Issue EIGHT

2019 Officers President: Annette Lachowsky Vice-President – Clyde Davis Secretary – Jane Richards Treasurer – Nick Auck

August 2019 Master Memos A Newsletter for Red Dirt Master

If you have any questions about Photo Above: MGs – Nick Auck, Chead Blue & Clyde Davis – along with anything in this newsletter, please “almost” MG Frank Lachowsky (who, by the way, was a TREmendous help) call me at 870-779-3609, email work on installing a keyhole project for Come Grow With Us at GFM. [email protected] or visit our office, located in the Miller County MG Monthly Meeting – Thurs., Courthouse, Room 215, Texarkana, Arkansas. August 8 – 6:00 PM – REA Sincerely, Aarron Corbin, Bowie County Master President and forester will be our featured speaker at the next Master Gardener Monthly Jennifer Caraway Meeting. He will talk about growing timber and utilizing “best manage- ment practices”. Hope to see you there! County Extension Agent Keyhole Garden at Gateway Farmers Market JC:jds 100+ shoppers at the Gateway Farmers Market learned that they too can Address: 400 Laurel * Suite 215, grow vegetables, herbs & Texarkana, AR 71854 flowers in their own back- yards by utilizing a key- Phone: 870-779-3609 hole . This Fax: 870-773-3471 is a continuation of the ongoing Red Dirt MG E-Mail: [email protected] community education MG Facebook: www.facebook.com/ projects at the GFM. Miller-County-Red-Dirt-Master- The Master Gardeners held Gardeners drawings for flowers in Ag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ celebration of National FM millercountyuaex/ Week at the market! All MGs Paula Warren, Sharon Ethridge, Clyde Davis & help – MGs & vendors – Chead Blue continue with community service at the Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miller CoAg was and is appreciated. Gateway Farmers Market with the Keyhole Garden

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

By Scottie Burnett All Miller County Red Dirt Master Gardeners who have fulfilled and logged their complete hour requirements by October 15, 2019 are eligible to sign up for this year’s Christmas trip to Shreveport for “Christmas in Roseland”. There will be a sign-up sheet at the August meeting. Transportation and the price of admission to the event will be covered by our organization. We will meet at the parking lot of the Moores Lane First Baptist Church, Friday, December 6th and promptly depart at 4:00 p.m. aboard a charter bus that seats 56 passengers. Space permitting, we may be able to open the trip up later to guests at a charge of $25 each. Enroute to our destination, we will stop for dinner (not included) and plan to arrive at the American Rose Center in Shreveport at approximately 6:45 p.m. This is the 36th year celebrating “Christmas in Roseland” filled with beautiful seasonal decorations which magically transform it into a winter wonderland plus a special Christmas Market filled with lovely handmade products and gift items for purchase. Because the holiday season is very well attended, there will be no scooters, golf carts or other motorized vehicles allowed. If you require a wheelchair or walker, please bring your own. They can be stored in the luggage bays of the charter bus if they are collapsible. We should return to Texarkana shortly after 11:00 p.m.

Red Dirt MG Minutes Volunteer Time July 11, 2019 ~ REA Thanks to everyone for placing in Volunteer Hours. You’re doing great. The meeting was called to order by President Annette Lachowsky at 6:15 Here are some examples of Volunteer hours this month. p.m. Tommie Ayers gave the blessing Sanctioned Hours: (1) Come Grow With Us – Have you presented to a over the food and meeting. Garden Club, another MG group, Mondays at TX A&M, senior group, talk Minutes of the meeting held June 13, at the Farmers Market, etc.? Count time preparing presentation, actual 2019, were published in the news- presentation, & travel time if bringing items for a demo. (2) Hospitality/ letter for members to review. Teresa Social – bring a dish for the monthly meeting, help set up? Count time Slack stated that the program preparing dish & time in store picking up ingredients for dish. You cannot presenter last month was Vicki Avery count travel time to the store or time visiting in the store. not Cheryl Avery as the Minutes Non-Sanctioned Hours: Monthly meeting (You get 1 hour for the business stated. There being no further part, even if it ran shorter.) or submit articles/photos for the newsletter. corrections to the minutes, upon motion made by Teresa Slack and Education: (1) The monthly meeting program counts as 1 hour education. seconded by Sharon Ethridge, they (2) The MG Monday Zoom meetings, whether you watch it live, watch the were unanimously approved with the recording or read the pdf. (3) Seminars and/or workshops on . (4) above correction. Touring public (Garvan Gardens, Dallas , , etc.). Report under Garden Tours. Must be public garden. (5) The Financial Report prepared by Reading magazines or books. You get 1 hour each month. (6) Treasurer Nick Auck was next Watching a horticulture program on TV and/or the internet or listening on reviewed by membership. There were the radio. You can report 1 hour each month. no questions or corrections; therefore, it was filed for audit. Travel Time: The exception to the rule that you cannot count travel time is if you transport items for a project. Count time loading, unloading, moving/ Pres. Lachowsky reminded member- transporting items (hauling for courthouse beds or display items ship that volunteers are needed for as at Ag Expo). Count under the project you are doing it for but only the every project & even though members time spent transporting items. Bringing your own personal gloves, shovel, have their required hours logged in, etc. to a project does not count. more hours are always viewed as If you need help, call me at 903-832-8111. Continued on Page 4

Fair Judging Workshop Fall Container Gardening

Container gardens are a great way to enjoy seasonal splashes of color. From decorative mums and pumpkins to vibrant window boxes, fall container gardens will extend your flowering season. Whatever your inspiration, these

fall container ideas will make Horticulture is the science, The Bowie County MGs/Texas every autumn day feel like it is business and art of growing & A&M University in Texarkana will filled with beauty. marketing fruits, vegetables, present a program on “Fall Cheryl will be sharing ideas on flowers and ornamental . Container Gardening,” Monday, when to fall containers, It is unique among plant August 12, 2019, at Texas A&M which plants for sun and shade, sciences because it not only University from 6:00 until 8:00 and unusual companions for involves science & technology, pm. The class is free & open to containers. She will be glad to but it also incorporates art and the public. It will take place in the answer any questions you might design principles. University Center Building, Room have. 326. No reservation is required to Fair season is right around the attend. For more info call Emily Newsome corner so now is a great time at Texas A&M at 903-223-3039 or to start preparing for fair The program will be presented by Teresa Slack at 903-831-7494. horticulture judging. Master Gardener Cheryl Turner. If you might be interested in being a judge, here is a great Come Grow With Us ------opportunity to train on what to look for. Chris & Brenda Engledowl discussed the different The judging role is more than blackberryEducational species Class that they at grow Genoa on their Elementaryfarm putting scores on paper. As a and how to recognize harmful insects and disease judge, you step into a number on the plants. They talked about propagation of of roles through the judging the plants and brought vines, both planted in pots day with the main role and unplanted. Chris told the group how & when to prune the plants evaluating various projects and how the new growth will start to appear & bear fruit. He also and assigning a score on the spoke about the different types of grapes they grow & how to plant, basis of what you see. which he learned by trial & error. The attendees were very interested and took all the samples brought. Polk County (in Mena, Arkansas) will be hosting a st Horticulture Fair Judging 21 Annual Haynesville Celebration of Butterflies Workshop, Thursday, August th Saturday, September 21, 2019 @ the Butterfly Capital of LA 8 at 5:30 PM at the Extension Education Building. Claiborne Parish Fairgrounds, 1563 Fairgrounds, Haynesville, LA Please call Sherry Beaty- Admission: $4 Adults – $1 Children 6-18 – Free Children Under 6 Sullivan, Polk County Educational Seminar Topics Include: Edible Plants, Creative Fun Extension Agent-Staff Chair, th for Children, The Absolute Best Plants for Your Yard for Birds, by Monday, August 5 to help Creating a Pollinator Habitat, Gardening for Pollinators and much them get an idea of how many more. There is also a parade, a butterfly run, a memorial butterfly to prepare for. conservatory, plants & crafts, food, take-home butterfly towers, art Pre-register by calling 479- & photography, music, drawings, talent…. Call Loice Kendrick- 394-6018 or emailing Lacy (318-624-1929) for more information. [email protected].

