How to Save Water During Droughts - Harris County Master Gardener

1. H A R R I S C O U N T Y M A S T E R G A R D E N E R N EWS L ET T E R  M AY 2 0 1 1
Urban Dirt
How to Save Water During Droughts
I
s your garden struggling with the There is also a series of brief videos
Photo by Rob Lucey
hot, dry weather this spring? As providing an overview of the seven steps
drought conditions persist across toward an Earth-Kind Landscape:
much of the state, it’s a great time to
• Start with a plan, even if it takes
review the Earth-Kind® Landscape
you several years to implement it in
practices on the Aggie Horticulture
stages.
website.
• Prepare your soil by adding organic
Visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.
matter to loosen it and better hold
edu/earthkind/drought/ where you can
moisture.
download drought specific articles on
topics including: • Select plants with lower water and
fertilizer needs and fewer pest problems.
• Irrigation Systems for Earth-Kind
Landscapes • Select turfgrass varieties best suited
to your conditions and usage.
• Lawns Don't Waste Water, People
Do! • Use mulch to conserve water,
moderate soil temperatures, and reduce
• Landscape Maintenance Practices
weeds.
Save Water It doesn't take a hot breeze long to dry
• Practice proper maintenance such
• Water Efficient Practices for Saving plants out – especially plants in pots.
as mowing at the correct height and
Your Landscape
frequency.
• Efficient Use of Water in the Garden and Landscape
• Use efficient irrigation to apply an inch of water at the first
• Helping Drought-Stressed Trees sign of wilting without overwatering.
• Water Conservation Learning Earth-Kind practices and passing that knowledge
along to others is a key part of the Master Gardener program.
• Irrigation System Auditing
Earth-Kind Drought Lessons ........... 1 Garden Gifts ..................................... 6
Cost Recovery Fees ......................... 2 Master Gardeners of the Month ....... 7
Volunteer Opportunities ................... 3 Continuing Ed Opportunities ........... 8
Precinct 2 Happenings...................... 4 Volunteer Hours Form...................... 9
News Briefs ..................................... 5 Events Calendar.............................. 11

2. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Cost Recovery Details Revealed
NOTE: The following is excerpted from a letter from Dr. Douglas F.
Welch, coordinator for the Texas Master Gardener program. Read the
full letter at txmg.org/comal/files/April-20111.pdf
I
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
n March 2011, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service undertook Horticulture Program in Harris County
a statewide effort to more consistently recover some of the 3033 Bear Creek Dr 281.855.5600
costs associated with our educational programs and activities. Houston, TX 77084 fax 281.855.5638
Until now, participant fees for Extension programs represented cost
recovery only for event-specific and local, one-time costs. We did CEA—Horticulture.............................. Dr. Anthony W. Camerino
not direct any of these program revenues to the human resource and 281.855.5600
operating costs of the agency as a whole. Last year we experienced Volunteer Coordinator................................................... David Parish
281.855.5600
budget cuts that required reductions in administrative services, capital
equipment expenditures, and workforce. We expect further losses in Horticulture Secretary .................................................281.855.5600
state and federal funding.
Reorganization and cost-cutting, while important, are not
sufficient. Facing these economic realities led us to introduce a
“Partial Cost Recovery Initiative” to support our network of Extension
educators. When applicable, the remittance or “partial cost recovery
fee” will be a minimum of $10 per participant. If the meeting
registration fee is over $100 per person, the remittance rate will be 10
percent of the registration.
