Surprise. One frequent visitor collects questions from his neigh-bors and brings them all!

There were 26 MGs and 3 visitors who attended the March 6th Diagnostic Clinic.

Prior to the Diagnostic Clinic, three Master Gardeners were presentedwith their Master Gardener Emeritus badges. Marvene Walker, BobTherry, and John Kent were the honorees. The three of them to-gether have volunteered nearly 60 years to the Master GardenerProgram and provided extraordinary input in establishing the NorthWest Valley Satellite Office, helping to make it into the successfulventure that continues to this day.

Marvene was presented with a plaque honoring her multiple terms asa Director and her 3600 hours of volunteer service over the past 18years. After the Diagnostic Clinic, we proceeded to the home of CJ Eschin Sun City Grand and shared in a most varied and wonderful pot luckluncheon, followed by a beautiful “We Will Miss You Marvene” cake and assortedother delicious deserts. Marvene will be moving back to California in April to live closer to her children andgrandkids. She will be immensely missed!

Jim Oravetz continues to teach a series of classes on gardening in Sun City West at the PORA Office. OnSaturday, the 15th we helped staff the Green Event at Copperwood Elementary School in Glendale.

On March 15th and 16th fifteen MGs shared staffing responsibilities for our booth at the Tres Rios Nature andEarth Festival held at the B&M Wildlife Area.This is an Arizona Game and Fish WildlifeArea located on the Gila River in Avondale.Over the two days we chatted with and dis-tributed literature to 397 visitors. The atten-dance total was 5186 including lots of kids.

On Saturday, March 22nd, we staffed a table atthe second Green Awareness Day at theGlendale Home Depot, sharing informationwith 26 visitors.

On Wed. March 19th MGs assisted LondonLacy of the Surprise Water Dept. with herclass on Water Wise Landscaping and onSaturday the 22nd MGs assisted her with twoclasses on Watering by the Numbers .

It’s been a very busy month!

-Mary Ann Garewal

Photos by Mary Ann Garewal

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 3

Work Continues at Carraro Cactus Garden

by Carol Smythe

Here are some pictures from our last work day, held March 15. It was a beautiful day and great fun!

If anyone is interested in helping us, call Jason Johnson at 602-568-5562. Our next work day will be April 5th.

East Valley Gardeners’ Club 2008 Spring Garden Walk for Youth

Reserve April 12, 2008 for an experience you’ll never forget.

This year the East Valley Gardeners’ Club will partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley and MesaSunrise Rotary to provide a variety of activities which will not only give participants a day of fun and beauty, butraise funds to benefit youth programs that are sponsored by each of the collaborating agencies. Here’s whatyou will enjoy:

· Visits to eight private gardens throughout the East Valley that will wow you with their beauty.

· Experienced gardeners and Master Gardeners will be on site to educate and advise.

· A Plant and Seed sale with a selection of roses, cactus, and desert adapted plants will be for sale at bargainprices.

· A chili lunch will be served, the results of a cook-off between Rotary members.

Volunteers Needed:

· Help with gardening questions and earn MG hours

· Help with the plant sale and lunch

· Be at your post by 8:30 a.m. and finish at 2:00 p.m. If you cannot stay the full time, shorter stints can beaccommodated.

· Volunteers are invited to participate in a free “pre tour” on Saturday April 5. We will all meet at Barbara’sGarden (4210 E. Houston Ave. (N. of Guadalupe W of Higley) at 1:00 p.m. and will share rides to all thehouses on the tour. We will finish with a potluck at Barbara’s house where we will finalize instructions.

Contact Neva Coesta (480) 832-2613) for tickets or to volunteer.

Carol Smythe Carol Smythe

4 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Dig up more gardening advice for this month at http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/april.htm

Diggings in the Garden by Pam Perry

Spring is one of my favorite times in the garden. In years past, theDesert Trail benefited from contributions of globe mallow in manycolors. They are in full pastel splendor this week, punctuated by thevibrant yellow of cassia and brittlebush, making our section alongEast Broadway the prettiest. Under the trees east of the entry, theowl’s clover has colonized abundantly, and the lupines came intotheir own, aided by the quick weeding they received one Trail Daymorning. The roses are fragrant, grass is greening, the fruit treesare leafing out, and the Children’s Garden is blooming with springfervor.

The Arizona Rare Fruit Growers sponsor a variety of activities onpropagation, plant selection, and tropical possibilities in the desertand tend the east garden as well. Put April 5 on your calendar. ThatSaturday they are having a big plant sale. The Herb Garden willreceive its monthly Weed and Feed the same morning.

In the vegetable garden, the cole crops become increasingly buggy as the temperatures hit the 80’s. Theirtime is ending. It was a successful season for peas, assorted greens for both salads and hot dishes, and nowthe asparagus is popping up! Tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos have settled in well and will be fun to watchas they grow. We have several summer squashes planted this year. Spring seeding follows the suggestions ofAZ 1005.

One evening, I found Cathy weeding among the poppies and bulbs.With the Herbies’ stewardship, the perimeter garden does not flag.Thanks to the assistance of many committed volunteers, the groundslook quite respectable! Interns have joined veteran gardeners tomake them look particularly splendid this season.

Trail Day will be April 19. We begin at 8:00 a.m.; bring water, hats,gloves, and dress for the weather. We will be assessing seedcollection possibilities, doing some weeding, and trimming plantsbest trained during the warmer parts of spring. I look forward toseeing you there!

Pam Perry is the Director of the MCCE Demonstration Gardens.

Sarah Ruhlen prepares to prune the

Demo Garden’s fig tree

Pam

Perry

Pam Perry thins out the Chinese lettuce

Carol S

mythe

Glendale Garden Festival – A Free Green Event for the Entire Family

Come celebrate everything green at the Glendale Garden Festival on May 3rd. This is an opportunity for theentire family to learn about desert gardening and green living at the award-winning Glendale Xeriscape Dem-onstration Garden.

The event includes interactive garden art activities, go green information booths, and entertaining presentationsand activities for people of all ages. Adults can learn from the experts about tree care, low-water-use garden-ing, water harvesting and more. Children can participate in a variety of fun, hands-on activities in the gardenand attend a puppet show and magic show about water in the desert.

