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
BCMG Board Meets Tomorrow
The monthly meeting of the BCMG Board of Directors will take place 4-6pm on Thu, May 14 at 3355 Cherry Ridge Street, San Antonio. All members are welcome to observe the meetings; however, in order to accommodate seating, please email the President, Barbara Lutz, that you will be attending.
Mark Your Calendars & Register for the Agrilife Volunteer Recognition Breakfast
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service would like to invite you and a guest to a Special Appreciation Breakfast in order to recognize and thank each of Extension’s volunteers and partners for making our programs possible. Join the group on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 9-11am at MacArthur Park, 1611 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209. Please RSVP by 5pm, Mon, Jun 15. Register Online, or call (979) 845-2604. Vol Recog Breakfast Invite
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Need LOTS More Help Tomorrow Morning! — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Thu, May 14, 8:30-Noon
WHERE: San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227
INFO: Your help is needed to help bring in the Select Red Bluebonnet Seeds at the San Antonio Food Bank. We don’t want to lose all are hard work!!! Bring gloves, some scissors or small hand pruners, and possibly rubber boots. And, any extra help would also be appreciated. Email David Rodriguez if you are able to participate. The San Antonio Food Bank only about a 15-minute drive from the Extension office. Detailed directions and maps to the SA Food Bank can be found on the MG Calendar entry for May 14. You can also learn more about volunteering at the SA Food Bank Garden (and Plant Trials) by visiting their website.
Volunteers Needed for Youth Activities
WHEN: Various dates in May (14, 18,19, 20, 26)
WHERE: Various schools at the Culebra and 410/90 area (contact Molly Keck for specifics)
Volunteers needed to help with activities and experiments for entomology science lessons. Pick one date or several – we can use any help we can get! Help needed to assist students with an activity called Life in a Rotting Log (digging through dirt to find the composters) and a match your smell activity (smelling scents and finding your match). If interested, please email Molly Keck or call 210-467-6575.
Rain Barrel Workshop — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 16, 8:30am-1pm
WHERE: City Hall Campus, City of Fair Oaks Ranch, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015
INFO: Need 2 volunteers to help out with registration and assisting Troy Luepke with Rain Barrel Workshop. Please contact Troy Luepke at the Ext Office at 210 467-6575 if you can help out.
Girls Scouts Need Help To Finish Bronze Award!! — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 16 and Sun, May 17, 9am–6pm (both days)
WHERE: Madison Estates, 8645 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240
INFO: Help Girls Scouts get their Bronze Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. Since January, these girl scouts have been building a wheelchair accessible greenhouse for the senior citizens of Madison Estates. Need 2-3 volunteers to help with building and planting. Email Tina Marti for more info, or to volunteer.
Festival of Flowers Set Up — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, May 22, 8:30-11:30am
WHERE: Alzafar Shrine Auditorium, 901 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78258
INFO: BCMG volunteers are needed to help set up Texas SuperStar and Plants That Thrive exhibits and the MG Plant Sale. For more information or to volunteer, email Barbara Lutz or call: 699-0663.
St. John Berchmans Catholic School — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, May 22, 1:30-3:30pm
WHERE: 1147 Cupples Rd San Antonio, TX 78226
INFO: Come out and help install a new garden at St. John Berchmans Catholic School. The learn and work party with the local community will be planting seeds and teaching the kids about transplants vs seeds. Need 1-2 volunteers. If you are interested, email Ruby Zavala.
Bulverde Village POA Home & Garden Show — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, 23 May, 9am-Noon
WHERE: 24451 Bulverde Green, San Antonio, TX 78261
INFO: Setup and staff a MG table for this Northeast San Antonio community’s first H&G Show. BCMG volunteers are needed to interact with the residents and answer gardening related questions. For more information or to volunteer, please email Anna Vogler or call 210-316-2650.
Docents for Exhibits & Plant Sale Booth — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 23; Available Shifts: 11:30am-2:30pm; and 2:30-5:30pm.
WHERE: Alzafar Shrine Auditorium, 901 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78258
INFO: BCMG volunteers are needed to help as Festival of Flowers docents for exhibits and the MG Plant Sale booth. Free admission for volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, email Barbara Lutz or call: 699-0663.
Basil Fest at Pearl Brewery Farmers Market — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 30, 8:30am-1:30pm
WHERE: 303 Pearl Pkwy #300, San Antonio, TX 78215
INFO: The Bexar County Youth Gardens Program will have a booth where we will be potting basil with kids for them to take home to their families. 5-6 volunteers are needed to help with potting and and to talk to the kids about plant care. If you are interested, email Ruby Zavala.