Extension personnel at the local (county, district, regional) level will
decide which Extension programs will be fee-based. We will carefully
evaluate the cost recovery potential of all educational programs that Harris County Master Gardener Association
2009–2010 Board of Directors
AgriLife Extension oversees. This includes the Master Gardeners
Program. However, this does not mean that MG programs must remit President .............................................................................Ross Palmie
Extension’s partial cost recovery fee for all their local activities. 713.236.1010
First Vice President .......................................................Louis Mickler
~~~ 281.482.7133
Dr. Anthony Camerino, Harris County Extension Agent - Second Vice President.........................................................Teresa See
713.464.8338
Horticulture, added the following information for our members:
Past President .................................................................... George Frey
“Master Gardener Volunteers in Harris County participate in many 281.888.1699
Extension education activities. On April 15 I conducted a review of Secretary ..........................................................................Linda Brewer
those activities with Dr. Dozier (Regional Program Director) and 832.276.1050
Dr. Willis (Harris County Extension Director) to determine which Treasurer ................................................................................Jo Huskey
activities will fall under the new cost recovery policy. Based on 281.829.2956
my meeting with them, the only activities that are subject to the Directors: Kristina Baldwin, Judy Franco, Ori Klein, Georgia
cost recovery fees are Green Thumb Lectures and workshops that Lau, Peggy Moore, Susan Delcambre.
•
traditionally charged a fee. Furthermore, all activities for 2011 were
Precinct 2 Steering Committee Chair.............................Jan Kapner
announced previous to the new policy, so the partial cost recover 281.487.2065
fee will not apply to any announced events in 2011. In short, I see •
no significant additional costs for Harris County Master Gardener Urban Dirt Editor .............................................................. Rob Lucey
Volunteers.” Rob_Lucey@yahoo.com
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3. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Volunteer Opportunities
Gain Glorious Fame and Recognition through Urban Dirt Submissions
D
id you attend the Texas Master Gardeners 2011 State Conference? Why not share what you learned with your fellow Harris
County Master Gardeners? Just e-mail a few sentences summarizing the key things you learn at your favorite sessions to
the editor, Rob_Lucey@yahoo.com. (You might check beforehand to ensure you aren't doubling up with anybody else's
coverage.) Deadline is May 6. We'll compile all of the reports into a special page in the June issue.
Not heading to the state conference? Every month we are looking for any garden stories that would be of general interest to your
fellow Master Gardeners. Perhaps you had a unique experience in the demonstration garden, had a great call in the phone room or
learned something valuable at a lecture. E-mail your ideas to the editor and he will tell you how to proceed. We're always looking for
nice digital gardening photos too! Earn the glory of a byline in the Urban Dirt – and earn some volunteer hours too!
Coordinator Urgently Needed to Nominate a Master Gardener
Head up Fall Plant Sale of the Month
Are you looking for a way to make a big difference in the success
Volunteers are doing a wide variety of great work, some quietly,
of the Master Gardener program? A coordinator for the Fall Plant
some behind the scenes. Do you know of such an individual?
Sale is needed to help the event run smoothly. Without somebody
Help shine a light on their efforts. Submit MG of the Month
stepping forward to take on this role, the event may have to be
nominations to the Membership Committee by placing the
cancelled like the Spring Perennial Sale. If you have the time and
individual's name and why they should be selected in the
energy, there will be plenty of coaches available to help you make
suggestion box in the Master Gardener room or email them to
the event a success. Contact David Parish at 281.855.5635 or
kmbrene@att.net (Ext.) or gclau@comcast.net (P2).
dwparish@ag.tamu.edu if you can help.
Have You Answered the Call of Springtime Phone Room Duty?
Phone room volunteers are needed as the call volume continues to pick up this spring. Consider signing up for one
or two shifts each month. Two volunteers are needed each day: a Master Gardener to serve as a mentor plus one
intern or Master Gardener. If you can't work a full day, half days are available. Sign up online at http://tinyurl.com/
MGPhoneroom or contact David Parish at 281.855.5635 or dwparish@ag.tamu.edu. Sign-up prior to arrival is
required.
Association Supports Food Bank and Animal Shelter
Harris County Master Gardeners are now doing something extra to support the hungry in our community. A box will be put out in
the auditorium at each Hamburger Tuesday to collect non-perishable food donations for the food bank and/or for an animal shelter.
Volunteers will sort out the food before delivery.
Herman Park Recruiting Summer Garden Helpers
Brent Moon, Horticulture Superintendent at Hermann Park, said he greatly appreciates the help he received from Master Gardeners at
Hermann Park last summer and is in need of volunteers to help out again at the Japanese Garden, the Garden Center and elsewhere in
the park. Interested volunteers can call Pat Kidd, horticulturist at the Garden Center, at 713.284.8680. He is not always in the office so
repeat calls may be necessary. He may also be reached via e-mail at Patrick.Kidd@houstontx.gov.