\ Red Dirt Master Gardener Minutes Continued from Page 2 positiveEducational for our organization Class at by Genoathe state office. Elementary

Sanctioned Projects: Would you know a pepo if you met one on the street? Paula Warren reported for the Welcome Sign stating that she would schedule a workday to pull weeds. It is the time of year that we are enjoying the fruits of our labor (pun intended!). I thought it Chead Blue reported on the Courthouse beds stating that the would be a good time to review the irrigation system is not fully repaired, but the beds are still classification of fruits. looking good. He announced that a workday would be held on Friday at 7:00 a.m. for anyone who can come work. As you remember from our section in your Horticulture Basic Training, there are Come Grow With Us reported that most scheduled programs three broad categories of fruit. had been done—9 or 10 to date. One more program will be held at the Collins Center with Brenda and Chris Engledowl 1. Fleshy fruits on July 23. All presentations have gone well. 2. Dry fruits 3. Compound fruits Clyde Davis reported that he, Nick Auck, and Chead Blue worked on the demonstration keyhole garden at Gateway Fleshy fruits include berry, pome, drupe, our Farmers Market and it is mostly completed. The canopy, friend Mr. Pepo, and hesperidium. Try signage, table and chairs, & keyhole garden have been paid saying that last one three times fast! for and the garden and the presence of Master Gardeners Berries are fleshy fruits with endocarp, has been noticed. Clyde asked for volunteers to water the mesocarp and exocarp all soft. Examples demo garden on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays when the are blueberry and tomato. market is not open due to safety reasons (water house Pome is similar to a berry except that the crossing the walkway). Also, volunteers are needed to come endocarp is papery or leathery. The best Saturdays to answer questions and visit with people at the example is apple. Market. He reported that National Farmers Market Day is July 27 and he hopes to have several MGs present. In drupes the endocarp is hard. The example is peach. For Fund Raising Committee, Charlotte Fuller reported that Arkansas High School will be using most of the Peop examples are pumpkin, squash, and next year, allowing MGs only the back of the greenhouse so cantaloupe. The exocarp is a tough hard there will not be space for as many plants as last year. rind. Scottie Burnett gave an update on the December MG trip to In hesperidium the exocarp is leathery. The take place on December 6 to the American Rose Center. example is citrus. MGs will meet and load the bus at 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Some common dry fruits that horticulturists Church to travel to Tyler, stopping for dinner at Picadilly are concerned with are legumes and nuts. Cafeteria. The Center will be decorated for the holidays and will have a Christmas Market. Those MGs who have at least Our compound fruits are aggregates and their required hours may attend free of charge and a sign-up multiples. The best example of an aggregate sheet of those interested will be at next month’s meeting. If fruit is the raspberry. The multiple fruit there is room on the bus, which seats 56, one guest will be example is pineapple. allowed per MG at a cost of $25. There is an additional cost There is a lot of interesting reading in your for the trip of $200 for bus entry and will need to be approved manual and botany books regarding by membership. Upon motion made by Teresa Slack and development of fruit. We won’t go into it now seconded by Glenda Griffin, the addition cost of $200 for the (Thank goodness you say!). trip was unanimously approved by membership. It is time to brush up for trivia games at New Business: PNG! Hope to see lots of you there! Teresa Slack reported that the first Basic Training meeting Respectfully Submitted, had taken place and the training will begin October 9 for five (5) Wednesdays. First Presbyterian Church has consented to Annette Lachowsky allowing the training there again this year, lunch menus will be decided, and MGs will be asked to bring desserts. Also, President, Miller County Red Dirt Master Gardeners Continued on Page 5

