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.

Cherokee County Fences I Admire

I have often admired this fence on the Dialville highway.

Joe