As we enter into May and the weather continues to heat up, it is important to keep a close watch on your garden to get ahead of any problems that may start to develop. Pests can become a problem that severely impacts the beauty of your garden, and it helps to know what to look for at the earliest stages. The video Landscape and Ornamental Pests by Molly Keck, Intergrated Pest Management Program Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, can help you identify and develop a treatment plan for some of the common pests we see in Bexar County. Disease can also get a foothold in your garden, particularly if we have rainy and misty conditions and the foliage stays wet for a couple of days. Often the first sign of a problem is when the leaves on your plants start to wilt, curl, have unusual shapes or you notice some are discolored or mottled. It is a good idea to try to determine the issue and have a treatment plan in place quickly because disease can spread to other areas of your garden. The Texas Plant Disease Handbook is a resource that can help identify the issue and give you some ideas for solutions. David Rodriguez, Horticulturist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for Bexar County, frequently states that the “most important thing in the garden is your shadow” and it couldn’t be truer this month.
In the Garden…with Bexar County Master Gardeners
Marsha Krassner, Principal Editor “In the Garden”
May Monthly Garden Checklist
Large summer blooms of the Alice Du Pont vining up a palm tree (Photo by Jason Fransella)
The Alice Du Pont Mandevilla: A Gem Among Climbers
By Jason Fransella, Bexar County Master Gardener Intern
Deep in the Heart of Texas – the Hardy Rock Rose
By Noelle Gellert, Bexar County Master Gardener Intern
April Lunch & Learn: Patio Citrus Gardening
Presented by Nancy Mills, BCMG
Summary by Sherri McShane, Bexar County Master Gardener
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension News!
Turfgrass – May
By William “Bill” Swantner, Bexar County Master Gardener
Gardening Education Opportunities
The BCMG Calendar has many new and interesting programs open to the public. Click Here for this month’s offerings.
LUNCH & LEARN with Bexar County Master Gardener
Ronald “Butch” Lee
Friday, May 10 12-1pm
Location: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio TX 78230
Bring your favorite lunch and learn from one of our Bexar County Master Gardeners at this free seminar. Seating is limited and walk-ins will not be accepted, so please make your reservation in advance. Others will be waitlisted and notified in the event of a cancellation. You can also view the presentation via Zoom.
Spring into Fall Gardening Preparation
With Spring ending and your vegetables soon to be harvested, and the extreme Texas heat about to restrict what we can plant, it’s time to start preparing for Texas’s second growing season: Fall. The end of Spring is a great time to focus on what actions to take and what to grow as South Texas transitions from the heat of summer to the cooler temperatures of Fall. Fall is truly one of the most optimum times for Texans to have the best of both worlds with early heat, shorter days, and cooler temperatures. As many Texans say, “Fall is for Planting”! So, enjoy some recommendations on how to Spring into Fall Gardening Preparation.
Ronald “Butch” Lee is retired from the Air Force (AF) and Department of the AF Civil Service where his background is in Logistics. He’s lived and served our country in Germany, California, Nebraska, Iceland, South Carolina, Illinois, Qatar, and his last assignment at Randolph AFB, Texas. Butch and his wife Cassandra, also retired from the Air Force, have two sons and six grandchildren who live in Texas, and they enjoy spending time with them. He applied and became Master Gardener in 2019 (class 63) after a trip to Israel where he marveled at how they leveraged technology and water use to grow vegetables in a very tough environment. He currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Team Lead for the Red, White, and Blue Ask a Master Gardener Team, and volunteers at both children’s vegetable gardens. He completed advanced vegetable training in May 2023.
BCMG Monthly Meeting
Where’s Our Water, What’s Ahead and Storm Chasing
Monday, May 13, 2024
(Note the change of date)
1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Chris graduated from Radford University with Earth and Space Science Degree coupled with a minor in Geology, plus an additional three years of Meteorology at Mississippi State University. He has been a TV meteorologist for over 25 years and has been the Chief Meteorologist at News4 since early 2018.
Topic: A look at recent years and lack of rainfall, why, and what’s ahead to replenish our water needs including hurricane season. Also included is a small discussion on storm chasing.
This event is free and open to the public.
San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Garden Center Conference Room
555 Funston Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78209
Hosted by the
Bexar County Master Gardeners
Helpful Resources
Ask a Master Gardener
Question: Will a Dogwood tree grow in Zone 9?
Answer: A Dogwood tree can be grown in Zone 9 with proper care. The best type of Dogwood tree for Zone 9 is the Cornus florida, also known as the flowering Dogwood. Part shade is best for Zone 9. You want to plant it in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. This will protect the tree from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. Dogwood trees prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The best time to plant a new tree is in early spring.
Answer by Art Vazquez, BCMG
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.
WOAI Lawn and Garden Show
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!
Do you need help choosing plants for your landscaping needs?
Click here for options highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife
