ANNOUNCEMENTS
KUDOS to all BCMGs who volunteered in the four 2018 projects/programs that received Texas Search for Excellence Awards (Extra Large Association Category) during the TMGA Conference last week in Victoria!
1st Place Project: Little Buckaroo Farms @ Rodeo
1st Place Research: Tomato Trials
3rd Place Written Education: The Leaflet
3rd Place Youth JMG Program: Children’s Vegetable Gardens at SABOT & Hardberger Park
NEXT BCMG Board Meeting will take place 3 – 5pm on Thu, May 16 at 3355 Cherry Ridge 78230. If you are interested in placing items on the agenda, email President Grace Emery by Thu, May 9. And, all members are welcome to observe the meetings; however, in order to accommodate seating, please email President Grace Emery that you will be attending.
WATCH FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE MAY SCION NEWSLETTER TODAY!
Message from VP Lynn Cox on BCMG Meeting CEUs:
CEUs at BCMG meetings are awarded for presentation time only, not the full meeting time. Therefore, the official number of CEUs that may be recorded for the meetings thus far are: Jan-1 CEU; Feb-2 CEUs; Mar-1.5 CEUs; Apr-1 CEU. If you recorded a different number (whether it be more or less), Lisa Nixon, BCMG Membership Assistant, will verify the number of CEUs and will adjust your record accordingly, without sending you an individual email.
Please do not record any set-up, clean-up, food preparation time for meeting support on the same line. Use VMS Code 0700 and record this volunteer time as a separate entry.
If you have any questions about recording your hours on VMS, please email Lisa Nixon.
We Still Have Space! SIGN UP NOW ON VMS: “GARDENING AT THE ZOO” FIELD TRIP!
Meet in front of the San Antonio Zoo at 9:45am on Tuesday, May 14. No admission fee needed. Owing to space limitations, only the first 75 who register on VMS will be able to participate; no phone reservations. Dress comfortably for the outdoors and wear your badge. 1.5 CEUs. Code: 001
NOTE: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office and BCMG offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.
Special Request from BCMG President, Grace Emery:
All Master Gardeners looking for an educational and fun volunteer opportunities are encouraged to work with Youth Gardens Coordinator, Ruby Zavala, to support her youth programming. We are nearing the last month of school garden activities and you can still help!
Please look at current opportunities (watch for future ones) and visit VMS to sign up! We need you for the continued success of the School Gardens Program.
- Youth Garden Activity Prep, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. on Wednesdays and Thursdays in April from 10am-1pm. Need 2 volunteers each day to help cut out bees and butterflies, put youth activities together and other. Email Ruby Zavala if you are interested, or sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
- Looking for 1-2 volunteers to take a Pot-A-Plant youth activity to Wortham Oaks Elementary Science Night event for 100 kids on Thu, May 9, 5:30-7pm. Arrive at 5pm for set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
- Need 1-2 volunteers to take a Pot-A-Plant youth activity to NEISD Farmer’s Market event for about 200 kids on Sat, May 18 from 9am-2pm. Arrive at 8:30am for set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
- 3-4 volunteers needed to help with youth activities at Festival of Flowers. Expecting to see about 200 kids on Sat, May 25 from 10am-2pm. Please arrive at 9:00 to help set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
Mark Your Calendar
Our May Meeting –– Thursday, May 16th from 6-8pm
Dr Barron Rector will provide us with an indoor presentation and an outdoor, hands-on session on “the water cycle.”
(In his own words, “Beware, he likes to talk!”)
Barron Rector, grew up in San Angelo, received a BS degree in Biology/Chemistry, a Masters degree in Biology/Chemistry with emphasis in Plant Taxonomy, and a PhD in Range Science with emphasis in ecology and range animal nutrition. He has been a TAMU System employee since 1973, and is currently Associate Professor and Extension Range Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in College Station. Dr Rector has been associated with the Texas Master Gardener program since he began training interns in 1999 and he taught at the first Texas Master Naturalist class held in San Antonio in 1997. For Master Gardener intern classes, he has addressed native grasses for landscaping, the water cycle, plant and weed identification, poisonous plants for humans, invasive plant species, weed ecology and management and volunteer training on the Cactus Moth project (Cactoblastis cactorum) and outdoor hands-on activities.
Bexar County Master Gardener (BCMG) Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held in the afternoons (seminars) and evenings (General Meetings) of the third Thursday every other month at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. For more information contact the BCMG President. 1.5 CEUs; BCMG Code 002.
Will take place on Saturday, May 25 at the Austin Highway Event Center (1948 Austin Highway between Eisenhauer Rd and Walzem). Festival of Flowers is a great place to shop for a wide variety of plants, landscaping materials, artisan crafts and food. There will be a City-Wide Plant Exchange as well as Seminars, an Organic Roundtable, Herb Kitchen, and a Floral Design Contest. This year there will also be activities for children. Parking is free!
Bexar County Master Gardeners will once again be participating in the Festival of Flowers. Volunteers Are Needed:
We will be setting up on Friday, May 24, 10am-2pm. On Sat, May 25, we will have two shifts, 8:30am-1:30pm and 1:30-5:30pm when we will be helping with the SAWS Plant Give away, and also having a Plant Sale and staffing Info Stations. You can sign up on VMS to volunteer. For information, email Barbara Lutz. VMS Code: 600
3-4 volunteers are needed to help with Youth Activities. Expecting to see about 200 kids on Sat, May 25 from 10am-2pm. Please arrive at 9:00 to help set up. Sign up on VMS. Email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. VMS Code: 1200
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!
