Good To Grow

Saturday, September 6th – 9 to 10:30 am

Tuesday, August 26th – 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Saturday, August 2nd – 8 to 10 am

Mountain View Market Farm is looking for people who want to “pull” together! MVM Farm is lush and green but we need a hand with our weeds – there’s too many! Snacks and refreshments will be provided. We have some tools and gloves, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. Prepare for working in the sun: Bring water, wear a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes. MVM Farm is located at 2653 Snow Road in Mesilla. Contact Nicole for details and directions.

  Denise & Norma talk about a number of gardening-related activities in El Paso, including an upcoming workshop on Container Gardening with Herbs, taking place Aug. 9 at the El Paso Garden Center, 3105 Grant Ave.  Register by July 31 at 915-860-2515.  We'll also hear about the Master Gardeners' experiements with keyhole gardens, and about the upcoming Master Gardening class.  Learn more at http://txmg.org/elpaso/.

Aired July 19, 2014.

Do you have plant pictures you love posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Google+?  Make sure you add #epgardens with your post!  

  Do you have gardening questions?  Submit your questions and photos here: http://txmg.org/elpaso/outreach/hotline/.  

You can also e-mail your questions to elpasomg@ag.tamu.edu, or call the Master Gardener Hotline, 566-1276 or 860-2515. Or, submit your questions, comments, and/or photos to the El Paso Master Gardener Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/El-Paso-Master-Gardeners/148950588460436.

Find the El Paso Master Gardeners on Instagram!  http://instagram.com/epmastergardener.

Here are some other helpful links:
http://elp.tamu.edu (Texas AgriLife Extension Service) to access the Extension Calendar and other Master Gardener activities.

http://elp.tamu.edu/horticulture/ for other gardening resources.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/elpasoplants/index.html (Recommended Ornamental Plants for Far West Texas)
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/lawn_garden/veg.html (Home Vegetable Gardening).

  Denise & Norma talk with Jennifer Salter, who is entering her second year as a Master Gardener.  Jennifer shares the challenges and rewards of entering the Master Gardener class and spending that first year learning about vegetables, trees, irrigation, roses, and much more...and sharing that information with the public.  The Master Gardeners are accepting a new class of students, and you can learn more by visiting http://txmg.org/elpaso/ or calling 915-860-2515.  The deadline to apply is August 1.

Aired July 5, 2014.

  Brown spots on your lawn? Maybe it's a result of poor watering...or it's grub worms. On the next Good to Grow, Denise & Norma preview some July gardening tips, including how to identify and treat grub worm damage.

Aired June 28, 2014.

Sow seeds indoors now for late summer and fall transplants such as marigolds, zinnia, petunia, portulaca, and ageratum.

Tomato transplants can be planted now for fall gardens.  The best varieties to make it through the intense summer heat are Surefire, Celebrity, Heatwave, Merced, and cherry types.

Remove faded flowers from plants before they set seed in order to keep them growing and producing more flowers.  A light application of fertilizer every four to six weeks would also encourage growth.

  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension hosts a workshop on Container Gardening with Culinary Herbs, Sat. Aug. 9, 10am-noon, at the El Paso Garden Center, 3105 Grant Ave. (west side of Memorial Park, near Piedras).  Learn how to prepare and design your own container garden in this hands-on workshop.  In addition, there will be a cooking demonstration and recipe tasting by a nutritionist.  Reserve your spot now!  Seating is limited to the first 25 participants.  Information: 915-860-2515.

The 2014 Mayapan Farmers' Market enters its 4th season. Come support local farmers and buy fresh, naturally grown produce! Pesticide free! Also, be sure to try our delicious breakfast and lunch menu!

Who: La Mujer Obrera and Centro Mayapan
What: Mayapan Farmers' Market
Where: Café Mayapan, 2000 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901
Time: Saturdays, 8am - 3pm

Saturday, August 2nd – 9 to 11 am.  This workshop will demonstrate how you can use free or low cost resources to supply your soil with more nutrition, beneficial microbiology, water holding capacity, and organic matter. Hugelkultur is a permaculture technique that uses large organic matter, such as logs and sticks, which breaks down over time and provides your plants with long-term nutrients. You'll learn how to build and maintain a compost heap and Hugelkultur raised bed the right way to reap the many benefits of on-site composting!

