Volume 14, Issue 3 March 2013

The next scheduled Master Gardeners General Meeting is noted below: WHEN: Tuesday March 19th, 2013

Presidents Corner

By Donna Maier

TIME: 3:00-5:00 p.m. WHERE: Burnet County Fair Barn 1201 Houston Clinton Drive Burnet, TX 78611 PRESENTER: Katie Raney, Texas State Parks Interpreter TOPIC: Reforestation of Bastrop State Park

here is so much to look forward to in March! Well be looking for the first wildflowers, our beloved bluebonnets, to show their cheery faces; other spring blooms to start appearing; the trees to start leafing out once again; our lawns to start greening up; and, best of all, our 15th annual Lawn and Garden Show on March 23rd! (I could add warmer weather but we seem to already have that.) Val Klaudt assured us the Lawn and Garden Show will be the best ever and I believe her! This is Vals third year in charge of the show and she doesnt seem to tire of it. The planning has been going on for several months now, but the hands-on work will come on Friday, March 22nd when LOTS of helpers will be needed to get everything set up for the show the next day. :

At the end of the show, at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, helpers will once again be needed for cleaning up. Val can tell you what she needs if you contact her at val.klaudt@gmail.com.
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Whats Inside
Presidents Corner ....................... .1, 4 Meeting Notice ............................. .. .1 Wade Hibler .......................... ...2, 4 Bill Luedecke ............................... .3, 5 What, When, Where.................... ..4 Suzanne Labry Article. ................. ....5 Hill Country Lawn & Garden ..........6-8 Class in Session ............................. ..9 Sustainability by Lori Scott ........... ..10 HLMGA Sp. Exec. BD Minutes ..11-12 HLMGA February Minutes .........13-15 February Financial Report ............ .16 Salvia Gregii .................................. .17 AT Opportunities ........................... .18 Volunteer and AT Hrs. Form19

DIRECTIONS: The Burnet County Fair Barn Fair Ground is located in Burnet, west of 281, behind the Burnet Airport Katie Raney, a Texas State Parks Interpreter, will discuss the impact of the Central Texas fires, 18 months post event, on the Bastrop State Park. She will outline the goals for reforestation of the Loblolly Pines, and define the various opportunities for volunteerism Light snacks will be served. Please bring your own drink.

The 15th Annual Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show Saturday, March 23, 2013 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Burnet Community Center

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Whats Happening Now in Burnet County

ere are some things that I have been receiving phone calls and emails about. Thought it would make a good news article for The Dig-It news. One thing I would like to offer is a training on handling phone calls at the Extension Office. It would help me a lot if I had a team of Master Gardeners who could handle phone and email questions when I have to be out of the office on 4-H assignments.

Use of Dormant Oil on Fruit and Nut Trees.

It is best to spray before buds begin to swell. If buds of trees and shrubs have begun to swell slightly, go ahead and spray. Although some of the buds may be damaged, the benefits of spraying dormant oil plus a copper fungicide far outweigh the possible repercussions. Besides, fruit trees have many more fruit buds than they need to produce an adequate crop anywayyou won't have to thin the fruit as much thus avoiding the moral issue of abortion! Do not spray trees which are in full bloom however. Applying a dormant oil spray after the pruning season will also serve to cover pruning cuts which have been recently inflicted and can serve as a second attack on stubborn pests which were not killed by an earlier oil application.

Build a Raised Bed Garden this year.

Landscape soil is approximately one-third sand, one-third soil and one-third compost. The soil needs to be heavily fertilized because the commercial compost is usually only partially composted and may be dominated by sawdust, which produces a nitrogen deficit for about two years. Add one cup of slow release lawn fertilizer per eight feet of raised bed garden every eight weeks for two years.

Common Rose Problems in the Burnet County Area

The single most important factor in creating rose problems in Bexar and surrounding Counties is the high pH range of the soil. A reading of 7 is considered neutral. Above 7 is alkaline and below is acid. Roses grow best in the 6-7 range. Unfortunately, most soil in this section of Texas tests over 8. Another factor that contributes to the high alkaline content of the soil is the high pH of our water, generally even higher than that of the soil. Many nutrient deficiencies are usually associated with our high pH range.

