Welcome to the Santa Fe Master Gardening Association (SFMGA) homepage. Our focus as master gardeners is to serve the community by educating and promoting "locally responsible gardening." Here you will find lots of gardening tips for northern New Mexico, upcoming events, how to ask a master gardener a gardening question, gardening links, how to become a master gardener and more.
Spotlight on Summer:
Summer 2009 Gardening Tips:
- Monsoon season: This summer make an effort to catch and reuse your rain water. There are a variety of ways to do this. The simplest way is to invest in rain barrels and place under your roof’s canales. (Two in front, two in back) I have three rain barrels and also a fourth made out of a 30 gallon heavy duty plastic garbage can with a screen over it secured by bungee cords. Easy, simple. The top is wide enough, and then when using this roof run off, I can dip my watering can directly into the water. You can also divert your rainwater from a sloping sidewalk or driveway.
- Go native: Plants that are drought tolerate will survive in this northern high desert climate. Plants found in arroyos are always good choices. Your favorite nursery can advise you on what plants to use.
- Weed, water, fertilize and deadhead: That's my summer mantra. Harvest your early vegetables and use herbs in cooking. Try to share your bountiful harvest. Locate one of the local food banks (on Siler Road: Kitchen Angels, Food Depot), share with neighbors and friends, or try the bartering system: Squash for tomatoes anyone?
Soil in Santa Fe: Add soil amendments. This should have been done before planting, but you can add organic matter throughout the season: use aged manure, kitchen scraps (no cooked food or meat products) fertilizer. Help out plants by enriching the soil; plants like food too.
Alice's Best-Ever Summer Fruit Cobbler
- 2 C fresh peaches or apricots,prepared. (You don't have to peel the apricots; you do peel the peaches, de-pitt, and slice) or a mix of both.Add to fruit
- 1C sugar
- Let this stand while mixing batter.
- In an 8x8 glass pan melt 1/4 C butter
- Batter:
- 1 C sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 C flour
- 1 C milk
Mix dry ingredients in milk until lumps are gone. Pour batter into melted butter in pan. Spoon on fruit mixture over top of batter. No stir. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until top is brown. Bon apetit!
How to ask a master gardener a question
There are information booths in various locations. To find out where we will be click on the following link: Information booths
We will be available at the following nurseries/garden centers this summer to answer your questions on gardening:
- Payne's Nurseries:
- alternating Saturday mornings, 9-12 north store and south store: North store: 715 St Michael's Drive. 505.988.9626; South store;304Camino Alire,505.988.8011.
- Agua Fria Nursery Inc:
- 1409 Agua Fria Street, 505.983.4831 , Sundays 12-3 pm.
- Santa Fe Greenhouses:
- 2904 Rufina St ,505. 473.2700 Saturday mornings 9-12, through summer till September.
- Newman's Nursery:
- 7501 Cerrillos Road, 471.8642, TBA.
For more information contact: Cathy Morlock, 505.473.7744 or Sharlene Shoemake,r 505.988.5095. SFGH booth info contact:Jocelyn Orner 917.364.2577 or Sandi Rudnick 505.989.8080.
The hotline: Ask a gardening question either by email or calling the hotline number and leaving a message. 471.6251. We will answer your question either way. Be sure to leave a return phone number if you call the hotline.
Our featured photographer: Jill Foster, photographer, stained glass artist, and master gardener is an admitted cacti lover. She enjoys teaching others about gardening in Santa Fe.Her website is www.idigyardwork.com.