The Festival will be held May 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden surroundingthe Glendale Main Library (5959 W. Brown Street). The event is free and open to the public.

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 5

Book Review: “Green Housekeeping”

by Margaret Spence

Did you know that recycling just one aluminum can “saves enough energyto run a notebook computer for an entire day?” Or that “one tree equalsseven hundred paper grocery bags?”

This I learned from a very readable book with the practical, if not inspiring,title, “Green Housekeeping.” The green part inspires, the housekeepingpart does not, but we all have to do the dishes, don’t we? The author isEllen Sandbeck. Master Gardeners might remember her as the author of“Eat More Dirt: Diverting and Instructive Tips for Growing and Tending anOrganic Garden.”

Sandbeck makes the ordinary business of running an organized house-hold without using toxic chemicals seem fun. In fact, there is a wonderfulsense of freedom running through the book. Get rid of trash and clutter!Stop buying gadgets! Pass up expensive cleaning agents in favor of goodold white vinegar, baking soda and salt. These cost practically nothing andthey clean surfaces in the same amount of time as the products advertis-ers tell us we must have. The time and money you save, Sandbeckreminds us, can go into tending a garden from which to feed your family.

Personally, I have been trying to live by these principles for a number ofyears. When I see a new household hint that saves energy I copy it intomy laptop. I had recipes for organic baby powder long before I had grand-

children. But Sandbeck has done tons of research and with this book it’s all in one place. I love it. It’s yourgreat-grandmother’s household maintenance plan without the drudgery.

This book, printed on recycled paper, was first issued in hardcover as Organic Housekeeping by Scribner.Retitled to catch the current wave of interest in “going green”, the book has just been issued in a paperbackedition in January 2008. This is not a book I’m going to lend to anyone. You need to buy your own!

Ellen Sandbeck

Scribner, 2008

$16.00

Design Charrette

Saturday April 12th

9:00-Noon

Welcome to our last Design Charrette of this season! We’re goingto Glendale to bring some sunshine to a shady area in JeanetteSocaciu’s garden. It’s a bird friendly environment where Iris andDaffodils provide spring color, but the rest of the year, this area israther bland. It’s our job to come up with some ideas to make thisspace more inviting year- round. Add to this mix some grade prob-lems and we’ve got ourselves a perfect candidate for a Charrette.

Remember, everyone is welcome, brand new and seasoned MasterGardeners alike. Each and every one of us has at least one ideathat can help Jeanette come up with a plan for her garden. The only requirement is to bring your imagi-nation and a dish to share.

Come enjoy the morning with fellow Master Gardeners and earn your hours.

To reserve your spot email Designcharrette@hotmail.com or call Carol Parrott at 602-438-4003.

Cha

rlie

Ste

phen

s

MGs offer suggestions to Debbie

Cote at last month’s Design Charrette

6 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

African Violets

Houseplant of the Month by Pauline Marx

One of the most popular houseplants over the past 85years is Saintpaulia, or African violet. Most varieties arederived from S. sonata and S. confusa and are fromCentral Africa; therefore, the name African violet isappropriate. They were discovered in East Africa in1892, and their offspring were first shown in Germany in1893 and in Britain in 1894. The first commercial plantswere raised in Germany, and seeds from Germany andEngland started the interest in the United States in the1920’s. Saintpaulia is named for Baron Walter von SaintPaul Illaire (1860- 1910) who discovered the species.

There are several types, among them the trailing types,which have a main stem that divides into a multicrownplant. These trailers have drooping stems which oftenform small plants at their tips. Trailing types generallyhave rounded leaves about 2 inches across and a violet-type flower. The standard types have larger leaves,

usually round or heart-shaped. The entire plant is usually 8 - 16 inches across. Larger standards are more than16 inches across. Micro-miniature types are less than 3 inches, miniature types 3 to 6 inches, and semi-minia-tures are 6 to 8 inches.

Several important strains have appeared over the years. You may see for sale ‘Rhapsodie’, which containsvarieties that were dominant for years. They are upright plants with abundant flowers. The ‘Ballet’ strain hasfringed flowers, and ‘Rococo’ has double flowers. The ‘Chimera’ strain has large boldly-striped petals.

Leaves are classified as boy (standard plain green leaf), girl (small with a white area at the base), variegated(green, edged or blotched with white), spoon (rolled up leaf edge), holly (crinkled leaf edge), serrated (saw-likeleaf edge) and lance (leaf longer than normal).

Flowers can be single (top 2 petals smaller than the standard type), semi-double (more than 5 petals withyellow center still visible), double (at least 10 peals-yellow center covered), frilled (petal edges slightly wavy),star (equal-sized and evenly spaced petals), bicolor (two or more shades of the same color), multicolor (two ormore different colors, called fantasy when splashed, speckled, or striped), or Geneva (white, or rarely, pink orgreen petal edges).

In spite of the thousands of varieties of African Violets available today, they basically need the same conditionsto grow and bloom well:

Light - is the single most important factor to keep them blooming. Bright light is ideal with an eastern orsouthern window exposure in winter and a west window in summer. Grown under fluorescent lights, plantswill almost always be in bloom. The lights should be 18 inches above standard violets and 10-12 inchesabove miniature violets. Keep lights on 12-13 hours a day.

Temperature - Cool or average warmth is ideal. Keep violets away from hot or cold windows. Suddenchanges in temperature are harmful.

Water - Use room temperature water when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Plants may be wateredfrom the top, from the bottom, or with wicks. Do not leave water on leaves when watering.

Fertilizer - Regular fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer is needed for maximum growth and blooming. Con-stant feed with ¼ tsp. dry fertilizer with one gallon of water.

Pauline Marx

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 7

Soil - African violet soil is available where houseplants are sold. If it seems too heavy add perlite or vermicu-lite to lighten it. It should have high humus content such as equal parts sand, peat moss, garden soil, andleaf mold.

Repotting - When repotting, remove some of the bottom of the root ball and lower into fresh soil to coverthe neck of the plant. Pot into larger pot only when the root ball fills the pot, and never into pot more than ½the diameter of the plant. Shallow pots are best.

