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Tips for Safe Gardening in Extreme Heat Conditions

July 6, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Sun and dried grassExtreme heat makes for difficult gardening conditions for both the plants and the gardener. As gardeners, we focus on helping our plants and gardens survive the heat of Texas summer but also, we must also take steps to protect ourselves from the heat. More 100+ degree days are forcast for our area this summer.  Spending hours in such heat can pose serious health risks to gardeners. Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be debilitating or even life-threatening.

Here are a few tips to help reduce heat-related illness while gardening in the extreme heat:

Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing that allows air circulation. Long sleeves and pants can protect the skin from direct sun exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn. Additionally, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can shield the face and eyes from harmful UV rays.

Hydration: Hydration is essential when working in hot conditions. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after gardening to replace fluids lost through sweat. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages while in the heat, as they contribute to dehydration.

Time of Day: Schedule gardening activities during the cooler parts of the day, typically early morning or early evening. Avoid working during peak sunlight hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m when temperatures are at their highest. Take regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning to rest and cool down.

Use Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 on exposed skin, at least 30 minutes before going outside to reduce the risk of skin cancer.  Sunscrean helps prevent UV-ray-damage to the skin which can cause cancer and  “thin” skin that tears and bleeds easily. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if sweating heavily.

Seek Shade & Air Conditioning: Use natural shade from trees and tall plants in the garden or create a shade structure in the garden. Take frequent breaks in shaded areas or go inside to the air conditioning to lower your body temperature and minimize the risk of overheating.

Although we garden year-around in Texas, July and August are probbaly the most challenging physcially for both the plants and for us.  By taking a few precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses, gardeners can continue to find joy in the garden even in the hash temperatures of summer.  Stay cool out there gardeners!

 

Filed Under: Other

New Texas Superstar Brochure

June 30, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

The Texas Superstar brochure is updated.  The new brochure is a beautiful, full color 44-page booklet with detailed descriptions, suggested uses and special notes for each plant with the Texas Superstar® designation. Texas Superstar: Strong & Stunning Plants for Texans

Link to the Texas Superstar: Strong & Stunning Plants for Texans brochure

You may print, download, view it in your browser or on device.  Be sure to have it available when planning your landscape and vegetable gardens.

To be designated a Texas Superstar®  a plant must be beautiful and perform well for growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.
Texas Superstar® is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, a state agency that is part of the Texas A&M University System. Plants are designated Texas Superstars by the Texas Superstar executive board, made up of nine horticulturalists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Earth-Kind, TexasSuperstars, Trees, Vegetables

Bluebird Eggs at Sens Center Demo Garden

April 13, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

 

Bluebird eggs are a welcome herald of Spring at the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s Sens Center Demonstration Garden.  Five lovely bluebird eggs are in a nest box attached at the top of an 8′ tall chain-link fence which encloses the garden.  The nest box faces west toward an open area with woods approximately 100′ away.  The Sens Center Demonstration Garden is located in Bellville, Texas behind the Sens Community Center.

There are several species of bluebirds found in Texas, including the Eastern Bluebird, Western Bluebird, and Mountain Bluebird. Eastern Bluebirds are the most common throughout the eastern and central parts of the state, while Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds are less common and typically found in the western and northern parts of the state. Bluebirds in Texas prefer open areas with scattered trees and may be found in fields, pastures, and orchards. They primarily feed on insects and berries and can often be spotted perched on fences, power lines, or other elevated perches. Bluebirds are a beautiful and welcome sight in Texas and are often attracted to birdhouses placed in suitable habitats.

Bluebird nest boxes are encouraged by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) as the boxes provide important habitat for bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds. In many areas of Texas, natural cavities suitable for nesting are in short supply, so nest boxes can be a vital resource for bluebirds.

The photo was taken by certified Master Gardener and BMGA member Leah Pearce, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Filed Under: BMGA Gardens Tagged With: Vegetables

Lunch-N-Learn: Washington County-April 5 & May 3, 2023

March 13, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

The Washington County Bluebonnet Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for Washington County, Texas announce their 2023 Spring Lunch-N-Learn Spring series.

These FREE to the public programs will feature speakers from the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association.

April 5, 2023 & May 3, 2023
Washington County Expo Event Center
1305 E. Blue Bell Road
Brenham, Texas 77833
(Parking and the Event Center face Blue Bell Road)  (Map)

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CEU, Propagation, RainwaterHarvesting

Advanced Vegetable Training for Master Gardeners

March 7, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Agenda Master Gardener Advanced Training

Class Information 2023-Advanced Training in Home Vegetable Gardening

Advanced Training Flier

Filed Under: Other

2023 Spring Tomato & Pepper Plant Sale

February 5, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Place orders NOW and until March 1, 2023.  Pick-up plants on March 21, 2023 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Washington County Expo Sales Facility in Brenham.
Order Button

 

 

For paper order form, click HERE

All proceeds benefit the AgriLife Extension Horticulture Committee’s Scholarship Fund.

2023 Spring Tomato & Pepper Plant Sale

Filed Under: Plant Sales Tagged With: Vegetables

Annual Plant Sale – April 8, 2023

February 3, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Bluebonnet 2023 Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale.

In addition to landscape plants for sale, tomato plants will also be available for purchase.  Nine varieties will be offered.  Click HERE for the complete list.

 

Filed Under: Plant Sales Tagged With: Fruit; Trees; CEU, TexasSuperstars, Vegetables

2023 Lunch-N-Learn Series, Austin County

January 29, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Bring your own lunch

Light refreshments: coffee, tea and snacks provided.

Registration:
11:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Program:
12:0 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Location:
Austin County AgriLife Office
800 E. Wendt St., Bellville, Tx 77418

Questions: Call 979-865-2072

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Compost, Lunch N Learn, Pollinators, Seminar, Vegetables

2023 Lunch-N-Learn, Colorado County Texas

January 29, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

Bring your lunch and learn.

Light refreshments: coffee, tea and snacks provided.

Registration:
11:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

Program:
12:05 p.m.- 12:55 p.m.
No pre-registration required

Location:
Colorado County Services Building
305 Radio Lane, Columbus, Texas 78934

Questions: Call 979-732-2082

Flier for Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn Series 2023

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CEU, Compost, LandscapeDesign, Lunch N Learn, Propagation, Seminar, Vegetables

2023 Master Gardener Training Class Registration Now Open

December 14, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is pleased to announce that its 2023 Master Gardener training classes begin January 19th in La Grange, Texas.  Registration is now open.

Go to Online Class Application

The series consists of 50 hours of training held every Thursday form January 19 to April 20, 2023.  Master Gardener Carol Daniels of La Grange is the coordinator of the 2023 training program.

The BMGA  class is designed for trainees from any of the four Bluebonnet Master Gardener counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides the training material and many of the expert horticulture and related speakers used by Master Gardener programs statewide.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals who are interested in horticulture and serving their community. Master Gardeners are trained in all facets of horticulture such as plant & soil science, entomology, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable gardening, and much more. Upon completion of their training, Master Gardeners will be required to give at least 50 hours of volunteer service time in their local community in order to receive the title of “Master Gardener”.

An Open House is scheduled January 12, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension Office, 255 Svoboda Ln., La Grange, Texas  for anyone interested in learning more about the program. This event will provide a great opportunity to visit with current Master Gardeners, learn about projects in each of the counties, and enjoy a few Master Gardener goodies.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CertificationClass

Texas A&M Turfgrass Short Courses (Feb. 2023)

November 9, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

SAVE THE DATE!

The Texas A&M AgriLife “Turf Team” is planning two Turfgrass Short Courses in February 2023.

A) the English short course will be from Feb 20 to 23th (4 days).

B) the Spanish short course will be from Feb 27 to 28th (2 days).

