LEARNING WITH THE MASTERS:

Gardeners to share expertise throughout year with free programs

January 10, 2014

by Helen Boatman/Victoria County Master Gardener

Edited by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Mater Gardener

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY HENRY HARTMAN/CREATIVE IMAGES

Bees are not the only insects that pollinate in nature. Other pollinators will be highlighted as well on April 14 by Master Gardener Entomology Specialist Paul Meredith and his wife, Master Gardener Mary Meredith.

PHOTO BY LUPE COOK/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER

Master Gardener Lupe Cook will share her knowledge of growing cactus in your garden like she has done in her own landscape at the last Lunch and Learn session on Aug. 11.

Come learn how to make your landscape and its turfgrass the envy of your neighborhood. Victoria County Extension Agent Peter McGuill will present modern-day management of turfgrass at Monday's Lunch and Learn session.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUMEYER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER

Master Gardener Charlie Neumeyer will discuss how to install a drip irrigation system in your garden for the most efficient watering method during the hot season at the June session of Lunch and Learn with the Masters. Shown here is a drip irrigation system installed in the early stages of the tropical garden in Victoria Educational Gardens.

Are you new to the Victoria area and in a quandary about which landscape plants or vegetables do well here? Are you having problems with your turfgrass and want to learn about applying needed moisture in an efficient and effective manner?

If you answered yes to these questions and/or have other similar gardening inquiries, then Victoria County Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will be able to help you when you attend this year's scheduled sessions of Lunch and Learn with the Masters starting Monday.

Since 2008, Victoria County Master Gardeners have been sharing free gardening information with folks from Victoria and surrounding counties.

Our programs are held at the Dr. Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St. in Victoria, from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Monday from January through August - with the exception of February this year, when it will be the fourth Monday.

Guests are welcome to bring their lunch and drink, if they wish. All of our presenters, except for County Extension Agent Peter McGuill, are certified Texas Master Gardeners.

Monday presentations

• Monday: Turfgrass management

Our season opens with County Extension Agent Peter McGuill presenting "Modern Turfgrass Management." Even though we are in the winter season, it is not too early to be thinking and planning how you can make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood. He'll have some good information to share with you.

• Feb. 24: Growing vegetables year-round

Because we are blessed with a moderate climate, vegetables of various kinds can be grown year-round. To address that issue, Roy Cook will present "Growing Vegetables Throughout the Year." Cook grows many varieties and has lots of tips on how to make your vegetable gardening a success.

• March 10: General gardening

Since there are many people who are new to gardening or who are new to our area, Gerald Bludau will share general gardening information when he presents "Gardening 101." Bludau is a seasoned gardener and will be able to share with you all the gardening basics.

• April 14: Native pollinators

The European honeybee is usually the only insect that comes to mind when pollination of our flowers, fruits and vegetables is considered. Actually, there are many native pollinators - all shapes and sizes - that Master Gardener Entomology Specialist Paul Meredith and his wife, Mary, will present with "Native Pollinators: Who's Doing What in our Flowers."

• May 12: Propagation

Have you ever admired a friend's plant, especially one that is somewhat unusual, and wished you could have one as well but didn't know just how to go about it? You will learn how when Master Gardener Propagation Specialist Donna McCanlies presents "Practical Propagation for the South Texas Gardener."

• June 9: Drip irrigation

Late spring, almost summer - that is when turfgrass and landscape plants begin to show stress from lack of water. Since water is a precious commodity to all of us, it is important that we use a watering system that is efficient. Charlie Neumeyer will present "Drip Systems: Getting to the Root of Things." Neumeyer has installed drip systems at Victoria Educational Gardens and the County Extension office as well as at his home.

• July 14: Water features

Even though it will be in the middle of summer, many people like to relax in their backyard, and what a tranquilizing effect a water garden can be. Pat Plowman will present "Water Feature Ideas for Your Landscape." She will be sharing information for the home landscape that can be done in an affordable manner and that will add interest and value to your landscape.

• Aug. 11: Cactus gardening

It seems appropriate that in the hottest month Lupe Cook will present "Cactus: Bringing the Desert to Your Garden." Prickly pear isn't the only Texas cactus in existence. Cook will likely share many varieties of live cacti in her presentation and show you how you can incorporate them in your landscape.

Come early, grab a seat

There you have it, our 2014 lineup of Lunch and Learn with the Masters. We hope you will be able to attend some or all of the presentations. A word of advice: There is a limited number of chairs available in our meeting room, so be sure to come early. We look forward to seeing you this for this year's educational sessions.

The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.



2014 Lunch and Learn with the Masters

Presentations

• Jan. 13 - Modern Turfgrass Management by Peter McGuill, Victoria County Extension Agent-Ag/NR

• Feb. 24 - Growing Vegetables Throughout the Year by Roy Cook, Victoria County Master Gardener

•  March 10 - Gardening 101 by Gerald Bludau, Victoria County Master Gardener

•  April 14 - Native Pollinators: Who's Doing What in Your Flowers? by Paul and Mary Meredith, Victoria County Master Gardeners

• May 12 - Practical Propagation for the South Texas Gardener by Donna McCanlies, Master Gardener Propagation Specialist

• June 9 - Drip Systems: Getting to the Root of Things by Charlie Neumeyer, Victoria County Master Gardener

• July 14 - Water Feature Ideas for your Landscape by Pat Plowman, Victoria County Master Gardener

• Aug. 11 - Cactus: Bringing the Desert to Your Garden by Lupe Cook, Victoria County Master Gardener

IF YOU GO

• WHEN: Second Monday from January-August (fourth Monday in February)

• WHERE: Dr. Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria

• COST: Free to the public

• TIME: Noon-1 p.m.

• Bring your lunch and drink.