Volume 32, Issue #7 – July 2022
BCMG President
Welcome to July! Who would have thought that June was going to be the new August? These hot temps seem to be here to stay with no chances of rain in sight. If you follow us on our Facebook page, you will see some tips on how to cope with the drought-like weather conditions this summer. This definitely was not my year for tomatoes, but for some in the area, their tomatoes were tops! Check out the article below about our annual Top Tomato Contest where entrants vied to win the grand prize for all their hard work growing their own tomatoes.
We have some upcoming presentations to help boost your garden knowledge this month. On July 13th, learn about “Shady Characters in the Garden” at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. We will cover designing and maintaining a shade garden, including discussion about plants that thrive in the shade.
If you’re thinking it’s time to replace your grass with something that can tolerate the scorching afternoon sun, we’ve got you “covered” with the “Basics of Landscape Ground Covers” on July 14th at Rainbow Gardens (Bandera Rd location). Learn about a variety of options to replace water-hogging grass that will keep your yard looking green all year long.
On July 21st, join us in-person at the San Antonio Botanical Garden for our monthly meeting featuring Jim Hinkel who will speak to us about “Bonsai Trees”. The meeting is free and open to the public to attend and no registration is required.
In the meantime, stay safe and cool when working in your garden this month. Continue reading below to see what BCMG continues to do in 2022!
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 many FREE classes and webinars listed in this issue.
Scion Index
- This Month’s Presentation– Bonsai Trees
- Wise Water Words by Anna Vogler
- Superstar Spotlight – Pride of Barbados
- In the Garden Articles
- July in The Garden
- Inland Sea Oats by Melody Stramer
- Mexican Oregano by Mary Cennamo
- Children’s Vegetable Garden Part II by Janice Tapp
- Gardening Education Opportunities
- BCMG Member Appreciation Event
- BCMG Facebook
- MyExtension210
- AgriLife Today Article – Picking tomatoes at the right time!
- Aggie Horticulture Facebook Events
- WOAI 1200 AM – Lawn and Garden Show
- Ask a Master Gardener Hotline
- Can You Help? – Join Amazon Smile
The BCMG office is closed to Walk-ins. If you would like to set up an appointment to visit the office, please email [email protected].
7-July-in-the-Garden
Inland-Sea-Oats-by-Melody-Stramer
Mexican-Oregano-by-Mary-Cennamo
Part-II-CVG-Garden-at-Hardbergers-by-Janice-Tapp
Gardening Education Opportunities
Offices Closed: Independence Day
July 4
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar County Master Gardeners offices are closed today.
Home Grown Lecture Series 2022 – Identifying Pest & Disease Issues in the Garden – Free
July 7 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am ONLINE
Presented by Paul Winski, County Extension Agent-Commercial Horticulture. Part of the 2022 monthly Home Grown Lecture. Registration required.
Shady Characters in the Garden – Free
July 13 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place
San Antonio, TX 78209
Presented by Lynn Cox, Bexar County Master Gardener. Struggling with your shade garden? Not all shade is the same. Join the Bexar County Master Gardeners as they define the ‘shades’ of shade, share design techniques, and talk about plants that thrive in the shade. Master Gardeners will be available at the end of the workshop to answer your gardening questions. WaterSaver Rewards Eligible. Must pre-register as participation is limited.
Basics of Landscape Ground Covers
July 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Rainbow Gardens, 8516 Bandera Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78250
Presented by Lynn Cox, Bexar County Master Gardener. Tickets – $12.50
BCMG July Monthly Meeting & Seminar – Bonsai Trees – Free
July 21 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Colonies House – Colonies North Subdivision, 3511 Colony Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78230
Presented by Jim Hinkel and hosted by Bexar County Master Gardeners. Jim will share information on growing and caring for bonsai trees. There will be an opportunity for Q&A after the presentation.
Frequently check the BCMG Calendar, as that is where all the new, upcoming programs will be posted. Click Here
BCMG Members at a Member Appreciation Event in celebration of winning 2nd Place for Outstanding Association by the Texas Master Gardeners Association. It was a great day for good friends and good food! (June 22, 2022 at MacArthur Park, Photo by Lou Kellogg)
Past webinars are posted on YouTube for your viewing (or reviewing) pleasure! Check often for new postings! Click here for the list.
vine can help growers avoid fruit damage and extend the shelf life of their harvest. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Larry Stein)
Do you know when is the right time to pick your tomatoes? Check out this latest article by Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, in AgriLife TODAY.
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!
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)
The phones and the Hotline are being operated from Master Gardener home telephones; hotline calls are being directed by the AgriLife Extension receptionist.
What is AmazonSmile?
An easy, convenient way for you to support BCMG every time you shop, at no cost to you.
Available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
Amazon smile has the same prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com
How to Sign Up
Simply go to smile.amazon.com on your web browser or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone within the Settings or Programs & Features menu
On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization to receive donations from your future eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
Use the Search feature to Select: Bexar County Master Gardeners
That’s it! AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Bexar County Master Gardeners.
On your web browser, you can add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start shopping with AmazonSmile.
Use your existing Amazon user name and password to sign on to Amazon Smile. No need to create another Amazon account.
Note: Amazon will remember your selected charity. You do not have to select BCMG each time you purchase from smile.amazon.com. We are grateful for all you do and all you give to Bexar County Master Gardeners.