ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please Scroll Down and review what’s NEW in Volunteer Opportunities from Youth Gardening to the Hotline, Monarch Festival and more! Sign Up on VMS! And, remember to record your hours on VMS, too!
Former Mayor Phil Hardberger presented certificates to three new Junior Master Gardeners, Hannah Smith, Arwen Caedmon, and Joshua Brucks (pictured with the Mayor and their families) at the Children’s Vegetable Garden (CVG)––Phil Hardberger Park (PHP) last week. Read the AgriLife article HERE.
EXCITING NEWS!! Culinary Docents will be helping with vegetable prep in the Chef culinary kitchen. Call Nadezhda Garza to get your name on the list: 210-536-1460!
SAVE THE DATE:
BCMG Holiday & Member Recognition Party will be at the San Antonio Garden Center on Thu, Dec 5 from 11am – 1pm.
It’s That Time Again…the BCMG Poinsettia Sale!
PLEASE pass along the 2019 Flyer to all your friends and organizations in which you are a member!
Floral Quality Poinsettias, locally grown by one of the largest growers in the area!
Place your orders by Dec 2, 2019 and pick up your order on Dec 6, 2019 from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- 6 1/2- inch pots in a variety of colors: Red, White, Variegated, Red Glitter
- 4-inch pots in Red.
- Green foil pot wrapper and tax included for all orders!
Order plants online at : https://www.bexarmg.org/ or print the mail-in form.
Texas Master Gardener Association NEWS
Erfan Vafaie, Extension Program Specialist, IPM, has created a YouTube tutorial demonstrating some incredible advances in image recognition made by Google. In this quick tutorial, he demonstrates how you can use Google Lens, a free mobile app (Android and iPhones), to potentially help with insect and plant identification.
Note from Jayla Fry, Texas Master Gardener Coordinator: “Dr. Doug Welsh, the first State Coordinator of the Texas Master Gardener Program, suffered a stroke recently. He received quick medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. He is home and doing well. If you would like to send a card, his address is as follows: Doug Welsh, 13543 Suzanne Place, College Station, TX 77845. I know that he would be blessed to hear from folks; please keep him and his family in your prayers.”
Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard Field Trip
REGISTER ONLINE NOT LATER THAN MON, OCT 7
Bexar County Master Gardeners, come on our Field Trip Thu, Oct 10, beginning at 11am with lunch and a program at the Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, 25195 Mathis Rd., Elmendorf, TX 78112. 1 CEU, Code 001
BCMG Members may bring one guest. Enjoy Roasted Chicken Served with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetable for $18 per person (includes tax & gratuity).
Seating is limited, so register early!
Registrations made by BCMG Member only. Register Online (with payment) or pay at the BCMG Office (Tues. & Thurs., 10 am – 2 pm) not later than Mon, Oct 7th.
For Your October Calendar!
BCMG Educational Seminar
Thursday, October 17th from 1-3pm
Come and Hear Charles Porter, PhD (author, water rights expert and Visiting Professor at St Edwards University in Austin) speak with us on Texas Water Policy: History, Development & Future Challenges.
Details on our website.
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.
BCMG BOARD MEETING will take place 3 -5 pm on Thu, Oct 17, at 3355 Cherry Ridge 78230. If you are interested in placing items on the agenda, email President Grace Emery not later than Fri, Oct 11. All members are welcome to observe the meetings; however, in order to accommodate seating, email President Grace Emery that you will be attending.
BUGTOBERFEST
Keynote Presentation and Four-course Insect Tasting
Sat, Oct 19 from 10am – 12:30pm @ SABot
AgriLife’s annual insect eating event is coming soon! This year, partnering again with the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s chefs.
$25 per person ($22.50 member) for keynote and tastings; $35 ($31.50 members) for keynote and tastings with drink pairing (21+ years of age with valid ID). Register online.
Families can sink their teeth into four chef-demonstrated recipes featuring creepy crawlers. Local chefs will enlighten visitors about the sustainability and high protein power of insects. Menu forthcoming, but trust it will be memorable and healthy.
