DECEMBER 2012

Images courtesy Chris Schnier

EDITOR: Vineetha Kartha

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Meg Paterson

COPY EDITORS: Adriane Grimaldi, Karen Sankman

CALENDAR: Karen Sankman

WEBSITE QUESTIONS: Kristen Wagner 602/827-8200 x311

USPS MAIL QUESTIONS: Jesse Davenport 602/827-8200 x308

Deadline is the 18th of the month prior.

Roots & Shoots, published monthly by & for

Maricopa Co. Master Gardeners, is printed under the direction of:

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

MARICOPA COUNTY OFFICE

4341 E. BROADWAY RD. / PHOENIX, AZ 85040-8807

PHONE 602.827.8200 FAX 602.827.8292

HOURS: 8:00AM-5:00PM WEEKDAYS

http://extension.arizona.edu/mg

STAFF:

Kelly Young, Assistant Agent, ANR/Urban Horticulture 602-827-8200 x319, kyoung@cals.arizona.edu

Kristen Wagner, Program Coordinator, Sr.

602-827-8200 x311 / krwagner@cals.arizona.edu Jesse Davenport, Admin. Ass’t

602/827-8200 x308 / jmdavenp@cals.arizona.edu

Roots & Shoots In this edition: Traveling Gardener Aquaponics Favorite Aloes Mugwort And many more!! Cover by Kirsten Carter

Maricopa County Master Gardeners MG CONTACT LIST: For a complete listing, see the organizational chart under MG Business on the MG Central website

NE Valley Satellite: Debbie Lyding -----------------------602-789-7377/dlyding@q.com Demonstration Gardens: Pam Perry---------------------------------602-279-6250/pamlperry@cox.net NW Valley Satellite: Marianna Hancin ---------------------623-566-1737/borderterriers@cox.net Kris Coates ----------------------------623-915-3337 Debra Martinez -----------------------623-772-5330/drmartinez57@hotmail.com Speakers Bureau: Sharon Dewey ------------------------602-827-8200 x 837/sdewey@cals.arizona.edu OFFICES: Main Office: 602.827.8200 NORTHEAST VALLEY: 480-312-5810 NORTHWEST VALLEY: 623-546-1672 University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Via Linda Senior Center PORA Office 4341 E Broadway Rd 10440 E Via Linda 13815 Camino del Sol Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85040 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-6099 Sun City West, AZ 85375 Weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. 9 -12:30 p.m.; Thurs. 9 -4 p.m Weekdays 9:00a.m.-Noon The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities. Persons with a disability may request a reason-able accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting Kristen Wagner, Program Coordinator, at krwagner@cals.arizona.edu 602-470-8086x311. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Ex-tension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Direc-tor, Economic Development & Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

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Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter

Traveling Gardener, Wandering, Wondering, Noticing by Linda Larson

Bright & Shiny

This time of year Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments are showing up all around the town. If you decorate a tree with traditional glass ornaments in red, gold, or silver you will see the beauty surrounding you reflected in their shiny surfaces. Stories of glass ball ornaments trace back to the 1800’s in Germany, though the origin of glass balls has been documented back to the 1300’s. Venetian glass blowers began creating colorful spheres to reflect the light and the view of gardens. The fragile and colorful gaz-ing balls were a sign of wealth and status used to accesso-rize the gardens of kings. King Ludwig II, King of Bavaria during the 1800’s, adorned his palace, Herrenchiemsee, his replica of Versailles, with these gazing balls. Could there be a connection? Bright and shiny gazing balls came to my attention one Christmas morning when my mother received one as a gift from my grandfather. It was as if a glass ball fell from the Christmas tree right into our garden. Complete with a ped-estal stand, the fragile, pretty thing was a bit of shiny magic. It was kept safely stored away until early spring when it was given a place of honor in the front lawn for all to see. (Perhaps here too it was to be viewed as a sign of wealth and status!) Surrounded by tulips and centered be-tween two large maple trees the silvery glass reflected the flowers, the spring green leaves and a blue sky with puffy clouds. When you came close and peered into the scene you saw yourself surrounded by all the beauty of the gar-den. Though once a province of kings, gazing balls have served a number of functions through the years. Carefully positioned on the front stoop of a Victorian home a chaperon could dis-cretely observe a young woman and her suitor. Prim and proper standards of courtship behavior could be stretched by the young couple as they exchanged longing looks by gazing in the mirrored surface rather than directly at each other. Some viewed the gazing balls as a protective force. Evil spir-its or witches could not make it to your front door because they could not resist admiring their reflection and would not move beyond it. Gazing balls pop up often in public gardens. In the Foster Botanical Garden located in Oahu, Hawaii, a 4’’ diameter silver ball allows you to view a reflected image of the mas-

