compost in · county master gardener greenhouse. cathy and sam also specialize in custom growing...

A Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - a volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension

Guest Presenter...

What’s in Your Herb Garden

with

Cathy Slaughter

October 2010The Compost Bin

In this issue ...

In the Vegetable GardenGeophytes in Your Garden CompostingInside Austin Gardens TourCockroachesFall Photo AlbumGarden to Garden Plant ExchangePresident’s Message

The Compost Bin October 2010

Inside this Issue....

• OctoberMeetingSpeaker—CathySlaughter• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• GeophytesinYourGarden,OhMy!• OctoberPlantExchange• Composting• Cockroaches• InsideAustinGardensTour• ComingEvents

• 2010TCMGABoard

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What’s in Your Herb Garden?

CathySlaughter isamemberof theHerbSocietyofTexasandtheAustinHerbSociety. She isdevotedtogrowingandutilizingherbs.CentralTexashasidealgrowingconditionsformanyherbs.Learnaboutexpandingyourgardenwith fragrant,ornamental,culinaryandmedicinalherbsfromthisexpert.

CathyandherhusbandSamareco-ownersofa2-acrewholesalenurserybusiness,GabrielValleyFarmswheretheyspecialize incertifiedorganic culinaryherbsandvegetableplants. Natives,perennials,sedumandsucculentsarealsoavailable.GabrielValleyFarmsislocatednearGeorgetownandservesretailgardencenters,landscapecompaniesandfarmersinCentralTexasaswellastheTravis

CountyMasterGardenergreenhouse.CathyandSamalsospecializeincustomgrowinglavenderplantsforfieldproduction.

LastyearTCMGAmemberPattyLeanderspotlightedCathy,SamandGabrielValleyFarmsinanarticlewrittenforTexasGardenermaga-zine.Thearticle,“GabrielValleyFarmsaBehind-theScenesLook”canbeviewedatwww.texasgardener.com/pastissues/janfeb09/GabrielValleyFarms.html.

MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,October6th,2010startingat7pm.ZilkerBotanicalGarden

October Meeting Speaker — Cathy Slaughter

Below:PumpkinsondisplayattheDallasArboretuminSeptember.


Hello Master Gardeners:

A Message From Your President

GoldenOctober!October,my favorite time of the year! I love everything about it and lookforwardeachyeartothisspecialmonth.ThecolorsofOctoberaregold,rubyred,mustard,purpleandorange. Allofmyfavoritecolors. EventheairofOctoberislikespungoldwhenthelighthitsitjustrightintheevenings.Andthosecrisp,freshmorningswhenyougooutsideandcansmellfallhangingintheair—huddleinyoursweater,enjoythewalkandsavornatureinitsfinestseason!I’veorderedabigtoothmapletreetoplantinmyson’sbackyardasthefocalpointasIstarttodohis landscaping. Youcanbetthattherewillbe lotsofsalvias, sagesand roses—everything thatmakesourAustinautumn reallycomealivewithcolor.Wereallydohavequiteabitoffabulouscolorhereanditisalwaysspecialtolookoutoverthehillsandseethereds,orangesandyellowsblendtogetherandcreateafallTexastapestry.Inmyowngardenarea,Ilovetoplantandenjoyallthepurplesalvias,mustard-coloredherbslikeMexicanmintmarigold,tonsoffall-bloomingasters,andpotsandpotsofgardenmums.Myroseshavealwaysbeengiventheirlatesummerpruningandfertilizingsowhenthecoolertemperaturesarrivetheybringwiththemasecondbloomcycle.Ahhh…thejoyofplantingandworkingoutsidewhenyoulovewhereyouareinlife!

SohereismylistofthefavoritereasonswhyIloveOctober:Pumpkins, gourds, little kids in Halloween costumes and older children withHalloweenstories,fallwreaths,crispapples,sweaters,allkindsofsalviasandsages,Mexicanmintmarigold, red oakswith their bright red foliage, soups,football,mums,flameleafsumac,theTexashillcountryinitsfallcolors,grasseswiththeirplumes,leavesfalling,pecans,comfortfood,windowsopenwithfreshautumnaircomingin,pumpkinbread,fallasters,chilihotdogswhilewatchingcollegefootball,coppercanyondaisy,andlovelyfallrains!Justafewofthethingsthatmakeautumnaperfectlywonderfultimeofyearformeandatimetocelebratewithallmygardeningfriends!

