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 (Sandoval County)
Plan Goals
Improve public's satisfaction with landscape plant issues by teaching proper plant selection and management, including pest, disease and weed control, and appropriate, efficient irrigation.
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Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture
Impact Reports
SEED STARTING:
In 2010 Sandoval county Master Gardeners received training in seed starting. Many gardeners experienced trouble getting plants to grow. Most of the problems related to depth of the seed being planted. 25 master gardeners took the training and as a group started tomato plants. The lessons they learned 1) How addictive seed starting can be 2) Justification for purchasing/building a grow light set 3) Reasons not to fertilize with fish emulsion when growing plants inside a poorly ventilated living space.
COLD FRAMES:
2010 Master Gardeners wanted to experiment with cold frames. After a workshop attended by 15 master gardeners they had 2,500 plants that needed protection so they built a cold frame with straw bales on top of an existing concrete slab covered with shade cloth during the day and frost cloth at night. It worked and straw bales were used as mulch through the growing season.
WATER SYSTEMS:
2010 Sandoval County Master Gardeners wanted to experiment with different watering systems. They have been taught about drip irrigation, soaker hoses, spray emitters and flood irrigation. The acre they were working on no longer had flood available. It was suggested by agent that they try t-tape as they had all had experience with drip and they had bad luck with soaker hoses. The group is pretty well convinced that for vegetable gardening t-tape is the most efficient, promotes plant health and is easy to roll up after the season and store. This knowledge was presented to other master gardeners and general public that visited the garden on tours.
TREE INVENTORY-CITY OF RIO RANCHO:
2010 Sandoval County Master Gardeners were asked by the city forester if they would assist in participating in doing a tree inventory of all the parks. It was agreed that we would help identify tree species, maybe point out declining trees. But we would not make any recommendation as to which trees should remain or which ones needed removal. This we felt was the Foresters job. A total of 30 parks were inventoried with 1266 trees being indentified. In appreciation for their efforts the master gardeners received a certificate of appreciation at a Rio Rancho City Council meeting.
CORRALES MAIN STREET PROGRAM
2010 – Sandoval County Master Gardeners were invited to participate with Corrales Main Street program to conduct the first annual Corrales Garden Tour. Master Gardener role were to assist at different gardens and provide information to self guided tours. The tours were a great success. They even had to print out more tickets on tour day to accommodate the participants. The Corrales main street organization was very grateful for our participation and sent a thank you card. They plan to continue this event as they made a great deal of profit. Master Gardener’s enjoyed the tour as it gave them a chance to visit the gardens also.
In 2010 Sandoval county Master Gardeners received training in seed starting. Many gardeners experienced trouble getting plants to grow. Most of the problems related to depth of the seed being planted. 25 master gardeners took the training and as a group started tomato plants. The lessons they learned 1) How addictive seed starting can be 2) Justification for purchasing/building a grow light set 3) Reasons not to fertilize with fish emulsion when growing plants inside a poorly ventilated living space.
COLD FRAMES:
2010 Master Gardeners wanted to experiment with cold frames. After a workshop attended by 15 master gardeners they had 2,500 plants that needed protection so they built a cold frame with straw bales on top of an existing concrete slab covered with shade cloth during the day and frost cloth at night. It worked and straw bales were used as mulch through the growing season.
WATER SYSTEMS:
2010 Sandoval County Master Gardeners wanted to experiment with different watering systems. They have been taught about drip irrigation, soaker hoses, spray emitters and flood irrigation. The acre they were working on no longer had flood available. It was suggested by agent that they try t-tape as they had all had experience with drip and they had bad luck with soaker hoses. The group is pretty well convinced that for vegetable gardening t-tape is the most efficient, promotes plant health and is easy to roll up after the season and store. This knowledge was presented to other master gardeners and general public that visited the garden on tours.
TREE INVENTORY-CITY OF RIO RANCHO:
2010 Sandoval County Master Gardeners were asked by the city forester if they would assist in participating in doing a tree inventory of all the parks. It was agreed that we would help identify tree species, maybe point out declining trees. But we would not make any recommendation as to which trees should remain or which ones needed removal. This we felt was the Foresters job. A total of 30 parks were inventoried with 1266 trees being indentified. In appreciation for their efforts the master gardeners received a certificate of appreciation at a Rio Rancho City Council meeting.
