2015 NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER2

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hhee cciioonnPublished by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bexar County Master Gardener Volunteers & Our Partners David

Rodriguez, County Extension Agent – Bexar County Horticulture & Master Gardener Coordinator

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Greetings - Wow, where has the time gone? Our fall garden season is just about over and we will be moving into winter mode. Fortunately for us, the winter season is rarely harsh enough to keep us from those favorite maintenance activities – replenishing our garden beds with mulch and other amendments for spring plantings.

Although I think we all rejoice in the needed rain, disappointingly, the San Antonio BOOtanica was rained out. Much hard work was neutralized but rescheduling is contemplated. The following notice was on the SA Botanical Garden website:

BOOtanica BOO Re-Do! November 1, 2015

Celebrate this fun family event at the Garden, 9am-3pm, on its new date: Sunday, November 1. $2 off admission

thanks to sponsor H-E-B! Explore the popular Scarecrow Trail exhibit and enjoy family play in the Big Garden,

Little Me exhibit. Don’t miss the new Hay Play area! Kids, here’s another chance to wear your costumes.

Activities for the family to enjoy together. Note: Plant sale has been moved to November 7, 10am-2pm.

With construction now underway on the vacant Funston property, please know we have additional FREE shuttle

parking available at 4119 Broadway (the AT&T Building at the Allensworth intersection, one block south of

Hildebrand).

The Children’s Garden graduation and awards program is coming up November 14th at the garden. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who make the wrap-up an event to remember for the children - from the judges to the cooks – and, of course, the Children’s Garden volunteers who are out there every week for the children. Thanks to you all!

Our Bexar County Master Gardener Christmas Party is December 3rd at the San Antonio Garden

President’s Message

Vol. 25 Issue 11 November 2015

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President’s Message, Cont.

Center, 3310 North New Braunfels, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. It’s a pot-luck dinner with the MG’s purchasing the meat and drinks and members furnishing the side dishes and desserts. Take a look at the notice in this month’s Scion to see what you can bring to share with your fellow MG’s. I hope we have a great turnout, as we will be honoring MG’s who have served from five to twenty-five years! Please come and help us celebrate!

We have surrendered most of the storage room at the AgriLife Office because we are no longer paying rent for that space. The large items that are used for our community events – tents, canopies, flags, chairs, coolers, etc. – have been moved to Uncle Bob’s Storage, 2417 Jackson Keller Road, Unit #281. If you’re involved in a community event please check with Carol about picking up the items you need.

Our planning has started for our premier annual event – the San Antonio Livestock Exposition – better known as the Rodeo. We need lots of volunteers to help prepare and oversee our gardening displays and plant sales for a three week period throughout the Rodeo. Please watch for future notices about volunteer opportunities and sign up early.

Thanks for all you do –

Jack Downey, BCMG President

BCMG New Storage Unit at Uncle Bob’s Storage – 2417 Jackson Keller, Unit 281. If you’re involved in a community event please check with Carol about picking up the items you need.


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What’s all the Buzz?

November General Meeting

Thursday, November 19, 6-8pm

3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio, TX 78230

1.5 CEUs - Free

Meeting begins with a social time at 6pm followed by the meeting and presentation at 6:30pm.

Travis Cole, current BCMG scholarship recipient and Member of the Alamo Area Beekeepers Association, will cover the subjects of bees and beekeeping. This is for you if you are interested in learning about beekeeping as a hobby, for environmental stewardship, or enhancing plant pollination.

Please come and support our scholarship recipient!!!

For information, email President Jack Downey, or call Barbara Lutz at 210-699-0663.

mailto:[email protected]


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N o v e m b e r G a r d e n i n g C h o r e s Tom Harris, Ph. D., BCMG Class 13

“The Hill Country Gardener” www.thehillcountrygardener.com

November Rain is usually adequate in November, but be sure to check the soil often to keep it moist—not sloppy wet, but moist. Many people consider fall flowers and veggies better than the spring versions of the same plants. The nights are cooler and the plants get to rest at night as opposed to the spring and summer when the nights are almost as hot as the day. In this situation the plants don’t get to rest at night. Don’t forget to keep the weeds pulled; don’t want them to get the jump on you. Birds and Wildlife

This is a great month for hummingbirds.

