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The Garden

Thymes

UPCOMMING EVENTS

Dec 17 6:00

BCMGA Christmas Party

Please watch for emails with dates and times for the Executive Committee Meeting and workdays at Meditation

Garden, McMurry Greenhouse, Swen-son House, and the Demo Beds at the

Extension Office or changes in dates or times for activities.

Gene Shelhamer, 2019 BCMGA President

The pergola has been completed in the demo garden at

the extension office.

• Now we are waiting on the catchments to be

delivered and the "dry river beds' developed.

• The 2020 BCMG officers have been elected and the

2020 budget has been adopted.

• The plants are now in their places in the newly

renovated Meditation Garden.

• We are all anxious to celebrate at the MG Christmas

party in the Big Country Hall on Tuesday December

17th.

See you there.

And finally…..

2019 has been a great year for me. It has been my

privilege to serve as your Big Country Master Gardener

president. This was only possible by the extraordinary help

and support of the other officers. Without these folks it just

wouldn't have happened and for them I am truly thankful. We

have had several large projects that have progressed during

this year. The whole Big Country Master Gardener organiza-

tion has a vision of an exciting future. Our New President,

Sandy Shaw, will lead us forward zeal and unbelievable

energy.

Thanks, Gene

Big Country Master Gardener

Association Newsletter

Bcmgtx.org

December 2019

2019 BCMG Officers President - Gene Shelhamer Vice Pres ident- Cheri Drysdale President Elect - Sandy Shaw Treasurer - Sandy Dugger Rec Sec - Ann Clark Cor Sec - Misty Hayward

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Where We ’ve Been, What We ’ve Done, Where We ’re Going

By Jackie Sledge We are about to put 2019 in the history book, but before we do, we need to look back at a very successful year for BCMGA.

Our association has been involved in a number of projects, events, and activities this year, and some of them are:

• Popular Saturday Seminars that provided education opportunities for both the public and Master Gardeners

• Programs for Abilene and area students such as Kids, Kows & More, Food and Fiber Day, and Junior Master Gardener programs

• Programs for children and families at Swenson House, Lake Kirby, and FaithWorks • Informative education programs before the monthly business meetings • Intern training classes • Presentations for various community groups • Many hours of work on projects in the community – Swenson House, Meditation Garden,

McMurry Greenhouse, Demo Beds at the Extension Office, FaithWorks, Lake Kirby Park, etc, etc

• Activities to fulfill the Pollinator Grant • Beginning work on the Maple Street property • Providing assistance to the Extension Office by answering the phone, helping with the

Pecan Show, working gates • Providing food for meetings and events, writing awards, preparing monthly newsletters • Successful Spring and Fall Plant Sales – hundreds of hours for these events • Fun times such as the Summer Picnic and the Christmas Party (The Christmas Party this

year will be a great time with good food, good friends, a time to reflect on 2019, and a time to celebrate some of our members)

• And there are a number of other things not listed here but were also important

So, how have we accomplished this?

• Support from the Extension Office – Cody Hill, Tammie Belyeu, and Amy Acosta provide valuable assistance to BCMGA.

• Leadership of the Executive Committee – President Gene Shelhamer, President Elect Sandy Shaw, Vice President Cheri Drysdale, Recording Secretary Ann Clark, Corre-sponding Secretary Misty Hayward, and Treasurer Sandy Dugger plus Past President Kathy Turner. We appreciate the leadership you have provided this year to make our group successful.

Cont...

Big Country Master Gardener Association Newsletter

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Big Country Master Gardener Association Newsletter

Where we’re going cont.….

• Leadership of the Committee chairs. They have spent untold hours planning, arranging, organizing, and working on projects, events, and activities.

The hours and hours of volunteer time worked by Master Gardeners and Interns. Very little could have been accomplished without the time worked by each of you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for you and what you do!

Whew. That’s a lot!

Where are we going in 2020?

• Continue with education opportunities

• Continue providing assistance to the Extension Office

• Identify and work projects and activities that educate

the public, benefit BCMGA, and make our community a

better place

• Have fun getting to know our fellow Master Gardeners

better and working with each other to accomplish our

shared goals

Have fun – can’t say that enough!

The most important thing to remember is that every Master Gardener is valuable to the

group, and we need input and help from everyone. Always remember that you are BCMGA,

your ideas are important, and the hours of time you volunteer are both appreciated and

make our association the outstanding group it is. I don’t know about you, but I am pleased

with our past and excited about our future.

Jackie Sledge

Garden Tips

It’s time to request seed catalogs to start planning for flowers and vegetables next year. Order

seeds soon so you can get them while they are still available.

When pruning shrubs, use hand pruners for a more natural look.

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Plant pansies, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and kale plus oth-

er winter annuals in beds and containers.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs. For

best results, don’t plant bulbs too deep.