Red Dirt Master Gardener Minutes EducationalContinued from Page Class 4 at Genoa Farm Bureau contributed $100 to be applied toward purchase of food for this year’s Elementarytraining. Robert High has agreed to manage the IT for the training, but a backup for him is needed. President Lachowsky announced that the PNG Leadership training in Ferndale AR is quickly approaching. This year it will be on August 23 and 24 with the registration deadline of August 2. All members are encouraged to attend and especially those Plant-Nurture-Grow (PNG) Leadership Conference is a who may want to hold office. great educational opportunity for ALL Master Gardeners, President Lachowsky presented the following whether you’ve been a Master Gardener for 1 day or 30 five (5) year awards: years. It will take place in Ferndale at the Arkansas 4-H Center on Friday & Saturday, August 23rd & 24th. Chris and Brenda Engledowl Registration deadline is August 2nd. Charlotte Fuller There will be more than 30 speakers presenting at this Pam Rayburn year’s conference. It will be a full schedule of learning and interacting with other MGs across the state. There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion made by There will be time to go to your classes and in the evening, Martha Bean and seconded by Pam roam the grounds of the 4-H Center. Rayburn, the meeting was adjourned. The If you have never been to the Arkansas 4-H Center, go motion passed unanimously. online and take the virtual: https://thevinescenter.org/. The program following was “Trees” presented Registration closes August 2nd and there is no late by Sheila Keever. registration. Respectfully submitted, Come join us! It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be Jane Richards, Recording Secretary educational and it’s going to be a chance to meet MGs from all over the state of Arkansas.

Come Grow With Us Basic Training Committee Youth Programs The Miller County Master Gardeners Miller County 4-H Agent, Basic Training Committee will meet on Hanan Douglas and 4-Her Monday, August 12, 2019, at the Miller Shilo Reed came to the County Courthouse Third Floor Collins Center to discuss Conference Room at 9:00 AM. If you the 4-H youth program. would like to help with Basic Training Hanan explained to the this year, please be at the meeting. attendees about the 4-H Basic Training Dates: Wednesdays, programs and what is October 9, 16, 23, 30 & November 6. available. Shilo expanded Deadline for applications to be in the on the benefits she has Miller County Extension Office is personally seen in her life September 11, 2019 – No Exceptions! through the 4-H programs Cost is $125 per person ($200 for she has participated in. couples willing to share the manual).

Master Gardener is Also an Artist Ground Pearls in Turfs By Sherrie Smith, UAEX Plant Pathologist Educational Class at Genoa Elementary Ground pearls (Margarodes spp.) are a type of scale insect found in the soil that feed on the roots of turf. While they prefer centipede- grass, they are also found on bahiagrass, carpetgrass, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda. They are often associated with low pH soils. Symptoms are circular to irregular areas of sickly looking, thin turf. The grass yellows, then turns brown & dies. Adult females have pinkish sac-like bodies with well-developed front legs and shorter second & third legs. Males are tiny white to pinkish gnat-like insects. Once they have mated, the females dig back into the soil where they lay a cluster of 20 to 100 eggs in a mass of waxy strands. The eggs hatch into Nina Goldman poses for a crawlers. The crawlers attach themselves to portrait next to one of her grass roots, and begin to cover themselves clay sculptures in Texarkana. with a protective coat of yellowish to light She is a painter and sculptor purple wax, which makes them impervious to who creates works of art most insecticide applications. from mixed mediums. She Applications twice a year of a has loved art since first being mixture of imidicloprid, introduced in the seventh fine horticultural oil, and grade. wetting agent are only Photo by Hunt Mercier. moderately effective. Article from Texarkana Minimize damage Gazette Active Age, August by proper pH, 2019 entitled Passion for Art. fertilization, mow- ing height, and watering.

Healing Gardens Workshop at GWG Gardening with August 1, 2019 | 5:30-6:30 PM | GWG Magnolia Room The medical community has begun to incorporate healing September 7, 2019 | 10:00 AM | GWG gardens into hospitals, health care facility designs, and Magnolia Room recovery centers. This presentation will discuss the theories Local grower Justin Dreyer discusses supporting the idea of gardens as healing spaces and how to integrate explain a set of design principles for application in the principles into your daily routine. This creation of healing garden spaces. The theories to be presentation focuses on frugality, discussed include the research of environmental sustainability and time-saving methods psychologists, color therapy, aromatherapy & the of growing food & beneficial plants. exploration of the environment through the senses. Topics include raised beds, humanure, The goal is to help tie the psychological, physiological and , vermicomposting, and emotional responses of the individual to the environmental urban and rural permaculture experience and create awareness of these elements in techniques. private home and garden settings. Free Members | $15 Non-Members | Free Members | $15 Non-Members | Registration Required Registration required | 800-366-4664 | 800-366-4664