Goldfinches are back. Clean and fill thistle feeders for their benefit. Color

It’s winter-annual time. Select from pansies, spring bulbs, flowering kale, dianthus, calendula, viola, Johnny jump-ups, alyssum, and snapdragons.

Be ready to move the bougainvilleas, hibiscus, plumeria, purple fountain grass, citrus, and mandevilla into the greenhouse or garage.

Fall asters are spectacular. Plant them now for a good show next fall.

Plant your wildflower seeds this month.

For some winter color, get an

amaryllis bulb or two and force them to bloom. Fruits and Nuts

Pick up pecans as soon as possible after they fall to the ground.

Spray Kocide on peach and plum trees to prevent bacterial diseases next spring.

When transplanting perennials, get as much of the root ball as you can. Ornamentals

It’s a good time to plant irises, daylilies, and other perennials.

Divide spring and summer-flowering perennials during fall. Shade Trees and Shrubs

Do not fertilize or prune trees and shrubs this month.

If you’re going to plant a pecan tree, consider Pawnee.

It’s a good time to plant container-grown shrubs for long-lasting color.

If you plan to plant bare-root trees or shrubs, prune the tops back at least one-third to one-half before planting.

Deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall. Many of these trees have beautifully-colored leaves before they fall.

After the leaves fall, it’s much easier to see the pruning needs of your trees.


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Nov. Gardening Chores, Cont. Turf Grass

If you didn’t get your lawn fertilizer down in October, do it now. Be sure it says “Winterizer” or something like that on the bag.

Water the lawn only every 2-3 weeks with ½ inch of water if we don’t get rain.

Do not allow heavy accumulations of leaves to pile up on the lawn area. Vegetables

Plant onion seeds and spinach in November.

Side-dress your cole crops and

onions. Plant radishes, carrots, beets, and

greens this month. Keep the soil moist in the vegetable

garden—not sloppy wet, just moist. Questions? Write [email protected]; to get a complete list, go to: www.thehillcountrygardener.com and click on “Publications.”


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Bexar County Master

Gardener

Poinsettia

Sale AAllll PPrroocceeeeddss BBeenneeffii tt MMaasstteerr GGaarrddeenneerr

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Floral Quality Poinsettias See attached order form for pick-up December 4 & 5


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Floral Quality Poinsettias Order now for pick-up December 4 & 5

Grown by one of the largest growers in the area. Sold by florists and leading nurseries from $20 to $30

1-2 plants $15 each; 3 or more plants $12 each (mix or match) 6 ½” pots with support rings; delivered in protective sleeves

Three Colors Available: Red, White, Picasso (bi-color pink & white)

Foil potholders available for $1 (large) & 50¢ (small)

4 ½” red plants available for $5 each—great for gifts & arrangements

Orders must be placed by Friday, November 27.

We have limited quantities of some colors. ORDER EARLY!

Drop off or mail your order & payment (checks payable to BCMG) to: BCMG Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, SA, TX 78230 Questions? Call 631-0404

PPiicckk--uupp aatt tthhee BBCCMMGG OOffffiiccee:: FFrriiddaayy,, DDeecc.. 44,, ????

&& SSaattuurrddaayy,, DDeecc.. 55,, ????

ORDER FORM All orders must be paid at time of order. 1-2 plants $15 ea., 3 or more $12 ea., 4 ½” plants $5 ea.

Name____________________________________________________________

Telephone Number:__________________e-mail________________________

Red _____ White _____ Bi-color _________ 4 ½ ”_________ Pot covers: Gold_____ Red_____ Green_____@ $1.00 4 ½” Green _____ @ .50

Lg. Plants _____ 4 ½” Plants _____ Lg. covers______ Sm. covers ____ Total cost_______

Pick-up at the BCMG office: Friday, Dec. 4 (12-3); Saturday, Dec. 5 (9-12) All orders MUST BE PICKED UP at the BCMG Office (3355 Cherry Ridge)

NO LATER THAN 12 NOON on Saturday, December 5th. We cannot be responsible for plants left after that time.


