HOE! HOE! HOE! Issue #

HOE! HOE! HOE!

September 2012

GRIMES COUNTY MASTER GARDENER’S NEWSLETTER VOLUME 8, ISSUE IX IN THIS ISSUE

Officers for 2012 Upcoming Events President: Jennifer Corzine Vice President: Kathy Laughlin September 10/11 Landscape Design Study Secretary: Kathy Denning Course Part I for those registered http://aggie- Treasurer: TBD horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/LDSep 12/ Committee Chairs Administration: TBD September 11 Field Trip to Chappell Hill Timekeeping: Kathy Denning Lavender Farm (meet at farm or carpool). Awards/Social: Linda Jolly Tour is at 10:00am; meet 15 mins prior Children’s Activities: Jennifer Corzine http://chappellhilllavender.com/ Communications: Nicky Maddams Class: Jennifer Corzine/Kathy Laughlin October 9 6:30pm Fall Social at the home of Co-op: Fred Vesperman Ann DeWitt; Potluck and BYOB. Ann will be Anderson Beautification: Janeth Nevill providing map and directions. , and Superstars! Publicity: Peggy Sloan bulb swap will occur at the Social See which Superstar is featured this month Fundraiser: Kathy Denning Go Texan Landscaping: Mike Arden November 10 Harvest Bake Sale fundraiser at County Fair Judging: Linda Jolly Navasota Wal-Mart

Texas AgriLife Extension November 13 9:00am Monthly Meeting MG Coordinator: Jayla Fry Grace Smarsh will present “Bats” Secretary: Sandra Curl December 7 Christmas Party Potluck and Newsletter Awards Ceremony at Martha’s Bloomers Editor: Nicky Maddams

Article submissions, photos and information due by the 20th of each month

Send to: [email protected] Get to Know Your Fellow Master Website: txmg.org/grimes Gardeners!

Email: [email protected] Visit with Sharon Murry and Marguerite Corbello HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 2

September Vegetable Planting Never really thought about it, but if time and saw a tornado coming our way. After all the Guide money were not a problem, I’d get on a noise died down and we went upstairs, our plane, boat or car and just go where ever. barn was gone, but the house was okay. Then Bush & Pole Beans Now thru 9/15 Hurricane Alicia in Houston. Beet 9/01 -10/20 What is your favorite and tree? Do Broccoli * 9/10 -11/15 you grow them? When in your life have you needed an alibi? Brussels Sprouts* 9/10 -11/05 Cabbage* 9/15 -12/31 Too many favorite to narrow it down When I was dating :-)) Chinese Cabbage 9/01 -10/15 to one. Anything tropical: Hibiscus, Amaryllis, Carrot 9/15 -12/31 , Mom’s Gas plant and . My When was the last "back to nature" absolute favorite “tree” is the crape myrtle. experience you have had? Cauliflower* 9/20 -10/31 nd rd Kohlrabi 9/20 -11/30 Coming in 2 and 3 are the Desert Willow Lettuce, leaf 9/15 -11/30 and Texas Red Bud. I have all these but would Camping with the kids in a tent without water Mustard 9/01 -11/15 love a majestic 100 year old or older live oak or electricity. (This was long before the Spinach 9/05 -10/25 with moss hanging on it. motorhome!) Turnip 9/01 -11/20 Pea, Edible Pod & English 9/15 -09/30 Where is the prettiest garden you have ever Where would you like to go that is "off the Pepper* 9/01 -09/30 been to and what made it so? beaten bath"? Radish 9/01 -11/30 Tomato* 9/01 -09/15 Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kaneohe, Not sure if it’s considered off the beaten Oahu, ; I would love to grow some of bath?? But I’ve never been to the Grand •Use , not ; be sure to provide the Proteas here. Canyon. shade and adequate water What vegetable do you hate?

Boiled Okra

What do you love the smell of?

Fragrant flowers, fresh air in the mountains, clothes on the line, fresh cut hay, cinnamon, My Mom.

Stunning protea in Hawaii

What restaurant do you go to more than any other?

We eat out a lot, so we trade off on what’s available. Favorites are Fish Daddy’s and Texas Roadhouse.

What is your favorite season? Spring in Texas except it’s usually too short. Summer in , but it’s usually too short also.

