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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County
Garden Wise Gazette The Garden Wise Gazette is an outreach of the Collin County Master Gardeners
Association (CCMGA) and the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service to the citizens of Collin County for horticultural education, interest, and information.
November/December 2015
Start the New Year with a Class on Vegetable
Gardening
Collin County Master Gardeners will host "Spring into Vegetable Gardening" on January 23, 2016, from 9 a.m.-noon
at the Landing at Myers Park in McKinney. The focus of this program will be basic vegetable gardening in Collin County. Our goal is to offer the public opportunities to learn from
veteran vegetable gardeners and local experts through lectures and hands-on displays.
Topics covered will include soil preparation, plant selection,
seeds or transplants, row covers, vertical gardening and Integrated Pest Management in the vegetable garden. Our experts will discuss plant varieties and the planting calendar for
Collin County gardens.
The Garden Wise Gazette will be published 12 times
a year, providing information applicable to the
coming month. The January issue will be released on
January 1, 2016, in an all-new version.
In this Issue . . . Spring Into Vegetable Gardening ........... 1
Youth Education Update ...................... 2
Research and Demonstration Gardens in Prosper ............................... 3
Speakers Bureau ................................... 5
Myers Park Overview of Public Gardens..................................... 6
Garden Checklist .................................. 8
Online Turfgrass Resource .................... 9
— continued on page 2
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
2
Vegetable Gardening Class (continued from page 1)
Texas Pure Products will have a display of various soil amendments and mulches.
They will be available to answer your questions.
Demonstration tables will be
manned by Master Gardeners who have expertise in raised bed construction, vertical
gardens and row covers. Specialists in irrigation and
rainwater harvesting will have equipment and displays set up.
Registration for this program will open on January 1, 2016.
There is a $10 per person fee to attend, which can be paid at
the door (credit cards, cash, or
CCMGA Vegetable Harvest.
photo courtesy of Robin Lankford
check made payable to CCMGA). Registration is required to guarantee
handouts and goodie bags for all. Visit our website,
www.ccmgatx.org, to register or call the
Information Center at 972-548-4219. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. on January 23
at the Landing at Myers Park. Hope to see you
there!
CCMGA Youth Education: Engaged Learners
Wilmeth 4th graders in McKinney ISD put their learning to the test recently by presenting plant projects to real-world experts — members of the Collin County Master Gardeners! The students showed off not only
their handiwork but also what they had learned about plants by engaging with their guests in challenging discussions. Having an authentic, real-world audience fosters student engagement, ownership of learning and fun.
Photos Courtesy of McKinney ISD
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
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Research and Demonstration Gardens Sprouting Up in Prosper
Research and demonstration gardens are maintained as learning gardens for the public. From perennials to annuals, trees to shrubs, and vegetables to herbs, there is something for every home gardener to appreciate. Signs are posted identifying the plants, and public
programs are often held each year at the gardens. Collin County residents are fortunate to have resources available to them at Myers Park & Event Center, the McKinney Green Garden at Gabe Nesbitt Park, Allen Public Library gardens, and most recently new, ground-breaking gardens in the town of Prosper.
The Collin County Master
Gardeners Association is proud to have partnered with the Town of Prosper, Texas AgriLife Extension, Rucker Elementary School and Christie Farms to introduce new research and demonstration gardens. According to Patty Felan, Collin County Master Gardener and Prosper resident, “I realized Prosper, with its explosive
growth, would be the perfect place to showcase Earth-Kind® landscape principles to show better gardening practices for the public. Earth-Kind research excludes the use of fertilizer, pesticides and excessive irrigation. As our community grows, it will continue to put
strain on our water supply. Even making small changes can make a monumental difference in the long run.”
