Green Valley Gardenersgreenvalleygardeners.com/Newsletters/sns Sept 2014.pdf · gardener in the Sonoran Desert we are welcoming the cooler mornings and the opportunity to enjoy working

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Green Valley Gardeners A Service Club made up of Gardeners

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT—Chuck Parsons

September already?!? I hope this newsletter finds you well rested from the summer break. As a gardener in the Sonoran Desert we are welcoming the cooler mornings and the opportunity to enjoy working in the soil again. Although the board, the seminars and the newsletter have taken a summer break, many activities of the club continue. Skeleton crews of summer-resident members have kept our Arid Garden, Historic Canoa Ranch, La Cañada Median, Casa Memory Garden and the government grounds groomed and to be enjoyed by our community residents. Many changes have taken place at our Allen J. Ogden Community Garden during the summer. Obviously, summer, warm-weather crops can be seen in all the plots. New raised beds were constructed. To stay tuned with the activities of this garden, enjoy recipes and read interesting articles check out the ‘Beet’ a year-around newsletter from the plot holders of the garden and for the enjoyment of all garden club members. You can find it posted on our website – www.greenvalleygardeners.com. If you have been gone for the summer or on extended vacation, we hope you will be amazed at the changes that have taken place at our Desert Meadows Park. In my message in May I stated that over 1000 volunteer hours had been provided at the park; we are now over 1800 volunteer hours. Most of the additional hours also involved a lot of sweat! If you have not visited the park lately, please do. For our winter-resident members, please make your visit a high priority on return. I am pleased to be the first seminar speaker this fall talking about the park project. All the committees have lots of news to share in this issue. Enjoy!

DESERT MEADOWS PARK – Chuck Parsons

So much has happened this summer – where to begin? Well, I will start with some really good news. The first of June we submitted a grant application for $116,000 to the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation. We have just learned that we were awarded this amount and will receive a check on September 10th – my birthday by the way, best birthday present ever!

SAND ‘N’ SEEDS September, 2014

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As you may recall from the last newsletter, we were selected as one of three finalists for the White Elephant ‘Game Changer’ $100,000 grant to be announced the end of October. I have notified the White Elephant of our Freeport-McMoRan Foundation award which will probably impact their final decision – not that we couldn’t find wonderful ways to make the park even better for our community receiving both. We should all feel pleased that the community obviously sees value in our Desert Meadows Park project. Not only is this reflected in the grant activity, but we have received many donations of plants, pots, benches and non-member volunteer time from residents of both Green Valley and Sahuarita, all wanting help us to make the park a reality for the community residents and visitors. In addition to having water available at all garden plots, controlled irrigation to all the trees donated by Long Realty and water available to all areas of the park, another major milestone was to have a sign to designate the park to the public. We now have a beautiful sign constructed by Henry Garcia and Francis Howe. Made the summer volunteers feel like the park was for real! This month the new class of students in the PPEP Youth Build program will be building the raised beds in the community garden area. We expect that other construction projects will be performed by these students in the coming months. Speaking of the community garden plots, once we had water running to the plots, Elissa Dearing decided to try a summer garden as an ‘experiment’ – she is now enjoying squash and beans from her plot. That inspired Marilyn Matsumoto to get her plot started with corn and George Mathes to start soil preparation in his assigned plot. Joanne Atkisson has a notice in this newsletter on how you too can get started. We have had high school students volunteering also to accumulate community service hours. It was nice to have strong backs when we were digging irrigation trenches! These students come to us via the Green Valley/Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse which was coordinated by club member Marita Ramsey. Please come to the September 11th seminar and to the September 18th park tour to learn more.

Caption: Elissa’s plot of summer vegetables.

Caption: Restful area of cactus garden created by Kathy Stone using donated bench, pots and plants from the community.

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Caption: New sign with volunteers who did the installation one beautiful Saturday morning.

