• PlantFest-Event Details

• Becky’s Space-PlantFest Plant Sale Inventory List

• PlantFest Plant Swap 9:30am

• “In The Garden” LPMGA’s AOC program: PlantFest

• Welcome MG Class of 2012

• 2012 MG Class Schedule

• President’s Message

• Events, Committee Reports, & Board Announcements

• Remembering Dr Carlos Smith

• Volunteer Hours for August

• Nominating Committee Seeks Nominees for 2013 Board

• 2012 December 5th Social

• Outstanding MG Award

• Herbs With Beth Shea

• What Plant Am I?

• Web Browsing

• Green Art

• August Garden Talk

• September Garden Talk

• PlantFest Meetings

• Calendar

WHAT’S INSIDE

LPMGA GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH NOON AT CEET

(CENTER FOR ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY)

703 Thoroughbred Dr Lafayette

Contact Babette Werner babsvwerner@aol.com for details

LPMGA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH 1PM AT LEDA

211 E DEVALCOURT ST. All members are welcome to attend the

LPMGA Board meetings. Contact LPMGA President Linda Broussard for more information.

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 8 SEPTEMBER 2012

Last day to record 2012 Volunteer Hours: December 31st. Beat the Rush and Record As You

Complete Your Hours

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH 8AM TO 2PM RAIN OR SHINE

AT THE HORSE FARM 2913 JOHNSTON ST LAFAYETTE

Tee Shirts Available at PlantFest Visit www.PlantFest.org

for more information and the latest details

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes all Master Gardeners to host our first PlantFest. Many of us have been working on PlantFest for several months, and we need your help! We have a need for volunteers, as well as items for PlantFest. If you can volunteer or loan us items, please respond to Candy Bienvenu via email: bievecj14@yahoo.com

Please make sure that your first and last name and phone number are on the loaned item. We would prefer items to be donated on Friday, September 14th at the Horse Farm. We will be there from 8:30am to 12pm. If you need to drop off an item earlier, please notify me by email or phone: Candy Bienvenu bienvecj14@yahoo.com All loaned items will need to be picked up on September 15th, from 2pm to 4pm at the Horse Farm unless prior arrangements have been made.

We cannot put on this event without YOU! We appreciate everything that you do. Happy PlantFest! Candy Bienvenu

WE NEED THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEERS:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH: We will be meeting at the Ira Nelson Center at 8:30am to help move plants, baskets, and any equipment to the Horse Farm for set up. We will then work at the site setting up for the big event!

************ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH: We will need volunteers for: Parking Coke and Water Sales Children’s Tent MG Market Trash Pick Up Tear Down (after 2pm) Floating Volunteers-this could be any number of jobs, if we see we are short in an area we would ask you to go help out in that area.

Contact Candy for additional volunteer help needed

WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

10x10 tents: We need 16 Generators (quiet): 5-7 Table 6 or 8 feet: 10 tables Fans: 20 Heavy Duty Extension Cords: 20-30 Garden carts, wagons: As many as we can get 50 foot Hoses: 5 Golf Carts: 2

DON’T FORGET TO

PICK UP PLANTFEST YARD SIGNS AT THE

GREENHOUSE ON WEDNESDAY OR AT

THE SEPTEMBER 5TH MEETING

CONTACT CAROLE GAUBERT FOR INFO

ALSO NEEDED:

Food for PlantFest Master Gardener volunteers contact Catherine Miers at cmiers2@gmail.com

Anita Legget or Noorjahan Merchant needs 16 to 20 ounce water bottles for a children’s activity at Plant-Fest Contact Anita at: aleg5@cox.net

VOLUNTEER PARKING IS NEXT TO REGIONS BANK ON JOHNSTON Please arrive 30 minutes early for your Volunteer shift and check in at the Information Tent

FOLLOWING PLANTFEST, AN EMAIL WILL BE SENT TO INFORM MEMBERS EXPLAINING HOW & WHERE TO RECORD VOLUNTEER HOURS

REMEMBER TO TAKE PLANTFEST PHOTOS FOR THE NEWSLETTER/FACEBOOK/WEBSITE IN OCTOBER!

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING!

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE WHILE YOU ENJOY THE WIDE ARRAY OF HAND CRAFTED GOODS

HANDMADE CUTTING BOARDS & PICTURE FRAMES

BOTTLE TREES CYPRESS DRIFTWOOD BIRD HOUSES

BAT HOUSES BIRD FEEDERS SQUIRREL FEEDERS

POTTERY JEWELRY MOSAIC CROSSES GOURD ART

CYPRESS DRIFTWOOD TRAYS GARDENING DECOR

YARD ART OUTDOOR STATUES AND PLAQUES

HANDMADE & HANDTUNED WIND CHIMES

INDOOR & OUTDOOR CYPRESS FURNITURE

HANDMADE HERBAL SOAP, BALMS, LOTION & BARS LOCAL HONEY

WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS AND PRINT NOTECARDS

RUSTIC CROSSES & GROTTOS FROM RECLAIMED FENCE BOARDS

STEPPING STONES MOSAIC BIRDBATHS

JELLIES, PEPPER JELLY, SALSA, MIRLITONS, CHOWCHOW

HANDCRAFTED WOODEN

SPOONS, ROLLING PINS, BOWLS & TRAYS

WOOD PLANTERS CHILDREN’S PARK BENCHES

AND SO MUCH MORE!

