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! October BCMG Educational Seminar/Mtg
On Thursday, Oct 15 from 1-3pm, Shane Stefek, owner of Water Garden Gems, will discuss different kinds of water lilies and how to care for them, as well as water features in the garden and how to manage them. Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held on the afternoon of the third Thursday every other month at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, Suite 208. For more information contact President Jack Downey, or call 210-699-0663.
THIS WEEKEND: Volunteer (& Visit 7 Custom Homes) at the Parade of Homes — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, Oct 17,10am-1pm, 1-4pm, 4pm-6:30pm; Sun, Oct 18, 1-4pm
WHERE: The Dominion, San Antonio, TX 78257; Shuttle Parking at the SA Rose Palace, 25665 Boerne Stage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78255 (just past Scenic Loop Cafe)
CONTACT: Please email Anna Vogler if you are interested in helping this weekend. Two volunteers are still needed for each shift. Event Info on the Parade of Homes website.
Don’t Delay! Report Your Volunteer & CEU Hours
If you haven’t turned in your volunteer hours and CEUs, please do so at your earliest convenience. [In fact, why not report the hours as you complete them; just make a practice of entering the hours online as you earn them.] December is right around the corner and we don’t want to lose you for not submitting your hours on time. Getting reinstated back into the Bexar County Master Gardeners Program, you would have to complete—not 30 vol hrs—but 50 vol hrs in one year, and in addition, pay $10 for your own background check application. If you need help in adding your volunteer hours online, contact Angel Torres at 631-0402 or email her and she can walk you through the process, or you can visit her at the office.
New Committee to Review Volunteer Hours and CEUs
The Board of Directors is convening a committee to:
Review and renew the guidance on volunteer hours and CEUs and,
Review the approved locations for claiming volunteer hours with a focus on Master Gardener mission fulfillment.
Make recommendations to the Board of Directors and County Extension Agent for any changes.
If you would like to participate in this review, please contact BCMG President Jack Downey.
MARK YOUR DECEMBER CALENDAR!
The BCMG Christmas Party will be held at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 North New Braunfels, on Thursday, December 3rd from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Mark your calendars for a joyous time with your fellow Master Gardeners!
AND, Get in the Christmas Spirit Now!
Volunteer to help as a member of the Decorations Committee, Food Committee and/or Reservations Committee. We plan a “pot-luck” dinner with BCMG purchasing all the meat entrees and our fellow gardeners providing the surrounding delectables. Email Jack Downey to pitch in and help out!
Attention, Master Gardener Speakers!
If you receive a request from any agency or private community to do a presentation, please make sure that Karen Gardner or Sandy Justice is notified of any program you planning to present. If you need handouts, contact Angel Torres at 631-0400 in advance (2-3 weeks), so that she can provide you with sign-in sheets and handouts. Do not wait until the last minute to arrange for the handouts that you need. And, don’t forget to wear a Master Gardeners shirt (if you have one) and your name tag.
See YOUR Photos &/or Words in The Scion Newsletter!
If you enjoy taking photos at MG events, volunteering, or photographing of your own garden, please send submissions to Kimber Briggs, Editor of The Scion. Put “Photos for Scion” in the subject line. Please identify the event, date and any MGs in your photos. Deadline for upcoming month’s issue is the 25th.
And, if you would like to share your love of gardening with other MGs and enjoy writing, please submit a short (500 words or less) article with one or two photos pertaining to your topic to Kimber Briggs, Editor of The Scion. Submit your article by the 25th of the month.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
IT’S RODEO TIME! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ARE OPEN NOW!
BCMG needs two chairpersons to make arrangements for, and lead, booth volunteers who will sell plants and who will interact with the public about garden issues, and a third chairperson to manage the volunteering process for all MGs to work at the Rodeo (except for Hospitality, Youth Activities and Van Drivers). Details on responsibilities for these three chairs are provided on the BCMG website. Please let President Jack Downey know if you want to start working on Rodeo 2016! All three chairpersons will attend Rodeo Committee meetings.
Hardberger Park Children’s Garden
We need some Master Gardeners to help Hardberger Park start a Children’s Garden for home-schooled children. Gardening would be done during the week at a specially built garden area. Work with the children and Hardberger Park employees to teach the children the joys of gardening. Email Jack Downey for more information.
