P L A N N I N G   A H E A D

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Calendar of Events

by Candice Sherrill,
Master Gardener

JANUARY 2004
1/10 - Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Training. 8:30am to 1:00pm. Learn to lead Junior Master Gardeners! Teach young people the joys of gardening. Use a hands-on approach to explore horticulture & environmental science. Promote leadership, life skills & self-esteem in children. Sponsored by Cooperative Extension. Contact: ditucker@ag.arizona.edu. Phone: (602) 470-8086. Web: http://cals.arizona.edu/youthgardens

1/10 & 1/21 - Introduction to Winter Annuals. Saturday Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Tucson Botanical Gardens. Mary Sisson-Eibs, Certified Nursery Professional and former plant nursery manager, introduces you to new and interesting annuals that are available and will thrive in Tucson's unique gardening climate. Mary will show you samples of the latest color and foliage plants that can be combined to add "pop" to your landscape or containers. Wait until you see what's out there! Your flowerbeds and patios will be the talk of the neighborhood. Cost: $12, $10 TBG members. 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson. (520) 326-9686.

1/17 - Drip Irrigation. 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Take the mystery out of watering your landscape. Learn to design and install a drip irrigation system that will be water efficient and low maintenance. It's easier than you think. Price: Free. Registration required. Location: Southeast Regional Library at Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads in Gilbert, Maricopa County. Contact: Lisa Hemphill at lisahem@ci.gilbert.az.us. Phone: (480) 503-6098. Web: http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us

1/17 - Gardening for Snowbirds. Saturday, 9:30am to 11:30am at Tucson Botanical Gardens. Winter might be the nicest time to be in southern Arizona, but many garden plants go dormant and leave landscapes looking dull and bare. This class will help visiting snowbirds (and full-time residents) create landscapes that look great in winter and early spring using a variety of plants that thrive in cooler temperatures. Plant information and design tips provided by horticulturist Greg Corman will make all but the digging easier. Cost: $12, $10 TBG members. 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson. (520) 326-9686.

1/24 - Australia Day. 9:00am to 3:00pm. Join us for a day in the land down under as Australian folklorist Paul Taylor spins stories, poems, and tall tales at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, 37615 Highway 60 in Superior. The park is home to one of the largest collections of Australian plants in the United States. Join an 11 a.m. tour of the Australian Walkabout Trail and learn about the wonders of the giant gum trees. Have you ever wanted to build and play a didjeridoo? Mr. Taylor leads a class in this growling, howling aboriginal instrument from 9-11am! Cost: $350public, $25-Friends of the Arboretum. Pre-registration required. Call (520) 689-5248 to enroll in the didjeridoo class.

1/31 and 2/7 - Container Garden Paradise. Saturday, 9:00am to 11:00am at Tucson Botanical Gardens. Discover the joys of container gardening! Bring your favorite pot (up to 18" in diameter) and learn how to create and care for container plantings from award-winning floral designer Nancy Brown. In this hands-on class, Nancy will guide you through the planting process and provide tips on dynamite plant combinations that will make your patio or balcony come alive. Soil and plant materials will be provided. Limit 15. Cost: $25, $20 TBG members. 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson. (520) 326-9686.

FEBRUARY 2004
2/1 - Winterfest. 9am to 5pm. at the Arboretum at Flagstaff. Explore winter wildlife during the seventeenth annual Flagstaff Winterfest. Members-free, Non- members: $4-adults, $3-seniors, $1-youths. Phone (928) 774-1442.

2/2 thru 2/23 - Spring Music in the Garden at Desert Botanical Gardens. Sundays from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Feb. 2: Trinidad Calypso, Feb. 9: Carmela y Mas, Feb. 16: Nazim Rashid with New Renaissance and special guests (11:30am to 2:30pm), Feb. 23: Big Pete Pearson Band. Members: $8; Non-members: $14. Children 5-12 years $8, under 5 free. Limited seating - advance ticket purchase recommended. 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Call (480) 941-1225. No refunds or exchanges after ticket purchase.

2/17 - Drip Irrigation. 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Take the mystery out of watering your landscape. Learn to design and install a drip irrigation system that will be water efficient and low maintenance. It's easier than you think. Price: Free. Registration required. Location: Southeast Regional Library at Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads in Gilbert, Maricopa County. Contact: Lisa Hemphill at lisahem@ci.gilbert.az.us. Phone: (480) 503-6098. Web: http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us

2/13 thru 2/15 - Language of Flowers Show & Chocolate Tasting. Boyce-Thompson Arboretum, 37615 Highway 60 in Superior. This annual show is a living display of plants and their blossoms designed to interpret the Language of Flowers. For centuries flowers have been used for discreet and diplomatic communication when words proved to be difficult or impossible. A bouquet of red rosebuds, gardenias, and jonquils, for example, would send three messages, "You are pure and lovely," "I love you in secret," and "I desire a return of affection." Also, sample decadent gourmet confections from Bernard Callebeaut Chocolatiers; morsels are available for purchase this weekend for an additional fee of $1 each or six for $5. Phone: (520) 689-2723.

2/15 - Color Your World - Landscaping for Color. 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Does your landscape need a makeover? Perhaps just a tune up? This class will show you how to have fabulous color in your landscape year-round. Learn what to plant for an extended blooming season with plants that thrive here in the valley with very little effort. You'll hear money-saving tips that will result in spectacular color in your landscape. It's easier than you think. Price: Free. Registration required. Location: Gilbert at the Southeast Regional Library at Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads. Contact: Lisa Hemphill lisahem@ci.gilbert.az.us. Phone (480) 503-6098. Web: http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us

Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer Information
Last Updated January 23, 2004
Author: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 301, Fax (602) 470-8092