Volume 28, Issue 12 – December 2018
Gardening Friends,
A very large thanks to all the 97 attendees who came to hear Justin Horne from KSAT weather at the final Master Gardener general meeting and election of officers. The new VMS codes were discussed. They will simplify time entry and the recertification process beginning in 2019. Remember, your 2018 hours need to be entered by December 15, 2018, and 2019 dues ($25.00) are to be paid before January 31, 2019.
For all the volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to our mission of educating Bexar County residents, I want to express deepest gratitude for a job well done! We had an impressive year with the winner of the Texas Master Gardener of the Year award going to our Lynn Cox, and several TMGA project and program winners as well. We did the Spurs Challenge and helped five schools to succeed in their projects. We held two Cultivate events, had a phenomenal Speakers Bureau, school gardens program, JMG teacher trainings, and two Children’s Vegetable Garden programs. We assisted in many water conservation programs and Earth Day events, two Monarch Festivals, the San Antonio 300 by 300 program and the Heritage Education Tour. The Docent program for the Culinary Garden at the San Antonio Botanical Garden was approved and planned and we trained 42 Master Gardeners–all within the March-to-September timeframe. This is a wonderful list of accomplishments!
On another note, our long-standing event, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo dates are February 8-24 in 2019. Please save the dates for this very important event. Sign up will begin at the Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 11th, from 1:00 to 4:00p.m. This event is the largest annual effort for the Bexar Master Gardeners and we need everyone to work some shifts. Without your help we cannot succeed.
We have several Culinary Garden Docent dates still open for volunteers this year. We have trained seven additional Docents since the August class. The next training is Sunday, December 9th, at 10:00am at the Botanical Garden. Please call me if you want to attend. New opportunities will be in the Leaflet every week, so please stay tuned.
On a very bright note, we received congratulations from the International Master Gardener Convention (IMGC) that our submission (one of 76), of the Children’s Vegetable Garden Blog for the 2019 Search for Excellence competition, was awarded 3rd place in the Innovative Project Category. It will be presented at the 2019 conference in Valley Forge, PA. This is outstanding recognition for our organization!
Thanks for your support and for your dedication. I look forward to joining you in some well-earned holiday fun at our annual Christmas Party on December 11 (1 – 4pm) at the San Antonio Garden Center.
Grace Emery
President, Bexar County Master Gardeners
Congratulations!!!
Meet our new Board of Directors
President – Grace Emery
Vice President – Lynn Cox
Secretary – Angie Kirby
Treasurer – Kathann El-Amin
Membership – Art Vazquez
Members at Large – Donna Armstrong, Don Crites
Barbara Lutz (Past Pres.), Angie Kirby, Grace Emery, Lynn Cox, Art Vazquez, Kathann El Amin, Don Crites, Donna Armstrong
Get InvolvedJobs
Master Gardener of the Winter Season
Marybeth Parsons
Marybeth re-landscaped her yard, removing all turf, utilizing TX Superstars, other Zone-appropriate plants, bark mulch, and rocks unearthed in a sewer repair.FinalMGofWinter_M_Parsons
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See Policy M-3 for more information on CE requirements here: Membership Categories
JMG Scion Page Dec2018
Test your Gardening Knowledge –
Questions & Answers Compiled from the BCMG Archives
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December — ‘Tis the season for holidays, family, parties, and more...
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!:
EASY MONEY $$ for BCMG: Dec. 1 – 12, $10 from every online ticket purchased for the Valero Texas Open. After selecting Checkout, answer the popup question selecting Bexar County Master Gardens (dropdown box) to receive the benefit of your purchase. ValeroTexasOpen.com/tickets
Holiday Poinsettia Pickup: Fri., Dec. 7, 11am – 3pm and Sat., Dec. 8, 10am – 12noon, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, San Antonio, TX 78230.
BCMG Holiday Party: Tues., Dec. 11, 1 – 4pm, San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, 78209. (Flyer in this issue.) RSVP by Fri., Dec. 7, to Barbara Lutz [email protected].
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TX A&M AgriLife Ext./BCMG Offices are CLOSED, Mon. and Tues., Dec. 24 – 25, in observance of CHRISTMAS and Tues., Jan. 1, in observance of NEW YEAR’S DAY.
The San Antonio Stock Show Announcement 2018 1119
Holiday Poinsettia Sale – Unloading & Pickup: Fri., Dec. 7, 8:30 – 11am, 11am – 1pm, 1 – 3pm. 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, San Antonio, TX 78230. Volunteers still needed for Fri. shifts — Contact Mary Newsome: 210-274-0967. VMS.
SABOT Culinary Docents – Trained docent volunteers still needed Dec. 8, 22, 10am – 1pm. San Antonio Botanical Garden Culinary Garden, 555 Funston Pl, 78205. Sign up in VMS.
RODEO IS COMING!!! – Initial sign-ups at BCMG Christmas Party, Tues., Dec. 11, 1 – 4p.m., San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio, TX 78209. (See both flyers in this issue.)
Youth Gardens Program: Wed., Dec. 12, 3 – 4pm. Help local youth learn abut gardening, insects, soil, and veggies. Need 1 more volunteer – more sessions in 2019. Vol Code: (2018) 980e, (2019) 1200. Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd., 78249. Topic – Insect Lifestyles. Sign up in VMS. Contact Ruby Zavala.
REMINDER FOR ALL BCMGs: Saturday, December 15th, is the last day to record your 2018 Volunteer and CEU Hours in VMS!
Master Gardener – Advanced Training – Composter: Dec. 5 – 7, Fort Bend County, More Info.
DOCENT TRAINING, for SABOT Culinary Garden: Sun., Dec. 9, 10am – 12noon (and homework), San Antonio Botanical Center, Volunteer Room (door in building to right of Cashier Kiosk, marked “Private”). Call Grace Emery to sign up: 210-875-6919. CEU 2+; Code (2018) 002.
Brown Bag Lunch & Learn Series: “Understanding Your Soil,” Jan. 11, Noon – 1pm, TX A&M Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, 78230. Bring your lunch. FREE and open to the public. (Flyer below for future, monthly 2nd Friday lunches.) Info. 1 CEU, Code: 001.
BCMG Rodeo Kick-Off Speaker & General Meeting: Thurs., Jan. 17, 6 – 8pm. Bring your favorite Chili or Cornbread to share, and hear a special Rodeo presentation. Sign up for Rodeo shifts. 1 CEU; Code: (2019) 002.
Home Gardening Series: “Soils, Compost, & Mulch,” Wed., Feb. 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm, John Sells, MG, TX A&M Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, 78230. $15/session; $75/series (10 sessions, full series flyer follows). Registration, see “Here’s The Latest” here. 2 CEUs, Code: 001.
Master Gardener – Advanced Training – Home Fruit – Southern Texas class will be hosted by Gonzales MGs in Gonzales, TX, from Feb. 7th – 8th, 2019. Course will prepare Master Gardeners to assist homeowners in selection, culture and protection of many of the fruits commonly grown in southern Texas landscapes. Details, application and class agenda online. If you are interested in attending any Texas MG – Advanced Training courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. CEUs per course description, Code: 001.
Master Gardener – Advanced Training: Vegetables – Feb. 13 – 15, Dallas County Tree Care – Mar. 13 – 15, Dallas County Turf Grass – Mar. 14 – 15, Montgomery County
International Master Gardener Conference: June 16 – 21, 2019, Valley Forge, PA. Website. Field study, advanced training, tours, music. Check it out!
BrownBag2019Flyer
Home Gardening Series 2019
Justin Horne, KSAT-12 weathercaster, explains the complex undertaking of predicting future weather to BCMG at the Nov. 15 General Meeting.
President Grace Emery awards a BCMG shirt to KSAT’s Justin Horne
Photos by Barbara Lutz, David Rodriguez