Ticketed program features Jonathan Cammack, chief operating officer at EVO Conversion Systems and a Professor of Entomology at Texas A&M University, who will speak on the modern entomophagy movement or the use of insects as food and feed starting at 10am with tastings at 11am. All ages welcome.
This San Antonio Botanical Garden and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service event is part of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival and is sponsored by San Antonio Water System.
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 Have Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
October shifts are 9am to Noon on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. One Noon to 3pm shift has been added for BOOtanica on Sat, Oct 26.
VMS has all dates/times for sign-ups! VMS Code 0100.
The BCMG “Ask a Master Gardener” service has two vacancies to fill: Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8am. to Noon. Check our website page for more information on this service. And, email Denise Perez or Nicolas Vazquez to volunteer!
Volunteers for Youth Gardening Program
- Feedback on the New Youth Gardens Task Force has been great! The first meeting is set for Oct 9, 10-11am at the Extension office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., 78230. If you have some insights and good ideas on how we can educate and support our Bexar County youth gardens, please be sure to join us! We want to hear your ideas! Email Ruby Zavala if you have any questions.
- Need volunteers to cut out 300 butterflies for the Monarch Festival Youth Activity using the die-cut machine at the AgirLife office (sitting down in AC). Email Ruby Zavalawith any questions. Sign up on VMS (Code 1200).
- Five 5 volunteers are needed to help facilitate youth activities (Rotting Log, Cricket Races, Maggot Art, Cochineal Art Station, and lots more) at BUGTOBERFEST on Sat, Oct 19 from 10am to 2pm at SABot, 555 Funston Rd, 78209. Sign up on VMS (Code 1200).
Get Ready….The Monarchs Are Coming!
BCMG will be participating in the Monarch Festival at the Pearl on Sun, Oct 20 from 9am to 2pm. We will have a plant sale with pollinators and host plants, and our children’s activities as well. Need 4 MGs for Children’s Activities and 4 MGs for our Plant Sale. Be sure to dress with your best butterfly outfits. Sign up on VMS Now!
The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable 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. Fall Session runs Tuesdays, Now thru Dec 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please email Kathy Breniman if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays, or if you would like to join the watering team.
Or, volunteer on Saturdays at the Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (CVGP) at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. or helping the Fall watering team on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sunday. If either works for you, email David Rodriguez.
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:
Drip Irrigation with MG John Vann is scheduled for Thu, Oct 3, from 6:30-9pm at the Men’s Garden Club Meeting (open to the public) held at the Oblate Mission & Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, 5712 Blanco Rd., 78216.
Scale Insects on Ornamental Plants will be the topic for the Fri, Oct 4, All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar from 1-2pm. 1 CEU per webinar; Code 001.
Fall Vegetable Seminar (and Sale: 20% off everything)with David Rodriguez is set for 10:30-Noon on Sat, Oct 5 at Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road, 78220. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
BROWN BAG – LUNCH & LEARN FOR October: Growing Winter Vegetables will be presented by MG Karen Gardner. Join the lunch group on Friday, Oct 11 at Noon in the County Extension Office, Suite 208. 1 CEU, Code 001
OCTOBER BCMG Monthly Meeting & Educational Seminar: Learn more all about the Texas Water Policy: History, Development, & Future Challenges with Charles Porter, PhD on Thu, Oct 17, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU per hr presentation; Code 002
Japanese Landscaping: Watersaving Lessons from Kumamoto En will be presented by MG Stephanie Jones on Thu, Oct 31 from 10-11:30am at SABot, 555 Funston Pl, 78209. CEU Code 001; 1.5 CEUs
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.
Greenhouse Management – Oct 17-19, hosted by Tarrant County, Fort Worth
Get Out Your 2020 Calendar: The Texas Master Gardener Assn Conference will be hosted by the McLennan County Master Gardener Association May 12-14, 2020 at the Waco Convention Center. Conference hotels are already filling up! Check out the planned Speakers, Tours, Workshops & Breakout Sessions by viewing the slide presentation from the August TMGA Director’s Meeting.