Grooming - Except for trailing varieties, do not allow extra crowns to form. Remove the older yellowedleaves and blossoms.

Problems –

• Straw colored patches on leaves are caused by too much direct sun in the summer. Leaf edges may turnyellow and holes may develop.

• Brown spots on leaves are caused by using cold water when watering, always use room temperature water.

• Yellowing leaves may be caused by several things. Dry air is a frequent cause, as are too much sun andincorrect watering. Over-fertilization can also result in yellowing.

• Mushy brown blooms and buds indicate botrytis blight. Pick off diseased parts, provide good air circulation,avoid high humidity and us fertilizer with less nitrogen.

• Lack of flowering is usually caused by inadequate light.

• Slow growth and leaves curled downward indicate that the temperature is too low.

• Soft foliage and few flowers can be caused by temperatures that are too high.

• Brown-edged leaves and small flowers result from low humidity.

• Most insect pests can be eliminated with the use of insecticidal soap.

Join the Arizona Plant Diagnostic Network

by Mary Ann Garewal

Learn how you can be a part of the Arizona Plant Diagnostic Network. Attend this workshop offered specificallyto Master Gardeners by Dr. Judy Brown of the U of A Dept. of Plant Sciences.

April 15, 2008 in the Palo Verde Room at the Cooperative Extension Office Noon - 2:00 p.m.

A lunch of pizza, iced tea, and sodas will be provided for the noon session.

What you will learn - How you can make a difference in the early detection of plant diseases and pest identifi-cation and identification of potential agro-terrorist threats.

Dr. Brown is bringing laptops and will also teach us how to navigate the pertinent University web sites. This is acooperative effort including growers, Cooperative Extension personnel, crop consultants, pesticide applicators,commercial chemical and seed representatives, Master Gardeners, and others involved in plant growth andmanagement.

A second opportunity (yet to be scheduled) will involve actual certification as a First Detector with the WesternPlant Diagnostic Network.

Check for documents attached to the email announcement on the listserv for additional information, or contactMary Ann Garewal at m.garewal@cox.net.

The session will be limited to twenty participants. If there are enough people interested, Dr. Brown will do asecond session from 2:30 - 4:30 on the same day, April 15th.

If you want to attend, please respond ASAP - to Mary Ann Garewal at m.garewal@cox.net.

8 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

RGRP Tour A Real Successby Lisa Grant

The 7th Annual Real Gardens for Real People Tour was held on March 29,2008 and was generally regarded as a great success by both the manyvisitors as well as the more than one hundred volunteers who made ithappen. This self-guided tour showcased six inspiring gardens and aschool garden located in North Scottsdale and North Phoenix .

The theme of this year’s tour was “transformation”. The ambitious ownersof the seven gardens on the tour have altered their properties from whatthey were left with by previous owners to restful retreats, complete withnew botanicals and trees, water features, vegetables and herbs, flowers,and garden art.

Garden One, “The Experimental Gardener”, was full of surprises every-where and a feast for the lover of cactus and succulent propagation. DanaHiser, the garden owner, a self-described “plant nut,” has a vast collectionof cacti and succulents as well as wildlife, artwork, décor and a whimsicalwater fountain. During the tour, Kirti Mathura was on hand for questions.Dana noted that her visitors commented on the high number of plants inher garden to which she responded, “every plant needs a home.” She also

said that no one left with a question unanswered. Although she had been reticent to open her home to the tourin the past, her advice is “she is happy she finally did, because people thanked her for doing so and the tourdoesn’t happen if people don’t volunteer.”

Garden Two, “Arizona Restyle”, required the removal of one of two large olive trees in the front yard as wellas many overgrown plants and a raised planter. Old tin cans were used to form a pathway and saguaro ribsand colorful courtyard walls provide artistic interest. The back yard was given a complete restyle as well withthe addition of an aloe garden beneath a sweet acacia tree, raised vegetable garden and separate outdoorliving spaces to enjoy their new desert garden. For the tour, Jim Oravetz and Marie White answered questionsconcerning IPM and Outdoor Living, respectively. Regarding the tour, garden owner Marion Adams said,

For the size of most of the gardens on this tour, the number of people coming through was just right. Iwas impressed with how considerate most of the attendees were—careful to stay on paths and nottramp through the garden. I was also impressed with all the questions they were asking and the realinterest in using environmentally sound practices in their own gardens. Many also enjoyed the beforeand after pictures.

Many guests said they have gardens that look just like mine did with the 80’s vegetation—gave them aninsight to what their own gardens could look like with new plantings. I heard only positive commentsabout my yard. It made me feel wonderful about what we have done here. I had a number of people askif they could come back at a more convenient time to look at the garden more and discuss things that Idid that they liked and wanted to copy. I told them I would be glad to have them.

Probably my favorite comment that I think applies to our Real Gardens for Real People theme is ‘We’rehappy it was a real garden; it was inspirational’. Carol Stuttard’s (garden captain) favorite was “If I werenew to Arizona, this garden would make me want to move here.”

Garden Three, “Maria’s Garden” at Mission Montessori Academy, involves sensory overload. MasterGardener and botany teacher Karen Klein follows the Junior Master Gardener curriculum, but it is her enthusi-asm and passion which really makes the garden and program at the school such a resounding success.Maria’s Garden comprises a fascinating variety of theme gardens, including an all-white Peace Garden, Wild-flower Wishing Garden, vegetable, herb, salsa and flower gardens. A Sonoran Desert section with plants

Kirti Mathura teaches propagation

methods at Dana Hiser’s home

Jeff

Ros

s

Continued on page 9

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 9

indigenous to Arizona has some of the most beautiful plants inthe garden. Karen’s classroom is outside in the garden andaccording to her, “the students are having fun and don’t realizethey’re learning.” Of the tour, Karen said,

What an exceptional day we had at Mission Montessori Acad-emy! I understand we greeted and informed over 1400 visitorsto ‘Maria’s Garden and Living Laboratory.’ So many people wereimpressed with the organization and attention to detail of everyaspect of this truly amazing day. The vendors, animal handlersand keynote speakers were organized, inspirational and infor-mative.

