Here are details on the latest, hottest News and upcoming Volunteer & Education Opportunities for your Gardening interests! Use the BCMG Master Calendar to find more information on upcoming Classes and Seminars, Volunteer Opportunities, and Gardening Events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
TOMORROW: Ecological Landscaping––BCMG Educational Seminar
(Opportunity to Meet New Requirement for 3 CEUs at BCMG Monthly Meetings!)
When: Thu, Apr 21, 1-3:30pm
Where: Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208, 78230
Info: 2 CEUs. Free. Mary Irish will talk about ecological landscaping. Learn how to create attractive landscape by using difficult features. For example, if you have an area where water collects after a rain, why not include a rain garden and make it an asset rather than a detraction. Mary is well known for her work at the Arizona Botanical Garden and her expertise on plants that grow in the heat. She has written five books on gardening and will have books available for signing. In addition, her husband Gary may bring some of his artwork for sale (awesome plant photography which he personalizes and which showcases Texas plants.
Don’t forget to send in your Birdies for Charity pledge or donation by April 24th. You can make your Donation Online. It’s our only fundraiser, tax deductible and 100% comes back to BCMG! And, did you know: donors who make a contribution through Birdies for Charity and also attend the Valero Texas Open (April 21-24) should stop by the Charity Pavilion in the Gatorade Fan Fest (at main gate entrance for check in) and get entered into a drawing for a two-year lease on a brand-new Ford vehicle. Each day attended, earns one additional entry into drawing per day. One lucky donor will win. The lucky winner will also earn the charity they selected as their donation recipient a $20,000 donation in their honor from the Valero Texas Open.
Calendar Note!
The Bexar County Master Gardeners and Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices will be closed This Friday, April 22 to celebrate the Battle of Flowers holiday.
Help Control Mosquitoes in San Antonio!
Texas A&M-San Antonio is asking for volunteers for a small, inconspicuous corner of your front yard to help better understand and control the mosquitoes that carry diseases like Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya. 160 residential locations are needed to place mosquito traps which do NOT attract mosquitoes, but catch the ones that are already there. Areas of town with special need are the east, south, and downtown. This link below will provide you with additional information about the study as well as a form for your contact information and address.
Nominees for BCMG Board of Directors
The current nominees (* denotes incumbent) for the 2016-2017 BCMG Board of Directors are :
President – Jack Downey*
Vice President – Ruben Lozano
Treasurer – Lori Bindseil*
Secretary – Sherry Cantrell*
Membership Director – Inez Ornelas*
Member-At-Large: Robbie Farmer
Member-At-Large: Ann Marie Pease
(Jaime Daily will continue as Program Director.)
Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the June Monthly Meeting (Thursday, June 16th). The term begins July 1st. Please email President Jack Downey if you have any questions.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Biblio Tech Earth Day Festival
When/Where: Thu, Apr 21, 4-6pm; 3505 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX 78221
Info: Need at least 2 volunteers to help with youth activities. Please contact Ruby Zavala for more information.
Youth Speakers Bureau Needs Your Help — Details on MG Calendar!
When/Where: Thu, Apr 28, 8am-2pm at Roan Forest Elementary 22710 Roan Park, 78259
Info:1 to 2 volunteers are needed to take Life in a Rotting Log fun activity to the school. Please email Ruby Zavala to volunteer.
When/Where: Fridays, 12:30pm at Genesis Full Life Fellowship Church, 15549 Toepperwein Rd 78233
Info: 1 to 2 volunteers needed to take fun gardening activities (insects to plants to soils) to the garden class. Please email Ruby Zavala to volunteer.
Garden Leader Needed
The established Children’s Garden at the Cambridge Elementary School in Alamo Heights is seeking a new Garden Leader (current one is moving out-of-town). The Garden meets 3-4pm on Wednesdays. Contact Jack Downey or Susan Holley (Class 58), current Garden Leader, at (254) 718-6621 if you are interested.
Requests for Speakers Bureau
The Speakers’ Bureau needs your help! Please email Karen Gardner or call 210-571-3903 to volunteer. Thanks!