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Hello fellow Master Gardeners,

Some of you may already know this, but I wanted to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of the two San Antonio Water System Residential WaterSaver Programs before they expire. Even if you don’t need it yourself, please let your neighbors know, as this is a great chance for them to save money as well as to conserve water.

SAWS is running two fall programs for its customers to help offset costs of making your yard more water saver friendly. There is one coupon for removing grass and replacing it with a drought-tolerant garden bed, (WaterSaver Landscape Coupon) and one for removing grass and installing a pervious patio (WaterSaver Patioscape Coupon). Each coupon is for $100 to offset the cost and requires the removal of 200 square feet of grass for each coupon. You can receive up to $200 in total rebates by converting over 400 square feet.

The Watersaver Landscape Coupon requires the use of 7 plants from an approved list, 2 of which are small trees and the remaining 5 can be a mix of the plants on the approved list. In order to qualify for this coupon, plants used may not be put into an existing bed, they must be used in your new WaterSaver garden bed and at least 2” of mulch must be used.

The Patioscape Coupon requires the removal of 200 square feet of grass (per coupon) and existing irrigation to create one continuous bed or patio. There is a minimum requirement of 160 square feet of pavers, flagstone or stepping stone.

Customers must schedule the WaterSaver Irrigation Consultation with SAWS prior to receiving the coupon (call 704-7283 to schedule your free consultation). The deadline to apply for these coupons is November 30, 2015. For more information visit GardenStyleSA.com/coupons or call 210-704-7283.

BCMG will also help SAWS get the word out by conducting coupon education workshops at Milberger’s Landscaping and Nursery off 1604 and Bulverde and Rainbow Gardens Nursery on Thousand Oaks in the next few weeks and again in the spring. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and earn BCMG hours. These will be recurring workshops for SAWS, for those of you interested in water conservation and who would like to stay involved.

If you are interested in helping or want to learn more please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Conservationally yours,

AAnnnnaa VVoogglleerr - Water Conservation Coordinator


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Please join us for the Bexar County Master Gardeners

Christmas and Member Recognition Party

Thursday, December 3, 6 - 9 pm At the

San Antonio Garden Center

3310 North New Braunfels 78209 Come one and all...guests are welcome!

No payment required – It’s Free

WewillrecognizenewactivemembersfromClass59andthetop2015volunteers,distribute5-10-15-20-25yearservicepinsandhavefunforall.YouwillalsohavetheopportunitytopickyourRodeoshifts

The party will be a POT LUCK SUPPER...BCMG willprovidemeatanddrinks.Youareaskedtobringthefollowingdishesaccordingtoyourlastname:

AtoH-Horsd’oeuvresorSaladJtoP–SideDishesQtoZ–[email protected]

Questions? Contact Jack at [email protected].


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…Master Gardeners at Herb Market Photo Credit: Barbara Lutz

Billy and Corinna McKenzie at the Sunken Garden in Lincoln, Nebraska during a pre-conference tour before the International Master Gardener Conference Sept 23-25.

Front: Maria Montez Back (L to R): Rachel Klug, Ruth Rea, Barbara Lutz, LaVunn Mims

Left:

Pat Kempf & Mark Fanick

Right:

Judy Carmona & Doris Westbrook


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MGs Out and About, Cont.

…Master Gardeners at Herb Market Photo Credit: Barbara Lutz

Left: Twyla Benson

Right: Pete Mendiola

Ben Wyatt Stan Winchester & Wife

Left: Judie Frisch Right: Tom Harris & Ron Csehil


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MGs Out & About,

Hoot & Harvest Festival Photo Credit: Ruby Zavala

Mary Valdez

Joyce Felter

Richard Valdez

Children’s Vegetable Garden Photo Credit: Ruby Zavala

Mary Fernandez Sandra Woodhall


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MASTER GARDNER GARDEN STARS Awards and Achievements of Our Fellow Master Gardeners

Congratulations to the following members who have achieved their Bexar County Master Gardener certification for 2015!