More details coming soon.

Turf Grass Short Courses Feb. 2023

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Lawns, Seminar

2022 Scholarships Awarded

October 1, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce its 2022 annual college scholarships winners.  Eight scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $1,000, were awarded to high school graduates from Austin, Washington, Fayette & Colorado Counties, Texas. To view the winners’ bios, see below.  The winners are:

Mackenzie Lee (Austin Co.)
Jagar, Rau (Colorado Co.)
Brynn Mikulenka (Fayette Co.)
Laura James (Fayette Co.)
Waylon Hinze (Washington Co.)
Weston Hinze (Washington Co.)
Keely Mikolajchak (Washington Co.)
Eli Saunders (Washington Co.)

All eight demonstrated outstanding acheivement in leadership, citizenship, community service and other endevours that form the basis of becoming lifelong responsible, productive citziens and leaders in their communtiies.

Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship winners!

Mackenzie Lee

Jagar Rau Brynn Mikulenka Laura James Waylon Hinze Westin Hinze Keely Mikolajchak Eli Saunders

 

Filed Under: Other

11th Annual Texas Fruit Conference

August 29, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Hybrid Program-Live & Remote Options!

September 26 & 27, 2022, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Civic-Consvention Center
375 S. Castell Ave.
New Braunfels, TX

For more information, visit:
https://tamu.estore.flywire.com/products/texas-fruit-conference

or call 979-862-1218

2022 Texas Fruit Conference Flyer

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Fruit, Seminar

2022 Austin County Lunch N Learn Series

August 29, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Fall 2022 Programs:

September 20, 2022 – Salvia for every Garden
October 18, 2022 – Texas Superstars
November 15, 2022 – Citrus

Austin County AgriLife Office
800 E. Wendt St.
Bellville, Tx 77418

Registration: 11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program:       12:00 p.m – 1:00 p.m.

2022 Lunch n Learn-Fall Flyer

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Citrus, TexasSuperstars

Texas Olive Update & Grower’s Seminar

August 29, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

When: Sept. 30, 2022  8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Texas A&M  AgriLife Extension Research & Extension Center, Uvalde
1619 Garner Field Rd
Uvalde, Tx 78801

Space is limited so RSVP now at: tx.ag/TxOliveUpdate

Olive Seminar Flyer

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Fruit, Seminar, Trees

Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn Series

July 21, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Colorado County members of the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association are pleased to announce the upcoming Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn Series focused on gardening and horticulture!

Programs will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Colorado County Services Facility located at 305 Radio Lane in Columbus. Registration will open at 11:50 am with the program starting promptly at 12:05 pm and ending by 12:55pm. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch. Light refreshments including coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. No preregistration is required for this free program.

The following is our program line-up:

    • July 20th –  Firewise Landscaping
    • August 17th – Fall Vegetable Gardening
    • September 21st – All About Berries: Blackberries and Blueberries for the Home Gardener
    • October 19th – Tree Care
    • November 16th – Soil Biology and Compost Tea

For more information please contact the Colorado County AgriLife Extension Office at 979-732-2082.

Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn Series Flier

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Compost, Fruit, Fruit; Trees; CEU, Seminar, Vegetables

Summer Celebration in The Gardens at A&M-You’re Invited

June 2, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Invitation to Celebration

The Gardens at Texas A&M
Summer Celebration

Saturday, June 11, 2022
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Leach Teaching Gardens

Free parking available in lot 97.

Join us at our annual community Summer Celebration for food and fun for the family, including children’s educational activities, story time with Chance The Librarian, JJ’s snow cones, and more. You won’t want to miss this fun-filled morning! 

Learn More About The Gardens!

Gardens Logo

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Earth-Kind, Herbs, Irrigation, LandscapeDesign, Lawns, RainwaterHarvesting, Trees, Vegetables

Intern Class of 2022 Graduates

May 10, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

By Faye Beery, 2022 Class Coordinator

On April 26, 2022, our new Bluebonnet Master Gardener intern class graduated with 33 interns.  One of them, Joe Jimenez, completed his 50 hours of volunteer work during the class period and is now a full fledged Master Gardener.  We also had the youngest intern that we have had, Webb Sherman, age 17.  The class had the largest ever enrollment with 40 students, but unfortunately, we lost 7 due to various reasons.

Joe Jimenez

Joe Jimenez with Class Coodinator Faye Beery.

Webb Sherman

Webb Sherman with Class Coordinator Faye Beery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We kept statistics for our class to determine the knowledge gained during the classes. Our pretest average grade was 55 with 23 missed. Our final test (posttest) averaged 89. The highest score was 98, made by several people. We also gave them 2 bonus questions from a list of words given them weekly that corresponded with their chapter. With the bonus questions, the average score was a 95. With the bonus questions, the highest score was a 108.

Several of the students were new to the area, having recently brought property in one of our 4 counties. There were also 3 sets of couples who were new to the area.

All of them were eager for information and asked lots of questions. They enjoyed the speakers and kept some of them a little over time to ask more questions. They are going to be good master gardeners, a good source of information for our community, and good friends.

Thanks also to the helpers for the class. Nikki Griffin was invaluable handling all the food and drink for the classes, as was Marcella Ausmus, helping with the hospitality and grading papers.  Esther Hartman, Susan Yancey, and Leah Pierce helped to grade papers also. Thanks to all who came.

2022 Intern Class

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Intern Class 2022

Interns:

Prudence Allwein
Ramin Baranpourian
Jim Campbell
Mary Lu Campbell
Nancy Darst
Linda Duffy
Carla Eriksson
Tory Farley
Jeri Franco
Dolores Gonzalez
Cheryl Grassmann
Freida Hale
Amy Schramm
Webb Sherman
John Sims
Chris Terry
Jim Hudgins
Linda Huron
Joe Jimenez
Chad Johnson
Kayleigh Johnson
Lorrie Maddox
Scott Maddox
Rebecca Marek
Margie O’Brien
Mary Ott
Karen Reip
Jacqueline Samples
Keri Sherman
Barbara Shersh
Carrie Staples
Renee Urish
Angelica Zurita

 

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CertificationClass

Fruit & You in ’22! Agrilife Texas Fruit Conference

April 16, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Texas Fruit Conference

Fruit & You in ’22!

 

Peaches on tree and a cut fig

 

The Texas Fruit Conference is returning for its 11th year, and we would love to have all fruit growers and enthusiasts join us for two days of education, networking, and fruit sharing!

When: Monday, September 26th and Tuesday, September 27th

Where: New Braunfels Civic Convention Center, New Braunfels, Texas

What: New grower information, advanced orchard management topics, research on new and existing fruit crops, fruit variety performance, pesticide CEU’s, and our Taste of Texas Fruit Reception!

Contact: Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture, 979-862-1218, monte.nesbitt@ag.tamu.edu

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Fruit, Fruit; Trees; CEU

BMGA’s Popular Kids’ Kamp is Back in 2022!

April 5, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

2022 Kids Kamp Flyer

 

 

 

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s popular Kids Kamp is back in 2022!  The three day summer camp for kids is accepting registrations now. The Kids Kamp will be held in all four BMGA counties for kids ages 10 to 13 years of age.

REGISTER HERE

 

Washington County:  May 31 – June 2, 2022
Colorado County: June 14- 16, 2022
Fayette County: June 21 – 23, 2022
Austin: June 28 – June 30, 2022

The kids will learn about recycling, organic gardening, mulch and compost, erosion control and insect I.D.  There will also be cricket races!  The kampers will make garden related crafts and enjoy healthy snacks.

Christy Schweikhardt, a Master Gardener who facilitated the soil & gardening segments of Kids Kamp for two years, said, “We fill the Kids Kamp with  hands-on activities that are both fun and educational.  The kids who participated in the past  Kids Kamps were entergeitc and eager to learn, even over summer break.  For the volunteer Master Gardeners who particpate in running the Kids Kamp, it is rewarding to help AgriLife Extension Service and the State of Texas foster fact-based gardening and food knowelge in a future generation of Texas gardeners.”

At only $30.00 for the program, this may be the best bargin in summer fun.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Kids, Seminar

Lunch N Learn Series – Austin County

March 8, 2022 by cmschweikhardt

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CEU, Herbs, RainwaterHarvesting, Seminar, Vegetables

There’s Always Something Blooming

December 2, 2021 by cmschweikhardt

There’s always something blooming in our native plants garden. Low maintenance and lots of color even in the fall. Texas Lantana, Scarlet Sage, Green-Eyed Daisies, Mealy Blue Sage and Esperanza are still showing off their beautiful flowers. The Chile Pequins are full of peppers and the Yaupon Holly is loaded with beautiful red berries. The garden is open to the public so stop by and see what’s blooming.

Common Name: Lantana
Botantical Name: Lantana urlicoides

 

 

 

 

This Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association Texas Natives Garden is designed to educate visitors, students and area residents as to the benefits of native plants. The garden shows how native plants, trees and grasses attract bees, butterflies, and birds as well as providing a beautiful display of seasonal color.  Water-wise gardening practices are on display as an educational tool to show how rainwater harvesting and a drip irrigation system can be used efficiently.

Link to more information about Lantana urliocides

Find the garden located at:

E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum
101 E. North Main Street
Flatonia, TX 78941
The garden is between the brick and metal buildings on Hwy 95.

 

Filed Under: BMGA Gardens Tagged With: Pollinators, TexasSuperstars, Wildflowers

2022 Master Gardener Training Class Announced

September 21, 2021 by cmschweikhardt

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Assocation is pleased to announce that its 2022 Master Gardener training classes begin January 13 in Bellville, Texas.  Registration is now open.

Register Button

The series consists of 50 hours of training held every Thursday until April 21, 2022 (Two classes will be on Wednesday February 16th and April 6th).  Master Gardener Faye  Beery of Bellville is the coordinator of the 2022 training program.  Ms. Beery was certfiied as a Master Gardener in 2012 and coordinated several training classes in Austin County.  The BMGA  class is designed for trainees from any of the four Bluebonnet Master Gardener counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides the training material and many of the expert horticulture and related speakers used by Master Gardener programs statewide.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals who are interested in horticulture and serving their community. Master Gardeners are trained in all facets of horticulture such as plant & soil science, entomology, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable gardening, and much more. Upon completion of their training, Master Gardeners will be required to give at least 50 hours of volunteer service time in their local community in order to receive the title of “Master Gardener”.

An Open House is scheduled January 6, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Austin County Extension Office, 800 E. Wendt St., Bellville Texas 77418.  for anyone interested in learning more about the program. This event will provide a great opportunity to visit with current Master Gardeners, learn about projects in each of the counties, and enjoy a few Master Gardener goodies.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CertificationClass, Seminar

2021 Fall Citrus Tree Sale! SOLD OUT

August 19, 2021 by cmschweikhardt

Photo of organes, limes and lemonsThe Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association will kicks-off its Fall 2021 Citrus Tree Sale today.

Links to Citrus Growing Expert Resources:

Aggie-Horticulture.

Ambrosia from your Backyard, Growing Citrus on the Upper Coast of Texas 

 

All Trees are SOLD OUT.

 Variety Descriptions

Only varieties suitable for growing in the Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington Counties are offered. Orders accepted from August 27, 2021 to September 7, 2021.

Pick-up: Buyer must pick-up trees:
September 10, 2021
12 noon – 3:00 p.m.
American Legion Post
1630 Meyer St.
Sealy, Texas 77474

 

Filed Under: Plant Sales Tagged With: Citrus, Fruit, Produce, Trees

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