Topic: Fruit Trees
When/Where: Sat, 4/23/2016 from 10-11am at SA Food Bank, 5200 W Old US Highway 90, 78227
Topic: Herbs
When/Where: Sat., 5/7/2016 3:00-4pm at Guerra Branch SAPL, 7978 Military Dr. W, 78227
Topic: Vegetable Gardening
When/Where: Tues., 5/10/2016 from 6-7:30pm at OASIS, 602 Babcock, 78201
Topic: Xeriscaping
When/Where: Sat., 5/14/2016 from 3:30-4pm at NW Hills Improvement Club, 3981 Ridgeway, 78259
Topic: Growing Herbs
When/Where: Sat, 5/21/2016 from 10:30-11am at Herff Farms, 33 Herff Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
Topic: Summer Landscape Plants
When/Where: Mon, 5/23/2016 from 1-2:30pm at OASIS, 4135 Thousand Oaks, 78233
Topic: Good Bugs/Bad Bugs
When/Where: Sat, 5/28/2016 from 10-11am at SA Food Bank, 5200 W Old US Highway 90, 78227
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Upcoming Classes — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Thu, Apr 23: WaterSaver Landscape Coupon Series: Designing and Planning
Sat, Apr 23: Successful Succulents
Sat, Apr 23: Turf Grass 101 Seminar
Sat, Apr 23: Garden Pests (Boerne)
Sat, Apr 23: Retrofitting Your Yard for Drought Conditions
Sun, Apr 24: Plant Tour & Tips
Tue, Apr 26: Master Planning With Native Plants
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Another Opportunity to Meet New Requirement for 3 CEUs at BCMG Monthly Meetings & Seminars (Total Annual CEUs = 6)
Thu, May 26 (date chg from 19th), 6-8:30pm: Earth-Kind Gardening Practices––General Meeting
Turf Grass 101 Seminar — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 23, 10:30am-Noon
Where: Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E (Bulverde RD exit), 78247
2016 Texas MG State Conference
Buds & Bark: Earth-Kind® in the Park
Learn from renowned garden experts May 17-19 (Tue-Thu) at Myers Park and Event Center, McKinney, Texas. You can find information & a registration form on the BCMG website.
BeeKeeping Basics — Details on MG Calendar!
When: May 20 (Classroom) and May 21 or 22 (Field Day, option of either day)
Where: Classroom––Texas AgriLife Ext Office, Suite 208, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr, 78230; Field Day––May 21 Adkins, or May 22 Leon Springs
The Basics of Homemade Wine — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Thu, Jun 9, 8:30am-4pm
Where: Gardens at Old Town Helotes 15060 Antonio Drive Helotes, TX 78023
Info: Dr. Larry A. Stein and Dr. Justin Scheiner will be present a history of wine making,and discuss how to grow grapes and other winemaking fruit, steps and equipment for starting, and a wine making demonstration. RSVP by emailing Angel Torres, or calling 210 631-0400. $40 per person includes lunch; make check payable to Bexar County Master Gardeners 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230. Deadline to register is Monday, Noon, June 6.
Tree Disease Identification & Mgmt: What You Need to Know — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Fri, Jun 17, 8:30am-3:30pm
Where: Phil Hardberger Park (Urban Ecology Center), 8400 NW Military Hwy, TX 78231
Info: 5 CEUs for MGs. See the BCMG Calendar for Agenda with topics and presenters. RSVP by June 13th with registration fee of $40 in advance or $50 at the door; lunch included. Make check payable to 218310-60004 (cash will be accepted) Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Email Angel Torres or call 210 631-0400 for more information.
Master Gardener Composter Specialist Training — Details on MG Calendar!
When/Where: Wed & Thu, Jun 22 & 23 – Classroom at Texas AgriLife Ext Office, Suite 208, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr, 78230, and Fri, Jun 24 Tour at New Earth: Soils & Compost
Info: 16 CEUs. Registration Fee is $200 which includes 3 lunches, 1 dinner, snacks, and other goodies. See the BCMG Calendar for fillable application form, Flyer, Agenda and Class information. Application form and payment (payable to Hort Acct: 218310-60003) must be received by Tue, Jun 7. Cancellation must be made no later than Tue, Jun 7; thereafter, a $100 surcharge will be incurred.
Junior Master Gardener Adult Leader Training — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Wed, Thu & Fri, July 27, 28 & 29
Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230
Info: 12 CEUs. Registration fee of $100 must be included with application not later than July 18th, and is non-refundable. $100 fee is kept at this low price with the generous grant provided by San Antonio Livestock Exposition. See the BCMG Calendar for fillable application form and Flyer. This training is designed for teachers, educators, and volunteers from throughout the state who will learn about “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide appreciation for the environment and cultivate the minds of children. Participants will learn how to establish and sustain a youth garden; how to create a JMG program: and be trained in the JMG curriculum.