They have finished and submitted at least 30 volunteer hours and 6 CEU credits by October 26th to earn the Grandma Yellow Rose pin. The pins are available at the monthly Bexar County Master Gardener meetings. For other delivery options or questions, please contact Susan Noonan: [email protected]. Note: This is the last Scion posting for 2015 BCMG certifications. Check out the January 2016 Scion for the announcement of the new 2016 Recognition pin. Get your Rodeo volunteer hours submitted early in the year and stay tuned to the April Scion for a listing of the first Master Gardeners to earn their 2016 certification!

Julie Flannery

Doris Westbrook

Karen Garcia

John McElroy

Sir Oliver Smith

Marilyn Lange

Donna Irwin

Patricia West

Sue Buck

John Sells

Sonja Smith

Roberto Ambriz

Patricia Brown

Don Crites

Laurie Gudzikowski

Matt Mathews

Betty Hyman

Susan Toensing

Kathy Durbin

Wilson Grant

Jimal Hales

Billy McKenzie

Corinna McKenzie

Nancy Brown

Linda Cace

Sherry Cantrell

Karen Gardner

Patty Lemley

Jim Strong

Jan Tauer

Joan West

Larry Easley

Charles Mims

Ann Marie Pease

Rueben Lozano

Suzanne Watson

Eugene Wulf


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AgriLife Advice

OOrriieennttaall PPeerrssiimmmmoonnss iinn tthhee FFaallll by David Rodriguez Few trees are as attractive and fruitful in the fall as oriental persimmons (Diospyros kaki). They provide wonderful dark green and shiny foliage which then turns to an orangey, yellowish-red showcase in the fall. An added feature is their gorgeous uniquely flavored, orange-red fruit. For many people with that ‘sweet tooth,’ they are not only sweet, but also high in vitamin A.

Oriental persimmons generally ripen from late October through the early part of December. Much of the process associated with fruit development and ripening is dependent upon climate and regional characteristics. Persimmons are simply harvested by clipping and leaving the calyx which is the outer set of flower parts. The calyx sometimes looks like leaves, and in some plants look like petals; they sometimes form a tube on a short piece of the stem that is attached to the fruit. Fruit is picked when it has attained the proper color and is still firm to the touch. If persimmons are picked before fully colored, the fruit will not ripen

evenly which makes it harder to eat. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HARVESTING AND RIPENING PERSIMMONS:

Careful handling of the fruit is very important in minimizing potential bruising. Bruising can cause brown spots. Using picking buckets and not bags will reduce damage. Fruit may be ripened in a warm environment (60º to 70º F) for one to three weeks. Fruit may be stored at 32º to 34º F to extend the “shelf life” for one to four months. Astringent varieties have a longer shelf life than non-astringent varieties.

CLASSIFICATION OF ORIENTAL PERSIMMONS: Oriental persimmons can be divided into two classes, astringent and non-astringent (that's puckering and non-puckering for us persimmon lovers). Astringent varieties get their astringency from soluble tannins that disappear as the fruit ripens and softens. In some astringent varieties the fruit is not pollinated; this is referred as parthenocarpic development which is the production of fruit without fertilization. If varieties are seeded (fertilized) they are non-astringent. Non-astringent persimmons, however, can be eaten when still firm, without any astringency whatsoever. Astringent persimmons that lose their astringency as they ripen can sometimes be slow


