Autumn Clematis

Here is our Autumn Clematis that was mentioned at our last CCMGA meeting. A lot of the blooms were knocked off by the recent rains, but is still quite showy. Wayne and Kathie

Yard Long Beans

Does any one have experience with yard long beans?

~Joe

A Program for Make Up or Re-Certification

Herbs in the Landscape and in the Kitchen

with

Sharon Lee Smith

Saturday

September 13, 2008

9 am—Noon

Agriculture Building

Wilson Drive

Nacogdoches

Sharon Lee Smith, co-owner of Blue Moon Gardens, will explore herb

gardening from growing, maintenance, pruning, harvesting, and plant

selection for East Texas to use in the landscape and the kitchen. Each

participant will also create a mixed herb container to take home.

Cost for the seminar is $25 for SFA Garden members and $35 for nonmembers.

To register for the seminar, please call the Education Office at 936-468-

1832 or email erodewald@sfasu.edu

~Joe

Gretel Eggplant

2009 AAS Vegetable Winner

The earliest white eggplant perfectly describes ‘Gretel.’ Any gardener will agree, the earlier the better; since waiting for the best tasting, most nutritious food from our gardens is not easy. The glossy white mini-fruit are produced in clusters and can be harvested in 55 days depending upon growing conditions. Like all eggplants, ‘Gretel’ will grow rapidly under warm temperatures, over 55°F day and night temperature. The pure white fruit are sweet with tender skin even if they mature beyond the ideal fruit size of 3 to 4 inches. This trait means gardeners have a longer timeline to harvest fruit. ‘Gretel’ plants are relatively small, about 3 feet wide and tall. Since the plant is small it is adaptable to the popular trend of growing edibles in containers. It is recommended to use a rather large container about 16 inches deep. This AAS Winner was bred by Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Oxnard, CA.

Recertification Information

In 2009 as in 2008, association meeting time during which educational training takes place will be accepted toward the 6 hours per year needed for Cherokee Master Gardener recertification. Most meeting will have 30 minutes of such time.

One hour of volunteer service per meeting will be accepted toward the 12 hours per year of needed volunteer service time for recertification. It is felt that this encourages participation of trainees and interns, aids those who for health reasons can not take part in as many projects as the wish, and aids in sustaining ample volunteers.

Master Gardeners must submit record of service or training for recertification credit.

Should this be found to be limiting volunteer participation in community education programs it will have to be changed. Of course many other projects and trainings are acceptable.

~Joe

Trees and Extreme Drought, East Texas and Alabama

Trees Going Dormant Due to Extreme Drought

Homeowners and gardeners across the state are worried about their trees’ shedding leaves weeks before normal.

Dr. Ken Tilt, a horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says the ongoing drought is taking its toll on trees.

“One survival mechanism for trees is early leaf drop,” says Tilt. “If there is no leaf exposure, demand for water decreases. They are going dormant to survive.”

He explains that leaf drop is just one way trees conserve water in drought. Sometimes leaves roll up to reduce the exposed area to wind, sun and heat, which reduces water loss. The primary mechanism is the closing of pores in the leaves that allow water movement into the air.

Essentially the plant shuts down—halting photosynthesis and growth. Leaves and stems may wilt or droop. Leaf edges may burn and turn brown from the heat and dry conditions.”

Tilt says the lack of photosynthesis may have another effect.

“People should also not be surprised if we have early fall color this year. When photosynthesis stops, the green will fade exposing the other pigments in the leaves.”

Shane Harris, an Extension regional horticulture agent, says leaf drop is happening around central Alabama.

“I have had a number of calls from people who are worried about their trees,” he says. “I’ve seen yellow poplar and several kinds of oak, including water, red and post species dropping leaves.”

Tilt and Harris agree that early leaf drop does not necessarily mean the tree is dead or dying. They also agree that it is an indication of extreme stress that will affect trees after normal weather patterns resume.

“Some plants tolerate this stress better than others,” says Tilt. “Some will leaf out in spring but others may die.”

He says that site conditions and moisture content are two factors in how a specific tree responds to drought.

Harris says that a favorite tree of Alabama gardeners is very susceptible to drought.

“Dogwoods have shallow roots and suffer the most from heat and drought,” says Harris. “Dogwood leaves may turn brown along the edges, turn completely brown, or the tree may die outright.”
“

Drought has long-lasting effects on trees.

“A tree might not die this year but stress is cumulative,“ says Tilt. “Root disturbance, storm damage, soil compaction or another drought are all types of stress. In most cases where the tree dies, it’s the result of a number of years of problems and stresses and not just one particular thing. “

Tilt emphasizes that stress makes trees more susceptible to disease and insects.

“A severe drought might not kill a mature pine, but it weakens the tree tremendously,” says Tilt. “That makes the tree more vulnerable to pine beetles, which can kill it. While the beetles are the agent of the tree’s death, it was drought-related stress that opened the door for the beetles.”

Tilt and Harris say the obvious answer to drought stressed trees is irrigation.

“But irrigation can be a challenge because restrictions and bans on landscape irrigation are often in place during droughts,” says Tilt.

He suggests homeowners placing mulch over trees’ root zones and to use systems such as rain barrels to capture and recycle any rain that falls.

Joe

Naconiche Nursery

Just to let you know that the Naconiche Nursery is closing it's doors for business and next week will be their last week in business.

Message:
Naconiche Gardens is closing shop. This is not due to the lack of fantastic
customers, the lack of interest in the art of 'real' gardening, nor the lack
of amazing plants to be grown. Instead, it is because of something that I
never would have believed: I am old!, and, I can find too few qualified
workers to run Naconiche in the manner in which it was intended. I have
searched for workers, I have searched for buyers. Now I need to "get on with
it". Therefore; if there are plants here that you want - "speak now, or
forever hold...." I will be around through next week for sure. The closing
of Naconiche will happen soon - don't delay if you want something please!
You can call, you can email, or you can come out to the nursery. I am more
than a bit sad at the turn, but feel I have no other route to take. Please
know how I have enjoyed every gardener, new or seasoned, that has come to
visit the nursery.


Sue Ripley