Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture (Chaves County)
Plan Goals
Increase, enhance, and sustain New Mexico urban and rural lifestyles by teaching proper landscape plant selection, management, and efficient water use.
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Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture
Impact Reports
Africanized Honey Bee Education
The agent presented a program on Africanized Honey Bees at a weekly safety meeting of the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department. Thirty city employees who work outdoors each day at a park, zoo, cemetery, or other city facility gained factual information about Africanized bees and how they differ from their European counterparts. Chaves County has had numerous cases of positively identified Africanized bees in the area, with one positive sample coming the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department. Workers now have correct information about the bees and are better able to safely handle a potentially life-threatening bee situation.
The agent presented a program on Africanized Honey Bees at a weekly safety meeting of the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department. Thirty city employees who work outdoors each day at a park, zoo, cemetery, or other city facility gained factual information about Africanized bees and how they differ from their European counterparts. Chaves County has had numerous cases of positively identified Africanized bees in the area, with one positive sample coming the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department. Workers now have correct information about the bees and are better able to safely handle a potentially life-threatening bee situation.
Pecan Production Program
Chaves County produces approximately 4 million pounds of pecans annually on 4000 acres in the Pecos Valley. The county has both large and small producers, plus homeowners with only a few trees in their yard, so demand for researched-base information is high. The agent coordinated a program on “Pecan Production for Small Growers”, which was presented for the public by the NMSU Pecan Specialist at the Roswell Public Library. Topics included general tree care, fertilization, watering, pruning, insect control, and disease management. A total of 10 persons attended the training and gained knowledge that would enable them to better manage their pecan crops for production success.
Chaves County produces approximately 4 million pounds of pecans annually on 4000 acres in the Pecos Valley. The county has both large and small producers, plus homeowners with only a few trees in their yard, so demand for researched-base information is high. The agent coordinated a program on “Pecan Production for Small Growers”, which was presented for the public by the NMSU Pecan Specialist at the Roswell Public Library. Topics included general tree care, fertilization, watering, pruning, insect control, and disease management. A total of 10 persons attended the training and gained knowledge that would enable them to better manage their pecan crops for production success.
Fair Booth
A booth on “Xeriscape” was constructed by the agriculture agent and displayed at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. The booth focused on the seven principles of xeriscape and highlighted twenty of the xeriscape plants that were planted in the demonstration garden at the Spring River Park and Zoo. Viewers were encouraged to utilize the low-water needs plants in the Pecos Valley area to conserve water use in landscape situations. One viewer noted that she now knew the name of a plant that she had been interested in growing and, due to the booth's information, would be able to do so.
A booth on “Xeriscape” was constructed by the agriculture agent and displayed at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. The booth focused on the seven principles of xeriscape and highlighted twenty of the xeriscape plants that were planted in the demonstration garden at the Spring River Park and Zoo. Viewers were encouraged to utilize the low-water needs plants in the Pecos Valley area to conserve water use in landscape situations. One viewer noted that she now knew the name of a plant that she had been interested in growing and, due to the booth's information, would be able to do so.
Xeriscape Garden
With guidance and assistance from the agriculture agent, the Chaves County Master Gardeners planted a demonstration xeriscape garden at the Spring River Park and Zoo in Roswell. The purpose of the garden is the show the public the attractiveness of certain native and low-water use plants and to encourage the use of those plants in home and business gardens. The agent worked with NMSU’s horticulture specialist to secure plants from the NRCS Plant Materials Center in Los Lunas and to design the garden. The Roswell Parks and Recreation Department designated a planting area at the zoo, along with a watering system specifically for the xeriscape garden. Plants were transplanted in September and will be cared for throughout the coming months. In the spring of 2010, signage will be placed near each plant so the public will know the names and characteristics of each plant.
With guidance and assistance from the agriculture agent, the Chaves County Master Gardeners planted a demonstration xeriscape garden at the Spring River Park and Zoo in Roswell. The purpose of the garden is the show the public the attractiveness of certain native and low-water use plants and to encourage the use of those plants in home and business gardens. The agent worked with NMSU’s horticulture specialist to secure plants from the NRCS Plant Materials Center in Los Lunas and to design the garden. The Roswell Parks and Recreation Department designated a planting area at the zoo, along with a watering system specifically for the xeriscape garden. Plants were transplanted in September and will be cared for throughout the coming months. In the spring of 2010, signage will be placed near each plant so the public will know the names and characteristics of each plant.
Home and Garden Show
The agent coordinated an educational booth which was exhibited at the Enchanted Living Home and Garden Show. The show was held at the Roswell Convention Center from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon and was open to the general public. The educational display, which was located in an area that was free to the public, contained researched-based information on gardening topics ranging from vegetable gardening to soil amendments to xeriscape gardening. Master Gardeners were on hand to answer questions and assist with the dissemination of publications. Persons gained information about gardening in New Mexico in order to be more successful with their gardening projects. The agent also presented a program which was open to the public on “Rainwater Harvesting” during the Home and Garden Show. Attendees learned about the 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 in order to utilize rainwater for water conservation and plant health.
The agent coordinated an educational booth which was exhibited at the Enchanted Living Home and Garden Show. The show was held at the Roswell Convention Center from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon and was open to the general public. The educational display, which was located in an area that was free to the public, contained researched-based information on gardening topics ranging from vegetable gardening to soil amendments to xeriscape gardening. Master Gardeners were on hand to answer questions and assist with the dissemination of publications. Persons gained information about gardening in New Mexico in order to be more successful with their gardening projects. The agent also presented a program which was open to the public on “Rainwater Harvesting” during the Home and Garden Show. Attendees learned about the 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 in order to utilize rainwater for water conservation and plant health.