September meeting ~Worm Farming

The County Fair is over, life is calming down, so, do remember our September meeting is about ‘worm farming’ and will be presented by Mackenzie Jones.

When: Monday, Sept. 12, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot across the street and walk back to the community center.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Please RSVP if you’re planning to attend the meeting: Jalien Shield, 928-606-0410 or jalien2012@yahoo.com.

August gardening news

At The Arboretum
Perseid Meteor Shower Campout
12 August, 2016 – 13 August, 2016 | 4pm – 9am
$30 Member/$35 Public/ $20 Tent Rental

Join us for a spectacular night under the meteors and enjoy the opportunity to camp out on our grounds! Set up camp at 4pm, spend the night enjoying the stars and meteor shower with other families through the lens of Lowell Observatory’s telescopes!

Mushroom Festival
19 August, 2016 – 20 August, 2016 | 5pm – 8pm | 9am-11am
Member Tickets Open July 13

Love mushrooms? We do, too! Find out the very important ways of identifying safe and unsafe mushrooms in Northern Arizona. Partake in a delicious sampling of mushroom appetizers provided by the head chef at Criollo Latin Kitchen on the evening of August 19th at the Arboretum, and then participate on a guided foray in Flagstaff the next day, August 20th and gather mushrooms for your own delicious meals.
For more information 0n these events, go to: http://www.thearb.org/events/

Propagating native plants
The Arizona Native Plant Society, Flagstaff chapter, will host Nigel Sparks as he talks about Native Plant Propagation Techniques at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, at the Pearson Building on the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Research Campus, across from the main campus off HWY 180.
Description: The use of native plants for landscaping is beneficial to pollinators and birds. Native plants are used to the extremes in environment here in Northern Arizona and use fewer fertilizers and water to grow. Nigel will explain how to propagate native plants from both seed and cuttings. He will also explain how to choose a plant that will survive in different types of soils and microenvironments found in the area around Flagstaff. Speaker Bio: Nigel Sparks is the owner of Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed here in Flagstaff. He has extensive experience in propagation and landscaping with native plants.
Walk Date: 8:30 am, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016
Walk Leader: Susan Lamb
Destination: Walk to Skunk Canyon, Walnut Canyon Study Area, Coconino National Forest
Walk Description: On our walk of about three miles round-trip to Skunk Canyon, we will see plant communities in a number of microclimates created by different soils and solar aspects. We will walk on unimproved trails and disused Forest Service roads, so be prepared for walking on uneven terrain and for short stretches up- and downhill.
Logistics: Our walk will begin on private land just off Lake Mary Road. Meet to carpool or to follow the lead car at 8:30 am on Saturday, August 20, at the OneAZ Credit Union, 321 South Beaver (corner of Beaver and Butler). Be prepared for warm and/or rainy weather with sun protection and water. Trail snacks recommended.
Writer/naturalist Susan Lamb keeps an almanac of over 200 plants that flower along the route of our walk
For more information on the Flagstaff chapter of AZNPS, go to http://www.aznps.com/chapters/flagstaff/flagstaff.htm

Drip, drip, drip ~ August 2016 meeting

Derek Bowerman will present information on drip lines. This summer he has been interning with Green Funds support from the U of A. He graduates in December with a degree in Geological and Mining Engineering. How does that relate to drip lines? That is his story to tell.
Hold this idea for discussion: Lots of rain equals lots of flowers. How about each of us gathering our seeds for a seed exchange at the October meeting?
Remember, we start at 6:00 pm with snacks to be ready for Derek promptly at 6:15. Please hold questions until the end of his program. After that, a few announcements and more snacks.
Looking forward to seeing you! Jalien

When: Monday, August 8, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot across the street and walk back to the community center.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Please RSVP if you’re planning to attend the meeting: Jalien Shield, 928-606-0410 or jalien2012@yahoo.com.

July 2016 meeting

July 18, 2016, 6-8 p.m. meeting:
Allergy-Fighting Tinctures
And a business meeting featuring new directors

Flagstaff Senior Meadows, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive

We will be discussing some of our bylaws and learning how to make a simple herbal tincture.
When: Monday, July 18, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot across the street and walk back to the community center.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Please RSVP if you’re planning to attend the meeting: Jalien Shield, 928-606-0410 or jalien2012@yahoo.com.

Opt In or Out, Please
Here’s a form to fill out and email back to jalien2012@yahoo.com:

2016 Spring barrels planting at Riordan Mansion

We will be planting the barrels at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21. Join us for this fun event; no cost. We will have plants. You can bring yourself, a friend, a hat, water, a hand trowel and gloves if you have them. We also recommend sunscreen.

May 16 meeting ~ BZZZ ~ Bees, Part 2

A bee on a wild sunflower.

They’re essential for anyone who gardens. Who? What? Where?
Bees, of course. Whether they’re honeybees or the more solitary native bees, without them to pollinate our plants we’d be in sad shape.
And essential to our understanding of bees are Tracy and Jasmine Heirigs, who own The Golden Hive on Route 66 in Flagstaff.
We met this knowledgeable duo last year, when we heard about how they keep bees in their back yard. Now, we’ll learn even more … and with their help, each create a salve we can take home.
This meeting is later in the month than usual. Totally worth waiting; hope we’ll see you there.
An Important Note: Now’s the time to join the Flagstaff Flower & Garden Club to get the most benefits from your membership.
Cost is only $25; benefits include free meetings, field trips and other events plus membership in the state and national garden clubs.
When: Monday, May 16, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Information: Call President Star Hunter at 928-637-4401

More Gardening News ~ April 2016

Did you know? April is National Gardening Month!
For information on the new USDA People’s Garden, including suggested activities for the month, click here.
One suggestion: Plant a Window Box for Pollinators. Click here to learn more.

Opening Weekend at The Arboretum at Flagstaff
Announcement from The Arboretum:
15-16 April, 2016 | 10am – 5pm
Regular Adult Admission/Kids are FREE
Spring is back and so are we!  
Are you ready to enjoy spring in Flagstaff? We sure are, and to take full advantage of the early spring daffodils and sunshine, the Arboretum is opening early this year, on April 15th. The weekend of April 15-17 KIDS ARE FREE all weekend and can enjoy the new children’s playground and gardens.
Opening day will be full of fun, family friendly festivities! On Saturday, April 16 from 10am-5pm there will be food for sale, music, entertainment by Aerial Arts, kids activities at every organization’s booth and a free 9-hole kids disc golf course courtesy of Discing4kids! 
Buy a family membership on April 16 and get 10% OFF!
For more information, call 928.774.1442

Garden Starts CSA Open House
The organization will host a Garden Starts Open House from 9 a.m.-noon April 16 at the NAU Greenhouse (#79 on the NAU map, off of Pine Knoll Dr.). Visit the greenhouse, see where your starts grow, ask questions about the shares, and sow a flat if you so desire. People can sign up for shares if there are any left.
This is a family-friendly event, so take the kids (some kids really like seeing the greenhouse and the seedlings).
For more information, call Regan Emmons at 808-344-0904. Or send an email to flaggardenstarts@gmail.com

April 11, 2016 meeting ~ The Many Sides of Seeds

Our guest speaker is Jackee Alston, a Master Gardener who was instrumental in founding the Flagstaff Seed Library. She’ll be talking about the library, the importance of nurturing heirloom seeds and plant diversity, and GMOs vs. non-GMOs.
When: Monday, April 11, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot across the street.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Information: Call President Star Hunter at 928-637-4401
For more information on the seed library, click here.
For more information about the Coconino Master Gardeners, check out their blog by clicking here.

July Meeting ~ Lasagna Gardening: It’s Not What You Think

This isn’t about planting tomatoes, oregano and other lasagna ingredients. It is about how we can improve our soil so, no matter what we plant, we’ll get wonderful results. Club treasurer Cheryl Coronado-Bruton will talk about and demonstrate how to layer various materials in new beds now to create ideal conditions for planting flowers, veggies and more later on. She’s been using this technique for years, with great results. When: Monday, July 13, 6-8 p.m. Where: Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot across the street.) Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3 Information: Call President Star Hunter at 928-637-4401

June 2015 meeting

Get the Latest Buzz ~ On Bees!
Why do we need bees? What’s the point of being a backyard beekeeper? What sorts of products can we make from the bounty that bees provide?
Tracy Heirigs, owner of the new Golden Hive on Route 66 in Flagstaff, will tell us how she got into bees (her daughter had a hand in it) and what role she plays in helping bees to thrive. She’ll also talk about bee-based products and help us make our own samples.

When: Monday, June 8, 6-8 p.m.
Where (Note new location!): Flagstaff Senior Meadows Community Center, 1351 N. Pine Cliff Drive (from Route 66, turn north on N. Switzer Canyon Drive, right onto N. Turquoise Drive, right on E. Ponderosa Parkway, left at N. Pine Cliff Drive. Drop off passengers at the community center, then please park in the BASIS High School parking lot.)
Cost: Members free; Senior Meadows residents $2; non-resident guests $3
Information: Call President Star Hunter at 928-637-4401