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4. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Precinct 2 Happenings by Eileen Donovan
Harris County Master Gardener
S
pring is most definitely here. Can flowering and the grape vines are
Photo by Ann Abernathy
summer be far behind? Things leafing. The plum tree looks like it
in the garden have been ramping is going to survive after all, but the
up. There is plenty of work for the papaya has not yet shown signs of
many gardeners who show up regularly life, though Gerry Gafka holds
to work in the production garden, out hope.
orchard and various flower gardens.
Since the roses were pruned,
But we could still use more hands.
they are all showing new growth
Please consider coming out to help.
and many are in bloom. The White
Recertification time will be here before
Lady Banks Rose on the fence is
you know it and you may be scrambling
particularly beautiful.
for hours. Get them now and avoid the
rush. Dutchman’s pipe and Texas
frog fruit were added to the
Among the vegetable and herbs
Butterfly Garden. The former is
harvested were carrots, chives, cilantro,
a larval host plant for the zebra
collards, lettuce, mint, parsley, radishes,
swallowtail and the latter hosts the
rosemary, salad burnett, spinach, swiss
crescent spot, buckeye and white
chard, onions, oregano, marjoram,
peacock butterflies.
bay leaves, strawberries, broccoli and
parsley. Most of the produce goes to the Mandevilla and kangaroo paw
food bank, but some of the herbs are A giraffe topiary stands sentinel in the garden.
(anigozanthos) were planted in the
dried for use in our famous herb blends. Perennial Garden.
Gardeners are fertilizing, mulching and Coneflowers were moved to the
sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the plants that have been Texas Native Garden.
attacked.
Janice Muhm planted catnip, pennyroyal and citronella
Seeds were started in the greenhouse, bumped up, then scented geranium in the Herb Garden and also started culantro
transplanted to the gardens and other seedlings have been started. seeds. Culantro is similar to cilantro but is more heat tolerant.
One trial that is going on is a comparison of corn planted and
Bev DeMoss and Julie Moncour filled in the beds
fertilized with BioBoost to that planted and fertilized with
by the entrance gate with plants and mulch and it is looking
MicroLife. A similar trial is being conducted with pole beans
really great. Other gardens have been cleared of freeze damage,
and bush beans. We also have cucumbers, tomatoes peppers
mulched, fertilized and generally spiffed up.
and potatoes and more coming up. Some of the paths have been
covered with paper topped with mulch. Some members of the Tomball Garden stopped by to visit
and Mimi Chapman, Gerry Gafka and Bobbie Weise
In the orchard, suckers were removed from the peach
toured them around and answered their questions. Come spend
trees and the grape vines. Mimi Chapman and Oswald
some time in the gardens, learn from the experienced MGs who
Frederick placed brick pavers along the row of blueberries to
work there and get a few of those needed hours. We need the
hold in the mulch. Many wheelbarrows of soil have been added
help.
to the peach tree bed and it is almost ready for the railroad ties.
Figs are budding, peach trees are sprouting, blueberries are
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5. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
From the Agent’s Desk:
H
ello Master Gardener volunteers of Harris County. If there is one thing that is constant in life it is change. In the four short
years I have lived in Houston, I have watched skyscrapers be constructed and I-10 widen to 22 lanes. Houstonians have
weathered hurricane Ike, the current drought and the gulf oil spill. Coming from a small town of 7,000 people where a
second traffic light and a new Wendy’s was the most change I saw in 20 years, I am simply amazed how fast things move Houston.
Since my employment with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Harris County Office I have seen Agents and staff move on.
Unfortunately most had to leave due to budget cuts. For those of you that don’t know, in the four years I have been here we have
permanently lost two agent positions, the Associate County Extension Director, two support staff positions, and a communications
specialist position. The Ag Agent is also managing 4-H responsibilities too (something he traditionally didn’t have to do). Currently
we have one Horticulture Agent position and one Family and Consumer Sciences Agent position vacant. My hope is that these
positions will be rehired, but with looming budget cuts nothing is certain.
Currently I am serving as the interim Agent responsible for the Master Gardener Program in Harris County. As Mr. Parish and I
move forward, please be cognizant of the fact that not only are both of us taking on new responsibilities, but that we have less staff to
manage the historical responsibilities. It is very likely that Mr. Parish and I will make a few mistakes along the way, but will always
try to do our best. Additionally, I have all my other existing commercial horticulture responsibilities to balance until we hire a new
Horticulture Agent.
Now more than ever we are relying on volunteers to help us meet Extension’s basic function of delivering high quality education to
all citizens of Harris County. My hope is that as we move forward and things continue to change each of you will continue to assist the
Extension Horticulture Program in Harris County. Thank you and I look forward to working with all of you.
~ Anthony Camerino
County Extension Agent - Horticulture
Ask a Master Gardener Helps Scouts Earn Badges
The Ask a Master Gardener Committee was invited to participate in the Boy Scouts Fair in Reliant Center
on April 16. The boys were working on the requirements for their Plant Science merit badge. More than 300
boys and their parents visited the booth where they learned about available resources for building raised
beds, vegetable gardening and plant selection that could be used to help meet their badge requirements.
Master Gardener Birthdays Celebrated in May
Master Gardeners and Interns who celebrate a birth- Kamrath, Sidney Kapner, Tom Kinack, Brie Kugler,
day during May include the following. Wish them a Sandra Lease, Sandra Matejich, Bonnie Morrow,
Happy Birthday when you see them! Melodie O’Bryan, Douglas Paluska, Linda
Robert merson, Agnes Asscherick,
A Paolicchi, Annie Perez, Gale Pierce, Helen Poole,
Deborah Banfield, Betty Beck, Catherine Popiel, Cathy Preator, Robert
Barbara Carey, Mary Chapman, Robertson, Shawn Schlachter, Charles
Enell Cooper, Sherry Cruse, Amber Smith, Thomas Solomon,
Culpepper, Jacqueline D'Elia, Jean Agnes Stanley, Sherrie Steiger,
Fefer, Hernan Franco, Harold Deborah Stutsman, Debra Thornton,
Gluckman, Mary Heafner, Pamela Vassallo, Carol Vuchetich,
Paul Hicks, Shirley Jackson, June Marilyn Ward and
Patricia Zohlen.
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6. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Garden Gifts
by Kenneth Dorman
News from Our Outreach Gardens Harris County Master Gardener
O
n March 2 we had 31 students from Yes! Prep School
help us in the garden. This is a charter school, part of
Photo by Barbara Harms
HISD, with some outside financing and they have some
great young people. These kids, I hate to call them kids, but that
is what they are, sixth and seventh graders, worked like they had
a need to do it.
We lined them up and sent them off with our volunteers,
some to build beds with concrete blocks, some to set out, stake,
tie and cage tomato plants, some to cut down and dig in a cover
crop of clover and vetch, others to bring compost and everyone
to dig it in new beds. One group built a big herb garden from
scratch. Oh, and they put stakes to hold down the tomato cages
and then surrounded them with row cover to keep the wind off.
This went on for three hours or until they had completely worn Celeste Mead with some of the 31 Yes, Prep School students.
out the ten volunteers we had there.
I stayed for a while after all the volunteers left and the onions and potatoes the end of this month and then start to plant
kids and their teachers had gone over to a shady area to eat the winter squash and winter melons in the beds they occupied.
lunches they had brought. I figured they would be ready to eat The beds don’t get much rest; we harvest, add compost and
and go back to the school, tired out, but no, in a few minutes they cottonseed meal and plant again. As the other crops finish up
were running races. I worry about the state of education I read we will plant sweet potatoes and some more tomatoes. We have
about for Texas, but after seeing this bunch I am convinced that finished building the beds in the East Garden (formerly The
we have some fantastic leaders coming along. As near as I could Swamp) and have chayote, papayas, sun flowers, tomatillos,
count we had seven distinct nationalities involved in this group. okra, Corrales Azafran, lemon verbena, various basils and weeds
Great people! We intend for the class to come back at the end of growing there in profusion. We hope to get enough financing to
May to harvest what they helped plant and prepare beds for. We cover the paths with sand and then decomposed granite.
hope they will be able to pick tomatoes, squash, chilies, peppers, Jean Fefer has given us another three grape vines to finish
eggplants, cantaloupes, cucumbers, potatoes and onions. There out our row so now we are big time in the fruit business. We
should be enough for all 31 of them to take home a nice bag have grapes, lemons, limes, tangelos, grapefruit, mandarins,
of goodies. I think we have exposed some fertile minds to the oranges, papayas and five or six kinds of Satsumas. All the citrus
beauty of vegetable gardening. trees took some damage from the cold weather, but all of them
Back to more mundane things, we are killing squash vine have come back and have flowered, with the exception of the
borer moths at an alarming rate, but so far the vines are still little lime trees. They are alive, but were really hurt.
producing. I go back to the garden in the afternoon after the A lot of us are alive, but really hurt; you can’t heal until you
bees have left the vines to spray with a homemade concoction love yourself.
of neem, rotenone and pyrethrum. We will begin to harvest the
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7. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Master Gardeners of the Month
Brenda Hesse - Precinct 2
Brenda Hesse is Harris As a volunteer with Clear Creek ISD, Brenda contributes her
County Precinct 2’s Master gardening skills in the classroom garden at Robinson Elementary
Gardener of the month for March. school. Having a sincere affection for animals has led Brenda
Brenda attended the Master to volunteer at the Bay Area Pet Adoption center in San Leon,
Gardener class in 2005. She has a pet rescue, shelter and adoption organization. She is “mom”
been very active in several areas of to two rescued cats and two rescued dogs as well as fostering
the Friendship Garden including rescued animals temporarily until they are permanently adopted.
the perennial garden, but most A 33-year-old blue and gold macaw also calls Brenda’s residence
recently has taken charge of the home. She claims the bird will probably outlive her since these
pond and water garden. birds live well into their sixties and beyond!
Brenda and some other The fact that Brenda still cares for the pond at the Friendship
gardeners were also the original Garden is a remarkable testimony to her steadfast dedication to
architects of the giraffe topiary Brenda Hesse it. It seems that her first trip into the pond to clean decaying and
family at the garden (see pg. 4). overgrowing material resulted in her “fishing out” a rather sizable
The giraffes have unfortunately fallen victim to hurricane Ike diamond back water snake. I’m sure that more than one worker at
and the most recent freezes. Brenda stated that the volunteers the Friendship Garden is grateful that she found the snake instead
who worked on the giraffes learned much from that experience. of themselves.
Brenda is a regular at the plant sales setup and plant sales. As a Thank you Brenda for your hard work and snake capturing
pre-checker, she performs the important task of dealing directly skills.
with the buyers and sorting out their purchases before checkout.
Janet Eshelman - Extension Office
Janet Eshelman, the Extension Office Master Gardener
of the Month for April, is the coordinator of the All American
Selection Garden, which tests all the new varieties of seeds each
year. She also works at the gardens at the Ault School, Habitat
for Humanity houses, REACH and any other place where she is
needed.
For several years she has also helped with hospitality for
the MG classes. While helping she has taken on the chores of
keeping the refrigerator and closets clean. She is a tireless worker
who initiates and takes on the hardest and most difficult tasks
around.
Janet is a dedicated Master Gardener and helps out on all the
sales and projects. In addition, she has an easy going and low key
personality that is pleasant to be around. She is a great asset to
our organization. Janet Eshelman among the blooms.
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8. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Continuing Education Events
June 15. Gardening with Native Plants to Attract
Birds and Butterflies by Glen Olsen, past president Native
Plant Society of Texas. Clear Lake Park Meeting Room. 10 a.m.
June 21. Hibiscus by Marti Graves. Extension Office. 6:30 p.m.
Photo by Rob Lucey
Green Thumb Lecture Series
June 14. Growing Plants from Seeds and Cuttings
by Louis Mickler, HCMG. The Meeting Room at Clear Lake
Park (lake side). 6:30-8:30 p.m.