Common Rose Deficiencies in this Area

Chlorosisthis is the most common problem associated with a high PH. It is due to the iron being unavailable to the plant in alkaline soils. Secondarily, it may also be caused by deficiencies of nitrogen, manganese, magnesium or a lack of enough oxygen available to the root system. Iron deficiency will start with a yellowing of leaves. The veins in the leaves will stand out. A short range cure is the application of Ironite or other acidifying mixtures. A longer range solution is the application of a cup of a sulphur compound to each rose bush once or twice a year. Nitrogen deficiencyA plant that lacks nitrogen will display pale green foliage and veins. Moreover, growth on the top becomes shorter, buds fail to develop in a proper fashion and small and poorly colored flowers result. Nitrogen deficiency is common in alkaline soils. It can also result when straw, hay or sawdust is used as a mulch. As the mulch breaks down, nitrogen is extracted from the soil. Supplemental nitrogen may be added in the form of water soluble products such as calcium nitrate, granular urea or organic blood meal. The use of composted mulch is recommended.
(Wade Hibler continued on Page 4)

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Lawn & Garden Shows

he Llano Land & Garden show is right around the corner. Saturday, March 16th is the date the fun begins from 9:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. Both the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Llano Master Gardeners sponsor the show. Speakers start at 9:15 a.m. with Keenan Fletcher speaking on Heirloom Bulbs; followed by Larry Payne at 10:a.m. with Tips on Building an Energy Efficient Greenhouse; 10:45 a.m. Sheryl Smith-Rodgers topic is Windows on the Texas Landscapes; 11:30 a.m., yours truly, aka Bill Luedecke will be speaking on Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring Planting; and at 12:15 p.m.. Mike Reagor will give us an Update on Llano Water Planning. Last, but not least, Dave and Inell will tell us all we need to know about Xeriscape Landscaping and Gardening starting at 1:00 p.m.

Llano Lawn & Garden Shows

Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show

The 15th Annual Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show will be held on March 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m., at the Burnet Community Center just east of the square in Burnet at 401 E. Jackson St. Guest speakers are at 10 a.m. Richard Ashton Growing Fruit in the South and at 2:00 p.m. George Cates speaking on Creating Divers, Drought Tolerant Native Outdoor Living Spaces! Sadly, Bill Neiman of Native American Seeds had a conflict and will not be able to be there. PLEASE NOTE: The time extension to 4:00 p.m. and the change in speakers. For more information please go to http://yantislakesidegardens.com/mghome/show. I can hardly waittwo Garden Shows and they are only a week apart! What an opportunity for all of us to learn from speakers and to purchase plants for the Spring Garden.

Look Who is Here?

I have had several reports of the Martin Scouts arriving from south of Marble Falls to the eastside of Lake Buchanan. Have you cleaned out your Martin Houses? We talked about that last month. There have been other sightings in the area that the hummingbirds are arriving, so make sure that you get your bird feeders up and ready to receive them. They are going to be really hungry and tired after that long flight. Remember: Dont use the red dye when mixing the simple sugar solution for the feeders. The birds dont need dye anymore than we humans.

Duties for March

Do not fertilize your lawns yet. If you do it now, you will be feeding the very things you dont want, namely the weeds. Grasses dont really start to grow until it is warmer. We need temperatures in the 70s in the mornings and 80s in the afternoons to promote good healthy grasses. A better time to fertilize on the calendar, but watch the temperatures, is mid April. This is an excellent time to aerate your lawns. Wildflowers should be to be outstanding, even though we are in the midst of a horrible drought. We did get some moisture at the right time to produce pretty wildflowers. If you want to know where they are the best log onto www.dot.state.tx.us, they will tell you where the best is for viewing. If you would rather call then 1-800-452-9292 is the source to call. Each year TxDot spreads over 33,000 pounds of wildflower seeds over the highways and byways. Each pound contains some 170,000 seeds and some 30 different varieties of species. My favorite trip for the Bluebonnets and other wildflowers is the HWY 16 going south from San
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Fertilize your trees now

February is the ideal time to fertilize healthy trees. A simple calculation is based on trunk diameteruse one pound of a high nitrogen fertilizer (slow-release type such as 19-5-9) per inch diameter of tree trunk. Spread the fertilizer evenly throughout under the drip zone of the tree. Fertilize evergreen trees, such as live oak, at the rate of 1-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of root area. One pound of nitrogen is equivalent to 8 pounds of 13-13-13. Fertilize deciduous trees (oaks, cypress) at the rate of 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Fertilize winter bedding plants such as pansies, snapdragons, calendulas, dianthus with a complete-and-balanced fertilizer at 1 pound per square feed of bed area. Wait at least another month to fertilize the lawn.
(Presidents Corner Continued from Page 1)