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Traveling Gardener continued...

sive trees that surround you. In Chicago’s Millennium Park there is a reflecting piece of art, officially called the Cloud Gate yet also popularly known as “the bean.” Positioned to reflect the skyline of the city, many visitors dance, wave, play and photograph themselves in the stainless steel surface. Suddenly seeing yourself surrounded by beauty just seems to encourage us to be happy. On a sunny May day in Paris, in Parc de La Villette, I encoun-tered the largest gazing ball I have ever seen. It is 118’ feet in diameter. Surrounded by blooming jacaranda trees and a blue sky with puffy white clouds, it reflected beauty all around. Technically, it is built as a geodesic dome and does double duty as beautiful centerpiece and IMAX theatre. Parc de La Villette is one of the largest parks in Paris.

Over the years, gazing balls have rolled in and out of fashion. I have one under my olive trees, surrounded by red salvia, evening primrose and agave. Today they are available in many colors and made in stainless steel making them less vulnerable to shattering from a sudden hailstorm or other misfortune. If you want to keep a bit of the holiday magic in your garden all year long perhaps you will want to find a special spot for a gazing ball.

Images by Rich Larson

Insects in Winter By Sue Hakala

How do insects survive cold snaps, freezing temperatures, snow and ice? There are about 900,000 known insects, including 350,000 beetles, so there are many different strategies and timing for surviving adverse conditions. Insects survive cold by entering an inactive state called diapause which is triggered by the short-ening days of summer and fall. Think of it as a reduction of metabolic activity, or, a pause in their life. Each insect has its particular place to have this pause. Some snuggle in under bark, a leaf, a rock, a board, or settle in an agave stalk, a hive or your home. Others prefer to dig deep in the ground or to be in cocoons or a chrysalis. Others, like monarchs, painted ladies and some moths, prefer to migrate to a warmer place. Some native bees are nestled in my bee house. Depending on the insect, they can be in diapause in egg, nymph, larva, pupa or adult stages. They create a type of antifreeze in their body to protect them while feeding off stored fat at a metabolic rate about one-tenth of normal. After a sufficient period of cold weather, known only to them, they will awaken when temperatures are just right in the spring/summer. So yes, your particular nemesis will still be there next spring. Insects contribute much to keep the earth functioning properly. They serve as pollinators, as decomposers of dead animals, plants and manure, as food for others, and many other roles. Although it is nice to have a break from most of them during our cooler months, they will be back.

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Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter

Favorite Aloes by Tom Gatz

Reprinted from the Desert Botanical Garden volunteer newsletter “The Gatherings” If you’re like I am, it’s a bit overwhelming to visit the succulent tent at the DBG plant sales and trying to de-cide which of the many species of aloe offered for sale do best in our area or have the best blooms. When they are not in flower, several of them look alike and some require special care under our conditions. Well, the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society (CACSS) have come to our rescue. Under the leader-ship of Gard Roper and with the able assistance of Diana Crummey, through a series of workshops, they have put together a list of some of the members’ favorite aloe species. Here are the top 20 aloe species from that list, starting with the most popular, some brief tips about their growth form, care, flowering season in Ari-zona, and flower color, as well as a list of journals, books and web resources with more detailed information. In general, while many aloes appreciate winter sun, most do better with filtered or only morning sun in the summer. Aloe beds planted under the leaf canopy on the south side of a desert tree are ideal for this very reason. Let them dry out between watering.

-A. dichotoma - Tree aloe, needs good drainage, minimal summer water, tolerates mild frost, blooms in May, canary yellow flowers -A. marlothii - Tree aloe, one stem, hardy, can stand severe frosts, yellow/orange -A. ramosissima - Tree aloe, limit summer water; double frost cloth - A. dorotheae - Stemless clumps, leaves redden in winter sun; morning sun, summer, red/yellow; protect from frost -A. ferox - Tree aloe, single stemmed aloe, winter & May -A. dhufarensis (Dwarf) - Stemless, small clumps, likes sun, needs good drainage, winter, coral red -A. excelsa - Tree aloe, single stem grows well & flowers well in cultivation, red/orange - A. karasbergensis – Stemless, small clumps, prone to summer rot so limit summer water, spring, dull red -A. petricola – Stemless, small clumps, bi-color -A. striata - Stemless small clumps, good bloomer, red

Aloe ‘Hercules’ may eventually grow to over 30 feet tall so give it plenty of head room. Aloe dorotheae turns orange or red in the winter sun, but be sure to protect it from a hard frost. Photo taken in old DBG succulent house by D.S. Franges

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-A. vanbalenii – Stemless rosette, leaves redden in winter sun, summer grower, yellow orange -A. vera barbadensis - Stemless, good bloomer, Jan, bright yellow -A. gariepensis – Stemless, small clumps, winter, yellow/greenish -A. hereroensis - Stemless, small clumps, red/orange/yellow -A. longistyla -Clusters, great blooms -A. reitzii - Stemless small clumps, summer bloomer, dark red -A. vaombe – blooms in winter -A. aculeata – Stemless, very prickly leaf surface, winter -A. africana – Tree, one stem aloe -A. cryptopoda -(A. wickensii) stemless small clumps, winter Hybrids were not included in this list but some of my personal favorites come from mixed marriages such as Aloe ‘Hercules’ (A cross between A. barberae x A. dicotoma but hardier than either of its parents) and Aloe ‘Rudikoppe’, an Aloe sinkatana hybrid with nice flowers off and on throughout the year. Here are some help-ful web sites, journals and books to learn more about aloes. INFORMATION SOURCES ON THE WEB www.aloestudies.org www.xericworld.com www.mesagarden.com (for seeds) www.davesgarden.com www.lttreasures.blogspot.com JOURNALS Cactus Succulent Society of America Journal Succulent Society of South Africa journal ALOE. Very informative on all succulents BOOKS Guide to the Aloes of South Africa. Ben-Erik van Wyk & Gideon Smith Aloes: The definitive Guide. S. Carter, J.J. Lavranos, L. E Newton, C.C. Walker Aloes in Southern Africa. Gideon Smith and Braam van Wyk Kerstenbosch Gardening Series: Grow Succulents. Ian B. Oliver The Aloe Names Book. O.M. Grace, R.R Klopper . E. Figueiredo & G.F. Smith DBG has all of these books as well as both journals. The DBG library is open to the public 12:00 - 4:00 PM M-F. See the DBG aloe advice at http://www.dbg.org/gardening-horticulture/ CACSS of Phoenix has the Aloe journal. The Club library is open at each meeting to members, held the last Sunday of each month at 2pm, usually in Dorrance Hall. Check their website www.centralarizonacactus.org/. Thanks to Nancy Mumpton and Diana Crummy for helping me with this article.

Favorite Aloes continued...

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Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter

Aquaponics by Gail Cochrane

The fledgling science of aquaponics is gaining a foothold in the Valley of the Sun. Some various examples: In Mesa, a run down swimming pool has been given new life. It is now a closed loop food production system. The November Tour de Coops, sponsored by Valley Permaculture, featured several suc-cessful aquaponic systems in addition to many great set ups for chickens. Aquaponics combines the raising of fish or aquaculture with hydroponics. Tilapia is the local fish of choice, which is easy to raise in our climate. The waste products from the fish provide nutrients for the hydroponically grown food crops. Biofilters convert ammonia in the waste into nitrates that are then avail-able to the plants. Bacteria called nitrosomonas and nitro-bacters accomplish this aerobic conversion. The Garden pool in Mesa includes chickens in their system and can put fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and herbs on the family dinner table 365 days a year. Owner Dennis McClung built a frame over his empty pool and used PCV pipe to create a greenhouse that encloses the pool with room on the edges for five gallon pots containing fruit trees. Vegetables and herbs grow hydroponically in gutters draped along the inside edges of the pool. UV plastic covers the green house, with shade cloth added in summer. The chicken coop is built over the fish pond at the deep end of the pool, so the chicken waste adds to that of the fish. A solar powered pump pulls water from the pool and cycles it through the hydroponic growing medium. The plant roots take up the water and break down the nutrients, biologically degrading the pollutants, preventing water borne diseases and improving wa-ter quality. Duckweed grows rapaciously on the surface of the pond, cut-ting down on evaporation, shading and sheltering the fish and providing them with a high protein, high fiber food source as well as helping to purify the water. A composting unit on the pool deck is boosted by black soldier flies. These hard working insects break down manures and speed the composting proc-ess while the fly larvae provide food for the chickens. The aquaponic growers I spoke with raved about how well their systems work and the ease and relatively low cost of set-ting them up. Two social networking sites are active here in the Valley to support those wanting to learn more.

Sources: www. Gardenpool.org Phoenixpermaculture.org/group/aquaponics En.wikipedia.org/wiki/aquaponics Cals.arizona.edu/azaqua Tour de Coops Images from Wikipedia, and www.ecotrope.opb.org.

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Finding the Zen in your Garden by Sheryl Stradling

“To Zen, time and eternity are one.” – D.T. Suzuki It is hard to slow down during the holidays. Who has time for gar-dens, anyway? We have plans to make, travel to take, gifts to buy, wrap and send. Holiday décor to create and menus to plan. And, of course, parties to attend. Although it’s not exactly dreary for out-side work, the last thing on our minds is often our gardens – our sanctuaries. If you’re like me, you go outside for a break for a chance to sit in your favorite chair with the bird’s eye view, and 10 minutes later, you’re up and pulling out that weed, or moving a pot to a sunnier spot, or pruning a branch. Can’t sit still? Sometimes that simple act is a challenge. And it is even more challenging to enjoy the garden during the holidays. But let’s take the challenge. Step back, go into our “zone” and take a few quiet moments. What is Zen anyway? This word is overused and has diverse meanings. Zen was originally a school of Bud-dhism, called Chan, that originated in China in the 6th Century. The word “Zen” is the Japanese pronunciation of the ancient Chinese word dzyen (or in modern Mandarin, Chan) originally derived from the Sanskrit word “dhyānam”, roughly translated as “absorption” or “meditation.” Traditionally, Zen has emphasized the importance of enlightenment or “awakening” to truth through direct experience, meditation and self-awareness. It de-emphasized knowledge, faith, intellectual study or devotion as ways to attain wisdom or enlightenment. But in our pop culture, Zen has come to have many meanings, usually as-sociated with intuition, self-mastery, meditation, and wisdom. We read about the Zen of golf, the Zen of creativity, the Zen of motor-cycle maintenance. What’s this about and why should we look for it in our gardens? Ultimately, Zen is a way of seeing the world and a way of being. It connotes a contemplative state but also a state of simplicity and purity where beauty and peace exist. In a Zen state of mind, we have the ability to focus on the present and “be here now.” We can enjoy the present moment with both the sweetness and sadness of knowing this is the only moment of its kind. This intimacy with the present is what we’re looking for in our lives. And we can find it in our gardens - a place of peace where we can enjoy our gardens in this state of mind. What we experience and enjoy can be simple. It can be one potted plant with a unique growth habit, a grouping of stones or branches, or the sound of a Gila woodpecker’s rolling “churrrr” as it lands in a euca-lyptus tree. As we focus on these moments with an empty mind, we let go. We are in the experience with-out expectations, plans, goals or ego.This is freeing! Taking a deep breath helps us relax and take in the beauty and peace of a garden scene or a single flower. And in doing so, we become unified with the sub-ject we are sensing. In that moment, time and eternity are one. We have created calm, peace, and a mo-ment of awakening. As Deepak Chopra says, we have experienced the “gap” between our thoughts. So take a Zen moment, enjoy your garden during this busy season. Sense, contemplate, listen and look – it is all there, waiting for you. Enjoy the peace! Images by Sheryl Stradling