HappyAutumnGardening!Carolyn


TropicalStormHermineswoopedinjustinthenickoftimelastmonth—shefilledemptyrainwatercollectiontanksallacrossCentralTexasandsoakedtheparchedearth,makingourgardenbedsmoistandreceptivetoseedsandtransplants.Therewere

somedownsidestothestorm—floodedstreets,trafficwoesandstiflinghumiditytonameafew—butIhopenoneofyousufferedanyseriousmiseryordamage.Hopefullyyoutookadvantageofthemoistsoillastmonthtostartyourfallvegetablegarden,butifnot,thereisstilltimeforlotsofplanningandplanting.Thereisnoreasontogodormantjustbecausewinteriscoming.Justasokralaughsatoursummerheat,collards,kaleandwintergreenslaughatourso-calledcoldweather.Lettuceandspinachcanbeplantedthismonthandwecanstillputintransplantsofbroccoli,cauliflowerandbokchoy.Soilmicrobesareactiveandaliveaslongasthesoiltemperatureisabove40°andaroundhereitrarelydipsbelow40°allwinter.Of course the sunlight isdiminishedandair temperaturesarecooler,soplantgrowthismuchslowerthanwhatweareaccustomedtoinspring.Mostofourcool-seasonvegetablescantaketemperaturesintothe20’s,butsincewedon’tknowexactlywhatkindofsevereweathermightcomeourway,keepasupplyofrowcoverhandy.Rootcrops,kale,collardsandmostgreenscantakethecold,butheadsofbroccoliandcauliflowercansufferdamageintheeventofaseverecoldsnapifnotprotected.Watchforgarlicbulbsatnurseriesandfeedstoresandplantthemanytimeduringthemonth;manygardenershavesuccessusingorganicgarlicfromthegrocerystore.Garlicisfairlyeasytogrow,justbesureitgetsregularwater and occasional fertilizer throughout the winter.Separatetheclovesandplantthemwiththepointedtipup, 2” deep and 4-6” apart, in compost-enriched soil.Theycanevenbeplantedin10-12”deeppots.Fall is also the best time for establishing strawberries— look for transplants of ‘Chandler,’ ‘Sequoia,’ ‘SweetCharlie,’‘Camarosa’or‘Ventana;’allarevarietiesthatdowellhere.Butrememberthat,likegarlic,theytake4-6months toproduce, so theywill be takingupspace inyourgardenforalongtime.

In The Vegetable Garden

By Patty Leander

Left:Ahealthycauliflowertransplantreadyforthefallgarden.Right:Fallisthebesttimetoputstraw-berrytransplantsinthegardenforspringharvests.


Ifyouplantedwarm-seasoncropsinlatesummeryoushouldbereapingtherewardsofgreenbeans,squashand/orcucumberslaterthismonth.Peppersandeggplantmayalsobeproducingandifyouareluckyyoumayevenhavesomeblushingtomatoesbynow.Becarefulwhenharvestingpeppersastheyhavebrittlestemsanditiseasy(andunfortunate)tobreakoffanentirestemloadedwithunripepeppersratherthanthatonepepperyouwantedforsupper.Harvestwintersquashwhentherindishardandstoreinacool,darkplaceforlaterenjoyment.

Keepaneyeoutforharlequinbugsandcaterpillars—thetwomainpestsinthefallgarden—especiallyonleavesofcolecropslikebroccoli,kaleandcollards.Inspectyourplantsregularlyanddestroytheblackandwhitebarrel-shapedeggsoftheharlequinbugandthebabycaterpillarsbeforetheyhaveachancetoproliferate.Thoselittlecaterpillarsoftenlookjustliketheveinofaleaf,butdon’tletthemfoolyou.Theymaybegoodatcamouflage–butwehavebiggerbrains!

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

Twocommonfallvegetablegardenpests.Left:Theharlequinbugonkale.Right:Cabbagelooperlarvaeorcaterpillarsdevouringtheircruciferousmeal.


Geophytes in Your Garden, Oh My!

by Bob BeyerBulbous-typeplantsareoneofthemostoverlookedoptionsforthegarden. I confess, this is one area of gardening in which I don’tpracticewhatIpreach.Changesareontheway,though!Howwellwewhohavelivedincolderclimates,rememberthegorgeousdaffodils,tulips, hyacinths, crocus, snowdrops, etc. that were harbingers ofpastsprings—butalsodon’t thinkofusingbulbs(albeitdifferentones)inourcentralTexasgarden.

The truthof it is thatwe canhavebloomingbulbousplants thatcovertheentiregardenseason,fromearlyspringuntillatefall.IlookatbulbousplantsasfinishingtouchestoourornamentalgardensincentralTexas,wherethegardenisnotdependentonthemforcolorortexture,butwhentheybloom,theyaddanexcitingaccenttothe

paletteofflowers.Forthoseopenareasbetweenothergardenplantsortoprovidetemporary color to an area of dormantperennials,bulbousplantsmaybeusedas garden accents. There are choicesrangingfromafewinchestooverthreefeet inheight, sunor shade,andmanyare durable under the extremes of thehot and cold, wet and dry periods weendureincentralTexas.Onceestablished,littletonofurthercareisrequired!

Although I don’t intend to provide aglossary of horticultural terminology,one area of confusion is the meaningof various names for specializedunderground roots containing food-

storagesystemsthatsustainthemthroughdormancyperiods(alsoknownas“geophytes”).Manycommongardenperennials thatwegrow have these structures. Let’s look at the botanically correcttermsfordifferentiatingthesetypesofplants.

Bulbs: A bulb is like a seed inasmuch as a new plant generatesfrom theembryocontainedwithin.Thebulb containsall theplantstructuresandnutrientsforgrowth—justwaitingtoemergewhenconditionsareright.Mostbulbsareroundandcontainathinscaly

covering.Thepointedend shouldalwaysbepositionedupward sostemsemergeproperlyandtheotherenddevelopsgoodroots forthematuringplant.Examplesofbulbsare:amaryllis,crinum,lilies,narcissus,oxalis,Dutchirisandonions

Corms:Theseareflattened,swollen,undergroundstems.Thetopsof which are generally flat. Corms have scale-like coverings thatprotectthedormantplantbutdonotstorefood.Examplesofcormsare:gladiolus,freesiasandcrocosmia.

Rhizomes: These are swollen horizontal underground stemswithroots. They canbemostany shape, slenderor thick, all ofwhichhavebudson thegrowingend.Examplesof rhizomesare:canna,calla,gingerandbeardediris.

Tubers:Tubersarethick,oftenlumpystructuresthatarefatterandshorterthanrhizomesandcontaingrowingbudsontheirsurfaceatnon-specificlocations.Examplesoftubersare:caladium,cyclamen,dahliaandyes,potatoes!

Tuberous Roots:Thick root sectionssometimes heldin clusters fromwhich new plantscan generatefrom a single rootstructure. Examplesof tuberous rootsare: agapanthus,daylily and tuberousbegonias.

Therearemany listsof suggested plantsfor these categoriesfrom many excellentsources so I won’tattempt to recreateanother, but offersome suggestions for

Above:‘EyeYiYi’daylilybloominginZilkerBotanicalGardeninlateMay.Left:NarcissusbloominginZilkerBotanicalGardeninMarch.


Geophytes in Your Garden, Oh My! Continued...easy-to-grow choices for thosebeginning tousebulbousplants aspartoftheiryear-roundgarden.

Early spring blooming (plant in fall): paperwhite narcissus. Thesebulbs have clusters of small, daffodil-shaped blooms on a single,terminalstalk.Mostdaffodils(reallyaspeciesofNarcissus)requirea cold treatment to initiate bloomwhichwe don’t have enough ofincentralTexas,however thepaperwhitenarcissusseemtobloomregularlyandreliablyinourwarmerregionwithoutspecialtreatment.Thesewillbethefirsttoannouncespringiscoming.

Springblooming(plantinfallorveryearlyspring):iris(mostvarieties)and gingers (when warmenough).

Early summer blooming(plant in fall or very earlyspring): daylilies rule! Iris,lilies, canna, crinum andGladiolus byzantium (hardygladiolus).

Summerblooming(plantinearlyspring):caladiumsfor

colorfulfoliage(requirewinterdigging),agapanthus(dwarfandtall),cannas,Crinumspp.,calla,Bletilla (groundorchid),Dietes(Africaniris).Hippeastrum johnsonii (the hardy amaryllis) and otherSouthAfricanhybridvarieties)andHymenocallis(spiderlily).

Earlyfallblooming(plantinspring):Rhodophiala bifida(oxbloodlily),andLycoris radiata(akanakedladies).

Fallblooming(plantinlatesummer):Cyclamenwillbloomintolatefall,howevertheymustbeprotectedfromthesummerheat(dugandstoredoversummer).

Springthroughfallblooming(plantfallthroughspring):Zephyranthesand Habranthus hybrids (rain lilies) and society garlic. The exacttime any bulbous plant will bloom is dependent on climate andenvironmentalconditions.

Bulbs not recommended include tulips, daffodils, snowdrops,hyacinths,crocus,orothersrequiringafreezeperiod.Oh,theycanbechilled,plantedandbloomedasannuals.Buttheytakeupspaceinyourfreezertoduplicatethechillingrequirementandit’salotofwork

forashortperiodofbloominthespring.

Bulbousplantsshouldbedividedeverytwotothreeyearswhentheplantgoesdormant.Thenicethingaboutbulbousplantsisthattheyareeasilysharedwithothersastheymultiply.Wheninvestinginnewbulbous plants, take timeto research their climatetolerance, adaptability, soiltype/water and drainage,light requirements, andbloom period. Also, afterblooming,thefoliageshouldbeleftalone—nottrimmedoff—toallowtheplant toproducefood.Onlytrimofffoliagewhenithasdied.

Some bulbous plants that

arepurelytropical,butaddalotofcolortoyourwarmseasongarden includethecaladium (shade only),dahlias, and Montbretia/Crocosmia, and tropicalgingers.

Thebottomlineisthatyoucanhavepleasantsurprisespop up in your garden atdifferenttimesoftheyearto add to the excitement,butnottakeawayfromtheevergreenandmorepermanentplantingsthat show year-round. Working bulbs and bulbous plants into thegarden palette offers yet anotherway to creatively create a year-roundgardenofinterestandbeauty.

Above:Rhodophialabifida(oxbloodlilyorschoolhouselily)bloominginthesidewalk/roadside“hellstrip”inDallasinearlySeptember.Left:TulipsbloominginZilkerBotanicalGardeninMarch.Bottom:Lycorisradiata(redspiderlilyorhurricanelily)bloominginanOklahomaCitygardeninlateSeptember.


Garden to Garden Plant Exchange

GardentoGardenPlantExchange

attheOctoberMeeting!

Areyoulookingfora‘BlueElf’Aloe,afancyleafbegoniaormaybesomereallycoolsucculents?ThengetreadyfortheplantexchangeaftertheOctobermeeting.Andasyoucleanupyourgardensforthefall,potupthoseextraplantsthatwouldmakeyourgardeningfriendshappy.Inaddition,plantobringthoseextrasseeds,gardenmagazinesandpotsthatyou’dliketosharewithothermastergardeners.Inordertogetabetterselectionofplants,prizeswillbeaward-edforthemostcovetedplantandthebestlabeledplant!Pleasenomuddymessesandplantotakehomeanyofyourplantsoritemsthatdon’tfindahome.Ifyoucanhelpout,eitherbeforethemeetingand/oraftertheexchange,pleaseletme(LizCaskey)know,[email protected]

Composting

Fall is just around the corner, so I keep telling myself!Cricketschirping,the“scentoffall”earlyinthemorning,andleaves-fallingleaves,atfirstjustasprinkling,swirlingdownasbreezesstirthetrees.

Leaves…areanopportunitytoinvestinone’ssoilbank,amineralandnutrientresourceforsoilmicrobes! Perhapsneighborsdon’trealizethevalueofleaves;theybagandplacethematcurbsideontrashday.Rescuethoseleaves!Don’tletthemendupinalandfill;putthemtoworkinyourgardenorcollectthemforourExtensionDemonstrationGardencompostbin!

Leavesareacarbonsource(brownstuff)foryourcompostpile;Leavescanbecompostedbythemselves(leafmold);Leavescanbetrenchcompostedinvegetablegardenpaths;Leavescanbeshreddedorleftwholeandusedasgardenmulch.

Educate your neighbors — help them turn trash into treasure. To learn more attend our “Composting Basics Seminar,” Saturday, October 23, from 10 am - 12 noon, at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road — all gardeners welcome, your neighbors too!

CompostingTipforLeaves:Ifcompostedalone,leavesareslowtobreakdowninaconventionalwirecylinder.Breakthemupbyrunningthemoweroverthemorrunningthemthroughashredder.Spraywithwatertomoistenasyouadd layersandsprinklewitha littleorganic fertilizerand/orfinishedcomposttohastenbreakdown—don’tletthepiledryout.

TommieClayton&RichardMolineTMGCompostSpecialistInterns

Notice

Left:Apumpkinhouse,partofapumpkinvil-lageattheDallasAr-boretumandBotanicalGarden’sFallPumpkinFestival.


Cockroaches

by Wizzie Brown

Cockroachesdevelopbygradualmetamorphosis. The lifestagesincludeegg,nymphandadult. Eggsarecontained inapurse-likestructure.Theeggcase(Fig1.),orootheca,isusuallydroppedbythefemaleorgluedtoasurface.Insomespecies,thefemalescarrytheeggcasewiththemuntilthenymphalcockroachesarereadytohatch.Thenymphs,orbabycockroaches,looksimilartotheadults,butaresmallerandwithoutfullydevelopedwings.

Cockroachesareabletoenterbuildingsthroughinfestedboxes,gro-cerybags,furnitureanddriedpetfood.Theymayalsoenteraroundloose-fittingdoorsandwindowsaswellsasthroughsewerlines,at-tics,andwherepipespenetratethestructure.

Cockroachesarenocturnal,oractiveatnight,andareusuallyonlyvisibleduringtheday if theyaredisturbedor there isasevereinfestation.Cockroachesareomnivores,feedingonnumerousplantandanimalproductssuchasmeats,starchyfoods,bakedgoods,leather,bookbindingsandwallpaperpaste.

Thecommoncockroachesfoundoutside includetheAmericanandSmokybrowncockroaches.Americancockroaches(Fig2.)areabout1½-2incheslong,reddish-brownwithyellowmarkingsabovethehead.Theadultshavewell-developedwings,butseldomfly;theydooftenglide.Americancockroachesareusuallyfoundoutsideneardecayedtreesandplants,incrawlspacesandsewers.Smokybrowncockroaches(Fig3.)areoftenmistakenwithAmericancockroaches.Smokybrownsareabout1inchlonganddarkbrowntoblack.Adultshavefullydevelopedwingsandarecapableofflight. Thisspeciesofteninhabitsleaflitter,compostpilesandgroundcover.

Fig1.(AboveLeft)Smokybrowncockroacheggcase(ootheca)gluedtosubstrate.Fig2.(AboveRight)Americancockroachadult.


Ifyoufindcockroachesinyourcompostpile,inleaflitterorotherout-doorlocations,itisn’treallynecessarytokillthem.Youmaywanttomakesurethatyourhouseisexcludedtoavoidhavingtheoutdoorcockroachesmove indoorswhenthetemperaturescooldown.Thefollowingtipsmayhelp:

• Prunebackanyvegetationtouchingoroverhangingthehome.• Ifyouhaveabrickorstonefaçade,stuffweepholeswithsteel wool*orcoppermesh.• Makesurescreensareingoodrepair.• Replaceweatherstrippingwheredoorwaysdonothaveagood

seal.• Repairanywaterleaks.• Cleandebrisfromgutters.• Placestainlesssteelscreeningoverventaccess intheattic.• Usesealantaroundpipepenetrationsorothercracksor

crevicesintothehome.*Steelwoolwillrustifitgetswetandmaystainlightcoloredfacades.

FellowMasterGardeners:MasterGardenersaresuchawonderful,hardworking,specialgroupofgardeningpeople!September’sSFCRepublicSquareFarmers’Marketwasagreatfirstadventureintoanewareaofgardeningandvolunteering.FromthegreenhousegangandeveryonethatcametothegreenhouseinJulyandAugusttoworkontheplants,tothespeakersgivingmini-talkstothevolunteerssellingplantsinourbooth......many,manythanks!Ittakeseveryoneworkingtogethertomakethesecommunityeventshappensmoothlyandsmoothlyitwent.Everyoneshoweduptoworkwithasmileandwillingnesstogiveoutgardeningexpertisetothepublic.ItwasagreatwaytogetourmessageouttothepublicthatthefallseasonistheperfecttimeinCentralTexastobeoutsideplantingaveggiegarden,trees,perennials,herbsandroses.Ourveggieplantsandseedsflewofftheshelves.Thanksagaintoeveryonethatworkedsohardtomakethisfalleventsuchasuccess!CarolynWilliams,President

Fig3.(Left)Smoky-browncockroachadult.

Cockroaches Continued...

Left:Someofthe40,000pumpkins(andsquash)thatleadthewaythroughthegardensduringthe2010GreatPumpkinFestivalattheDallasArboretumandBotanicalGardens.


TheDate:Saturday,May14,2011

TheTravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,incooperationwiththeTravisCountyAgriLifeExtensionService,willhosttheInsideAustinGardensTour2011onSaturday,May14,2011,from9:00amto4:00pm.Thisyear,thetourwillfocusonwater-wisegardening.

ThetourwillfeaturetheworkofMasterGardenersSherylWilliams,SueNazar,RebeccaMatthewsandJoePosern,eachofwhomusesavarietyofwater-wisetechniquesincreatingtheirdistinctlydifferentspaces.AcollaborativeeffortbetweenMasterGardenerLinkDavidsonandneighborWendyBrennandemonstratesthatcooperationcanhavesomeprettyniceconsequences, includingamoreefficientuseofrainwater.Finally,JeffPavlat,presidentoftheAustinCactus&SucculentSocietyandspeakeratarecentTCMGAmeeting,willopenhisphenomenalsucculentandcactusgardentotourvisitors.

SherylWilliamsmovedtoAustinfromOregoninthelastcoupleofyears.Inthebrieftimeinhernewhome,she’sstrippedherWells-Branch-areayard—bothfrontandback—ofitslawn.Inthefrontspace, she’s planted native sedge grasses. Her back yard she’sconvertedintoafood-producingareawitheverythingfromvegetablestoherbsto fruit trees. About theperipheryof theproperty,she’susedamoundingtechniquetoretainwaterduringrainshowers.Hertwo rain-collection systems—onedrivenbygravity, theotherbypump—providewatertoallofhergardens.

SueNazarhasparticipatedintheInsideAustinGardenstouroncebefore.Sincethe2006tour,she’splantedthe“hellstrip”—theareabetweenstreetandsidewalk—infrontofherownandherneighbors’propertieswithdrought-tolerantplantvarieties.She’salsodevelopedaraingarden.Nowtherainwaterwhichfollowsaslopeawayfromherhomecatchesinaplantedarea.Sue’sfront-yardshadegardensjoinwiththeraingardentocreateatropicalfeelinaclimatewhichisoftenanythingbuttropical.

RebeccaMatthews’space includesafront-yardcollectionofheatanddrought-tolerantnativeandadaptedplantsandaback-yardshadegarden.Herquaint,back-yardgardenfeelsfar-removedfromtheCentralTexasheat,remindingthevisitorofaseriesofcottagerooms,somethingRebeccahascreatedwithavarietyofcast-offobjectsandasenseforartfulplacement.Underground,she’sreplacedtheexistingharddirtwitharich,productivesoil.Waterrequirementsareataminimuminthistree-shaded,wildlife-friendlyoasis.

Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2011

By Link Davidson

Left:SherylWilliams’foodproducingbackgarden.Right:AshadyfrontgardenwillgreetvisitorstoSueNazar’sproperty.


Fromhisfrontyard,noonewouldguessthatJoePosern’shomesitsonnearlyahalfacre.Butgothroughthegateintothebackyardandwhatrevealsitselfisanexpansiveseriesofwater-wisegardens.Fromraingardensbrimmingwithwildflowerstoaproductionareaabundantwithfoodcropsto landscapedareas,Joereliesonwater-conservingtechniquestokeepeverythinglookinggoodanddoingwell.Heplanstotakeanevenbiggerstepthisfall,whenhehopestoinstallarain-collectionsystemmuchlargerthanhisexistingcity-issuedbarrels.PerhapsmostamazingaboutJoe’sgardensisthathe’sdoneitallinthelastseveralyears.

Nottoolongago,neighborsWendyBrennanandLinkDavidsonworkedtogethertocreateanatural-looking,low-maintenancetransitionbetweenthefrontyardsoftheirtwoproperties,andtore-makeWendy’sfrontyardwhichwasanexpanseofstrugglingSt.Augustine.Todayitisaminimalspaceinterruptedbylittleelsethanadry-creekbed,arecycledsidewalk,andashadegardenhasreplacedtheSt.Augustine.

Thetransitionspacebetweenthepropertiesfeaturesaseriesofterracesthatworktocatchandholdrainwater,andadry-creekbedwhichworksintandemwithWendy’sversionbelowittodirectexcessiverainfalltoasideyardraingarden.

Jeff Pavlat and his gardens have appeared onKLRU’s Central Texas Gardener several times.To many, he has become one of the bestinformation sources for everything cactus andsucculent related in the area. Jeff’sWestlakehomefeaturesayardpopulatedalmostentirelyby cacti and succulents, but peppered with anative plant or two. A series ofwalls terracethe severe slope which separates street levelfromfrontyard.Athouselevel,apondgentlydisrupts the space, creating an oasis about

whichmoreofthegardener’sfavoriteplantsthrive.Asifthespaceitselfwerenotenough,Jeff’sgreenhousecontainsacollectionofstillmorecactiandsucculents.It’sayardnottobemissed.

Informationonticketsalesandeducationalseminarsalongwithascheduleisforthcoming.Savethedate,andplantolearnsomething!

Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2011 Continued...

Left:ThewhimsicalgardenofRebeccaMatthewsisfullofwonderfulcastoffobjects.Right:OneofJoePosern’smanywater-conservinggardenbeds.BelowLeft:ThedrycreekbedinWendyBrennan’sgarden.BelowRight:TheamazingcactiandsucculentgardencreatedbyJeffPavlat.


Recent Additions to the Photo Album

By Carolyn Williams and Anne Van Nest

Above:PumpkinsandsquashondisplayattheDallasArboretumduringtheirFallPumpkinFestival.Right:GloriousAmericanbeautyberry,autumnsage,Salvia greggii andfloweringsennaareallflourishingaftertherainsfellonCarolynWilliams’frontgardenduringthelastseveralweeks.


4th Central Texas Master Gardeners Conference

Urban Farming — The Ultimate Backyard Experience

Saturday, October 9th, 2010.8:00 am - 4:15 pm

SchertzCivicCenter

1400SchertzParkway,Building5,Schertz,Texas

Urbanfarming,ediblelandscapes,whateveryoucallit,is“growing”inpopularity;convertsflocktotalksanddemonstrationsgivenbyAgriLifeExtensionandMasterGardeners!Nowit’syourturn,joinusforaneducationalfunfilleddaylearningabouttheconceptofUrbanFarmingfromthemicrobesinthesoiltothefruit,flowersandvegetablesperfectforyourhomegrownediblelandscapes.Ouresteemedspeakersare:Dr.LarryStein,Dr.DianeBoellstorff,Dr.DavidReedandDr.JoeNovak.Inadditiontooureducationaltalks,vendorswillofferbooks,plants,fruittrees,andgoodiesforyourgardeningpleasure.Visitoureducationaldisplaysonhoneybees,backyardpoultry,beneficialnematodes,compostteaandmore!OurobjectiveistoofferMasterGardenerswhousuallydon’tattendtheStateMGConferenceanopportunitytoparticipateinaqualityonedayeventlocatedinCentralTexas.MasterGardenersattendingthisconferencewillbegranted6continuingeducationhours.Theconferenceregistrationisnowclosed.ContactGeorgeAmmermann,conferenceregistraratgsammermann@gvec.netor830-491-1246withanyquestions.

Coming Events


How to Make Compost

Saturday, October 23, 201010:00 am-Noon

TravisCountyEastFacility

6011BlueBluffRd.,AustinTX78724

Turn trash into treasure!! Take whatMother Nature gives you and make thebestsoilamendmentavailable—withoutadditional cost! Learn the basics ofcomposting;thegreatnumberof items inyourtrashthatcanbeused;andthestepsneededtomakeexcellentcompost.

Thisdemonstrationisfree,opentothepublicandrequiresnoreservations.Itispresent-edbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoredetails,seewww.tcmastergardeners.org.

The Best Places to Find Butterflies in the U.S. and

Mexico

Monday, October 25, 2010, 7:00 pm

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,TX78746(512)477-8672

Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg is the president ofNABA(NorthAmericanButterflyAssocia-tion)andtheauthorofmanybooksaboutbutterflies.HewroteboththeEasternandWesternguides,“Butterflies through Binocu-lars”; “Butterflies of Mexico”andistheeditorof“AmericanButterflies”,thequarterlypubli-cationofNABA.Dr.Glassberg’sbookswillbeforsaleatthemeeting.

Presented by the Austin Butterfly Forum.Formoredetailsvisittheirwebsiteatwww.austinbutterflies.org.Admissionof$5willbechargedfornonmembers.

Caring for Your Trees

Saturday, October 30, 20101:00 -3:00 pm

YarboroughPublicLibrary

2200HancockDr.AustinTX78756

JoinAustin’sCityArborist,MichaelEmbesitolearnaboutthebenefitsoftrees,ourur-banforest,andwhytreesareanessentialpartofourlives.LearntoselectappropriatetreesforyourCentralTexaslandscape,thosethatareappropriateforournativesoilsandtoughclimate.Understandhowtoselectandcarefortherighttree,intheproperlocation,consideringsize, longevity,andbiologicalneeds. Finally,hearaboutyouropportuni-tieswithinmultiplecommunityprograms,includinggrantopportunities,whichpromotetheurbanforest.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.It ispresentedbytheTravisCountyMas-terGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.org.

ComingEvents Continued...


Beekeeping 101

Saturday, November 6, 20108:45 am -4:30 pm

AustinCommunityCollegeSouthCampus

1820WStassneyLane,Room1130Austin,Texas

ThisAdvancedEducationalopportunityisforTravisCountyMasterGardenersandMasterGardenersinsurroundingcounties.TCMGAmemberswillreceive8hoursofContinuingEducationUnits(CEU)toward2010MGre-certification.TCMGAmembersmustsign-inforcredit.MGsfromothercountiesarere-sponsibleforobtainingCEUapprovalfortheclassandforreporthours.Cost: $30(lunchnotincluded)Beekeeping101givesyoueasy-to-under-stand,step-by-step instructionsonhowtostartyourfirsthive.PresentersareSanMar-cosAreaBeeWranglersexperts.Classisex-pectedtocover: Bees, flora & the apiary Beebiology Castes Lifecycle&jobs Reproduction, swarming and supersedurecells Apiarist location characteristics Beeflora Apiarist equipment Bee space — the hive and its components Toolsofthetrade Hive management

Checkingahive(theprocess) Findingthequeen,brood Feedingthebees Supervisingthehive Movingthehivetothenectar andpollen Othermanagement Pest, honey and winter Diseases Honeyharvesting Beesinthewinter RSVPdeadlineOct22:$30checkmadeouttoTCMGA,mailedtoRosalieRussell,mustbereceivedbyOct22.Minimumof20studentsorclasswillbecanceledandchecksreturned.Maximumclasssizeis40students.

Parking is free. Therewillbea45minutelunchbreak. Youareencouragedtobringyourownlunchorutilizethecaféinthebuild-ing. Asmallkitchenwithrefrigeratorandmicrowaveadjoinstheclassroom.Thereisalargeareaoftablesandchairsinsideandoutsideofthebuilding.Thereareanumberofrestaurantswithintwoblocksofthecam-pusofferingotherpossibilities.

Ifyouhavequestions,emailorcallRosalieRussell,TCMGAVPofPrograms,[email protected].

Growing Culinary Herbs in

Texas

Saturday, November 13, 2010, 10:00 am - 10:00 noon

AmericanBotanicalCouncil

6200ManorRd.,AustinTX78723

Herbsareadelighttothesensesandaneasywaytoaddbeautytoyourlandscape!ThisclasswillcoverthebasicsofgrowingbothseasonalandperennialculinaryherbsincentralTexas,andwilloffersomesuggestionsfortheiruse.Classsizeislimited,sosignupearlybycallingtheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.org.

ComingEvents Continued ...

BeephotoscourtesyofWizzieBrown


CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsVickiBlachman,Co-VicePresidentforEducationBonnieMartin,Co-VicePresidentforEducationVacant,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsSherrillNilson,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMartyBerdan,TreasurerBeckyWaak,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJoKautz,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentativeVacant,DirectorofPublications

PastPresidents(Non-voting):

BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker

ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):

TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]

TRAVIs COuNTY MAsTER GARDENER AssOCIATION

2010 ExECuTIVE BOARD


ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardenersandWizzieBrown—TexasAgriLifeExtension:

ContributingWriters:

© 2010 Travis County Master Gardeners Association

512-854-9600

Visit the websites: www.tcmastergardeners.org and

http://travis-tx.tamu.edu

EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest

Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton

BobBeyer

LizCaskey

LinkDavidson

PattyLeander

RosalieRussell

AnneVanNest

CarolynWilliams

The End... Time to Get Gardening!

compost in · county master gardener greenhouse. cathy and sam also specialize in custom growing...

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