Our new Certification Class is off to a good start with Ray Buchanan once again leading the charge. There are 20 very excited Interns in the class. Ray hosted an orientation meeting for them on February 5th that helped them get acquainted with each other and gave them an introduction to what being a Master Gardener is all about. Ray is assisted this year by Bob Caruthers and Becky Rodriguez. Our February program on water conservation was very educational and I, for one, am seriously thinking about having Mr. Briant do one of his surveys on our irrigation system. For those of you who didnt make it to the meeting, he gave some impressive figures about how to decrease water waste from our landscape watering. You can contact him at bbriant@lcra.org or 512-369-4775 to schedule a survey and to ask for the PDF file of his presentation. Most of us are getting anxious for the last freeze to be behind us so we can get out and do some serious gardening, not just cleaning up and preparing our garden beds. Lets try to remember to be water-wise as we get our gardens going and growing this season. I look forward to seeing you at our meeting March 19th. Until next month - Donna dendon@nctv.com 830-598-2614

What, When, Where?

WHAT: Want to Know How to Save Water and Money When Irrigating? WHEN: Thursday March 7, 5-7pm WHERE: The Helping Center Garden, 1315 Broadway and N Street, Marble Falls, Texas 78654 Cost $10.00 per person WHO: Brett Briant, Water Conservation Coordinator, LCRA and Beth Mortenson, Highland Lakes Master Gardener. WHY: To save water and money. Learn how to set up drip systems and how to upgrade existing systems to qualify for rebates.

Did You Know?

Grapes ARE a toxin for dogs as are chocolate, raisins, onions, & nitrate as in hot dogs. Thank you to Mary Ellen Goff for this tip!
If you have a plant related Do You Know? please submit to me.

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Saba through Fredericksburg and Kerrville and all the way to Medina. There is not a prettier drive to see wildflowers in the Hill Country. We can begin to plant Asparagus, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Peppers, Pumpkin, Squash, and Watermelon just to name a few. Also we can plant Herbs. This is a good time to attack the weeds. My favorite product is the Natural Weed Killer by Gardenville. If you have any Poison Ivy and it is budding then attack it with this product |immediately. It may take several applications, but it will take out the Poison Ivy. Warning: This product will knock out whatever you put it on so please pay particular attention to where you are spraying.

Freeze Test for When to Plant

Remember the last freeze test has multiple questions. First have the Mesquite trees fully leafed out? Secondly have we passed the average latest last freeze? When is Easter? Did it thunder in February? The answers to three of the questions is no, the other is yes to thunder being heard in February. I know it seems like Spring has sprung and we are due to change our clocks on the 10th, but it has not sprung yet. Easter is not until March 31 st, Mesquite on our place is has not even begun to bud, and the average latest last freeze is March 31 st. Just be aware of what is taking place. We have been fooled before and will be again. Till Next Month! Keep your souls and your soles in your garden! Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener. John 15:1 Have questions or comments? Contact Bill Luedecke at The Luedecke Group Realtors, P.O. Box 1632, Bertram, TX. 78605 (no Post Office in Oatmeal) or email bill@texasland.net. For additional gardening web sites, go to his web site;www.TexasLand.Net and click on links.

The March/April issue of Texas Gardener Magazine will contain an article about Richard Ashton by Suzanne Labry. Richard Ashton will be one of the speakers at the Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show. He is one of Texas' premier experts on growing all sorts of fruit. Most recently he has been focusing on pomegranates.

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Richard Aston
Richard Ashton has been involved in agricultural pursuits all his life. From his younger years in Texas on a grain and cattle ranch to his growing up days in the apple orchards of Oregon. In Oregon the family grew apples, rye grass and peppermint. The peppermint was pressed and the oil was used for many things from candy to cosmetics. In his college days he worked his way by growing alfalfa and grapes in the central valley of California, but by far most of his life was spent in Texas. Part of the time agriculture was a sideline but he was never got away from it entirely. While working in the oil business in Texas he had grapefruit groves in the lower Rio Grande valley. He says walking through the 8,000 trees in his orchards was favorite pastime. He also had the pleasure to grow peanuts in central Texas. They taste good and the hay is great cattle feed. Theres nothing like sitting in a hay barn on a bale of peanut hay picking out the few remaining peanuts and eating them. Although his college degree is in business he has spent most of his time associated with horticulture. He enjoys evaluating different fruit varieties. He always seems to look at a fruit variety for its
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commercial possibilities since he spent many years with agriculture as his livelihood. So when researching species and varieties of fruit intended for planting an orchard on a farm he owned in central Texas he had three main criteria. He wanted a fruit that could stand some dry weather, one that would not be hurt by late spring freezes and one that would make money. Pomegranates, apricots and jujubes were the final candidates. He knew that jujubes had only niche market and he could not find any apricots that could not be hurt by late spring freezes. In all fairness he was able to find some apricot varieties that could withstand most late freezes, but by far the fruit with the most potential was pomegranates. A chance happening put him in contact with Barbara Baer. He had read an article she had written in Orion magazine and got in contact with her. It seems that she had been in contact with a Dr. Levin in Turkmenistan and found that he had collected over 1100 varieties of pomegranates from the area of origin of the pomegranate. Richard was interested in these varieties because there were cold hardy varieties within the collection. His central Texas area was just slightly on the cooler side for pomegranates. Some winters get as low as 10 degrees F. in his area. This started Richard on a path to where he with others he recruited to evaluate most of the central Asian pomegranates that were brought to this country. It has been an 8 year journey. Today the cooperative he foundedTexas Pomegranate Growers Cooperative, Inc. has over 40 grower members. Orchards of pomegranates are going in all central, south and west Texas. The goal of the cooperative is 5,000 acres of pomegranates with a state of the art processing plant. The Texas Department of Agriculture, the extension service of Texas A&M University and the USDA have all helped get this growing industry moving. The bottom line is that all this would not have been possible without pomegranate varieties from Dr. Levins Turkmenistan collection. All the main varieties recommended by the cooperative are from this south central Asian collection; varieties such as Texas Red, Pecos, Sumbar and SAL.

