ANNOUNCEMENTS
Come Help Plant Trial Ornamental Plants TOMORROW, Thu, May 16 (8:30-11am) for the Texas Super Star Plant Program at the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program located at the backside of the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Garden. Scott will have the beds ready for planting. If time allows, there are a few other chores around the garden that we can work on as well. Any and all help would be appreciated. Parking Map HERE.
Volunteer at Basil Fest 2019 this Sat, May 18 from 8:30am-1pm. help with questions at our “Ask a Master Gardener“ table and hand out information to the public. Everything will be set up for the event ; so, just come with your name tag and dress for the weather. Sign up on VMS!
SABOT New Culinary Docent Training Coming Up!!
A new Culinary Garden Docent Class, is set for Thursday, May 23, 2019, from 10am to Noon for all interested BCMG members. Training will take place in the Volunteer Room at SABOT. There will also be three hours of “homework.” 5 CEUs; Code 001. 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.
NEXT BCMG Board Meeting will take place 3 – 5pm on Thu, May 16 at 3355 Cherry Ridge 78230. All members are welcome to observe the meetings; however, in order to accommodate seating, please email President Grace Emery that you will be attending.
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.
NOTE: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office and BCMG offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.
FOR ALL OUR GARDENING FRIENDS!
If you have thought about becoming a Master Gardener, apply now 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.
FOR THE SCION NEWSLETTER!
Marybeth Parsons, our excellent Scion Newsletter Editor since the October 2017 issue, has decided to pursue more of the external gardening and outreach activities of the Master Gardeners, and to expand her horticultural knowledge and practice into additional advanced training areas. She is planning to edit the June edition of the Scion and will be available to help with the July issue. Marybeth is available to help train our new editor on using WordPress and her process for assembling content for the Scion.
If you are interested in this monthly responsibility, please email VP Lynn Cox, or Marybeth Parsons.
Our May BCMG Meeting
TOMORROW, 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.
All BCMG Logo Merchandise will be “on clearance sale” beginning at 5:30pm before the General Meeting!
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
Bexar County Master Gardeners will once again be participating in the Texas Folklife Festival (7-9 June). Volunteers Are Needed; watch VMS for details on shifts!
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 thru Sundays in May. Times in June & July will be earlier (due to summer heat) on Thursdays thru Sundays. VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! VMS Code 100.
Open Shifts in May: 16, 17, 19, and 25, 26, and 31
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.
Coming Up for Youth Gardens Program (Sign Up on VMS; Code 1200)
Youth Garden Activity Prep, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. on Tuesdays & Wednesdays in May 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.
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
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:
FREE Bi-County Summer Fruit & Vegetable Workshop: Learn about what summer fruits and vegetables can be planted, low budget fruit & vegetable recipes and demonstrations. THIS MORNING,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.
TODAY: Succulents & Cacti with MG Marty Ruona, hosted by San Antonio OASIS, at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Wed, May 15 from 1-2:30pm. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
MAY BCMG Monthly Meeting & Presentation: Hear Dr Barron Rector talk 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.
Earth-Kind Home Gardening Series – Texas Superstar Plants on Wed, May 22 from 6:30-8:30pm. Register Online. 2 CEUs; Code 001. Come learn and enjoy how to maximize your garden and landscape with MG Lynn Cox at 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite. 212, 78230.
Earth-Kind Home Gardening Series – Rainwater Harvesting & Drip Irrigation on Wed, Jun 5 from 6:30-8:30pm. Register Online. 2 CEUs; Code 001. Come learn and enjoy how to maximize your garden and landscape with Lou Kellog & Anna Vogler at 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite. 212, 78230.
Growing Citrus on Your Patio & in Your Backyard with David Rodriguez on Sat, Jun 8, 10:30am-Noon at Milberger’s Landscape & Nursery, 3920 N.Loop 1604, 78247. 1.5 CEUs: Code 001
Keep Your Lawn & Landscape Alive thru the Summer Heat: with David Rodriguez on Tue, Jun 11, 6:30-8:30pm at Northeast Community Learning Center, 8750 Tesoro Dr, 78217. 2 CEUs: Code 001
BROWN BAG – LUNCH & LEARN FOR JUNE: Harvesting & Storing Your Spring Vegetables presented by MG Brenda Burell.Join the lunch group on Fri, Jun 14 at Noon in the County Extension Office, Suite 208. 1 CEU, Code 001.
JUNE BCMG Monthly Meeting & Presentation: Learn about Plants for Our Changing Climate and The Art of Writing About Them with our guest speaker, Mary Irish, Garden Writer-Lecturer-Educator on Thu, Jun 20, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE GREAT EARTH-KIND CLASSES!
TRY A LUNCH TIME TREAT!
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.
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.
HOLD THE DATES: May 12-14, 2020
It’s time to look towards the Texas Master Gardener Annual Conference 2020! Hotels will begin accepting lodging reservations mid-May. Stay tuned!
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 16 – National Public Gardens Day at SABOT
- May 17 – Native Plant Walking Workshop
- May 18 – Succulent Container Gardens
- May 21 – Invasive Plants: Stop the Spread, Spread the Word, Just Do It!
- May 25 – Bonsai Workshop
- May 28 – Learning to Love Ball Moss
- Jun 1 – Deer “Proof” Gardens
- Jun 3 – Whimsical Fairy Gardening, Beginner
All Ages are invited to Discover Nature at Lee’s Creek Park on Sat, May 18, 9am-Noon. View the FLYER for details!
Here’s an opportunity to explore several unique outdoor spaces on Sat, May 18, from 8:30 to 11:30am at the Green Spaces Alliance SECRET GARDEN TOUR. More information and tickets HERE.
GVST’s Watersaver Landscape Design School will be held Sat, May 25 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at Fair Oaks Ranch City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, Fair Oaks Ranch, 78015. Details and registration online.
The 14th semiannual Brews and Blooms is coming up Saturday evening, May 25. Find all the details and tickets information online. Its not your typical Beer Garden!
TOP TOMATO CONTEST! Get all the juicy details on our website! JUNE 15th will be here before you know it!