Precinct 2 Community Health and Education Fair — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 30, 10am-2pm
WHERE: Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78201
INFO: BCMG will be providing water conservation and gardening information and giving away plants at the Precinct 2 Community Health and Education Fair. For more information or to volunteer, email Barbara Lutz or call: 699-0663.
Eco Centro Common Grounds Sustainability Event — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sun, May 31, 2-8pm
WHERE: Eco Centro of San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
INFO: This event aims to inform people about sustainability and caring for our community. Need 2-3 volunteers to show kids centipedes, beetles, and grubs in Life in a Rotting Log Box and talk to the kids about the importance of insects to our gardens. If you are interested, email Ruby Zavala.
44th Annual Texas Folklife Festival — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, Jun 12, 10am-Noon (Set-up); Sat, Jun 13, two shifts, 10am-3pm and 3-8pm; Sun, Jun 14, two shifts, 10am-2pm and 2-6pm
WHERE: Institute of Texan Cultures UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78205
INFO: On Fri, BCMG volunteers are needed to set up tables and make preparations necessary to provide gardening and water conservation information. On Sat and Sun, join us under the Oak trees to answer gardening questions and help kids pot a plant! You will get a wristband for entrance to the Festival. Park and Ride is available from Crossroads and Randolph. For more information, or to volunteer, email Barbara Lutz, or call (210) 699-0663.
Research Opportunity for Squash Vine Borers
Molly Keck, IPM Program Specialist, is conducting a squash vine borer monitoring project to determine when they emerge so we have a better idea for treatment windows. Looking for individuals/gardens that are planting squash (of any species) this spring and squash and/or pumpkin again in the fall….ESPECIALLY if you battle with squash vine borers. The research will involve placing a pheromone trap near your garden in May and checking it weekly for the presence of squash vine borers (they are attracted to the traps and get stuck on sticky paper inside the trap). If you are interested, please email Molly Keck or call: 210-467-6575.
Volunteers for Extension Reception Desk Duty — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Tue, May 26, 1-5pm; Tue, Jun 9, 16, & 30, 1-5pm each June date.
WHERE: 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 212 San Antonio, TX 78230.
INFO: No experience needed, relaxed, easy-going atmosphere, with our office assistants or agents to help you when needed. Tasks: answer phones, transfer calls, &/or welcome office visitors, directing them to the appropriate extension agent. To sign up email Aurelia Hovell, or call (210) 467-6575. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
SPEAKERS NEEDED!!
Please email Sandy Justice if you are interested volunteering for any of these presentations. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
West Ave Compassion Community Gardens
Where: First Church of the Nazarene, 10715 West Ave.
When: Sat, Jun 6, 9:30 am
What: Would like to have a Master Gardener to answer gardening questions, or provide a 30-45 minute presentation on any of these topics: herbs, plant propagation, organic gardening, container gardening, home composting, fruit trees, good bugs/bad bugs, rain gardens, water conservation or worm composting.
Green Spaces Alliance
When: Sat, Jun 13, 5:30-6pm
Where: Gardens of St Therese, 906 W. Kentucky Ave. San Antonio, TX 78201
Topic: Harvesting food from the garden, washing and proper fresh food handling.
Green Spaces Alliance
When: Sat, Oct 24, 5:30-6pm
Where: River Road Community Garden, 780 E. Huisache at corner of Allison Rd, San Antonio, TX 78212
Topic: Harvesting food from the garden, washing and proper fresh food handling.
Rainbow Garden Club
When: Sat, Nov 14
Where: TBD
Topic: Winter Gardening.
Newcomers Garden Interest Group
When: Mon, Jan 11, 2016, 10am-Noon; Speaker starts 10:15; 90 min presentation and Q&A
Where: Meets in private home in 78257 zip code
Topic: Growing Roses in SA.
Newcomers Garden Interest Group
When: Mon, Feb 8, 2016, 10am-Noon; Speaker starts 10:15; 90 min presentation and Q&A
Where: Meets in private home in 78257 zip code
Topic: Summer Vegetable Gardening.
Newcomers Garden Interest Group
When: Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 10am-Noon; Speaker starts 10:15; 90 min presentation and Q&A
Where: Meets in private home in 78257 zip code
Topic: Good Bugs, Bad Bug.s
Newcomers Garden Interest Group
When: Mon Aug 8, 2016, 10am-Noon; Speaker starts 10:15; 90 min presentation and Q&A
Where: Meets in private home in 78257 zip code
Topic: Rain Gardens.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Drip Irrigation and Water Conservation — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, May 15, 4-5:30pm
WHERE: Harris Middle School, 5300 Knoll Creek, San Antonio, TX 78247
INFO: 1.5 CEUs. Free. Owen Keiser, Master Gardener and Irrigation Specialist, will be discussing the importance of Drip Irrigation and about how to efficiently use water in your garden. Email Ruby Zavala if you would like to attend.