George Cates of Native American Seed Creating Diverse, Drought Tolerant Native Outdoor Living Spaces
Native American Seed of Junction, Texas, is based at the center of nine eco -regions. The companys mission is to help people restore the earth by offering a wide diversity of 100% locally adapted native species. Practical solutions for eco-logical land management and responsible beauty are goals that we can all achieve by working together using the best management practices available. George Cates began interning for Native American Seed (NAS) in 2002 and was hired full time after graduating Austin College in 2006 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. For the past decade, he has participated in and led many NAS prairie restorations utilizing seeds harvested across the many ecoregions of Texas. George also manages NAS farming and seed production operations in Junction, TX. He has a remarkable capacity for looking at problems as challenges to be met, and the kind of willingness to learn that is a priceless asset. George has maintained his own yard as a model for vibrant and responsibly beautiful outdoor living spaces. Conserve water and cut maintenance by reducing the size of native lawn turf areas and planting no-mow prairie grasses and wildflower seed mixes. He loves to teach and share what he has learned through his experiences. Native American Seed of Junction, Texas, is based at the center of nine eco regions. The companys mission is to help people restore the earth by offering a wide diversity of 100% locally adapted native species. Practical solutions for eco logical land management and responsible beauty are goals that we can all achieve by working together using the best management practices available.

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Master Gardeners PLEASE DO NOT PARK INSIDE RED AREA The Vendors need to park within the Red Area to unload!

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Class is in Session!
By Carolyn Kennedy & Beth Mortenson
It is a win/win arrangement for local students and the Helping Center Garden on the third Wednesday of every month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Sammye Childers, Beth Mortenson and Karen Wilkens have planned an ongoing program that offers garden-related educational presentations to local students. The Education in the Garden Program is currently offered to home-schooled children in the Highland Lakes area. Each scheduled program consists of a brief lecture, a hands-on activity and some practical experience in the garden. The lectures are based on season-appropriate gardening basics, such as; soil preparation, composting, and rain water collection. The hands-on activities are designed to complement the lecture, and therefore become a fun way to enhance the concepts learned. The onsite experience that follows includes any task that the garden requires at the time, i.e. weeding, planting, and produce harvesting. For their first lesson on February 20, Linda Finney spoke about Garden Planning. She showed the Helping Center Garden Plans and taught the children the essential elements needed for good gardening. Nature sometimes throws us a curve, Finney told them. You may get too many impatiens and the basil dies. Mortenson was impressed with the students, and told a parent, The children are so curious and interested. I love their questions and their spontaneous comments. They made my day! The children left with a folder containing graph paper, a checklist of things to get for their garden, and instructions on how to plot and design their own garden at home. There is a contest for the best decorated folder, to be judged in April; awards will be plants. Finney emphasized that planting a garden must be your dream. It may be a container with a marigold or a square-foot garden with a variety of plants. Dream it first, then plant it, she told them. Following the lecture, the children planted their own heirloom tomatoes in recycled newspaper pots. Kitty Rawlings will cover Soil Preparation at the March session. The home-schooled children and their parents are pleased to have an outdoor classroom where they can learn about food production and basic gardening, and the Master Gardeners are thrilled that they can teach and train current and future volunteers for the Helping Center Garden. You are welcome, as always, to stop by the garden to observe a class or to lend a hand or just see how it is growing. Were very proud of what the garden is producing-in this case, childrens love of growing plants.

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Sustainability as a Way of Life and a Way of Gardening

Thoughts from Lori Scott Master Gardener Class 2013 All one has to do is turn on the television to be eventually beaten down with dire predictions for the future. Human consumption is out of control. By destroying our planet, were actually destroying our own existence. This is a frightening predicament to find ourselves in but by living a life of sustainability those fears can begin to subside. One no longer has to fear for the well being of their family when they can provide food for them. One no longer has to fear the future of oil when they dont depend on it for energy. Water and waste are bigger issues to tackle, but harvesting rainwater and recycling waste are becoming more common in practice. No one person can save the planet but every person can make a difference in their own part of the world. By living a life in harmony with nature, we can act as an example to others around us. As knowledge is passed from one person to the next, real change in entire communities can take place. It is true that its better to be part of the solution, than part of the problem. As gardeners, our responsibilities to the earth are great. We deal with the soil on a daily basis. Caring for it properly is our most important task. It is the foundation of all life, and we must not deplete its ability to support it. In water usage, we must conserve and sequester but our duties go much further than that. Our land ethic also involves preserving the positive relationships within our landscapes; resisting unnatural activities is key. Through observation and study, we learn to respect and understand the world around us. Always acting with restraint, we must look ahead to the long-term impact. Instead of destroying our environment, contribution should remain our motive. In designing sustainable gardens we have a wonderful opportunity to create little Shangri-Las. Nature serves as a perfect guide. Natural landscapes are full of activity, with wonderful sounds and smells. They are fascinating and show us beauty in its purest form. They are also perfect examples of efficiency and productivity. Energy is harvested from the sun, wind and heat. Water and nutrients are used without waste. Everything is connected to everything else, and each thing has its own value within the system. By creating sustainable gardens, we can watch nature in its full glory. Sustainability offers us a way of living in harmony with nature. Becoming thoughtful stewards of our environment is our mortal duty. Whether it be in life, or in gardening, sustainability is quite possible. Nature is equipped to take care of itself. It is only the human being that stands in its way. We are citizens of nature, and need to act as such. Not only is it the right thing to do, but also its the most fulfilling way to live. People become so wrapped up in unimportant things they complicate their lives with meaningless objects and worries. Sustainability promotes simplicity. Our society, as a whole, has been running from a simple way of life. Now that weve damaged our future, we realize that it is a necessity. Focusing on what is important, in our relationships with one another and with the earth, is the solution to our greatest problems. How satisfying it is when we realize the way were supposed to be living. We have a magnificent planet. With all of its wonder, we are privileged to call it home.

Editors Note: We saw the results of this same thing last week at the Coba Mayan Ruins, inland from Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We were told by our Mayan guide that the Mayans used 10 tons of trees to burn 10 tons of limestone to make 1 ton of the cement and mortar to build their pyramid temples and plaster themthus depleting the trees and thus either moving away or diminishing

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Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association Minutes of Special Called Executive Board Meeting Tuesday, February 12, 2013 1:30 4:30 p.m. IBC Bank Meeting Room Marble Falls, Texas
Attendance: 10 Current 2013 Board Members: Donna Maier, Beth Mortenson, Jon Zubkus, Sue Lilley, Kay Lee, Val Klaudt, Daniel Nutter, and Warren Struss Outgoing 2012 Board Members: Karen Wilkens and Paula Montandon Guests: Ray Buchanan and Carolyn Lange, HLMGA Membership Committee Agenda: I. II. Call Meeting to Order President Donna Maier called the meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. Membership Recommendations from Membership Committee (Carolyn Lange, Committee Chair) The Board first heard from Carolyn Lange, Chair of the Membership Committee. This committee had reviewed the status of each member who did not recertify as of December 31, 2012, and presented its recommendations for the Boards consideration. Carolyn also explained the new, streamlined form that members will use in reporting hours earned during 2013. Drive time will no longer be tracked separately, but will be added in with Volunteer Service hours. Copies of the new form will be available at the February 19 meeting and thereafter will appear in The Dig-It. Carolyn added that a member may report hours earned during several months on a single form. At the conclusion of Carolyns presentation, the Membership Committee was excused. III. Discussion/Action Items A. Review of HLMGA membership status determinations made February 2012 B. Discuss Membership Committee recommendations regarding members who did not earn recertification in 2012 The Board began by reviewing the status determinations made one year ago (February 2012) by last years Board members. It then discussed recommendations from the Membership Committee for 2013, considering each members status individually. Once again, the Board empowered the President to send Boardapproved letters or take other action pursuant to Board discussion concerning those members who did not recertify in 2012. Owing to the sensitive and confidential information discussed, the Board will not publicly disclose member information in the Executive Board meeting minutes.