The Henderson County Master Gardeners are hosting TOMATO TOWN in Athens, TX on Sat, Oct 26, 2019. It will be a fun-filled and educational event with four great speakers and will be held at the Athens Country Club. Participants will receive 4 CEUs (Code 001) for attending. Registration online.
BCMG is a member of the unofficial Mariposa Coalition and MGs have been offered discounted tickets to two events during the 2019 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival (Oct 12-20). Check out details of the events below, use the special code “Mariposa,” and get $5 off your ticket! Check out the full schedule for the weeklong festival!
Butterflies Without Borders: Migration and Immigration in a Changing Climate. Fri, Oct 18, Pearl Stable, 5:30-8pm. A panel discussion on the state of the monarch butterfly migration and bat conservation to border issues, migration, immigration, and climate change. Panel includes: monarch butterfly expert Dr. Dara Satterfield; NPR border correspondent John Burnett, and the Bat Man of Mexico, Dr. Rodrigo Medellín. Tickets are $15 and available here, but use the code “Mariposa” and get them for $10.
Holy Agave Spirits! It’s the Bat Man of Mexico! Sat, Oct 19, Confluence Park, 6- 8:30pm. San Antonio will have the chance to meet Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, the Bat Man of Mexico, and the subject of a 2015 BBC documentary narrated by David Attenborough. The renown conservationist will explain the connections between agave, the food we eat, the mezcal and tequila we drink, and the bats that make it all possible. Agave-inspired food and beverages provided by Elizabeth Johnson of Pharm Table and Houston Eaves of the Esquire Tavern. Tickets $15 and, but use the code “Mariposa” and get them for $10.
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sampling of what is coming up:
- Oct 3 – Drip Irrigation
- Oct 3 thru 5 – Native Plant Society of Texas 2019 Fall Symposium
- Oct 5 – Secrets of a Successful Wildflower Meadow
- Oct 5 – Native Plant Adaptations to the South Texas Climate
- Oct 5 – Seed Bomb Workshop
- Oct 8 – iNaturalist Workshop and Pollinator BioBlitz
- Oct 8 – Stop the Spread, Spread the Word, Just Do It!
Upcoming Agricultural & Natural Resources Educational Programs
- EQUINE MANAGEMENT 101 – Oct 4 (Fri)
- 2019 ATASCOSA COUNTY FALL RANCH TOUR & RANGE CLINIC – Oct 7 (Mon)
- BEEF CATTLE HUSBANDRY AND BQA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – Oct 11-12 (Fri/ Sat)
Email Patricia Valdillez or call: (210) 631-0400 if yo have questions.
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Trash the Grass: SAWS WaterSaver Landscape and WaterSaver Patioscape coupons will help you replace the grass with drought-hardy flowering and evergreen plants or pavers for a patio, or both! The application deadline is Oct. 15. Customers with automatic irrigation systems must call 210704-SAVE (7283) or email SAWS for a free irrigation consultation before receiving their coupons.
SABot Scarecrow Trail Exhibit: Sep 28 thru Nov 10 from 9am to 5pm. Scattered throughout the Botanical Garden, visitors will be treated to Scarecrows created by community organizations and partners. Be sure to look for the BCMG Scarecrow (pictured below with Ruby Zavala & Barbara Lutz).
SABot BUGTOBERFEST Insect Activities: Sat, Oct 19 from 10am to 2pm (Included with general admission. Join the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for an expedition into entomophagy, the eating of insects as food. Enjoy small bite insect-based food samples and family activities such as cricket races, maggot art, and more.
David Rogers’ Big Bugs, larger-than-life sculptures, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden NOW thru December 8th.
SABot Scarecrow Trail Exhibit: Sep 28 thru Nov 10 from 9am to 5pm.
Ticket on Sale for Moonlight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Sat, Oct 26, 6-10pm (Details Here) and Wine Down at the Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 | 6 – 10 p.m. (Details Here). Both events at SABot, 555 Funston, 78209.