DESERT MEADOWS PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN – Joanne Atkisson

“’I am very excited about this’; ‘I do not have enough sun in my yard’; ‘The dream of a community garden in Green Valley is about to come true!’; ‘I’m looking forward to planting my own vegetable garden this fall’ and ‘I’m just so excited about the whole thing that I can hardly wait!’”…these are a few of the comments by new plot-holders in the park. The enthusiasm shared has made the collection of the names, addresses etc. for the assigning of the plots a fun job as I share it with all of them. If you would like to be included in this group, you are welcome to email me directly at [email protected] or my telephone number is 520-648-2946. I need to collect some information from you for our reservation/plot-assignment list. Once I receive your request, you will be emailed: (1) a cover memo from Chuck Parsons, President of Green Valley Gardeners; (2) a Desert Meadows Park garden plot diagram with numbers and (3) a Fee Structure sheet – (please note that we have decided to let winter residents occupy a plot without the restriction of a ‘full time resident partner’ – our restriction now is that GVG volunteers are allowed to raise a summer crop for donation to a local food bank). When you make your choice, please consider:

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In-ground plots: Plot #2 has a very small Palo Verde at the southeast corner – may be removed if it becomes a nuisance Plot #6 has a heavy morning shade on the entire plot – large native Mesquite tree along Anza trail Plot #7 has morning shade on the North half of the plot – large native Mesquite tree along Anza trail Plot #10 has morning shade on the South half of the plot – large native Mesquite tree along Anza trail Plot #11 has morning shade on the North three-quarters of the plot – large native Mesquite tree along Anza trail Raised Beds: 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 eventually have some afternoon shade. We have barrier trees along the West side of the perimeter fence. It would help if you would choose at least 3 plots as many have already been taken. We have available ten in-ground plots and sixteen (16) raised beds. Construction of the raised beds will be started around September 2nd, 2014. Thank you and welcome to the park!

ALLEN OGDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN (SAHUARITA) – George Stone

I hate when my snowbird friends start their migration back to Green Valley. If I hear one more story about how they spent their summer in the cool high altitudes of Colorado or the snow-peaked mountains of the Grand Tetons, I’m going for therapy. I thought I enjoyed the 101 and 104 degree days highlighted by the afternoon downpours but I'm having second thoughts... Well, anyway, I hope you enjoyed yourself. You want to hear about what we did? Sure you do. Well, if you have not seen or heard about Desert Meadows Park, you’re going to get a bucket full from now to the end of the year. Go by and see what the Desert Meadows gardeners have done. A wonderful cactus garden has been created with additions and improvements being made weekly. The hummingbird garden, the native grass area, the community garden and brand new genuine lean-to shed all were added. Park benches painted and tons of other work was done. Lots more than what I have listed, but I think you will enjoy discovering what has been accomplished while you were gone. I did not name names only for fear I would leave someone out. Be on the lookout for member activity in other sections of the Sand 'n' Seeds; I’m sure you will find a tour of Desert Meadows on the agenda. The Ogden Community gardeners have not been sitting around just eating big old tasty red tomatoes, either. It has been a lot of work keeping up on the squash. Most of us have discovered more ways to cook zucchini than you have toes or fingers. The grapes were great as well. The five new raised beds in one of the plots were started before you left and are now nearing completion. If you are interested in a raised bed at the Ogden, we have one with your name on it.

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In case you are interested, the onion sale was a success. We planted 650 onions back in November of 2013, harvested them in June and sold every last one of them to ----guess who? YOU, YOU, YOU: all the wonderful members of the GREEN VALLEY GARDENERS. All proceeds from the sale were allotted for Desert Meadows. The 2015 onion project is on and being developed. BIG things are in store for next year’s sale. In addition to sales we also donated to various agencies we have a working relationship with. I want to leave you with thought about the up and coming elections. It is my understanding the nominating committee has developed a great slate of nominees. As we near those elections for our clubs board members we urge you to keep yourself informed of ALL club activity. Our board members work hard but they enjoy doing it for YOU... A great seminar series has been developed so you are encouraged to grab a friend and go to one of them Again, glad you're back and hope to see you in a garden. George Stone

HISTORIC CANOA RANCH – Jack Davis & Raydine Taber

Our gardens are flourishing with the monsoon rains. Amazing to see how quickly they grow with “Mother Nature’s” watering. Many thanks to our HCR team for all their care bringing another HCR crop to fruition. We couldn’t have done it without you: Cliff Simmons, Diane Combs, Patricia Pearson, Elissa Dearing, Denny Clouse, Peggy Cederstrom, John & Patricia Stocker and Mary Ferland. Your attention to caring for the plants and watering them is showing through new growth and blossoms at the East Cactus garden, Senior Kitchen Garden, Grijalva house raised beds and the front flower bed, fireplace planters and window planter in Junior’s house. We have had some beautiful blooms and harvested oregano, rosemary, several varieties of peppers, carrots, kale, tomatoes, artichokes, parsley, thyme and I am sure I missed a few. On September 13th, 10am to 2pm, Canoa Ranch will be holding the “Kick In For Anza at Canoa Ranch” fund raiser. Tickets are $25.00. Purchase online at www.anzadays.com or call 520-289-3940. Cost will include: Lunch, ranch tours, vendors and entertainment. Checks are made payable to “Friends of Canoa.” On October 26th, 9am to 1pm will be the 2nd Annual Anza Day at Canoa Ranch. For this event, we will be hosting an information table at Grijalva house and maybe another on at senior’s house. More information will be available in the October issue.