Why are you a Master Gardener or Intern? SHARON MURRY I’m a Master Gardener because I love being Sharon’s Amaryllis outside and I love flowers. Gardening in Texas Where were you born and how long have is completely different than up North. What is your favorite ice cream? you lived in Texas? Although I’ve learned many things since I first

came to Texas, when the opportunity came Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla (sometimes with I was born in Minnesota and moved to Texas to start up a MG group in Grimes County, it fresh strawberries) 39 years ago. seemed like it would be fun and a great

challenge to continue learning. (Editor’s What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Where is the farthest you have traveled Note: Sharon is one of our three charter from Texas? members). Cleaning the bathroom. Pruning plants, it’s Hawaii, 4 or 5 times. I’m planning on going to like cutting off my finger. Germany/Europe next spring to visit my son What is the closest you have been to a who is moving to Germany for FedEx. natural disaster? What electronic gadget could you not live

without? Where would you go on your dream When I was in grade school in MN, our family vacation? went to the basement of our house when we HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 3

It’s a toss-up between my computer, camera In March of this year, my sister (Nicky’s) case. Mixes usually contain species and phone. Probably my computer as it’s an visited from Canada and we ventured to the that are wild in Europe, Asia, South easy way to keep in touch with family across Wildseed Farm near Fredericksburg. After America, or other parts of North the USA. our sojourn there, I commissioned her to America, but not in Texas. The write a piece on wildflowers and seed mixes. problem is further exacerbated Are you a social butterfly or do you prefer September is a perfect time to plant when seeds are packaged for a solitary endeavors? wildflower seeds, so this was a great time to specific region but contain non- include the article she wrote and researched. native species. Some of these non- I used to be more of a social butterfly than I native species may be classified as am now. I like small-medium gatherings with invasive by the Federal Noxious people I love but I like peace & quiet also. Weed List, the Texas Department of (But, I sure do like to dance.) Agriculture Noxious Plant List, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Prohibited Name one wonderful childhood memory Exotic Species, or the Invasive Plant involving gardening. Atlas of the .

My Grandpa showing me his garden and 2. Know exactly what is contained in how he preserved the bushes over the the seed package—common names winter. I can’t leave out walking around with are not enough. For example, my Grandma in all her flower beds and their WILDFLOWERS!!! there are dozens of species that go 50th wedding anniversary party in their by the name “daisy”, including Wonderful (but Worrisome?) Wildflowers garden. species of the following genera: Guidelines for Choosing Wildflowers Aphanostephus, Arctotis, Bellis,

What would you say is your garden Berlandiera, Calyptocarpus, Submitted by Grace Brouwer style? (Country, cottage, formal, sculptural, Dendranthema, Engelmannia, etc.) Erigeron, Felicia, Gaillardia, The word “wildflowers” conjures up idyllic Gerbera, Melampodium, images of multiple colors of delightful I really don’t have a style. I plant what I like Tetraneuris, Townsendia, and blossoms dancing in the breeze, seemingly as and try to make pretty flower beds and Verbesina. innocent as childhood in a simpler time. settings. I like to take sick plants and make However, wildflower mixes available at the them flourish and propagate from cuttings. 3. Even if a seed package contains hardware store, by mail order catalog, in I’d like to have one of everything. only one species, be sure it is souvenir and gifts shops, as well as in the identified by its Latin name so that form of greeting cards with embedded seeds you can reliably learn the origin and may contain species that may quickly run characteristics of the plant. “wild” and take over a garden.

4. The seed packaging should include First, a few definitions: clear instructions regarding growing

requirements such as scarification, Wildflowers are flowering plants that are not hot and cold cycles, or moist cool intentionally seeded or planted. conditions for germination.

Growing conditions (for example, Native species are plants that occur naturally dry, open hillsides vs. moist, shady in an area; that is, they are taxa that evolved nooks) and the recommended and were present in the ecosystem in a locale hardiness zone should also be prior to the onset of European settlement. noted.