Master Volunteer Entomology Specialist Training — Details on MG Calendar!
Get immersed in the wonderful world of insects from Sep 26-29, and come out feeling like a true entomologist. Topics will include: Ento 101, Integrated Pest Management, Beneficials, Urban Pests, Veggie Pests, Landscape & Ornamental Pests, Invasives, Pollinators and much more! Classes will be held at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Bexar County Office, Hardberger Park and Leon Springs.
CEUs TBD. Registration fee of $295 includes more goodies than you can imagine! Collection kit, collection bag & net, materials, snacks, lunches & dinner. Don’t miss out! This specialist training will not come back to San Antonio for another 5 years and has a reduced price due to sponsors. See registration form on the MG Calendar for details. Contact Molly Keck or call 210-631-0400 with any questions.
MASTER GARDENER SPECIALIST COURSES IN 2016—See All the Details on MG Calendar!
If you are interesting in attending, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County.
Composter, June 22-24, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
Junior Master Gardener-Youth Educator, July 27-29, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
Earth-Kind, Aug 3-5, Fort Bend MGs, Rosenberg
Texas Superstar, Sep 20-22, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
Vegetable Specialist, November 9-11, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
AHOY Texas Master Gardeners! Plan for the 2017 TMGA Conference NOW!
April 27 – May 1, 2017 from Galveston to Cozumel!
Join the Texas Master Gardener Association aboard the Carnival Liberty™ for four special days of education and fellowship, along with sun, fun and ocean waves! Your conference fee will get you 8 hours of exclusive education content during our time at sea and a day in Cozumel, where you may choose a shore excursion or just stay on-board and relax.
Friends and family are welcome! HOLD YOUR SPOT! with just $50 by June 1, 2016* to get first choice of staterooms AND be entered to win fantastic prizes! But don’t wait too long! Guaranteed availability, choice of staterooms and special pricing are only available until July 1, 2016. Visit the Cruise Conference website for all the details.
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
National Arbor Day is April 29th!
Did you know San Antonio has been designated a Tree City USA community for 26 years?
For Our Guadalupe County Neighbors
Do you love gardening? Do you think community service is important? Consider becoming a certified Master Gardener with the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners. Their next training class starts in August and enrollment is open now. For more information, attend an orientation meeting from 5:30-6:30 pm on April 21st or May 19th. You are welcome to stay for their monthly speaker and meet other certified Master Gardeners from 6:30-8:00 at the Guadalupe County Agrilife Extension office located at 210 Live Oak Street in Seguin.
Dinner Tonight!
Find Dinner Tonight seafood recipes that your family will enjoy!
Spring Children’s Vegetable Garden Underway
Be sure to check out the Spring 2016 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program, the Bexar County Youth Gardens Program Facebook and the Bexar County Youth Gardens Blog for updates and garden tips, too.
In Case You Missed It!
Change to Daily Office Hours
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has begun a new policy of closing during the noon hour, 12:00 noon to 1pm. Items may still be dropped off during the noon hour by utilizing the drop slot on the front door of the office. The BCMG office will not be closed during that time on Wednesdays and Fridays; normal operating hours (Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm) will remain in effect.
4H Needs Your Help: Donate your used eyeglasses and drop them off at the extension office. Please contact Pam Axtel if you have any questions.
Learn about New Texas Superstar Plants for 2016 on the BCMG website and at Texas Superstar online.
2016 All Bugs Good & Bad Webinar Series details for First Friday of each month on the BCMG website Calendar, or at the eXtension website.
Become a Texas Master Gardener Specialist: Learn about training and specialist areas on the BCMG website. Watch the e-Blasts and check the BCMG Calendar for MG Specialist Training opportunities throughout 2016.
CPS Energy tree planting reward through April 30, 2016.
SAWS Residential Irrigation Design Rebate and free WaterSaver Irrigation Consultation.
PLEASE NOTE: The email address associated with this e-Blast is only checked once a week. To volunteer or to sign up for a class, please use contacts provided. Thank you! If you no longer wish to receive e-Blasts from Bexar County Master Gardeners, please send an email to eBlasts@bexarmg.org with “Remove from Distribution List” in the subject line.
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