June 16. Lawn Care by Dr. Anthony Camerino, County
Extension Agent - Horticulture. Trini Mendenhall Sosa
Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
MG Specialist Training Workshops*
Those March Plant Sale purchases? Looking good!
June 9-10. Rainwater Harvesting. Williamson County.
May 2011 June 22-24. Composter Training. San Antonio Botanical
Garden, Bexar County. $225. Call 210.467.6575 by May 20 to
Master Gardener Lecture Series register.
May 3. Hydroponics by Dr. Carol Brouwer. Extension
Office. Noon-1 p.m.
* Visit http://texasmastergardeners.com or contact the Harris
May 17. Herbs by Jeanie Dunnihoo, HCMG. Extension County Extension Office, 281.855.5600, dwparish@ag.tamu.edu
Office. 6:30 p.m. for registration details.
May 18. Hibiscus Culture and Breeding by Berry
Schlueter. Clear Lake Park Meeting Room. 10 a.m.
Green Thumb Lecture Series
May 10. Landscape Pests and Diseases by Dr. Anthony Did You Know ...
Camerino, County Extension Agent - Horticulture. Clear Lake
... you can complete Earth-Kind® On-Line Master
Park Meeting Room. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gardener Training using your home computer? Three
May 19. Earthkind Landscapes by Dr. Carol Brouwer, modules, worth one hour of credit each, are available to
former County Extension Agent - Horticulture. Trini Mendenhall teach environmentally friendly practices in the garden and
Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. 6:30-8:30 p.m. landscape. Progress through the training program is tracked
on-line and the results for each completed module are
automatically forwarded to your county Master Gardener
June 2011 Coordinator.
Master Gardener Lecture Series For full details, visit
June 7. Bromeliads by Gary Gallick-Past President http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/training/
Bromeliad Society. Extension Office. Noon-1 p.m.
All activities listed here are eligible for Master Gardener CEU’s.
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9. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
Volunteer Hours
Service and continuing education
Instructions:
• You can submit and check your hours online anytime at http://hcmga.tamu.edu. Completed forms can also be submitted to David
Parish at 3033 Bear Creek Dr., Houston, TX 77084 or by fax: 281.855.5638.
• The list of Approved Service and Educational Activities is on the back of the printed form (next page if electronic.) Additional
qualifying events are listed in each issue of the newsletter (Urban Dirt.) Any exceptions must be approved in advance by Volunteer
Coordinator David Parish.
• Include address and phone number only if your information has changed.
• Call 281.855.5600 if you have questions.
Name:
Address:
Home: Cell: Work:
Service Hours
Remember: only Approved Service and Educational Activities qualify for service hours.
Date Job Task Hours* Contacts**
* Number of hours volunteered Total
** Number of people you educated during volunteer activity
Continuing Education
Additional qualified events are listed in each issue of Urban Dirt.
Date Event/Location Topic & Speaker Hours*
Total
* Remember to include education hours only (i.e., don't include travel time to/from event, or transportation time during a tour.)
090724 v2
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10. Approved Service and Educational Activities
Continuing Education Hours
Approved Activities
Green Thumb MG or Fruit Study Group Field Trips (not including any travel time)
Gulf Coast Fruit Study Group State MG Conference
Mercer Arboretum ed. events State MG Specialist Trainings
MG Home Tour Other presentations by Texas AgriLife Extension Service speakers
MG Lecture Series Other event (prior approval required)
Service Hours
Association Business
Job Task Job Task
Board of Directors Meeting and Planning Fundraising Efforts Plant Sale [specify sale] (Not
Budget Committee Meeting and Planning symposium, expo or workshop
Fundraising Efforts Book Sales [specify event] associated with sale. See
Meeting and Planning Educational Activities.)
P2 Store Rose Production – Ext.