CORRALES MAIN STREET PROGRAM
2010 – Sandoval County Master Gardeners were invited to participate with Corrales Main Street program to conduct the first annual Corrales Garden Tour. Master Gardener role were to assist at different gardens and provide information to self guided tours. The tours were a great success. They even had to print out more tickets on tour day to accommodate the participants. The Corrales main street organization was very grateful for our participation and sent a thank you card. They plan to continue this event as they made a great deal of profit. Master Gardener’s enjoyed the tour as it gave them a chance to visit the gardens also.
10/07/2010
Seed2Need Project
Studies conducted by “Feeding America” based on data by the USDA found New Mexico to be one of the “hungriest states” in the nation with 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 at risk of going hungry every day. In 2005, 238,000 people received emergency food from New Mexico food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
With the downturn in the economy and the increase in unemployment, more families are seeking help from local food pantries. In 2009 St. Felix Pantry was providing food to 700 families per week. 2010 shows an even greater number of families needing assistance.
The Corrales Food Pantry Project, adopted as a project by Sandoval county Master Gardeners involves planting one or more vegetable gardens in the Village of Corrales. We are partnering with several property owners who have offered free use of land, water and electricity. Master Gardener’s Roles are to provide seed/transplants and volunteers to clear land, plant, weed and harvest produce. In addition, they also coordinate with food pantries and deliver fresh produce to them.
In 2009 one garden produced 1,600 pounds of tomatoes. That was enough to provide St. Felix pantry a daily supply for two months. Because of the publicity and encouragement it was decided to increase garden numbers and varieties of vegetables. In 2010, some of the vegetables grown included tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, bell peppers, carrots, Chile, onions, melons, swiss chard and bok choy. This year as of September 24th, the gardens have produced over 35,000 pounds of produce. The food pantries served were St. Felix, Rio Rancho, Storehouse West, Rio Rancho, Rio Grande Food Project in Albuquerque and St. Anthony’s Kitchen in Bernalillo, NM.
NOTE: The total value of produce is estimated at $45,000.
This endeavor was made possible by property owners Victor and Nora Scherzinger and Dr. Robert Lynn and Janet Braaziel.
Financial and fiscal sponsors included Sandoval County Master Gardeners, NMSU, Public Service Co., of NM, Rio Grande Food Project, ARCA/La Paloma Greenhouses, Jiffy Lube, Justice Systems, Dura-Bilt, Dr. Stephen Christensen (DDS) and Seidman Family Foundation.
The gardens were harvested by NMSU Sandoval County Extension staff, Master Gardeners, 4-H club members and local school children.
In addition, the garden served as a demonstration on vegetable gardening and several insect and diseases were identified and taken care of. Following are some comments made by individuals about the Seed2Need project.
“This program is amazing. Not only does it provide fresh produce, one of the hardest items for a Food Bank to acquire and distribute, but it raises awareness of the need that we have within our own communities. It also exposes people to the act of gardening, which has become a ‘lost art’ to many people.
The produce that we are able to provide through the food bank isn’t comparable to that which can be picked fresh and distributed the next day. I would love to see projects like Seed2Need implemented in more New Mexico communities. It really could encourage a system of neighbors helping neighbors.” Teresa Johansen, Seed2Need volunteer and purchasing mgr., Roadrunner Food Bank.
“Seed2Need has been a God-send to St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho. The fresh produce brought to us has literally saved many needy families from serious hunger crisis this summer.” Sister Claire Kehl, St. Felix Pantry
“The garden is magical. Not only does it provide food for many people, it also nurtures the many people who work in it. It grew so much that is spread its wealthy spirit beyond the Master Gardeners to many others, ranging from boy scouts to grandchildren.” Lydia Allen, Sandoval County CES Master Gardener Volunteer
Seed2Need Project
Studies conducted by “Feeding America” based on data by the USDA found New Mexico to be one of the “hungriest states” in the nation with 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 at risk of going hungry every day. In 2005, 238,000 people received emergency food from New Mexico food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
With the downturn in the economy and the increase in unemployment, more families are seeking help from local food pantries. In 2009 St. Felix Pantry was providing food to 700 families per week. 2010 shows an even greater number of families needing assistance.