ARID GARDEN– Mary Kidnocker

Because a large tree root invaded a neighboring patio after lifting a brick wall, it was necessary to have a major root pruned. Even with follow-up extensive trimming and support cable installation, the remaining piece of root heaved and part of the tree dislodged during a summer windstorm. Byron Hinton and volunteer helpers then did an expert job of further trimming. Still providing light shade to the many cacti beneath, the tree has become half of a leaning acacia continuing to do its job.

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A word of caution: watch for packrats now nest building! In one week, a rat brought in enough debris to our storage area that filled three 55-gallon trash bags. Included were cholla sections, barrel cactus fruit, and at least ½ bushel of mesquite beans... for winter dining. A first-time visitor to the garden recently sent the following note: “Enclosed is my donation of $100 to support the Arid Garden whose existence I recently discovered. I found this lovely intimate desert garden

provides an enjoyable experience for me, and I wanted to express my appreciation for the enjoyment it provided me. I am contributing to its upkeep and future.” Nice! Although shy of summer rainfall, the garden is still brimming with colorful blooms. The many varieties of Texas rangers have flowered off and on throughout the past two months. Besides the visual beauty, the scents are amazing… the sweetness of rangers, aloysias, chocolate flowers, and woolly butterfly bushes. If you haven’t visited recently, now is the time!

CASA MEMORY GARDEN – Mary Kidnocker

All of the plants grew rapidly in this shady garden during the summer. Squirrels buried lots of pecans in the soft soil, causing a small forest to pop up in the raised salvia garden. The little trees with their foot-long taproots have been removed, and the salvia was heavily pruned and fertilized. Leslie and Gary Campbell have again trimmed the shaggy boxwood into a respectable caterpillar with gleaming red eyes. Overall this garden is small but peacefully pretty, and gets many compliments from those who walk through.

MEMBERSHIP – Judy Christensen

We are pleased to have 16 new members join the Green Valley Gardeners during the summer months. Please welcome Michael and Candy Allen, Marlene Hasek, Patty and John Kozma, Kathy Kuyper, Bob and Sally Trent, Gianene Ulibarri and Jennifer Seymour, Walt and Doreen Sims, Linda and Jerry Wiebe. The Board of Directors, in July, conferred an Honorary Membership for Henry and Glenda Garcia in recognition of Henry’s efforts in constructing the new Desert Meadows Park sign. Thanks, Henry for your considerable help! Thanks to all of our new members for supporting our educational and service mission. We hope you take advantage of the expertise of our membership to learn and have fun participating in one or more of our committees or projects. GVG currently has 245 members!

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES - Marita Ramsey

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The Members’ Activities Committee is pleased to announce that the first members' fall event will be Thursday, September 18th at 9:30 AM. This event will be a tour of GVG’s new project - Desert Meadows Park. The park is located on S La Huerta, off of S Abrego Drive, and just north of Prestige Assisted Living facility and Continental Road. The new park includes a cactus and succulent garden, hummingbird garden, wildlife habitat, meadow of native grasses and wildflowers, community garden plots, a nature trail and a lot more to enjoy. Our first fall seminar on September 11th will be a presentation by GVG President Chuck Parsons on the development, history and progress of Desert Meadows Park. Chuck, and others working on the park, will be available to answer your questions and to discuss attributes and work being done at the park during the tour on the 18th. This is an opportunity to experience the progress and the excitement of Desert Meadows Park, and a time for our membership to meet and mingle with each other in a relaxed, natural environment. Come and enjoy the results of our collective efforts to provide a lovely green space in Green Valley, AZ. [And – remember to wear your GVG nametags!] Hope to see all of you at the "Park”.