Water Tower Research Garden Felan adds, “Prosper will
host the nation’s first dwarf shrub research garden. The Earth-Kind
dwarf shrub and grass research garden will feature 15 varieties of dwarf shrubs, and six varieties of ornamental grasses, with four replications of each shrub variety and three replications of each grass variety. We selected dwarf shrubs because they don’t require the same level of pruning or water consumption as larger ones. Homeowners inevitably plant shrubs too large for their
landscape and always have to trim them to make them the correct height. This is stressful on the plant and extra maintenance for the homeowner. The varieties selected are expected to thrive under Prosper's weather conditions. Collin County Master Gardeners will visit the site monthly to collect data needed to conduct the research.”
Water Tower Demonstration
Garden Additionally, there is an
Earth-Kind demonstration garden located by the water tower at 1st Street and Craig Road. It is very helpful for homeowners to
see first-hand what Earth-Kind planting is all about. They can see what the plants look like, and then implement their new knowledge in their own gardens.
Environmental Learning Center Kids love to play in the dirt!
Rucker Elementary is surpassing
the standard school curriculum by teaching environmental awareness and encouraging students to explore the workings of nature in the Environmental Learning Center, located on the Rucker campus across the street from the water tower.
Felan shares, “Involving children in gardening at an early age gives them a chance to learn an important life skill. CCMGA is working with Rucker Elementary to revitalize the existing garden, which was established in 2001 with Earth-Kind principles. We added 40 cubic yards of compost to the garden, converted the sprinkler to drip, extended the east bed from two feet to 12 feet, cleaned up the existing plants, added plants and shrubs, and mulch. We added gutters to the shed, and the students decorated a donated rain barrel. With the aid of several Collin County Master Gardeners, Nancy Bell took the lead in the planting at Rucker Elementary, and Girl Scout Troop 7229 made
— continued on page 4
by Dawn Oldfield, CCMGA
Public Relations Chairperson “He plants trees to benefit another generation.” -Caecilius Statius
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
4
a butterfly garden at the entrance of the garden. In addition, the Prosper Garden Club, Prosper Public Works and other Prosper residents helped in the garden.”
Felan concludes, “Research
and demonstration gardens are full of educational opportunities. The results of the research will allow residential and commercial landscapes to achieve a high level of water conservation, beauty and environmental stewardship. Come learn about recommended varieties and see design combinations to bring your own
garden to life.”
Research and Demonstration Gardens in Prosper (continued from page 3)
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
5
By Kathy Commer, Collin County Master Gardener
Do you need a speaker for
your community group,
neighborhood association or club?
Master Gardeners enjoy
sharing their love of gardening and their training. One of the
ways we share is by bringing our talents and specialized gardening knowledge to you.
Our CCMGA Speakers Bureau is dedicated to helping
make gardening in North Texas more enjoyable.
Members of our speakers bureau are dedicated to sharing well-researched
horticultural information and are prepared with a variety of
lively talks, demonstrations and PowerPoint presentations.
Available presentations
include topics covering Earth-Kind® principles and practices,
learning how to work with our clay soil, composting, diseases
and insects, vegetables, herbs, bulbs, container gardening, and water conservation
practices. We also offer topics on attracting butterflies and
other pollinators, shade gardening and taking great
gardening photographs.
Scheduling a speaker is as simple as completing an online
request at ccmgatx.org or by calling our Information Center
at 972-548-4232. Our project leader will assist you in
choosing a topic that will be
entertaining and informational for your group.
Project Spotlight: Speakers Bureau
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
6
By Marlana Opitz, Collin County Master Gardener
Since 2008, agents of Texas A&M’s Collin County AgriLife
Extension Service, in cooperation with employees of Collin County’s Myers Park and volunteers from the Collin County Master Gardeners Association, worked to establish research and demonstration gardens at Myers Park that follow Earth-Kind® principles for conserving resources and maintaining a healthy
environment. The objective is to provide Collin County residents and visitors with valid and reliable information from Earth-Kind’s scientific procedures. The goal is that all visitors will benefit by using these procedures in their own gardens.
The results are impressive. The gardens promise to be even more impressive in the future. Let’s take a look at what has been
accomplished in these past few years.