The Corrales Food Pantry Project, adopted as a project by Sandoval county Master Gardeners involves planting one or more vegetable gardens in the Village of Corrales. We are partnering with several property owners who have offered free use of land, water and electricity. Master Gardener’s Roles are to provide seed/transplants and volunteers to clear land, plant, weed and harvest produce. In addition, they also coordinate with food pantries and deliver fresh produce to them.
In 2009 one garden produced 1,600 pounds of tomatoes. That was enough to provide St. Felix pantry a daily supply for two months. Because of the publicity and encouragement it was decided to increase garden numbers and varieties of vegetables. In 2010, some of the vegetables grown included tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, bell peppers, carrots, Chile, onions, melons, swiss chard and bok choy. This year as of September 24th, the gardens have produced over 35,000 pounds of produce. The food pantries served were St. Felix, Rio Rancho, Storehouse West, Rio Rancho, Rio Grande Food Project in Albuquerque and St. Anthony’s Kitchen in Bernalillo, NM.
NOTE: The total value of produce is estimated at $45,000.
This endeavor was made possible by property owners Victor and Nora Scherzinger and Dr. Robert Lynn and Janet Braaziel.
Financial and fiscal sponsors included Sandoval County Master Gardeners, NMSU, Public Service Co., of NM, Rio Grande Food Project, ARCA/La Paloma Greenhouses, Jiffy Lube, Justice Systems, Dura-Bilt, Dr. Stephen Christensen (DDS) and Seidman Family Foundation.
The gardens were harvested by NMSU Sandoval County Extension staff, Master Gardeners, 4-H club members and local school children.
In addition, the garden served as a demonstration on vegetable gardening and several insect and diseases were identified and taken care of. Following are some comments made by individuals about the Seed2Need project.
“This program is amazing. Not only does it provide fresh produce, one of the hardest items for a Food Bank to acquire and distribute, but it raises awareness of the need that we have within our own communities. It also exposes people to the act of gardening, which has become a ‘lost art’ to many people.
The produce that we are able to provide through the food bank isn’t comparable to that which can be picked fresh and distributed the next day. I would love to see projects like Seed2Need implemented in more New Mexico communities. It really could encourage a system of neighbors helping neighbors.” Teresa Johansen, Seed2Need volunteer and purchasing mgr., Roadrunner Food Bank.
“Seed2Need has been a God-send to St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho. The fresh produce brought to us has literally saved many needy families from serious hunger crisis this summer.” Sister Claire Kehl, St. Felix Pantry
“The garden is magical. Not only does it provide food for many people, it also nurtures the many people who work in it. It grew so much that is spread its wealthy spirit beyond the Master Gardeners to many others, ranging from boy scouts to grandchildren.” Lydia Allen, Sandoval County CES Master Gardener Volunteer
Medium-term successes
Eddy County
Living Desert State Park, Eddy County Cooperative Extension, and the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist offered a Water Wise Landscape workshop attended by 38 citizens. This is an annual event that has resulted in increasing knowledge of plants and techniques to conserve water in Southeastern New Mexico landscapes. Attendees report successful changes in their landscape and irrigation practices as a result of this annual workshop.
Santa Fe (on-going projects) -
Habitat for Humanity has been using Santa Fe County Master Gardeners to design and install water efficient landscapes at the homes they build. The Master Gardeners then teach the new homeowners how to garden appropriately and conserve water.
El Rancho de los Golondrinos has worked with Master Gardeners maintaining a heritage apple orchard to demonstrate historical gardening practices to visitors.
Master Gardeners have maintained demonstration gardens and collaboration with NMSU Extension faculty (George Dickerson’s herb garden and Curtis Smith’s olla garden). This provides hands-on experience for the Master Gardeners who then teach this to their fellow citizens and to visitors to the demonstration garden site adjacent to the County Extension Service office.
CNM (formerly TV-I) – as chairman of the advisory committee for the Landscape Horticulture training program at CNM the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist was in a position to encourage cooperation between NMSU and CNM. Dr. St. Hilaire on the NMSU end and Paul Zalesak at CNM have developed articulation agreements between NMSU and CNM. Distance learning venues were developed so that NMSU professors could teach some of the classes at CNM and some CNM teaching could be made available to NMSU students as desired by the faculty.