Rain Barrel Workshop — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 16, 9am-Noon
WHERE: City Hall Campus, City of Fair Oaks Ranch, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015
INFO: 3 CEUs. Fee: $50 per person; Limit 30; RSVP to 210-698-0900 (Fair Oaks Ranch City Hall) by Thu, May 7. Make-and-take your own rain barrel in just a few hours by attending this workshop. Presented by Troy Luepke, Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Svc, and Bexar County Master Gardener Rainwater Specialists.
Essentials of Gardening Classes — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Mon, May 18, Noon-3pm
WHERE: San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 North New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209
INFO: 2.5 CEUs. $5 donation. Gardening Volunteers of South Texas (GVST) classes will feature Dr. Tom Harris speaking about plants that not only thrive in the shade but bloom, and Rachel Cywinski who will introduce Hügelkultur–– Raised Bed Gardening. For more information call (210) 251-8101, or visit the GVST website.
Edible, Poisonous & Sacred Plants (& BCMG Meeting) — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Thu, May 21, 6-8pm
WHERE: 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 212 San Antonio, TX 78230
INFO: 1 CEU. Free. Paul Cox, botanist, co-author of Texas Trees, a Friendly Guide, and former Horticulturist for the City of San Antonio will share his expertise on plants that we might not recognize as edible, poisonous, or considered sacred. (Election of 2015-16 BCMG Board of Directors will also be held.) For more information, email President Barbara Lutz or call: 210-699-0663.
Basics of Home Made Wine — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, May 29, 8:30am-4pm
WHERE: Gardens at Old Town Helotes, 15060 Antonio Drive, Helotes, TX 78023
INFO: 6.5 CEUs. Fee: $40 includes lunch. RSVP by Noon,Tues, May 26 to Angel Torres, or call 210 467-6575. .Dr. Larry A. Stein and Dr. Justin Scheiner will present a history of winemaking, how to grow grapes and other winemaking fruit, steps and equipment for starting and a wine making demonstration. Phillip Manea from Wine 101 Helotes will discus wine selections and offer a wine sampling.
Youth Speakers Bureau Training — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, May 29, 10am-Noon
WHERE: Texas AgriLife Office, Suite 212, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. San Antonio TX 78229
INFO: 2 CEUs. Free. Interested in speaking to the youth about gardening and life in the garden? Join us for detailed training on different activities to do with the kids. The Youth Speakers Bureau is in urgent need of participants, and really needs volunteers who are interested in sharing their knowledge about gardening. Email Ruby Zavala if you would like to attend.
Citrus Trees for Your Landscape — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, May 30, 10:30am-Noon
WHERE: Milberger’s Landscaping & Nursery, 3920 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78247
INFO: 1.5 CEUs. Free Earth-Kind seminar. More information at Milberger’s website. David Rodriguez, Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will discuss how to successfully grow bountiful citrus from trees planted in your landscape or in containers. Bring a notebook.
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
Pass This on to a Child, or Grandchild, or Neighbor
Summer Internship – anyone knowing a high school senior or college student looking for a summer job, Texas A&M AgriLife’s horticulture and entomology programs are looking to hire an intern. Jun 15 to Aug 14, approximately 20-30 hours per week, $10 per hour. Interns will help with youth camps, planning camps and programs, leading educational presentations, developing and updating curriculum and some field research. For more information, email Molly Keck or call 210‐467‐6575. Internship 2015 application must be submitted by Fri, May 22.
Summer Camps for Kiddos, Grands, Nieces, Nephews — Details on MG Calendar!
Art in the Garden for Ages 5-8yrs
When: Jun 11 & Jul 16, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, S.A. TX 78230
Come join us for some summer fun! Learn about plants, insects, and other garden life while creating art for your garden(s). Cost: $20 per child. For more information and to register email Ruby Zavala.
Bookmark the Bexar County Youth Gardens Blog to follow what the kids are doing at the Children’s Vegetable Garden (CVG)! Great gardening tips and How To’s. And, the Spring CVG Vegetable Contest will be held this Saturday Morning, May 16th!
The Dinner Tonight website has some great ideas on cooking with herbs. Learn how to make Herb Cubes to freeze and use all year!
Rebates
CPS offers a Green Shade Tree Rebate which will expire June 30.
SAWS is offering two different coupon programs simultaneously, and require you to remove at least 200 square feet of turf per program coupon. The Watersaver Patioscape Coupon and Watersaver Landscape Coupon are now available; deadline to apply for both is June 30.
SAWS Irrigation Consultation offer
SAWS Residential Irrigation Design Rebate information is also available at Garden Style San Antonio.
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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