SPEAKERS SCHEDULE

Mayor JOEY DUREL The role of greenspace in Lafayette and how to be a part of the development of the Horse Farm

9:00am

DR. RON STRAHAN LSU AgCenter Specialist Identification and control of weeds

10:00am

Dr. Don Ferrin LSU AgCenter Specialist How to diagnose and treat plant disease for a healthy, happy yard

11:00am

Dan Gill LSU AgCenter Specialist, author, columnist, and radio host will enrich our ornamental gardening lives with his wealth of experience and advice.

12:00pm

A key component of PlantFest will be the Speakers Tent. You wont want to miss a thing, so here’s the line up:

LEARN ABOUT LIVING AND GROWING GREEN FROM THESE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

GREEN GROUPS

FREETOWN FARMER’S MARKET VENDORS INCLUDE:

HELPING HANDS FARM

LOST RECIPES

HOMEGROWN ORGANICS OF LAFAYETTE

HENN’S HOMEMADE BREAD

JIM’S KOUNTRY PIGS

BAYOU FARM

MAMA THERESA’S SALSA

THE URBAN NATURALIST

CITRUS TREES-GERAY MUSACCHIA WILL HAVE A

VARIETY OF CITRUS

Homemade Bread

Jams & Jellies

Pastured Poultry

Eggs, Lamb

Fresh Herbs, Granola

Garden Vegetables

Homemade Salsa

Fall Vegetable Plants

Mulch

Garden Supplies

Bayou Kettle Corn Made On Site

ASK A MASTER GARDENER ORCHID SOCIETY

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

EARTH SHARE GARDENS

ROSE SOCIETY ACADIANA PARK

TREES ACADIANA & NATURE STATION

SIERRA CLUB COMMUNITY ROOTS

LAFAYETTE GARDEN CLUB GIRL SCOUTS

4H SCHOOL GARDENS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

FRIENDS OF PALMETTO STATE PARK

BAYOU VERMILION

PRESERVATION ASSOC

Chere Coen “Magic’s In The Bag” and “Exploring Cajun Country”

Bill Fontenot Native Gardening

Jacklyn Hirshberg

“Nicky The Swamp Dog” “Roger The Tree Frog” Children’s Books

Yvette Naquin “Louisiana Through My Lens” Nature Photography Book

John LaFleur “Creole Gourmet” Cookbook

Mel LeCompte “The Ice Cream Cow” Children’s Book

Don Stanford “Southern Kingdom”

John Mayeux “The Avogel Tribe of Louisiana”

John Francois Five historical novels set in South Louisiana: “The March” “Cajun Fire” “Cajun Knight” “Carrier of Bones” “Pontiac”

Rosemary Smith “Lizzie Walks On The Wild Side” “Woody Gets Dunked” Children’s

AUTHORS AT PLANTFEST

LPMGA ON AOC IS

FEATURIED IN SEPTEMBER

LPMGA’s AOC program has a new name!   “In The Garden” airs live at noon on the first Thursday of each month and replays Fridays at 2:30 pm, Mon‐days at 4:30 pm, and Wednesdays at 5 pm.  All on AOC1, Channel 15 on Cox Cable.  The program will stream 

live on ustream.tv  www.ustream.tv/user/lafayetteparishMGs  

If you are interested in volunteering with the AOC Team, please contact Vivian Katz Watch LPMGA’S Award Winning AOC Program “In The Garden”  

and earn one hour of Continuing Education Credit. 

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten' Pennisetum alepecuroides 'Moundry', Black Fountain Grass Pennisetum alepecuroides'Hameln', Dwarf Fountain Grass Agastache foeniculum, Anise Hyssop Foeniculum vulgare, Bronze Fennel Petroselinum hortense, Italian Parsley Fernleaf Dill Greek Oregano Mother of Thyme Alstromeria pellegrina, Peruvian Lily Asclepias curassavica, Red Butterfly Weed Asclepis curassavica 'Silky Gold', Yellow Butter-fly Weed Barleria cristata, Purple Phillipine Violet Bulbine frutescens, Yellow Bulbine Calendula officianalis, Pot Marigold Capsicum annuum, Wild Bird Pepper Centratherum intermedium, Brazilian Button Flower Cuphea llavea, Batface Cuphea Dendranthema 'Ryan's Pink', Chrysanthemum Dicliptera suberecta, Hummingbird Plant Hypoxis hirsuta, Yellow Star Grass Ipomoea fistulosa, Bush Morning Glory Justicia brandegeeana, Red Shrimp Plant Justicia brandegeeana, Variegated Shrimp Plant Justicia brandegeeana, Yellow Shrimp Plant Leonotis leonurus, Lion's Ear Lobelia laxiflora, Mexican Lobelia Monarda didyma, Red Bee Balm Odontonema strictum, Pink Firespike Odontonema strictum, Red Firespike Oxalis triangularis, Purple Shamrock Oxalis regnellii, Green Shamrock Phlox divaricata, Blue Phlox Phlox paniculata 'Delta Snow', Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata 'Minnie Pearl', Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata, Garden Phlox, deep pink Pseuderanthemum alatum, Chocolate Plant Ratbidia columnaris, Mexican Hat Ruellia elegans, Rosy Red Ruellia

