Kaufman County Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners: Michele Reeves, Margaret Ann Trail, Michael Steven, Francis Holmes (KCMG attendees not in the picture: Brad Ackerman. John Ballard, Mary Dean and Sandy Stahlman,)

Kaufman County Master Gardeners recently participated in the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Private Pesticide Applicators Class. The class included presentations on Weed Identification, Integrated Pest Management and Nutrient Management. Master Gardeners Sandy Stahlman and Michael Stevens provided a rainfall simulation, demonstrating a rainfall event on a small specific area. This presentation demonstrated the impact of various types of ground cover on rainfall runoff. A properly maintained lawn or mulched flower bed or shrub will allow water to soak into the ground. Compacted soil on a driveway surface will allow rainfall to run off.

Lake Granbury Master Gardeners

The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners had a reception on Saturday March 8, 2008 at the Courtyards of Lake Granbury to honor Dr. Charles Andrews and Gene Ratzloff as Master Gardener Emeritus.

Pictured are Mitch Ratzloff. son of the late Gene Ratzloff and Dr. Charles Andrews cutting the cake at the celebration.

Submitted by Kathy Murray, LGMG

Rockwall County Master Gardeners

The Rockwall County Master Gardener Assoc. presented a symbolic check for $73,590 to the County Commissioners. The check represents 4,800 community service hours performed for the county by Master Gardener volunteers in 2007. Pictured from left are Commissioner Bruce Beaty, Master Gardener Janie Squire, Commissioner Jerry Wimpee, Commissioner Lorie Grinnan and County Judge Chris Florance.

Bell County Master Gardeners

in the photo: Greenhouse Coordinator Lawrence Cox stands in front of the twelve varieties of tomatoes sold in the Bell County Association's spring veggie sale March 15th. Dedicated greenhouse volunteers, beautiful weather and Mr. Cox's soil formula resulted in healthy, husky plants that delighted the many customers who visited the greenhouse.

photo by Don Wyatt submitted by Mary Lew Quesinberry

Walker County Master Gardeners

The Walker County Master Gardeners just staged their most successful Spring Plant Sale to date with over 1,000 people coming through the greenhouse and gardens. We are currently planning for the April 29th TMGA tour of our LEAF-PRO facilities and gearing up for the TMGA conference. WCMGA members will be presenting workshops on making concrete leaves and how to apply for grants. The Walker County Master Gardeners were just awarded their third H-GAC/TCEQ grant; total funds received to date are nearly $100,000. A small group of Master Gardeners are consulting on a landscape revitalization project with staff from Huntsville Memorial Hospital; irrigation is in place and planting should take place by April 1st and completion of Phase I by May 1st.
Submitted by Susan Harris

Bell County Master Gardeners

in the photo: Bell County Master Gardener Crystal Fisher displays her contribution to Scott and White Hospital's Healing Garden in Temple. Fisher was recently honored at the dedication ceremony by Dr. Alfred Knight, president and CEO of Scott and White. Fisher sandblasted this sandstone boulder with words from a poem written by Dr. Hyla S. Watters, a Methodist missionary and Chief Surgeon of Wuhu Hospital on the Yanhtze River during the WWII era.

" The Hospital Speaks" by Dr. Hyla Watters
I stand by the side of a current
That's deeper by far than the sea
And storm beaten craft of every draught
Come in to be healed by me
But some have more grief than pain
God help me make whole both body and soul
Before they go out again.
submitted by Mary Lew Quesinberry

There are four distinct phases to develop the Gov. Hogg Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The first phase is well underway with many hours spent by Wood County Master Gardeners clearing out the undergrowth and invasive plants.

The second phase has already begun as the committee has gathered materials to complete the "welcoming face" of the gardens. Plans for this phase include building raised beds for Earthkind Roses, planting azaleas and developing flower beds containing perennials and annuals for a spot of color. A gazebo will be built to act as a meeting place and house brochures and educational materials.

The third phase will draw visitors across the old George Bridge into the interior of the arboretum along the Old Settlers Nature Trail and various paths with markers to identify trees, plants and shrubs. This part of the project will be a little more whimsical when the Children's Discovery Garden is established. There are plans to include a bubbling fountain and a selection of ornamental grasses, plants and flowers that will encourage the children to use their senses to experience Mother Nature.

The fourth phase will be the construction of a pavilion with pull-down sides. This feature will enable the structure to be used to host garden clubs, civic groups, classes and provide a meeting place for Master Gardeners, and Junior Master Gardeners. The pavilion can also be used to generate revenue as a site rental for parties and weddings, with the proceeds benefiting other projects at the gardens.

The first major fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 9:00AM to 3:00PM at the Gov. Hogg Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 100 Governor Jim Hogg Parkway, off HWY 37, in Quitman, Texas. Flowers of all kinds, Earthkind Roses, and much more will be offered for sale at the First Annual Spring Plant Sale. Those who are not garden enthusiasts or are not in the market to purchase some color for their flower beds are invited to participate by taking a tour of the facilities and participate in the vision of the Friends of the Arboretum.  Submitted by Kathleen Denmon

James W. Beeler - Emeritus(a)- Tarrant County
Master Gardener from 1992-2007

James W. Beeler joined the Tarrant County Master Gardener Association in 1992. Between 1994 and 2002 he averaged 1200 hours of service per year. For 13 years he spent every Wednesday on the phone at the Extension Office answering gardening questions. Jim also taught intern classes, and he was a familiar face at local Home and Garden shows where he manned the Master Gardener booth giving out information and answering gardening questions. Through the Speakers Bureau he was a sought after speaker because of his broad knowledge of horticulture. Jim served in many capacities in TCMGA, and in 1995-1996 he was our president. Jim could always be counted on to fill a need. His extraordinary effort was acknowledged by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, and he was honored with a Special Achievement Award for his extensive volunteer work

Grayson County Master Gardeners
Grayson County Master Gardeners just completed 2008 training classes we have 32 new interns.

We will have our annual spring plant sale April 26, 2008, 8am-4pm on the courthouse lawn in downtown Sherman. We will have annuals, perennials, trees, ornamental grasses, herbs and vegetables for sale. We will also have crafts and seeds available.

May 3, 2008, 10am-4pm will be our annual garden tour featuring 2 gardens in Sherman and 2 gardens in Denison including a free tour of the President Eisenhower birth place house and gardens. Price is 5.00 dollars tickets may be purchased at any garden on the tour. For information on any Grayson County Master Gardeners activity please call 903 813-4204.

Somervell County Master Gardeners

in photo Front Row: Julie Conner, Becky Altobelli, Sandi Stringer, Carolyn Norman Second Row: Greg Marsh, Bonnah Boyd, Donna Hagar, Yvonna Brown Third Ros: Josh Blanek, Bob Lancaster, Wade Moore

These are from the March 5 planting of our EarthKind Rose Trial Garden. Ten enthusiastic SCMG's planted 18 rose bushes at the entrance of Heritage Park. This is a City Park on the banks of the Paluxy River. Scattered throughout the park are small historical buildings from the county that have been moved for preservation purposes. It is a great setting for a rose garden Josh Blanek, our AgriLife Extension Agent, was key in supporting our effort. He did everything from helping to measure the plot, picking up the roses, and raking mulch. In the near future we will have a split rail fence with a permanent sign explaining the process and purpose of the EarthKind Rose Trial Garden. Photo Descriptions Submitted by Sandi Stringer