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

In this issue:

A Traveling Gardener

Awesome Master

Gardeners

Design Charrette

Diggings in the Garden

Herb of the Year:

Calendula

Herbalicious

Hollyhock Weevil

News from the NW Valley

Protecting Houseplants

from Pests and Disease

...and more!

Roots & Shoots

Master Gardener Update ~

Rose Care for Fall Blooms

with Leroy Brady

Wednesday September 10, 9:00 a.m. ~ 4341 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix

Leroy Brady is an American Rose Society (ARS) Consulting Rosarian, an ARSHorticulture Judge for the Award of Excellence, and an All American RoseSociety (AARS) Selection Judge. Judges like Leroy select the best roses for theregion at demonstration and testing gardens. The Mesa Community CollegeRose Garden, which he designed, is one of these 26 demonstration and testinggardens. This rose garden is open to the public and has over 5,000 rose bushesin all kinds of colors and fragrances.

As if this wasn’t enough, in his spare time Leroy Brady works as Chief Land-scape Architect and Manager at Arizona’s Department of Transportation(ADOT). He is one of the magicians of ADOT, planting in Southern Arizona’svery high-reflected heat.

Leroy will give us pointers on readying roses for fall weather. He’ll discuss soilissues, compost, and fertilizer. September is a good time to prune roses andLeroy Brady will demonstrate rose pruning technique on real plants at theupdate.

He’ll introduce us to some different varieties ofroses that do well in our area, including someof the new miniatures. Not so long ago, minia-ture roses had little to no scent, but that haschanged. There's a lot to look forward to duringthis Update!

Leroy tells me that there is much to be learnedfrom roses that can help you grow other plants.And I bet there is a whole lot to be learnedfrom the horticulturalist who helps plantssurvive our hot freeways.

(And, yes, we are back in the big room, thePalo Verde room.)

-Deb Sparrow

http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/community/rosegarden

2 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

ROOTS & SHOOTS

Editor: Donna Walkuskidwalkuski@deru.com

Associate Editor: Carlene Warner

Copy Editors: Meg Paterson, Karen Sankman

Calendar: Karen Sankman, jnjmom1@yahoo.com

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.edu

Cover photo by Donna Walkuski

Plant Database now available

online!

Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert (the ‘pink plant book’)has just launched as a searchable website at:

http://www.amwua.org

The website supports the principles that the Master Gardenerprogram practices: help conserve water and assist people inmaking informed plant choices, while making the world a morebeautiful, colorful place! The new site gives visitors the plant list,plant groupings, plant combinations, plant name search, as wellas an advanced search that lets you choose preferences, forexample: white plants for shade, or plants that attract humming-birds and can take full sun. All plants are on the low-water-useplant list recommended by the Arizona Department of WaterResources.

Photos are still being added with the goal of providing multipleimages of each plant in different seasons, close-ups, plant combi-nations, seed pods, blooms, etc.

-Jo Cook

September 2008 Roots & Shoots 3

News from the Northwest Valley

Our most exciting news is that Helen Zinn has agreed to join Pat Greer and Mary Ann Garewal as a Co-Direc-tor for the North West Valley (NWV) Satellite Office. We are a very busy group and so appreciate Helen’swillingness to share leadership responsibilities. A brief bio and photo of Helen follow this article. Please wel-come her when you meet her!

Six MG volunteers responded to questions from 18 visitors to our ‘Saturdays at the Library’ session August 2ndin Surprise. The sessions continue throughout the summer months and several visitors have expressed interestin the MG class starting in January.

There were 18 Master Gardeners and two visitors at the August 7th Diagnostic Clinic. There were so manyDiagnostic challenges that we missed our usual class with Jim Oravetz.

Jo Cook will be joining us for the Diagnostic Clinic on September 4th. She will talk about the online version ofLandscape Plants for the Arizona Desert and do a demo of how to maximize its usefulness. Getting this mostuseful publication online has been a very successful project for Jo and we look forward to benefitting from herexpertise. All MGs and the public are welcome to attend the NWV Diagnostic Clinic the first Thursday of everymonth.

On August 25th, a few MGs joined London Lacy, MG and Surprise Water Conservation Analyst, and MicheleDionisio, President and CEO of Interfaith Community Care (ICC), in an advisory capacity for a walk-about in thearea where ICC is planning an intergenerational garden to incorporate activities where children and the elderlyor disabled will enjoy gardening together. This is an exciting program with opportunity for Master Gardenerinput.

-Mary Ann Garewal

Helen Zinn

I was recently asked to serve as a Co-Director (with Mary Ann Garewal and Pat Greer) for the North WestValley Master Gardeners Satellite Office.

After moving to Arizona in February 2007 to escape the sleet and snow of the East Coast, the North WestMaster Gardener Office was one of the first places that my husband and I visited after we moved into ourhome.

I have been working with this group of extremely knowledgeable and friendly Master Gardeners since mygraduation from the 2007 Class held at the Downtown Extension Office.

Born and raised in Maryland, I had a small back yard vegetablegarden there– mostly tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and flowerbedsthat were filled with native plants

Graduating in 2006 from the University of Maryland Master Gar-dener Class, I was one of a group of Master Gardeners that re-ceived the International Master Gardener 2007 Search For Excel-lence Award for our Community Service Project: “Ask a MasterGardener.”