Plant fruit and pecan trees, grapes, and berry vines.

Prune dead or damaged branches from trees. Also prune branches that are

too low.

Prune shrubs, crape myrtles, and fruit trees.

Refrain from pruning freeze-damaged stems of perennial flowers. They provide some

insulation for the plant through the rest of winter.

Cut mistletoe off of trees. If it is on small twigs, cut off the mistletoe and the twig.

Mow winter weeds to keep them in check. If your mower needs a tune-up or repair,

take it in now when business is slower.

Apply broadleaved weed killer on a warm afternoon early in the month to control clo-

ver, dandelions, chickweed, and henbit. The temperature needs to be above 70 de-

grees.

Feed compost piles, pansies and other winter annuals, newly planted trees and

shrubs, and indoor plants.

Prepare for freezing weather. Disconnect hoses from faucets, and drain sprinklers. Cover vulnerable

plants with lightweight frost cloth, cardboard boxes, or blankets for a few de-

grees of protection. Move plants into the garage during extreme cold.

Remember to provide water for the birds and wildlife during the winter.

Information from Neil Sperry and Doug Welsh

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The Garden Thymes

McMurry Greenhouse Renovation Update

by Molly Lorch

Drum roll please! The word is out. Dr. Alicia Wyatt has informed me that the renovation of the

McMurry greenhouse is scheduled to begin the first

week of March 2020.

All the exterior walls will be removed from the

greenhouse. Everything inside the greenhouse

could be exposed for weeks. Therefore, all that

BCMG has inside the greenhouse has to be moved

to an alternative location for storage. At the current

time, we plan to move most of the supplies and

storage shelves to the storage container at the Ma-

ple Street property. McMurry University plans for

the bottom 3' of the walls to be replaced with metal

siding and the upper parts will be polycarbonate panels

McMurry University plans to add an outdoor classroom approximately

24' x 25' on the south side of the greenhouse. This means all our

outdoor plants, including the ring garden, will need to be moved to make

space for a new outdoor classroom.

McMurry also wants to add concrete to the open

dirt areas adjacent to the exterior walls. The

thinking is that the concrete will reduce the risk of water, insects and pests

from entering the greenhouse.

Another much needed repair will be to replace the motors that open and close the roof ridge vents.

Currently, someone has to climb a ladder to force the vents open or closed. This is a very dangerous

operation that Steve Davis has done this year.

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McMurry Greenhouse cont…...

We are also hoping that the shade cloth system will become more automated. Currently, we have

to climb on benches, ladders, and use poles to open or retract the shade cloth

McMurry hopes to install an evaporative cooling system to help reduce the heat in the warm

months. Years ago the greenhouse had one of these systems, but it was removed when it fell into

disrepair.

We are hoping to move Master Gardener owned plants, supplies and

equipment out of the McMurry greenhouse in January. We will need

help.

McMurry Greenhouse

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Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball From Chef In Training

https://www.chef-in-training.com/cranberry-orange-cheese-ball/

Served at the November meeting Submitted by Ann Taylor

COATING

Instructions

Ingredients 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup craisins (I chopped them) 2 teaspoons orange zest

1 Tablespoon orange juice ½ cup powdered sugar

1 cup chopped candied pecans ½ cup craisins (I chopped them) 1 Tablespoon orange zest

*NOTE: I didn’t have any candied pecans on hand, so I combined the remaining juice from the or-

ange with approximately 1/4 or 1/3 cup sugar. I then heated it in a small saucepan until it thickened into a syrup and let cool.

1. Stir softened cream cheese until smooth.

2. Stir in craisins, orange zest, orange juice and powdered sugar until well combined.

3. Set bowl in fridge and allow to firm up for about 10 minutes or just long enough to be able to form a ball.

4. Roll into a cream cheese mixture into a ball and place on a plate or tray and place in freezer to soft set for 10 minutes.

5. While cheese ball is soft setting, combine coating ingredients onto a large tray or plate. Roll cheese ball into the topping ingredients to coat on the outside completely.

6. Cover with saran wrap and store in fridge until ready to serve.

7. Serve with crackers.

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Date: Sept. 30

Time: 8:00-3:00

Place: Southern Hills Church of Christ 3666 Buffalo Gap Road

Quick Fudge

Ingredients:

• 3 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips

• One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Line a square 8 x 8 pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

Place the chocolate chips in a medium saucepan or double boiler over medium heat. Pour in the sweet-

ened condensed milk. Stir as the chocolate chips melt, taking care to scrape the bottom of the pan to

avoid sticking and burning.

Remove the mixture from the heat when there are no longer bits of solid chocolate chips. Immediately

transfer it to the prepared pan, pressing it into a single layer. Cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap and

refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.

