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As the Garden Grows

A Publication of the Gonzales Master Gardeners Gonzales, Texas

December Volume 4, Issue 11

Volunteer of the Year

Congratulations to Cheryl Hillman

Cheryl is an awesome Master Gardener and always there to help out when needed. Cheryl participated in a number of our projects this year and her knowledge, smiling face and hard work is

greatly appreciated.

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Winter Social / Christmas Party

The Winter Social was enjoyed by all who attended. As usual, the buffet was delicious. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Year.

A Thought from Gail

Merry Christmas, Master Gardeners! It’s the time of year when we take a little break and spend time with our friends and families and celebrate the season. I hope each of you will have a wonderful and rejuvenating time this year.

I want to thank all of you for all your help and support over the last two years. Our little group has faced its challenges but I am confident that we have worked through the growing pains of a new organization and are ready to move forward with deliberation and fun. Starting an organization such as ours takes a lot of thought and planning and it’s a little more complicated than we might have imagined. But over the past five years (can it really have been that long?) we have put together an organization that we can all be proud of. Yes, we will make changes in the future. We will have new challenges but we have an understanding of ourselves that will guide us through it. What you do for your communities is very important and it is an example that we hope will inspire others as well.

So this holiday season, take a break—and a bow—pat yourself on the back and know that you make a difference. Thank you for all you do.

Oh, and I got the gopher.

Editor’s Note (Fran): Thanks Gail for an outstanding job of getting our organization off the ground and working. It is a great group of Master Gardenders who believe in what we are doing for the community. Next time you see Gail, give her a pat on the back and a big Thank You.

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Second Grade School Program –Session #2

The next session for Second Grade students will be on Thursday, December 18 starting at 8 am.

Contact Gail for further information or if you want to volunteer your time to help with the class.

2014 Black Walnut Programs Successful Completion!

(Submitted by Nancy Foster)

Thank you Master Gardeners, for your amazing support of the third and fourth grade black walnut

programs! We have completed the Gonzales third grade black walnut seed-planting program, a

sapling-planting program for the fourth graders, and a black walnut sapling give-away to members of

the Gonzales community – all in the same month as the GMG Rummage Sale!

Kari Hines and Lexi Maxwell of the Texas A&M Forest Service showed up with a black walnut

“cookie” and Smoky The Bear material to add to this year’s third grade black walnut class and seed

planting November 7. On November 14, Gonzales Extension Agent Dwight Sexton and Gonzales

Elementary School Principal Jayne Iley recognized this year’s fourth graders on becoming the first

GISD students to become successful scientists and resource conservationists by growing and

planting black walnut tree saplings. Three groups of classes each planted one of the seedlings that

sprouted as a result of their third grade activities: one sapling is located in front of the school, one at

the corner of St. Andrew Street and Fair Street, and one to the south of the GMG Fair Street building.

In addition, on November 25, 17 community members received their saplings and signed a thank you

letter to the students, teachers, and administration who made the sapling give-way possible, copies of

which were delivered to the fourth grade classes and to the administration. Congratulations GMG, for

projects well done!

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Editor’s note: Thank you to Nancy Foster for organizing this great program for the third and fourth grade elementary children. It is an awesome program and your hard work is very much appreciated.

Eggelston Children’s Garden-Stay Tuned!

The Eggelston Garden for the first graders will kick off in January 2015. Be looking for more information on this great program from Arline Schacherl.

Are You Current With Your GMG Dues/Hours?

Annual Dues of $20.00 are DUE NOW. To remain certified as a Texas MG, you must pay your yearly dues, have a background check every three years, complete 20 hours of volunteer hours and 6 hours of continuing education. Do you qualify? Contact Fran about your hours and pay dues to Pam St. John ASAP.

November 2014 Monthly Report

Twenty-two Gonzales Master Gardeners and students turned in 298.75 hours for the month of November. An additional 53.75 hours were turned in late for October.

Approximately 220 3rd grade children came to FSB to learn about the Conservation and Natural

Resources of the Walnut Tree and to plant walnut seeds. Approximately 220 4th grade children

attended a program on the Conservation of the Black Walnut Tree in Gonzales County and planted

three trees on the grounds of Gonzales Elementary School. The remaining trees grown from this

program were adopted out to landowners in the County of Gonzales to plant on their properties.