MEDIAN – Elissa Dearing

Between the monsoon rain and supplemental watering, the plants on the median have survived the summer and are looking healthy. The 5 small Turpentine Bushes planted in the spring have all grown and should provide nice color this fall. The 2 young Texas Rangers transplanted from the Arid Garden bloomed profusely their first summer on the median. With several deep soakings the small mesquite on the south end of the median seems to have fought off the problems that have plagued it the two previous summers. Cochineal was removed twice during the summer from the prickly pear on the south end of the median. There is a bare area on the southwest end of the median where a desert spoon died out earlier in the year. We might want to consider planting something in this area this fall.

2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION – Raydine Taber The election for three directors, to the Board, will be held in October. Directors serve three year terms and can only serve two consecutive terms before running again. The Election Committee has presented recommended names for the ballot. In our October issue, we will introduce you to the candidates. You will also be receiving, first week of October, your ballots through the US mail. At our October 9th seminar, we will be introducing our candidates. We are hoping you will get to know the candidates before casting your ballots.

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ANNUAL AUDIT – Raydine Taber

Our organization is growing and prospering. With growth, comes financial responsibilities. In this case, we want to initiate annual audits. Your Board is looking for a couple of individuals to take on this task. We will be conducting the audit in January 2015 and it will cover fiscal year 2014. We prefer you not be on the Board nor be a chairman or co-chairman of a committee. . If you are interested in participating on the 2015 Audit Committee, please contact Raydine at [email protected] (rs underscore taber) or call me at 520-625-0961.

PETALS OF GIVING The following names represent cash or “in kind” donations for the months of May, June, July and August 2014: Bob Murray, Chuck Parsons, Elissa Dearing, Francis Howe, Green Valley Decorative Rock, Henry Garica, Byron Hinton, Jesse Byrd, Lee Harr, Long Realty, The Green Valley Gardeners Allen Ogden Community Garden, PPEP Youth Build, Raydine Taber, Robert Forshaw and Wilbur Liebson

September 11 – seminar – Desert Meadows Park – 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Desert Hills Rec Center September 13 – Fund Raiser – Canoa Ranch – see above informtion September 18 – Members & Friends Activity – 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Desert Meadows Park October – Board of Directors election October 9 - meet your candidates at the seminar – 9:30 am - Desert Hills Rec. Center

Last page is a printable copy of the 2014 Fall Activities schedule

The mission of The Green Valley Gardeners shall be to promote gardening education and related environmental issues to its membership and the gardening public through educational and charitable means.

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2014 Fall Activities

September 11 Seminar

Chuck Parsons GVG President

Desert Meadows Park Chair

Desert Meadows Park Our first year on this project –

accomplishments & plans

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

September 18 Member Activity

Member Activities Committee

Desert Meadows Park Tour of project for members

Details to be announced (TBA)

September 25 Seminar

Stephanie Vickers Civano Nursery

Successful Indoor Plants Santa Rita Springs

9:30 to 10:30 am

October 2 Seminar

Leslie Campbell Master Gardener

The Five Seasons Gardening Basics

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

October 9 Seminar

Debbie Mounce Harlow Gardens

Container Gardening Desert Hills

9:30 to 10:30 am

October 16 Member Activity

Member Activities Committee

Tour of Mission Garden in Tucson

Sign-up sheets and details TBA

October 23 Seminar

Alex Shipley Civano Nursery

Description of plants being sold at the GVG Plant sale

Including information on proper planting and care for

success

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

October 23, 24, 25 Plant Sale

Green Valley Gardeners Fund Raiser

Fall Plant Sale 9 am to 5 pm Daily

Continental Shopping Plaza

October 26 Historic Canoa

Ranch GVG Information table 2014 Anza Day Celebration

Historic Canoa Ranch 9 am to 1 pm

October 30 Seminar

Rhys Lindley Native Plant Society

Don’t Plant These Plants Please!

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

November 6 Seminar

Bernie Jilka & Gary Maskarinee

Nighthawk Native Nursery

It’s time to plant for a spring wildflower bloom

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

November 8 Pecan Festival

Educational Booth Shared with Master

Gardeners Sahuarita Pecan Festival

Pecan Factory 9 am to 5 pm

November 13 Seminar

Robert Webb Indoor Plants

Especially for low-light conditions

Desert Hills 9:30 to 10:30 am

November Member Activity

Member Activities Committee

BBQ/potluck and music at Desert Meadows Park

Details TBA

August 6, 2014

All seminars are open to the public and free of charge. Pima County Master Gardeners are always on hand to answer questions, identify plants, and offer solutions to your gardening problems.