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 Night
The Sharp Side of Gardening––BCMG General Meeting — Details on BCMG Website!
1.5 CEUs; Code: 503. (Opportunity to Meet Part of Annual Requirement for 3 CEUs at BCMG Monthly Mtgs.)
When: Thu, Jul 21, 6-8:30pm
Where: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio, TX 78230
Info: Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) meeting begins with a social time at 6pm followed by a special, free presentation at 6:30pm. Move from the mundane to the sharp side of gardening! Come and hear Marty Ruona discuss ways to integrate cacti into your landscape. Cacti vary in size, color, shape and growing habits. Add a different texture or color, or use spiny cactus to form a fence which detracts fire. Find out which cacti are are happier with partial shade as are many other decorative plants in the garden. And, learn about new cacti Marty has developed. Marty Ruona has been a cactophytle since 1986, a succulentist since 1991, Master Gardener since 1992, and operates a landscaping business.
Bring two or more paper tubes to the Meeting and receive TWO TICKETS for the door prize drawings….and, YES, YOU CAN WIN TWICE!
JIGANTIC JULY PLANT SALE: Plan to buy White Plumbago, Coreopsis, Firebush, Butterfly Milkweed, and Gazania (hardy summer perennials) or Parsons Potent Chili Penguin and LaVaca Tomato, Roma Surprise Tomato, and Surefire Tomato plants. All in 4 1/2″ containers: $3 each, or mix or match 4 plants for $10. See Ya There!
LAST DAY for Cruise Registration Extension
If you’ve been considering attending the 2017 Texas Master Gardener Conference, TODAY, JULY 20, 2016, is the last day TO REGISTER! There also is a Roommate Match service available which has already matched up over sixteen guests! Visit the Texas MG website for all the details and registration. Sail dates are April 27 to May 1, 2017 from Galveston to Cozumel aboard the Carnival Liberty.
Details Now On Our Calendar!
Class #2 of the State Master Gardener –Texas Superstar Plant Specialist Training will be held here in San Antonio Tue, Sep 20 thru Thu, Sep 22 at Extension Service Conference Rm, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, 78230. Detailed information about the training with dates, times and topics for presentations has been added to the BCMG Calendar. And, check out the great lineup of presenters!
Just Out!
The latest, greatest Texas Superstar brochure is now available online! Download a copy and learn all about these strong and stunning plants for Texans.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Entomology Summer Camps (Ages 7-11)
Mon-Thu, Jul 25-28, 9am-12:30pm – NISD Learning Bldg, 6632 Bandera Rd
Info: Volunteers Needed! Help needed to guide kids when the kids collect insects, put their collections together, help do experiments, activities, crafts, and with getting snacks ready, etc. Come any or all days! Please contact Molly Keck if you would like to volunteer. Volunteer Hour Activity # 980f Youth Camps.
Junior Entomology Camps (Ages 4-6)
Mon-Tue, Aug 1-2 and Wed-Thu, Aug 3-4, 9am-12pm – NISD Learning Bldg, 6632 Bandera Rd
Info: Help with collecting, getting snack ready, assisting kids with experiments and activities, etc. Please contact Molly Keck if you would like to volunteer. Volunteer Hour Activity # 980f Youth Camps.
Speakers Bureau
The Speakers’ Bureau needs your help! Please email Karen Gardner or call 210-523-7750 to have your name and contact information added to the Speaker Volunteer List and the Speakers Bureau Assistant s List , or to volunteer for a specific request. Speakers use Volunteer Hour Activity #s: 902=preparation; 903=presentation; 904=tear down; Assistants use #901=Administration. Thanks!!
Here are two current Speakers Bureau Requests:
Topic: Tree selection/planting
When/Where: Wed, Aug 31; 12:15 to 1:15pm at 211 S. Flores St, 78204
Topic: Good Bugs, Bad Bugs
When/Where: Sat., Sep. 24th; 11:00-noon at 1101 Elbel Rd. Schertz, TX 78154
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Upcoming Classes — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Wed, Jul 20: Cactus Carnival; 1.5 CEUs; Code: 502
Thu, Jul 21: Sharp Side of Gardening;1.5 CEUs; Code: 503
Thu, Jul 21: Grow Anything Anywhere in a Container; 2 CEUs; Code: 502
Tue, Jul 26: Raised Bed Gardening; 2 CEUs; Code: 502
Tue, Jul 26: Gathering of Baseline Biome Data: 1 CEU; Code: 502
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Opportunities to Meet New Requirement for 3 CEUs at BCMG Monthly Meetings & Seminars (Total Annual CEUs = 6); BCMG CEU Code: 503
Thu, Jul 21, 6-8:30pm: Sharp Side of Gardening with Marty Ruona––General Mtg
Thu, Aug 18, 1-3:30pm: Colorization of “Blue” Bonnets with Dr Jerry Parsons––Seminar & Mtg
Thu, Sep 22, 6-8:30pm: Beekeeping––General Mtg (note: date change to 4th Thursday)
Thu, Oct 20, 1-3:30pm: Holiday Arrangements with Stephanie Jones––Seminar & Mtg
Thu, Nov 17, 6-8:30pm: Flora of Big Bend with Claude Townsend––General Mtg
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; Code 501. Registration fee of $100 must be included with application not later than July 18th, and is non-refundable. See the BCMG Calendar for fillable application form and Flyer. Email Ruby Zavala or Angel Torres, or call 210-631-0400 for more information.
Tomato Improvement Workshop — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Fri, Aug 5, 9am-noon
Where: Texas A&M Horticultural Teaching, Research & Extension Center, 3199 County Road 269, south of U.S. Hwy. 60 and west of U.S. Hwy 50, near College Station, TX
Info: 3 CEUs; Code 501. Anyone interested in growing tomatoes, either privately or commercially, should attend this free workshop. Topics include tomato breeding and cultivar selection, pest and disease management, fertility to improve quality, health benefits of tomatoes, protected culture (tunnels and greenhouse) and organic practices. There will be a hands-on grafting lesson, tomato samples and free tomato plants for the fall garden, including the new TAM Hot-Ty hybrid cultivar. For more information or to register, email Dr. Kevin Crosby, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Horticulturist.
Experiences with Olives — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Mon, Aug 8, 5:50-8pm and Tue, Aug 9, 8am-7pm
Where: Blue Star Brewery, 1414 S Alamo St, 78210 (Monday evening); and bus tour (Tuesday) departing from & returning to La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown SA,100 W. Cesar E Chavez Blvd. 78204
Info: If you are interested in olive oil production,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and TX Dept of Agriculture have partnered to host a driving bus tour of four olive orchards in the San Antonio/Wintergarden area on Tue which will be preceded by an educational program on Mon evening. Registration is $35/person online. 10 CEUs; Code 501. AgriLife Today has an excellent article in this Bus Tour. For more information contact Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Horticulture in College Station.
Orientation for Children’s Vegetable Garden Program –– Details on MG Calendar
When: Sat, Aug 13, 10:30am-Noon
Where: San Antonio Botanical Gardens (Auld House), 555 Funston Pl, 78209
Info: If you are interested in joining a group of seasoned Master Gardeners/ Volunteers and can share some of your time on Saturday mornings, please attend this Orientation (on Aug 13th) for the Fall Session (Sat, Aug 20 thru Sat, Dec 3). The Orientation will be held in the AULD HOUSE (not the Education Center); please park in the main lot at the garden and let Admissions know you are attending the CVGP Volunteer Fall 2016 Orientation. A map of the garden is available on the BCMG Calendar. 1.5 CEUs; Code 502; free. For more information, email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture () or Mary Fernandez, CVG Program Lead.
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. BCMG CEU Code: 501
Earth-Kind, Aug 3-5, Fort Bend MGs, Rosenberg
Texas Superstar, Sep 20-22, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
Master Volunteer Entomology Specialist, Sep 26-29, San Antonio
Vegetable Specialist, Nov 9-11, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
Ground Breaking Education
A signature project featuring the best of Texas A&M AgriLife broke ground on June 17 on the Texas A&M campus. The Gardens at Texas A&M University are finally under construction. Located around the Agriculture and Life Sciences complex, The Gardens will become an iconic campus landmark—and a showcase for teaching, research, extension and service missions.
The Gardens will be a place to demonstrate the technologies and discoveries that Texas A&M scientists have made and to engage visitors in hands-on learning. This summer, the first seeds were planted which will grow into the best teaching garden in Texas and beyond: The Leach Teaching Gardens! Named for lead donors Amy and Tim Leach of Midland, Texas, The Gardens will create an outdoor canvas where we can paint a bright and beautiful future for food and the environment.
To learn more about The Gardens, visit gardens.tamu.edu, and sign up for updates, then click through the Gardens groundbreaking ceremony photo album!
Keep Up with Pest Trends
Knowing when pests might strike is an essential part of any gardener’s strategy to protect their crops from marauding bugs; if only we could predict exactly when they will arrive! The Big Bug Hunt, a major international research project, is asking gardeners across the United States to report sightings of bugs as they appear this year. Everything from aphids to slugs can be reported and it takes just seconds to register a sighting. Head over to The Big Bug Hunt to report a pest or register for updates about the project.
Dinner Tonight!
Perfect for summer: Edamame Corn Salad!
Visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
This Sunday, July 24, is Lady Bird Day, featuring free admission and a variety of special activities at the Center from 9am-5pm: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, Texas 78739
Christmas in July
TX A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Guadalupe County is hosting demonstrations of crafts, decorations, holiday ideas and gifts on Tuesday, July 26, 4-6:30pm at 210 E. Live Oak, Seguin, 78155. With the $10 admission fee, you’ll receive inspiration, instruction book, ticket for door prize drawing, refreshments and fellowship. Call (830) 379-2153 for a $2 off coupon.
Bat Loco Educational Talk
When: Tue, Aug 2, 7:30-9pm
Location: Intersection of Camden St. & Newell Ave at Street Level (along Museum Reach segment of River Walk (see flyer on BCMG Calendar)
Info: Come and talk Bats! For details, contact Kayla J. Gasker, San Antonio River Authority,
(210) 302-3259, or kgasker@sara-tx.org.
Bat Loco Bash!
When: Tuesday, August 9, 6-9pm
Where: Intersection of Camden St. & Newell Ave at Street Level
Info: Numerous food vendors, and approx. 20 activity/organization tables, entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks, live music and a 1966 vintage Bat-car. In addition, the event will host special appearances by the SA Batman, SA Robin, SA Bat girl, Echo our mascot bat and much more BAT LOCO fun! For details, contact Kayla J. Gasker, San Antonio River Authority,
(210) 302-3259, or kgasker@sara-tx.org.
Help Pass the Word!
Now taking applications for the Fall 2016 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program which will be held on Saturdays, Aug 20 thru Dec 3. Detailed information may be found online. Apply early as space is limited. Donations are always accepted and appreciated in order to grow this program. For more information, email David Rodriguez, County Extension Agent-Horticulturist, or call (210) 467-6575.
In Case You Missed It!
Save Those Toilet Paper & Paper Towel Tubes
We need to collect at least 200 toilet paper & paper towel tubes for the children’s activity during the Monarch Festival at the Pearl on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Please bring tubes to the BCMG office – there will be a collection box marked Monarch Festival.
Remember to Report Your Hours
PLEASE take a moment and bring your hours up-to-date (using the Volunteer Activity Codes) with our online reporting system!
Concho Valley MGs Fall Landscaping Symposium — Details on MG Calendar
When: Sat, Sep 10, 8am-3:15pm
Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center, 7887 N. US Hwy 87, San Angelo, TX
Info: Presentations by Mike Shoup, Steven Shamblee, and Jerry Parsons. Early bird registration is $30 thru Aug 22 and $40 after; includes snacks and box lunch. 6 CEUs; Code 501. More information online and you can also register online. If you have questions, call: 325-659-6522
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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