I will continue to use native plants in my new yard. They are theright plant in the right space; they are adapted to the desert soilsand need minimal water as well as being beautiful.

Gardening in the Sonoran Desert is challenging and I have much tolearn. I hope that I will be able to gain a small portion of the knowl-edge that our great Arizona Master Gardeners possess.

Mary Ann Garewal

4 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

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

Diggings in the Garden

by Pam Perry

Greetings gardeners. Thanks and thanks again to everyone who has valiantly moved mulch this summer! Thelack of weeds after rain in the vegetable garden paths (we have had over 3-1/2 inches officially measured onproperty) speaks to their industriousness! I expect to weed the veggie beds, but weeding paths is not a favoriteactivity, especially when it can be avoided. There really are more interesting things to do!

Thanks and thanks again to the Tuesday regulars: Carol Brooks, Carol Smyth, Sarah Ruhlen, Denise Phillips,Cheryl– and whoever I have forgotten. They arrive early and work long into the morning heat on a variety ofprojects. The garden grows; without them, there would be chaos!

Sweet potatoes are running amok, the loofah fails to bloom, and the Italian squash blooms but fails to fruit. Butthe ornamental cucumbers are successful way beyond my expectations. I have enjoyed the tithonia and zin-nias, and it’s been interesting to observe the two varieties of devils’ claw. The growth habits and floweringstructure are different. The germination of corn and beans planted on the first suggested day for them is lousyand replanting will happen this week. Lemon and Armenian cukes, melons, beans and eggplants are stillproducing.

Squash bugs were very successful as were cucumber beetles. The latter confined their interest to the tomatil-los. We may forgo planting squash next year to starve out squash bugs that elect to over-winter in the garden.On the plus side, we have seen several mantises as well as ladybugs.

We are replacing the old inline and drip emitters with new, unclogged emitters as the vegetable beds areseasonally changed. The shade is off the tomatoes; cooler temperatures may bring more Sungold or Pearsontomatoes. The transplants we potted up were welcomed and they found new homes at the update. Weedingless in the vegetable garden allows time for another garden project: removing unwelcome seedlings! This is notthe season for heavy pruning, but weeding, deadheading, and maintenance chores are readily visible.

Look for several workshops/work daysthat are coming up. These may includecomposting, fall fertilizing of citrus anddeciduous fruit trees, and seed packagingfor the fall sale. Additionally, I look forwardto inviting arborists to share their take onour maturing landscape and to offerinsights and practical work in the care ofour plants.

Pam Perry is the Director of the MCCE Demonstration Gardens.

Interns participate! Whether moving mulch, enlarg-ing wells under the deciduous fruit trees, improvingberms for the citrus, weeding, supporting theAmbassadors' Booth or helping prepare and run apropagation class, our new interns are activelyinvesting in our gardens and educational programs.Not content to soak up information once a week atclass, they came to the August Update, and to sit inon Diagnostics. These folks are preparing soil mixand filling packs for the propagation workshop.

September 2008 Roots & Shoots 5

Protecting Houseplants from Pests and Disease

Houseplant of the Month by Pauline Marx

At one point or another, one or more of your houseplants may exhibit symptoms of insects or disease. If youfind that a new plant has brought disease into your home or some insects or fungi have taken residence onyour houseplants, there are several things that you can do to get rid of the pests

The first step is to carefully examine new plants when you get them and isolate them if you see anythingsuspect. That will forestall infecting any other plants that you have. Insects seem to have favorite plants to liveon and fungi have favorites also.

Thrips are tiny insects less than 0.16 inches long. When infesting flower stamens they are usually very small.The adult has feathery wings, but it is the immature ones that eat away at flowers and ruin the beauty of them.

The rules on thrips are:

1. Do not bring cut flowers near your houseplants.

2. Wash your hands if you have just come in from the garden; it is always advisable to wash your hands sev-eral times a day to not spread disease to your plants or yourself.

3. Your pets may have been outside and some thrips have taken a ride on their paws, so keep pets away fromhouseplants.

4. Don’t put your plants near an open window or door, as it may be an open invitation to pests.

Remember to check underneath leaves and into the interior of the plant. Insects survive by hiding.

To check for thrips, gently flick the pollen sacks on the plant over a piece of colored paper and look for little tinyspecks that will scurry across the paper.

Also examine the flower with a magnifying glass and you will see them.

You can control thrips with a spray containing pyrethrins, following the label directions for thrips. Be persistentand you will win the battle.

If you ever have a plant that is so heavily overcome by insects or disease that it seems hopeless…get rid of itfor the sake of your other plants and your own peace of mind.

There are many other pests that will invade your space. Next month, I will discuss aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, red spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies. Then, I will address the diseases that may occur on your plantsand how to eliminate them.

It’s not too late to enter the State Fair!

The fair opens on Oct. 10th, but deadlines for entries are September 17th forFloriculture. We have 4 weeks to fill with fresh garden flowers, fruited branches,potted plants, cacti collections, and roses of every description.

Entry fee is $5.00 per section, with a chance to win cash along with that blueribbon.

