Texas Master Gardeners of Blanco County

Next Meeting: June 14, 2011 Methodist Church Activity Center, Johnson City

7:00pm

Coordinators: Karen & Georgia Program: Highlights of State Convention Workshops

Those who went to the State MG Convention will report on

what we learned with some show and tell. Pat and Mary will show the butterfly puddlers they made and Mary also made a rain chain.

May Field Trip Twenty-two members met at the home of Romelia and Harris Greenwood for a tour of a picture perfect ranch that was reclaimed from 95% cedar and McCartney roses overgrowth. Ponds that were silted in are beautiful lakes of pristine water today. We toured the main house, the cabin, the “barn” guest house, and a garden to envy.

Members gather in the lovely main house.

Jim inspects the irrigation system in the garden.

Romelia harvests a beet. Diana has to feel the water to see if it is real in this drought as Joan and Cindy wait for a report

Harris, Ann, and Betty

How to hide a propane tank

Wren inspects the spring channel used to feed the lake.

Members tramped around several of the five lakes. How wonderful to have a strong source of spring water!

Our Sympathy to Wren Susan and David sent this on Sun. May 29:

One of our dear interns is going through a very rough time. Wren Winfield's

husband, Joe, died suddenly on Wednesday. Her friend Kim Radich suggested

cards of condolences and possibly a donation to Creativity Explored in San

Francisco. (http://www.creativityexplored.org) Mail cards to 807 Marshall Dr,

Johnson City, 78636. Wren has returned to California for a period of time. Some

of the interns suggested a tree in Joe’s honor. Bring your suggestions to the June

meeting.

May Meeting Report Those who attended the state convention reported good meetings. Handouts are available on the State MG site. Jim told us about the partial recovery plan as it was explained at the state convention. We must charge $10 for non-members attending a public meeting with an Agrolife speaker. The next class will pay a one-time $10 fee. If members put on a program, there is no charge. The problem is budget cuts, and county agents may have to be cut if the deficit can’t be made up. Jim also mentioned annual recertification requirements: 6 hours advanced training are required. Volunteer hours are locally set, with Blanco County requiring 12. It was suggested that we enter some of the state contests next year. Treasurer Joan Marasek reported balance of $4400. Barbara moved that we donate up to $200 toward plants and incidentals for the Highway 290/281 intersection improvement. Ann seconded the motion, and it passed. Mary Joyce reported that she, Carol Rankin, and Henrietta Smith conducted the Jr. Master Gardener day at both Johnson City and Blanco schools. Jim thanked those who stuffed bags for Farm Safety Day.

The plant sale for Blanco Market Day on May 21was discussed next. It is a day with many activities going on. Drop off points and other considerations were discussed. After some discussion about raising funds for the State Park, Susan Hamm suggested that we dedicate benefits to a specific project for Friends of the State Park next year when we have had more time to plan. The group thanked Cindy Stomburg for her work on the two sales. Susan Hamm reminded us to gather wild flower seeds now, storing them in envelopes and labeling them. Reports of zinnia production followed, some successful, some less happy. A suggestion was made that all meetings should be held during the day, and it was decided to survey members about that idea. . (The officers have received copies of member comments about changing to all day meetings, and the report will be given at the June meeting.)

Blanco Plant Sale Yields Profits

The Blanco plant sale, under the direction of Cindy Stomburg, had good participation from members. We had a great booth location under the new canopy. (Thanks, Cindy, Ron, Diana and others!) A number of veterans and interns worked the booth. Joan Marasek reports that sales totaled $275, less $50 for startup. The cost of the booth had not been turned in at that time. We sold many plants, but a number were left that were transported to Loris Perkins’s. If you want something, let

him know or he’s going to plant them. Kathy Equist (wo)mans the booth.

Ron brought these sacks of fresh produce. What

beautiful colors! And the squash were huge!

Here’s a question for the bird-watchers: When I have two birdhouses on my deck, why does the wren build her nest in my cooler box pocket? I can’t ice down drinks! (After I wrote this, the dog tore up the nest. Bad Dog!)

News from the Loflins Brian and Shirley Loflin have agreed to speak at the Blanco Book Club Author Day, Oct. 8, 2011. Try to come. They will be showcasing their new book on Texas Treasures.

Program Plans for the Rest of the Year

June 14, 7 pm—What We Learned at the State Convention July 12, 2 pm—Susan Evans on making Hypertufa Troughs and Containers, location tba August 9, 7 pm—Blanco County Rodeo preparation Sept. 13, 2 pm—Tricia Timmons with propagating session, location tba Oct. 11, 7 pm—tba Nov. 8, 2 pm— Patricia Michael on Permaculture Designing--Blanco First Baptist Church-- Dec. 13, 7 pm—Holiday Party—Peggy Welch’s

Chelita has asked that the persons who sign up to provide refreshments also act as meeting coordinators. They will have these responsibilities: Contact speaker and confirm any audio-visual or other needs Get key and open facility if needed Set up room (table and chairs) Write a thank-you note to the speaker With that in mind, here are some contacts coordinators will need: Speaker Contact Info susrevans@txwinet.com (512) 291-4300 (voice), Patricia@PatriciaMichaelDesign.com http://www.patriciamichaeldesign.com

A List of Projects and LeadersDesigns Projects

JC entrance-David and Susan Hamn

Grass Exhibit-Alfred Syamken

LBJ settlement-Michael Normand

Blanco -Pedernales Ground Water-Georgia

Carroll-Warren

Lady Bird Johnson Project-Susan Hamn

Blanco Senior Citizen Center-Loris Perkins

GEM of the Hills-Ron Bourland

281/290 Design-Barbara Counts

National Park 290-Lori Anderson

Pamphlet to be Published-Susan Hamn

On Going Projects

Community Garden-Chris DeBremaecker

Newsletter-Mary Nabers

Crab-apple Trees-Donna Sultemeier

Extension Office-Jim Meadows

MG Scrapbook-Linda Vincent

Bamberger Assistance-Ann Cook

One Time Projects

Farm Safety-Jim Meadows

JR . MG-Diana Blackburn

JC Wildflowers-Joan Marasek

Blanco Market Days-Cindy Stomberg

Blanco State Park-Olivia Ross

Lavender Days-Ann Cook

Blanco Co Fair INSIDE-Pat Owens

Blanco Co Fair OUTSIDE-Susan Hamn

See you in Johnson City at

7:00, Tuesday, June 14 at

the Methodist Church

Activity Center to learn

about the workshops we

attended at the State

Convention.

Support our 2010 Sponsors!

Blanco, TX BLANCO GARDENS

For all your Garden & Landscaping Needs

500 Main 830 833-2433

NATURAL LOOK LANDSCAPES

Planting and Over-Site Care by

Loris Perkins,

Sole Proprietor

512- 644-5977/830-833-0779