Do you have pesky bugs or pests in your yard or garden you can't identify? Visit this link, courtesy of Texas A&M:
http://insects.tamu.edu/insectquestions/index.cfm

  In a rebroadcast from July 7, 2012, Norma & Denise talk with Salvador Vitanza, an entomologist with Integrated Pest Management, Texas AgriLife Extension.  Bagworms, spider mites, caterpillers, hornworms...and the list goes on!  What are the pests that damage our trees & tomato plants?  And what's the best and safest way to control them?  

Aired Sat. June 14, 2014.

  Denise & Norma share some gardening tips for the month of June.  Turf maintenance is a priority, as is deep watering.  And if your kids are already bored on their vacation, Denise tells us how to keep busy by making a succulent garden.

Aired June 7, 2014.

    Denise & Norma talk with Cheryl Garing, President of the El Paso Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico.  New Mexico?  Cheryl explains why the El Paso Chapter fits better with the Land of Enchantment than with our home state of Texas.  The Native Plant Society is open to anyone interested in learning more about native plants and hearing interesting speakers at their meetings every 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m., at the El Paso Garden Center, 3105 Grant.  Dues are only $25/year for individuals, $30/year for families.  The Native Plant Society of New Mexico is holding their annual conference this summer, and you can hear more in our previous episode from May 24.  Learn more about the El Paso Chapter at http://www.npsnm.org/about/chapters/el-paso-texas/ and find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Native-Plant-Society-of-New-Mexico-El-Paso-Chapter/191913520833180.  Or, call Cheryl Garing 915-549-3674.

Aired May 31, 2014.

  The Texas Master Gardener program offers 12 weeks of intensive horticulture training on xeriscaping, vegetable gardening, lawn care, trees and pruning, identifying plant pests and more. After successful completion of the course, participants are required to volunteer time sharing the information with the community. Although it is helpful for participants to have some basic knowledge about gardening and other plant related topics, the selection process will be based more on willingness to become an active volunteer. Deadline to apply for the program is 5:00 PM August 8, 2014.

  Denise & Norma talk with Jim Hastings, who is inviting all interested members of the public to join with members of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico and attend their annual conference taking place August 1 & 2 at Canutillo High School here in El Paso.  Science talks, cactus talks, field trips, photo workshops, cooking workshops, and much more will take place...and EVERYONE is invited to attend!  Register by June 1 for a special discount.  Learn more at http://www.npsnm.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/NPSNM_2014v2_web.pdf and visit the El Paso chapter's page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Native-Plant-Society-of-New-Mexico-El-Paso-Chapter/191913520833180

Aired May 24, 2014.

The 13th Annual Farmers Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing offers an ever-increasing selection of organic & pesticide-free produce; all-natural eggs, beef, pork, lamb, and goat; native plants for gardens & yards; salsas; baked goods; and unique artisan goods.  Yoga classes are taught every Saturday by Erin from Casa de Yoga at 10am.Weekly events include Kids' Tent activities, garden talks by Master Gardeners, and live music.Well-behaved pets are welcome. Enjoy coffee, house-made pastries, and fresh-squeezed juices on the patio.

  Denise & Norma talk with Master Gardener Enrique Perez about the Home Gardening in El Paso course being offered at El Paso Community College Valle Verde campus.  Classes are Saturdays 10:30am-12:30pm, June 7-July 19, and each week's class will cover a different topic - soil, Earth-Kind landscaping, vegetable gardening, native & adapted trees & plants, irrigation, container gardening, and much more.  The classes are casual and conversational, and the cost for the entire course is only $53.  Register online at http://www.epcc.edu or find the entire Continuing Education Summer catalog at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/d5ada338#/d5ada338/1.  

Aired May 17, 2014.

The El Paso Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico will host the 2014 Native Plant Society of New Mexico Annual Meeting.  There will be 3 tracks: Science, Cactus, and Special Interests...7 field trips...and 5 workshops.  Learn about preserving land, restoring wetlands, the potential of growing prickly pear cactus on the moon...enjoy Tex-Mex cuisine...and much, much more!July 31 Board Meeting & Early Registration, 1-5pm, Holiday Inn Express, 7935 Artcraft.Aug.

  Denise & Norma talk with Wanda Sparks and Jan Harrison, two of the artists participating in the upcoming Art in the Garden Tour at Picacho Hills in Las Cruces.  6 homes in the Picacho Hills neighborhood will open their unique landscapes to the public, and area artists will be selling their work at the event.  It takes place Sunday, May 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in Las Cruces.  Learn more by calling Jan Harrison at 575-541-9284 or Wanda Sparks at 575-523-1740.  You can also visit the Artists of Picacho Hills Facebook page for details at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artists-of-Picacho-Hills/137937112884863.  The attached images include some of the works of art available at the tour, as well as one of the participating homes.

Aired May 3, 2014.

  It's back!  The 2014 FloraFEST Native Plant Sale, happening this weekend, April 26 & 27, 9a-4p on the UTEP campus, and to tell us about it is Garden Curator for the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, John White.  John joins Denise & Norma to talk about the thousands of plants available for sale, and the helpful volunteers that will help you pick the right plant for the right place.  View a complete list of plants available for the sale at http://admin.utep.edu/Portals/1747/rptPlantSignListingQry[1].pdf.  

Aired April 26, 2014.

  John White, Garden Curator for the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, joins Denise & Norma to talk about the history of the Gardens, which are located on the UTEP campus.  Learn about the different plant varieties in the Gardens, and the different types of pollinators that visit the plants.  The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens are open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, and you can view a plant database and get a walking tour map by visiting http://admin.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=60234.  And don't forget about the annual FloraFest Native Plant Sale, taking place April 26 & 27 outside the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens!  John White will return next week to tell us more.

Aired April 19, 2014.

  Denise & Norma talk with Master Gardener Mark Benitez about the upcoming public tour of the Municipal Rose Garden.  Over 1300 rose bushes are at their peak, and the public is invited to tour the gardens, visit some of the booths for rose information, and talk to Master Gardeners about their rose concerns.  The tour is Saturday, April 19, noon-3 p.m., at the Municipal Rose Garden (corner of Copia & Aurora).  Mark also talks about rose pests and offers some fertilizer tips.  The pictures attached here are of Denise's and Mark's favorite roses, and a new addition to the rose garden, the Fortuniana.

Aired April 12, 2014.

  In a re-broadcast from June 2, 2012, Denise & Norma talk with Salvador Vitanza, Extension Agent with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) at Texas AgriLife Extension.  We'll hear about some galls that may affect oak trees, and why some leaf damage may be the result of the harmless leaf cutter bee.  Salvador also gives us some advice on what to do to avoid being stung by bees & wasps.   http://ipm.tamu.edu/isec/

Aired March 29, 2014.

Websites for Tree Information, recommended by Regional Urban Forester Oscar Mestas.
Tree Care Industry: www.treecareindustry.org.
International Society of Arboriculture (find a certified arborist): www.isa-arbor.com; for the Texas Chapter, visit www.isatexas.com.
Good consumer information is available at www.treesaregood.org.

  Bill Hodge returns to the show to talk to us about the different varieties of corn & squash growing at the Master Gardener test garden at the Extension offices.  He also explains why we don't need a lot of space to grow our space-hogging vegetables - we can train them to grow UP instead of OUT.

Aired March 22, 2014.

  Denise & Norma talk with Master Gardener and vegetable specialist, Bill Hodge.  In the first of a 2-part interview, Bill takes us through a few helpful steps in preparing our soil for planting summer vegetables.  He also explains why some vegetables should be started from seed while others can be purchased as seedlings.  Bill will be taking part in the upcoming Summer Vegetable Workshop and seedling sale on March 29 at the Ascarate Park Pavilion, 6900 Delta.  Register in advance at 915-860-2515.

Aired March 15, 2014.

  Denise & Norma talk about what gardening activities we should be looking forward to in March.  We'll also hear about a couple of very interesting workshops: a Microgreens Workshop on March 22, and a Spring Vegetable Workshop on March 29.  Registration for both workshops is required (915-860-2515).  

Aired March 8, 2014.