IV.

Other Business A. T-shirts: Board members discussed whenand how bestto handle the ordering of white Master Gardener T-shirts for new Associate Members as well as existing members who may want new shirts. Within HLMGA, shirts have traditionally been ordered when the new class begins (mid-February), so they arrive in time for the Lawn and Garden Show in late March, where Associate Members have traditionally worn them
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for the first time. Several ideas were put forward, but no vote was taken. Later in 2013, the Board may want to consider how best to capture in the HLMGA yearly budget the process for ordering, sale of, and receipt of payment for, Master Gardener T shirts. B. Background checks: Donna Maier was recently made aware that TMGA requires background checks for all Master Gardeners, not just those who take part in projects involving youth or projects in schools. HLMGA will need to establish a policy and a procedure for getting background checks on all members. Some research is needed to establish such a procedure. C. Transfer member policy for Operating Manual: Donna Maier distributed a handout created by the Membership Committee giving suggested wording for the Membership Transfer Policy (Article III, Section 2, #11 in the HLMGA Operating Manual). Together, Board members reviewed its provisions. In essence, this policy states that HLMGA dues will not be accepted for any transfer member until the previous Texas MG chapter verifies that the member is in good standing, as well as reports the number of hours the member has earned. Master Gardeners from another state will not be allowed to transfer, but will be required to take the Texas MG Certification Class before they can become members of HLMGA. D. International MG Conference: Donna shared with the Board that the HLMGA project at the Marble Falls Helping Center Garden has won second place for excellence in service to the community in the International Master Gardener competition! No local newspaper publicity is allowed until the award is announced, in September 2013, at the International Master Gardener conference. Although second place carries with it no monetary award, it still represents a major accomplishment for HLMGA. E. Dedicated website: Board members generally agreed that having a dedicated website would, for many members, facilitate timely receipt of The Dig-It and other HLMGA information. Response to this idea was favorable. V. Officer Updates Vice-President Beth Mortenson distributed copies of her list of programs planned for 2013, including the speaker, topic, and location for each monthly meeting. The September program will be finalized very soon; all others are in place and confirmed. Co-Secretary Sue Lilley will send the HLMGA Membership Directory, by e-mail, in early March to all members and associate members. It will include the list of programs for monthly meetings, as well as the syllabus for the 2013 Certification Program. Adjourn The Executive Board meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m. (motion, second, unanimous approval). Respectfully submitted, Kay Lee, Co-Secretary

VI.