Log on to www.azstatefair.com to find entries and the exhibitors' handbook.Scroll down to competitive/floriculture and print out your form: http://www.azstatefair.com/Common/Files/Competitive_floriculture.pdf

-MG Orvalita Hopkins (602)-265-8677

6 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Herb of the Year: Calendula

by Carolyn Hills

Calendula officinalis, named Herb of the Year for 2008 by the Herb Society of America, is a member of theAsteraceae (Compositae) family – the daisy group. It is said to have gotten its name from the Latin calends orcalendae (little calendar), named by the Romans who noted that calendula seemed to bloom on the first day ofevery month. English poets referred to the plant as “Mary Golde,” associating it with both the Virgin Mary andQueen Mary. Other common names include poor man’s saffron, poet’s marigold, pot marigold, marybud,holigold and golds.

Calendula is native to the Mediterranean, southern Europe, Iran and North Africa. A very hardy annual in ourmild winter climate, calendula has pale green, lance shaped leaves with light yellow to bright orange yellowflowers from one to three inches across.

Seeds can be sown directly into moderately loamy soil in fall (end of September through October), or plant one

Herbaliciousby Jane Lucien-Scholle

As newcomers to the valley, my husband and I were keen to continue our gardening interests – but where tostart? Who could imagine the array of garden clubs and associations across the Valley of the Sun! There areliterally dozens of gatherings for gardeners of every sort.

A friend of mine at the Desert Garden Botanical Landscaper School, also a Master Gardener, assured me thatthe Arizona Herb Association (AHA) was where we should start. We did.

As we pulled in to the Extension office for the first monthly meeting, it was hard to imagine what was inside ofthe low non-descript, funky building. However, I was certain we were in the right place as alongside to the left isa charming herb garden surrounding by towering hollyhocks of every hue.

We entered the side door in a large room full of buzz, 60 or so smiling faces chatting animatedly, a table ofplants for sale, and a very long buffet table with a cornucopia of fragrant and wonderful looking dishes. Wasthis all for us to eat??? Yup. We sat in the back just to stay close to the aromas. My husband was sold and themeeting hadn’t started.

The guest speaker for that month was Terri Nacke, a well-known valley chef and ‘ecoista’ who presented onchoosing and cooking with fennel. She whipped up a dazzling giant stainless steel bowl of fennel and applesalad which she shared with us all at buffet time.

The second speaker, Carolyn Hill, offered the member presentation on a specific herb; this month on medicinal,culinary and aromatherapy uses of Calendula (pot marigold). Fascinating.

Then it was time for the food. The foil and wrap was whisked from the dishes and the recipe for each out inplace; a wonderful array of home-made herb-based goodies for all to enjoy. Another table had herb-basedbeverages including an old Amish health drink and orange juice with rosemary, parsley and mint.

After enjoying the food, buying some hard-to-find herb plants and exchanging horticultural notes, we cametogether for some well-organized club business, raffling off of the door prizes to support the scholarship fundfor study of horticulture, and details of club activities. My husband won the door prize. We left with armfuls ofscented geraniums, cuttings and new friends. Count us in.

If you have the faintest interest in learning about uses, culture, history and lore of herbs; interesting people;having fun; and good food; put the first Thursday of each month (7 p.m.) on your calendar and join the AHA.You will be welcomed with open arms. Another bonus is a separate get-together of AHA members for a monthlypot luck culinary dinner hosted by a different member with a different theme each month.

Contact Carolyn Hills (carolynhills@cox.net) or check out the website: www.azherb.org. See you there.

September 2008 Roots & Shoots 7

Sandy Wagner

of the many varieties of transplants available from your localnursery. Calendulas prefer full sun, and grow well in pots orflower beds, blooming throughout winter and spring in theValley. The plant grows from 8 to 10-inches and up to 2-feet tall.When temperatures climb towards 100º in spring, the plant goesto seed and dies. The large, crescent-shaped seeds can beeasily harvested and stored in a cool dry place to re-sow in fall.

Calendula flowers have been used in infusions since antiquity.A calendula infusion was used by the Egyptians to heal wounds,during the Middle Ages for indigestion and for healing bruisesand burns, and in World War I to prevent infection and inflam-mation. Since calendula is wonderfully soothing to the skin andis also an anti-inflammatory, an astringent and an anti-microbial,its petals are often used in salves or tinctures to treat wounds,cuts, scrapes, sunburn and rashes. Calendula contains large amounts of iodine, manganese, and carotene, allof which promote the regeneration of skin cells. If you are allergic to ragweed daisy-like blooms, do a patch testand proceed with caution.

Calendula is known as poor man’s saffron because the dried petals can be used as a substitute for the moreexpensive saffron to add color to dishes. In the past, it was predominantly used to flavor and color broths andsoups, hence the common name “pot marigold.” The American colonists used it to color butter and cheese.Fresh or dried flower petals (the center disk is bitter) can be used in custards or puddings, in herbal butters orto add color to cakes and breads. Harvest petals the day after they bloom, before they fade. Note that sincefresh petals are a bit tough and dried petals a bit chewy, you may want to puree or finely dice them beforeadding to your recipe.

I attended a fantastic presentation on calendula by Susan Belsinger at the Herb Society of America’s 2007Annual Educational Conference. Susan is a well-known expert and author on all aspects of using herbs. Thefollowing recipes were gleaned from that presentation. Enjoy!

To make a calendula infusion: Pour hot water (the water temperature should be 10 to 20 degrees below theboiling point) over the herb. Steep for 5 minutes. This infusion can be taken internally for skin problems and isgood for problems of the gall bladder.

To make a tincture: Use 80-90 proof vodka. Rum and brandy also work. Pour the dried petals into the vodka.Mash down with a spoon so there are no floaters. Use about 1 part herb to 2 parts alcohol for dried herb. Use aratio of 1 to 1 for fresh herb. Shake every day for 4-6 weeks.

To make calendula oil: Use almond or grapeseed oil, or a mixture with 10% jojoba oil. Use dried petals insteadof fresh. Water and oil don’t mix, and you have danger of mold if you use fresh petals. Put oil in a brown paperbag and sit in the sun to warm it. Shake 3-4 times a day. Leave for 7-10 days, adding petals every day. Strainout the petals.

Egg Salad with Calendula and Chives

12 hardboiled eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard

2 tablespoons each chopped sweet pickles and juice

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions or minced onion

1/3 cup finely diced celery

Dice the eggs and put them in a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, onions, celery, 1 tablespoonof the chives, paprika, and salt and pepper. Toss well to blend. Stir in the chopped calendula flower petals.Refrigerate for 1/2 hour before serving. Serves 6.

2 tablespoons snipped chives

2 tablespoons snipped dill leaves

1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 handful fresh calendula petals, coarsely chopped

Petals for garnish

8 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

Recognition for an Awesome Group of Master

Gardeners

We see and hear the evidence of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Maricopa County MasterGardeners work: newspaper articles; school and community gardens; Ambassadors; telephone and emailresponses; and our four public events, just to name a few. In 2006, 302 Master Gardeners donated 18,454volunteer hours and completed 7,248 educational hours. In 2007, an astounding 375 Master Gardeners do-nated 22,008 hours and completed 5,628 educational hours. To put those numbers into perspective, it isequivalent to the work of almost nine full-time employees in 2006 and 10.5 full-time employees in 2007.

We would like to recognize the following for their many hours and many years of continued support. We will bemailing out certificates of recognition and additionally, as a small token of appreciation, we will be mailing outgreen badges to those who have completed five years of service and pins to be added to the badges for hoursof service, years of service, and top performers.

Summary of Awards for 2006 - 2007

Receiving Green Badges for 5 years Service:

Marion AdamsFrankie AltmanLee Ann AronsonChristine BahtoBurt BakerSusan BrachmanL. J. BronsonAnn BynonJo CookLisa DubasAnita EasleyMonica GillespieCarolyn HillsBarbi HoldemanPaul HoldemanGinny JamiesonKris Lecakes-HaleyDiane LowePaula McMahonJohn Minnet

Jim OravetzCarol ParrottDoris PingelFaith PippMichael PlattaSue PloskerSeymour RecklesCheryl RegierBobbi ReidSuzanne StemrockMaryann TaliaferroErin TaylorMaryann TaliaferroErin TaylorAnn TiernanMary TrujilloNancy WatkinsJulia WawrzyniakVicki Woods

Receiving Pin for 15 years of Service

Judy CurtisOlin MillerErin O’Dell

Stuart RobertsonDeb SparrowBill Taylor

Carolyn HillsAnita EasleySusan BrachmanJudy BatesKay Benson

Top 10 Volunteer Hours 2006

Marion AdamsLarry BellCarol StuttardBobbi ReidPam Perry

Rick KasselMichael MekelbergMeg PatersonSheroll RudelCathy RymerJudy TolbertJean TwidwellHoward Wicklein

Receiving Pin for 10 years of Service

Judy BatesLarry BellWilliam CartmellDonna ChapmanJerry ColeYvonne GolsteynMike HillsLinda HuffNorma Kafer

A Reminder...If you have been working or want to work in a school or community garden with children, it is required bythe University of Arizona Cooperative Extension that you complete and submit a background check form.The background check fee will be paid for by the Master Gardener program. The form is available at

http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/mgcentral/uploads/MGBACKGROUNDCHECK.pdf

September 2008 Roots & Shoots 9

Top 10 Volunteer Hours 2007

Seymour RecklesCarol ParrottPam PerryCarol StuttardMary Ann GarewalCarolyn HillsGlenna PhillipsDenise PembertonRand HarrisLarry Bell

Top 10 Educational Hours 2006

Patti BaynhamLarry BellDeb SparrowJudy TolbertCarol StuttardMaryann TaliaferroCherie CzaplickiNancy RubySusan BrachmanJim Dennis

Top 10 Educational Hours 2007

Nancy RubyMary Ann GarewalLarry BellAmber HuntoonCherie CzaplickiFrankie AltmanPaula McMahonLouise WakemBob SmithJodi Asin

Receiving 500- hour silver pins

Anita EasleyLee Ann AronsonYvonne GolsteynJim OravetzCarol ParrottDenise PembertonSue PloskerPeggy PokorskiBobbi Reid

Receiving 1,000-hour gold pins

Sam BookbinderSusan BrackmanWayne HallMike HillsPauline MarxOlin MillerJoAnne NagelsonPam PerrySeymour RecklesJack SheehanDeb SparrowCharles StephensCarol Stuttard

Receiving 2,500-hour gold pins

Diane NowlinGlenn Stanley

Receiving 5,000-hour gold pins

Larry BellCherie Czaplicki

Top Five Rookies – 2006

Pat GreerPaula MartinHeidi RiggsAntje ScheiderAnn ThomsonTop Five Rookies – 2007Gurujot KhalsaMary Lynn RothJeffrey RossNeil TamberAmy Walker

Master Gardener Emeritus

Marylou CoffmanNelda CaldwellKirti MathuraDorothy SchragMarge Sykes

Design Charrette

Saturday, September 20, 9:00-Noon

We're starting off the new Design Charrette season with anold yard. We're off to the Del Norte Historic District to helpNorma Kafer get ideas for her daughter Amie's small yard.Think low water use in the front and Mexican Tropical in theback. Amie loves vibrant color and hopes someday to havea small lap pool, so let your imagination go wild. ThisCharrette has something for everyone. So, we'll see youthere.

Remember, all are welcome, brand new and seasonedMaster Gardeners alike. Each and every one of us has atleast one idea that can help Norma come up with a plan forAmie's garden. The only requirement is to bring your imagi-nation and a dish to share.

Come enjoy the morning with fellow Master Gardeners andearn your hours.

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

10 Maricopa County Master Gardeners

A Traveling Gardener

Text and photos by Linda Larson

Ideas are the best souvenirs!

Ideas are my best souvenirs after visiting public gardens. Ithappens over and over as I tour grand gardens with theirarchitecture, stately trees and plants. I turn a corner anddiscover one small space that I suddenly realize I couldtake home with me and add this bit of design right outsidemy door to enjoy every day.

Dallas Botanical Gardens: Let Nature Nurture You

In the Dallas Botanical Gardens (DBG) between a smallpond and a stone wall, I stood in front of a bed of day liliessurrounding a pomegranate tree. The pomegranate, withits small bright green leaves, stood centered in the bed oflilies. The lilies, with their long thin leaves growing uptoward the tree, filled the triangle shaped bed. Over time,the lilies will bloom in a variety of colors and the pomegran-ate will bear fruit. I immediately knew I wanted to recreate

that combination in my own garden.

My garden will never compare to the splendor of the Dallas Botanical Gardens, yet I could plant the chartreusezinnias in my bed of purple trailing heart as I saw here. In a large lawn area, a 10’ by 5’ wire butterfly frame wasfilled with shades of pink impatiens that just made me stop and smile. In that instant I am wondering, could Ifind a wire butterfly (a smaller one) to fill with bedding plants?

I can select my next container plants after wandering through the container test garden. I found over 80 sum-mer annuals growing in similar extreme heat and drought conditions to those found here in Maricopa County.Jimmy Turner is the Director of Horticultural Research and makes available a list of winners on the DBGwebsite. Turner reports he “plants 2.9 million bedding plants per year and 1/2 million bulbs”. Obviously hisresearch is important as the winners will be the ones he can count on and as a result we can too. Dallas can behot and there are many a day under a blazing sun just like here.

DBG was formed on the estate of public garden advocate Everette LeeDeGolyer. The meandering gardens cover 33 acres and border WhiteRock Lake. Any time of year it is a treat to walk the paths in the gardenunder the oaks, crepe myrtle, magnolia, and pecan trees. In spring,bulbs and azaleas are in glorious display; in summer, flowers (remem-ber they plant 2.9 million) are in non-stop bloom. If you are going to bethere in September, the 20,000 fall chrysanthemums will be in view. Apumpkin festival of gourds and pumpkins makes the fall season equallyexciting, especially as the oak tree leaves add their color.

If you are traveling to Dallas, be sure to visit, or, if you can’t go now,visit the website and enjoy the virtual tour. Then you too can Let NatureNurture You in a garden.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX

http://www.dallasarboretum.org/index.htm

September 2008 Roots & Shoots 11

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

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 Garewal623-388-4900Pat Greer 623-915-3337Helen Zinn 623-271-7518

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

Hollyhock Weevil

Bug of the Month by Sue Hakala

Hollyhock weevils spend the winter in protected areas around hollyhocks or, in the seed. In late spring, theychew small holes in the buds. This is the time of year that they mate. The female chews deep pits in the flowerbuds laying her eggs. The grub stage then feeds on the developing embryo of the seed then, pupates withinthe seed, emerging in August-September. Some remain in the seeds to emerge the next year.

Remove mature seedpods to prevent the Hollyhock Weevils from wintering over. Shake the plants over a trayjust before budding, to collect the weevils, as they drop readily when disturbed. This should be done before theweevils have a chance to lay their eggs. There are no known pesticides effective against them.

There's a new water-saving tool available to consumers that may interestMaster Gardeners as they advise and help educate the public. The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the WaterSense label-ing program for products and services that meet rigorous independenttesting criteria for both performance and efficiency. The program is similarto EPA's Energy Star program that labels energy efficient products.

The program is still in its early stages of getting products and servicestested and labeled. While toilets and faucets are some of the indoor prod-ucts that have been certified at this time, of interest to Master Gardenerswould be the labeling on landscape irrigation services (the Irrigation Asso-ciation certification programs). Also, irrigation controllers will soon have thelabeling option. Stay tuned, and check out their Web site for more informa-tion at http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/.

-Donna DiFrancesco

September 2008 Events Calendar Submit events to Karen Sankman

Mon 1 Prickly Pear Class 10:30-11:30 am, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn to harvest opuntia cactus fruit and extract the juice.

Mon 1 Valley of the Sun Gardeners Meeting

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

Mon 1 Orchid Society of AZ Monthly Meeting

7-9 pm, Liberty Hall, Arizona State Veteran Home, 4141 N. 3rd St, Phoenix. Topic: How to grow orchids and save energy at the same time. Silent auction of orchids. Julie Rathbun or (602) 843-0223. Orchid Society of Arizona

Tue 2 Tuesday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Tue 2 Master Gardener Training Class: Vegetables 101

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Fountain Hills Community Center at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. Speaker: Pam Perry, Director of Demonstration Gardens at MCCE.

Tue 2 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 2 Sun Country Iris Meeting 7 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Info: Ardi Kary at (480) 949-0253, Sun Country Iris Society

Tue 2 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.

Wed 3 Gardening/Preserving Workshops

Gardening: 9-noon, Preserving: 1-4 pm, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. $20 for one class/$35 for both. Sharon Hoelscher Day (602) 470-8086 x332, Info

Thu 4 Thursday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. At 7 am there will be a mini-workshop on fertilizing citrus. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Thu 4 NW Satellite Office Diagnostic Clinic

10 am-noon, 13815 Camino del Sol, Sun City West (623) 546-1672, MaryAnn Garewal

Thu 4 East Valley Garden Club Meeting

7-9 pm, Mesa Community College at 1833 W. Southern, Kiva Room in the basement of the Clock Tower Building. Neva Coester or (480) 832-2613

Thu 4 Arizona Herb Association General Meeting

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

Fri 5 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring plant or pest samples for ID and advice.

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Sat 6 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 6 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

Sat 6 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Pat Mitchell or (480) 575-5649

Sep 6,7, 27 28, Oct 18,19, Nov 8,9,22

Permaculture Design Course 8:30 am-5:30 pm, $650 More info, Don Titmus or 480-962-6353.

Mon 8 Desert Botanical Gardens Landscaper School

This is a 30 week course starting the week of Sept 8. Info and to register: Desert Botanical Garden. E-mail contact or (480) 481-8161

Tue 9 Tuesday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Tue 9 Desert Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation Class

9 am-1 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Info and Register or Nancy White at (480) 481-8197

Tue 9 Master Gardener Training Class: Watershed Management

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Fountain Hills Community Center at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. Speaker: Jeff Schalau, U of A Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Director

Tue 9 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

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

Tue 9 Fall and Winter Color Splashes

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

Tue 9 Convert Your Grass Into Cash Workshop

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

Tue 9 Sonoran Desert Iris Society Monthly Meeting

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

Tue 9 Arizona Native Plant Society Meeting

7-9 pm, Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden. Arizona Native Plant Society , Doug Green or (480)998-5638

Tue 9 West Valley Rose Society Meeting

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

Wed 10 Master Gardener Update

9 am-noon, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Rosarian Leroy Brady will talk about rose care for fall blooms.

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Wed 10 Scottsdale Rose Society Monthly Meeting

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

Thu 11 Thursday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Thu 11 NE Valley Satellite Diagnostic Clinic

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

Thu 11 Desert Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation Class

9 am-1 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Info and Register or Nancy White at (480) 481-8197

Thu 11 Tolleson Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting

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

Thu 11 Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch Meeting

4:30-6:30 pm, Sewing Room at the Sun Lakes Oakwood Arts & Crafts Center at the intersection of Riggs Rd and EJ Robson Blvd, Sun Lakes. Sally Kiste (480) 895-7638 or Barbara Crossland (480) 802-6891, Spirit of the Desert

Thu 11 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 11

AZ Rare Fruit Growers Monthly Meeting

7:30 pm, Palo Verde Room at Maricopa County Co. Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. AZ Rare Fruit, Brian Whitfill of Whitfill Nurseries will talk about fruit trees that are adapted to the desert. Info: Patrick Hallman (602) 348-5576

Thu 11 Landscape Design 6-8:30 pm, Avondale City Hall, Sonoran Conference Room, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Free. Info, Instructor: Judy Mielke, Landscape Architect and Horticulturist. Register at Esmie Avila or (623) 333-4422

Fri 12 Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Volunteer Maintenance

6:30-8:30 am, on the grounds of Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., next to Sahuaro Ranch Park. Meet at white shed on south end of parking lot. Info, RSVP to Joanne Toms (623) 930-3535

Fri 12 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring plant or pest samples for ID and advice.

Fri 12 Washington Garden Club 9:30 am, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Orvalita Hopkins

Sat 13 Iris Planting and Care 9-10 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2

Sat 13 Soils 101: Fertilizer and Amendments

10-11 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2

Sat 13 Building a Biodynamic Compost Heap

7-11 am, The Farm at South Mountain, 6106 S. 32nd St, Phoenix. Donation: $15. Instructor: Maya Dailey. Info, Jennifer Wadsworth or (602) 252-8977, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Sat 13 Fruit Trees in the Desert Class

10:30 am-noon, Downtown Phoenix Public Market Meeting Room, 721 N. Central Ave, Phoenix. $10 Donation, Greg Peterson will tell you which fruit trees grow well in the desert. Jennifer Wadsworth or (602) 252-8977, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Sat 13 Desert Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation Class

9 am-1 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Info and Register or Nancy White at (480) 481-8197

Tue 16 Tuesday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Tue 16 Master Gardener Training Class: Weed Science

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Fountain Hills Community Center at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. Speaker: Dr. F. Edward Northam, Program Coordinator of Invasive Plants

Tue 16 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 16 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 16 Landscaping Plants to Color Your World

6:30-9 pm, Town of Gilbert Public Works, 525 N. Lindsay Rd, Register Online or (480) 503-6098, Info

Tue 16 Phoenix Rose Society Meeting

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

Tue 16 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.

Tue 16, 23, and 30

Southwest Landscaping: Three-Class Series

6:30-8:45 pm, Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston Street, Chandler. Ron Dinchak teaches the concepts of design, planning for small spaces, desert plant palette, plant selection. Free to Chandler utility customers. Register at (480) 782-3580, Chandler Water Conservation

Wed 17 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

Wed 17 Phoenix Chrysanthemum Society Monthly Meeting

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

Wayne Wight or (602) 943-7418

Thu 18 Thursday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Mini-workshop at 8:30 am on composting. Bring a bag of coffee grounds. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Thu 18, and Sat 20

Training Class for Volunteering at the DBG

9 am-noon, Desert Botanical Garden, Info and Register or Nancy White at (480) 481-8197

Thu 18 NW Valley Gourd Patch Monthly Meeting

3:30-5:30 pm, Nadaburg School in Wittman, AZ. Contact Judy Moody or (623) 544-6866, NW Valley Gourd Patch

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Thu 18 Landscape Watering Workshop

5:30-7:00 pm, Peoria Development & Community Services Bldg, Point of View Room, 9875 N. 85th Ave, Peoria. Michael Buettner will talk about types of irrigation systems, how to set your controller, and how much water plants need. Register, Peoria Water Conservation (623) 773-7286

Thu 18 Desert Valley Orchid Society Meeting

6:30 pm, Scottsdale Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Topic: Eric Christensen talks about orchids of New Guinea. Contact: Steve Grass, or (602) 508-1808, Desert Valley Orchid Society

Thu 18 and Sat 20

Two-Day Propagating and Cultivating Herbs Class

6-9 pm Tue and 7:30-10:30 am Sat, Desert Botanical Garden. $60/Mem, $75 Non-mem Instructor: Kirti Mathura. Two-day class includes classroom presentation and interactive tour through the Herb Garden. Info and Register online or (480) 481-8146

Fri 19 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring plant or pest samples for ID and advice.

Fri 19, 26, and Oct 3

Three-Day Groundcover and Vines Workshop

6-9 pm, Desert Botanical Garden. $75/Mem, $95 Non-mem Instructor: Landscape designer Carrie Nimmer. Info and Register online or (480) 481-8146

Fri 20 Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Volunteer Maintenance

6:30-8:30 am, on the grounds of Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., next to Sahuaro Ranch Park. Meet at white shed on south end of parking lot. Info, RSVP to Joanne Toms (623) 930-3535

Sat 20 Organic Gardening 101 7-10 am, The Farm at South Mountain, 6106 S. 32nd St, Phoenix. Donation: $15. Instructor: Maya Dailey. Info, Jennifer Wadsworth or (602) 252-8977, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Sat 20 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 20 Design Charrette 9 am-noon, residence near Encanto Blvd and 15th Ave in the Del Norte Historic District. Info and RSVP Carol Parrott or (602)438-4003

Sat 20 Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Volunteer Maintenance

6:30-9:30 am, on the grounds of Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., next to Sahuaro Ranch Park. Meet at white shed on south end of parking lot. Info, RSVP to Joanne Toms (623) 930-3535

Sat 20 Iris Planting and Care 9-10 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2

Sat 20 Soils 101: Fertilizer and Amendments

10-11 am, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, Reservations at (602) 437-0700, ext. 120 or #2

Sat 20 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

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

Sat 20 Landscape Watering Class

9-11 am, Surprise Community and Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St, Surprise. Free, Info, Register at London Lacy or (623) 222-7023. Two MGs with irrigation timer knowledge are needed to help out.

Sat 20 What to do in Your Garden in October

10:30-noon, Downtown Phoenix Public Market Meeting Room, 721 N. Central Ave, Phoenix. $10 Donation, Doreen Pollack (602) 275-5368, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Sat 20 Bonsai of Scottsdale 1:30 pm, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 N. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Pat Mitchell or (480) 575-5649

Sun 21, Sun Oct 5, 19 3 Part Series on Herbs

1-3:30 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Mem $80/ non $100. Learn about soil, where to plant herbs, types of herbs, and sample some herb inspired recipes. Info/Register Online or (480) 481-8146.

Tue 23 Tuesday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Tue 23 Master Gardener Training Class: Roses

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Fountain Hills Community Center at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. Speaker: Larry Bell, rosarian

Tue 23 Drip Irrigation: Design and Installation

6:30-9 pm, Town of Gilbert Public Works, 525 N. Lindsay Rd, Register Online or (480) 503-6098, Info

Sat 24 Fruit Trees in the Desert Class

6:30-8:00 pm, Downtown Phoenix Public Market Meeting Room, 721 N. Central Ave, Phoenix. $10 Donation, Greg Peterson will tell you which fruit trees grow well in the desert. Jennifer Wadsworth or (602) 252-8977, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Thu 25 Thursday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Mini-workshop at 8:30 am on saving and packaging seeds. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Thu 25 New River Gourd Patch Meeting

9-11:30 am, New River Senior Center, 48606 N. 17th Avenue, New River, AZ 85087. Camille Massey or (602) 708-0416

Thu 25 Vegetable Gardening in the Low Desert

6-8:30 pm, Avondale City Hall, Sonoran Conference Room, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Free. Instructor: Kirti Mathura, Master Gardener and Horticulturist. Info Register at Esmie Avila or (623) 333-4422

Fri 26 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

8 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring plant or pest samples for ID and advice.

Fri 26, Sat 27, Sun 28

Maricopa Home and Garden Show

10 am-7 pm on Fri/Sat, 10 am- 5pm on Sun, Arizona State Fair Grounds, Admission $9, Maricopa County Home Show

Sat 27 “Herban” Wildlife Gardening

8 am-noon, Desert Botanical Garden, $40/Mem, $50/Non-mem. Kirti Mathura shares ideas for planting herbs that lure fascinating creatures into your garden. Info and Register online or (480) 481-8146

Sat 27 Sustainable Oasis Landscaping Class

10 am-noon, Surprise Community and Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St, Surprise. Free, Info, Register at London Lacy or (623) 222-7023. One Master Gardener is needed to help out.

Sat 27 Aquaculture

10:30 am-noon, The Farm at South Mountain, 6106 S. 32nd St, Phoenix. Donation: $10. Greg Peterson talks about aquatic plants and animals in the home setting. Jennifer Wadsworth or (602) 252-8977, RSVP at Phoenix Permaculture Guild

Sat 27 Desert Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation Class

9 am-1 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Info and Register or Nancy White at (480) 481-8197

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.

Sat 27 Wallace Desert Garden Tour

9 am-2:30 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $60/Mem or $80 with Garden Transportation, $75/Non-mem or $95 with transportation. Take a guided tour of this north Scottsdale garden that isn’t open to the public. Highlights include the 6000 sqft. Cactus Pavilion, boojum tree forest, collection of Ephedra. Includes snacks, water, picnic lunch. Info and Register

Sat 27 Landscape Design and Installation

9 am-1 pm, South Tempe Police Substation, 8201 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe. Ron Dinchak talks about planning, design, installation. Info, Register at Richard Bond or (480) 350-2627

Sat 27 Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society Meeting

5 pm, Check website or contact Michele for location. Valley of the Sun Plumeria Society, Michele or (480) 544-2388

Sun 28 Edible/Medicinal Desert Plant Guided Walk

9:30 am, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about native desert plants have fed, clothed, and healed indigenous peoples for millennia.

Sun 28 Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Meeting

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

Mon 29 A Taste of the Sonoran Desert…and More!

6-8 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $20/Mem, $25/Non-mem. Eric Garton talks about the amazing uses of desert plants. Sample desert foods. Info/Register Online or (480) 481-8146

Tue 30 Tuesday Mornings in the Garden

6:30 am, Maricopa County Coop Ex, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the vegetable garden. Pam Perry or (602) 279-6250

Tue 30 Master Gardener Training Class: Entomology Adventure

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Fountain Hills Community Center at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. Speaker: Carl Olson, U of A curator

Tue 30 Landscape Watering-Timers/Clocks

6:30-9 pm, Town of Gilbert Public Works, 525 N. Lindsay Rd, Register Online or (480) 503-6098, Info

OCTOBER

Wed 1 Water Wise Landscaping Class

6:00-7:30 pm, Surprise Community and Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St, Surprise. Free, Info, Register at London Lacy or (623) 222-7023. One Master Gardener is needed to help out.

Thu 2 Fall and Winter Color Splashes Workshop

5:30-7:30 pm, Peoria Development & Community Services Bldg, Point of View Room, 9875 N. 85th Ave, Peoria. Speaker: Kirti Mathura. Register, Peoria Water Conservation , (623) 773-7286

Thu 2 Tree Selection and Placement

6-9 pm, Desert Botanical Garden. $30/Mem, $38 Non-mem. Instructor: Arborist John Eisenhower. Info and Register or (480) 481-8146

Fri 3 Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Volunteer Maintenance

6:30-9:30 am, on the grounds of Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., next to Sahuaro Ranch Park. Meet at white shed on south end of parking lot. Info, RSVP to Joanne Toms (623) 930-3535

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service, and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours.