ANNOUNCEMENTS
SET YOUR DVRs! Watch BCMG Liz Campanella on the TV segment for SA Live! today as she promotes the BCMG Booth at the 39th San Antonio H&G Show (Feb 22-24). She will be giving planting and spring prep tips along with demonstrating how to properly plant a container. SA Live! airs at 1pm, Wed, Feb 20, from the KSAT station at Market Square.
Second Seminar in 2019 Earth-Kind Home Gardening Series! Register Now Online TONIGHT, Weds, Feb 20 at 6:30pm in the Master Gardener’s classroom at 3355 Cherry Ridge, join David Rodriguez for Vegetable gardening––Cool Weather . Great training for new homeowners and residents of Bexar County; cost is $75/series or $15/session. 2 CEUs; Code 001.
If Dead People Can Grow Roses, You Can Too!
February BCMG Educational Seminar: Hear Robbi Will discuss how easy it is to successfully grow Roses.
TOMORROW AFTERNOON: Thu, Feb 21, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002.
Monthly Meeting Plant Sale: 12:30 – 3 PM (prices include tax)
- HM-8849 Rodeo Tomato ($3 each or 4/$10)
- Maroon Bluebonnets ($3 each or 4/$10)
- Mystic Spires Salvia ($3 each or 4/$10)
- Blue Angel Altheas (1 gal @$15)
- Arctic Frost Satsuma Mandarin Oranges (1 gal @ $16)
Volunteer Orientation for the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT will be held this Saturday, Feb 23, at 11am in the San Antonio Botanical Garden Educational Room. VMS Code 1200. The spring session of the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program starts on Saturday, March 2 and concludes on Saturday, June 15 and will focus on growing “warm weather” crops. Email David Rodriguez to volunteer. More about the CVGP online.
Volunteer Orientation for the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at Phil Hardberger Park will be held Tue, Feb 26 at 10 am at Phil Hardberger Park, Voelker Homestead area. To volunteer, email Kathy Breniman, VMS Code 1200.
SABOT Culinary Docent Training Coming Up
A new Culinary Garden Docent Class, is set for Saturday, March 9, 2019, from 10am to 1pm for all interested BCMG members, and also as a Spring refresher for current Culinary Docents. Training will take place in the Education Center Classroom at SABOT near the Culinary Garden just passed the Kiosk on the right. New docents should email, Nadezhda Garza, SABOT Volunteer Coordinator, or call 210-536-1415. If you have questions about the training or about this program in general, email President Grace Emery.
2019 CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS OPEN
Registration for the 2019 TGMA Conference is underway for the April 25-27, 2019 event being hosted by Victoria County Master Gardener Association. Great speakers, plenty of good food, wonderful tours and garden-crafty workshops are planned for you! Registration now thru Feb 28 = $175; from Mar 1 to Apr 1 = $200. Leadership training (Topics = Mentoring, Fundraising and Technology) will be held on April 24th. Visit the Conference website for tons of information!
The 17th biennial conference for the international master gardener community, Penn’s Woods: Digging into Our Roots, will be held June 17-21, 2019 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, Valley Forge, PA. Online registration is now open, and you can subscribe to the IMGC newsletter for conference updates.
IS COMING !!
Did You Hear?
CULTIVATE! has been designated a “Super Saturday” WaterSaver Rewards Event by SAWS!
This means you can earn all seven points needed to earn a total of $150 in coupons to spend on tools, mulch, plants, and more, in one day! You must be a SAWS customer and sign up for the WaterSaver Rewards program prior to earning points.
Our Earth-Friendly Gardening & Landscaping Seminar takes place Sat, Mar 23, from 8am to 1pm at the University of The Incarnate Word Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC), 847 E. Hildebrand, 78212. Visit our website Cultivate! page for all the details for 9 different workshops ( $5 per workshop), online registration (NOW), and driving & parking directions. Code 001, 1 CEU per workshop.
SAVE THE DATE: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be having a Texas Community Futures Forum Friday, April 5th to assess the community’s needs. Four program areas will be addressed: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Families & Health, Youth Development and Community Development.
BIRDIES ARE BACK!
Please help support our BCMG association by sending your Birdies for Charity® donations to our office (3355 Cherry Ridge Street, San Antonio, TX 78230). Birdies for Charity flyers were mailed out on Feb 13th for those who didn’t sign in at the Rodeo General Meeting. If you have questions, contact Barbara Lutz at [email protected].
Also, friends, family, and even your company can contribute using our custom link. 100% of the donations made to BCMG through this program benefit us AND Valero matches 7%. So we get 107% of donations made! The 2019 fundraising program concludes April 12, 2019.
SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS. Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!
Volunteer Orientation for the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT will be on Sat, Feb 23 at 11am at the San Antonio Botanical Garden Educational Room. Hope to see everyone at the Volunteer Orientation and invite anyone who might be interested in being a Garden Mentor. VMS Code 1200. The spring session of the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program starts on Saturday, March 2 and concludes on Saturday, June 15 and will focus on growing “warm weather” crops. Email David Rodriguez to volunteer. More about the CVGP online.
Volunteer Orientation for the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at Phil Hardberger Park will be held Tue, Feb 26 at 10 am at Phil Hardberger Park, Voelker Homestead area. To volunteer, email Kathy Breniman, VMS Code 1200.
INSECT EXPO: Molly Keck is hosting an Insect Expo on Tue, Feb 26, & Wed, Feb 27 (set-up on Mon, Feb 25) at the McKenna Children’s Museum, 801 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Designed as a fun interactive learning experience for the students and an opportunity for “hands on” learning, students will have time to explore and learn from each topic, ask questions and learn by experience. These are our future botanists, entomologists, environmental and conservation advocates, professors, teachers, and agricultural leaders. Training for booth events will take place Thu, Feb 21. Go online for details, and to sign up. To get a great idea of this awesome event, view this YouTube Video. Email Molly Keck if you have any questions! VMS Code 1200.
San Antonio Garden Center Plant Sale: Need your help to unload & arrange plants at the SA Garden Center (3310 N. New Braunfels, 78209) from 9am-1pm on Thu, Mar 14. And, need volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts on Fri and Sat, Mar 15 & 16, to help customers with plant selections ,manage sales and answer gardening questions. Email Barbara Lutz if you have any questions. VMS Code 700.
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: 10am – 1pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays February thru March. VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! Still Open in February: 21st (Thu), 22nd (Fri) [ plus many dates in March] VMS Code 100.
Coming Up for Youth Gardens Program(Sign Up on VMS)
- Youth Garden Educator Training Supply Prep at AgriLife Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. on Wed, Feb. 20 from 9am-Noon. Need 2 volunteers to help put binders together with handouts, package seeds, and make name badges. Vol Code: 1200.
- HISD Science Fair on Fri, Feb 22, 8:30am-2:30pm at Palo Alto College. Need 2 volunteers to help with passing out supplies, setting up and cleaning up youth activities on on plant parts, plant lifecycle, and parts of a seed for approx. 200 kids 3rd-5th grades. Actual time of event is 9:20-2pm, but please arrive at 8:30 to help set up and please stay to help clean up. Sign up on VMS. Vol Code 1200.
- Help at Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, 78249 on Wed, Mar 20, from 3-4pm to educate our local youth about gardening, insects, soil, and veggies! Need two volunteers to facilitate the Veggie Game lesson. Email Ruby Zavala for details. VMS Code 1200.
Come and Provide BCMG Monthly Meeting (VMS Code 700) & Brown Bag lunch & Learn (VMS Code 100) Support: Arrive one hour before Meeting start time to help set up the general monthly meeting room, sign-in sheets and distribute raffle tickets and meeting information. Assist with the plant sales and plant information. After the meeting help in cleaning up the meeting room and place the items back in the master garden office for the monthly meeting. Need volunteers for April thru November meetings!
For Brown Bag, come and help set up, hand out info, and clean up; arrive 30 minutes prior to session. Need help March thru December. Contact President Grace Emery if you have any questions.
RODEO UNDERWAY thru FEBRUARY 24
Please check for any remaining open shifts and sign via WEBSITE RODEO VOLUNTEERING 2019 PAGE .
Tear Down Construction will take place Feb 25-26, Mon-Tue, 8:00-Noon
and possibly Feb 27 Wed, 8:00-Noon. Approximately, 10-15 volunteers are needed each day. These last few days of Rodeo will be the time to take down decorations and neatly pack them away, shovel out the mulch, and break down any large displays. Please wear comfortable clothes, gloves, and closed toe shoes. Cntact Rich Geisler at [email protected] to volunteer.
DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR BCMG NAME TAG!
Keep the tent including the Plant Booth and the MG break area clean and organized.
Use VMS Code 400 to record your volunteer hours.
WEBSITE RODEO VOLUNTEERING 2019 PAGE (under the Members tab on the home page menu bar) can be accessed directly from th button on our homepage:
2019 BCMG VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (VMS) CODES ARE POSTED ON THE BCMG WEBSITE FOR EASY REFERENCE WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO VMS FROM THE SAME PAGE!
SPECIAL NOTE: CEU Code 001 now includes programs presented by all certified Texas Master Gardeners and programs at the TMGA State Conferences, as well as the International MG Conferences.
See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar!
Classes listed below may be of special interest to you:
Second Seminar in 2019 Earth-Kind Home Gardening Series! Register Now OnlineWeds, Feb 20 at 6:30pm in the Master Gardener’s classroom at 3355 Cherry Ridge, join David Rodriguez for Vegetable gardening––Cool Weather . Great training for new homeowners and residents of Bexar County; cost is $75/series or $15/session. 2 CEUs; Code 001.
February BCMG Educational Seminar: Hear Robbi Will discuss how easy it is to successfully grow Roses: “If dead people can grow them, you can too!” Mark your calendar for Thu, Feb 21, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002.
22019 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Emerald Ash Borer on Fri, Mar 1st at 1pm online.
A Viewing Party will be held at the A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212 for those who would like to attend the webinar with company! Please RSVP to Molly Keck so she can plan room for all attendees. 1 CEU; Code 001
Learn from Master Gardeners at these 2019 Speakers Bureau Presentations:
- Sat, Mar 9 from 9 am – Noon: South Texas Gardening Expo at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13153 Iron Horse Way, Helotes 78023. Lou Kellogg will discuss Rainwater Harvesting; Owen Keiser will give a Drip Irrigation presentation: and Don Crites will talk about Container Gardening. The event is open to the public. 1 CEU per session, Code: 001
- Xeriscaping with Oliver Smith, hosted by San Antonio OASIS, at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Tue, Apr 16, from 10:30am – Noon. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
BE SURE TO MARK YOUR 2019 CALENDAR FOR THESE GREAT CLASSES!
AND OUR NEW LUNCH TIME TREATS!
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER ADVANCED (formerly Specialist) COURSES offered at the TMGA website. If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Tree Care – Mar. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Earth-Kind® – May 16-18, 2019, hosted by Henderson County, Athens
Turfgrass – May 23-24, 2019, hosted by Montgomery County, Conroe
Tree Care – Jun. 12-14, 2019, hosted by Kerr County, Kerrville
Vegetables – Aug. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Bexar County, San Antonio
V
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG February Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sample of what is coming up.
Feb 20 – Hill Country Native Plant Working Workshop
Feb 20 – 20 Years in the Atacama, The Land of the Copiapoa
Feb 22, 23, 24 – 39th Annual San Antonio Home & Garden Show Seminar Schedule
Feb 23 – Tree Care 101
Feb 23 – Tomatoes & Containers
Congratulations to Carrie Huntzinger, Office Manager, on her upcoming retirement (February 28th) following 43 years with the Bexar County Office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service! Carrie started work in May, 1974 providing support to the Bexar County 4-H & Youth Programs just a few months before the infamous Jerry Parsons arrived! She watched the BCMG association grow from the very beginning with Class 1. Her main focus has always been helping people to help themselves. Thank you, Carrie! All the best wishes for an amazing retirement!
SHARE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS!
SPREAD THE WORD! 2019 Spring Youth Garden Educator Training is set for Sat, Mar 2, from 9am to 2pm at Northside Activity Center, 7001 Culebra Rd, 78238. Designed for teachers, educators, and volunteers to support youth gardening in the classroom and community. See Flyer for details!
FOR ALL OUR GARDENING FRIENDS!
If you have thought about becoming a Master Gardener, start planning for Master Gardener Intern Training Class 63.
- Class 63 starts August 21, 2019; classes meet every Wednesday from Noon – 4 pm for 13 weeks
- Cost: $260 payable in full on the 1st day of class
- Application available online early May (BCMG website)
- Application deadline: June 17, 2019
- Approved applications must attend a group interview (Group Interviews in July)
- For more information visit Bexar County Master Gardeners website at www.bexarmg.org or Bexar County website at https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu
Applications are now being accepted for the BCMG 2019-2020 Scholarship in Horticultural Studies. This scholarship provides financial support to an undergraduate or graduate student at a Texas college or university who is pursuing a degree in Horticultural Sciences, Landscape Design, Turfgrass Management, or any affiliated “Green Industry” area. All the details and the scholarship application are available on the BCMG website. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2019.
Registration OPEN for the Spring 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from March 2nd to June 15th. Please share with family & friends!
Registration ALSO OPEN for the Spring 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at Phil Hardberger Park. This program is designed for families who are home schooling and will meet Tuesdays, 9-11:30am, from March 5th to June 11th. Families can register online. Please share with family & friends!
Help Out With Can Collection!!
Molly Keck is looking for large, clean, empty cans with tops removed (larger than typical veggie can sizes; metal, plastic or cardboard) for building native pollinator homes for an educational program. Please drop off at the Bexar County Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212 (or in Suite 208 if you are there attending a meeting anyway!). Collecting December through March!