The Vegetable Grow Team for the 2015 SPS heard talks presented by Jim Johnson about growing

vegetable seeds. He also demonstrated how to make a grow lite. The Perennial and Herb Grow

teams continued planting and growing plants for the SPS.

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Monthly GMGs Meeting

Our next monthly GMG meeting will be held January 8, 2015 at noon. Harley and Sue McCorkle will be serving lunch. Hope to see all of you there.

MG Class #5

Don’t miss out on these great classes being offered in the month of January!

1-6 Vegetable Gardening – David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bexar County Agent Chapter 6 – Vegetable & Herb Gardening 1-13 Fruit Production- Jim Kamas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturalist Chapter 5 – Home Fruit & Nut Production 1-27 To be arranged

Plant of the Month (Submitted by Brenda Thompson)

Christmas Cactus by Cynthia W. Mueller, Master Gardener, Galveston County Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesi) is a favorite holiday season house plant, but one which needs careful attention to details if it is to live and flower again the next year. It is closely related to Easter Cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncatus), all with fleshy, flattened, segmented joints and showy flowers ranging in color from white through pink, red and purple. These are cacti which in nature live in the crotches of jungle trees, and benefit from light, porous soil mixed with leafmold and sand.

Christmas cactus, a tender houseplant. When the flowering period is finished, an active growth period will commence. Keep the plant in a sheltered place until danger of freezing is over. Water carefully; keeping in mind that overwatering is the major cause of failure with Christmas cactus. Soak the potting medium when watering, then allow the plant to become almost dry before watering again. (When the plant is put outside during warmer weather, it will be easier to keep if placed on the porch or in a situation where it will not be soaked with rainwater over a period of several days). Fertilize with a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer with trace

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elements while in an active growth stage. Occasionally, leach out excess fertilizer salts with plain water. Christmas Cactus will thrive in a well-drained, sterile potting medium high in organic material. A little sand may be mixed with the medium to provide weight, important as the cactus increases in size. A pH of 5.5 to 6.2 is considered optimum for growth. Although a temperature of 70 - 80 degrees F during the growing season is considered ideal, plants will tolerate Texas-type temperatures in the 90 to 100 degrees F range, although growth may be slower. Reduce water and fertilizer in August in preparation for the beginning of bud development, which is regulated by the shortening of fall days, along with cooler night temperatures. By late October and early November buds should be in evidence. Help to maintain bud set by adequate watering, taking care not to expose the plant to cold drafts, unvented heaters, or rough handling. Night temperatures above 70 degrees F may inhibit bud development. As the cactus becomes larger, shorter tip portions may be broken off and rooted in loose, sandy medium with very little trouble. Mealy bugs, scale and aphids may be rubbed away with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use stronger controls such as houseplant insecticides only if the infestation appears to be gaining the upper hand. With good tending, Christmas Cactus may live for many years.

Area Events (Submitted by Brenda Thompson)

Houston: Monday, December 15, is Open Garden Day, with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2. 8:30-11 am, Genoa Friendship Garden,1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. Free. Children welcome. Details: https://hcmga.tamu.edu. San Antonio: An Olive Production & Management Seminar will be held Monday, December 15, 8:30 a.m-2:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Dairy Barn, West Gate/Gate A 3201 E. Houston Street, San Antonio. 5 CEUs for Master Gardeners. RSVP with registration fee of $30 (includes lunch), payable to Bexar County Master Gardeners, Attn: Angel Torres, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230. For more information, call Angel Torres 210 467-6575, or email matorres@ag.tamu.edu. Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will begin its 2015 Lunch and Learn With the Masters lecture series Monday, January 12, noon until 1 p.m. at the Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria. Victoria County Extension Agent Peter McGuill will discuss "Selection and Care of Trees in Your Landscape." The event is free to the public. Those attending may bring a sack lunch and beverage. San Antonio: On Wednesday, January 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., David Rodriguez, County Extension Agent-Horticulturist, will present Joey Villarreal, Proprietor and Brewer of Blue Star Brewing Company, Todd Huntress, Operator of San Antonio Homebrew Supply & Home Brewer, along with Bexar County Master Gardener and Home Brewer, Lou Kellogg in the first Backyard Gardening Series presentation for 2015: The Basics of Home Brewing 101. Held at Blue Star Brewing, The Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S. Alamo St, San Antonio 78210. Fee: $20. RSVP to Angel Torres 210 467-6575 or email matorres@ag.tamu.edu . Must be 21 years of age or older.