Because of the program at the school, Talia and Tea Massi,ages 7 and 6, are experimenting in their backyard for the firsttime according to their mother, Kendall Massi. “It’s neat to seethings grow,” said Talia. The girls are growing wildflowers andbeans at home based on what they’ve learned at school. TylerStorey was on-hand to demonstrate and discuss composting.

Garden Four, “Millefiori”, was featured in the March 2008 issue ofPhoenix Home and Garden. When Betty Spagnola and her husband,Terry, purchased the home, the garden was comprised of queenpalms, oleanders, citrus and oceans of pink granite. With the help ofher Master Gardener training Betty has transformed her back yardinto a picturesque retreat. She now has over 80 magnificent rosebushes, a wide variety of aloe and agave, a spectacular herb garden,raised vegetable beds, various flower gardens and numerous con-tainer plantings. On the day of the tour, many visitors would walk fromthe partially completed front yard (Betty’s next project), to the breath-taking backyard and literally gasp. “Wow” was a frequent exclamationas they took their time meandering around the paths savoring thefragrances of roses, herbs, vegetables and citrus blossoms. Morethan one person commented on the amount of work involved in takingcare of all the plantings and yes, Betty does all the work herself! Mike Hills and Lee Ann Aronson shared theirknowledge of herbs, Marylou Coffman discussed roses and Pam Perry talked about vegetable gardening.

Garden Five, “Desert Fusion”, has been transformed from turfand overgrown, poorly pruned shrubs into a beautiful exampleof desert gardening. The garden now includes many native anddesert-adapted low water use plants as well as grafted citrustrees, unusual plants, an expanded garden-work area andnumerous container plantings. James Truman and Lowell True(Citrus), Sharon Dewey (Grass) and Cathy Rymer (Tree Prun-ing) were on hand for questions. The garden owner, TammySchwab, uses garden art for added interest, much of which shemakes herself. Her family enjoys spending time outdoors in thenewly transformed space and her husband Charles noted thatduring the tour, many visitors seemed so comfortable in thegarden that they asked if they could sit with him on the patioand stay awhile. He said he was happy to have their companyand glad they felt relaxed enough to do so.

Tammy Schwab’s attention-getting

Before and After storyboard

Julie

Jeff

Ros

s

Rose specialist Marylou Coffman engages

Mary Buckingham, a visitor to Betty

Spagnola’s garden

Karen Klein explains the 3 sisters (corn,

beans and squash) planting method at the

Mission Montessori school garden

Julie

Rod

olic

o

Continued from page 8

Continued on page 10

10 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Garden Six, “The Other Great Room”, begins with a beauti-ful front garden of drought-tolerant plants for which MichelleAnderson and Pam Slate were available during the tour totalk about aloes and agaves. As the visitors walked to theback yard, they passed through garden owner Lucy McEvilly-Schwab’s studio. Lucy is a blacksmith who creates incrediblegarden art from iron. This art is scattered throughout hergardens. In the backyard, Lucy utilizes the canopy of a largemulberry tree to shade her outdoor room, which they usefrequently as a peaceful retreat. She has made numerousplanting changes in both the front and back yard to put theright plant in the right place and provide appropriate watering.For the tour, London Lacy provided knowledgeable informa-

tion on irrigation. Visitors to Lucy’s garden during the tour remarked on the lushness of the desert plantings aswell as the tranquil entertaining area under the tree in back. They also noted how the iron art appeared quitenatural in the garden.

Garden Seven, “A Garden Artist’s Portfolio”, began as a neglected garden with overgrown plants, plantspruned to sticks and trees choked by cables. Almost everything needed to be removed and started over. Theproperty now consists of numerous fruit trees, vegetable, herb and flower gardens, container plantings, shadetrees, turf and a large working compost area. The garden owner, Pam Cullan, is an artist who works withstained glass, mosaic, clay, wood and almost any material she can find. Much of her art is scattered throughoutthe garden and provides a bit of whimsy. Of the tour, Pam said

I was very pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was to open up my garden and share it with othergarden lovers. I am so thankful to the master gardeners that helped complete my garden, whom Iconsider my new friends, so much hard work and dedication, I couldn’t have done it without them. Wehad so many positive remarks from guests and many of them stayed and wandered the property thensat and relaxed, that surely is a sign of a comfortable outdoor space. Being part of the RGRP tour was awonderful experience.

According to Linda Crowley, garden captain,

People were taking notes, asking lots of questions and takinga multitude of pictures. I spoke with guests who couldn’t waitto go home and try something they had seen at one of thegardens. I heard many comments such as, “I never thought ofusing art in my garden”, “I didn”t know you could grow appletrees in Phoenix” or “Wow! How beautiful my backyard wouldlook if I took out my grass.” The wonderful speakers oncomposting, Jackie Rich, and container gardening, KellyDePetro and Barbara Victor, also greatly contributed to thelearning that I saw going on all around me. I think we success-fully accomplished our purpose of sharing the knowledge wegain through the Master Gardener Program in the enjoyable, sociable venue of the RGRP.

Thank you RGRP Volunteers!

This year’s Real Gardens for Real People was a wonderful experience for all who attended. Our goal andmission is to educate the public and spread our Master Gardener name and services. We definitely ac-complished that.

I got positive feedback from each of our hosts. Everyone seemed happy and enjoyed the beautiful day

London Lacy discusses irrigation systems with a

visitor to Lucy McEvilly-Schwab’s garden

Ch

ar

li

e

Jackie Rich explains the benefits of a

compost thermometer at Pam Cullen’s

garden

Cha

rlie

Continued from page 9

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April 2008 Roots & Shoots 11

Garden Plot Opportunity

One of the best kept secrets for having your own plot to grow vegetables exists in Scottsdale. The ScottsdaleCommunity Garden Club has openings for new members. Standard plots are 20’x 30'. Water is available at alllocations. Annual rental and water are $40.00 and $30.00 respectively.

Monthly meeetings are held at Scottsdale Community College with gardening tips and exchange of plantingtime information. The 8-acre location is on SCC land beyond the north parking lot.

For more information call Roland Levine (480) 998-1367 or Carol Stuttard (480) 551-7291

Sun Country Iris Society

Spring Iris ShowApril 12

Entries accepted 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Judging 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Open to the public Noon to 4 p.m.

Baker’s Nursery3414 N. 40th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85018

Potted Irises For Sale

Iris experts will be at the Exhibit and Show

to answer your questions about growing irises.

For more information – www.suncountryiris.org

Rose Society of Glendale RoseShow - Saturday, April 5, 2008

Sahuaro Ranch ParkPacking Shed9802 North 59th AvenueGlendale, Arizona 85302(623) 930-2820

Open to the Public from1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you would like to enter roses for the showplease contact Gerry Mahoney (President) formore information: xrose3@cox.net.

and gardens. People were taking photos and getting ideas for their own gardens. I ran into people thatcome every year and look forward to it. I even had someone from New York book their airline flight six-months ahead of time to coordinate their visit with the garden tour.

I would like to thank everyone for dedicating their past several months to this garden tour. Many peopleput in endless hours, some of you just the day; however, all volunteers are greatly appreciated. I wouldlike to give a special “Thank you” to the tour hosts who transformed their gardens “The Master GardenerWay.” Everyone tried their very best to make this a successful event and it surely was. Thanks to all ofyou!

I would also like to thank Mary Beth Kalkbrenner and Lisa Grant who co-chaired this monumental event.They stepped up to the plate back in September and didn’t really know what they were getting into. Theyfocused on every detail and did a wonderful job while putting in record hours. Please make sure that youexpress your appreciation with a “Thank you” when you see them.

-Julie Rodolico

Continued from page 10

12 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Jim

Oravetz

Strawberries – Yes

Blackberries – Absolutely

Kiwi – Nope

You read the answers – now the question: Can you grow straw-berries, blackberries and kiwi in the greater Phoenix metropoli-tan area?

As far as the strawberry part goes, check the picture. These arejust a few of hundreds we harvested last year. My growing areafor strawberries consists of one tall and one short strawberrypot, one 10 inch plastic and one 12 inch clay pot. We harvested75 to 80 strawberries each week during peak production. Istarted picking a few in February while the last few showed upat the end of June early July.

I grow three varieties, Sequoia, Seascape and Albion. The lasttwo were developed by USC to produce in warmer weather.They all are very easy to grow in containers, which I preferbecause it keeps then off the ground and I don’t have to sharethem with critters. Bird netting is a must!

Use a good quality potting soil. Keep moist and feed on aregular basis. I have used both granular and water solublefertilizers and both work well. Be sure to remove the strawber-ries at least once a week to keep the plant producing. My containers are in full sun all year and do quite wellshowing strong green leaves and loads of fruit.

At the end of the fruiting season, strawberry plants will produce about 4 or 5 long runners with as many as sixto eight plantlets on each one. Fill 2 or 3 inch plastic pots with fresh potting soil and place one under eachplantlet making sure the base in contact with the soil. Bobbie pins work well. Keep the pots moist and the smallstrawberry plants will root in. When they are successfully rooted, you can sever the connection to the motherplant and the ‘young-uns’ are on their own.

The best time to buy and plant strawberries is in the fall as soon as they become available in your favoritenursery. Planted at that time, they will produce good crops the following spring. The parent plants may last onlytwo or three years and will have to be replaced. That’s what all those baby plants you rooted are for. That andto share with friends, other Master Gardeners and for plant sales.

I am growing blackberries this year so you won’t know how it goes until next year. I’ll keep you posted.

Jim Oravetz

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 13

Jan

D’Atri

Well, Jim, you’re having much better luck than we did in my hometown.All I remember about our garden was the daily ritual of my Mommachasing deer awayfrom her strawberry plants. At least they could havehad the courtesy of eating the entire strawberry, but instead, they wouldmanage to leave just a tiny hint of red on every single stem just to torture us. I never got a single strawberry theentire time we had the garden!

Momma and I have had much better luck in the kitchen and for this issue I want to share one of our favoritedesserts with strawberries as the main attraction.

It’s one of the simplest, most beautiful desserts you can present to the table. It is the sensational English Trifleor Zuppa Inglese and it’s always been a favorite. What I really love about it is it looks like a bowl of extrava-gance yet it’s literally a piece of cake to put together. From the top, our English Trifle looks like a giant bowl ofwhipped cream topped with fresh fruit. But from the sides you can see all the layers of cake, vanilla puddingand sliced fruit. What you don’t see is the best part—a subtle brushing of Grand Marnier over the cake layers.

By the way, how did the English Trifle get an Italian nickname? The stories are as varied as the recipes you’llfind for this elegant dessert. But I’m sure it came about because when you dive your spoon into the layers, theconsistency of the trifle is more like a sweet, rich soup or zuppa.

English Trifle (Zuppa Inglese)

• 1 box of yellow cake mix

• 1 box of pudding and pie filling (do not use instant)

• 2 pints ripe strawberries

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 6-8 fresh ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced

Directions:

Bake cake mix as directed and pour into three disposable pie tins. Prepare vanilla pudding as directed. Chopone pint of strawberries and combine with granulated sugar. Slice secondpint of strawberries thin. Slice kiwi fruit.

Place the first cake disc in a trifle or clear glass bowl. Brush on one thirdof the Grand Marnier. Around the edge of the trifle bowl, alternate slicesof kiwi and strawberries, laying fruit flat against the bowl. With a spoon,spread strawberries and sugar combination over cake layer. Drop spoon-fuls of one half of the pudding over strawberry mixture.

Add second cake disc and brush with Grand Marnier. Line the edge of thebowl with fresh boysenberries. Add third cake disc. Brush with liqueur andspoon strawberry mixture and pudding over cake.

Combine whipped cream and powdered sugar, beating until stiff. Spreadwhipped cream over pudding and decorate with sliced fruit.

For the final touch, spoon some whipped cream into a piping bag andcreate a mound in the middle of the cake and top with a fresh strawberry.

Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Spoon into clear dessertbowls or parfait glasses. Serves 8.

