November 2009 Journal - Texas Master Gardeners Association

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NOVEMBER 2009 PAGE 12 Master Gardener Installation An Irrigation Tale Jane Williamson Master Gardeners construct a drip irrigation system. The drought may be ending, but just a short time ago, water woes hampered progress on the vegetable gardens at the Extension Office. Following the initial planting of the Square Foot garden beds, the Vegetable Committee was faced with the problem of irrigating the beds. The only water spigot available was out in the field approximately 50 feet from the raised beds. The first attempts to irrigate the beds consisted of stringing a hose from this spigot, connecting soaker hoses, and hoping the grounds maintenance workers would not run over the hose with lawnmowers. The soaker hoses were then threaded around and through the garden squares. A four-zone timer was placed on one of the raised beds, and everything was connected to this timer. With this method, vegetable seeds germinated, and the vegetable beds began to show signs of life. So while the soaker hose set-up was not the best for water conservation, the system did work. About this time in the water saga, watering restrictions went into effect. The Vegetable Committee wanted to conserve water as well as water more effectively, so the next step involved adding a drip irrigation system to the beds. At the end of August, members of the Rainwater Harvesting Team, Clyde Adley, Grace Bryce, Paul Lawrence, Kris Stanley and Sally Todd, conducted a hands-on learning and working session for Master Gardeners at the Extension Office. Participants learned about the different components needed to install a drip irrigation system and how to lay out the system to increase watering efficiency. Then the Master Gardeners, under the guidance of Rainwater Harvesting Team members, actually constructed a drip system for two vegetable beds. Bob Whitney also showed the group how to establish a vegetable irrigation system using drip tape. A drip tape system was constructed for one bed. A post was cemented into the ground, the timer was mounted to the post, and the drip systems were connected to the timer. This irrigation method delivered water to selected squares in the garden, and water use was controlled with specific emitters. The planted squares continued to grow. The latest in the irrigation tale has been the installation of individual water spigots at each bed. An irrigation specialist connected the existing water supply to the vegetable beds and to the future demonstration rose garden. Now growing vegetables in the raised beds will be an easier task. Of course, the rains have come and with the rains, the fire ants. If it isn’t one problem, it’s another, but Master Gardeners persevere, and the first harvest of vegetables has taken place. Bob Whitney demonstrates the use of drip tape. Beans are the first vegetable to be harvested. WILLIAMSON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2009 PAGE 13 Master Gardener JMG New JMG Programs Juanita James & Patsy Bendahl On October 7 we started a JMG program at C.D. Fulkes Middle School in Round Rock. We started with 38 sixth graders. This number has decreased, however we still have at least 25. We have planted a garden consisting of vegetables, herbs and flowers in four raised beds. The rainwater harvesting class presented by Paul Lawrence and the rainwater program presented by Bob Whitney was loved by the children. The program is going very well. We are putting on this program with Brigid Mejia of the 4-H office. Master Gardeners involved in this are Walter Hoke and Juanita James along with Interns Hank Belopavlovich, Jessica Woods and Jane Thorngate. The following interns helped build and plant the garden, Robert Barnebey, Megan Barron, Karen Black, Carol Hoke, Don Markette, Richard Robbins and David Weinthal. JMG is taking off in Williamson County! Fulkes Middle School in Round Rock has a Wednesday afternoon program and McCoy Elementary School in Georgetown has a Thursday afternoon program. They are both going great! Brigid Mejia, 4-H agent, and Juanita James are both working hard with both those programs as well as several other Williamsom County Master Gardeners. At McCoy Master Gardener and teacher Tina Bertucci is in charge of the project. WILLIAMSON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER JOURNAL
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November 2009 Journal - Texas Master Gardeners Association

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