Welcome to the Inland Empire Master Gardeners' Club
The mission of the Inland Empire Master Gardeners' club (IEMG) is to increase the knowledge of horticulture among its members and to bring it to Inland Empire communities. The members fulfill this mission by educating the general public about plants, plant-life, conservation, pests and related topics in southern California. The Inland Empire Master Gardener Club is a non-profit organization. If you'd like to join IEMG as a full member, annual dues are $20 (single membership) or $25 (dual in same household). Checks can be made out to "IEMGC" and mailed to ... Inland Empire Master Gardener Club, 2660 Macy Street, Muscoy, California, 92407. Email info@iemgonline.org for more information or with questions about IEMG. And thanks for your interest!!
July Topic: Plumerias
Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
July's topic will be on that lovely tropical, the Plumeria, presented by Ornamental Horticulturalist, Craig Slade, who shares his story here:
"I began living in the Coachella Valley (Indio) in the spring of 1981. With the help of a contact I had, I began working in the farming industry. It wasn't long before I decided it was time to continue my education so I enrolled in night classes at the College of the Desert. One in particular was a course in fruit production. While taking the class, a field trip to a nursery in San Diego where citrus trees are grafted was included. (here is where the story gets good)
While on the
lunch break, I noticed a small table in the corner of the area I
was sitting, It had some tropical plants on it that for a reason I
cannot explain even to this day, sparked my interest. They had an
interesting leaf pattern and clusters of pretty flowers of assorted
colors. I asked an employee of the nursery what they were -- the response
was "plumerias". Little did I know my world was about to change. I walked
over to them, stuck my nose in a cluster of yellow flowers, took a good
sniff, and that was it -- I was in love. Needless to say I bought the
plant, and within a year I had several hundred of them. I guess you
could say I had started a hobby. Over the next few years I sold a few
and gave a lot of them away to friends, all the while studying and
trying to learn all I could about growing plumerias. I was like a
sponge soaking up information. ( I am still learning things even
today). I eventually finished my schooling with a Bachelors Degree in Ornamental Horticulture and certificates in Pest Control issued by the
California State Department of Agriculture. I still love growing
plumerias and at this time have a little over three hundred in my
collection. Three years ago I started a business called Craig's
Tropical Treasures, in which I specialize in plumerias. In the spring
of 2008, with the help of some very dear friends, I started The
Coachella Valley Plumeria Society which is doing quite well. Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story, and I look forward to
speaking at your meeting on July 15."
Craig will also be bringing plumeria cuttings, plantings, and books for sale.
Come join us for refreshments and good gardening gabbing! And don't forget about the monthly door prize table (donations welcome). You could bring home a new plant or helpful gardening tool! Read the latest newsletter (requires Adobe Reader to open).
Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m at the Hutton Community Center, 660 Colton Avenue, Colton, CA. [Location]
Tip of the Week: The Best Way to Deal with Grass Clippings
The answer is that you can leave the clippings where they fall. It used to be believed that grass clippings create thatch, a brown, spongelike matting that prevents water and air from reaching the lawn’s roots. Thatch is actually a buildup of living and dead grass roots and stems. It can be prevented by regular aeration and/or power raking.
Grass clippings break down quickly. They contain much nitrogen as well as some other nutrients; as the clippings decompose, these nutrients are returned to the lawn, promoting steady growth.
Grass clippings on the lawn also encourage earthworms and other microorganisms to populate the area. In this way clippings actually help prevent thatch, because earthworms and the like break down thatch.
Leaving the clippings on the lawn also reduces the overall time and energy you spend on mowing.
If you do choose to collect the clippings, you can add them to a compost pile or use them as garden mulch, provided the lawn hasn’t been treated with an herbicide in the prior two weeks. Don’t layer the mulch more than two inches; otherwise it will rot and smell. Spread them thinly so they dry quickly, and add more later.
San Bernardino Master Gardener Hot Line : (909) 387-2182, mgsanbern@ucdavis.edu For Live Q & A, a Master Gardener is on duty: Mon & Tues. 10am–2pm; Wed. 1-3pm & Thurs. 9-11am
Last Updated: July 3, 2009