Canyon County Extension Horticulture Program

Black plums at the Parma R&E Center, Sept. 12.

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Ariel Agenbroad,
Horticulture Extension Educator
ariel@uidaho.edu

Canyon County Extension Office
501 Main Street
Caldwell, ID  83605 
Phone: (208) 459-6003
Fax: (208) 454-6349

A Letter from Ariel Agenbroad, Horticulture Extension Educator
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U of I Experts address your growing questions on the new Idaho Landscapes and Gardens Website:

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Looking for Information Specific
to Small Acreages?

 
IDAHO SMALL ACREAGE FARMING SITE
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Interested in gardening with Youth?

Contact us to learn how to start your own JMG 4-H Club
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Looking for resources in Spanish?
Extension en Español ______________________

Looking for Horticulture Extension Publications? Many are available at our office for a small fee or online for free download.

Check out the entire catalog at:
http://info.ag.uidaho.edu:
591/catalog/default.htm

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Regional Extension Horticulture Resources:

Ada County Extension
Horticulture Program

Payette County Extension
Horticulture Program

Parma Research Center

Aberdeen Research Center
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University of Idaho Turf Trials

At the University of Idaho’s Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, Tom Salaiz is evaluating low-maintenance turfgrasses with potential for residences, golf courses and parks. Last year, he planted 24 such grasses in carefully monitored research plots. Once they’re established, he’ll fertilize them about a third as much as conventionally managed lawns, water them about three-fifths as much and either mow them weekly to 3-inch heights or forgo mowing entirely.

The “utility” grasses that Salaiz is examining are currently used to feed livestock in dryland pastures and control erosion in wildland areas, but he suspects some could serve well as less-demanding lawns. According to Salaiz, a research support scientist, homeowners and commercial and public land managers are increasingly willing to ease up on the “manicured” look and give alternative grasses a try. These species “won’t be as green or lush as highly managed turfgrasses, but some will produce nice, dense, functional lawns,” he said.

Maintaining the “functionality” of their turfgrass is important to most homeowners, who value it for the soft outdoor carpet it provides, along with its ability to cool homes and landscapes, reduce noise and abate dust. “But does that mean we need acres of highly managed turf in the front yard? Maybe not,” Salaiz said, noting that researchers across the arid West are “trying to strike a balance.”

Among the specific grasses included in Salaiz’ study: blue grama, buffalograss, blue fescue, Chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, fine fescue, hard fescue, Idaho fescue, prairie Junegrass, muttongrass and streambank, crested, western and Siberian wheatgrasses. He says the wheatgrasses are particularly drought-resistant, demanding less than 16 inches of annual precipitation.

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Download the latest copy of "Dig In!,"
our Horticulture Newsletter for Master Gardeners and Friends!

Issue II: Summer 2008

Issue I: Spring 2008

Email us to receive a printed copy in the mail.

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FALL 2008 SMALL FARM & GARDEN CALENDAR
Scroll down to view all upcoming events, workshops, classes and programs
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University of Idaho Annual Fruit Field Day

The University of Idaho Annual Fruit Field Day will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.  The registration will start at 8:30 am and program will start at 9:00 am.  Several cultivars of new table grapes, peaches, nectarines, apples, quinces, Asian pears, and other alternative fruits will be presented during the tour.  Participants can taste many of these fruits. Highlights of this event will be:

1)   Presentation and tasting of several types and cultivars of fruits at the main office complex and discussion on application of growth bio-regulators in fruit crops

2)   Tour of the U of I comprehensive research projects on ‘Fuji’ apple irrigation and nutrition, chemical thinning, and pesticides uses

3)   Tour of the alternative fruit crops, including quinces, Asian pears, persimmons, Jujube, Haskaps, and mulberries

4)   Tour of the table grape vineyards, new grape canopy experiment, peaches and nectarines, and discussion/ questions/answers on various cultural practices of fruit crops, including planting, growth regulators, pruning, thinning, girdling, pest control, irrigation

Where: University of Idaho, Parma Research & Extension Center in Parma, on the lawn in front of the main office complex. Going west on Highway 20/26 in Parma, turn right at M&W grocery store, go for about 1/3 miles and turn left on U of I Lane and go north for about 1 mile.
When: Friday, September 12, 2008, Starts at 8:30 am (sharp) till 1:00 pm

Cost:  Free of Charge

Who Can Participate?  Open to the Public.  Those interested in fruit production, including commercial growers, small farm growers, alternative fruit growers, home gardeners, Master gardeners, horticultural professionals and graduate students, extension and research faculty/staff, horticultural hobbyist, and fruit industry representatives are welcome. Four Pesticide Credits will be offered. Please Call 208-722-6701 ext 228 Or Dr. Essie” Fallahi at 208-722-6701 Ext. 225  or 208-880-8088 if you have questions.

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***
Meet our Master Gardeners
at the Nampa  & Caldwell Farmers' Markets!
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Volunteers will be at the Nampa Market every week on Saturdays, May - Oct., from 9 am - 1 pm

Volunteers will be at the Caldwell Market at least once a month on Wednesdays, May - Sept., 5 pm - 8 pm

Bring your questions and the kids! We'll have volunteers available to share their knowledge and expertise. We'll also have youth activities throughout the summer.
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Our CD-Rom: Canyon County Gardens Month by Month is available for $8 at the booth and at the Canyon County Extension Office.
All proceeds support Master Gardener scholarships, community service projects and horticulture education for youth, adults and seniors in
Canyon County.

CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PEEK

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NAMPA FARMERS' MARKET & OTHER GREAT IDAHO FARMERS' MARKETS
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ONGOING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
IN HOME GARDENING & SMALL FARMS

Canyon County Master Gardener Course

12 week course running annually from January - April.

Academic and CEU Credits available

Participants must be willing and able to volunteer 30 hours to complete certification.

CLASS HAS ENDED FOR 2008!
Email us to get on the list for next year and download the program brochure.

Download the brochure for more information.

View the 2008 Class Schedule

Click here to learn more about the Canyon County Master Gardeners

Instructors: Ron Galloway, Master Gardener Program Coordinator,
Ariel Agenbroad, Horticulture Extension Educator and guests.

Canyon County Advanced Master Gardeners
Canyon County Advanced Master Gardeners meet once a month for formal classes, and agree to contribute 12 hours per year to the community. Fee is $25 per year to join the program. Applicants must be certified as a Master Gardener in Idaho.

Next meeting: Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 pm at the Canyon County Extension Office. Contact the Canyon County office for upcoming speakers and topic information 208-459-6003.

Download the 2008 Advanced Master Gardener
Policy Guidelines and Application.

Download the 2008 Advanced Master Gardener
Planning Survey Results

Southwest Idaho Organic Producers School

A collaboration between University of Idaho Extension and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. A one day workshop focused on topics relevant to new and experienced organic producers in southwest Idaho.

This year's workshop was held in March 2008. To learn about upcoming schools or to suggest topics, email Ariel Agenbroad at ariel@uidaho.edu or call 208-459-6003.

Read our review in the Capital Press

Living on the Land
Class has finished for 2008. Email program coordinator Alicia Cowger at aliciamc@uidaho.edu to get on the list for 2009!

This course is designed to help small acreage landowners care for their land sustainably. Course topics include

• What Do You Have and What Do You Want?

• What Can You Do?

• Selecting Farm Equipment

• Enterprise Budgets

• What to do About Weeds

• Water Quality,

• Market & Organic Gardening

• Feeds and Feeding

• Pasture Establishment and Renovation

• Your Living Soil

• Caring for Your Animals

• Grazing Management and much more!

Instructors: University of Idaho Extension educators, specialists, class alumni and guests. For more information or to register, contact the Canyon County office at 208-459-6003.

Rural Roots Small Farms Workshops, Tours and Events
TBA
Regional workshops, tours and events presented by Rural Roots and other partners. Visit http://www.ruralroots.org/ for the latest schedules.

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The University of Idaho provides equal opportunities in education and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, those requesting reasonable accommodations may contact Ariel Agenbroad at 501 Main Street, Caldwell, ID or by phone 208-459-6003. or ariel@uidaho.edu