ANNOUNCEMENTS
Last-Minute MG Volunteer Needed: Help sell plants TOMORROW (Thu, Aug 1) at the Backyard Basics EXPO from 7:30am-12:30pm at the SA Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, 78209. Sign up on VMS. Email Grace Emery if you have any questions. VMS Code: 1100
Register TODAY, for TOMORROW’S Annual Backyard Basics EXPO
Don’t miss the Concurrent Educational Sessions from 8am-12:30pm on Thu, Aug 1, at the SA Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels. Details HERE. CEU Code 001 (1 CEU per presentation hour) Register Online.
What is a BHN 968? What is a Texas Superstar Plant? Come find out! Every registered attendee will take one BHN 968 home!
Bring extra $$$: vendor booths (plants, honey, and more) and raffle items which Rain Barrel, Bolner’s Fiesta Spices in a Box, Peterson Brothers Nursery Gift Cards, Poinsettia Plants, Admit one – Beekeeping Basics Class, Admit One – SABOT Children’s Vegetable Garden plot.
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
CULINARY DOCENTS: YOU ARE NEEDED NOW!
If have not yet volunteered this summer, please pick a date, or dates, and sign up on VMS today.
Morning shifts are available 9am-Noon on Fridays thru Sundays throughout August.
SUMMER NIGHTS at SABOT are underway and docent volunteers are needed for the 5:30-8:30pm shifts on Thursday nights through August 15th.
Also, docents can schedule a shift for Dog Days on Sat, Aug 3 and Sun, Aug 4 from Noon to 2pm, or for the Big Bug Exhibit, Sat, Aug 31 from Noon to 2pm.
Please come and use your training, and at the same time strengthen our partnership with the San Antonio Botanical Garden. And, have some FUN, too!! Email Grace Emery if you have any questions.
Third wave of Rio Grande Gold Peppers need seeds extracted and drying. Easy take-home job to do for two people, but needs to be completed quickly so the peppers don’t rot. Peppers are not hot. If timed well, you will have tasty fruit of the peppers. Email David Rodriguez, if you are interested. (VMS Code: 1000)
HERE’S SOME GREAT NEWS!
The featured speaker for September’s CULTIVATE! will be Chris Wiesinger, “The Bulb Hunter!” Check out his Blog here!
TOMORROW for the AUGUST SCION NEWSLETTER!
The 2019 Fall Children’s Vegetable Garden Orientation will be held at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on Sat, Aug 17 @ 10:45am. If you have a passion for gardening and wish to help educate youth, this orientation is for you! CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
Want to spark the gardening bug in a new generation of gardeners? The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden may be the place for you. The garden serves homeschooled children ages 7-14. Volunteers are needed to educate children and parents on good garden practices and to assist with program set-up and garden maintenance.
The fall session at Hardberger will run Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Volunteer Orientation will be held Tue, Sep 3 at 10am. CEU Code 001 (1 CEU per presentation hour)
Please email Kathy Breniman (kbren[email protected]) if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays, or if you would like to join our watering team.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Chair/Co-Chairs for the 2020 Rodeo Needed
This position reports to Ruby Zavala & David Rodriguez and involves periodic updates to the BCMG Board of Directors. The time commitment is August 2019-January 2020 for monthly meetings with San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (S.A.L.E.) at their location on AT&T Center Parkway, and meetings, as needed, with Ruby and David. By the February 2020 Rodeo, we should have a well-oiled machine.
– Direct all phases of the Rodeo from preplanning which starts in August to final post-Rodeo meeting at SALE in March.
– Coordinate existing committee chairs for Volunteer Coordination, Construction, Hospitality, Landscape Design, Plant Sales, Transportation, School Tours, Tree Give-Away, Watering, and Kids Activities.
This may seem formidable, but the existing chairs are experienced and excellent! We need a Chair/Co-Chairs to provide direction and coordination for this major and long event in a most efficient way.
Please email President Grace Emery (or call: 210-875-6919) if you are interested in volunteering as Rodeo Chair or Co-Chair.
Find Some Time on Your Calendar –– Still Need Volunteers!
Harvesting Hops @ SABOT CVG (VMS Code: 1100)
If you are available a couple of hours a week to help finish harvesting hops in two long beds (really shaded on one side most of the day) over the next weeks, please email David Rodriguez for instructions. Work anytime (Garden opens at 7am) and just be sure you have instructions to open back gate and tool sheds. CVG MAP
Summer Maintenance for CVGP @ SABOT (BCMG Code: 1200)
Volunteer a couple of hours a week, or so, to keep the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program beds weeded throughout the summer, and do miscellaneous chores around the garden. Also, need help with organizing the three tool sheds and the large shed for the CVG. Please email David Rodriguez if interested and for instructions on access to the garden (opens at 7am) back gate and tool sheds. CVG MAP
Next BCMG Meeting
Thursday, August 15th from 1-3pm
Our Guest Speaker, Gregg Eckhardt, SAWS Senior Analyst, will trace San Antonio’s path toward diversification and sustainability in water resource management. Details on our website.
Gregg Eckhardt is an environmental scientist with 30 years of experience in environmental modeling and analysis, water resource planning and development, state and federal permitting, and water treatment. He is known as The Nerd King of South Texas Water History. As Senior Analyst for the San Antonio Water System, he is involved in the planning, operations, and management of the city’s water supply and wastewater.
PLANT SALE: To Be Determined
Plant Sale proceeds support our Scholarship Fund!