TOMORROW: Earth-Kind Herb Trial Help — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Thu, Oct 15, 8-10:30am
WHERE: San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227
INFO: Help is needed with some light weeding on the Earth-Kind Herb Trial (Spring 2015 Intern Project) and possibly harvest research peppers for seed collection. Wear appropriate work shoes; bring gloves and extra helpers, too. Meet at the backside of the Food Bank, across the street at the Farm, located between Bay Valley Foods and the Animal Care Shelter. Email David Rodriguez if you are able to participate. You can also learn more about volunteering at the SA Food Bank Garden (and Plant Trials) by visiting their website.
CVGP Work Party — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Fri, Oct 16, 8-11am
WHERE: San Antonio Botanical Garden –Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (CVGP), 555 Funston Road, San Antonio, TX 78209
INFO: The fall session started Aug 22 and there are a number of chores (watering, harvesting, sowing seeds, fertilizing, etc.) throughout the garden. Wear appropriate work shoes; bring gloves and any extra helpers, too. Email David Rodriguez, if you are able to participate.
Hardberger Park Children’s Garden
We need some Master Gardeners to help Hardberger Park start a Children’s Garden for home-schooled children. Gardening would be done during the week at a specially built garden area. Work with the children and Hardberger Park employees to teach the children the joys of gardening. Contact Jack Downey for more information.
Easy, Inside Job For Second Summer
Next week (Oct 19-23) will need two or three volunteers to extract seeds from Rio Grande Gold Pepper pods (not hot peppers) harvested from the Food Bank Research plots. If interested, email Angel Torres, or call 210-631-0400, for instructions and to arrange a time to pick up the pods at the Extension office.
Volunteers for Extension Reception Desk Duty
WHEN: Oct 19, 20, 21, 23, 9am-1pm and 1-5pm; Oct 22, 1-5pm; Oct 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 9am-1pm and 1-5pm.
WHERE: 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230.
CONTACT: To sign up, email Aurelia Hovell or call (210) 631-0400.
Volunteers for Bootanica Prep — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Thu, Oct 15, 2-4pm
WHERE: 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230
INFO: Help fill terrarium necklaces with soil to get ready for Bootanica!. Also need cut-outs of paper for activities. If you are interested in some light office help for the Youth Gardens Program, please contact Ruby Zavala.
Winter Color Seminar Help— Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, Oct 17, 10:30am-Noon
WHERE: Milberger’s 3920 North Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78247
INFO: Need one volunteer to help David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist, with sign-in sheets and distribution of handouts. Email Angel Torres, or call 210-467-6575 if interested.
11th Anniversary Hoot & Harvest Festival — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN:: Sat, Oct 17, 9am-4pm
WHERE: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX 78221
CONTACT: Still need 2 volunteers for 2nd shift 11:30am to 4pm. Email Ruby Zavala at for more information.
Volunteers Needed for Herb Market (MG Plant Sale Booth) — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN:: Oct 17 (Sat), 8-11:30am or 11:30am-3:30pm
WHERE: Historic Pearl Brewery, 303 Pearl Pkwy #300, San Antonio, TX 78215
CONTACT: Need 4 volunteers per shift to sell plants and answer gardening questions. For more information, or to volunteer, please email Barbara Lutz.
Volunteers Needed for Herb Market (Children’s Activity) — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN:: Oct 17 (Sat), 9am – 3pm
WHERE: Historic Pearl Brewery, 303 Pearl Pkwy #300, San Antonio, TX 78215
CONTACT: Please contact: Ruby Zavala for more information.
Northeast AgFair — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, Oct 24, three shifts 8-11am, 11am-2:30pm, 2:30-6pm
WHERE: Madison High School 5005 Stahl Road San Antonio, TX 78247
CONTACT: Please email Anna Vogler if you are interested in volunteering.
BOOTANICA Volunteers — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Sat, Oct 24, 8am-4pm (volunteers needed (actual event time: 9am-3pm)
WHERE: San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209
CONTACT: Please contact Ruby Zavala to confirm your participation.
Youth Speaker Bureau Opportunity @ NISD Environmental Fair — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Wed & Thu, Nov 4 & 5
WHERE: Texas Research and Tech Foundation Park 14785 Omicron Dr # 100, San Antonio, TX 78245
INFO: Looking for 5 presenters to talk about different science topics. Contact Ruby Zavala if you want help making a science topic (composting, vegetables, plants, etc.) kid-friendly. The well-behaved 5thgraders rotate the presentations; you will presenting about six times. Breakfast and lunch are served, all in a beautiful park! Any help is appreciated. Please contact Ruby Zavala for more info.
Kids, Kows, and More — Details on MG Calendar!
WHEN: Nov 17, 18, 19, 8:45am-1pm (actual event: 9:30am-Noon) each day; lunch included!