Non-native species are plants that have been 5. Ideally, seed packaging will indicate MARK YOUR CALENDARS! brought into an area by humans. where the seed material was PLAN AHEAD FOR PLANT SALES collected. Be wary of a seed that are species that out-compete was mass-collected without sorting Two of our neighboring counties are holding other plants, and displace other plants by of seeds--there is a real possibility their fall plant sales. competition, lack of predators and that weed seeds will be present. pathogens, or direct chemical antagonism

(i.e. secreting substances into the soil that Montgomery County Master Gardener 6. If you insist on growing wildflowers th inhibit the growth of other plants). Association – October 13 ; an informative from a mix, contain the plants until

Pre-Sale Program will be presented from you know what you’ve got so that The following guidelines will help you grow a 8:00am to 9:00am, with the sale following you can more easily eradicate any wildflower garden that is wild and wonderful. from 9:00am – 1:00pm. undesirable plants that appear. Be

aware that only a few species may 1. Avoid wildflower mixes. Most Walker County Master Gardener Association germinate (most likely the ones th buyers of mixes will blindly assume – October 20 ; 8:00am to 2:00pm. with less appeal!). that the wildflowers are native to

the local area, but this is rarely the HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 4

7. Consider choosing only native medicinal purposes, and make my own herbal wildflowers for your garden. Easy- hair rinses and other beauty products to-grow species to look for are: (although the results of the latter have not Salvia coccinea (tropical sage), proved to be a silver bullet, but I live in Glandularia bipinnatifida (prairie hope!!!) verbena), Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana), Echinacea purpurea When I came to the US for the third time, my (purple coneflower), and Callirhoe Mother-in-Law of the day kept wanting to involucrata (winecup). take me to Hilltop Herb Farm near to

Cleveland, TX to see the place and eat at the 8. If you wish to collect your own renowned restaurant. Then before this could native plant seeds, learn more Photographer: Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte Source: Bugwood.org happen, a wicked tornado on December 10, about the ethics of collecting wild 1983 wiped out the whole place. Madalene seed. The Native Plant Society of References: and her daughter Gwen Barclay eventually Texas has a Collection Policy at moved out to Round Top, Festival Hill, where http://npsot.org/?page_id=1321. Native Plant Society of Texas Austin. 2010. they built up (with Henry Flowers) this

Easy-to-Grow Native Wildflowers. wonderful property of herbs and restaurant

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=0A showcasing the culinary aspect. Case Study of a Wildflower Seed Mix QRyDQn10d3AZGZmNXpnYzZfMjFoYzg5Ymp mMg&hl=en When I first heard of Wildseed Farms, I I went there at the end of October 2007 with assumed they were growing wildflowers Alberta Native Plant Council. 2006. Guidelines a group of Brazos Co. Master Gardeners, and native to Texas, especially since Texas is for the Purchase and Use of Wildflower Seed on arrival we were split into two tour groups. known for its magnificent wildflower displays. Mixes. http://www.anpc.ab.ca/ I managed to wiggle my way into the one led Upon perusing their 2012 catalog, I was by Madalene Hill (no disrespect intended to dismayed to see that many of the species Texas Department of Transportation. Gulf Henry Flowers, who is a great authority and they sell are non-natives. Coast and Marshes Region Seed List. great person). She led the way in a wheel http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/w chair, whizzing along the paths and whirling Wildseed Farms’ “Texas/ ildflowers/blackland_prairie.htm to a stop at points of interest – she was 93 Wildflower Mix” illustrates many of the years old at the time, with a mind as sharp as points made above. This mix contains 9 Texas Department of Transportation. a tack!!! Madalene knew all the plants like species that are not native to North America. Blackland Prairie Region Seed List. they were her own children – their cultural One of those is the invasive ox-eye daisy. http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/w needs, growing habits, where they came from Wildseed Farms does list the components of ildflowers/gulf_coast.htm and how to keep them happy! She had many their mixes (and even the proportions), but “discoveries” named for her, and has they only use common names. Their catalog Texasinvasives.org. 2007. Leucanthemum identified several species that were includes an extensive section on seeding and vulgare. previously unknown. One famous example is growing wildflowers. http://texasinvasives.org/plant_database/det the mint “Ne ve y’aar” found in Israel, which ail.php?symbol=LEVU is believed to be “the” herb described in the Thankfully, only one of the non-native species Bible in relation to tithing!!! All of our GCMG sold by Wildseed Farms is considered invasive Wildseed Farms. 2012 Wildflower Reference trainees have enjoyed the Herb section in the http://texasinvasives.org/ database, Guide and Seed Catalog. Fredericksburg, presented by Ann Wheeler, herself an expert and that’s the ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum Texas. on both herbs and Madalene Hill! vulgare also known as Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). Wildseed’s own description of ox-eye daisy includes “often forming dense colonies once established” and “a prolific reseeder” which clearly signal this daisy’s invasive characteristics. The Day I Met Madalene Hill Submitted by Helen Quinn The texasinvasives.org database states, “Ox- eye daisy displaces native plant species, growing so densely it excludes other I was raised in a land of simpler living (at least vegetation. While not considered poisonous it was back then, during the last few years of to cows, it does impart a disagreeable taste WWII) when we ate wild meat (rabbit, to their milk. It is difficult to control or pheasant, duck, goose, partridge, etc.) and eradicate because of its large seedbank, long wild greens (nettles, sorrel, and other viability of seed, and ability to resprout if not unidentifiable green stuff), and my Dad raised completely removed.” “real” vegetables and herbs. Having lived on both the European and the North African With a bit of knowledge and attention, you’ll sides of the Mediterranean, herbs have be able to choose wildflowers that will be always played a huge part in my life. I have always grown herbs, both for culinary and wonderful instead of worrisome. HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 5

