Dedication of Demonstration Garden and Arboretum Opening

In conjunction with the the Texas Forestry Service, Master Gardeners assisted with the inauguration of the demonstration garden and celebrated the dedication of the Ruth Bolling Nichols Arboretum. Members were on hand to point out and discuss the historic trees in the arboretum and to answer questions about the garden.

Local dignitaries including Mrs. Nichols son Senator Robert Nichols participated in the ceremony.

A beautiful day contributed to the excellent attendance by community members.

Plants are Perkin' at Demonstration Garden

Using a temporary water hook-up, Helen waters the newly planted broccoli and perrenial beds.

Donated "dynamite"crape myrtles line the fences and beautify the site.

.A September 12 workday will include jobs of preparing the rest of beds for planting including two rose beds inside the gate.

Bed Work Nears Completion

During last work days in August, members put finishing touches on beds and add first plantings.

Smiles on happy faces reflect a job well done.

Work on Demonstration Garden Progresses

Master gardeners continue the work of making and setting the raised beds, painting the storage cabin, setting the ceremonial gate in preparation for dedication of the site in October

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July Master Gardener Activities at Nichols Arboretum

CCMGA members complete fencing and ceremonial gate at site of future idea and demonstration garden.














Master gardener members accept delivery and celebrate arrival of toolshed from Hoods Portable Buildings.

Yard long beans

Hello all! Kathie and I have a pretty good supply of dried yard-long beans if anyone is interested. Call us at 903 743-5494 if you want us to save some for you. Wayne

July Meeting Features Recognitions and Instruction

Keith Billings surprises Agri-Life extension agent Joe Daniel with CCMG honarary membership, and new members receive official name tags and certificates at July meeting.

Following the business meeting Keith discussed and demonstrated aspects of drip irrigation installation and urged us to consider incorporating this option in our landscapes.

Interns Complete Class

On June 30th Kathleen Ewing, Raman Sinivasan and LaRae Walley completed the 2008/2009 Cherokee Master Gardener Training.
All have several hours of their volunteer service already finished.

Davis Cherokee Hills Daylily Farm Featured

http://www.etfarmnews.com/local/local_story_168134625.html

Cherokee Master Gardeners are featured in this weeks addition of East Texas Farm News.

Until you get a chance to pick up a copy, you may wish to visit the above site.

Joe

Tomato Fest Success

The Tomato Fest was great fun and the Master Gardeners assisted Joe Daniel with running the home grown tomatoes contests. There were approximately 30 plates of tomatoes turned in, and lots of ballots cast in the "People's Choice" category.

The first place ribbon in the Heirloom Tomato category was won by a master gardener this year. Made easier was the fact that there was only one entry in that category!! Next year we hope to have a bigger showing across all the categories, especially from fellow master gardeners.

A good time was had by all. Thanks to Joe for putting this together and over-seeing the event.

June CCMGA Meeting

Thanks to Claude for teaching us about Yellow Knock Out and Dave for introducing us to Terra Preta.

Although the structure in the photo looks very much like a green rose, roses do not grow on willows. And while Suzan never found the insect, we believe this to be a gall caused by Rhabdophaga rosaria, the European rosette willow gall midge. Galls are abnormal growths found on plants that can be caused by parasites such as insects, mites, fungi or bacteria. Insects, particularly wasps and midges, are the most common cause of galls on plants. Plants form the galls in response to ovipositing or feeding by the insect, or from infection by another agent. The gall is an attempt to surround and isolate the invader. In the case of insects, the gall actually forms a protective chamber, where the larvae can develop safely away from predators.
This information and photo came from the Botany Photo of the Day web page.

Great Times

Saturday's garden tour was our best ever.
Tuesday's tour of the Gardens of Stephen F. Austin State University with Dr. David Creech was also one of the best ever. What a time to be a Cherokee Master Gardener.

M.G. Work Day at TFS

Much was accomplished on Monday as about 20 master gardeners took on the newly cleared plot. You bet, it is East Texas "Red Land". The tomatoes will be early.

Dave's Garden Plant Swap at Love's Lookout

Our CCMGA members are seen swapping stories, plants, and wisdom with fellow Dave's Gardeners today, May 16 at Love's Lookout. Swappers from far and wide congregated to share plants and their love for gardening.

CCMGA Members Receive Five Year Pins

A feature of the 11May meeting was the awarding of five year membership pins to Keith Billings, Tom Dement, Wayne and Kathy Davis, Vida Josephs, and Gary Traver. Joe Daniel, AgriLife Extension Agent, presented the pins.

What a fun teacher. Kathleen made us think we could learn to make something beautiful.

Next week the class heads to Blue Moon Gardens.

Master Gardeners Teaching

On Monday May 4th Master Gardener Keith Billings taught 146 4th graders that gardening could enriched their lives.

On Tuesday May 5th Kathy Moak taught our interns to recognize art principles in relation to the landscape.

On Monday May 11th Wayne Davis be teaching day lily gardening at the association meeting.

On Tuesday May 12th Kathleen Ewing will be teaching our interns floral design techniques applying art principles.

Cajun Hibiscus

AYE-EEE !!! I done got me a big-o bloom yeah ! 8 inches across is the size of this baby.
Rum Rasion Cajun Tropical Hibiscus

Feral Hogs

Feral Hog Biology, Control & Management Seminar Slated for April 9

Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices in Somervell, Bosque and Hood counties are sponsoring a Feral Hog Biology, Control & Management Seminar in Glen Rose, TX on Thursday April 9, 2009. The seminar will cover “The Good, Bad & Ugly” on feral hogs. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 am at the Somervell County Expo Center located at Hwy 67 and Bo Gibbs Blvd. in Glen Rose.

During the past several years Agriculture producers and homeowners alike in Hood County have started to see the damage that can be caused by feral hogs. The aim with this program is to bring landowners up-to-date on the latest development in the world of feral hog management. Topics will include everything from feral hog biology to trapping techniques.

The morning program includes Status and Distribution of Feral Hogs in Texas ; Feral Hog Biology; Game Laws and Regulations; Disease Control; Feral Hogs… an Economic Nuisance or an Opportunity ; and an update on the Feral Hog Abatement Project and Current Research. The program will finish with trapping and baiting techniques and lunch.

Individual pre registration is $10.00 until April 6 and $20.00 at the door. Registration includes lunch, refreshments and handout materials. For more information contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Hood County Office at 817-579-3280. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin

Rainwater Harvesting

• Granbury, Texas - June 1-3, 2009

The purpose of this course is to provide advanced training whereby Master Gardeners can obtain specialization in rainwater harvesting that support or expand designated educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. This training was created as an intensive multi-day, hands-on course to provide Master Gardeners with knowledge and skills required to communicate rainwater harvesting information to others. Completion of the course and other requirements results in recognition as a Master Gardener “Rainwater Harvesting Specialist”. This certification does not empower the individual with supervisory or administrative authority within his/her local county programs. Only 30 participant spots are available for this training, so please submit your registration forms in as soon as possible. Registration is on a first come/first serve basis. Payment and forms must be in our office by May 15, 2009. Contact Marty Vahlenkamp, 817-579-3280, to answer any questions or provide further information.

For more information go to the Texas Master Gardeners Website.

Favorite Perennials

I have found our master gardeners sometimes understate things. On Monday Claude said something like this verbena has done well at our house. The photo above is of the verbena at their house a year or two ago. ~ Joe

Getting Our Name Out

The following is currently posted on the Texas Master Gardeners Association website.

April 18, 2009 Cherokee County Master Gardeners Spring Has Sprung Plant Sale

8AM -2PM at 555 S. Jackson Street, Jacksonville 75766.
Color your landscape with a large selection of master gardeners’ favorites from their own gardens. Featuring perennials, herbs, bulbs, ground covers, and much more that will satisfy the gardening urge for all. For additional information email: billingsk704@yahoo.com

May 30, 2009, Cherokee County Master Gardeners Garden Tour

9AM – 2PM . This years theme of ‘Gardens of East Texas Beauty’ is highlighted in the selection of four gardens located in Jacksonville. Included in the ticket price of $5.00 is an Orchid Show and Sale sponsored by the Central East Texas Orchid Society. For additional information email: billingsk704@yahoo.com.

Master Gardeners Talk Perennials

Monday's meeting at the Texas Forest Service facility in Jacksonville included a time of sharing favorite perennial plants. The camaraderie was great.

Mrs. Lee's Daffodils

Spurred on by the article in the Tyler paper, we enjoyed a trip to the daffodils near Gladewater yesterday. Along the creek, on hillsides, and among the trees the daffodils danced in the breeze as we wandered and photographed some of the million plus specimens. The four miles of scenic drive (with stopping and picnic spots available) wind through hundreds of acres and displays twenty-six acres of daffodils.

The park (admission free) closes at 4:00P.M. daily and is open through March. See http://www.daffodilgarden.com/ for more details. And, by the way, there was a neat fence around a picturesque area with restored cabin, pond, and information stop.

To top off the excursion, we enjoyed cheesecake and coffee in a picturesque setting in nearby Gladewater.

Linda Taylor

Daily Progress posting

Published: February 23, 2009 08:50 am

County Master Gardeners hear Forest Service’s plans for arboretum

Cherokee County Master Gardeners held their regular monthly meeting on Feb. 9. Following the call to order and regular business, Mr. Jason Ellis, District Manager for the Texas Forest Service gave a brief presentation on the forest service arboretum in Jacksonville.

Mr. Ellis discussed future plans for the arboretum’s use and enhancements. Mr. Ellis also invited the Master Gardeners to participate with the Forest Service in an Arbor Day program to be presented at the arboretum.

The association discussed plans for the annual spring plant sale to be held on April 18 and the Garden Tour planned for May 30. Committees were formed to finalize plans and to prepare for the sale and tour.

Featured plant for the month of February is hollyhocks as presented by David Daniel.

Daniel also gave a presentation on “Winter Sowing” to the Master Gardeners, discussing sowing techniques for various vegetable and ornamental plants.

The next Master Gardeners meeting will be held on March 9. Cherokee County Master Gardeners Association meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Norman Activity Center. For information regarding the Master Gardeners e-mail billingsk704@yahoo.com.