Russelia equisetiformis, Yellow Firecracker Grass Russelia sarmentosa, 'Red Rocket' Salvia blepharophylla, Eyelash Leaf Sage Salvia madrensis, Forsythia Sage Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' Salvia microphylla, watermelon Salvia miniata, Smooth Leaf Sage Salvia sinaloensis, Bicolor Sage Scutellaria javanica, Purple Skullcap Scutellaria javanica, Purple Skullcap Sinningia sellovii, Hardy Gloxinia Sisyrinchium bellum, Blue Eyed Grass Stachytarpheta urticifolia, Tall Blue Porterweed Stokesia llaevis, Stokes Aster Verbena bonariensis, Upright Verbena Abutilon megapotamicum, Dwarf Salmon Flow-ering Maple Abutilon megapotamicum, Trailing Flowering Maple Abutilon pictum, Pink Flowering Maple Abutilon pictum, Red Vein Flowering Maple Abutilon sp., Yellow Flowering Maple Amsonia tabernaemontana, Blue Star Caesalpinia gillesii, Pride of Barbados Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry Callicarpa dichotoma, Chinese Beautyberry Cassia splendens, Golden Wonder Clerodendrum trichotomum, Harlequin Glory Bower Clerodendrum ugandense, Blue Butterfly Clerodendrum Duranta erecta, Golden Dewdrop Erythrina crista-galli, Cry Baby Tree Erythrina herbacea, Mamou Galphimia gracilis, Golden Thryallis Hamelia patens, Dwarf Firebush Hibiscus coccineus 'Alba', White Texas Star Hibiscus cooperii, Variegated Leaf Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis,'Red Poodle' Hibiscus schizopetalus, Peach Tassel Jatropha integerimma, Spicy Jatropha

Malpighia glabra, Barbados Cherry Pentapetes phonecia, Scarlet Mallow Tabernaaemontana divaricata, Crepe Jasmine Thunbergia erecta, King's Mantle Tibouchina grandifolia,Silver Leaf Tibouchina Tibouchina urvilleana, Princess Flower Viburnum dentatum, Arrowwood Viburnum Solenostemon sp., Coleus Hoya kerrii, Heartleaf Hoya Huernia schneideriana, Red Dragon Orthosiphon stamineus, White Cat Whiskers Pelionia repens, Trailing Watermelon Begonia Plectranthus amboinicus, Cuban Oregano Pogostemon cablin, Patchouli Selaginella uncinata, Blue Spikemoss Talinum paniculatum variegatum, Variegated Jewels of Opar Tradescantia spathacea, Oyster Plant Aechmea gamosepala, Matchstick Bromeliad Allemanda violacea, Purple Allemanda Aristea ecklonii, Blue Corn Lily Brugmansia suaveolens, White Angel Trumpet Brugmansia suaveolens, Yellow Angel Trumpet Callisia fragrans, False Bromeliad Canna generalis 'Pink Beauty' Canna generalis 'Pink Sunburst' Canna spp., Dwarf Yellow Canna Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' Cordyline sp., Pink Cordyline Costus curvibracteatus, 'Green Mountain' Costus speciosus variegata, Variegated Crepe Ginger Costus speciosus, Crepe Ginger Costus woodsonii, Dwarf Lipstick Ginger Crinum jagus, St. Christopher Lily Crinum 'Milk and Wine' Crinum Lily (lavendar?) Ctenanthe lubbersiana, Tropical Dragon Curcuma petiiolata 'Emperor', White Hidden Ginger Cyperus prolifer, Dwarf Papyrus Dichorisandra pendula, Weeping Blue Ginger Farfugium japonicum 'Crispatum', Parsley Ligu-

laria Farfugium japonicum, Ligularia Habranthus robustus, Argentine Rain Lily Hedychium coccineum 'Tara' Hedychium 'Dave Case' Hedychium 'Disney' Hedychium 'Dr. Moy' Hedychium 'Flavum' Hedychium hybrid 'Pink Flame' Hedychium 'Pink Princess' Homskioldia sanguineae, Chinese Hat Iris domestica, Blackberry Lily Iris fulva, Copper Iris Lycoris aurea, Yellow spider Lily Musa acuminata, Superdwarf Cavendish Ba-nana Neomarica longifolia, Yellow Walking Iris Nepenthes alata, Pitcher Plant Polyanthes tuberosa, Tuberose Strelitzia reginea, Bird of Paradise Thalia geniculata, Red Stem Thalia Tricyrtis hirta, Toad Lily Tricyrtis lasiocarpa, Amethyst Toad Lily Xanthosoma atrovirens, Blue Giant Xanthosoma atrovirens, Mickey Mouse Taro Zingiber zerumbet, Pinecone Ginger Antiginon leptopus, Rose of Montana Clerodendrum delectum, Bleeding Heart Vine, red/pink Clitoria terneata, Blue Pea Vine Lonicera heckrottii 'Pink Lemonade' , Honey-suckle Manettia cordifolia, Firecracker Vine Passiflora amethystina, Amethyst Passionvine Passiflora caerulea, Bluecrowned Passionvine Podranea ricosoliana, Pink Trumpet Vine Senecio confusus, Mexican Flame Vine Solanum jasminoides 'Album', White Potato Vine Vigna caracalla, Corkscrew Vine Cissus discolor, Rex Begonia Vine Passiflora citrina, Yellow Passionvine

PLANT SALE INVENTORY LIST Over 2500 plants will be available for sale at PlantFest thanks to the long hours of hard work by the Propagation Team.

Congratulations on a job well done.

Please be advised that inventory availability may change without notice.

Come share your garden treasures at the Fall

Plant Swap. Plants should be rooted and iden-tified; and care instructions are always welcome.

Consider collecting seeds to share, remember to label them.

For details contact: Louann McClelland-Long at

louannmc@aol.com

The members of Lafayette Parish Master Gardener Association would like to extend a warm welcome to the members of the Master Gardener Class of 2012. We hope that you enjoy this exciting and rewarding educational experience.