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 CEU; BCMG Code 002.
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!
CULINARY DOCENT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED 9am-Noon on Fridays thru Sundays throughout August.
SUMMER NIGHTS at SABOT are underway and docent volunteers are needed for the 5:30-8:30pm shifts on Thursday nights through August 15th. Also, docents can schedule a shift for Dog Days on Sat, Aug 3 and Sun, Aug 4 from Noon to 2pm, or for the Big Bug Exhibit, Sat, Aug 31 from Noon to 2pm.
VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! VMS Code 100.
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:
2019 Backyard Basics EXPO: “THE ART OF SELF RELIANCE,” covering a variety of topics with concurrent sessions so you can choose what you want to learn about will be held Thu, Aug 1 at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, 78209. Registration check-in will begin at 8am and the program will begin promptly at 8:30am and conclude at 12:30pm. Fee: $20; Register Online. VMS CEU Code 001
2019 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: GMOs and Their Effect on Insect Populations on Fri, Aug 2, 1-2pm; 1 CEU, Code 001. Details on the link & login on the BCMG Calendar.
Join MG Lynn Cox for Superstar Landscapes With Texas Superstar® Plants on Sat, Aug 3 from 10-11am at Rainbow Gardens, 2585 Thousand Oaks, 78232. Learn more about these incredible plants and how to use them in your landscape. More information Here or at the Rainbow Gardens website. 1 CEU, Code 001
MGs, REGISTER by August 6th!! MG Advanced Training – Vegetables will be held in San Antonio at 3355 Cherry Ridge, 78230 from Aug 13-15 (Tue-Thu). See the Flyer here and details are on the BCMG website.
BROWN BAG – LUNCH & LEARN FOR August: Lawns and Landscapes Surviving the Summer Heat presented by MG and Irrigation Efficiency Specialist Anna Vogler.Join the lunch group on Fri, Aug 9 at Noon in the County Extension Office, Suite 208. 1 CEU, Code 001
AUGUST BCMG Monthly Meeting & Presentation: Hear Greg Eckhardt, Senior Analyst with San Antonio Water System talk with us about “The History of Water in San Antonio.” Mark your calendar for Thu, Aug 15, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code 002
2019 Fall Children’s Vegetable Garden Orientation: Held at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on Sat, Aug 17 @ 10:45am. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
Fall Is For Planting with David Rodriguez is set for 11am to 12:30pm on Sat, Aug 24 at Rainbow Gardens, 2585 Thousand Oaks, 78232 and same time on Sat, Aug 31 at Rainbow Gardens, 8516 Bandera Rd, 78250.CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden Volunteer Orientation will be held Tue, Sep 4 at 10am. CEU Code 001 (up to 1.5 CEUs). The Fall session runs Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30am. Email Kathy Breniman if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays, or if you would like to join our watering team.
CULTIVATE! Earth Friendly Gardening & Landscaping Exposition & Workshops: Sat, Sep 7, 8am-2pm at University of the Incarnate Word with free admission and $5 fee for each 1-hour workshop and featured speaker. Details on the BCMG website. CEU Code 001; 1 hr per presentation hour.
Landscape Design School – Series XXVI, Course III will be held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Dr W in College Station on Mon & Tue, Sep 23 & 24 from 8am to 4pm each day. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs. All four courses earn 48 CEUs and qualifies Master Gardeners for the designation of “Landscape Design Steward.” Note: courses can be taken in any order. Details and application online.
Earn one CEU of the minimum six CEUs required for Master Gardener re-certification by listening to at least one archived WOAI 1200 AM Lawn & Garden Show podcast. Or, earn one CEU (of minimum six required CEUs) by listening to a LIVE broadcast of the WOAI 1200 AM Lawn and Garden from 7-10am on a Saturday morning. You can only record one CEU per year using the radio broadcast option! VMS CEU 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.
Vegetables – Aug 13-15, 2019, hosted by Bexar County, San Antonio
Save the Date: JMG® – Sep 24-26, hosted by Denton County, Corinth
Greenhouse Management – Oct 17-19, hosted by Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sampling of what is coming up:
- Aug 3 – Pond Education Seminar: Koi Care Expertise
- Aug 3 – Family Fairy Gardening
- Aug 7 – Texas Native Trails Working Workshop
- Aug 10 – Conventional Yard Conversion to a Water Wise Garden
- Aug 13 – HOA Policies on Native Plants
Mark Your Calendar for Sat, Sep 7, 8am-1pm and our fun, educational event @ University of The Incarnate Word, Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC), 847 E. Hildebrand, 78212.
SHARE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS:
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Fall 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from Sep 7 to Dec 14.
Registration opens Mon, Aug 5, for the Fall Session of the Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden which will run Tuesdays, Sep 10 thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Registration for the Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Level 1 (Sat, Sep 5) and Level 2 (Sat, Sep 21) day-long classes that teach best practices for native plant landscaping (including wildlife habitat gardening) opens July 31st! Native Landscape for Birds will also be offered Sat, Nov 16. Register early. Hosted by the Native Plant Society of Texas, San Antonio Chapter.
Coming Up –– Two GVST Watersaver Landscape Design Schools: Sat, Sep 14, 8:30am-1:30pm at the SA Area Foundations Wells Center in The Pearl and Sat, Oct 5, 8:30am-1:30pm at SABOT Classroom. $30/individual and $50/two members of same household.