Eddy County
Living Desert State Park, Eddy County Cooperative Extension, and the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist offered a Water Wise Landscape workshop attended by 38 citizens. This is an annual event that has resulted in increasing knowledge of plants and techniques to conserve water in Southeastern New Mexico landscapes. Attendees report successful changes in their landscape and irrigation practices as a result of this annual workshop.
Santa Fe (on-going projects) -
Habitat for Humanity has been using Santa Fe County Master Gardeners to design and install water efficient landscapes at the homes they build. The Master Gardeners then teach the new homeowners how to garden appropriately and conserve water.
El Rancho de los Golondrinos has worked with Master Gardeners maintaining a heritage apple orchard to demonstrate historical gardening practices to visitors.
Master Gardeners have maintained demonstration gardens and collaboration with NMSU Extension faculty (George Dickerson’s herb garden and Curtis Smith’s olla garden). This provides hands-on experience for the Master Gardeners who then teach this to their fellow citizens and to visitors to the demonstration garden site adjacent to the County Extension Service office.
CNM (formerly TV-I) – as chairman of the advisory committee for the Landscape Horticulture training program at CNM the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist was in a position to encourage cooperation between NMSU and CNM. Dr. St. Hilaire on the NMSU end and Paul Zalesak at CNM have developed articulation agreements between NMSU and CNM. Distance learning venues were developed so that NMSU professors could teach some of the classes at CNM and some CNM teaching could be made available to NMSU students as desired by the faculty.
Short-term successes
As reported in County Agents’ impact statements, specialist support of county agents and county Master Gardeners has enabled them to meet the changing needs of the nursery industry and home gardeners in their counties, to develop educational programs in schools and among the public.
Specialist support of county Extension programs have enhanced agent respect within the counties to the point that they are often the primary source of information that cities, counties, and other organizations use for referrals.
With specialist assistance Master Gardener programs in the counties are growing and providing increased assistance to the Extension Service agents as stated in the Agents’ impact statements. Master Gardener programs have resulted in significant teaching opportunities for county residents:
Lea Co. – Waite House – the oldest residence in Lovington was donated to the Historical Society and Museum. The museum then gave access to this house to Lea County Master Gardeners to develop a demonstration garden and access to the house as a classroom. This is a long-term and continuing project that provides landscape design and management demonstrations to citizens of Lea County.
NM Jr. College in Hobbs has been impressed by the Lea County Master Gardener program and has offered to provide classroom space for teaching Master Gardeners, advertising for the Master Gardener classes, and willingness to offer Junior College continuing education credits to people who take the Master Gardener classes. This collaboration began in 2009 and is continuing and growing. The New Mexico Junior College experienced a 60% increase in enrollment as a result of collaboration with NMSU and Lea County Master Gardeners.
Otero - Otero County Master Gardeners provided 6 educational programs to educate local gardeners about techniques for landscaping and gardening in a water conserving manner. They were provided NMSU publications and information. Through the year 49 Otero County Master Gardener volunteers provided 2269 hours of horticultural educational service to their fellow citizens.
Sandoval - A demonstration garden in developed in cooperation with city of Rio Rancho, Sandoval Extension Service, and Master Gardener has been highly regarded locally and nationally. In 2009 Master Gardeners had donated by the time of the county report over 2000 pounds of vegetables from this garden to two charities that distribute vegetables to people in need. The provision of fresh vegetables was a much needed addition to the foods available and the nutrition of program participants.
Master Gardeners provided well-attended plant clinics to answer gardening questions from 200 citizens annually. They conduct numerous educational programs for 500 county residents utilizing Master Gardeners, County and State Extension professionals as instructors. These have resulted in ongoing changes in gardening practices in Sandoval County.
Over 100 active Master Gardeners have contributed more than 5,000 hours of educational service to Sandoval County.
Bernalillo- About 200 active Master Gardeners assist the Bernalillo County Extension Program in offering horticulture education programs to the public. Many contribute more than the required 40 volunteer hours due to their commitment to the success of the program and desire to teach their fellow citizens. Volunteer activities exceed 10,000 hours in providing gardening information at libraries, the Downtown Growers Market in Albuquerque, 4-H Seeds program, the Organic Demonstration Garden, Tomato Fiesta, and various joint activities with the Albuquerque Council of Garden Clubs.