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Maricopa County’s Master Gardener Newsletter

Mugwort by Lisa Dubas

In front of Archer House at the Center for Desert Living area of

the Desert Botanical Garden is a plant called Mugwort, or Ar-

temisia ‘Powis Castle.’ The “Ask a Gardener” volunteers are

asked about this plant more than any other plant in the Center

for Desert Living area. The Powis Castle is a hybrid of Ar-

temisia arborescens and Artemisia absinthium. According to

Perennials for the Southwest by Mary Irish, the Powis Castle

prefers filtered sun or morning sun in the Phoenix area. The

mature size of the plant can be between 3 and 4 ft tall and

spread up to 5 ft wide. The leaves of the Mugwort give it a

fluffy appearance due to the fine hairs that coat the 3 inch long

leaves. Flowers are sparse and erratic from November to

March, if the Mugwort blooms at all. In the Phoenix area the

Mugwort can take weekly watering, but must have excellent

drainage. In cooler areas or in areas of poor drainage the

plant may rot or fall over with too much water. The Mugwort

does not tolerate shearing or pruning to the ground and can

become leggy. Occasional pruning should be done in the early

fall or early spring. The Mugwort is hardy to at least 0 ◦F.

Images by Lisa Dubas

Design Charette

There will be no design charette scheduled for December due to busy holiday schedules. Our next Charette will be on January 12th from 9:00AM until noon in Chandler at the home of Rene Cedio. Look for details in our next article in the January issue of Roots & Shoots.

Your Design Charette team Beth Kirkpatrick, Sue Lanker and Matt

Murman

MG Update

December: No Update this month as usual (no update in July and December Next Update is January 9th, Wednesday morn-ing, 9:00 AM at the Extension Office, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Our speaker will be Judy Mielke, author of the book , Native Plants for Southwestern land-scapes.

Deb Sparrow, MG Update Planner

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Garden News by Joanne Toms

What’s Happening at the Glendale Xeriscape Garden? Surrounding the Glendale Main Library, the award-winning 4-acre Glen-dale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden will inspire you to transform your yard into a colorful, attractive, and water-smart landscape.Stay con-nected to the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden by following us on social media or taking a tour in-person! Like Our Glendale Garden Facebook Page at www.Facebook.com/GlendaleAzGarden Get the latest info on classes, landscape tips, and events at the garden.

Learn about Trees Check out the new Tree Trail at the Glendale Xeriscape Garden. The 10,000 sq. ft. trail features 50 small- to medium-sized trees best suited for most residential landscapes, where sites are typically more compact. Five interpretive signs along the Trail showcase best practices such as: tree selection, tree planting,tree prun-ing, tree watering, and rainwater harvesting. Get a preview of the Tree Trail at the City’s new tree resource page - www.glendaleaz.com/trees.

(The Glendale Tree Trail project was funded by a Council-approved grant from the Bureau of Reclamation) Glendale Tree Trail Receives Award The City of Glendale Conservation and Sustainable Living Program re-ceived an award from the Arizona Community Tree Council in September 2012 for the Glendale Tree Trail. This award was recognized in ACTC’s volunteer category. Volunteers are vital to this program, expanding the division’s staffing capacity and acting as garden ambassadors by provid-ing garden tours, helping with ongoing garden maintenance, and offer-ing support at special events. Become a Friend of the Garden (FOG) Volunteer Learn how to maintain your landscape by getting real-life plant care ex-perience at the Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. Volunteer workdays are scheduled on one Saturday per month (October to May). Individuals and groups are welcome to volunteer. Contact Joanne Toms at (623) 930-3535 for more information on how to become a FOG volun-teer.

Master Gardener volunteers offer

tree care advice at the Tree Trail

Grand Opening/ Arbor Day Cele-

bration.