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AgriLife Advice, Cont. to ripen. The process can be hastened by freezing the fruit for 24 hours. When thawed, it is both soft and free of astringency, and ready to eat. A red apple can be placed with the persimmons in a plastic bag or among the ripening fruit. Ethylene gas released by the apple will speed up the ripening process. The more intense the color produced, the more astringent the fruit remains. Freezing is a popular method of preserving persimmons. They can be peeled before freezing and frozen whole or pureed and placed in plastic containers. In this manner, persimmons will keep for a year or more. Drying is the other principal method of storage, especially in the Orient. Persimmons can be dried when ripe and still firm. After being peeled and either sun-dried, dried in a commercial dryer, or in an oven on low heat, they are stored in air tight containers in a cool, dark place. Persimmon pulp can also be spread on foil in a flat pan and dried into jerky. During drying, sugar crystals form over the surface of the fruit, creating an appealing product. Dried persimmons are high in dextrose and similar to dried peaches in food value. There we go! Persimmons can be used fresh in salads, appetizers, or as a dessert or topping, chilled or frozen. They are excellent in ice cream, with yogurt, or in smoothies. Cooked or baked, they are delicious in cakes, breads, puddings, cookies, cobblers, pies, and pastries. Persimmons also make wonderful preserves and jams. As a fresh fruit, they are unbelievable. The taste of a fully ripened persimmon is superb—incomparable to any other fruit. Try planting two or more this year. I think they will be well suited in your orchard or home landscape.

Look for these Extension recommended varieties at your favorite Garden Center or Nursery:

Fuyu (Japanese) is a medium-sized, non-astringent, self-fruitful persimmon. The fruit is red, rather square-shaped and can be eaten green. Fuyu will pollinate all other varieties. Tamopan is a moderately productive, very large, orange, flat-shaped persimmon with a distinctive ring constriction near the middle of the fruit. The tree is the most vigorous and upright of the varieties grown in the south. Eureka is a heavy-producing, medium-sized, flat-shaped, extremely high-quality red persimmon. The tree is relatively small and is self-fruitful. Tane-nashi is a moderate producer, cone-shaped, orange-colored persimmon. The tree is vigorous and upright. The fruit stores well and the tree makes an excellent landscape ornamental. Hichiya is a large, productive, cone-shaped, seedless persimmon with bright orange-red skin. The tree is upright and very vigorous. This outstanding variety makes an excellent dual-purpose, fruit-ornamental specimen. Chocolate is a moderate producer with small to medium orange fruit. It is a non-astringent selection which makes an excellent pollinator.

Oriental persimmons can be grown in a wide variety of soil types. They prefer a deep, fertile, well-drained, organically enriched soil. Provide plenty of water at the initial planting and fertilize six months thereafter. Ask your local


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AgriLife Advice, Cont. Texas certified nursery professional for more in-depth details on planting and training for the first two to three years. Persimmons also have very few major insect or disease problems. Happy Planting!!! Remember, Learn and Have Fun! David Rodriguez is an Extension Horticulturist with Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A&M University System. He is also the Master Gardener Coordinator in Bexar County.

Fall is Ideal for Planting Trees and Shrubs in Texas By Take Care of Texas October 6, 2015

According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, now is a perfect time to add a new tree or grouping of shrubs to your landscape. Fall months of September through December have distinct advantages. Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in Texas. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth. Tips for successful tree planting: Dig a hole large enough in diameter so the root system has at least six inches of

clearance on all sides. The root ball should rest on a solid soil foundation, so don't dig the hole much deeper than the ball.

Plant the tree or shrub slightly above the level of the surrounding soil, to allow for settling and increased soil drainage.

Carefully place the tree or shrub in the hole. Handle the plant by the root ball, not by the trunk. A broken ball of earth can mean a dead plant. Always remove any container before you plant.

Backfill the hole, using only the native soil removed from the hole; do not use soil amendments when planting large shrubs and trees. Fill the hole, and firm the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate any air pockets.

Do not fertilize your tree or shrub after planting. Wait until early in the spring to do this, and even then, go lightly. Heavy applications of fertilizer may burn and injure the root system, and could possibly kill the plant.