Valencia- Twenty-one Master Gardeners contributed 1, 297 volunteer hours in support of the Valencia County Extension horticulture educational program. The Master Gardeners maintained a demonstration water harvesting/container garden at the Valencia County Extension office using information provided by the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist and the County Agent. Master Gardeners conducted 50 plant clinics to provide educational outreach to Valencia County residents.
Los Alamos- Forty-two Master Gardeners volunteered 688 hours of a variety of horticultural educational service to county residents.
As reported in County Agents’ impact statements, specialist support of county agents and county Master Gardeners has enabled them to meet the changing needs of the nursery industry and home gardeners in their counties, to develop educational programs in schools and among the public.
Specialist support of county Extension programs have enhanced agent respect within the counties to the point that they are often the primary source of information that cities, counties, and other organizations use for referrals.
With specialist assistance Master Gardener programs in the counties are growing and providing increased assistance to the Extension Service agents as stated in the Agents’ impact statements. Master Gardener programs have resulted in significant teaching opportunities for county residents:
Lea Co. – Waite House – the oldest residence in Lovington was donated to the Historical Society and Museum. The museum then gave access to this house to Lea County Master Gardeners to develop a demonstration garden and access to the house as a classroom. This is a long-term and continuing project that provides landscape design and management demonstrations to citizens of Lea County.
NM Jr. College in Hobbs has been impressed by the Lea County Master Gardener program and has offered to provide classroom space for teaching Master Gardeners, advertising for the Master Gardener classes, and willingness to offer Junior College continuing education credits to people who take the Master Gardener classes. This collaboration began in 2009 and is continuing and growing. The New Mexico Junior College experienced a 60% increase in enrollment as a result of collaboration with NMSU and Lea County Master Gardeners.
Otero - Otero County Master Gardeners provided 6 educational programs to educate local gardeners about techniques for landscaping and gardening in a water conserving manner. They were provided NMSU publications and information. Through the year 49 Otero County Master Gardener volunteers provided 2269 hours of horticultural educational service to their fellow citizens.
Sandoval - A demonstration garden in developed in cooperation with city of Rio Rancho, Sandoval Extension Service, and Master Gardener has been highly regarded locally and nationally. In 2009 Master Gardeners had donated by the time of the county report over 2000 pounds of vegetables from this garden to two charities that distribute vegetables to people in need. The provision of fresh vegetables was a much needed addition to the foods available and the nutrition of program participants.
Master Gardeners provided well-attended plant clinics to answer gardening questions from 200 citizens annually. They conduct numerous educational programs for 500 county residents utilizing Master Gardeners, County and State Extension professionals as instructors. These have resulted in ongoing changes in gardening practices in Sandoval County.
Over 100 active Master Gardeners have contributed more than 5,000 hours of educational service to Sandoval County.
Bernalillo- About 200 active Master Gardeners assist the Bernalillo County Extension Program in offering horticulture education programs to the public. Many contribute more than the required 40 volunteer hours due to their commitment to the success of the program and desire to teach their fellow citizens. Volunteer activities exceed 10,000 hours in providing gardening information at libraries, the Downtown Growers Market in Albuquerque, 4-H Seeds program, the Organic Demonstration Garden, Tomato Fiesta, and various joint activities with the Albuquerque Council of Garden Clubs.
Valencia- Twenty-one Master Gardeners contributed 1, 297 volunteer hours in support of the Valencia County Extension horticulture educational program. The Master Gardeners maintained a demonstration water harvesting/container garden at the Valencia County Extension office using information provided by the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist and the County Agent. Master Gardeners conducted 50 plant clinics to provide educational outreach to Valencia County residents.
Los Alamos- Forty-two Master Gardeners volunteered 688 hours of a variety of horticultural educational service to county residents.
C. A demonstration xeriscape garden has for several years been a very visible and effective means of landscape water conservation. It has been highly regarded locally and nationally. In 2009 the Sandoval County Master Gardeners received the 2009 Search for Excellence Award at the International Master Gardeners Conference in Las Vegas, NV for this demonstration xeriscape garden they have maintained for many years . The demonstration garden was also featured on the “Gardening by the Yard” television program hosted by Paul James and broadcast nationally by the Home and Gardening Network.