• 2 pints boysenberries or blackberries

• 1 pint whipping cream

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ cup Grand Marnier

14 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Parade Of Ponds Tour

Features Spectacular Water Gardens

6th Annual Parade of Ponds, April 26-27, 2008

Tour Raises Funds to Build Wildlife Habitats at K-12 Valley SchoolsThe Schoolyard Habitat Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a wildlife habitat to every K-12 school in Maricopa County, announces the 6th Annual Parade of Ponds fundraising event to be held from 9am to 9 pm on Saturday, April 26th and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th. Each year, the Parade of Pondsraises funds to build a wildlife habitat in a K-12 school in Maricopa County and features inspirational ponds andgardens created by various contractors and do-it-yourselfers. The one thingall the water features have in common is that they are environmentallyresponsible, being kept organically with no chemicals. In addition, the ticketprice of $15 will include admission to the Phoenix Zoo, where animal en-counters will be presented next to the pond just inside the entrance inconjunction with AZA’s Year of the Frog!

The Parade of Ponds is a self-guided, weekend-long tour of MaricopaCounty’s most beautiful and spectacular water gardens. The largest gardentour in Arizona, it usually features more than 30 water gardens of all shapesand sizes in various communities from Gilbert in the east valley to Buckeyein the west. “From dramatic boulders and a thorough collection of cacti, tostunning arrangements of wildflowers, you will experience some of the mostenchanting gardens in the Phoenix area,” says Barbi Holdeman, Director ofthe Schoolyard Habitat Foundation. “These are no ordinary backyards!”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to talk to owners of the gardensabout their experiences and learn about low maintenance, organic watergardening techniques. The ticket price of the tour is $15 per person (chil-dren 12 and under free) and is good for a whole weekend of entertainment!

For ticket information go to http://www.schoolyardhabitatfoundation.org/POP/TicketOptions.htmor call 623-572-5607

Foothills Elementary

School of Phoenix is this

year’s recipient of a free wildlife

habitat. Their winning essay can

be viewed on-line at

www.SchoolyardHabitatFoundation.org,

and will be published on the

back cover of the 2008 Parade

of Ponds ticket booklet, the

fundraiser for this extraordinary

grant.

April 2008 Roots & Shoots 15

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 krwagner@cals.arizona.edu 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

The Arizona Cultivar of the California Rare Fruit Growers (AZCRFG)

PLANT SALE

(Rain or Shine)

Saturday morning, April 5

From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

At the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix

While rare fruits are our specialty, other uncommon and rare plants will also be available.

The Arizona Cultivar of the California Rare Fruit Growers Cultivar meets monthly on the second Thurs-day of the month in the Palo Verde Room Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office, 4341 E.Broadway, Phoenix, AZ.

http://www.azrfg.com

MG CONTACT LIST:East Valley Satellite: Wayne Hall 480-507-5422

Carl Rutherford 480-325-1469NE Valley Satellite: Debbie Lyding 602-789-7377

Linda Belous 480-991-4306Linda Thiedke 480-614-0150

NW Valley Satellite: Mary Ann Garewal 623-388-4900Pat Greer 623-915-3337

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

April 2008 Events Calendar Submit events to Karen Sankman

Tue 1 Down to Earth Toastmasters

6-7:15 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Contact: Olivette Aviso, or (480) 235-5989. Down to Earth Toastmasters

Tue 1 Sun Country Iris Meeting 7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix, Kathy Chilton talks about how to enter an American Iris Spring Show. Info: Ardi Kary at (480) 949-0253, Sun Country Iris Society

Tue 1 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 . Introduction to photographing bonsai. Show of trees

Tue 1 Understanding your Landscape Watering System

6:30-8:30 pm, Glendale Main Library Auditorium, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale. Learn about the basics, design tips, repair, the controller . Register (623) 930-3760, Glendale Water Conservation. Free

Thu 3 Arizona Herb Association General Meeting

7 pm, Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc.

Thu 3 Landscape Container Gardening

5:30-7:30 pm, Peoria City Hall, Pine Room, 8401 W. Monroe St, Peoria. Kirti Mathura covers the basics including types of containers and plant selection. Register, Peoria Water Conservation, Info: (623)773-7286

Thu 3 NW Satellite Office Diagnostic Clinic 10-12 noon, 13815 Camino del Sol, Sun City West (623) 546-1672

Thu 3 Master Gardener Training Class: Plant Pathology

9:30-12:30 pm, Gilbert Community Center at 100 N. Oak, Gilbert. Speaker: Gabe Towers

Fri 4 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix

Fri 4 Desert Designers Monthly Meeting

11 am meeting at private home, potluck at noon. 2007-2008 Yearly review. Info: Mary Lou Coffman, Desert Designers

Fri 4,5,6 Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale

9 am-5 pm, Dorrance Hall, Desert Botanical Garden. Central AZ Cactus and Succulent Society will sell plants, pottery, books, and more. Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Judy Braun-Brody at (480) 481-8129

Sat 5 Arizona Herb Association Weed and Feed

8:00 am, Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Everyone is welcome! Fun, hands-on experience. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc

Sat 5 Master Gardener Q&A Session

10 am-2 pm, Northwest Regional Library located in the Surprise Recreation Complex, 16089 N. Bullard Ave, Surprise, AZ. AnneThomson@yahoo.com

Sat 5 AZ Rare Fruit Growers Plant Sale

9 am- 2 pm, Maricopa Coutny Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Rare fruit trees and other rare plants for sale. AZ Rare Fruit

Sat 5 Rose Society of Glendale Rose Show

1-4 pm, Sahuaro Ranch Park, Packing Shed, 9802 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, (623) 930-2820. To enter roses or for more info contact Gerry Mahoney

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours

Sat 5 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Contact John Kudelka at (480) 948-4816

Sat 5 Butterfly Gardening Noon-3pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Mem $10/non $17.50. Enroll and prepay at 520-689-2723. Make your landscape popular with butterflies.

Sat 5 Herb Festival 11 am-3 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Annual festival celebrating herbs that grow in Arizona.