My favorite flower--only one?!!! I love the What electronic gadget could you not live Some of you know I am going to Israel in variety and beauty of a mixed bouquet, but without? October and one place I’ll be visiting is the maybe sunflowers--they are such happy Jerusalem Botanic Gardens. I can’t wait to flowers! I don't grow those either--not I am far too fond of my iPad, but I am sure I hear what they can tell me about Madalene enough sun in my yard! could live without it! Hill from Texas!!! Madalene Hill passed away in March 2009, age 95. Her book Southern Where is the prettiest garden you have ever Are you a social butterfly or do you prefer Herb Growing, is a classic, and if you can find been to and what made it so? solitary endeavors? it – buy it!!! Every garden is beautiful, but I do have two I probably lean more toward the solitary

favorites. I love to go to Kew Gardens endeavor end, as no one would ever suggest I outside of London. A few years ago we was a social butterfly--but I find great joy in ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

visited Lotusland, in the hills above Santa spending a lot of time with people in smaller Barbara, . Both of these have such groups. a variety of plant life Name one wonderful childhood memory What is your favorite season? involving gardening.

I love them all, but I think Spring is my My mother helped me plant an ornamental favorite. pepper plant when I was a little girl.

Why are you a Master Gardener or Intern? What would you say is your garden style? (Country, cottage, formal, sculptural, Years ago, we had quite the vegetable garden etc.) in the back yard of our first home. When our children got more active outside our home, My back yard is in the style of a British garden our gardening endeavors got pushed to the (with a size to match--very small!). The front back burner. Now that we are "empty yard is a work in progress. nesters" with no grandchildren on the horizon, I longed to get back to gardening again. Grilled Rosemary Lemonade

What is the closest you have been to a natural disaster? The Post, August 24, 2011 CLARE (SCOTTY) BENNETT Submitted by Marguerite Corbello Hurricane Ike. Summary: Where were you born and how long have Where would you like to go that is "off the You can strain this smoky take on a summer you lived in Texas? beaten bath"? classic, but, as it turns out, a little pulp and a few floating bits of char in your lemonade can I was born in Shreveport, , and have My husband jokingly says that the route I be a good thing. lived in Texas since 1977--35 1/2 years. take up to Navasota for Master Gardener events is off the beaten path! But of all my For a charcoal grill, Heath Hall of Pork Barrel Where is the farthest you have traveled choices . . . these days it is not so much off BBQ recommends using 100 percent from Texas? the beaten path any more, but for many hardwood charcoal, in lump or briquette years our family vacationed (and hiked) in the form, to promote smoky flavor. Paris, France mountains of . MAKE AHEAD: The rosemary lemon simple Where would you go on your dream syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 month. vacation? Makes 3 1/2 to 4 quarts Anywhere with Mr. B (my husband) is a dream vacation but we both love visiting just about any part of the United Kingdom. Ingredients: What is your favorite flower and tree? Do you grow them? For the simple syrup

My favorite tree is the dogwood--probably a  3 cups sugar result of living in north Louisiana and  2 cups water . I've never grown one, but I'd like to Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia  4 stems rosemary try! pauciflora) growing in Scotty’s garden  Finely grated zest of 2 lemons (at least 3 teaspoons) HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 6

