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July 31, 2006
Tamarisk Backpacking Project
The Grand Canyon National Park Needs Your Help!
Grand Canyon National Park is looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals to work as short-term volunteers with the Park’s Backcounty Vegetation Program. The goal of the project is tamarisk eradication. Volunteers backpack into remote sites. Trips vary in length and location. To learn more about these trips visit our volunteer website: www.gcvolunteers.com.
You can learn more about the Foundation at www.gcnpf.org or for more information contact Terra Crampton at terra@gcnpf.org, (928) 774-1760.
One of the most significant threats to global biodiversity is the invasion of exotic plants. Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), also known as salt cedar, is an invasive exotic tree that grows in stands along rivers and streams in the western United States. These prolific non native trees displace native vegetation, create conditions that are inhospitable for the germination of native plant seeds, impact wildlife abundance, and increase fire frequency. The spread of tamarisk has gone beyond the river corridor of the Grand Canyon and poses a significant threat to tributaries and springs that remain as some of the last examples of pristine riparian habitat in the desert southwest. This encroachment not only threatens native vegetation communities but also wildlife that depend upon these sources of water.
To date, volunteer crews have removed over 200,000 tamarisk trees from over 100 side canyons. Volunteers are essential to making this project a success and have donated over 20,000 hours, kneeling beneath dense canopies with handsaws in action. Does this sound like fun to you? At this point in the project, we are reaching remote areas via backpacking on 4-8 day trips. The work is hard and the days are long, but the sense of community and accomplishment are great.
Volunteer Requirements:
Ability to…
• live in remote areas with few amenities where inclement weather is possible.
• work extended schedules with long work days.
• maintain a positive attitude in a group setting for extended periods of time.
• backpack with a load of 50 pounds or more over rough terrain
This project is sponsored and funded by the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation. The Foundation works to build the ethic of stewardship for the Grand Canyon through private philanthropy, volunteer leadership, and public outreach. To date, the Foundation has raised $15 million for the Park. Donations to the Foundation support projects like this that protect and preserve the Canyon’s natural, cultural, and historic resources.
Grand Canyon Volunteers programs are made possible with the support of the Grand Canyon Trust and the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation.
Posted by hbraun at 11:56 AM
July 27, 2006
Olivia White Hospice Garden
This was a very busy week for the Olivia White Hospice Garden. On Thursday morning we had our regular crew of volunteers moving Irises and weeding. In the afternoon we had a large crew of Americorp volunteers to help create our new Faerie Garden. They did some difficult work weeding, moving rocks and adding soil to build the new garden.
On Saturday Warner's Nursery and Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed donated 10% of their sales to the garden. Several talks were included in the days festivities. Mar-Elise Hill and Ted Martinez were at Native Plant & Seed and talked about local shubs/vines with berries and what to do with them.
Thank you:
Speakers at 10% Day- Mar-Elise Hill, Ted Martinez, Terra Crampton and Hattie Braun
Hospice staff for helping at the nurseries
Hospice and Master Gardener volunteers for helping at the nurseries
Regular garden volunteers for work in the garden and at the nurseries
Warner's Nursery & Landscaping and Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed for sponsoring the events
AmeriCorp for work in starting the Faerie Garden
Special recognition:
Zane the golden retriever for wining the Pet Idol 2006
Plans for 8/3/06
Finish moving Irises
Complete the path from the parking lot with edging
Move the standing bed
Hang a basket
Work on steps/path to Faerie Garden
Weed,water and clean up as needed
Come join us in the garden on Thursday 8/3 between 8am-12pm. Bring a hat, sun screen, and any tools you like to use. We provide water, snacks, work, and the company of other gardeners. Park in the lot at the Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switzer on Turquoise. If you want to help with other workdays or have questions please contact Loni Shapiro (522-8635) or Laura Davis (214-8175).
Today's Quote
When solving problem, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at 6:53 AM
July 20, 2006
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
2006 Third Annual
Penstemon Festival and Sale
Saturday, August 5, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free with admission fee
The South has its azaleas. The Midwest has its corn. Maine has the maple, and Portland, Oregon has its roses. Flagstaff? Why not the mighty penstemon?
Penstemons are the largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America, and more varieties grow around Flagstaff than just about anywhere else. Botanists have classified 272 species throughout the continent, with dozens occurring in the Flagstaff area. So it makes sense that The Arboretum should be the place to honor this uniquely American wildflower.
The highlight of the event will be displays of blooming penstemons in our Courtyard throughout the day. Many of them will be for sale. We will also have special tours of the garden, focusing on our penstemon collection, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Children’s activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including penstemon-themed crafts and face painting. The festival is free with general admission or an Arboretum membership. For more information, call (928) 774-1442.
Scheduled Activities:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Penstemon Sales
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Gardens tours, focusing on Penstemon
10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. Children's activities, including penstemon crafts and face painting
12:00 & 2:00 Live Birds of Prey Programs
3:00 p.m. Penstemon Planting Demonstration
Posted by hargers at 2:33 PM
July 4, 2006
Olivia White Hospice Home 10% Day
Warner's Nursery and Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed will donate 10% of their proceeds to the garden at Olivia White Hospice Home on July 29th. Now that the monsoons have started, come buy some favorite plants to make your garden beautiful, while supporting Northland Hospice.
Free Lectures for the 10% day include:
Warner's Nursery
10am-11am Principles of Xerixcape Terra Crampton
Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, Xeric specialist
1pm-2pm Low-Water Perennials Hattie Braun
County Extension Office, Flagstaff Xeric Council
Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed
11am-12pm Native Edibles and Medicinal Plants for your Home Garden Ted Martinez & Mar-Elise Hill
NAU Botany graduates
Professors at AZ Western College
200pm-3pm Native Plants from Top to Bottom Derek Nelson
Horticulturist and greenhouse
manager at the Arboretum
Posted by maxmaddy at 11:24 AM
July 3, 2006
The 2006 Flagstaff Xeriscape Contest
More Beauty with Less Water
Do you have a beautiful and water-efficient landscape? Then consider entering the 2006 Flagstaff Xeriscape Contest sponsored by the City of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Xeriscape Council.
There are three contest categories -- residential landscapes installed by the homeowner, residential landscapes professionally installed and commercial properties. First-place winners in each category will receive prizes from local nurseries and recognition for their Xeriscape.
Entries will be judged on design for water conservation, use of native and low-water plants, functional and appropriate turf areas, appropriate mulching, and application of water-use zones.
The deadline to enter is July 31. Judging will take place the second week of August.
You can pick up a contest brochure with entry form at most local nurseries. Or call Hattie Braun at (928) 774-1868 x17 or e-mail her at hbraun@ag.arizona.edu.
Please submit completed entry form to:
City of Flagstaff Water Conservation Office
211 West Aspen Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Posted by hbraun at 9:46 AM
July 2, 2006
Evening Garden Club
At 10 a.m.on July 15 we are invited to the home of Jeff Crimmel at 3228 W. Mountain Drive in Cheshire.
Jeff and his family have been constructing their terraced front yard for six years. They also replaced scraggly junipers with native perennials and low shrubs in their back yard.
Directions: On 180 go past the museum to the first left, which is Fremont. Immediately turn right on Mountain Drive. 3228 is 4 houses from the corner of Fremont and Mountain Drive.
At 10 a.m. on July 29 Joseph Kavanagh invites us to his garden at 310 South Beaver Street. He offers to share cuttings from the perennials in his patio garden. Thanks to Debbie James for arranging this visit.
Directions: Beaver Street just south of San Francisco.
Posted by maxmaddy at 5:19 AM
July 1, 2006
MOUNTAIN MEADOW FARM TOUR AND FLAGSTAFF YOUTH GARDEN BENEFIT PLANT, HERB, ONION, GARLIC AND WORM SALE -
FRIDAY, July 21, 2006, Farm open 5:00-7:00 pm., tour starts at 5: 30p.m.
Next tour of Mountain Meadow Farm Friday, July 21, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (For
a preview, visit our farm online at www.mountainmeadowfarm.org.)
Peaches, small fruits and apples are ripening; we've covered plants with
floating row cover to keep off the grasshoppers and we are enjoying
our first harvest of onions and garlic while summer monsoons are just
beginning to refill the cisterns.
Come join us to see what we're doing with permaculture, indoors and
out, and how you can incorporate sustainable systems to accomplish
your own food production and landscaping goals. We will have Jan's
Nursery plants, and farm red worms, onions, garlic and fresh and dried
herbs for sale -- all are grown at the Farm without petrochemical
pesticides or fertilizers. 20% OF PLANT SALES GO TO BENEFIT PROJECT NEW START FLAGSTAFF YOUTH GARDEN. (WE'VE RAISED $423.80 TO DATE!)
While at Mountain Meadow Farm, you might also want to arrange a
professional garden consultation.
Suggested tour donation $5.00 to $1000 to benefit THE NEW FLAGSTAFF
YOUTH GARDEN
AT NEW START SCHOOL. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more
information on Flagstaff Youth Garden call Jan Busco 774-3584, or visit
http://www.flagfoodlink.org/youth/index.htm.
--------------
Directions to the farm are available at
http://www.flagstaffpermaculture.org/VisitMountainMeadowFarm.htm
Jan Busco and Chuck McDougal
for Mountain Meadow Farm
4509 N. Mountain Meadow Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928 527-0986
Posted by buscoj at 9:14 PM
Olivia White Hospice Garden Workday 7/13/06
Most of our regular crew attended the garden workday this week - David Hockman, Karen Kent, Nancy Palmer, Elsie Ellis, Cynthia Katte and Leslie Pennick. We weeded the inferno strip, watered, planted hanging baskets for Hodge Podge,
and continued work on the path from the Rose Garden to the parking lot.
Zane and David visited with a resident, and another resident came out to try some of the touch and smell pots in the the garden.
Thank-yous:
Karen Kent for her usual dead heading.
Karen and David Hockman for work on the brick path.
Elsie Ellis for watering and sweeping.
Cynthia Katte for planting the hanging pots for Hodge Podge.
Thanks to all who participated in the "Fair for Life". We met many people, sold several bricks, cards, bookmarks and plants. Next year we hope to do even more.
Nancy, Laura, Loni and Leslie for hard work on weeding.
Zane and David for making our day more enjoyable.
New blooms in the garden:
Annuals added to color pots (Salvia (red & purple), Wave Petunias, Lobelia, Marigolds and Alyssum).
To do list for 7/13/06:
Continue work on the brick/sandstone path from the parking lot to the Rose garden.
Water as needed.
Clean birdbaths and fill feeders.
Weed the Inferno Strip.
Place solar light in the garden.
Thin the lettuce and radish bed.
New in the garden:
Half of a brick path from the Rose Garden to the parking lot.
Solar lights for the evening, purchased through a donation by Arthur Daubenspeck.
Lettuce, radishes and spinach finally coming up in the raised bed.
Other news:
July 27 1-4pm Special workday with Americorp on Fairy Garden hardscape/weeding.
July 29 8am-5pm 10% day at Warner's Nursery and Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed.
Coconino County Probation Crew with John Gordon to build a "sitting raised bed".
Coconino Community College building trades to provide a small greenhouse.
Roberta Rogers and Lynn Overend to do a watercolor of the garden for auction and notecards.
Come join us on July 13 for our weekly garden day. As usual park on Turquoise or in the lot at the Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switcher Canyon. Come with a hat, gloves and sun screen and any tools you like to work with.
"My garden claims a good part of my spare time in the fiddle of the day, when I am not engaged at home or taking a walk; there is always something to interest me even in the very sight of the weeds and litter, for then I think how much improved the place will be when they are removed." Thomas Arnold, Letter to J. T. Coleridge, 1819
Thanks, Loni (maxmaddy@infomagic.net)
Posted by hargers at 7:46 PM
Olivia White Hospice Garden Workday 7/20/06
Last Thursday 7/13 we had a full crew of regulars (Karen Kent, David Hockman, Leslie Pennick, Elsie Ellis, Nancy Palmer, Cynthia Katte and Marcia Lamkin), and some help from the former Director of Northland Hospice Marilyn Pate. In her retirement she has decided to volunteer with us when she is in town. We were able to complete more than 1/2 of the brick path - including placement of the arbor/gate,
plant 3 more hanging baskets, weed, water, thin and deadhead, fill birdbaths and feeders, and plant a few perennials. I will be heading to Santa Fe this weekend and will bring back some more xeric plants/shrubs for the garden.
Thank-yous:
Karen Kent & David Hockman for work on the brick path.
Elsle Ellis & Cynthia Katte for watering.
Leslie Pennick & Marcia Lamkin for weeding.
Nancy Palmer for helping to place solar lights for both patios.
Marilyn Pate for deadheading and thining our salad bed.
Zane & David for their support.
New in the garden:
Solar lights for both back patios.
Hanging baskets for the gazebo.
Brick path with arbor and gate almost completed from the parking lot to the Rose Garden.
New plants:
Summer Snow, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Purple Cora Bell, Wave Petunia
New blooms:
Shasta Daisy, Gloriosa Daisy, Cosmos, Roses, Red Salvia, Bunny Tail Grass and Lavender
Plans for 6/20/06:
Finish bricking the path
Plant new plants/shrubs from Santa Fe
Hang baskets from gazebo
Weed & water
Move some irises and other plants/shrubs in the garden
Upcoming:
Special workday Thursday 6/27 with Americorp - Fairy Garden Hardscape
10% Day at Warner's Nursery and Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed, July 29th
Does anyone know what this is? Plant spotted in Santa Fe garden with fancy leaves and small purple flowers at the top of the stem.
Garden art from an Albuquerque garden.
Come join us in the garden on Thursday 7/20 between 8am-12pm. Bring a hat, sun screen, and any tools you like to use. We provide water, snacks, work, and the company of other gardeners. Park in the lot at the Congregational Church on Turquoise just past Switzer on on Turquoise. If you want to help with other workdays or have questions please contact Loni Shapiro (522-8635) or Laura Davis (214-8175).
Thanks, Loni
Posted by maxmaddy at 7:24 PM
Olivia White Hospice Garden Workday 7/27/06
On Thursday this week we had our regular crew - Nancy Palmer, Elsie Ellis, Leslie Pennick, Karen Kent and David Hockman. Karen & David finished laying brick for the walkway from the parking lot to the Rose Garden.
Elsie watered and cleaned birdbaths, Nancy, Loni & Laura planted many new plants/shrubs from the nurseries in Santa Fe and Leslie weeded. The iris beds were thinned, with some to be planted elsewhere in the garden. If you are in need of purple iris just give us a call. We have more than is needed. Two hanging baskets with Wave Petunia were hung in the gazebo.
The new plants in the the garden are too numerous to mention, but most are very xeric. Shrubs purchased include: Little Leaf Mountain Mahagony, Cliff Rose, Current (Ribes ordoratum), Blue Mint Bush and Little Leaf Mock Orange. The beautiful Yellow Rose blooming last week was cleared of flowers by our local deer. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We have tried several commercial deer repellants without any success. On thing that seems to work is lavender. It surrounds the main rose garden and they don't go in there.
We celebrated Elsie's 85th birthday on our break today. Zane the wonder dog visited the residents and us, and he got a special massage from Leslie. This photo tells how he felt about it.
Upcoming this week:
Regular work schedule, 8am-12pm, July 27
Edging the new brick path and finishing with sand/dirt
Watering, weeding, and filling birdbaths/feeders
Finish thinning and replanting the iris
Extra work time, 2pm-6pm, July 27, with Americorp
Hardscape work on the Fairie Garden
Weeding
10% Day at Warner's Nursery and Native Plant and Seed, July 29
Warners - lectures at 10am/1pm
Native Plant and Seed - lectures at 11am/2pm
Come join us this week on Thursday, July 27 (8am-12pm or 2pm-6pm). Bring your hat, sun screen, and any tools you like to use. Park in the First Congregational Church lot on Turquoise just past Switzer Canyon Dr. or on Turquoise. If you can't make it come to Warners or Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed on Saturday, July 29, and buy some plants while supporting the Hospice Home garden.
"I've noticed something about gardening. You set out to do one thing and pretty soon you're doing something else, which leads to some other thing, and so on. by the end of the day, you look at the shovel stuck in the half-dug rose bed and wonder what on earth you've been doing." Anne Raver Deep in the Green (1995)
Thanks,
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at 12:18 PM