Perennial Research Garden At the far north end of the
park, volunteers began planting the perennial research garden near the park’s office in 2010. They planted phase two in 2011, phase three in 2013 and phase four in 2014. Researchers and
volunteers have collected and evaluated data on over 100 perennial species and varieties since planting began.
A rainwater harvesting demonstration using drip irrigation is set up on the north side of the Farm Museum near the perennial garden. The Farm Museum roof is used for
established demonstration gardens around the Myers Park office building, at the north gate entrance and in the circle drive. They used many of the same
perennials that were planted in the perennial research garden. The planting beds near the park office showcase plants that attract butterflies. In 2014 volunteers added summer annuals to these gardens, some of the same varieties as those in the annuals research beds. In fall 2014, the
catchment. Two large tanks store water to use during extreme drought conditions. Flow meters measure the water used in the gardens. A Stationmaster
Control determines water distribution to the 13 zones of the park’s gardens according to research protocols. Drip irrigation has been installed throughout the gardens.
Circle Drive and Park Office
Gardens In 2012, volunteers
Myers Park: A Great Show Now and Even More Coming Soon!
— Continued on page 7
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
7
research near the perennial garden. They plan to establish a demonstration shade garden south of the Farm Museum.
Researchers and volunteers are also planning long term additions to the gardens. Current plans include the following:
A wine grape research
vineyard to complement the
current vineyard
A fruit tree research
orchard
A pecan tree research
grove
An ornamental grass
research garden
A dwarf crape myrtle
research garden
A shrub research garden
An ornamental tree
research or demonstration
garden
Come on out and see Myers Park and Event Center.
There's a lot you can learn.
roses will soon be removed for a shrub and grass trial in 2016.
Potager and Vegetable Research
Garden At the far northwest corner of
the park are the vegetable research garden and the Potager (kitchen) demonstration garden. Vegetable research began in 2013. The
Potager garden began in 2014.
Rain Garden The demonstration rain
garden is located at the far north end of the main parking lot for the Show and Stall Barns and the Landing. Volunteers planted over 200 plants there in 2009. Most of those were lost in the droughts of 2011 and 2012. They replanted in 2013 with many of the perennials
that were doing well up to that point in the perennial research garden. They installed drip irrigation there in 2013.
Coming Soon In 2016, Master Gardeners
will plant Earth-Kind gardens for herb research and for turfgrass
CCMGA Bulb committee added bulbs to the walkways.
In 2013 a weather station was installed to facilitate accurate data collection.
Summer Annuals Research and
Demonstration Garden Volunteers established the
summer annuals research and demonstration gardens in 2014, south of the perennial garden. Opposite the annuals beds are four beds that will be used for the future herb research garden.
To the north of the perennial garden is the new research vineyard for a five-year trial to run
from 2015 to 2020. These bunch type and Muscadine grapes are varieties that could be of interest to homeowners and home vintners.
Crape Myrtle Research Garden
and Rose Garden To the southwest of the park
office area, in the north central section of the park, are the rose research garden and the Crape
Myrtle research garden, both established in 2011. The Kordes roses that were originally planted were removed in winter 2013, after trials were complete, due to an infestation of Rose Rosette disease. New roses were selected from among proven performers and planted in 2014. New data collection began in 2015. The
Myers Park (continued from page 6)
Myers Park and Event Center is fast becoming the Jewel of Collin County! The park was
originally created as the Collin County Youth Park in 1969 with acreage donated by John and
Winnie Myers and has since grown to over 158 acres of rolling land. Myers Park and Event
Center offers a variety of entertainment options. The Collin County Farm Museum is located at
the park and open to visitors and tour groups. Come visit one of our many educational and research gardens created and cared for by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Collin County Master Gardeners.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
8
Plant:
• November through February is a
good time to plant trees and shrubs.
• Continue to set out cool-season
bedding plants, such as pansies,
violas, stock, snapdragons, and
dianthus.
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs if you
haven't already done so. Be sure to
refrigerate tulips and hyacinths for 6-
8 weeks prior to planting.