For the lemonade TEXAS SUPERSTARS ®

 14 lemons, cut in half Sharon Murry bring us this month’s Texas  12 cups chilled water Superstar®: Esperanza.  Ice  16 rosemary sprigs, for garnish The “Stars” keep shining, all summer long. In this particular case, I’m not referring to the Directions: stars in heaven, but the fabulous Texas For the simple syrup: Combine the sugar, Superstar® plants. This spring brought an water, rosemary and lemon zest in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring just to a boil, abundance of rain to our area followed by some really hot scorching weather. This is stirring to dissolve the sugar, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes the type of weather that the Texas LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDY SERIES to create an infused simple syrup. Cool Superstar® plants can tolerate. The completely; strain and discard the solids. Superstar hibiscus, featured last month, SEPTEMBER 10 & 11, 2012 keeps right on blooming and growing, giving LANDSCAPE DESIGN COURSE I the landscape giant colorful saucers of flowers. This course will feature some of the best and most popular instructors from the Another show stoppers in the landscape is past as well as an outstanding featured the ‘Gold Star Esperanza’. The Gold Star speaker for our "outside" topic. Esperanza is also known as ‘ stans’ and ‘Yellow Bells’. There are different Dr. Neil Odenwald who was for many varieties of Esperanza but the improved Gold years head of the Landscape Architecture Star variety blooms earlier and does not get Department at Louisiana State University as tall as some other species of Esperanza. in Baton Rouge will present "Principles This very heat tolerant native has striking and Elements of Landscape Design" and masses of golden yellow, trumpet-shaped "Planning Your Home Grounds". Both flowers. It is very pest resistant and is a great these topics will provide inspiration and for mass plantings or containers on new ideas for improving our home your patio or at your front door. It grows to landscapes. 4-5 feet in height but can reach 8 feet in For the lemonade: Prepare the grill for direct height in frost free areas and 3-4 feet wide. Dr. Alice LeDuc has been on the heat. If using a gas grill, preheat to medium- horticulture faculty at Duke University for high (450 degrees). If using a charcoal grill, many years and has now returned to her light the charcoal or wood briquettes; when home state and is teaching at Texas State the briquettes are ready, distribute them University at San Marcos. She will discuss evenly under the cooking area. For a "Landscape Design Resources" which puts medium-hot fire, you should be able to hold all of the design related professions into your hand about 6 inches above the coals for perspective and helps participants about 4 or 5 seconds. Have ready a spray understands how the best utilize them in water bottle for taming any flames. Lightly their own projects. coat the grill rack with oil and place it on the grill. Barbara Coody is a local, practicing Landscape Architect and certified Place the lemons cut sides down on the grill. historian and will present enlightening Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are information relating development of slightly caramelized and showing a little char. landscape design in the past and how Transfer to a plate, cut sides up. Cut 4 of the these influences can be adapted for lemon halves into wedges (for a total of 16). today's home and garden. She will speak on "Development of Landscape Design". When cool enough to handle, squeeze the remaining lemon halves to yield about 2 cups Master Gardeners who complete a course of juice. may apply 12 hours of credit to their Esperanza will bloom all summer long and by requirements for continuing education. Transfer the lemon juice to a very large (at pruning the seed pods as they form, the least 14-cup capacity) pitcher, then add the showy, trumpet-shaped yellow bells will For more information, please refer to the rosemary lemon simple syrup and the cold reproduce faster. It is tropical in appearance TMGA newsletter or go online at water, stirring to mix well. with dark green glossy foliage and http://aggie- and butterflies are attracted horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/L Pour the lemonade into glasses filled with ice. to the yellow clusters of flowers. The DSep12/ Garnish each with a sprig of rosemary and a hardiness zone is 8b and higher. grilled lemon wedge. HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 7

