Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture

“What is Extension?” Program

The Home Garden Club in Roswell asked the agent to present a program on “What is “Extension ?” The program discussed the history and mission of the Extension Service, the Land Grant University System, and current extension programming in New Mexico and in Chaves County. Approximately 20 persons gained facts about programs conducted by the Extension Service that could better their lives.

Backyard Gardening Leaders' Training

The Chaves County Extension Clubs Leaders' Training program was presented by the agent in April. The title of the program was “Backyard Gardening” and included information on understanding soils, pH, soil analysis, soil amendments, fertilizers, mulches, climate zones, microclimates, and irrigation. The extension club leaders, in turn, presented this information to approximately 120 extension club members at their club meetings. Also, over 100 of the leader training booklets were distributed to the public during the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Club members and the public expanded their knowledge of soils to be more successful at gardening in New Mexico.

Xeriscape Program

As requested by the agent, Dr. Curtis Smith, NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist delivered a public program in Roswell on “Xeriscape”. The agent coordinated and publicized the event. Eighteen persons gained information on the basic principles of xeriscape in order to utilize low-water needs plants and conserve water use in landscape situations.

Rainwater Harvesting Program

A program on “Rainwater Harvesting” was presented three times this past reporting year in Chaves County by the agent. The presentation included information on the advantages and benefits of rainwater harvesting, elements of a simple and a complex water harvesting system, and examples of various catchment systems, conveyance systems, and modifications of landscape areas. The presentations were given to two different garden club groups and at a public program at the Roswell Public Library. A total of 35 individuals attended the presentations and gained information on utilizing rainwater for water conservation and to promote plant health. In times of drought and with higher populations drawing on the limited water resources of the state, audiences are very interested learning how to capture and utilize rainwater.

Two different horticultural tours were arranged and provided for by the Agent this year. The first tour was in June for a group of 21 County Agents and Horticulture Specialists from Kansas State University who were wanting to expand their knowledge base about xeric horticultural plants and suppliers. These tour participants had the opportunity to visit a local nursery and some Master Gardener sponsored demonstration gardens. Their visit in Santa Fe was a segment of a larger tour which included visits to Sandoval, Bernalillo and San Miguel counties as well.

The second tour was for a group of 40 retired statisticians from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and their spouses who had their annual meeting in Santa Fe in September. This 1/2 day tour included a visit to a private garden as well as a local nursery. Several of the tour participants were very interested in taking some plant material to their home states to try growing it in their own gardens.