WHERE: Cattle Barn San Antonio Livestock Expo, 3201 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX, United States
INFO: Specific volunteers requirements are outlined on the MG Calendar. Please contact Ruby Zavala for more information and to volunteer.
Speakers Bureau Volunteers Needed
If you can help, please email Karen Gardner or call 210-571-3903
WHEN: Fri, Oct 24, 5:30-6:30pm
WHERE: Green Spaces Alliance Gardens of St. Therese, 906 W. Kentucky Ave. 78201
TOPIC: Harvesting food from the garden, washing it and proper fresh food handling.
WHEN: Late October-early November, 2:45-4:05pm
WHERE: Construction Careers Academy on the campus of Earl Warren High School, 9411 Military Dr W, San Antonio, TX 78251
TOPIC: Need someone to demonstrate how to make a rain barrel.
WHEN: Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 1-2pm
WHERE: San Antonio Oasis, 602 Babcock 78201
TOPIC: Home Composting (new topic!)
WHEN: Speaker’s choice of following dates: Nov 11, 2015, Jan 13, 2016, or Mar 9, 2016
WHERE: Canyon Lake Area, exact location depending on date selected by speaker
TOPIC: Citrus Trees and Fruit Trees.
Adopt-a-School Program
Schools are looking for mentors to guide them through their garden season. You do not have to commit many hours a week, only help and guide the new gardens as they grow. The Bexar County Youth Gardens Program will also participate in the mentoring program. Please contact Ruby Zavala if you would like to help out.
Genesis Full Life Fellowship Church at 15549 Toepperwein Rd, 78233 is looking for any guidance and possible presentations on Fridays when the garden club meets.
H.W. Schultz Elementary at 9131 Yett Ave, 78221 would like guidance and advice on how to run the gardens.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Upcoming Classes — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Sat, Oct 17: Rain to Drain Experience
Sat, Oct 17: 24th SA Annual Herb Market Seminars
Sat, Oct 17: Plant, Shrub and Tree Selection
Mon, Oct 17: Cool Weather Annuals
Mon, Oct 17: Fall Fertilization
Mon, Oct 19: Gardening for Our Native Bees (GVST Essentials of Gardening Class)
Mon, Oct 19: Texas’ Flowering Trees (GVST Essentials of Gardening Class)
Tue, Oct 20: Stroll Through the Gardens (Austin, TX)
Upcoming BCMG & TX Agrilife Classes, Seminars or Workshops — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Oct 15: Water Lilies and Water Features
Oct 17: Winter Color for Your Landscape
Nov 6: Bug Banquet
Nov 30: Olive Production and Management Seminar
MASTER GARDENER SPECIALIST TRAINING — See All the Details on MG Calendar!
Oct 20-22: MG Specialist Rainwater Harvesting Training; College Station, TX 77840
2016 Texas MG State Conference: Register Early for Discounted Rate!
Buds & Bark –– Earth-Kind® in the Park
Whether a novice or a veteran, a gardener’s education is never complete. Learn from renowned garden experts at the May 17-19, 2016 event to be held at to be held at the beautiful Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney, Texas. Visit the conference website for information on registration, dates, presenters, Collins County MGA speakers and workshops, local hotels, and more. Please email txmg2016@ccmgatx.org, or call 469-859-5934 with questions. Find up-to-date information on Facebook: Texas Master Gardener Annual Conference, or Instagram – txmgstateconf2016.
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
11th Anniversary Hoot & Harvest Festival
FREE community event this Saturday, October 17 at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX 78221 which features a day of fun-filled and family-friendly activities that will entertain, engage, and educate everyone about the wondrous world of nature.
From the Dinner Tonight website, try Honey Roasted Pumpkin, a simple recipe for cooking with whole pumpkin.
Rebates, Rebates, Rebates!
CPS Energy rewards property owners for planting trees at their homes or businesses for purchases through April 30, 2016. And, don’t miss the SAWS Coupons offered through Nov 30, 2015 for patioscape and landscape projects which result in water-savings. Get the biggest bang for your dollar!
Bookmark It!!
The Texas Superstar website is newly revised. Bookmark it, and take some time to peruse all the plants, tips on how to make selections, and growing tips.
Look for CVGP Agendas
Keep up-to-date on what’s happening at the Fall Session of Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (CVGP) by bookmarking the BCMG website page where all the weekly agendas will be posted. The Spring 2015 Agendas are also available for your viewing. The program will impress you! Perhaps so much, you will want to be part of it, if you are not already! Email David Rodriguez if you want to support the fall session.
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.
The post e-Blast–– Wed, Oct 14, 2015 appeared first on Bexar County Master Gardeners.