December 2019 The Gardencounties.agrilife.org/taylor/files/2019/12/December-MG-NL.pdf · MGA...
Transcript of December 2019 The Gardencounties.agrilife.org/taylor/files/2019/12/December-MG-NL.pdf · MGA...
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The Garden
Thymes
UPCOMMING EVENTS
Dec 17 6:00
BCMGA Christmas Party
Please watch for emails with dates and times for the Executive Committee Meeting and workdays at Meditation
Garden, McMurry Greenhouse, Swen-son House, and the Demo Beds at the
Extension Office or changes in dates or times for activities.
Gene Shelhamer, 2019 BCMGA President
The pergola has been completed in the demo garden at
the extension office.
• Now we are waiting on the catchments to be
delivered and the "dry river beds' developed.
• The 2020 BCMG officers have been elected and the
2020 budget has been adopted.
• The plants are now in their places in the newly
renovated Meditation Garden.
• We are all anxious to celebrate at the MG Christmas
party in the Big Country Hall on Tuesday December
17th.
See you there.
And finally…..
2019 has been a great year for me. It has been my
privilege to serve as your Big Country Master Gardener
president. This was only possible by the extraordinary help
and support of the other officers. Without these folks it just
wouldn't have happened and for them I am truly thankful. We
have had several large projects that have progressed during
this year. The whole Big Country Master Gardener organiza-
tion has a vision of an exciting future. Our New President,
Sandy Shaw, will lead us forward zeal and unbelievable
energy.
Thanks, Gene
Big Country Master Gardener
Association Newsletter
Bcmgtx.org
December 2019
2019 BCMG Officers President - Gene Shelhamer Vice Pres ident- Cheri Drysdale President Elect - Sandy Shaw Treasurer - Sandy Dugger Rec Sec - Ann Clark Cor Sec - Misty Hayward
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Where We ’ve Been, What We ’ve Done, Where We ’re Going
By Jackie Sledge We are about to put 2019 in the history book, but before we do, we need to look back at a very successful year for BCMGA.
Our association has been involved in a number of projects, events, and activities this year, and some of them are:
• Popular Saturday Seminars that provided education opportunities for both the public and Master Gardeners
• Programs for Abilene and area students such as Kids, Kows & More, Food and Fiber Day, and Junior Master Gardener programs
• Programs for children and families at Swenson House, Lake Kirby, and FaithWorks • Informative education programs before the monthly business meetings • Intern training classes • Presentations for various community groups • Many hours of work on projects in the community – Swenson House, Meditation Garden,
McMurry Greenhouse, Demo Beds at the Extension Office, FaithWorks, Lake Kirby Park, etc, etc
• Activities to fulfill the Pollinator Grant • Beginning work on the Maple Street property • Providing assistance to the Extension Office by answering the phone, helping with the
Pecan Show, working gates • Providing food for meetings and events, writing awards, preparing monthly newsletters • Successful Spring and Fall Plant Sales – hundreds of hours for these events • Fun times such as the Summer Picnic and the Christmas Party (The Christmas Party this
year will be a great time with good food, good friends, a time to reflect on 2019, and a time to celebrate some of our members)
• And there are a number of other things not listed here but were also important
So, how have we accomplished this?
• Support from the Extension Office – Cody Hill, Tammie Belyeu, and Amy Acosta provide valuable assistance to BCMGA.
• Leadership of the Executive Committee – President Gene Shelhamer, President Elect Sandy Shaw, Vice President Cheri Drysdale, Recording Secretary Ann Clark, Corre-sponding Secretary Misty Hayward, and Treasurer Sandy Dugger plus Past President Kathy Turner. We appreciate the leadership you have provided this year to make our group successful.
Cont...
Big Country Master Gardener Association Newsletter
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Big Country Master Gardener Association Newsletter
Where we’re going cont.….
• Leadership of the Committee chairs. They have spent untold hours planning, arranging, organizing, and working on projects, events, and activities.
The hours and hours of volunteer time worked by Master Gardeners and Interns. Very little could have been accomplished without the time worked by each of you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for you and what you do!
Whew. That’s a lot!
Where are we going in 2020?
• Continue with education opportunities
• Continue providing assistance to the Extension Office
• Identify and work projects and activities that educate
the public, benefit BCMGA, and make our community a
better place
• Have fun getting to know our fellow Master Gardeners
better and working with each other to accomplish our
shared goals
Have fun – can’t say that enough!
The most important thing to remember is that every Master Gardener is valuable to the
group, and we need input and help from everyone. Always remember that you are BCMGA,
your ideas are important, and the hours of time you volunteer are both appreciated and
make our association the outstanding group it is. I don’t know about you, but I am pleased
with our past and excited about our future.
Jackie Sledge
Garden Tips
It’s time to request seed catalogs to start planning for flowers and vegetables next year. Order
seeds soon so you can get them while they are still available.
When pruning shrubs, use hand pruners for a more natural look.
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Plant pansies, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and kale plus oth-
er winter annuals in beds and containers.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs. For
best results, don’t plant bulbs too deep.
Plant fruit and pecan trees, grapes, and berry vines.
Prune dead or damaged branches from trees. Also prune branches that are
too low.
Prune shrubs, crape myrtles, and fruit trees.
Refrain from pruning freeze-damaged stems of perennial flowers. They provide some
insulation for the plant through the rest of winter.
Cut mistletoe off of trees. If it is on small twigs, cut off the mistletoe and the twig.
Mow winter weeds to keep them in check. If your mower needs a tune-up or repair,
take it in now when business is slower.
Apply broadleaved weed killer on a warm afternoon early in the month to control clo-
ver, dandelions, chickweed, and henbit. The temperature needs to be above 70 de-
grees.
Feed compost piles, pansies and other winter annuals, newly planted trees and
shrubs, and indoor plants.
Prepare for freezing weather. Disconnect hoses from faucets, and drain sprinklers. Cover vulnerable
plants with lightweight frost cloth, cardboard boxes, or blankets for a few de-
grees of protection. Move plants into the garage during extreme cold.
Remember to provide water for the birds and wildlife during the winter.
Information from Neil Sperry and Doug Welsh
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The Garden Thymes
McMurry Greenhouse Renovation Update
by Molly Lorch
Drum roll please! The word is out. Dr. Alicia Wyatt has informed me that the renovation of the
McMurry greenhouse is scheduled to begin the first
week of March 2020.
All the exterior walls will be removed from the
greenhouse. Everything inside the greenhouse
could be exposed for weeks. Therefore, all that
BCMG has inside the greenhouse has to be moved
to an alternative location for storage. At the current
time, we plan to move most of the supplies and
storage shelves to the storage container at the Ma-
ple Street property. McMurry University plans for
the bottom 3' of the walls to be replaced with metal
siding and the upper parts will be polycarbonate panels
McMurry University plans to add an outdoor classroom approximately
24' x 25' on the south side of the greenhouse. This means all our
outdoor plants, including the ring garden, will need to be moved to make
space for a new outdoor classroom.
McMurry also wants to add concrete to the open
dirt areas adjacent to the exterior walls. The
thinking is that the concrete will reduce the risk of water, insects and pests
from entering the greenhouse.
Another much needed repair will be to replace the motors that open and close the roof ridge vents.
Currently, someone has to climb a ladder to force the vents open or closed. This is a very dangerous
operation that Steve Davis has done this year.
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McMurry Greenhouse cont…...
We are also hoping that the shade cloth system will become more automated. Currently, we have
to climb on benches, ladders, and use poles to open or retract the shade cloth
McMurry hopes to install an evaporative cooling system to help reduce the heat in the warm
months. Years ago the greenhouse had one of these systems, but it was removed when it fell into
disrepair.
We are hoping to move Master Gardener owned plants, supplies and
equipment out of the McMurry greenhouse in January. We will need
help.
McMurry Greenhouse
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Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball From Chef In Training
https://www.chef-in-training.com/cranberry-orange-cheese-ball/
Served at the November meeting Submitted by Ann Taylor
COATING
Instructions
Ingredients 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup craisins (I chopped them) 2 teaspoons orange zest
1 Tablespoon orange juice ½ cup powdered sugar
1 cup chopped candied pecans ½ cup craisins (I chopped them) 1 Tablespoon orange zest
*NOTE: I didn’t have any candied pecans on hand, so I combined the remaining juice from the or-
ange with approximately 1/4 or 1/3 cup sugar. I then heated it in a small saucepan until it thickened into a syrup and let cool.
1. Stir softened cream cheese until smooth.
2. Stir in craisins, orange zest, orange juice and powdered sugar until well combined.
3. Set bowl in fridge and allow to firm up for about 10 minutes or just long enough to be able to form a ball.
4. Roll into a cream cheese mixture into a ball and place on a plate or tray and place in freezer to soft set for 10 minutes.
5. While cheese ball is soft setting, combine coating ingredients onto a large tray or plate. Roll cheese ball into the topping ingredients to coat on the outside completely.
6. Cover with saran wrap and store in fridge until ready to serve.
7. Serve with crackers.
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Date: Sept. 30
Time: 8:00-3:00
Place: Southern Hills Church of Christ 3666 Buffalo Gap Road
Quick Fudge
Ingredients:
• 3 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips
• One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Line a square 8 x 8 pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the chocolate chips in a medium saucepan or double boiler over medium heat. Pour in the sweet-
ened condensed milk. Stir as the chocolate chips melt, taking care to scrape the bottom of the pan to
avoid sticking and burning.
Remove the mixture from the heat when there are no longer bits of solid chocolate chips. Immediately
transfer it to the prepared pan, pressing it into a single layer. Cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap and
refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.
Once the mixture is set, pull the edge of the foil to remove the fudge from the pan. Peel off the foil, and
cut the fudge into squares. Store in plastic bags at room temperature.
Variations: A variety of crushed candies or nuts can be added to the top of the fudge after it has been
spread in the pan and before it is chilled. Sprinkle them over the top and press lightly so they stay in place.
Suggested toppings are chopped M&Ms, crushed peppermint candies, finely chopped nuts (pecans, wal-
nuts, or peanuts), colorful sprinkles, etc.
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…………. . .
Quick Sauces to make and have ready for quick toppings over ice cream, cheesecake, pies,
pudding, fruit, etc. to add pizazz to desserts and snacks.
Hot Fudge Sauce
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, cut into pieces
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Gently whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the cream. Turn the
heat to medium, and whisk it as it warms up. When the mixture starts to warm up, add the butter and stir it
in to melt. When the mixture is hot, add the vanilla and stir to combine.
Let the sauce cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and transfer it to a mason jar. Store it in the refrigerator (it will
become more solid as it chills). To serve, scoop out the amount needed and place it in a microwave-safe
bowl. Heat it for 20 seconds, or until melted and warm.
Variations:
Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the cocoa-sugar mixture for
added flavor.
Add an additional ¼ cup of sugar to the sauce for more sweetness.
Quick Caramel Sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Combine the brown sugar and cream in a medium saucepan. Then add the butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir the
mixture over medium heat until it melts. Let it come to a gentle boil and bubble up for 2 to 3 minutes.
Let the sauce cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and transfer it to a jar. Store it in the refrigerator (it will be-
come more solid as it chills). To serve, scoop out the amount needed and place it in a microwave-sage
bowl. Heat it for 20 seconds, or until melted and warm.
Variation:
Add a little extra salt for salted caramel sauce. Be sure to taste before adding more salt.
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Finally!…..a restart for Meditation Garden
By Sandy Shaw
Meditation Garden began under the charge and design of our own master
gardener, Danielle Delhomme. There have been many changes in the
garden since the concept of a labyrinth surrounded by bountiful fruit trees
and pollinating cultivars began. In fact, our project at First Central Presby-
terian Church sat idle for a year or more.
New plans were presented, Meditation Garden became involved in the
writing of our 2019 Pollinator Grant and FCPC offered to build a new area
with raised bed, for pollinators, if we would agree to plant and work until
established. We agreed; they did the work; and finally, this past month,
the “Master Gardener Pollinator Bed” took shape!
The long, curved bed, built of pavers,
filled with soil, was amended and
ready to plant. For starters we
planted leftovers from our fall plant
sale: sages, salvias and daylilies. A
trip to Harry’s Nursery resulted in
winter color: yellow pansies, purple
and white pansies, yellow snaps,
cabbages, and more rose pansies! - and yesterday, drip irrigation
magically appeared in the raised bed and in the surrounding mulched area
also!
Merry Christmas to BCMGA!
We would like to set up a few
MG’s for rotation ; someone to
check on drip, maybe every cou-
ple of days ; for a short time un-
til we are sure things are pro-
gressing well. If you are inter-
ested, email or text Sandy. (It
would be an easy volunteer
hour and you could walk the Labyrinth while there!)
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You Rock Award is an award given to the Association Member who has done something outstanding in the previous month.
The Busy Bee is the member who submitted the most hours the previous month.
Please remember to nominate an individual (even yourself)
for the You Rock Award. The nomination should be for someone
who has done something outstanding during the month.
Please send your nominations to Dorothy Kiser at [email protected].
The Busy Bee Award was given to Jo Rake who reported 60 hours for October.
Jo was instrumental in making the plant sale run smoothly. Thank you, Jo, for
your contribution to the plant sale and for the many other ways you assist
Master Gardeners.
Molly Lorch was selected to receive the You Rock Award for October. Molly
has spent endless hours in the McMurry Green House organizing everything
after the spring and summer activities. Molly, you are appreciated for your
time and expertise in making the green house a better place for our organiza-
tion. Thank you!
The You Rock Award for May was given to Chris Hill.
He has not been available to get his award earlier. Chris was nominated for his
work on the demo beds. The grounds around the Extension Office are beginning
to look so much better. Thank you Chris for your work in improving this space.
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Master Gardener Spotlight
New BCMG ’s!!
At the November meeting we had the pleasure of introducing new
BCMG members!
Please help us all welcome Dianne Bennett, Shannon Abbott, Chris Hill and Susan Perry!!
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December
December 8 Don Miller
December 16 Vicki Adams
December 16 Linda Spivey
December 22 James Griffith
December 30 Patty Espisito
December 30 Gilbert Rodriguez