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: 10am – 1pm on Thursdays/Fridays thru Sundays. VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! VMS Code 100.
Open Shifts in May: 3, 4, 5, and 9, 10, 11, 12, and 16, 17, 19, and 23, 25, 26, and 30, 31
Coming Up for Youth Gardens Program (Sign Up on VMS: Code 1200)
- Youth Garden Activity Prep, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. on Wednesdays and Thursdays in April from 10am-1pm. Need 2 volunteers each day to help cut out bees and butterflies, put youth activities together and other. Email Ruby Zavala if you are interested, or sign up on VMS.
- Looking for 1-2 volunteers to take a Pot-A-Plant youth activity to Wortham Oaks Elementary Science Night event for 100 kids on Thu, May 9, 5:30-7pm. Arrive at 5pm for set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
- Need 1-2 volunteers to take a Pot-A-Plant youth activity to NEISD Farmer’s Market event for about 200 kids on Sat, May 18 from 9am-2pm. Arrive at 8:30am for set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
- 3-4 volunteers needed to help with youth activities at Festival of Flowers. Expecting to see about 200 kids on Sat, May 25 from 10am-2pm. Please arrive at 9:00 to help set up. Please email Ruby Zavala if you have questions. Sign up on VMS. Code: 1200
STILL NEED Brown Bag Lunch & Learn (VMS Code 100) Support: Come and help set up, hand out information, and clean up; arrive 30 minutes prior to each session. Need one helper in November. Contact President Grace Emery if you have any questions.
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:
TONIGHT: Getting Your Garden and Landscape Ready for Spring? Join Molly Keck, Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist, on Wed, May 1 from 6:30-8:30pm at the City of Cibolo City Hall to learn about the Top 20 Insects you’re likely to see in your yard this season! Nonresidents and residents of Cibolo are welcome to attend this free program. Please RSVP by email. 2 CEUs; Code 001.
Earth-Kind Home Gardening Series – 30 Bugs Every Gardener Should Know on Wed, May 8 from 6:30-8:30pm. Register Online. 2 CEUs; Code 001. Come learn and enjoy how to maximize your garden and landscape with Molly Keck at 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite. 212, 78230.
Spring Vegetable and Wheat Field Day: is set for Friday, May 10, 8am-2pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center at Uvalde, 1619 Garner Field Rd, 78801. 2 CEUs for Educational Presentations; Code 100. Online registration HERE and details on this FLYER.
BROWN BAG – LUNCH & LEARN FOR MAY: Texas Superstar® Plants for Your Landscape presented by MG Lynn Cox. Join the lunch group on Fri, May 10, at Noon in the County Extension Office, Suite 208. 1 CEU, Code 001.
FREE Bi-County Summer Fruit & Vegetable Workshop: Learn about what summer fruits and vegetables can be planted, low budget fruit & vegetable recipes and demonstrations. Add Wed, May 15, from 10am to Noon at Bexar Co Ext Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, 78230 to your calendar! RSVP to Frances Moreno-Elizondo at 210-631-0400. 2 CEUs; Code 001.
MAY BCMG Monthly Meeting & Presentation: Hear Dr Barron Rector talk with us about the “Water Cycle.” Mark your calendar for Thu, May 16, 6-8pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002.
Beekeeping Basics: Fri, May 17 from 9am-4pm at Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Classroom. Field Days on Sun, May 19 (8:30-10 or 10:30-12), or Mon, May 20 (3-5pm) – your choice! $65 fee includes lunch and tons of resources. Register online. For additional details, please see the registration site or email Molly Keck.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE GREAT EARTH-KIND CLASSES!
TRY A LUNCH TIME TREAT!
Learn from Master Gardeners at these 2019 Speakers Bureau Presentations:
- Rain Water Harvesting with MG Lou Kellogg, hosted by San Antonio OASIS, at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Tue, May 7, from 6-7:30pm. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
- Succulents & Cacti with MG Marty Ruona, hosted by San Antonio OASIS, at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Tue, May 15 from 1-4pm. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER
ADVANCED 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.
Earth-Kind® – May 16-18, 2019, hosted by Henderson County, Athens
First Detector – May 20-21, hosted by Williamson County, Georgetown
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
Greenhouse Management – Oct 17-19, hosted by Tarrant County, Fort Worth
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. You can use online registration and also subscribe to the IMGC newsletter for conference updates.
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG March Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sampling of what is coming up:
- May 1 – Consider Growing Texas Natives
- May 2 – Assessment of Effects of Aeration on Lifespan and Bacteria Presence of Lilium Orientalis
- May 3 – 2019 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: The Ins and Outs of Termite Treatments
- May 4 – Mostly Native Plant Sale
- May 4 – WaterSaver Landscape Tour
- May 4 – Native Plant Walking Workshop
- May 4 – Home Mushroom Growing Workshop
- May 4-5 – 21st Annual Lavender Fest
- May 7 – Cactus Native to the Texas Hill Country
Always the first full week of May (this year May 5-11): National Wildflower Week commemorates the colorful blossoms that bring our landscapes to life. Of course, we appreciate wildflowers every week of the year!
TOP TOMATO CONTEST! Get all the juicy details on our website! JUNE 15th will be here before you know it!
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 now (BCMG website)
- Application deadline: June 17, 2019
- Approved applications must attend a group interview in July
- For more information visit Bexar County Master Gardeners website or Bexar County AgriLife website.