Once the mixture is set, pull the edge of the foil to remove the fudge from the pan. Peel off the foil, and

cut the fudge into squares. Store in plastic bags at room temperature.

Variations: A variety of crushed candies or nuts can be added to the top of the fudge after it has been

spread in the pan and before it is chilled. Sprinkle them over the top and press lightly so they stay in place.

Suggested toppings are chopped M&Ms, crushed peppermint candies, finely chopped nuts (pecans, wal-

nuts, or peanuts), colorful sprinkles, etc.

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…………. . .

Quick Sauces to make and have ready for quick toppings over ice cream, cheesecake, pies,

pudding, fruit, etc. to add pizazz to desserts and snacks.

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, cut into pieces

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Gently whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the cream. Turn the

heat to medium, and whisk it as it warms up. When the mixture starts to warm up, add the butter and stir it

in to melt. When the mixture is hot, add the vanilla and stir to combine.

Let the sauce cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and transfer it to a mason jar. Store it in the refrigerator (it will

become more solid as it chills). To serve, scoop out the amount needed and place it in a microwave-safe

bowl. Heat it for 20 seconds, or until melted and warm.

Variations:

Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the cocoa-sugar mixture for

added flavor.

Add an additional ¼ cup of sugar to the sauce for more sweetness.

Quick Caramel Sauce

1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup heavy cream

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Combine the brown sugar and cream in a medium saucepan. Then add the butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir the

mixture over medium heat until it melts. Let it come to a gentle boil and bubble up for 2 to 3 minutes.

Let the sauce cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and transfer it to a jar. Store it in the refrigerator (it will be-

come more solid as it chills). To serve, scoop out the amount needed and place it in a microwave-sage

bowl. Heat it for 20 seconds, or until melted and warm.

Variation:

Add a little extra salt for salted caramel sauce. Be sure to taste before adding more salt.

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Finally!…..a restart for Meditation Garden

By Sandy Shaw

Meditation Garden began under the charge and design of our own master

gardener, Danielle Delhomme. There have been many changes in the

garden since the concept of a labyrinth surrounded by bountiful fruit trees

and pollinating cultivars began. In fact, our project at First Central Presby-

terian Church sat idle for a year or more.

New plans were presented, Meditation Garden became involved in the

writing of our 2019 Pollinator Grant and FCPC offered to build a new area

with raised bed, for pollinators, if we would agree to plant and work until

established. We agreed; they did the work; and finally, this past month,

the “Master Gardener Pollinator Bed” took shape!

The long, curved bed, built of pavers,

filled with soil, was amended and

ready to plant. For starters we

planted leftovers from our fall plant

sale: sages, salvias and daylilies. A

trip to Harry’s Nursery resulted in

winter color: yellow pansies, purple

and white pansies, yellow snaps,

cabbages, and more rose pansies! - and yesterday, drip irrigation

magically appeared in the raised bed and in the surrounding mulched area

also!

Merry Christmas to BCMGA!

We would like to set up a few

MG’s for rotation ; someone to

check on drip, maybe every cou-

ple of days ; for a short time un-

til we are sure things are pro-

gressing well. If you are inter-

ested, email or text Sandy. (It

would be an easy volunteer

hour and you could walk the Labyrinth while there!)

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You Rock Award is an award given to the Association Member who has done something outstanding in the previous month.

The Busy Bee is the member who submitted the most hours the previous month.

Please remember to nominate an individual (even yourself)

for the You Rock Award. The nomination should be for someone

who has done something outstanding during the month.

Please send your nominations to Dorothy Kiser at dkiser44@gmail.com.

The Busy Bee Award was given to Jo Rake who reported 60 hours for October.

Jo was instrumental in making the plant sale run smoothly. Thank you, Jo, for

your contribution to the plant sale and for the many other ways you assist

Master Gardeners.

Molly Lorch was selected to receive the You Rock Award for October. Molly

has spent endless hours in the McMurry Green House organizing everything

after the spring and summer activities. Molly, you are appreciated for your

time and expertise in making the green house a better place for our organiza-

tion. Thank you!

The You Rock Award for May was given to Chris Hill.

He has not been available to get his award earlier. Chris was nominated for his

work on the demo beds. The grounds around the Extension Office are beginning

to look so much better. Thank you Chris for your work in improving this space.

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Master Gardener Spotlight

New BCMG ’s!!

At the November meeting we had the pleasure of introducing new

BCMG members!

Please help us all welcome Dianne Bennett, Shannon Abbott, Chris Hill and Susan Perry!!

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December

December 8 Don Miller

December 16 Vicki Adams

December 16 Linda Spivey

December 22 James Griffith

December 30 Patty Espisito

December 30 Gilbert Rodriguez