Prune:
• Don't get in a hurry to prune
woody plants. Late December
through February is usually the best
time to prune them.
• However, don't spare the pruning
shears when transplanting bare-rooted
woody plants. Cut the tops back at
least one-third to one-half, to
compensate for the roots lost when
digging the plant.
• Use good pruning practices when
selecting Christmas greenery from
landscape plants. Don't destroy the
natural form and beauty of the plant.
Purchase:
• Place orders for seeds this month
so you will have them available
when you are ready to plant. By
ordering early, you also have a better
chance of getting the varieties you
want. In addition to ordering seeds
that you are already familiar with,
carburetor is used up. This will
protect your valuable machinery.
• Drain and store garden hoses and
watering equipment in a readily
accessible location. The lawn and
plants may need water during a
prolonged dry spell. Cover outside
water faucets with a foam dome to
protect from freezing.
• Prolong the life of holiday-season
gift plants by providing proper care.
Check to see if the pot wrap has
plugged up the bottom drainage.
Don't overwater. Keep out of drafts
from heating vents and opening
doorways. Fertilizer is seldom
needed the first few months.
• Want to start cuttings of your
favorite Christmas cactus? As soon
as it has finished blooming, select a
cutting with 4 or 5 joints, break or
cut it off, and insert the basal end
into a pot of moderately moist soil.
Place it on a windowsill or other
brightly lit area. The cuttings should
be rooted within 3 to 4 weeks.
• Take advantage of bad weather
and holiday time to study seed and
nursery catalogues as well as good
gardening books.
• Berrying plants, such as holly and
yaupon, may be pruned now while
they can be enjoyed as cut material
inside the house.
Garden Checklist for November & December
try a few new kinds each year to
broaden your garden contents.
Prepare:
• Take advantage of good weather
to prepare garden beds for spring
planting. Work in any needed
organic matter, and have beds ready
to plant when needed.
• Bring in late-blooming plants such
as decorative kalanchoes or
Christmas cactus so they may finish
flowering in the warmth of the
house. Bring stored, potted amaryllis
bulbs inside and begin giving light
and water around mid-November for
Christmas blooming. (However,
resist the urge to repot amaryllis each
year; they like being pot-bound.)
• Prepare beds and individual holes
for rose planting in January and
February. Use composted organic
material mixed with existing soil.
Irrigate/Fertilize
• Reduce the fertilization of indoor
plants from late October to mid-March.
An exception would be plants in an
atrium or a well-lighted window.
• Protect your lawn from excessive
winter damage by providing
irrigation during dry periods.
Other Tasks:
• Drain gasoline from power tools
and run the engine until fuel in the
photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Collin County November / December 2015
9
The Master Gardeners of Coll in County
would l ike to wish you and yours
a safe and happy hol iday season!
Collin County
Extension Horticulture
&
Collin County
Master Gardeners
825 N. McDonald Street
Suite 150
McKinney, Texas 75069
Phone: 972-548-4232
Metro: 972-424-1460 x4232
Email: [email protected]
County Extension Agent:
Greg Church, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Garden Wise Editor: Katherine Ponder Email:
[email protected] Collin County Master
Gardeners Association http://ccmgatx.org
http://collin-tx.tamu.edu
Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic
level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or nation origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of
Texas Cooperating.
Happy Holidays!
Visit our
online
calendar
Resource for Turfgrass (Yep,
Your Yard) Now Online By Casey Reynolds, Ph.D, Assistant Professor & Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
The NEW AggieTurf website is now LIVE at https://aggieturf.tamu.edu and currently includes:
High-resolution images, botanical descriptions, available varieties, Latin names, management information and/or lifecycle information for:
- 12 major turfgrass species grown in Texas.
- 106 weed species common in Texas turfgrasses.
- 5 major turfgrass insect pests of Texas turfgrasses.
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr account links.
Information on Texas A&M turfgrass events, programs, research
and faculty/staff.
Turfgrass Disease information COMING SOON.