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Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association Minutes of Monthly General Meeting Tuesday, February 19, 2013 3:00 5:00 p.m. Crossview Baptist Church Marble Falls, Texas
Attendance: 63 Agenda: Call to Order and Sign-in Reminder President Donna Maier called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m., reminding everyone to sign in. She added that Treasurer Jon Zubkus had certificates and membership cards for those who had recertified in 2012 but did not attend in January. Welcome Guests and Membership Concerns The group welcomed as a guest Jon Zubkuss uncle from League City. Also, members were delighted to see Carol Kowing and her husband Ben, who both were doing well as of mid -February. Program: 1 hour Advanced Training, 1 hour Volunteer Service Vice-President Beth Mortenson introduced the afternoons speaker, Brett Briant, Water Conservation Coordinator for LCRA, whose topic was Understanding Your Irrigation System. Mr. Briant touched on several important components of irrigation systems (rain/freeze sensors, soil moisture sensors, measurement of water pressure, hydrozoning, and tips for proper maintenance of a system). After outlining the LCRA rebate program, he then invited questions from the audience. A .pdf file of Mr. Briants entire presentation is available from bbriant@lcra.org or by calling 512-369-4775. On behalf of HLMGA, Beth presented Mr. Briant with a token of appreciation for his most informative talk. Approval of January 2013 Minutes (as published in The Dig-It, February 2013) These minutes were approved unanimously (motion, Dennis Maier; second, Paula Montandon). Approval of January 2013 Treasurers Report (as published in The Dig-It, February 2013) This report was approved unanimously (motion, Paula Montandon; second, Rose Lackey). March 2013 Program Vice-President Beth Mortenson announced that on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., Katie Raney will speak on Reforestation of Bastrop State Park. This meeting will be held at the Burnet County Fairgrounds on Houston Clinton Drive in Burnet. Additional information will be provided in The Dig-It for March 2013. Other Business Helping Center Garden Update: Pete Smith reported that the Helping Center Garden had experienced a tremendous response from this years class in terms of the number of students signing up for volunteer hours. He also announced that HLMGA had won second place in the International Master Gardener competition! Recognition will be bestowed at the International
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MG Conference, September 714, 2013, titled Flowers, Fjords, and Friends. Until then, there will be no local publicity. Pete urged everyone to keep volunteering. Lawn and Garden Show Update Val Klaudt, Chair: Val provided information about the 2013 Lawn and Garden Show, to be held on Saturday, March 23, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., at the Burnet Community Center. Flyers and raffle tickets were distributed to HLMGA members on February 19, and they will continue to be available from Val and members of her committee. Members and associate members were urged to sign up for three-hour shifts, in various capacities, both Friday and Saturday. Awards Committee Paula Montandon, Chair: Paula shared that HLMGA was entering eight (8) categories for the year 2012. Shady Grove Rose Garden Sue Lilley, Chair: Sue announced that while the fate of Shady Grove Elementary School is still undecided, the rose garden is staying put! Sue will keep members updated about future plans for the garden. Support for AgriLife Extension Office: Donna informed members that Irene Dauphin had arranged a training session for volunteers next Tuesday morning, February 26, at 9:00 a.m., at the AgriLife Extension Office in Burnet. Those interested should sign up. Newspaper Photo: Although HLMGA was recently honored for its work with the Burnet Middle School Greenhouse, both the certificate presented to the chapterand the caption of a local newspaper photographgave our name incorrectly. A correction may soon be forth coming. Meanwhile, HLMGA accepted the award as presented. Paper Purchase: Donna reported that HLMGA had recently taken advantage of a buy one, get one free offer from Office Depot. The organization purchased a case of paper, thus receiving twoone of which will be given to the Texas AgriLife Extension Office. The other will be disbursed, a ream at a time, to those members of HLMGA who print large quantities of copies for the organization. Membership Status Report: After meeting, in early February, first with the Membership Committee, and then with the Executive Board, Donna announced that HLMGAs membership currently stands at 108. The organization continues to grow by approximately 5 members per year. A total of 15 members were removed from the rolls in February 2013, either at their own request or as a result of inactivity (failure to recertify). TMGA Quarterly Meeting, College Station: Donna shared information gleaned from attending this meeting. She added that quarterly TMGA meetings are open to all Master Gardeners who wish to attend. TMGA Conference in McAllen, October 1719, 2013: The annual conference will be held this year in October, rather than in the spring, in part to take advantage of the butterfly migration. The 2013 conference is titled Blooms, Birds, and Butterflies. Scholarship Search Committee: Members voted unanimously to establish such a committee (motion, Rose Lackey; second, Linda Fleming). Linda and Pete Smith have already done some fact-finding. Discussion: Increase in Number of Hours Required for Recertification: Members next discussed the issue of hours, noting that the current HLMGA requirement (6 hours Advanced Training, 12 hours Volunteer Service) is the State of Texas minimum. Many Texas chapters require more hours. Donna reported that the Board was in favor of raising the number of Volunteer Service hours to 25, while leaving the number of Advanced Training hours at 6. If in
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fact the number of VS hours were raised, this change would not take effect until January 2014. After brief discussion, a majority of members so voted (motion, Sammye Childers; second, Carol Kowing)although the vote was not unanimous. Donna noted that this change would require amending the HLMGA By-Laws Announcements from Membership Fredi Franki addressed the matter of a community calendar, designed primarily to promote the Texas Hill Country, incorporating input from Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, the Texas Native Plant Society, the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society, Friends of the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, and the new nature center at Reveille Ranch. Such an effort might entail having a web site set up. For now, a group will meet to explore the feasibility of this ideaand if this group should decide to go forward, HLMGA would vote at a later date. In the interim, Hollis Neier will represent HLMGA as a member of this fact-finding body. Carol Nicholson asked members for feedback regarding how easily they could receive and openThe Dig-It for February. Robert Yantis remarked that there would be many gardening programs offered in March, which his newsletter (in the next few days) would announce. Diane Land mentioned the huge EarthKind test garden in Farmers Branch, well worth visiting. Dan Nutter appealed for volunteers for Market Days in Marble Falls on Saturday, March 9, to help publicize the Burnet County Area Fair. Beth Mortenson thanked both Peggy Sweeney for coordinating refreshments and Crossview Baptist Church for providing such a pleasant meeting venue. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m. (motion; second; unanimous vote). Respectfully submitted, Kay Lee, Co-Secretary Keyhole Garden Tour in Clifton, Texas