threatened or endangered. Not only is it the weight and the spathe withers away, possibly The World’s Largest Flower world’s largest flower, it is one of the most never to bloom again. In the wild, the leaf can Submitted in part by Kathleen Flick bizarre and improbable organisms on the reach 20 feet tall and 15 feet across. planet. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. It produces no leaves, stems or roots but lives 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Jul. 2009 Amorphophallus titanum (Araceae), also as a parasite on the Tetrastigma vine, which http://www.encyclopedia.com called "cadaverous flower" or “corpse grows only in primary (undisturbed) flower”, has the peculiarity of blooming only rainforest. Only the flower or bud can be To read about the one that bloomed in during three days every 40 years. seen; the rest of the plant exists only as Houston, Texas in 2010, click here Do you suppose God gave us a flower that filaments within its unfortunate host. The http://www.chron.com/news/bizarre/article/ represents the 40 years in the desert, and it blossom is pollinated by flies attracted by its Hold-your-nose-Corpse-flower-to-bloom-at- only blooms for 3 days - the length of time scent. 1597222.php Jesus died and rose." However fascinating and beautiful the rafflesia arnoldi may be, it is also called “corpse flower” and really reeks, the latter to attract flies for pollination. AGENDA ITEMS If you would like to see something on the agenda for next month’s Master Gardener meeting, please submit to Jennifer Corzine ahead of time so that time can be allowed for discussion.

PHONE NUMBER CHANGES: The new extension phone numbers are:

MG Desk: 936-825-0140 Growing Rafflesia As Rafflesia is one of the rarest plants on Sandra: 936-825-0465 earth, people started to study them since The largest flower ever recorded was born in 1929. They tried to cultivate the plant Latisha: 936-825-0468 Río Blanco, Veracruz, México. Two artificially, as the plant takes 9 to 21 months meters high and weighing 75 kilos! until a bud flowers - only to last for less than a week. But all the experiments ended in The plant enters a dormant phase of several failure. months after a leaf senesces, before sending up a replacement leaf and growing a new Largest Inflorescence root system. Leaves are hysteranthous: Titan arum is also the native of rainforests of flowers are borne by otherwise dormant Sumatra. Titan arum belongs to the family plants. The timing of dormancy and growth Araceae. Titan arum is also called as Corpse phases seems to be more or less random with flower due to its rotten flesh smell when the respect to the seasons; wild populations are flower is in bloom. The Titan arum plant can reported to have plants in various stages of reach to a height of 7 to 12 feet and weigh growth at any given time. It is unclear why 170 pounds. the plants ever go dormant at all, given their equatorial habitat. In Titan arum, both male and female flowers Do you receive the Texas Master grow in the same inflorescence at the base of Gardener Association Newsletter? There are 16 species of rafflesia, found in the spadix. The female flowers open first, and Sumatra, Malaysia and Borneo. The species is then in a day or two the male flowers open. It contains lots of valuable named after the naturalist Sir Stamford This prevents the flower from self-pollinating. information regarding specialist Raffles, who founded the British colony of In Titan Arum the spathe is green outside and training, the International MG Singapore in 1819. Raffles discovered the dark burgundy red inside, and is deeply parasitic plant with his friend Dr. Joseph furrowed. The spadix is hollow and pale Conference (it’s a cruise!), events Arnold during their travels in May 1818. The yellow. The upper, visible portion of the happening in other counties, etc. rafflesia arnoldi is named after the two. spadix is covered in pollen, while its lower Check it out at http://txmg.org/ extremity is spangled with bright red-

Several species of Rafflesia grow in the carpels. When the Titan arum reaches full and click on newsletter signup. jungles of Southeast Asia, all of them bloom, the spadix collapses from its own HOE! HOE! HOE! | Issue # 8

Health and Safety Fair at the First Baptist Church August 1st Photos and commentary courtesy Helen Quinn

Samples of toxic plants According to Helen, there was also a fire truck present for the little ones to climb on; but they were not offering rides (you know Helen asked!!)

Project leader Marguerite Corbello, along with helpers Marti Luedtke and Phyllis Pollard, educated the public about Questions Received at the toxic plants. Extension Office:

The St. Augustine grass I planted this spring is turning yellow. What can I do? We advised him on watering and fertilizing.

What can you plant in a hayfield this time of year and through the winter? When do I plant jigs? We advised her to plant annual rye now through October. Then late winter through There were loads of other “safety” type March, till up soil and plant jigs. Fertilize with tables high middle # fertilizer.

The Navasota Garden Club called to see if we could give a 20-30 minute talk on drought-tolerant plants. We were advised they have all their presentations booked for this year and will be calling us back for next year. They will also see what other topics their members may be interested in.

That’s all for this month; enjoy the cooler Phyllis and Marti temperatures of September.

Warm Regards, Nicky Maddams