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April 30, 2006

Container Gardens for Flowers and Vegetables

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Coconino Community College
Lone Tree Campus, Room 537
When: May 20, 100pm - 400pm
Fee: $20
Instructor: Loni Shapiro, Master Gardener
Registration: 526-7644 or www.coconino.edu/discover

If you would like to have a garden of flowers or vegetables, but just don have th e room, then you need to take this workshop. Container gardens for small and large spaces will be discussed with emphasis on advantages for use in Flagstaff, materials and appropriate plants. Ideas for successful flower combinations, vegetables and herbs will be reviewed. Bring a trowel and gloves so you can get creative in the dirt for the last hour of the class.

Posted by maxmaddy at 8:38 PM

Arboretum at Flagstaff

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How to Get Started in Northern Arizona Gardening
With Jan Busco author of How to Get Started in Southwest Gardening

In this series of four classes gardening techniques from the book will be customized especially for Flagstaff and surrounding areas. The cost for each half-day class is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. There is a 20% discount for participants who enroll in all four classes.

#1 Newcomer or New Gardener Class

Saturday, May 6, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (experienced black thumb gardeners are also welcome)

Topics:

What to do and when in northern Arizona gardens - soils, climate, water, special challenges, planting, caring for existing native plants, and garden maintenance
Basic plant terminology, identification and recognition
Area resources

#2 Getting What You Want from Your Garden

Saturday, May 13, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Topics:

Gathering ideas - planning and design to get the garden you want with available time, money and energy
Creating outdoor spaces for relaxation, entertainment, environmental enjoyment, water use efficiency and beauty
Coping with critters, pests and garden challenges
Bringing out the best in your landscape


#3 Great Plants I

Saturday, May 20, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Topics:

Choosing hardy, reliable and beautiful workhorse plants, both native and adapted.
Best choices for trees, shrubs, vines, native grasses and easy to grow long-blooming perennials and wildflowers.
Purchasing plants. Planting wildflowers.


#4 Great plants II

Saturday, May 27, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Topics:

Choosing plants to attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects; wildlife habitat gardening, edible gardening, fragrance
Which native plants are best for you?
Plants for fire-wise landscaping

For more information or to enroll, call Rachel Edelstein, 774-1442, ext. 110.

Posted by maxmaddy at 6:26 AM

Hospice Home Workday May 11

Photo of blooming tulips and grape hyacinth in the Olivia White Hospice Garden 5/4/06. Photo by Loni Shapiro.
Next workday at the the garden is on May 11th from 9am-12pm.

Scheduled activities if you would like to join us include:
Rose garden pruning and planting perennials.
Removing tree stakes and checking water wells on trees planted in 2004
Continued clean-up and weeding.

As usual water and snacks will be provided. Come with long sleeves, hat, gloves and sun protection. Park on Turquoise or in the Congregational Church lot on Turquoise just past Switzer.

Our crew was small this week with several out sick. Beside myself and Laura, we had David Hockman (our hole digger extraordinaire). Two new roses were planted, several large perennials and a couple of grape vines. The redesigned rose garden is beginning to take shape. I spent most of my time trying to get in potatoes, starting the sensory pots, watering and filling bird feeders and baths. Stock was put in the aroma pot and pansies in the taste and color pots. The drip system is not in yet and one of our regulars (Norm Erickson) is on vacation. If you are interested in helping with watering over the next two weeks please let us know (Laura 214-8175/Loni 522-8635).

The bulbs planted last year are looking particularly beautiful - tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinth and the alliium just peeking out.
Many varieties of daffodils in the garden 5/4/06. Photo by Loni Shairo

Had to include this little quote I recently got from Cynthia Katte. She is one of our regulars who has not been able to come this year due to illness. If you know her drop her a note to wish her well.

Hello my digging friends -
I was reading about the Hopis and what they are up to this time of year. They call this season Hakitonmuya which is called the waiting season. Like us, they are eager to plant, but know the follies of too-early planting. Somehow, it makes it easier for me knowing there's a name for this time of year. Another name for their season is Kwiymua, which means "windbreaks" That needs no explanation!

Thanks,
Loni

Posted by maxmaddy at 5:39 AM

Sustainable Cooking Classes

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With Lisa Rayner

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The Sunny Side of Cooking

May 13, 2006
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lone Tree Campus
Non-credit class

Learn how to:

Construct a variety of solar cooker designs
Build a fireless cooker out of materials you already have at home
Cook any food in solar and fireless cookers
Use a solar cooker to pasteurize water and can foods
Use a solar cooker at night to make ice!
Make a solar food dryer

$30 per person. To register or for more information call 928.526.7644.


Cooking in an Earthen Oven

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May 20, 2006
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Southside Community Garden, intersection of S. San Francisco St. and Dupont Ave.
Non-credit class

Learn how to:

Fire a traditional beehive-shaped cob earth oven and use it to bake pizza, bread, grains, vegetables & other foods:
Determine which type of earth or masonry oven is best for you
Build a fire and heat up an earth oven to 600–700°F
Bake European artisan bread and wood-fired pizza
Bake and roast vegetables, beans, grains, meat, etc.
Incubate yogurt and dry fruits and vegetables
Fire up and cook on a wood-fired Aprovecho rocket stove

$30 per person
To register or for more information call 928.526.7644

Posted by maxmaddy at 5:03 AM

April 28, 2006

Hospice Garden Workday May 4

Marion Lopez caring for the Roses. Photo by Loni Shapiro

Spring clean-up and work in the Rose Garden continues at Olivia White Hospice Home on May 4 from 9am-12pm.
Plans for the week:
Rose garden pruning and planting perennials.
Planting some annuals in sensory pots.
Removing tree stakes and checking water wells on trees planted in 2004.

I was out of town for the week so I am including an old photo from April 20, with two of our regulars Ron Bauman and David Hockman..
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Thank-you to those who helped on the 27th of April.
As usual water and snacks will be provided. Come with long sleeves, hat, gloves and sun protection. Park on Turquoise of in the Congregational Church lot on Turquoise just past Switzer.

Today's Quote

We have a choice: to plow new ground or let the weeds grow.
-Jonathan Westover

Loni Shapiro

Posted by maxmaddy at 5:23 AM

April 26, 2006

Garden Club Seedling Exchange

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Evening Garden Club Meeting
Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 20. We will hold a seedling exchange at the home of Jackie Hainsworth. We will begin at 12:30 with a brown bag lunch set up in Jackie's inviting garden. Jackie will provide dessert and drinks. Bring all your "extra" seedlings. If you don't have anything to bring, come anyway. Feel free to invite friends. We hope the 12:30 start time will allow everyone to attend the workshop on container gardening that Loni Shapiro is offering at Coconino Community College that morning.

Jackie's address is 3389 S. Carol Dr. and phone 213-9813.
Directions are:
From the WalMart/Big Five intersection, head south on 89A toward Sedona, pass Lake Mary Road intersection and make the next right onto University Heights Dr. South, by the church. Go all the way to the top of the hill and make a left at the stop sign onto S. Carol Dr. Jackie's house is the 4th on the right. 3389 S. Carol Dr.

The Garden Club is an informal organization that offers programs and tours of private gardens in the Flagstaff area. There are no dues. To receive announcements of meetings via e-mail and/or directions to meeting locations, email djhockman@npgcable.comor phone 526-5813.

Posted by hbraun at 9:45 AM

April 25, 2006

Honey Tasting

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Slow Food Alta Arizona presents A Honey Tasting Event with Stephen Buchmann, entomologist, researcher, and author of Letters From the Hive.

What: Honey, Food, Mead, Door prizes
When: Saturday, May 6th, 4pm-6pm
Where: The Foundry at Simply Delicious, 408 E. Rt. 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Tickets: $20 member/$22 non-members available at New Frontiers Natural Foods, Home Brewers’ Outpost, and Aradia Bookstore

For more information call: 928-226-2891

Posted by hbraun at 12:54 PM

April 20, 2006

Olivia White Hospice Garden Orientation

New arbor with gate purchased from Warners 1-day sale. This will be an entrance to the Rose Garden. Photo by Loni Shapiro.
On Thursday April 20, an orientation to the garden was held, along with a workday. Garden regulars attended - Karen Kent, Nancy Palmer, Kyle and Leslie Penick and David Hockman. Ron Bauman also came for his usual spring stint. Two master gardeners who usually work at the Grand Canyon Trust garden, Marion Lopez and Lynn Kasai came to help redo the Rose garden.The orientation was primarily for Master Gardener Trainees. We were joined by Charlene Taylor (Director of Northland Hospice) and Doug Grant (Volunteer Coordinator).

Much was accomplished! Most worked on digging holes, prunning and moving roses, but others watered, cleaned beds and removed debris, filled feeders and cleaned and placed birdbaths. The new Rose garden is taking shape - more open, and with more variety in plants. We hope to have more help from master gardeners this year with a variety of tasks each week.

Thank-yous:
Karen Kent - Roses
Nancy Palmer - Watering
Kyle and Leslie Penick - Clean-up
David Hockman - Hole digging, moving birdbaths, clean-up
Ron Bauman - Hole digging, moving birdbaths
Betty Marcus - Food and watering
Marion Lopez - Rose expertise and pruning
Lynn Kasai - Rose work
Master Gardener Trainees - a variety of tasks from Roses to clean-up

Plans for next week:
Continued work on the Rose garden - pruning planting perennials and moving more roses
Planting pansies in the Tea Garden
Removing tree stakes and checking water wells
Continued clean-up

I will be out of town for the week. If you have any questions contact Laura Davis (214-8175). She will be in the garden on Thursday April 27th from 9am-12pm. As usual, water and snacks will be provided. Come with long sleeves, hat, gloves and sun protection. Park on Turquoise or in the Congregational Church lot on Turquise just past Switzer.
Happy Gardening!
Loni Shapiro

Posted by maxmaddy at 7:17 PM

April 17, 2006

New Bark Beetle Publications Available

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The University of Arizona Extension Publications has released two new publications on bark beetles that are available on the web.
1. "Firewood and Bark Beetles in the Southwest" http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1370.pdf
2. "Using Insecticides to Prevent Bark Beetle Attacks on Conifers" http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1380.pdf

For more information on bark beetles and Arizona Forest Health, go to: http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/fh/

Posted by hbraun at 11:29 AM

April 7, 2006

Arboretum at Flagstaff Volunteer Orientation

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A Call for Volunteers!

Volunteers at work in the field. Photo by The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Throughout the year, we seek volunteers to participate in our day-to-day activities and special events. If propagation, high elevation gardening, or crafting with children interests you, please consider sharing your time and talents with the visiting public and Arboretum staff. Applications may be sent to Lyn Stevens, Volunteer Coordinator, or contact her at (928) 774-1442.
The 2006 Volunteer Orientation takes place on Wednesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please call Lyn at the above number to reserve a spot during these informative sessions.

A Few Volunteer Accomplishments:

Volunteers at work in the Horticultural Center. Photo by the Arboretum at Flagstaff

Organic Vegetable Garden
Penstemon Garden
Butterfly Garden and curriculum
Nature Trail
Layman's Herbarium
Construction assistance in Herb Garden
Creation of plant labels
Construction of bookshelves, cold frames, and garden signs
Research assistance in plant ecology and rare plant studies
Office assistance with mailings, promotions, and special events
Volunteer at work in the office. Photo by the Arboretum at Flagstaff

Benefits to Volunteers

Increased knowledge of high elevation plants and gardening techniques. Satisfaction of helping others become successful gardeners.

Satisfaction in helping Flagstaff's own public garden create beautiful gardens and teach Flagstaff residents and visitors about the horticulture and ecology of plants in our unique climate.

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) mileage reimbursement for those over 55.

Invitation to the annual staff-hosted Volunteer Recognition event for volunteers working more than 25 hours by July 31.

Gift Shop and Plant Sale discounts: 10% discount to those working more than 25 hours. Volunteers working more than 50 hours during a calendar year will receive a 15% discount for the remainder of the year.


Volunteer Positions

Horticulture
Special Events
Research
Visitor Services
Education
Administration
Library
Facility (carpentry, woodwork, etc.)
Docent Program (information on request)

Special Volunteer work with the Research Department:

Monitoring Workshop April 25 and Field Work funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant, The Arboretum at Flagstaff

The Arboretum at Flagstaff will host a training workshop for plant inventory and monitoring volunteers. The focus this year is monitoring seven threatened and sensitive plants in northern Arizona that may be incurring effects from long-term drought. Workshop topics include: how plant conservation is different from animal conservation; rarity in plants; species concepts; threats; population evaluation; demography, population viability; seed collecting and storage techniques. The first workshop will be held April 25th at The Arboretum and in the field. Additional field days will be scheduled in coordination with local land management agencies. The workshop is free; however, trainees should anticipate assisting in some field monitoring during the summer and fall. Contact Sheila Murray (sheila.murray@nau.edu) for more information on the workshop.

Posted by maxmaddy at 6:20 AM

April 1, 2006

1st Garden Workday at Olivia White Hospice Home

Crocus in the garden 4/14/06. Photo by Loni Shapiro
Our first day in the garden at Olivia White Hospice Home was very successful. We had our regular volunteers - Nancy Palmer, Karen Kent and David Hockman (hole digger extraordinare) and two new volunteers Leslie and Kyle Penick.

The Penick's delivered 2 loads of composted manure from Coconino County Park and Rec. and picked up some cement and other debris to haul off to the dump. Karen, Nancy, David, Laura and I dug up perennials in preparation for next weeks plan for redesigning of the rose garden. Thank-yous are in order for Karen Kent, Jean Hockman and the Arboretum for large temporary containers for the perennials. For the 2nd year in a row we would also like to thank Native Plant and Seed for getting us potting soil to start the season at cost. Thanks to hole digging by David Hockman we were able to plant 4 new climbing roses by the gazebo.

We put out our new clothes rack with hats created by the volunteers, and in no time had residents borrowing them to use while sitting in a very sunny garden.
Coat tree with hats designed by volunteers in 2006. Photo by Loni Shapiro.
Many bulbs are peeking out - daffodils, squill, snowdrop, and other perennials have new growth. We should have another spectacular year in the garden.

Next Thursday from 9am-12pm we will be providing an orientation to the garden and a workday to rework the Rose Garden. Jobs will include digging holes, digging roses to move, cutting back perennials, weeding, planting, placing bird baths and watering. Come join us and I am sure you will find something to do. Work will be followed by a light lunch.

Come prepared to work - long sleeves, hat, gloves (rose gloves if you have them) and sun screen. Park on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon or in the Congregational Church lot. The home is full and parking is for residents and staff. We will provide water and lunch. If you are coming to work that day please e-mail (maxmaddy@infomagic.net) for lunch numbers.

"The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world."
Charles Dudley Warner 1871

Loni Shapiro

Posted by maxmaddy at 8:43 PM

Arizona Native Plant Society

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION

Grand Canyon Impact Study

Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary team to help measure human impacts to vegetation, wildlife and cultural resources in Grand Canyon's backcountry? This spring there are several volunteer opportunities to join Grand Canyon National Park staff on 3-8 day backpacking trips to gather data on human impacts to natural resources.

While several studies have examined ecological changes and recreation along the Colorado River, little information exists on the impacts of visitor use on vegetation and small mammal communities in backcountry areas. In preparation for the revision of the Backcountry Management Plan, we will be conducting integrated recreational impact, soil, vegetation, and small mammal surveys in the inner canyon over the winter and spring of 2004-2005. We will compare human impact indicators and the distribution and abundance of plant and small mammal species in areas that receive high visitation with those that receive little visitor use.

To learn more, please contact Kate Watters, Backcountry Vegetation Specialist at the Grand Canyon National Park Science Center: 928.226.0158 or Katherine_Watters@nps.gov.

Monitoring Workshop April 25 and Field Work funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant, The Arboretum at Flagstaff

The Arboretum at Flagstaff will host training workshops for plant inventory and monitoring volunteers. The focus this year is monitoring seven threatened and sensitive plants in northern Arizona that may be incurring effects from long-term drought. Workshop topics include: how plant conservation is different from animal conservation; rarity in plants; species concepts; threats; population evaluation; demography, population viability; seed collecting and storage techniques. The first workshop will be held April 25th at The Arboretum and in the field. Additional field days will be scheduled in coordination with local land management agencies. The workshop is free; however, trainees should anticipate assisting in some field monitoring during the summer and fall. Contact Sheila Murray sheila.murray@nau.edu for more information on the workshop.

Posted by maxmaddy at 4:48 AM

Orientation to the Olivia White Hospice Garden

Bearded Iris and Lamb's Ear in the Hospice garden - 2005. Photo by Loni Shapiro

Gardening already? Well, not exactly gardening, but we have been watering and planning for the 2006 season. On Thursday, April 20, we will do an Orientation to the garden from 9am-12pm. Light lunch served following the program. The program has been set up for prospective Master Gardeners, but all who may want to work in the garden are welcome. We will meet at the Olivia White Hospice Home.

You can find us at 752 N. Switzer Canyon Drive. The agenda includes a brief review of what Hospice care is, the purpose of the Hospice home, history of the garden, goals for the garden for 2006, and a tour of the garden. Depending on weather, we will finish by moving some roses.

Goals for OW Garden 2006

Install drip system
Build 2nd raised bed
Offer 1 Saturday a month for volunteers, in addition to Thursday mornings
Securely place remaining benches (4 in Gazebo/2 on brick pads)
Brick walkway from parking lot to Rose Garden
Build birdhouse trellis between Gazebo and sidewalk on Switzer Canyon
Work on Tea garden/Fairy Garden – mostly hardscape
Re-work the Rose Garden Area
Repot sensory pots/tomatoes/herbs/greens/troughs
Continue to encourage residents and families to participate in garden activities
Continue work on educational materials for the garden

Fundraising
Set up booth for Fair for Life/goods made from the garden
Work with Warners on a 10% day
Continue to sell cards at Hospice office and OW
Watercolors of garden for fall auction and notecards.

Come prepared to work (gloves, rose gloves if you have them, long sleeves, hat, sun screen) and park in the church lot at the bottom of Turquoise just before Switzer Canyon. The home has very limited parking and it is needed for staff and resident families.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend but would like to join us this season please contact either myself or Laura Davis. We will be in the garden on Thursday mornings (starting on April 27) from 9am-12pm and the 3rd Saturdays of May, June, August, September and October..

Loni Shapiro maxmaddy@infomagic.net 928-522-8635
Laura Davis lsd4@dana.ucc.nau.edu 928-214-8175

Posted by maxmaddy at 4:31 AM