All posts by scmgadmin

2019 Sandoval County Fair – Congratulations SCMG Winners

Awards August 7, 2019 scmgadmin

High Point – Best of Show – Winners Booth Thank You Loren Meinz, David Pojmann and Ben Wakashige for representing Sandoval County Master Gardeners at the 2019 Sandoval County Fair. Loren Meinz 1st Place – Gala apples 1st Place – Scallions 1st Place – Yellow Crookneck Squash David Pojmann 1st Place – Garlic 1st Place – Apricots 1st Place – Coronado Gold Tomatoes Ben Wakashige 1st Place Purple Dahlia Best of Show – Purple Dahlia People’s Choice – Purple Dahlia High Point – Floriculture 1st…

Continuing Education Classes, 2019 – September Schedule

Classes and Workshops August 1, 2019 scmgadmin

Download the flyer here.

Southwest Plant of the Month – Brownfoot – Acourtia wrightii (Perezia wrightii)

Plant of the Month July 26, 2019 scmgadmin

Plant Form: Flower Plant Size: 4′ x 3′ Plant Type: Perennial Water: Low Sunlight: Sun, Partial Shade Colors: Pink, Red Physical Description: Two or three successive, spring to fall displays of showy flat clusters of rose to pale pink flowers on long leafy stalks lined with handsome grayish-green holly-like foliage. After the fluffy seed heads disperse, the stems coarsen and die back to the ground while new stalks are emerging as replacements. Gardener’s notes: Spreads very slowly by rhizomes. Although seldom commercially available, this El…

Beneficial of the Month – Assassin Bugs – (Family: Reduviidae)

Beneficial of the Month July 26, 2019 scmgadmin

This is one of the largest families of true bugs and includes the blood-sucking ‘kissing bugs’ (Triatoma species) as well as useful insect predators. Kissing bugs are not normally found in crop orgarden situations, but even the assassin bugs that prey exclusively on other insects can inflict a painful bite if handled roughly. The beneficial members of this family are quite diverse in size, color, and structure; some have enlarged forelegs that help with prey capture, while the so-called ‘ambush bugs hide in flowers (usually…

NMSU Hires State Manager for Master Gardeners Program

NMSU July 20, 2019 scmgadmin

New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has hired a state manager for the Master Gardeners program. Eduardo Servin will be charged with overseeing Cooperative Extension Service specialists and growing the Master Gardener program across all 33 counties in New Mexico. Read More about Eduardo here.

Southwest Plant of the Month – Brown-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta

Plant of the Month June 28, 2019 scmgadmin

Scientific name: Rudbeckia hirta Order: Asterales Kingdom: Plantae Family: Asteraceae Rank: Species Plant form: Flower Plant Size: 2’x1’ Plant Type: Flower Perennial Water Usage: Low Sunlight: Sun/Part Sun Colors: Yellow Physical Description: Large 2-3″, yellow, sunflower-like blossoms with brown centers, in summer, on long stems rising from clumps of dark green leaves. Care and Maintenance: Short lived. Coarse, rough textured foliage. Gardener’s notes: Removal of spent flowers and extra water will keep foliage dense and flowers blooming. Native of northern New Mexico. SOURCE: Southwest Plant…

Beneficial of the Month – Spined Soldier Bug – (Podisus maculiventris – Order: Hemiptera)

Beneficial of the Month June 28, 2019 scmgadmin

Although many stink bugs are plant-feeding pests, the spined soldier bug is an excellent predator found in a variety of crop habitats, including orchards, vegetables, and row crops. The adult (approximately 14 mm long) is a drab brown color, with characteristic pointed ‘shoulders’ that give the species its common name. Newly hatched nymphs are red and black, superficially resembling an adult ladybird beetle, but with much longer antennae. As the nymphs develop, they lose their red color and become much paler. This species will attack…

Continuing Education Classes, 2019 – July-August Schedule

Classes and Workshops June 16, 2019 scmgadmin

Download the flyer here.

Southwest Plant of the Month – Broom Dalea – Psorothamnus scenarios

Plant of the Month May 20, 2019 scmgadmin

Plant Form – Shrub Plant Type – Semi-evergreen Sunlight – Sun Plant Size – 3’ x 4’ Water Usage – Low Colors – Black, purple Physical Description: Large mounds of intricately branching gray to blue-green, almost leafless stems with profusion of late summer, small, indigo-blue to purple pea-like flowers. Care and Maintenance: Must have deep, loose, well-draining, sandy soil. Very difficult to transplant once established. Not readily available. Gardener’s notes: Excellent for naturalizing sand dune areas. Plant from seed. Native to El Paso’s sand hills.…

Beneficial Insect of the Month – Damsel or nabbed bugs – (Family: Nabidae)

Beneficial of the Month May 20, 2019 scmgadmin

The nabids or damsel bugs are a uniform dull brown color (both as adults and nymphs) and are longer and more slender than big-eyed bugs (approximately 9-10 mm long). They are common in both farm and garden habitats, and are good ‘generalist’ predators, tackling a variety of prey. They overwinter in the adult stage in cracks and crevices in the soil or in leaf litter. Beneficial of the Month material courtesy of NMSU ACES: Pocket Guide to the Beneficial Insects of New Mexico Reminder: Look…