Did you know there are over 60 Keyhole Gardens in the Clifton area? And did you know that twelve of those will be open to visitors on the 26th of April? Come join us for a fun and memorable day trip! Dr. Debs Keyhole Garden Tour, presented by the Clifton Chamber of Commerce and the Silo Project, is an event you dont want to miss. You start in historic downtown Clifton, at the Chamber of Commerce at 9:00, with a map of the gardens, all within a seven-mile radius, and each one offers a guided tour by the hosting gardener. You complete the journey at the Bosque Arts Center, at 2:30, for an engaging presentation by Dr. Deb, giving you the necessary details on building one of these high-yielding, low-maintenance, drought tolerant gardens. What you get is

A self-guided tour map (clearly marked with directions and individual keyhole garden stories), 12 unique keyhole garden tours hosted by the owners, Dr. Debs presentation and Silo viewing, Discount coupons to local businesses,
The tour costs $30/person with 10% of the proceeds going to the Pot O Gold (a Sunset Ministries Thrift Shop). This is less than attending a full day keyhole garden workshop, yet you walk away with complete information for not only building your own garden, but also growing healthy and organic backyard fruits and vegetables in central Texas. There is a bonus tour of the latest sustainable projects that only Dr. Deb's Silo Project has to offera cobin, a composting toilet, grey water recapture, rainwater collection, solar projects, a bicycle water pumper, and more. For more details, feel free to email deb@debtolman.com (or call 503.287.7980). For reservations call the Clifton Chamber of Commerce at 254.675.3720.

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Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association Financial Report February, 2013

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Salvia Gregii for Gardens and Hummingbirds March 16, 2013 Marble Falls Library 1:00 pm
By Barbara Booth

Armand Hufault will be the presenter at the March 16th meeting of the Highland Lakes Native Plant Society of Texas. Armand, a lecturer at the Ladybird Wildflower Center, is a local expert on the growing of Salvia Gregii with over 21 years of experience. Armand will discuss the origins and distribution of salvia gregii, its role in maintaining populations of butterflies, hummingbirds, ladybird beetles and other critters as well as the plants care and maintenance. Salvia Gregii is endemic to Texas and provides a drought tolerant source of pollen throughout the Hill Country region. The meeting is free and the public is welcome. Approved for AT for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists.

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Advanced Training Opportunities for March

Many opportunities are coming up for you to get advanced training. Pick out some great classes, mark your calendar, and have fun. Then, dont forget to include your training on your Hours Report and submit it with your volunteer hours to Carolyn Lange at the end of the month. March 7, 10:00 a.m., Cacti and Succulents, speaker Bob Savage, presented by the Birding and Wildflower Society, at the Marble Falls Library. March 7, 5-7 p.m., How to Save Water and Money When Irrigating, with Brett Briant, LCRA Water Conservation Coordinator, and Beth Mortenson, Master Gardener. Meet at the Helping Center Garden to learn how to set up drip systems and upgrade existing systems. Cost $10.00 per person. March 10, 1-2 p.m., Rose Mania! with Robbi Will, Horticulturist, with the Antique Rose Emporium. The meeting will be at the Land Art Nursery, 22101 Texas 71, Spicewood, TX. March 13, noon, All You Ever Wanted to Know About Tomatoes/Spring Gardening with Violet Carson. This Green Thumb Program will be held at the Kingsland Library. March 16, 1:00 p.m., Salvia Gregii for Gardens and Hummingbirds with Armand Hufault, presented by the Highland Lakes Native Plant Society of Texas, at the Marble Falls Library. March 23--HLMG Lawn and Garden Show, Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St., Burnet. 10 a.m. Presenter Richard Ashton on Growing Fruit in the South. 2 p.m. Presenter George Cates of Native American Seed speaking on Creating Drought Tolerant Native Outdoor Living Spaces. Diverse,

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Lunchtime Webinars--Participate from your home. Register and pay $15.00 (members $10). http://www.wildflower.org/webinar/ March 6, 12-1 p.m., Sex in the Garden, Flo Oxley will speak on interesting and bizarre ways that plants reproduce. April 3, 12-1 p.m. Container Gardening with Native Plants with Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Director of Horticulture. Backbone Valley Nursery Mar. 9, 10 a.m., Organic Gardening with Andy Chidister with Ladybug Brand. Mar. 16, 10 a.m., Spring Vegetable Gardens--Grow for Your Health! Mar. 23, 10 a.m., Lawn Gone Alternatives for your Lawn with special guest author Pam Penick.

Green Thumb Programs

We continue to thank Robert Yantis for posting pictures, updates and articles at his website www.yantislakesidegardens.com/hlbw. If you have not visited his website, please do so as it always has a lot of good information and an area dedicated to HLMGA.