P2 Steering Committee Meeting and Planning
Policies and Bylaws Meeting and Planning
Community Outreach
Job Task Job Task
Community Outreach Armond Bayou Nature Center Community Outreach Mercer Arboretum
CCSC Garden MG Habitat for Humanity Projects
Cockrell Butterfly Center Multi-Use Center Community
EIH Garden at UH Clear Lake Garden
Gethsemane UMC Garden REACH
Hermann Park Ronald McDonald House
Houston Arboretum Shore Acres
Turning Point Community Garden
Educational Activities
Job Task
Ask a Master Gardener Host Kiosk; Meetings and Planning
Demonstration Garden Ext Activities at Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Levy Park Demo Garden
Education Committee Meetings and Planning
Education Event [Specify event] Facilitate event; Hospitality; Meetings and Planning; Speaker/Presenter
Plant Sale Educational Event [Specify sale & event] Facilitate event; Speaker/Presenter
(Do not include work at a plant sale unrelated to the educational event. See Association Business.)
Ext. Office Demo Gardens Work in garden [specify garden]; Meetings and Planning; Tools & Equipment
Field Trips Facilitate event; Meetings and Planning
Fire Ant Booth Host Kiosk
Fruit Study Group Facilitate event; Meetings and Planning; Speaker/Presenter
Genoa Friendship Garden – P2 Greenhouse; Meetings and Planning; Perennial Gardens; Production Gardens; Structures and Maint.
Individual Assistance Assist individuals
Phone Room Caller Assistance; Maintain Library
Publications Bulk Mail; Data Entry; Editor; Fact Sheets; Meetings and Planning; Newsletter layout; Writer
Publicity Flyer Distribution; Meetings and Planning; Press Release Distribution
Speakers Bureau Meetings and Planning; Speaker/Presenter
Training Class – Ext Facilitate event; Graduation; Hospitality; Meetings and Planning; Speaker/Presenter
Training Class – P2 Facilitate event; Graduation; Hospitality; Meetings and Planning; Speaker/Presenter
Extension Research Projects
Job Task
Chilli Thrips Research Project Data collection; Data Entry; Maintain gardens
Green Roof Research Project Data collection; Data Entry; Maintain gardens
Volunteer Management
Job Task
Awards Facilitate event; Meetings and Planning
Office Assistance Clerical at the Extension Office
Record Keeping Data Entry; Meetings and Planning; Reporting
Youth Education
Job Task
4-H Judge contest
Cylinder Gardening Assist teacher; Delivery; Meetings and Planning; Supply preparation
Junior Master Gardener Group Leader or Facilitator; Host chia people activity; Host kiosk; Meetings and Planning
School Gardens Meetings and Planning; Teach
Science Fair Judge botany or horticulture contest
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11. U R B A N D I R T  M AY 2 0 1 1
May 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
MG Lecture: Ext. Off. Cinco de Mayo Newsletter Mercer Garden
Hydroponics by Dr. deadline Party and
Carol Brouwer. Noon. Auction. 5 pm
8 9 10 Work day: Ext. 11 12 13 14
Off.
Mother's Day Work day: P2 Work day: P2
Green Thumb: Mtg.
Rm. Clear Lake.
Landscape Plants
and Diseases. Dr.
Anthony Camerino
6:30 pm
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Work day: P2 Work day: Ext. Off. Work day: P2 Green Thumb:
Sosa Cntr.
MG Lecture: Ext. Off. MG Lecture: , Clear
Earth Kind
Herbs by Jeannie Lake Mtg Rm. Hibiscus
Landscapes by
Dunnihoo, HCMG, Ext. by Barry Schlueter
Dr. Brouwer.
Off. 6:30 pm 10 am
6:30 pm
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Work day: P2 Work day: Ext. Off. Work day: P2
29 30 31
Work day: P2
Work day: Ext. Off.
11

12. Texas AgriLife Extension Service
3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Houston, Tx 77084
281.855.5600 fax 281.855.5638
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort
http://hcmga.tamu.edu
U R B A N D I RT  M AY 2 0 1 1
Fruit Study Group Talks
Bees and Blueberries
Photos by Dr. Steve Talcott, Texas A&M
Gregory Carrier will speak on
Bees and Victor Patterson will
discuss Blueberries
June 29, 6:30 p.m.
at the Extension Office