Find the best tree for your yard. - See more at: http://www.takecareoftexas.org/hot-wire#sthash.4bVWObhi.dpuf

Reprinted from “Take Care of Texas” www.TakeCareOfTexas.org


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Enjoy an evening of entomophagy prepared by exper t chef ' s and Bexar County 4-H Food Chal lenge Teams. Dine under the s tars a t Clearwater Ranch and learn how rais ing insects i s a sus ta inable form of agr icul ture and a surpr is ingly enjoyable

cul inary exper ience.

D el ight in an exper t ly prepared four course meal made wi th delectable insects and pai red wi th an appropr ia te

cockta i l , beer or wine. Food prepared wi th insects can be pushed to the s ide for those not so incl ined to par take.

Cost : $35 per person or $50 per couple

Event Date : Fr iday, November 6 th

Event Time: 7-9pm (cockta i l s and hors d ’oeurves 7-7:30pm)

Event Locat ion: 24510 Clearwater Run, SATX 78255

Regis ter a t : agr i l i fe regis ter . tamu.edu

Hosted by:

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.


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Mark Your Calendars! BCMG Christmas Party is December 3rd!

The BCMG Christmas Party will be held at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 North New Braunfels, on Thursday, December 3rd from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Mark your calendars for a joyous time with your fellow Master Gardeners!

Christmas Elves Needed!

Volunteer to help as a member of the Decorations Committee, Food Committee and/or Reservations Committee. BCMG is purchasing all the meat entrees for the 2015 “potluck” dinner with fellow gardeners providing the surrounding delectables. Email Jack Downey to pitch in and help out!

2016 Texas MG State Conference: Register Early for Discounted Rates

Learn from renowned garden experts May 17-19, 2016 at Myers Park and Event Center, McKinney, Texas. Visit the conference website for information on registration, dates, presenters, Collins County MGA speakers and workshops, local hotels, and more. Please

email: [email protected], or call 469-859-5934 with questions. Find up-to-date information on Facebook: Texas Master Gardener Annual Conference, or Instagram – txmgstateconf2016.

Children’s Vegetable Garden Recognition Event

The event will take place Sat., Nov. 14, 8:30 – 11 am at the San Antonio Botanical Garden – Children’s Vegetable Garden Program, 555 Funston Rd., SAT, 78209. 3-4 Volunteers are needed to manage the sign-in sheets. Contact Angel Torres if you can help, or call 631-0400. David Rodriguez also needs help with setting up and overseeing the Vegetable Contest, the picnic and the recognition ceremony. Please email David if you can help.

Looking for…Photos or Articles for YOUR BCMG Scion Newsletter!

Submission deadline for December is 11/25/15 for all articles and photos submitted for publication. Please submit photos with photographer’s name, event & date, and ID any MGs in the photos. If you are interested in submitting an article, please limit it to 500 wrds. or less and if possible, a couple of photos. All submissions are subject to editing. Send submissions via email to: Kimber Briggs, Editor of the Scion.


http://www.ccmgatx.org/txmg2016





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In Cooperation with

Bexar County Commissioners Court:

Nelson W. Wolff,

County Judge

Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez,

Commissioner Precinct 1

Paul Elizondo, Commissioner

Precinct 2

Kevin A. Wolff, Commissioner

Precinct 3

Tommy Calvert, Commissioner

Precinct 4

JJooiinn oouurr MMaasstteerr GGaarrddeenneerr GGrroouupp oonn

FFaacceebbooookk!! Click Here

LLaawwnn && GGaarrddeenn SShhooww PPooddccaasstt Click Here

ATTENTION ALL BCMG! Please visit the new Bexar County Master Gardeners website to get DETAILS on all the latest, hottest news and upcoming VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! While at the website, you can also check out the

Log Your Hours NOW!

Go To: www.bexarmg.org

Click on “Members” Scroll down and click on “Report Your

Volunteer Hours”

If you haven’t turned in your volunteer hours and CEUs, please do so at your earliest convenience. [In fact, why not report the hours as you complete them; just make a practice of entering the hours online as you earn them.] December is right around the corner and we don’t want to lose you for not submitting your hours on time. Getting reinstated back into the Bexar County Master Gardeners Program, you would have to complete—not 30 vol. hrs. — but 50 vol. hrs. in one year, and in addition, pay $10 for your own background check application. If you need help in adding your volunteer hours online, contact Angel Torres at 631-0402 or email her and she can walk you through the process, or you can visit her at the office.

Announcements, Cont.

www.bexarmg.org


https://www.facebook.com/groups/120167268026499/#_=_

https://www.woai.com/media/podcast-woai-lawn-and-garden-show-gardenshow/


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Announcements, Cont.

O n g o i n g V o l u n t e e r O p p o r t u n i t i e s

Ø San Antonio Botanical Garden

Greenhouse, Terrarium Ecosystem Program: contact SABOT Volunteer Coordinator, Veronica Dallahan at 210-207-3261

Ø Children's Vegetable Garden Program

Contact Mary Fernandez at [email protected] or Anne Marie Simmons at [email protected].

Ø San Antonio Food Bank Gardens

Saturday from 9am – 12pm. Click here for more information.

Ø Wounded Warrior Gardens

Tuesday contact: Melody McMahon at [email protected], Thursday contact: [email protected].

Ø Earth Kind Speakers Bureau

Contact Sandy Justice at [email protected] to get on the speaker request notification list.

Ø Helping Hands

Help BCMG with mailings or other work at MG office. Contact: Holly Julian at [email protected]

Ø Plant Hotline

Our Plant Hotline answers phone and email questions daily. Call 210-467-6575 or ask by email.

Ø Plant Trials

Contact David Rodriguez at [email protected] to be contacted when help is needed for a project.


www.safoodbank.org



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From Your Board of Directors…

The BCMG Board is here to serve the Master Gardeners of Bexar County and to assist Bexar County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in providing education opportunities to the community in which we live. Please feel free to contact the Board – or a particular member – with suggestions, ideas, comments, etc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Jack Downey

[email protected]

Vice President Anne Marie Simmons

[email protected]

Treasurer Theresa Ford

[email protected]

Secretary Sherry Cantrell

[email protected]

Membership Inez Ornelas

[email protected]

Members-at-Large Jamie Dailey

[email protected]

Ted Ritchie [email protected]

Immediate Past President

Barbara Lutz [email protected]

To Send an E-mail to the entire Board

[email protected]

The Board Minutes for the October 8, 2015 Board of Directors meeting will be published in the December issue of the BCMG Scion Newsletter.

BCMG Ed. Seminar/Gen. Mtg. Thurs., November 19, 6-8 pm

6pm – Social, 6:30 – 8 pm Meeting & Speaker 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Ste. 208, San Antonio

Topic: “Bees & Beekeeping”

1.5 CEUs Speaker: Travis Cole, BCMG Scholarship Recipient

BCMG Ed. Seminars/Gen. Mtgs. are held on the 3rd Thurs.

every month. For more info., contact Jack Downey

BCMG Board of Directors Meeting Thurs., November 12, 4 pm – 6 pm 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio

Meetings are held monthly. Members can request items to be added to the agenda by emailing Jack Downey at

least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

All members are welcome to observe the meetings, however in order to accommodate seating, please email

Jack Downey that you will attending.





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What is a Master Gardener?

Bexar County Master Gardeners are trained, certified volunteers who support the educational horticulture programs and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service in Bexar County. We work with County Extension Agent-Horticulture David Rodriguez to help create and maintain gardens that showcase plants for our area; help with trial gardens and field research; share planting, composting, and irrigation methods; present information at garden and trade events; answer horticultural inquiries over the telephone; organize and/or present educational programs to various groups; introduce children to gardens through programs in schools and the Children’s Vegetable Garden; and increase awareness of integrated pest management, water conservation, and other environmental stewardship issues.

Master Gardener training sessions are held in spring. Classes are usually be held on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 pm. After acceptance into the program, intern students are required to submit to a background check, attend the 13-week course, and complete 50 hours of volunteer service within a year before they are certified as a Master Gardener. Lectures by experts in their field, hands-on activities, and field trips make up the classroom experience. A large variety of volunteer activities offered throughout the year provide ample opportunity to complete the service requirement. After initial certification, Master Gardeners are required to complete 30 hours of service and 6 continuing education hours each year to re-certify.

Learning and teaching others is the Bexar County Master Gardener mission. We are “hands-on” gardeners who are interested in sharing all aspects of gardening with anyone who will listen.

Please Take Note… The November “Master Gardener of the Month” article will be published in the December issue of the BCMG Scion Newsletter.

- The Editor


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Fr om the Editor… “You cannot go through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

“Vitamin N” During the winter months we generally slow down and cut back on our outside chores and more of our activities move indoors. We begin preparations for upcoming holiday celebrations, and time with family and friends. For me, this is also a time when I start to fret about upcoming gift giving – what to get and who to give it to. However, I think that one of the greatest gifts of all that you can give someone whether it be the holidays or a more personal celebration like a birthday, is a gift that’s free, available to all, good for you, and can be “opened” again and again and yet be different every time. The gift, of course, is “Nature”. You’re probably thinking, “That’s silly. That’s not really a gift you ‘give,’ because anyone can have that for themselves”. However, that really depends on how old you are and what direction you’ve gone in the Age of Technology. If your childhood days were filled with going to school, then playing outside from the time you got home until dark, then you belong to the last generation to remember: playing tag; exploring a nearby forest preserve and building a fort in a tree; riding your bike until your legs ached, then laying down in the cool green grass and picking out shapes in clouds floating in an azure colored sky. You belong to the generation that grew up without Game Boys or video games that kept you inside for hours on end. You benefited from all the gifts Nature had to offer, and you can share that knowledge with others. I’ve been reading a book called, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, by Richard Louv. And although much of what he says most of us (at least Nature lovers and gardeners!) already know intuitively, he

validates those “feelings” with scientific evidence. Some of the things he discusses such as, “Nature Deficit Disorder,” “Vitamin N,” and “Place Blindness,” all point to issues we face in the Virtual Age and may be unaware of, or worse, ambivalent towards. However, perhaps if we really examine what we are losing, we would realize how much we have to gain by sharing what we know to be true: “Time spent in the natural world can help build our physical, emotional, and family fitness. The mind/body connection, of course, is a familiar concept, but research and common sense suggest a new container: the mind/body/nature connection.” (The Nature Principle, Kindle Edition, pg. 46). Louv gives many examples, backed by scientific evidence, which proves that Nature, or “Vitamin N,” “…has a direct positive impact on human health…and that some mainstream health care providers and organizations have begun to promote nature therapy for an array of illnesses and for disease prevention.” (The Nature Principle, Kindle Edition, pg. 46). This in itself should be enough to motivate individuals, parents, grandparents and caregivers to give the “gift”. Not convinced? There’s more…

According to the Deakin review, each of the following health benefits, among others, is supported by anecdotal, theoretical, and empirical research:

Exposure to natural environments, such as parks, enhances the ability to cope with and recover from illness and injury.

Established methods of nature-based therapy (including wilderness, horticulture, and animal-assisted therapy) have success healing patients who previously had not responded to


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November Editorial, Cont. treatment of some emotional or physical ailments.

People have a more positive outlook on life and higher life satisfaction when in proximity to nature, particularly in urban areas. (The Nature Principle, Kindle Edition, pg. 48)

Now are you convinced? If not, I suggest you take the time to research this theory by going to your nearest natural area and going for a walk. I guarantee you’ll feel better! Better yet, take a friend (two-legged or four-legged will do) and share the experience. Then listen to the wind as it whispers through the leaves. It’s telling you something. It’s saying, “Remember this place? Reconnect, be at peace and heal your body, mind and soul”.

Your Editor, Kimber Briggs

HHaappppyy TThhaannkkssggiivviinngg!!

© Kimber Briggs

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2015 NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER2