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Meetings are the second Thursday of each month, 7pm in the Extension

Office Auditorium Upcoming Meeting Dates:

August 12 September 9 October 14

August, 2010

Congratulat ions to a terrific 2010 MG Intern Class that made it through a two week tidal wave of horticultural presentations and an endless supply of doughnuts, cookies, and coffee. This looks to be a great class with a wide variety of interests and talents. Thanks to all of the Master Gardeners who helped with set up, speaking, refreshments, and everything else in between. Generally the Horticulture program focuses on topics relevant to homeowners, but it’s important to remember that there are many other aspects of horticulture in our county. This year I am working on a turfgrass weed control plot with the City of Beaumont Parks Department. Torpedo grass is steadily becoming a major weed in our area and the City is constantly battling it in their athletic fields. Dr. David Chalmers, Extension Turf Specialist designed a turf grass herbicide demonstration test plot where we are spraying two products (Manage and Drive XLR8) at various rates to see how they can help control torpedo grass. So far it’s hard to tell which product is working the best, but hopefully we can find something to help our city effectively and economically manage a troublesome weed.

Official Newsletter of the Jefferson County Master Gardeners

By Micah Meyer At the recent World Cup tournament held in South Africa, you may not have been paying much attention to the fields, but grounds managers knew they would need something tough enough to withstand weeks of rugged play. They chose a turfgrass bred and developed near Overton, Tx. by Dr. Lloyd Nelson, small-grains breeder with Texas AgriLife Research. His grass called Panterra was used as part of a fast growing, over-seeding blend. Dr. Nelson is quoted as saying, “It is hard to believe a ryegrass variety bred and developed near Overton, Tx, has the desired characteristics to be over-seeded on soccer fields in South Africa. We selected for traits suitable for over-seeding football and baseball fields dur-ing the winter in Texas, never dreaming it might be adaptable all over the world.” He goes on to say that Panterra has all the advantages of traditional winter ryegrass turfgrasses with none of the disadvantages which makes it “a great candidate for sports fields as well as for overseeding home lawns.

Texas Turfgrass at the World Cup

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MISSION STATEMENT To encourage and support the horticultural community of Southeast Texas through education and example. 2010—2012 Board Members President—Melody Weaver Vice President—Paul Eyre Secretary—Stellina Reed Treasurer—Dorothy Norris At Large— Mel Day, Larry Jacobs, Dave Cummings Past President—Micah Shanks Newsletter Staff: Editor: Micah Shanks Layout: Peggy Coleman

Congrats To Our New Master Gardeners

At our June summer picnic, we welcomed 16 new graduates, which is about 48% of the class: of ‘09:

New Interns

Ann Abshier Carolyn Barras Ranah Becker Curtis Bloodworth Toni Clark Norma Clubb George Cowart Betty Derese Mary Beth Distefano Dianne Duperier Bonnie Edwards Gregorio Flores Daryl Gray Tom Hargrove Kara Harris

Rhonda Hawkins Cindy Hebert Debbie Hines Elizabeth Lazenby Andre Lee Tony Lucenti Michael Mattox Ronnie McGraw Michael Murrell Lisa Rodriquez Kathy Scruggs Gary Tucker Glenn Watz Clyde White

Kathy Attaway Mary Cotton Russell DeBenedetto Jeanene Ebeling Cecil Hightower Jerry Jobe JoAnn Koch Jane McBride Janis Prestridge Marcia Rienstra Joan Sensat Donna Shirley Jackie Steen Kathryn Stelly Pam Vickers Delia Walker

C O N G R A T U L A T I ON S

The Herb Society of America has named Dill the Herb of the Year for 2010. Dill has been valued for its me-dicinal properties for over 5000 years. It has been used to treat headaches, hiccough, colicky babies, indigestion and is also believed to have anti-cancer properties. It has also shown up in bri-dal bouquets in Germany and Belgium as a charm that would bless the mar-riage. A bride who wanted to be in charge of the marriage would secretly bring mustard and dill seeds to her wedding and repeat this phrase:” I have you, mustard and dill, Husband, when I speak, you stay still!”

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“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright

One of the nicest couples to ever join JCMG has got to be Mel and Kathy Day. Pulling up to their perfectly mani-cured lawn, you know they are people who care and take pride in their sur-roundings. Kathy joined JCMG in 2004. Mel followed in 2007. Since getting certified, they have shown steady support of the program, always there to lend a hand at plant sales, meetings, and workshops. Kathy says she has always gardened having grown up with two Cajun grandfather farmers. “I always say my grandfa-thers would roll over in their graves if they knew I actually paid for dirt and manure!” Kathy jokes. Kathy is a Southeast Texas native. Mel arrived via Washington state. They met as stu-dents at Lamar where Mel got his mas-ter’s degree in education. Kathy says she got her “M.R.S.(Mrs.) degree”. They recently took a trip to Israel where they renewed their vows and cele-brated 50 years of marriage. Mel worked in instrument technology and

later as a teacher at LIT. Kathy raised children and worked part-time in the cafeteria at Langham Elementary. Their three daughters and almost all 7 grandkids live nearby. Their involvement in JCMG has earned Mel a certificate of recognition for ser-vice in the Texas Cactus Moth Inter-ception and Survey Program. He has also been an active board member since 2009. Kathy has served on the board, nominating committee, and hos-pitality team. She says her favorite thing to grow is hydrangeas. She loves to propagate and would like to learn more about harvesting seeds. Mel’s in-terest lies in citrus and grows satsuma, grapefruit, and navel oranges. They keep a small veggie garden along with blackberries and of course, beautiful hydrangeas, roses, and angel trumpet to name just a few of the many gor-geous plants in their landscape. They say what they like most about JCMG is the comraderie and being around so many people with the same interests.

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A Big Thanks to all the 2010 Mentors! Kudos to those Master Garden-ers who an-swered the call to mentor an in-tern: Ann Bares Kathy Attaway Dorothy Norris Melody Weaver Jackie Steen Jeanene Eberling Micah Shanks Jane McBride Stellina Reed Jo Carol Doyle Paul Eyre Jerry Jobe Phyllis Smith Cecil Hightower The gift of time and experience to an intern helps bridge the gap be-tween the shortcourse and gradua-tion. Of course, we should all re-member to help out and make these new folks feel welcome! Thanks again!

Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale Mark your calendar for the Jefferson County Master Gar-dener’s Fall Plant Sale September 18 from 8—Noon at the test garden located at the South-east Texas Regional Airport. More details to follow.

Congratulations Micah Meyer! Micah recently re-ceived the “Early Career Award” from the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association during the State Convention in South Padre Is-land.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!!!

August: Randy Kimler – 5 Pete Tomasello – 6 Judy Barkley – 10 J.C. Drake – 17 Ed Kasper – 22 Sonny Gunn – 23 Florence Wingate – 25 Karen McCormick – 25 Lee Freeland – 27 Melissa Starr – 27

September: Clyde White – 2 Karen Sourdellia – 4 Curtis Bloodworth – 5 Beth Lazenby – 6 Daryl Gray – 11 Pat Tolbert – 13 Betty Derese – 13 George Cowart – 18 Margie Hanlon – 21 Carolyn Barras – 22 Mary Cotton – 27 Kathy Day – 30 Charles Hall – 30

October: Kathy Attaway – 2 Gary Tucker – 2 Rhonda Hawkins – 5 Jerry Sourdellia – 7 ( Hon.) Elaine Smith – 9 Carla Dunlap – 10 Ray Simon – 10 Ann White – 14 Ranah Becker – 17 Mary Beth Distefano – 18 Annie Amason – 20 Joan Sensat – 21 Linda LeBlanc – 23 JoAnn Koch – 23 Donna Shirley – 25 Geraldine Diaz – 28 Bob Collier – 31

Squash Casserole

1-1/2 lbs. yellow squash and 1/4 to 1/2 c. bread crumbs Zucchini, sliced 1 egg, beaten 1/2 onion, chopped Cheddar cheese 1/2 lb. Jimmy Dean sausage Put squash and onion in large pot. Pour in water that is about 1 to 2 inches deep. Boil squash until all the water has boiled out of the pot. Mash the squash and season with salt and pepper. Brown the sausage in a skillet and drain. Add the sausage, bread crumbs, egg, and a handful of Cheddar cheese to the squash. Butter a casserole dish. Pour the mixture in the dish and top with Cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

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If you’re looking for an attractive, sturdy plant to provide color during the cold months, consider a favorite of many old-time gardeners. No cottage garden would be complete without snapdragons. Their vibrant colors and upright growth habit make them a wel-come addition to al-most any garden design. Snapdrag-ons are cool weather plants, and provide a beautiful show of color during those fall and winter months when the summer annuals are long gone. Snapdragons are self-seeding annu-als, but the new snaps might not be true to form. Snaps, which are lightly fragrant, prefer full sun but do well in part shade. They come in a variety of col-ors, from soft pastels to vibrant reds and oranges. Bi-color snaps are par-ticularly attractive. The flower spikes open gradually from bottom to top, offering a long bloom time. One plant might produce 7 or 8 spikes of blooms in a season. They make excellent cut flowers. When the plants reach 2-4 inches tall, if you pinch the stem tips, they will

grow shorter but more abundant flower heads. They make excellent cut flowers, and cutting them will force the plant to produce more

f lower spikes . Dwarf snaps grow about 10 inches tall. Their more ro-bust cousins, the standard snapdragon, can reach two feet in height, making them a good background

plant for borders. They like a neutral ph, average moisture and well-drained soil. They tolerate frost, which lengthens their blooming season and makes them ideal for zones with milder winters. About the only disease snaps are suscepti-ble to is snapdragon rust, but most varieties today are disease resis-tant. For best performance, don't overcrowd; allow air circulation be-tween plants.

Snapdragons By Jane McBridge, JCMG

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The use of rosemary as a memory enhancer dates back to early West-ern civilization. Greek students wore garlands of rosemary around their heads and students in Rome mas-saged their temples and foreheads with the herb prior to exams. Also, the herb can be used to reduce joint pain. To make a topical ointment, soak rosemary needles in almond oil for two weeks, filter, then rub the oil onto sore joints as needed. Growing Tip: Rosemary is best grown from a plant division, and performs well in a container.

This is a pic of my Razzle Dazzle crape-myrtle. I have had it for a couple of years and I may put it in the ground one of these days. It probably won't get too much bigger than this. I just love it! After it blooms, I will prune it and get more blooms till the end of summer. I just had to show you this because it is so pretty. I have been pruning all my crapemyrtles back as far as I can reach and they will all rebloom. I think the crapemyrtle should be the state flower or tree of one of the Southern states because they are so pretty and so easy to grow.

Use That Rosemary By Pat Tolbert – JCMG

Keeping Cut Flowers Cool By Ann Bares – JCMG

The zinnias and ruellias are about the only heat resistant flowers in my garden, and even they look droopy in the summer heat. I’ve learned that if I cut them early in the day, (for me that’s about noon), and give them a cool water bath before I arrange them in a container, they will perk up and last much longer in the house. I fill my sink according to how many stems I’ve cut and lay them so that they are just under the water, but not crowded. After 5-10 minutes, I shake them gently, take off any leaves that will be under the water in my vase, and trim a little off the end of each stem. If you use less water and change it daily, your flowers will stay

fresh longer. The ruellia blooms only last a few days, but any buds on the stems will open, so don’t toss the stems if there are still buds. I like to add a little flowering mint or lime balm for fill and for fragrance. I clip the dry zinnia blooms and scatter them back into my garden for next year’s color. Bring your garden inside when you can, and stay cool!

Razzle Dazzle Crape Myrtles By Verna McCollom—JCMG

(Keeping Cut Flowers Cool—cont.)

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Making compost is the perfect way to recycle your yard debris and green kitchen waste. Creating compost is very easy. Ba-sically, it's just a matter of layering organic materials such as garden and grass clippings, dry leaves, kitchen vegetable scraps and even shredded paper with a dash of dirt. Before staring your pile, however, it's good to know that there are two types of composting: "hot" and "cold". "Cold" composting is as simple as collecting your yard waste and other organic materials such as: fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds and egg shells and corral-ling them in a pile or bin. Over the course of about a year the material will decompose on it's own. "Hot" composting is for the more se-rious gardener and will produce compost in as little as 1 - 3 months in warm weather. Four ingredients are required for fast cooking "hot" compost: fresh "green" plant mate-rial, dry "brown" plant material, air and water. Together, these items feed micro organisms which speed up the process of decay.

"Hot" and "Cold" Composting By Cecil Hightower - JCMG

Start by making alternating 4-8" lay-ers of green and brown materials with a sprinkling of dirt between these layers to a height of about 3'. Then sprinkle water over the pile making it just slightly damp. Heat is produced as the materials decom-pose. To add oxygen to the process, turn it about once a week with a gar-den fork; this will help it cook faster and keep it loose. When the compost no longer gives off heat and becomes dry and crumbly it is fully cooked and ready to feed the garden.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Every plant requires nutrients to grow and thrive. Three of the pri-mary nutrients – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – come from air and wa-ter. From time to time, gardeners may have to assist with the other three – nitrogen, phosphorus and po-tassium. The three numbers on a bottle or bag of fertilizer stand for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. in that order. The numbers also indicate how much of each is provided by weight. N i t r o g e n helps plants produce pro-tein needed for new tissue. Give a plant too much nitrogen and it will produce great foliage but no fruit or flowers. Plants can take up only so much nitrogen, and the rest leaches into the soil, and can reach ground water. Give a plant only as much ni-trogen as it needs. Phosphorus stimulates root growth, aids in setting buds and flowers and increases the overall vitality and seed size.

