Have you seen my pet Gopher Snake?

Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)

These snakes live in our area and they are a beneficial predator. Gopher snakes are muscular, long serpents that can be intimidating because of their size; however, but there’s little to fear because they are nonvenomous. In fact, they are important to keeping the rodent population in check and maintaining their local ecosystems.

  Physical characteristics

Gopher snakes are large, powerful snakes and typically reach lengths of 36-96 inches [3 to 8 feet]. Compared to other snakes of the same size, they have relatively large eyes with large, distinct heads with narrow necks. They often have two dark lines on their faces that go from the top of their head around either side of their eyes. Gopher snakes’ coloring can depend on their subspecies and location. Often their colors blend in with local vegetation. They range from cream to light brown and have dark blotches on their backs and smaller dark spots along their sides. They generally have light-colored bellies, sometimes with spots.
Gopher snakes are sexually alike, with both males and females being around the same size. They have keeled (ridged) scales.
One way to check if a snake is nonvenomous is by the shape of their eyes. Round eyes and a head shaped like this one pictured are the norm.

  Dietary and hunting habits

“Gopher snakes are nonvenomous constrictors. This means that they squeeze their prey to death. There are some common misconceptions about how constricting works. One is that constrictors crush or break the bones of their prey. Another is that they suffocate it, squeezing the prey’s lungs too tightly to work. “It turns out that the squeezing overwhelms the circulatory system. “Blood cannot get to the brain, and the animal dies within seconds due to ischemia.”
Gopher snakes feed on small mammals, birds, bird eggs, lizards and of course gophers. They actively seek out prey and often follow small mammals down their runways or burrows.

  Reproduction and lifespan

Gopher snakes mate during July and August. It is the only time of year they socialize. Females emit a chemical through their skin that draws males to them and stimulates mating behaviors. Males will mate with as many females as they can each year. Males sometimes engage in ritualistic wrestling for the female.
Gopher snakes are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Females sometimes lay two batches (called clutches) of eggs per season. Eggs incubate in nests, which are sometimes communal with other gopher snakes. After a 65-75 day incubation period, 2 to 24 young hatch and are instantly independent. Gopher snakes have no parental involvement after laying eggs. Babies are born 12-18 inches (30 to 45 cm) long and can be up to 3 feet (92 cm) long after one year.

Female gopher snakes reach sexual maturity between 3 and 5 years of age. Males reach it between 1 and 2 years of age. In the wild, they live up to 15 years. They have been known to live up to 33 years in captivity.

Range/ Habitat

 The gopher snake is one of the most widespread snakes in North America. Its range extends from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, as far north as southern Canada, and as far south as Veracruz and southern Sinaloa, Mexico, including Baja California. This species occurs in a lot of different habitats, including prairies, conifer forests and deserts, but it seems most common in semi-arid brushy areas adjacent to farms. Gopher snakes tend to spend about 90% of their time living in underground dens or burrows and they probable hibernate there during the cold months. When it is warm out, we tend to see them sunning themselves on roadways and dirt lots, but give them space so they can do what they do best. Happy Gopher Snake Day.

  Taxonomy/classification

The taxonomy of the gopher snake,
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Bilateria
Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Infraorder: Alethinophidia
Family: Colubridae
Genus & species: Pituophis catenifer

Dale E. Anderson Memorial

photo taken by UI Brad Beckman

Last Saturday, Sheila Anderson from Trinity Community Gardens in Nampa, and Roberta Ireland, Advanced Master Gardener with Canyon County Extension planted a Colorado Blue Spruce in memory of Sheila’s husband, Dale E. Anderson.

December 23, 2017 marks the third anniversary of Dale’s passing. He is sorely missed by his church and master gardener communities.


Many of us knew and loved Dale. He was an Advanced Master Gardener with 23 years in the program, the last 10 being in Canyon County. His friends and team members remember his selfless, generous ways, sharing freely his years of careful research and knowledge.

Trinity Community Gardens

“Growing to Feed Many,” Nov. 2014, a compact, richly illustrated book in English and Spanish, on which Dale, Sheila and Paulette Blaseg collaborated, demonstrates how Trinity Community Gardens, Inc. gets more food from less space. All produce goes to local food pantries and soup kitchens.  (4,000 # this year). Paulette is an Advanced Master Gardener with Canyon County Extension.

Sheila & Paulette

Besides the garden and the book, Dale and his peers developed an educational course for raised bed gardening. For more information about the book and classes, contact Trinity Gardens

We in the Master Gardener community  are inspired to carry on Dale’s traditions of volunteering, giving generously and developing better food systems to feed the hungry.

Idaho Ice-cream Potato

If you went to the Idaho State Fair in Boise and ate an Idaho Ice-cream Potato, you probably bought it from a stand that looked like this. 

You paid the person at the window the small nominal fee for the potato and they handed you an Ice-Cream Potato that probable looked like this one. It's the picture over here on the right with 2 spoons in it and it was good enough to share with that special someone. I don't think I could have eaten the whole thing by myself, although I could have given it a go.

I was there this year and greatly enjoyed the potato that I thought

it would make a good story for you to enjoy. I contacted Chef Lou at the Westside Drive in and asked Lou these questions.

1. Who invented the ice-cream potato, when and where?

It was invented in the 1940's by the chef at the Gamekeeper Restaurant in the Owyhee Plaza, for a banquet, for the Governor. It was called the "Gamekeeper Surprise". It was made with Maple Nut ice cream, served on chocolate fudge sauce, topped with whipped cream and almonds.

2. Did you get a patent, copy-right etc. for it or is it out there for all to enjoy? 

I tried to get a patent, but it is very hard to patent food. Once it has been in existence for a year, it is almost un-patentable. I got a trademark on the name "Idaho Ice Cream Potato" in 1991, but, pretty much anyone can make it. It is served coast to coast in restaurants. They just can't call it the "Idaho Ice Cream Potato". It was served at George Bush's 1st inaugural dinner. Martha Stewart, Sandra Lee, and many others, including the David Letterman Show have made it.

3. Are there many variation of style and ingredients and if so what are they? I noticed through searching the internet there are several different ways to make it.

There are countless ways to make it. I won an American Heart Association contest by making it with frozen yogurt and carob powder.

4. How many places that you know of make the ice-cream potato and are they offered year round? You offer it at both of your locations.

Yes, we do, and several restaurants around the state serve it. We make them at a production facility and sell them to Sysco, who distributes them.

So if you any of you get a chance to eat an Idaho Ice-cream Potato from one of

their restaurants, it is highly recommended to do it.

Or I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll dry your ground out!

Or I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll dry your ground out

One of the trademarks of living in Idaho seems to be wind. Learning how to adapt can be challenging to any newcomer. Unless you are from, say, Chicago? In any case, being aware of how wind affects your landscape can help in protecting them during our often dry, windy fall and winter seasons.

Drying winds strip plants, turf, and the soil of much needed moisture. As the wind blows it wicks the moisture out of the plant, and the soil. As the low humidity and wind blow, plants can’t replenish the water they lose through their leaves, or needles. This is one reason you may have a brown cast on the edge of your evergreen needles.

On perennial shrubs, such as roses or lilacs, damage to terminal growing points can occur.

There are several things to keep in mind about your landscape if you live in these windy areas.

1. Fall and winter watering is not an option. Failure to water your plants is the most common cause of plant stress I see in landscapes. And just because your landscape is mature, does not mean you can stop watering it. You don’t stop drinking water just because you've matured, do you?

2. Mulch can help retain moisture in the soil. Yes, I know, it’s windy and the wind blows your mulch all the way to Kansas. Well, I am sure the people of Kansas appreciate your contribution to their fine state. Really though, mulching can make a big difference in how much water your soils will hold.

3. Add organic matter to your soil. Incorporating 2-3 inches of plant based organic matter at a depth of 4-6 inches will help hold in water if you have sandy soil, or help water drain if you have clayey soil. Either way, adding organic matter such as composted plant material will benefit your plants. Just be careful if you use animal manure as compost as these contain salts and heavy metals that build up in the soil over time, and can increase the risk of food borne pathogens if used improperly in vegetable gardens.

For more information on fall or winter watering, visit your county Extension office.

WHAT’S GOT YOUR GOAT?

Goat head flower and leaves

Tribulus Terrestris is known by many other names such as: Caltrop, Puncture Vine, Tack Weed, Bull Head, Goat Head, Cat Head, and Mexican Sand Bur. As foreboding as these names sound, the reality is even more sinister. Caltrop plants like to stay very low to the ground, where they can escape the wrath of lawnmowers, weed-whackers, bush-cutters and other similar enemies. Keeping a low profile, their tentacles sprawl out quickly and quietly in a generally radial fashion from its central headquarters to form a far-reaching network of evil intentions. Each plant can produce several hundred to several thousand stealthy, strong, and sharp caltrop-like burs that have the potential to seriously injure people, animals, and even thin-walled pneumatic tires (like bicycle tires).Fortunately, they also produce small, yellow, bee-foraged flowers that serve as a subtle warning for the wise. You have been warned!

HOW DID IT GET THERE? According to numerous reliable sources, Puncture Vine originated from southern Europe and northern Africa. Supposedly, it was (accidentally) imported into the United States along with livestock from the Mediterranean area. Bummer!

Goathead seed

WHERE DOES IT THRIVE?  Tack Weed loves to take root along railways, roadsides, walkways, residential properties, cultivated fields, and other disturbed places. It thrives in hot, dry, sandy soils; but will also grow in most other soils too. The plants don’t generally survive freezing temperatures, but the seeds survive almost any condition. For more, click here.

WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?  Bull Head makes a fantastic organic deterrent against bare-footed or bicycle-bound bandits. Just plant Bull Head plants in the form of a natural barrier; or, if you happen to be on the run, simply toss a handful of Bull Head burs (seeds) in the suspected path of bandit travel and your problems should be solved in short order – unless, of course, you are dealing with boot-wearing bandits!

It is also worth noting that in India, Tribulus Terrestris is called Gokhru and is claimed to have many medicinal uses – including acting as an aphrodisiac! 

HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF IT? Click here  If desired, there are three main ways to control or eliminate Goat Head:

1) Pull it out by hand or hoe (Be sure to collect all seeds!)

2) Kill it with chemicals (Always follow label directions!)

3) Introduce it to its natural predators:

     a)    Puncture vine Seed Weevil (Microlarinus Lareynii)

     b)    Puncture vine Stem Weevil (Microlarinus Lypriformis) 

Tea Gardening

Will we ever see cool weather again?

As the heat of summer peaks, I dream of those crisp fall evenings, sitting on the back deck as the sun begins to tuck behind the western sky, and I look out over the garden beds all tucked in and ready for the coming winter.  In my hand is a steaming mug of home-grown tea, made from the dried leaves and buds of some of the season’s most beautiful floral displays.  With a little know-how and pre-planning, growing your own tea garden can enable you to mix up just the right balance of flavors to suit your taste and is something that can be harvested and enjoyed year-round.  Some of the tastiest, and easiest, herbs to grow for tea are:

Lavender

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia): (Buds) Fairly simple to care for, lavender can provide a beautiful addition to your landscape and attract beneficial pollinators to your green spaces.  English lavender is cold hard to Zone 5, can bloom twice in a single season, and is considered drought tolerant.  Preferring full sun and alkaline soils, lavender needs to be pruned annually after the plant has established. The plants have very few pests or disease problems.  However, they can be susceptible to soil diseases such as Phytophthora, so it is important to water carefully and not standing water around the plant.  Harvest the flowers and buds for drying when they are one-third to fully open and hang them in a cool, airy, shaded room.  To make a relaxing lavender tea, combine hot water with fresh or dried buds steep until you reach your desired flavor.  For a bit of sweetness, add a few drops of honey. 

Mint (Mentha sp.) (Leaves) There are a number of mint varieties to choose from, each providing a unique flavor to brewed tea.  Spearmint makes a soothing tea, while peppermint makes a sweeter tea.  A visit to a local nursery will likely present you with choices like apple mint, chocolate mint, and orange mint.  A very hardy, prolific plant, mint can quickly take over surrounding garden and landscape areas.  To keep this eager spreader under control, try growing it in containers or confining it to a bed with metal or plastic edging. Cold mint tea can be oh so refreshing during these hot months, while now is the time to also harvest and dry the leaves to be brewed up for a simple, yet delicious, hot tea as cooler temperatures make their way to the valley.

Calendula: (petals) A member of the daisy family, these beautiful yellow and orange flowers add long-lasting color to any flower bed or container.  Their frost tolerance and somewhat cold hardy nature, as well as their propensity to draw aphids away from other garden plants make them great companion plants for many of those well-loved vegetables growing nearby.  Simply pour hot water over the dried flowers and let steep to your desired flavor intensity.

Lemon balm ((Melissa officinalis): (Leaves) Adding a lovely, gentle lemon flavor, lemon balm is an easy-to-grow perennial, that tolerates full sun to partial shade and produces delicate white, pale yellow, or pink flowers.  Though, if you are interested in controlling this prolific plant, pruning to ensure that it does not set and drop seed is key.  Combined with other dried ingredients, including oat straw, rose hip, orange peel, and lavender, a cup of lemon balm tea can lift the mood on a cloudy, rainy fall day.

Chamomile

Chamomile ((Chamaemelum nobile)): (Buds) From June to August, the tiny, delicate daisies of chamomile are a wonderful perennial addition to any tea gardener’s gardenscape.  Hardy to Zone 3, and loving light, dry soil, chamomile is fairly easy to grow. Two of the most common chamomiles used for tea are German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile Chamaemelum nobile.  Fresh chamomile buds can be combined with boiling water, apple slices, and a bit of honey for a calming, warm hug on those crisp fall evenings.

For educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Click on the following active links for more information and helpful resources about these and a multitude of other herbs excellent for cultivating a tasty tea garden, and cultivation, propagation, harvesting, and preservation.

A Great Untapped Resource

When working as a Master Gardener for the Cooperative Extension Service at public events, I am amazed at how many people do not know about the rich, untapped resource of their local county extension service.  Some, like me have childhood memories of mothers attending extension service club meetings, being involved in a local 4-H club, and extended family members entering lambs in the county fair.  However, many do not realize the practical information and the resources the Cooperative Extension Service provides and makes available to the public through individual counties.

            You may be asking what exactly the extension service is and what resources it provides?  The

inception of the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service goes back more than 100 years. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established informal education for agriculture and  rural businesses, thus creating an extension of learning through the land grant college system already set up in 1862, and fully funded in 1890.  Land grant colleges were colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts set up by individual states from proceeds of land sales that the federal government made available in those states.  For example, in Idaho, the land grant college was established in Moscow in 1889 and was named the University of Idaho.  It was the only university in Idaho until 1963.

            The Smith-Lever Act extended research-based education from these land grant colleges to the public in a more informal manner. Research-based information and print material was made available to farmers and ranchers, consumers, and families. Currently the U of I Cooperative Extension Service website demonstrates the diversity of information dispersed by the lead caption which states; "Growing the garden of your dreams? Preserving foods safely? Learning sound financial practices? Practical education you can trust." 

            The Information Age has increased the variety of formats and venues in which education is provided and information is accessed. Information is easily accessed through print, digital, and electronic formats, as well as traditional teaching methods.  A variety interactive and hands-on activities, teaching practical life skills are provided to youth and adults alike. Many great websites are available on the Internet and Facebook, including U of I Cooperative Extension website and individual county extension websites.  Programs are offered to the public through the Master Gardener program, local community service groups, 4-H clubs,  and partnerships with other state organizations, such as Idaho Fish and Game.

            To learn more about the Cooperative Extension Service in Idaho and to access information please refer to the links below:

University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service:

https://www.uidaho.edu/extension

http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/links.asp

Canyon County Extension Service

https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/canyon

https://211idaho.communityos.org/zf/profile/program/id/846011    

 The USDA Cooperative Extension Service

https://nifa.usda.gov/extension

The Smith-Lever Act

https://nifa.usda.gov/history+