Innovative Gardener
Photo courtesy of Gary Rains
http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/

The rains flooded Lake Granbury Master Gardener Gary Rains garden resulting in the loss of his prized vegetable crop. However, Gary made the best of the situation, he dusted off his fishing pole, captured a few grasshoppers and went fishing in his garden.  We are not sure if he caught tomatoes or fish but we do know he had a good time. Congratulation Gary for making the best of a difficult situation.

Aransas/San Patricio County Master Gardener

SKIN CANCER A GARDENER’S WORST ENEMY By Jeanna C. Godfrey, DVM Master Gardener, Aransas/San Patricio County Skin cancers are the fastest growing cancers in the United States and represent the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. In 2007, over 1 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in the US. One out of every three cancers diagnosed originate in the skin. Gardeners who spend long hours in the sun pursuing their favorite pastime face an increased risk of developing skin disease.
Read More>

Victoria Master Gardener Training Class

The Victoria Master Gardener training classes will be Aug. 2. thru Nov. 29 ,2007 Classes are held every Thurs. from 1PM until 5 P:M except for the the week of Thanksgiving. The cost is $135.00 plus $30.00 optional fee for a bus trip to Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens. Topics include: Botany,Propagation, Diagnosing Plant Diseases, Use of Pesticides, Herbs, Vegetables, Perennials, Roses, Working with Victoria Soils, Turf Grasses,Landscaping, Horticulture plus other useful topics. Trainers are AM professors, with the exception of a few local professionals. The fee includes MG Handbook ,all printed material, a soil sample and fees for the Instructors. Additional info may be obtained by calling Victoria County Extension Office 361-578-4851.

A Vision of Gardens
By Victoria County Master Gardener Pat Plowman
Article published in full in the Victoria Advocate in The Gardeners' Dirt, the Victoria County Master Gardeners' weekly newspaper column - which was awarded 1st in the State two years ago.

A Vision of Gardens! Back in the spring of 2000, three Master Gardeners, who were working on a small landscape project to beautify the old Foster Field Officer’s Club, let their imaginations run wild and came up with the idea to create a complex of gardens in the open field that surrounded the club. The wheels started turning, design plans were drawn up and by the end of the year the Victoria Regional Airport Commission (VRAC) granted permission for the Master Gardeners to use the land surrounding the Officer’s Club. The Master Gardeners met, discussed possible names for the project and eventually decided on Victoria Educational Gardens, affectionately VEG for short…a very appropriate name since the mission of the Master Gardeners is to increase horticultural education to the community. VEG would be divided into 6 phases— Read More>

When I think of stars and stripes, I see “Old Glory” fluttering atop a flagpole at places of significance.  I hear a patriotic march by composer John Philip Sousa, and I think of American soldiers and veterans who with their own rank of “stars and stripes” proudly salute the flag – the symbol of our country. PATRIOTIC GARDEN ELEMENTS
But as a gardener, I invision yet more.  I see cottage garden landscapes and arbors with climbing foliage overflowing in blooming colors of red, white and blue.  I see plants planted in an oversized rectangular flowerbed designed with a field of blue interspersed with white star pockets along side rows of red and white stripes replicating the American flag.   I see permanent stars and stripes on garden art affixed to fences, walls, gates or on stands... not to mention patriotic flag banners and windsocks hanging from yard stands, balconies, tree limbs and building overhangs. Read More>

Cypress Basin Master Gardner’s

The Cypress Basin Master Gardner’s in Mt Pleasant held it’s 1st annual “July 4th Bash” at the Titus County Extension Office on Saturday, June 30th,. Some 26 members and guest attended the covered dish luncheon that featured “foods from the garden”. There was enough food to feed an army needless to say and I don’t think anyone went home hungry. In fact quite a few mentioned that they wouldn’t be having dinner that night, being so full from the lunch. There were slaws, a variety of beans, several types of salads, and a multitude of desserts including some fancy decorated watermelons full of fruit; not to mention the brisket, chicken, and sausage. One thing about it, Master Gardner’s not only can grow the food, but we know how to cook it too! Chris Oefinger Northeast Texas Community College GEAR UP Director "Children are our most precious Resource" 903.434.8213 coefinger@ntcc.edu

McLennan Co. Master Gardeners - Gardening Camp

McLennan Co. Master Gardeners coordinated the two-week long gardening camp, "All Terrain Kids", at McLennan Community College in June. About 50 children daily, from first through sixth grade, attended the Kids College. Among the projects included were making gardenbabies, grow cards, hummingbird feeders and bug suckers from the JMG program. Older students planted an herb garden. All sessions were led by MG volunteers.
Submitted by Ila Jean Carothers, President, McLennan Co. MG