FOG Volunteers contribute over

750 hours of service to the Xeris-

cape Garden every year

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

December 2012 Events Calendar Submit events to Karen Sankman

Sat 1 Arizona Herb Association Weed and Feed

8:30 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Everyone is welcome! Fun, hands-on experience. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc

Sat 1 The Art of Hand Ground Mole

9-11 am, Desert Botanical Garden, $60 mem/$75 non-mem. Info/Register

Sat 1 Fruit Trees in the Valley

9 am-11:30 am, Summerwinds Nursery, 1515 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix. $15. Sponsored by Valley Permaculture Alliance. Info/Register

Sat 1 Gourd Art Class 9 am-1 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. $30 mem/$39 non-mem. Info/Register and pre-pay

Sat 1 Master Gardener Q&A Session

10 am-2 pm, Northwest Regional Library located in the Surprise Recreation Complex, 16089 N. Bullard Ave, Surprise, AZ. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. Lynn Rivers (623) 412-1882.

Sat 1, 2 Poinsettia Festival 10 am-5 pm, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix.

Sat 1 Natural Wreath Making 12:30-2 pm, Root Phoenix, 7120 N. 12th St., Phoenix. $15 plus $10 materials fee, Info/Register

Sat 1 The Art of Hand Ground Mole

1-3 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $60 mem/$75 non-mem. Info/Register

Sat 1 Scottsdale Bonsai Society Meeting

9:30 am, Berridge Nursery, 4647 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix. Pat Mitchell (480) 575-5649. Scottsdale Bonsai

Sun 2 Plants of the Bible Guided Tour

1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about botany, history, and scripture on this slow-paced walk. Info

Mon 3 Desert Pointe Garden Club Meeting

9 am-noon, Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Dr., Phoenix. Judy Tolbert (480) 961-1768, Desert Pointe Garden Club

Mon 3 Ask a Master Gardener

10 am-noon, Sun City Library, Bell Branch, 16828 N. 99th Ave, Sun City. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. Cherie Czaplicki or Antje Schneider

Mon 3 Scottsdale Garden Club Meeting

11:30 am-3pm, McCormick Ranch Gold Club, 7505 E. McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale. RSVP for luncheon to Judy (480) 964-4789. Scottsdale Garden Club

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Mon 3 Valley of the Sun Gardeners Meeting

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

Mon 3 Orchid Society of AZ Meeting

7-9 pm, Arizona State Veteran Home, 4141 Herrera Way, Phoenix. Julie Rathbun (602) 843-0223. Orchid Society of Arizona

Tue 4 NE Valley Satellite Diagnostic Clinic

10 am-noon, Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Debbie Lyding. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice.

Tue 4 Tuesday in the Garden

3 pm-dusk, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring water, gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the demo garden. Pam Perry (602) 279-6250

Tue 4 Down to Earth Toastmasters

6-7:30 pm, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Olivette Aviso (480) 235-5989. Down to Earth Toastmasters

Tue 4 Sun Country Iris Meeting

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

Tue 4 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Elsie Andrade (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society

Wed 5 Holiday Floral Arrangements

6:30-8:30 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $60 mem/$75 non-mem. Info/Register

Thu 6 NW Satellite Office Diagnostic Clinic

10 am-noon, 13815 Camino del Sol, Sun City West. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. Kris Coates (623) 214-2385.

Thu 6 Terrariums 10 am-noon, Southwest Gardener, 2809 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. $58, Info/Register

Thu 6 Arizona Herb Association Meeting

7-9 pm, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Carolyn Hills, AZ Herb Assoc.

Thu 6 East Valley Garden Club Meeting

7-9 pm, Mesa Community College at 1833 W. Southern, Kiva Room in the basement of the Clock Tower Building. Judy Smith (480) 539-0381, East Valley Garden Club.

Thu 6 Rose Society of Glendale Meeting

7 pm, Glendale Women’s Club, 7032 N. 56th Ave., Glendale. Rose Society of Glendale, Gerry Mahoney (602) 616-3137

Thu 6 Practical Guide to Rainwater and Graywater Use

7-8:30 pm, Scottsdale granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale. Free to the public. Info

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Fri 7 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

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

Fri 7

Desert Designers Meeting

10 am-noon, Pyle Adult Center, 655 E. Southern, Tempe. Marcie Brooks (623) 322-2606.

Fri 7,8,9 Poinsettia Festival 10 am-5 pm, Gardener's World, 3401 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix.

Sat 8 Heritage Rose Garden Volunteer Day

8-10 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Steve Young (602) 237-9043.

Sat 8 Phoenix Pond Society Meeting

9 am, Member home. Contact for address: Dave Nelson (480) 357-7205. Phoenix Pond Society

Sat 8 Seed Saving 9-10:30 am, Valley Permaculture Alliance Office, 1122 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Free. Info

Sat 8 Sunrise Garden Club Meeting

9:30 am, Member home in Tempe. Contact for address: Julie at (480) 838-2414.

Sat 8 Winterizing your Landscape

10-11 am, Surprise Public Safety Building Auditorium, 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Surprise. Free for Surprise residents, or $5 at the door for non-residents. Info/Register

Sat 8 Scottsdale Community Garden Club Meeting

10 am, Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale, Room 527 in the Fitness and Wellness complex on the NW corner of the campus. Scottsdale Community Garden Club, Carol Stuttard

Sat 8 Extending Your Harvest: Fermentation

10-11:30 am, Sea of Green Hydroponics, 1301 E. University Dr., Suite 101, Tempe. $15. Sponsored by Valley Permaculture Allliance. Info/Register

Sat 8 Master Gardener Q&A Session

10 am-noon, Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. E-mail or (623) 333-2602

Sat 8 Seed Swap 10:30 am-noon, Valley Permaculture Alliance Office, 1122 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Free Info

Sat 8 Raised vs. Lowered Beds

10:30 am-noon, Root Phoenix, 7120 N. 12th St., Phoenix. $17, Info/Register

Sat 8 Ask a Master Gardener

10:30 am-1:30 pm, White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. Angie Tatum (623) 882-7976

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Sat 8 Edible/Medicinal Desert Plant Guided Walk

1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about native desert plants have fed, clothed, and healed indigenous peoples for a millennia. Info

Tue 11 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

10 am, for location contact: Ann Stoetzer (623) 872-9020.

Tue 11 Tuesday in the Garden

3 pm-dusk, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring water, gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the demo garden. Pam Perry (602) 279-6250

Tue 11 Arizona Native Plant Society Meeting

7-9 pm, Webster Auditorium at Desert Botanical Garden. Arizona Native Plant Society, Mike Plagens (602) 459-5224.

Tue 11 West Valley Rose Society Meeting

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

Tue 11 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Elsie Andrade (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society

Wed 12 New River Gourd Patch Meeting

8:30 am-1 pm, Pioneer RV Park, 36408 N. Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix. Karen Friend

Wed 12 Saguaro Garden Club Meeting

9:30 am, Pyle Adult Center, 655 E. Southern, Tempe. Mary Trick at (480) 829-7972.

Wed 12 Scottsdale Rose Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Eldorado Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale. Michael Levitt (480) 206-3806

Thu 13

Master Gardener Update

No December Update

Thu 13 Weeders Garden Club 9:30 am-noon, Cottonwood Community Center, 25630 Brentwood Dr., Sun Lakes, AZ. Weeders Club, Pat Bunkley (480) 883-1556.

Thu 13 Tolleson Gourd Patch Meeting

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

Thu 13 Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch Meeting

4:30-6:30 pm, Sewing Room at the Sun Lakes Oakwood Arts & Crafts Center, 24201 S. Oakwood Blvd, Sun Lakes, AZ. Sally Kiste (480) 895-7638, Spirit of the Desert

Thu 13 Mesa East Valley Rose Society Meeting

7-10 pm, Mesa Community College Library, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. (480) 807-3475. Mesa East Valley Rose Society

Thu 13

AZ Rare Fruit Growers Meeting

7:30 pm, Palo Verde Room at Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. AZ Rare Fruit, Monte Palmer (480) 688-2087

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Fri 14 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

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

Fri 14 Washington Garden Club Meeting

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

Sat 15

Mesa East Valley Rose Society Deadheaders

7 am deadheading, 8:30 am Society meeting, Mesa Community College Rose Garden, 1833 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. Bring gloves and pruners/shears. Training provided. Mike Cryer , Deadheaders

Sat 15 Volunteer Workday 8-11 am, Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale. Volunteer, Joanne Toms (623) 930-3535

Sat 15 Ask a Master Gardener

9:30 am-12:30 pm, Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Ave., Peoria. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. David Haase (623) 889-5585.

Sat 15 Desert Sun African Violet Society Meeting

10 am, Yucca Branch of Phoenix Public Library, 5648 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. Ann Stoetzer (623) 872-9020.

Sat 15 Terrariums 10 am-noon, Southwest Gardener, 2809 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. $58, Info/Register

Sat 15 Keeping Vegetables: Aqueous Revitalization Technique

10:30 am-noon, Desert Marigold School, 6210 S. 28th St., Phoenix. $15. Sponsored by Valley Permaculture Alliance, Info/Register

Sat 15 Master Gardener Q&A Session

10:30-1:30 pm, Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Bring plant or insect specimens for ID and advice. George Salamunec

Sat 15 Plants of the Bible Guided Tour

1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about botany, history, and scripture on this slow-paced walk. Info

Sat 15 Bonsai of Scottsdale Meeting

12-3 pm, Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale. Pat Mitchell (480) 575-5649. Scottsdale Bonsai

Sun 16 Tree Tour 1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Info

Sun 16 Phoenix Chrysanthemum Society Meeting

2-4:30 pm, member home. Contact for address: George Chi (480) 248-7685. Phoenix Chrysanthemum

Tue 18 Tuesday in the Garden

3 pm-dusk, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Bring water, gloves and tools that you like to help with maintenance in the demo garden. Pam Perry (602) 279-6250

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Tue 18 Down to Earth Toastmasters

6-7:30 pm, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Olivette Aviso (480) 235-5989. Down to Earth Toastmasters

Tue 18 Phoenix Bonsai Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Elsie Andrade (602) 995-3870. Phoenix Bonsai Society

Tue 18 Phoenix Rose Society Meeting

7:30 pm, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix. Phoenix Rose Society, Jeannie Cochell (602) 363-6444

Wed 19 Southwest Gourd Society Meeting

7-9 pm, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Lana Hinde (602) 843-9015, SW Gourd

Thu 20 NW Valley Gourd Patch Meeting

3:30-5:30 pm, Nadaburg School, 21419 W. Dove Valley Rd in Wittmann, AZ. Judy Moody (623) 544-6866, NW Valley Gourd Patch

Thu 20 Desert Valley Orchid Society Meeting

6:30 pm, Scottsdale Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale. Steve Grass (602) 508-1808, Desert Valley Orchid Society

Fri 21 Main Office Diagnostic Clinic

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

Fri 21

Tempe Garden Club Meeting

9:30-11:30 am, Pyle Adult Center, 655 E. Southern Ave, Tempe. Josephine Vincze (480) 917-4679, Tempe Garden Club

Sat 22 Heritage Rose Garden Volunteer Day

8-10 am, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. Steve Young (602) 237-9043.

Sun 23 Edible/Medicinal Desert Plant Guided Walk

1:30 pm, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior, AZ. Learn about native desert plants have fed, clothed, and healed indigenous peoples for a millennia. Info

Upcoming Events

Jan 4 Wallace Garden Tour 9:30 am-noon, Wallace Gardens at 30600 N Pima Rd., Scottsdale. $40mem/$50 non-mem. Info/Register

Jan 6 Introduction to Sustainable Edible Landscapes

2-4 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $30 mem/$38 non-mem. Info/Register

Items in green denote an event sponsored by the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service,

and/or an opportunity for volunteer hours. Underlined words are links to websites or e-mail addresses.

Jan 7 Rose Gardening in the Desert

6:30-8:30 pm, Desert Botanical Garden, $30 mem/$38 non-mem. Info/Register

Jan 9 Master Gardener Update

9 am-noon, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix. Speaker: Judy Mielke, author of Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. Deb Sparrow

Jan-May 2013

Master Gardener Training Class

9:30 am-12:30 pm every Tuesday, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix. $275. Info/Register

Jul-Nov 2013

Master Gardener Training Class

9:30 am-12:30 pm every Tuesday, City of Avondale Municipal Services Operation Center, 399 E. Lower Buckeye Rd., Ste. 100, Avondale. $275. Info/Register