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
Nominate a Fellow MG or Yourself for the BCMG Leadership Team
Election for our Board of Directors will take place at the Monthly Meeting on June 16th. Terms of office are for one year and run from July 1 to June 30. Every certified Bexar County Master Gardener is eligible for election to the Board. Self-nominations are encouraged.
The elected positions are: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, At-Large Member, At-Large Member and Membership Director.
Please email Jack Downey if you are interested in serving on the board and the particular position(s) that interest you. A short questionnaire will be forwarded to you. All completed questionnaires will be forwarded to the Nomination Committee.
Office Note!
Carol Law will NOT be in the office THIS Friday, April 1. If you need help with anything, please send an email to the office, or call the office at 631-0404 Today.
What You Should Know About Zika Virus and Mosquito Management
WHEN: THIS MORNING, Wed, Mar 30, 10am-Noon
WHERE: Hardberger Park, Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military
INFO: Zika virus is all over the news lately and may have you worried. This is a new virus to the US and something that you are risk for contracting regardless if you travel to Mexico or the Caribbean. Learn the facts and what you can do to reduce your chances of any mosquito borne disease from entomologist, Molly Keck from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Please RSVP for this FREE seminar by registering online.
Don’t forget to send in your Birdies for Charity pledge or donation. You can also make a Donation Online. And, if you make your donation TODAY or Tomorrow (by March 31st) you can help BCMG rank in Top 50 Charities! It’s our only fundraiser, tax deductible and 100% comes back to BCMG!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Palo Alto Elementary Garden Build — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Fri, Apr 1, 1-3pm
Where: 1725 Palo Alto Rd, 78211
Info: Come have a role in making and assembling Palo Alto Elementary’s new garden beds which will be used for the fall garden as part of the Learn Grow Eat and Go! Program with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Wear appropriate work shoes; bring gloves and any extra helpers, too. Email Ruby Zavala if you are able to participate.
Mark Your Calendars! Help with Spring Tomato & Watermelon Trials
(Tentative dates may be impacted by weather or other unforeseen factors, so watch for updates!)
Oldest Extension Tomato Trial in Texas — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Thu, Apr 7, 7:30am-Noon
Where: Verstuyft Farms, 14819 Interstate 35 Access Rd, Von Ormy, TX 78073
Info: Help is needed to plant the oldest Extension Tomato Trial in the State. Please bring gloves, an extra grubbing hoe or two, hand spade and possibly knee pads. Any extra help too!!! If interested or have questions, email David Rodriguez. Direction details for Verstuyft Farms can be found on the BCMG Calendar.
Second Wave of Trial Tomatoes — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Fri, Apr 8, 7:30am-Noon
Where: Foodbank Urban Farm, 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227
Info: Help is needed to plant the second wave of Trial Tomatoes on the backside of the Food Bank, across the street at the Farm, located between Bay Valley Foods and the Animal Care Shelter. Please bring gloves, an extra grubbing hoe or two, hand spade and possibly knee pads. Any extra help too!!! If interested or have questions, email David Rodriguez.
State Watermelon Trial — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Tue, Apr 12, 7:30am-Noon
Where: Foodbank Urban Farm, 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227
Info: Help is needed to plant the State Watermelon Trial on the backside of the Food Bank, across the street at the Farm, located between Bay Valley Foods and the Animal Care Shelter. This work party might extend into the afternoon after a lunch break! Please bring gloves, an extra grubbing hoe or two, hand spade and possibly knee pads. Any extra help too!!! If interested or have questions, email David Rodriguez.
NISD Environmental Fair — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Wed, Apr 13 and Thu, Apr 14, 9:30am-2:30pm
Where: 147850 Omicron Dr. 78245
Info: Every year NISD has Environmental Fairs for all of its 5th graders. This is an outdoor event where Master Gardeners give presentations on Cotton, Geology, Insects, Pollinators and much more. If you are interested in educating kids about gardening and the environment, but not sure how to do it, come out these days and shadow our Master Gardeners. You will learn how to talk to the kids and what kind of props you can use. Breakfast and Lunch is provided. Need at least 2 volunteers to help out. Please contact Ruby Zavala for more information.
Helpers for Annual Grafting Seminar — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 16, 8:45am to Noon
Where: Fanick’s Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd, San Antonio, TX 78220
Info: Three BCMG volunteer will be needed this day to help with the sign-in sheets and to distribute handouts. If interested, please contact Angel Torres at matorres@ag.tamu.edu.
Viva Botanical — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 16, 9am–2:30pm
Where: San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Pl, 78209
Info: Join us for this annual Fiesta event that celebrates the Spring season in a fun atmosphere suitable for even the smallest kiddos. Bexar County Youth Gardens will be hosting an Ask Your Master Gardener booth, Name that Veggie Game, Pollinator Game, Leaf Rubbings, and Make Your own Plant Lifecycle Bracelet. Need at least 5 volunteers to help at each booth. Please contact Ruby Zavala to confirm which your activity.
Youth Speakers Bureau Needs Your Help — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Tue, Apr 19, 5pm-6:30pm
Where: Montgomery Elementary, 7047 Montgomery Dr. 78239
Info: Join Montgomery Elem with their Science Night Life in a Rotting Log activity. Students and parents will come up to your booth and check out the insects in the container. Talk to them about gardening and answer questions. 1 to 2 volunteers are needed to take this fun activity to the school. Please contact Ruby Zavala to volunteer.
Volunteers at Turf Grass 101 Seminar — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 23, 10:15am-Noon
Where: Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E (Bulverde RD exit) 78247
Info: Two BCMG volunteer will be needed this day to help with the sign-in sheets and to distribute handouts. If interested, please contact Angel Torres at matorres@ag.tamu.edu.
Garden Leader Needed
The established Children’s Garden at the Cambridge Elementary School in Alamo Heights is seeking a new Garden Leader. The current Garden Leader is moving out-of-town. The Garden is well funded and already has two raised beds and a 3-bin compost station with room for further development. The Garden meets 3-4pm on Wednesdays with great support from parents, teachers and Master Gardeners. 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!
When: Sat, Apr 9, 10-10:30am
Where: 11000 block of Vance Jackson, 78230
Topic: Water Conservation
When: Mon, Apr 11, 7:20-8pm
Where: 1923 Encino Rio 78259
Topic: Spring Gardening, or Container Gardening, or Herbs
When: Tue, Apr 19, 7:30-8pm
Where: Lion’s Field, 2809 Broadway, 78209
Topic: Xeriscaping, Plants for SA, Wildscaping
When: Wed, Apr 20, 12:15-1:15pm
Where: 211 S. Flores St, 78204
Topic: Cooking with Herbs
When: Sat, Apr 23, 10-11am
Where: 211 S. Flores St, 78204
Topic: Fruit Trees
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Upcoming Classes — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Fri, Apr 1: WEBINAR — Help Pollinators Cope With Pesticides
Sat, Apr 2: Pond Building 101 (Marion)
Sat, Apr 2: Hanging Basket Workshop
Wed, Apr 6: Keeping the Bloom in Blooms
Thu, Apr 7: Brewing at Home
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! More Opportunities to Meet New 3-CEU at BCMG Monthly Meetings & Seminars Requirement (Total Annual CEUs = 6)
Thu, Apr 21, 1-3:30pm: Ecological Landscaping––BCMG Educational Seminar & General Meeting
Thu, May 26 (date chg from 19th), 6-8:30pm: Earth-Kind Gardening Practices––General Meeting
Brewing at Home — Details on MG Calendar
When: Thu, Apr 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Blue Star Brewing Company, 1414 S Alamo St, 78210
Info: In the spirit of self-reliance, experience how easy it is to create your own craft beer at home. As space is limited, RSVP to Angel Torres by April 4. 2 CEUs for MGs. Fee: $30 per person which includes a light dinner, educational presentations and some samplings. Speakers: Lou Kellogg (Bexar County Master Gardener), David Rodriguez (Extension Horticulturalist), Joey Villareal (Blue Star Brewery Owner), Dan Gomez (SA Cerveceros Master Home Brewer). Don’t miss the AgriLife article on this event.
Rain Barrel Workshop — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 16, 9am-Noon
Where: Stone Oak Property Owners Offices, 19210 Huebner Rd, 78258 Info: Make-and-take your own rain barrel in just a few hours by attending this workshop. SAWS water conservation specialists, drip irrigation experts, professional landscapers, Master Gardeners, arborists, and more will also be available to answer questions. 3 CEUs. Fee: $25 (check payable to Trinity Glen Rose must be received by Apr 6). Call 210-490-9481 for more information.
Annual Grafting Seminar — Details on MG Calendar!
When: Sat, Apr 16, 9am to Noon
Where: Fanick’s Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd, 78220
Info: Dr. Larry Stein from the Agri-life Extension Service will show you how and why fruit, nut and citrus trees are grafted. Learn all the different grafting techniques like inlay, four flap, cleft, approach grafts and some of the budding techniques like chip budding and t-budding. You will also learn about the overall care of your fruit, nut and citrus trees before and after you graft them. This seminar is very popular so arrive early for best parking and seating. Seminar is free. 3 CEUs for MGs. For more information, visit Fanick’s website.
Ecological Landscaping––BCMG Educational Seminar — Details on MG Calendar!
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.
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
Info: How can you have a low-input lawn and get exercise at the same time? Come visit with David Rodriguez –Extension Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgrilIfe Extension Service, and he will tell you how. This Extension Educational seminar is Free. 1.5 CEUs for MGs.
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
Info: Learn the very basics of beekeeping: what equipment to purchase and where, where to get bees, what to do when you get the bees, when to start, how much room you need, etc. Class held by entomologists, horticulturists and beekeepers of all expertise. Cost $60; register by May 6th. For more information, email Molly Keck or call 210-631-0400.
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. Please visit the conference website for the schedule, presentations, tours and workshops, local hotels, and more. Online registration is highly encouraged. Regular registration fee of $200 applies thru Apr 15 with late registration of $225 from Apr 16 to May 17. Email txmg2016@ccmgatx.org, or call 469-859-5934 with questions. Up-to-date information is on Facebook: Texas Master Gardener Annual Conference, or Instagram – txmgstateconf2016.
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.
Plant Propagation Specialist, April 21-23, Tarrant County MGs, Ft Worth
Rainwater Harvesting Specialist, April 27-29, Dallas County, MGs, Dallas
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
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
Texas Wildflower Reports
2016 Texas Wildflower & Bluebonnet Sightings Report offers viewing rules and ratings for viewing.
Texas Wildflower Report on Facebook sponsored by Wildflower Haven
2016 News from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Bloom Status at Bluebonnet Love
26th Annual Mostly Native Plant Sale
When: Sat, Apr 2, 9am-3pm
Where: Kendall County Fairgrounds, 1307 River Road, Boerne, TX 78006
Info: Find native and tried-and-true hill country plants for your landscape and gardens. Meet the expert growers and learn from informal presentations and demonstrations throughout the day. Fee: $5. For more information, call (830) 249-4616 or visit the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm website.
Wildflower Celebration
When: Sat, Apr 2 thru Sun, Apr 17, 9:30am-6pm daily
Where: Wildseed Farms, 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Info: Free admission. A celebration of the arrival of springtime and wildflower blossoms along with great shopping, butterfly gardens and walking trails at the country’s largest working wildflower farm. Come for the flowers, stay for the atmosphere! Don’t forget your camera! Phone (830) 990-8080 if you have questions.
Dinner Tonight!
Try a quick and delicious side dish, Cranberry Apple Coleslaw, at Dinner Tonight.
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!
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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