Sat 5 Xeriscape: Desert Fusion Garden Lecture and Walking Tour

11:30am-1:30pm, Peoria City Hall, Pine Room, 8401 W. Monroe St, Peoria. Kirti Mathura discusses the seven xeriscape principles. Register, Peoria Water Conservation, Info: (623)773-7286

Sun 6 Plants of the Bible Guided Tour

1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about botany, history, and scripture on this slow-paced walk. Free with admission. More info

Sun 6 Phoenix Home & Garden Grand Tour of Gardens

See exquisite landscapes in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Desert Botanical Garden. Tickets $40 at (480) 664-3960 x 132, Phoenix Home & Garden

Mon 7 Valley of the Sun Gardeners Meeting

6:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Orvalita Hopkins

Mon 7 Scottsdale Garden Club Monthly Meeting

11:30 am, luncheon and speakers, for reservation and location contact Karen Kelley or (602) 942-4848, Scottsdale Garden Club

Mon 7 Orchid Society of AZ Monthly Meeting

7-8:30 pm, Encanto Park Clubhouse, 2605 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Julie Rathbun or (602) 843-0223. Orchid Society of Arizona

Mon 7, 14, 21, 28

Southwest Planting Design for Beginners

6-9 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $250/non $300. Instructor: Landscape designer Carrie Nimmer. Basic knowledge of desert plants is helpful. Register online or (480) 481-8146

Tue 8 West Valley Rose Society Meeting

7 pm, Landscape Mart, 8028 W Thunderbird Rd Glendale, AZ Heidi Leavitt (602) 971-0179, West Valley Rose Society

Tue 8 Sonoran Desert Iris Society Monthly Meeting

7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Contact: Darol Jurn or (623) 932-3412

Tue 8 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 . Photo shoot of trees, accent plants, stands.

Tue 8 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

10 am, for location contact: Ann Stoetzer or (623) 872-9020. Desert Sun African Violet Society

Tue 8 Tree Pruning 101 6-9 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $40/non $50. Instructor: Arborist John Eisenhower. Register online or (480) 481-8146

Tue 8 Landscape Watering by the Numbers

6:30-9 pm, Mesa Utilities Bldg, Community Room, 640 N. Mesa Dr, Mesa. Create a watering schedule and learn to program your irrigation timer. Free. Register or (480) 644-4400. Leave name, address, phone number, class name.

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours

Tue 8 Drip Irrigation System Installation Workshop

6-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, Chandler. Instructor: Jeff Lee. Free to Chandler utility customers. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation

Tue 8 Arizona Native Plant Society Meeting

7-9 pm, Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden. Arizona Native Plant Society Kathy Rice at (480) 481-8137

Wed 9 Master Gardener Update

9 am-noon, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Dr. Ed Northam, weed biologist and Program Manager of Invasive Plants at MCCE will talk about weeds. Bring samples of weeds to identify.

Wed 9 Scottsdale Rose Society Monthly Meeting

7:30 pm, Eldorado Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale (480) 926-3064

Wed 9 Landscaping for Small Spaces

6-9 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $32/non $40. Instructor: Kirti Mathura Register online or (480) 481-8146

Wed 9 Water Wise Landscaping Class

6:30-7:30 pm, Surprise Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St, Surprise. Participants receive free CD with hundreds of design ideas, irrigation and maintenance tips. Free. Register: London Lacy or (623) 222-7023

Thu 10 Tolleson Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting

2:00-4:30 pm, Tolleson Senior Center, 9555 W. VanBuren, Tolleson, AZ. Contact Lana Hinde or (602) 843-9015 , Tolleson Gourd Patch

Thu 10 Mesa East Valley Rose Society Monthly Meeting

7 pm, Mesa Community College Library, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. (480) 807-3475. Mesa East Valley Rose Society

Thu 10 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 10 Landscaping with AZ Natives

5:30-7:30 pm, Sunrise Mountain Library, Room 1, 21200 N. 83rd Ave, Peoria. Kirti Mathura discusses Sonoran Desert perennials, shrubs, trees. Register, Peoria Water Conservation, Info: (623) 773-7286

Thu 10 NE Valley Satellite Diagnostic Clinic

10 am-noon, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale (480) 312-5810

Thu 10 Master Gardener Training Class: Tropical Fruits

9:30-12:30 pm, Gilbert Community Center at 100 N. Oak, Gilbert. Speaker: Jim Oravetz, Master Gardener; Past President - Arizona Rare Fruit Growers Assocation

Fri 11 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix

Fri 11 Washington Garden Club 9:30 am, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Orvalita Hopkins

Sat 12 Spring Garden Walk for Youth

9 am- 2 pm. Tour 7 East Valley homes to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of East Valley and Mesa Sunrise Rotary. Tickets $10 at Mesa Community College Rose Garden, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa from 9-11 am. Info: (480) 539-0381

Sat 12 Sun Country Iris Spring Show

Entries accepted 8-9:30 am, judging from 10-11:30 am, open to the public noon-4 pm at Baker’s Nursery, 3414 N. 40th St, Phoenix. Potted iris available for purchase. Ardi Kary at (480) 949-0253, Sun Country

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours

Iris Society

Sat 12 Landscape Design and Installation

9 am-1 pm, South Tempe Police Substation Auditorium, 8201 S. Hardy Dr., Tempe. Workshop covers planning, design, installation. Register at Richard Bond or (480) 350-2627

Sat 12 Phoenix Pond Society Meeting

9 am, home in Chandler, Tom Briggs or (480) 510-2403 for location. Phoenix Pond Society

Sat 12 Beginning Gardening 10 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2.

Sat 12 Houseplants and Container Gardening

11 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2.

Sat 12 Design Charrette 9 am-noon, at Jeanette Socaciu’s home in Glendale. Resrve a spot at Carol Parrott

Sat 12 Make a Difference Serve A-Thon for Schools

8 am-noon, various valley schools. Master Gardeners volunteer to help with gardens and landscaping at schools in their areas. Fax Background Check Form to Kristen Wagner at 602-470-8092. E-mail or call Kristen, 602-470-8086 x 311, with your area of the valley

Tue 15 Down to Earth Toastmasters

6-7:15 pm, MCCE, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Contact: Olivette Aviso, or (480) 235-5989. Down to Earth Toastmasters

Tue 15 AZ Plant Diagnostic Network

Noon-2 pm, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Dr. Judy Brown of the U of A Plant Sciences Dept will tell you how you can make a difference in plant diseases and pest identification. She’ll bring laptops and teach you how to navigate the pertinent University web sites. RSVP Mary Ann Garewal

Tue 15 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 Patch

Tue 15 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 . Spring sale

Tue 15 Phoenix Rose Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Phoenix Rose Society, (480) 967-7001

Tue 15 Yard Watering 6-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, Chandler. Instructor: Jeff Lee. Free to Chandler utility customers. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation

Tue 15, Thu 17, Sat 19

Southwest Native Herbs for Your Garden

6-9 pm on Tue 15, Thu 17, and 7-10 am on Sat 19, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $60/non $75 for 3 classes. Instructor: Kirti Mathura. Register online or (480) 481-8146

Wed 16 Phoenix Chrysanthemum Society Monthly Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15 Ave, Phoenix. Contact: th

Wayne Wight or (602) 943-7418

Wed 16 AZ Gourd Society Monthly Meeting

7-9 pm, Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Contact Cheri Williams or (623) 322-5660, AZ Gourd Society

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours

Wed 16 Wallace Desert Garden Tour

9-2:30pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $80/non $100. Travel by van from DBG to Wallace Gardens in North Scottsdale. Highlights: 6000 sqft Cactus Pavilion, boojum tree forest, world-renowned collection of Ephedra. Includes transportation, snacks, water, picnic lunch. Register online or (480) 481-8146

Thu 17 Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society Meeting

7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society,

Thu 17 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 17 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

Thu 17 Master Gardener Training Class: Weed Science

9:30-12:30 pm, Gilbert Community Center at 100 N. Oak, Gilbert. Speaker: Dr. F. Edward Northam, University of Arizona Program Coordinator. / Invasive Plants

Fri 18 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix

Sat 19 Mesa East Valley Rose Society Pruning

8 am meeting/ refreshments, pruning from 9-noon, Mesa Community College Rose Garden, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. Carol Poe or (480) 895-7793, Mesa East Valley Rose Society

Sat 19 Trail Day at MCCE 8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring hand tools and gloves. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Sat 19 Plants of the Bible Guided Tour

7:30 am, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about botany, history, and scripture on this slow-paced walk. Free with admission. More info

Sat 19 Earth/Arbor Day 11 am- 3pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Celebrate environmental awareness. Free w/admission.

Sat 19 Landscape Plant Materials

9 am-1 pm, South Tempe Police Substation Auditorium, 8201 S. Hardy Dr., Tempe. Workshop covers various plant materials suitable for our desert climate. Register at Richard Bond or (480) 350-2627

Sat 19 Beginning Gardening 10 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2.

Sat 19 Deadheaders Volunteer Fair

11 am-12:30 pm, Rose Garden at Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern, Mesa. Rose demonstrations, handouts on rose care, tour of Rose Garden, exhibits, rosarians available for questions. Free lunch. RSVP Carol Poe or (480) 895-7793.

Sat 19 Houseplants and Container Gardening

11 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2.

Sat 19 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

10 am, for location contact: Ann Stoetzer or (623) 872-9020. Desert Sun African Violet Society

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours

Sat 19 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Contact John Kudelka at (480) 948-4816

Tue 22 Irrigation System Maintenance

6-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, Chandler. Instructor: Jeff Lee. Free to Chandler utility customers. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation

Thu 24 Master Gardener Training Class: Turf Management

9:30-12:30 pm, Gilbert Community Center at 100 N. Oak, Gilbert. Speaker: Sharon Dewey, University of Arizona Instructional Specialist

Fri 25 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix

Fri 25, Sat 26, Sun 27

Maricopa County Home and Landscape show

10 am-7 pm on Fri, Sat, 10 am- 6 pm on Sun, Arizona Sate Fairgrounds, 19th Ave and McDowell, Phoenix. Maricopa County Home Show

Sat 26, Sun 27 Parade of Ponds Tour

9 am-9 pm Sat, 9 am-4 pm Sun. Tour raises money for the Schoolyard Habitat Foundation to build wildlife habitats in Maricopa County schools. Tickets $15; includes Phoenix Zoo admission. Tickets or (623) 572-5607

Sat 26 Drip Irrigation Systems 9 am-1 pm, South Tempe Police Substation Auditorium, 8201 S. Hardy Dr., Tempe. Workshop covers irrigation design, maintenance, installation. Register at Richard Bond or (480) 350-2627

Sat 26 Landscape Watering 10am-noon, Surprise Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St, Surprise. Learn to set irrigation timer. Free. Register: London Lacy (623) 222-7023

Sun 27 Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society

2 pm, Dorrance Hall at Desert Botanical Garden. Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Judy Braun-Brody at (480) 481-8129

Mon 28 Desert Perennials 11 am, Avondale City Hall , 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Mary Irish talks about desert adapted perennials and their care. Register at Esmie Avila (623) 333-4422.

Tue 29 Control Your Irrigation Timer

6:30-7:30 pm, Mesa Utilities Bldg, Community Room, 640 N. Mesa Dr, Mesa. Learn to program your irrigation timer. Free. Register or (480) 644-4400. Leave name, address, phone number, class name.

Tue 29 Convert Your Grass to Low-Water Landscape

6:30-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, Chandler. Learn step by step method to convert your grass. Free to Chandler utility customers. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation

Wed 30 Programming Your Irrigation

6 pm, Avondale City Hall , 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Register at Esmie Avila (623) 333-4422.

May Thu 1 Master Gardener Training Class: Plant Problem Diagnosis

9:30-12:30 pm, Gilbert Community Center at 100 N. Oak, Gilbert. Speaker: Terry Mikel

May Sat 3 Garden Festival: A Green Event

8:30 am -1 pm, Glendale Main Library/Xeriscape Garden, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale. Green Festival Info

May Sat 3 Going Green Landscape Fair 9 am -1 pm, Surprise City Hall courtyard, 12425 W. Bell Road, Surprise.

MG event/opportunity to earn MG hours