Scion- July 2021-

Volume 31, Issue #07 – July 2021


Lynn Cox,
BCMG President

 

July brings forth thoughts of sunny days filled with swimming, picnics in the shade, watermelons (with seed spitting contests), and fireworks! It’s also when I get to enjoy a special bed behind the pool with its red, white, and blue blooms.  Red firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis), with its clusters of firecracker red tubular blooms from spring through fall, attracts hummingbirds to my garden. White swamp spider lilies (Hymenocallis ‘Tropical Giant’), blooms only during mid-summer, but it is so reliable, easy to grow, and gives such a tropical look to the pool area. And finally, Mystic Spires Blue salvia, a Texas Superstar® perennial, which is a magnet for bees and butterflies. Happy Independence Day!

Happy gardening

Lynn


Scion Index – Click and Go!

You can now print or download Member Articles to your computer. Just click the Blue Button beneath the article you wish to save, and a pdf version of the article will pop up on your screen. From there, you can print or download using the indicators at the top right of your screen.

Please check out the dozens of FREE classes and webinars listed in this issue.



BCMG offices are closed to Drop-ins so you must have an appointment to go in. Call before going over. Offices will be closed for Independence Day, July 5, 2021.


All monthly meetings for 2021 will be on-line webinars held on Zoom, until further notice.

Monthly meeting presentations are always free and open to the public.

The first time you use Zoom, allow a few minutes extra to get set up. Zoom can be used free on home PCs, Macs and on smartphones.

Pre-Registration on Zoom is required for each webinar. (Equivalent to the “Sign-in sheet”). Register weeks ahead of time or even just a few minutes before the webinar and the link will be sent to you in email .


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Some our members attended the on-line Texas Master Gardener Conference. Below, they have shared a report of some of their favorite presentations with us
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Gardening Education Opportunities

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Molly Keck, Integrated Pest Management Agrilife Extension Entomologist

Want to know about all those hairy caterpillars you see outside?

Check out Molly’s Blog, where she tells us all the latest on controlling our pest and bug problems! Click here


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Youth gardening programs grow great kids

Aquaponics for Beginners course now available online

Mosquito populations booming after rains

Plant a pollinator garden to supply immediate food in response to freeze setback

Back to the Basics series on Beef Cattle Production

Early spring lawn to-do list a little different this year

Basics of raised garden beds

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Frequently check the BCMG Calendar, as that is where all the new, upcoming programs will be posted. Click Here


Past webinars are posted on YouTube for your viewing (or reviewing) pleasure! Check often for new postings! Click here for the list.

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Click to see the full list of available recorded FREE video classes and events:
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fblive/https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fblive/

Just a few of them are:

  • Fall Blooming Flowers and Biennials Planted in Fall
  • Growing Muscadine Grapes in Texas
  • Toys (tools) For Gardening
  • Compost versus Mulch
  • Planting Strawberries
  • Harvesting Pecans
  • Raised Garden Beds, Location, Soil Mixtures and more!
  • Home Fruit Production – Tips for Success!
  • Small fruits for the backyard
  • Floral Designs from your backyard – Growing, Cutting, Using your flowers and shrubs!
  • How to Prune Your Trees
  • Indoor Gardening

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Many free, on-line courses you can take at your leisure, covering a range of gardening topics. Developed by Agri-Life Extension, Texas A&M.

Get the full list of FREE classes here

  • Landscape Water Conservation
  • Low-Volume Irrigation
  • Irrigation System Auditing
  • Safe Use and Handling of Pesticides
  • Safe Use and Handling of Fertilizers
  • Composting
  • Designing an Earth–Kind® Landscape
  • Landscaping for Energy Conservation
  • Creating Native Habitat
  • Earth–Kind® Roses
  • Integrated Pest Management

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Call in to Live Radio on Saturday mornings, with your gardening questions for David.
Call in: 210-737-1200 or 1-800-383-9624 on Saturdays from 7 am to 10pm

Or just listen to the show, and learn from everyone else’s questions!

WOAI 1200 AM – Lawn and Garden Show
Host: David Rodriguez, Bexar County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist.

Past shows are archived here, for easy listening on your computer, tablet or phone, anytime! Listen on your phone while you drive!

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Ask a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are available to help you with your gardening questions. We provide unbiased, research-based, locally relevant gardening information. Free service. You can reach us:

By phone: 210-631-0400 (Ask to speak to a Master Gardener)

Mon-Fri 9 am – Noon, 1-4 pm (Closed on county holidays)

Or Submit A Question Online

Even during Covid-19 precautions, the phones and the Hotline are being operated from home telephones; hotline calls are being directed by AgriLife Extension receptionist Nick Vasquez.

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Stuck inside ordering online? If you are buying on Amazon, please consider using their charitable site to place your order. It’s easy! Just sign in under  smile.Amazon.com using your regular Amazon login (bookmark it for easy access) , designate Bexar County Master Gardeners as your charity of choice (upper left corner of the screen), and that’s it! Each time you order from AmazonSmile, a small percentage of your order will be donated to BCMG, at no cost to you. We are grateful for all you do and all you give.

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Like us on Facebook!

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Open Board Position.  We would like to recognize and thank Aaron Kelman for serving on the Board as the Membership Director.  This leaves us with an open Membership position on the Board.  If you would like to be considered for this position or would like more information on what the position entails, please contact Lynn Cox.


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