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New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service present their Spring Seminar featuring tomatoes, keyhole gardening, and nutrition at McKenna Events Center, 801 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels. February 21, from 8:50 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cost is $49.00, and includes lunch, snacks, seminar booklet, and vegetable gardening handbook. Speakers include William D. Adams, author or co-author of Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook, The Southern Kitchen Garden, Commonsense Vegetable Gardening for the South, and Growing Fruits and Nuts in the South. Dr. Deb Tolman will provide all the details of keyhole gardening and Ashley Currie will provide a talk on health and wellness. Seating is limited so register early to save your place. Registration forms are available at http://txmg.org/comal/event/seminar/. For additional information, call 830-620-3440. San Antonio: Advance your gardening expertise, plus gain self-satisfaction through volunteer efforts which enhance the quality of life for citizens of your community using the science and art of horticulture. Bexar County Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer Master Gardener Intern Training Class #59 from February 25 to May 27 (Noon-4 p.m., each Wednesday) at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Registration for Class 59, is open NOW through February 9. See the attachment for details, application form, and planned class agenda. For more information, call 210 467-6575. Quitman: The Wood County chapter of Texas Master Gardeners will host a spring conference featuring speaker Steven L. Chamblee. March 28, at Quitman High School, 1101 East Goode Street, Quitman. "Time to Plant Smarter" will focus on plants and gardening methods specifically for east Texas. Chamblee is the Chief Horticulturist for Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, Texas. He serves as Consulting Editor and Author for a gardening magazine, writes a monthly e-newsletter column entitled "Native Son," and is an Adjunct Instructor for Tarrant County College and Texas Christian University's Extended Education. He will introduce Texas Tough Plants which are environmentally friendly and native to the state. This will be especially informative for people new to the area or state and adapting to Texas weather and seasons. He will cover subjects on trees, shrubs and color with emphasis on heavily flowering herbaceous perennials. The conference will also have mini-seminars on native plants, rainwater harvesting and worm farming. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be available. For more information contact: Gloria Jean Rosewall at gloriajeanerosewall@gmail.com; Roy Culbertson at royculb@gmail.com; or Lin Grado at lingrado@gmail.com .

Austin Area Events-for more events in the Austin Area, go to http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/ San Antonio, Texas- for events in the San Antonio area got to

http://www.bexarcountymastergardeners.org

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DATES TO REMEMBER: (Check elsewhere in newsletter for details)

Place in a handy place to keep up to date on GMG events

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings/classes are at 623 N. Fair Street (Fair Street Building)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

DECEMBER 14

15 16 MG class Southern Gardens with Bill Welch 8:30-12:30

17 18 2nd Grade Session #2 8 am- 2:30 pm

19 20

21 1st Day of

Winter

22 23 24 25

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28 29 30 31 JANUARY 1

2 3

4 5 6 MG Class Veg. Gardening David Rodriguez 8:30-12:30

7 8 GMG Noon Lunch Meeting

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11 12 13 14 15 16 18

19 20 21 MG Class Fruit Production 8:30-12:30

22 23 24 25

Fair Street Building: 623 N. Fair Street-next to Gonzales Elementary School Children’s Garden: Corner of Moore and St. Lawrence St-next to Eggleston House

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Editors: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office

Fran Saliger 1709 E. Sarah DeWitt Drive

fsaliger@gvec.net Gonzales, TX 78629 Gail Johnson Phone: 830-672-8531 gailpjohnson@earthlink.net Fax: 830-672-8532

E-mail: gonzales@ag.tamu.edu

Web pages:

http://gonzalesmastergardeners.org http://gonzales.agrilife.org

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodations in order to participate in this meeting are

encouraged to contact the County Extension Office at 830-672-8531 to determine how reasonable accommodations can be made. The

information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the

understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas A & M AgriLife Extension