We invite we you to attend our monthly General Meetings and the many other programs that LPMGA has to offer.

Congratulations, and welcome!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As we approach “Plant Fest”, requiring the largest number of volunteers in the history of our organization, I thought about an article I read by Cynthia Wall expressing the personal benefits of volunteering. Most of us enter into volunteering simply to lend a helping hand but we soon realize the real benefits we reap. These are a few mentioned:

1. A feeling of being needed. Motivated by being needed, volunteers get up early, show up with enthusiasm, and go home fulfilled. 2. Valuable training. Volunteers is often a way to gain new skills. 3. New Friends. Volunteers are good people or they wouldn’t be out helping others.

Volunteer sites are usually full of camaraderie and common purpose. 4. Knowledge. Wherever you give your time, you are bound to pick up knowledge about the organization. 5. Increased self-Confidence. Volunteering provides a healthy boost to your self confidence, self esteem, and life satisfaction. 6. Stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your health at any age.

So let’s get the word about the benefits and all volunteer to help Becky, Stacy and Janice with our new event “PLANT FEST”. LPMGA President Linda Broussard

On right is a list of speakers that have been scheduled for the 2012 MG Class. Labs and activities are not included in the list. Members are invited to attend classes, and at-tending lectures may be counted as Continuing Education, however, space is very limited. Please be aware that speakers may change or cancel without notice. To reserve a seat, contact Patricia at pbsgardens@aol.com

OCTOBER 11

Termites-Dr. Dennis R. Ring 12:30pm

OCTOBER 25

Trees and Pruning-Gerald Roberts 9:30am

NOVEMBER 1

Herb Gardening-June Walker 9:30am

Lafayette Parish Composting/Recycling-Mark Pope 12:30pm

NOVEMBER 8

Vegetable Gardening-Dr. Kathryn Fontenot 9:00am

Organic Gardening/Composting-Dr. Kathryn Fontenot 12:30pm

NOVEMBER 15

Pesticides and the Environment-Gerald Roberts 9:00am

9:00am

12:30pm

9:30am

9:00am

9:00am

9:00am

9:30am

AUGUST 23

Lawn Care-Dr Ronald Strahan

Weed Science-Dr Ronald Strahan

AUGUST 30

Botany-Garrie Landry

SEPTEMBER 13

Ornamental Horticulture-Dan Gill

SEPTEMBER 20

Soils-J. Cheston Stevens

SEPTEMBER 27

Plant Pathology-Dr Dennis M. Ferrin

OCTOBER 11

Nuisance Wildlife-Donald P. Reed

BEATRICE ALCALA  LYNN DEMORUELLE  CINDY JENSEN  THERESA ROHLOFF  MAY WAGGONER 

COLETTE ANZALONE  MAUREEN DOERLE  RONALD KENNEDY  CINDE’ RISINGER  DONNA WALKER 

GLENDA BRYAN  PERCY DOUCET  BELLE LeBLANC  JAY RUFFIN  HEATHER WARANER‐FINLEY 

DENISE CHAPMAN  JOEY DUREL  MARGIE McCLENDON  SANDRA SCHEUERMANN  JODY WEBB 

KAYE COX  DEBORAH GRISSOM  ESTHER PERKINS  GARY TRAHAN  GABRIELLE WELLS 

JULES DEMORUELLE  JACK HARRISON  SCOTT REED  VIRGINIA TUCKER  DEBRORAH WILLIAMS 

2012 GENERAL MEETINGS

SEPTEMBER 5TH NOON CEET CENTER    

(CENTER FOR ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY) 703 Thoroughbred Dr Lafayette Evangeline Thruway north, exit right at Gloria Switch Rd, travel north on the Frontage Road.  Turn right on the first street past Prejean’s restaurant, this is Thoroughbred Dr.  The CEET center is on the left at the intersection of Thoroughbred and Moss St. 

 

A member of the Louisiana Native plant initiative‐CEET cultivates about 40 native plant species.  The CEET Louisiana native plant initiative grows and distributes native coastal prairie species.  Go to http://ulceet.com/site119.php for a list of projects.  CEET boasts the largest collection of 

Theobroma cacao (chocolate) trees in Louisiana.  

If you are bringing food, please arrive 15 minutes early so that we may begin serving at noon.  Following refreshments, Larry Allain, botanist, will  give a presentation on native plants.  Andre Daugereau, CEET Operations Manager will join Larry Allain in hosting an outdoor walking tour of the 

greenhouses and the native coastal prairie species grown onsite. Dress: tennis shoes, shorts, comfortable and casual 

 

OCTOBER 3RD 6 PM  

SOUTHSIDE LIBRARY 6101 JOHNSTON LAFAYETTE HERMAN MIRE URBAN PARKS AND GARDENS 

Herman Mhire is a Distinguished Professor of Visual Arts in the College of the Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was Director/Chief Curator of the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the Uni‐

versity of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he organized more than 200 exhi‐bitions including traveling exhibitions presented in the United States, 

Canada, and Europe.  

Please see the December Social article on page 5 for more information about the December 5th meeting. 

 

 Contact Babette Werner babsvwerner@aol.com with any questions 

2012 LPMGA BOARD MEETINGS

ALL MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 1PM AT LEDA 211 EAST DEVALCOURT ST.  ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.   

PLEASE NOTE:  THE SEPTEMBER MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO THE 24TH 

CONTACT LINDA BROUSSARD FOR MORE DETAILS.

UPCOMNG EVENTS

SOUTHERN GARDEN SYMPOSIUM  OCT 12‐13 For registration information please call (225) 635‐3738  

or email luciecassity@bellsouth.net Information on the symposium workshops and speakers can be found at 

www.southerngardensymposium.org  

LMG STATE CONFERENCE LAKE CHARLES  Oct 24‐26 Deadline for mail‐in registration is September 15th, the cost is $150.00  

Make checks payable to SWLA Master Gardeners and mail to:   2012 LMG State Conference   c/o Pam Langley 1750 Bilbo Street Lake Charles LA  70601‐6061 

The Conference is open to members of the 2012 Master Garden In Train‐ing Class, and to the public.  You may register at the door for a late  registration fee of $165.00  Please check the LSU AgCenter website 

www.lsuagcenter.com for forms and more information about speakers, tours, and other events. 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAFAYETTE PARISH MASTER GARDENERS FACEBOOK PAGE  The LPMGA FaceBook has become a huge success, but when ULL posted the video of the Horse Farm signing on YouTube visits to the page went through the roof.  Over 15,000 people visited the page during the week of  August 15th alone. Kudos to LPMGA FaceBook Guru Tina Jumonville. 

EVENTS, COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS

MONDAY, SEP 24  MONDAY, NOV 19 

MONDAY, OCT 22  MONDAY, DEC 17 

A great friend of Louisiana Master Gardeners, Dr. Carlos Alton Smith, passed away on August 13th, 2012. Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Smith, or hearing him speak, could not help but walk away inspired, uplifted, and with a smile on their face. His passing leaves a space that can only be filled with our fond memories, and our wish for just one more story.

Dr. Smith received both his B.S. (1969) and M.S. (1972) from Northeast Louisiana Univer-sity (ULM). He received his Ph.D. in Horticulture from LSU Baton Rouge in 1981. In 1977, Dr. Smith began teaching at LSUA. He taught there until 1982, before taking a position with the LSU AgCenter as Extension Agent for Avoyelles Parish. He retired in 2009. Dr. Smith was sought after as a speaker and teacher for Master Gardener classes state wide. His vast knowledge and expertise was shared through lectures spiced with hu-mor, his passion for gardening, love of people, and his famous tales. He is survived by his wife, Robin Reid Smith; his son, Timothy Smith and daughter-in-law Cindy of Cottonport; his sister, Joy Smith Jones of Monroe; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

From August 1 to August 27, 2012

27 Members logged a total of 60 Continuing Education Hours

33 Members logged a total of 321 Volunteer Service Hours

(Most of those logging in were related to the upcoming Plant Sale.)

Thanks to the Propagation Team, the PlantFest Team and everyone else who is working to make PlantFest

a huge success! Keep track of your PlantFest Volunteer Hours and

make a note to record them as you perform them. An email will be sent after PlantFest with instructions on how to record your Plant-

Fest hours.

   

 

Please save the date, and join your fellow Master Gardeners at the Cajun Dome Wednesday, December 5, 2012 to celebrate the holiday season and welcome our newest members from the Master Gardener Class of 2012.

From 6pm to 7pm, we will join together in Mardi Gras Ballroom A to

celebrate the Class of 2012 Graduation and honor class members. The Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year Award will be given.

At 7pm the group will move to the Mardi Gras Ball Room Part B to enjoy a delicious meal, music, and time to socialize with old friends and new.

Tickets will be available in the Fall.

Ticket prices - $15.00 for members/ $35.00 for Guests

Please Note: The decision to charge members for tickets is due to the priority for fund raising and conserving our financial resources as we

consider our need to build/purchase a new facility/location in the future.

FRUIT DISPLAY/BRIE EN CROUTE 

 

FRIED CATFISH ‐ASSORTED SAUCES   

MINI CRAB REMOULADE SALAD 

 

CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO 

 

MEDITERRANEAN DISPLAY GARLIC BREAD 

STUFFED CHICKEN BALLO‐TINE WITH RED WINE SAUCE 

 

CARVING STATION: PORK LOIN 

ASSORTED BREADS AND  CONDIMENTS 

ROASTED TURKEY BREAST  

PASTA STATION: PENNE PASTA W CHOICE OF ALDREDO OR MARINARA 

SAUCE 

SEARED GULF SHRIMPS GRILLED CHICKEN TENDER 

BITES    

DESSERT STATION: ASSORTED DESSERTS FROM 

OUR PASTRY CHEF DECORATED GINGER BREAD 

HOUSE  

WATER/SOFT DRINKS   

CASH BAR 

MENU 

NOMINATIONS DUE OCTOBER 1ST A

An Outstanding Master Gardener award will be presented at the De-cember social to a Lafayette Parish Master Gardener for her/his con-tribution to the Master Gardener program. If you would like to nomi-nate someone for this prestigious award, please fill out and submit the nomination form by October 1st. Please see the LPMGA Volunteer Handbook section labeled FORMS for an Outstanding Master Gardener nomination form or pick up a form at the September general meeting. The Outstanding Master Gardener (OMG) Committee, comprised of three of the most recent past presidents, the Member-At-Large, and a member (from the general membership) appointed by the Board, will select the Outstanding Master Gardener from among the nominees. The Outstanding Master Gardener will be announced, along with the other nominees, at the December social. The awardee will speak briefly about what it means to be a Master Gardener.

LPMGA 2012 Past President Mazie Movassaghi

A copy of the OMG form is attached to the emailed newsletter, and included in

the mailed newsletter.

Nominations for 2012 Officers will be accepted at the October 3rd, 2012 General Membership Meeting. Members making nominations to the Nominating Committee must be prepared to give a brief justification as to why they feel their person would perform well in this office. The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership by the Nomi-nating Committee during the November 7th, 2012 General Membership Meeting. Each nominee will be asked to give brief remarks as to why they are qualified for the office. The election will be completed during this meeting. Please contact Linda Broussard for more information.

LPMGA BYLAWS Article VI Section A

1. At least one month prior to the annual election of officers, the President shall appoint a nominating committee to consist of five (5) persons to include the Extension Service Agent/Advisor and at least one (1) voting member of the Board other than the President. No member with the exception of the agent/advisor can serve two consecutive years on the nominating committee.

2. The committee must receive prior permission from each proposed nominee.

Section B

1. The election of officers shall take place at the annual meeting, with each person elected to serve a term of one (1) year.

2. There shall be no term limits. 3. If a president serves consecutively for more than one year, the

position of Immediate Past President will remain vacant until such time as there is a change in the presidency.

MEMBER-AT-LARGE ELECTION TIME LINE

The At-Large member serves as ombudsman and liaison between the Board and the general member. This person is selected independently by the general membership by ballot vote following the nomination from the floor. Prior approval by candidates is required before names can be submitted for nomination. September Newsletter: Call made for Member-At-Large candidates to be nominated at the October General Meeting. Permission must be obtained (Ed: from the prospective candidate) prior to nomination. October Meeting: Nominations from the general membership for At-Large member are made and members decide on the method of voting Since only active members can vote, the recommendation is made that bal-lots with space for additional nominees would guarantee that only active members are voting. November Meeting: Election of the At-Large member is held at the same time as election of the other Board members. December Meeting: Installation of Officers, including Member-At-Large. All Officers, including Member-At-Large take office January 1st.

I'm a native of the Gulf coastal plains from east Texas, eastward to Florida, and north to Virginia.

I'm well adapted to heavy, poorly drained acidic soils, in full sunlight to partial shade, and I'm not susceptible to pests. Rain gardens or swales are a perfect place for me.

If you remove my lower branches, I make a fine small-tree specimen. Un-pruned, I become a large shrub ( 12' X 12' ). In late spring to early summer, I produce long racemes filled with tiny, creamy white blooms which provide nectar for bees. My racemes are organized in flaring clusters around several different locations on each branchlet. Some people say I appear to be covered in wild white petticoats when the wind blows. They turn a golden hue at the end of the blooming period and remain until the end of summer.

My deep green, shiny leathery leaves are alternate and willow-like, oblong to lanceolate to slightly obovate. In southern-most regions, I'm semi-evergreen. In more northern regions, I provide beautiful fall color. My trunk and larger branches are serpentine in growth habit, are brown to almost Terra-cotta col-ored, and are mottled with reddish, greenish and gray blotches.

I'm rarely found in big-box stores, but I might be found in nurseries which carry native plants. If you don't know who I am, turn the page.

CHAMOMILE  

“….Peter was not very well during the evening.  His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile 

tea and she gave a dose of it to Peter.”                                                                            

Beatrix Potter  ‐  The Tale of Peter Rabbit    

Latin Name:  Chamomilla recutita Family:  Asteraceae Origin:  England, Europe, Russia, Asia, and is naturalized in Australia Parts Used:  The flowers, the essential oils  

Chamomile is one of the oldest favorites among garden herbs.  Greeks called it ground apple because of its smell and the Spaniards called it little apple. Some believed it to have a magical ability to attract money.  Old time gamblers used to wash their hands in chamomile tea before they played cards or threw the dice.  It was also believed by some that if you sprinkled chamomile around your property it would remove curses and spells cast against you. Ancient Greek physicians made lozenges out of chamomile leaves, flowers, and roots, which were then prescribed for snake bites.  Powdered chamomile flow‐ers were sprinkled into the abdominal cavity of the mummy of Rameses II to act as an insecticide. Chamomile is thought of as one of the “heal all” remedies in the herbal world.  It is relaxing, calming, and a natural sedative.  Chamomile tea is often used for insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and to aid digestion. This herb can also be beneficial used externally.  It is used for wound healing, burns and is generally good for skin and hair.  Chamomile is both anti‐inflammatory and antispasmodic.  Muslin bags filled with the flower can be 

added to bath water to aid relaxation and relieve sun and wind burnt skin.  You can use a tea bag compress on your eyes to reduce inflammation and fatigue around the eyes. Although chamomile is considered one of the safest herbs, it can cause prob‐lems to those who are allergic to the ragweed family.  Check for sensitivity 

before using.  Chamomile also contains the natural blood thinners known as coumarins.  Avoid chamomile teas when taking prescription blood thinners or two weeks before or after surgery. Two varieties of chamomile are most commonly used.  Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) is a perennial and grows to a height of about 9 inches or less.  It is frequently used as a ground cover because of its pleasant apple scent. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual and grows to a height of about 3 feet and is the variety most commonly cultivated in the United States.  It produces earlier blooms and higher yields. Chamomile has an almost wildflower look about it.  The fragrant flowers are daisy‐like with white petals surround‐ing a yellow disk.  The stems aren’t particularly strong and 

bend and flop as the plant grows taller.  Chamomile has been called the –Plant Doctor—and is sometimes planted near week plants.  It is good for cabbages, and if planted a yard away, for onions as well. Chamomile will flower best if planted after the last frost in full sun with aver‐age to rich well drained soil.  Trim faded flowers to promote new blooms.  Chamomile will do better in summer where temperatures do not regularly reach 100 degrees F.  It can be susceptible to humid southern springs and sum‐mers and may benefit from being planted in a container. Try a cup of chamomile tea the next time you’ve worked hard in the garden or have trouble sleeping and ….. relax. 

Beth Shea

Keep up with what other MG groups are doing nation wide at:

www.extension.org/mastergardener/news Take a look at the lovely Louisiana Iris, and other American wildflowers at:

www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/iris/louisiana/iris giganticaerula.shtml

Get growing and selection advice on Day-lilies from the American Hemerocallis Soci-ety at:

www.daylilies.org

For information on Bonsai, including and advice forum:

Www.bonsaisite.com

 

If you’ve been looking for unique yard art, but can’t find that special piece, grow your own. Painting with moss is a simple and easy project that is used to add interest to garden beds, rocks, trees, fences, and the walls of structures.  Painting terra cotta pots with moss is a popular way to “age” the pots to achieve a beautiful patina. Urban spaces are being decorated with eco‐friendly “green graffiti” and “vertical lawns” using moss and grass. The process is simple and easy to do.  Get creative and have fun.  

Materials needed:  Live moss, gathered from your yard or purchased.  Please do not collect moss from wild habitats.   

Check florist and garden shops for moss.  Rinse to remove any soil and pick out any debris. Buttermilk, plain natural yogurt or beer, sugar Blender, container with lid for your moss “paint” (A large, clean margarine container works well) Pencil, paint brush, spray mister, old towels or rags for clean up Optional: Plywood or scrap wood, screen, wreath, globe or other form, scroll saw, wire brush, 

drill (for pilot holes), landscape fabric, stencils, overhead projector (to trace your design image)  

CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN “Welcome Friends” at the door, college initials in a mulched garden bed, the silhouettes of flow‐ers on an unsightly electrical box. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.  Family names, fleur de lis, favorite sayings, or outlines of animals and people are easy to create.  There are many websites that feature Green or Environmental Art such as the beautiful pieces from London‐based artist Anna Garforth at environmentalgraffiti.com or green artist Edina Tokodi at inhabit.com  Check out some of them for inspiration. Draw your design onto the surface you will be covering with moss. Sketch free‐hand, use stencils, or an overhead projector.  If you're worried about staining or discoloring the surface, such as house siding or brickwork, or if you would like the piece to be portable or to have a more 3‐D effect, draw your design on wood, and use a scroll saw to cut it out.  You can also mold screen into the shape you would like, or use a pre‐shaped wreath, globe, or other form.  Stapling or wiring on landscape fabric that has been cut to match your design will give the moss filaments a base to grow on, and also retain moisture.  (Moss does not grow roots, the thin filaments gather moisture and nutrients and anchor the moss.)  

MOSS YOUR DESIGN If you are using landscape fabric, you can cut out the design, attach it to your pre‐cut wood or other form, wet the fabric, and press clumps of moss onto the design.  Let the fabric lay flat for about a week, keeping the moss and fabric moist.  The moss should begin to grow filaments and adhere to the fabric, allowing you to move or mount the design without having the moss fall off.     

CHECK THE GROWTH After two days, and continuing every two days thereafter, check the moss.  Make sure to keep your art piece moist and placed in an area that fits the growth requirements of the moss.  Remember that this is a living piece of art, and that the moss’s growing requirements don't change.  If needed, press additional moss into gaps, and keep the piece flat and moist for another week.  It may take up to a month 

for the moss to fill in completely, but the piece can be hung, propped, or moved into place as soon as the moss is firmly adhering to the form.  

FOR OTHER MOSS ART OPTIONS, YOU CAN ALSO MAKE A MOSS “PAINT”:  

MAKE A MOSS MARGARITA The recipe for moss paint is simple, but not exact.  Because of the inexact measurement of moss material you may need to  adjust the amount of liquid used to achieve a “thick milkshake” consistency.  There are many different recipe variations that can be found online, the following recipe provides several options: 

 

Place clean moss‐about three heaping handfuls or hand‐sized clumps‐in blender. Add buttermilk, beer, or a container of plain natural yogurt.  Start by adding 10oz and add up to 2 more ounces until you achieve the desired thickness.  Most sources agreed that buttermilk  works the best.  (You can always just drink the beer while you paint.)   Add 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of sugar Blend to the consistency of a thick milkshake.  Add liquid or more moss to achieve the desired thickness. Transfer your moss paint to a  container with a lid.  Take blender container pieces apart and clean thoroughly.  

PAINT YOUR DESIGN Use your paint brush to fill in your design with the moss mixture.  If painting a highly textured surface, such as a tree trunk or rock, make sure to get the paint into the “nooks and crannies” so that your piece will have less chance of gaps and blank areas.  Wipe off drips and unwanted paint spots with a damp towel.  You can also brush off unwanted paint with a wire brush.  Store the unused moss paint covered in the refrigerator.  To help ensure moss growth, you can repaint the piece with the moss mixture two days after the initial painting, or wait two weeks to assess the progress of the growth and paint where needed to fill in.  As with the pressed moss method, after two days, and continuing every two days thereafter, check the moss and the moisture.  

CARE FOR YOUR ART Make sure to keep your art piece moist and located in an area that fits the growth requirements of the moss.  Remember that you have created a living piece of art, and that the moss’s growing requirements don't change.    

Samples of moss art by UK artist Anna Garforth See more at her

site crosshatchling.co.uk

Moss art by New York-based “guerilla gardening”

artist Edina Tokodi (aka Mos-sitka)

Visit mossitka.com for more inspiring examples

WHAT PLANT AM I ANSWER I'm Cyrilla racemiflora, also known as Titi ( pronounced tie-tie ), and Leatherwood.

SEPTEMBER GARDEN TALK

JOIN US AT PLANTFEST SEPTEMBER 15TH

(See the Speaker’s Schedule on Page 2 of this issue.)

“Ask A Master Gardener” will be at the Garden Talks to

answer your gardening questions

If you are interested in volunteering to help organize the Garden Talks, have suggestions for topics or speakers,

please contact Jeanell Menard.

Lovely, Lovely Louisiana Irises Have you ever complimented someone’s plant and had them say, “here, have some”? Well that is what happened when Bob Cole told Jim Leonard that his irises were pretty. But Bob knew nothing about irises. After having the gifted irises sit for a while, he decided to plant them and low and behold they took off and he has never looked back. Both interesting and entertaining speaker, Bob shared his story and insight on Louisiana Irises on Saturday, August 18th. One of the main points he made was that Louisiana irises need lots of sun, at least ½ day and they like damp areas, wet even. He tested some in 8” of water and they grew fine. They are a non-invasive species but if grown correctly will double each year.

There are three ways to multiply these plants; seed, rhizome, and tissue culture. After blooming, the flower will produce a large seed pod with approximately 100 seeds. You can plant these but they will not come up for 4 or 5 months. It takes a while. They should be collected right around July 4th and planted in August. The second way of multiplying irises is by rhizome division or chipping. The best time to do this is in the fall. When planting rhizomes that have roots and leaves, place the rhizome shallow, with the soil just barely over the rhizome. They prefer a clay soil, and love acidity, so a pine straw mulch is great if you feel you have to mulch, but it is not required. If planting a piece of rhizome that has not yet leafed out (it must have roots though), you should put it in a pot of rich, loose soil and bury it about 4” deep. Once it has leaves of about 6” you can then transplant and put into the ground. Tissue culture is the other option but it is complicated and requires a sterile environment, it is not recommended unless you have a facility for this.

Because Louisiana irises are pollinated by bumble bees, there is a great possibility of cross pollination so us-ing seeds does not guarantee the same plant. This can only be achieved by rhizome division. Any time of year is ok to divide and propagate irises, but the most effective time is in the fall, and if you are planting the rhizome with leaves, you should have blooms in the spring. April is the peak month for blooms around here (when the ground temperature is 80 degrees). They then go dormant until around October. Most of their growth occurs between October and May. A balanced fertilizer 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 should be applied in February. If they are located at a ponds edge, broadcast the fertilizer at the edge of the water.

One distinguishing mark on non-Louisiana irises is a definite rib running the length of the leaf. Another is the cream to yellow rhizome. Iris pseudacorus, or yellow flag, or yellow iris, is a species of iris native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It is not a Louisiana iris, and is invasive. The copper iris is a Lou-isiana native and is rarer than the light blue or light purple. Her Highness is a white native, as is one he called Giganturella.

If you missed this talk, Bob offers more information on his website at www/louisianairis.com

The PlantFest Publicity Team met with KFLY’s General Manager Mike Barras to discuss publicizing PlantFest. Pictured L-R are Publicity Chair Tina Jumonville, Hos-pitality Chair Babette War-ner, GM Mike Barras, and Communications Chair Jan Wyatt.

Sherilyn Larrison’s Food and Drink Committee met at Steve Santillo’s office to discuss refreshments at PlantFest. Pictured L-R are Carole Gaubert, Sherilynn Larrison, Janice Prejean, Chris Butts, Stacy Lee, and Steve Santillo.

Gardener’s Gazette is issued to all members of the Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners’ Program.

All members are encouraged to submit news, educational features, and photographs. The deadline for all submis-

sions is the 24th of each month for publication in the next month’s issue.

Please send items to the editor: Louann McClelland-Long louannmc@aol.com

The Master Gardener program is a division of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Agency and can

be contacted at: 1010 Lafayette Street/Suite 325,

Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 Telephone (337) 291-7090 fax (337) 291-7099

The Web site is www.lsuagcenter.com

It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be

subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion,

age, or disability. The Louisiana cooperative extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employ-

ment. Louisiana State University and A&M College, Louisiana Governing Bodies, Southern University, and the United States Department of

Agriculture Cooperating A State Partner in the Cooperative Extension System

LSU AgCenter Website www.lsuagcenter.com If you have a disability which requires special assistance

for your participation in our meetings, please call

337-291-7090 Please note: All meeting and event dates, times, and

locations are subject to change. LSU AGRICULTURAL CENTER COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE U.S. Department of Agriculture 1010 Lafayette Street, Suite 325 Lafayette, LA 70501-6884

SUN  MON  TUES  WED  THUR  FRI  SAT 

  1 

2  3 Labor Day  4  5  LPMGA General Meeting CEET Noon 

 

6  7  8 

9  Grandparent’s Day  10  11  Patriot Day  12  13  National Peanut Day 

14  15 Plant Fest 8‐2  New Moon 

16  17  Rosh Hashanah  18  19  Talk Like A Pirate Day 

20  21  International Day Of Peace 

22  Autumnal Equinox 

23  24  LPMGA Board Meeting 1pm LEDA 

25  26  Yom Kippur  27  28  Moon Festival (China) 

29  Full Moon 

30 

September is: Apple Month, Rice Month, Passion Fruit Month, Fig Month, and National Fruit and Veggie Month