Potassium helps make plants strong and vigorous and more disease resis-tant. The best way to choose a fertilizer is to do a soil test to see what nutrients are lacking in your yard or garden. Many gardeners use far more fertil-izer than plants need, which creates a serious problem for the environment through runoff. An all-purpose, balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, will provide the needed nutrients. If you need more of one nutrient and less of the other, you can choose a mix that fits your needs. When you apply fer-tilizer, consider foliar feeding. Plants can absorb nutrients up to 20 times more ef-ficiently through leaf s u r f a c e s t h a n through their roots. You’ll get the best results applying the spray during critical growth stages such as transplanting time, blooming time and just after fruit sets.

Plant Nutrients By Jane McBride—JCMG

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Landscaping a small space can often be more challenging than a large open yard as some friends recently discovered when they downsized and moved to a smaller home. By using some of the following tips they were able to create a “big land-scape” look for their garden home. When landscaping a small area, se-lect a theme that suits your style such as a tidy English garden or lush tropical paradise. This will pro-vide a single focus which allows you to enjoy the landscape as a whole instead of being distracted by out of place details. In a small garden, nothing escapes scrutiny so “sweat the details”; that is, make sure that plants, accents, steps, walls and pav-ing look good up close and that hardscape materials blend with the style and material of the house. Choose plants with a range of leaf sizes, colors and bloom periods, but keep the number of varieties to a minimum. Expanses of a single plant look much larger than the same space with three or four different plants in it.

Landscaping Small Spaces By Cecil Hightower – JCMG

Using strong vertical accents such as tall plants, statuary or trellises will attract the eye up and away from the boundaries of the garden, giving it a more spacious feel. A sharp corner in not a regular part of nature, so anything you can do to disguise and soften right angles will give a more natural feel to the area. Lighting enhances any landscape but can be especially effective in a small garden. When used to illumi-nate center key features, a feeling of greater depth can be achieved for the area. Before tackling the land-scaping of a small space, it’s critical that you have a plan. A detailed drawing to scale will ensure that you have enough space for the plants and amenities you want.

Garden tip: Don’t toss those old dishcloths and towels. They can have a second life in the garden. Cut them into strips and use them for plant ties. They are soft enough that stems won’t get cut or damaged from their use. They are also great for cleaning tools. Consider moistening one with vegetable or mineral oil and keep it in a ziplock bag. When your tools need to be oiled, it is ready to use.

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Do you wear gloves when you gar-den or work around the yard? You should.. Cats, dogs and other critters love to use your garden as a bathroom. Gloves protect you from animal feces as well as fungus, bacteria and other things you don’t want clinging to your hands – and everything you touch. Gloves can greatly reduce your chances of injury. All sorts of haz-ardous materials can lurk in the soil, from glass shards and sharp pointed rocks to rusty nails and metal with jagged edges. Many plants have thorns and sharp needles that won’t penetrate a good pair of gloves. Pieces of wood or mulch can leave a nasty splinter. Gloves can help pre-vent blisters and scratches that can become infected. Gloves also keep your nails clean and once your work is done, make clean-up much easier.

Today’s gloves are colorful, stylish and functional. No matter what the need, you can find a pair of gloves

to suit it. For roses, long gloves with tough leather gauntlets can protect your arms as well as your hands. For digging in the dirt, gloves coated with nitrile or latex on the palms and fingers are flexible but don’t get wa-

ter-logged. Always use non – absor-bent gloves when working with fer-tilizer, pesticides or chemicals. Whatever gloves you choose, be sure to try them on first. Gloves that are too tight or too loose and bulky limit movement and can be a real annoyance. Gloves that fit well make gardening a pleasure.

Gardening Gloves By Jane McBride—JCMG

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Programs conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service 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

“The Latest Dirt” is the official newsletter of the Jefferson County Master Gardeners. It will be published in February, May, August, and November. Members will receive color copies via e-mail. It will also be posted on our website at http://jefferson-tx.tamu.edu. Click on newsletters. Black and white copies will be available at the monthly meetings and at the office. Input is greatly appreciated. Call Micah Shanks at 409-749-0083 or e-mail your suggestions to mshanks52@gmail.com.

August 2010 Official Newsletter of the Jefferson County Master Gardeners

Jefferson County Master Gardeners 1225 Pearl Street, Suite 200 Beaumont, TX 77701