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Mystery seeds arrive in Texas

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Texas AgriLife Today reports that mystery seeds have arrived in Texas. Texas residents are now among those across the nation receiving mysterious seeds delivered by mail in tiny bags marked as jewelry. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials are on alert because these seeds are unsolicited.

Several local BMGA members report receiving these seed packages.

Kevin Ong, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist and director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station, said the concern arises because these packages have seeds in them instead of what is listed, and there is no information on what type of seeds are in packages.  Dr. Ong told AgriLife Today: “We don’t know what kind of seeds they are,” Ong said. “Not knowing what the seeds are could potentially open our agriculture industry up to noxious weeds. If that proves to be the case, if they take hold, they could impact agriculture negatively.”

The public is advised not to plant the seeds and not to just throw them away until experts determine more about the seeds.

All incidences of receipt of these unrequested seeds should be reported to USDA-APHIS by sending an email to Carol Motloch, USDA-APHIS’ Texas PPQ state operations coordinator, at carol.m.motloch@usda.gov. The email should include a contact email and phone number as well as a description of package information. Sending a photo of the label and material would also be helpful.

For more information, please see the full AgriLife Today article.

2020 BMGA Scholarship Awards

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce its annual college scholarships winners.  Three $1000 scholarships were awarded today to high school graduates from Washington, Fayette & Colorado Counties, Texas.  The winners are Braylee Schomburg (Washington County), Megan Schultz (Fayette County) and Zane Wanjura (Colorado County). Each recipient attended the BMGA July 28,  2020 online video conference meeting to introduce themselves to the entire membership.  The bright students received some words of wisdom from some of the Master Gardeners and fielded questions from the audience.   Read more about them below or click this link:  Scholarship Winner Bios.  

Congratulations to all three winners!

 

 

 

  

Backyard Bug Hunt Recorded Series

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If you missed Wizzie Brown’s Backyard Bug Hunt webinars, below are links to recorded series to date.

Ms. Brown is an Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist in Travis County.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology from the The Ohio State University in 1996 and her Masters in Entomology at Texas A&M University in 1999.

When you find insects in your garden, your first instinct might be to destroy them, but that’s not always the best action.  Of the 1.5 million known insect species in the world, more than 97% are beneficial to gardens, or simply benign.  That leaves less than 3% that are agricultural and nuisance pests.

Bluebonnet Master Gardeners may claim CEU credit for these live or recorded events.

You may watch these webinars on the Travis County AgriLife Extension site or click the topics below:

Butterfly & caterpillar ID (Nymphalids & Papilionids)

Attracting insects to your yard

Veggie pests

Spiders

Fire ant biology & management

All about ants- ID & biology

Mosquitoes

Fly identification & management

Stinging & biting arthropods

 

Texas Blue Bells-Eustoma exaltum russellianum

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Many thanks to Dr. William C. Welch for sharing his article with the Master Gardeners.

Below are a few additional photos from BMGA member Christy Schweikhardt’s pasture in July 2020.  These blue bells were not mowed down and will hopefully re-seed for next year.

Blue Bells in Christy Schweikhardt’s pasture, Washington County, Texas

White Blue Bells in Christy Schweikhardt’s pasture in Washington County, Texas

Blue Bells, Washington County, Texas

All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies

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Tree

All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies

Registration: Please cut and paste the link into your browser.

https://tfs.webex.com/tfs/onstage/g.php?MTID=e46376572ab72e9dea2d947c49b06c626

June 25, Thursday
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies is bringing the science, the chemistry, the biology to the field of wild edible and herbal medicine. Dr. Mark Merriwether Vorderbruggen is a chemist, with an MS in medicinal chemistry and a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry.

“An estimated 50,000 plant species are used medicinally. Within the plant kingdom, trees make a substantial contribution to this figure, and many species are used in traditional and modern medicine.”

“Medicine from trees, extracted from the wood, bark, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, or seeds is fundamental to the well-being of millions of people. Where access to modern pharmaceuticals is limited, trees offer living pharmacies open to anyone with traditional knowledge on their medicinal properties.” (Global Tree Campaign)

Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, arboriculture, chemistry, and science to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.

Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, and other organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.

This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing experts to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.

 __________________________________

For more information, contact:

JOHN R. WARNER, CF, CA, AF
URBAN DISTRICT FORESTER IV
Texas A&M Forest Service
1328 FM 1488, Conroe, TX 77384
936/546-3169 cell
tfsweb.tamu.edu

 

Plant Pathology for Master Gardeners – Free Online Course

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photo of Diseased Bell Pepper PlantTexas A&M AgriLife Exension offers a variety online gardning courses free of charge.  One such offering is a self-directed course designed for Master Gardener interns to introduce the basic concept of plant disease development and an overview of the four common plant pathogen groups.

Plant disease is one of the most difficult topics for home gardeners.  Although this course is designed for Master Gardener interns, experienced Master Gardeners may find this online course a good refresher on a complex topic.

These modules will provide some base information which will help participants gain a foundational understanding of the different plant-pathogen types, and will enhance better understanding of the material presented at classroom Master Gardener intern training on plant pathology.

See all available AgriLife online courses under the Plants and Garden.

 

Tomato 101: The Basics of Growing Tomatoes – Online Course

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Photo of TomatoesTomatoes are the most popular garden edible crop in Texas according to Joseph Masabni, Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulturist, The Texas A&M University System.  Although the jewel of the Texas garden, many home gardeners have disappointing results with tomatoes.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s online course Tomato 101:  The Basics of Growing Tomatoes  teaches the basics of growing tomatoes in your garden. You may cover the material at your own pace and on your own time schedule so begin when you’re ready. This course was first developed for Texas gardeners. However, most information is suitable for other regions.

The cost of the course is $20.00

See all available AgriLife online courses under the Plants and Garden.

Mexican Heather Named Texas Superstar

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Mexican heather, an old-fashioned and reliable pollinator-friendly ornamental plant that adds big color to gardens and landscapes has been named the latest Texas Superstar.  David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist, San Antonio, said Mexican heather has been a favorite ornamental plant in Texas gardens for many years. Mexican heather plants are also a top attractor for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Mexican heather is best used in massing beddings, borders and containters.   It also is excellent in butterfly and pollinator gardens and hanging baskets.

Mexican heather photo

Allyson Mexican heather is one of the top performing varieties of this newly named Texas Superstar. (Photo by Brent Pemberton).

“There are other common selections of Mexican heather that are great plants, and I encourage gardeners to experiment with combinations, but we think Allyson is the best performing variety at this time,” he said. “It’s perfect for all sorts of plantings and works in all the criteria we look for in a Texas Superstar, including its role as an attractor of beneficial insects and pollinators.”

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.

This post was summarized from and the photograph was taken from AgriLife TODAY.  For more information about Mexican heather, see the full AgriLife Today article about  Mexican heather.

A Walk on the Trail Around Levine Park

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By Renee Kofman, Bluebonnet Master Gardener

Many people enjoy walking the trail around Levine Park in Sealy.

The park is one square city block with amenities on every side. From the splash pad for cooling off, white sands volleyball court and children’s playground on one side to a white gazebo surrounded by red roses in the center to a military memorial statue with a park bench adjacent to luscious gardens on the opposite side facing main street.

From one end (Atchison St) to the next block (Hardemen St) are the BMGA project gardens. You are immediately captivated on your left by gorgeous Rose Creek Abelias, Dusty Miller’s, John Fanick Phlox, and 3 different Circuma’s, and a Red October Camellia (blooms in October and November).

Across the sidewalk you will find an evergreen Mambo Yellow Hibiscus Tree flanked by 2 large yellow Cuban Durantas surrounded by junipers, Borage and red Drift Roses.

As you continue down the path you can’t help to stop and smell the roses as”Miranda Lambert Rose” begs your attention.

Next to her are purplish -blues Mexican Sage and yellow golden Thyrallis standing erect with fushia trailing Winecup rambling about.

This bed continues into the butterfly garden with many Coneflowers, Yarrows, Sages, Butterfly Bush, Mimosa and crapemyrtle trees mixed with Gingers, Guaras, Phlox, Stokesia, Calendulas, Lantanas and Crinum Lilies for the butterfly’s enjoyment.

Across the sidewalk is a banquet of peach Drift Roses.

Keep going and you come to two huge gardens divided by the sidewalk that leads to the gazebo.  On each side in front are many dramatic yellow Florida Sunshine Ligustrums flanked with a beautiful multi-color Rising Sun Eastern Red Bud. Just behind the Ligustrums are 50 red Knockout Roses.

As you continue on your left are huge maroon Crinum Lilies, Hidden Ginger’s,yellow Cassia’s, Durantas, Cleodendrums, Vincas and Fireworks grass.

Keep walking and you’re at the gardens in front of the pavilion. You’re welcomed by aromatic Gardenias, Batface Cupheas, Mexican Bird of Paradise,red Drift Roses Fairy Duster, Vincas, Salvias, Circunums and Hummingbird Bush. Across the sidewalk are red Drift Roses.

On down on your right is a large bed of mixed color Pentas scattered with Dusty Miller’s.

Keep on and on your left at the end of the block is our Sensory garden filled with Rosemary, Kale, Dill Fennel, Curry, Borage, Kangaroo paw, red and yellow Roses, Lantana, Vincas, Bay leaf Tree, Firecracker, Penstemen and the most fragrant Almond Verbena bush.

Across the sidewalk is our last garden with Mexican Mint Marigold in the center surrounded by red and white Caladiums and dwarf Little John Bottlebrush.

Our walk has been a treat. Come visit us soon.

 

Gulf Coast Gardening Online Series – Free

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Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture agents and specialists as they discuss gardening in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas.  Mark your calendars for these CEU opportunties.

Register to attend live events:       

Link to recorded past events CLICK HERE

July 2020

July 1 at 10:00am – Home Citrus Growing by Ginger Easton-Smith, AgriLife Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent in Aransas County

July 8 at 10am – Young Tree Care by Boone Holladay, AgriLife Extension Horticulture

July 15 at 10am – Cacti & Succulent Varieties by Kevin Gibbs, AgriLife Extension Horticulture

July 22 at 10am – Fabulous Figs for the Gulf by Stephen Brueggerhoff, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazoria County

July 29 at 10am – EarthKind Pest, Disease & Weed Control by Robert “Skip” Richter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazos County

June 2020

June 3 at 10:00am – Annuals in the Summer Heat by Paul Winski, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Harris County

June 10 at 10:00am – Olives on the Texas Gulf Coast by Stephen Janak, Extension Program Specialist

June 17 at 10:00am – Gardening in Containers by Skip Richter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazos County

June 24 at 10:00am – Turf Irrigation Audit by Michael Potter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Montgomery County

Gulf Coast Gardening Online

Invitation to Virtual Master Gardener College

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Texas Master Gardeners are inviited to join the online Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener College June 25-28, 2020. This is really a neat opportunity to learn from another state’s Master Gardener program.  Although not all of the information pertains to Texas gardeners, much will.  Please take this opportunity for more innovated learning.

BMGA CEU credit.

BMGA Interns Only: Apply time to their volunteer hours.

Get Information Button

 

 

 

Register by June 19, 2020:

 

Virginia Master Gardener College 2020

 

Junk in the Garden, Part One

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By Paula Trahan, Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association

There are many ways to add “junk” in your garden, hence, this being part one!

As an avid collector and recycler I have found an outlet for my collections.  Most items in the garden were free, dumpster dives and hand me downs.  Living in a 1911 Cat Spring farmhouse, new statuary and formal gates do not suit its history.  The double washer had been left here by the previous family.  A rusty birdcage is waiting to find its perfect location.

Rose Garden Sign

 

The signs throughout (Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden and The Potting Shed) were purchased at a garden center’s closing sale for less than $30.00 total.

 

The Potting Shed

 

There is purple potting bench made from an old horse farm fence with a small picket panel for the backing.  Plants get plenty of attention at this sunny spot. The awning was from a 1949 home in Seguin, painted purple to match the bench. This gate is one of three purchased at separate times from $10-50.00.

 

Picket Fence Corner of Yard

Another corner of the picket fenced back yard holds a washtub and watering can with an unusual turned spigot.  The post above has a curliecue portion of an iron bed which has been repurposed to hold hummingbird feeders.

 

 

Ceramic Mice in the Roses

 

Friendly little ceramic mice share the roses with a cypress stump which was used as the foundation for this home.

 

Wrought Iron Hanging Basket

 

 

 

 

A lovely wrought iron hanging basket holds a galvanized pan perfect for a respite for birds on our sunny days.  The bird’s hiding places are many within the climbing butterfly vine and confederate rose.

 

Kitchen Garden Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terracotta cherubim toss kisses to one another beneath an unknown variety of rose collected at Shiloh Battlefield Church. A small metal tiered shelf is a nice place to add small plants or these stained glass containers with a path light on top.  To the right of the “Kitchen Garden” sign is the entrance to the vegetable garden with raised beds.  The beds are constructed of 2×12” boards removed from the farmhouse exterior and they will be in place for many years.

 

Vintage Gate with Ceramic Butterflies

 

Another vintage gate, this one with an arbor above made from wood from the farmhouse.  Ceramic butterflies flit over the surface and the two iron candle lights have photocell lights within.

Lighting your garden for safety is very important. At the base of the steps is a pair of inexpensive path lights with stained glass covers among the irises and morning glories.

Stain Glass Path Lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

As most of us seasoned gardeners know it can be costly to enrich your outdoor spaces. Using found items not only is great for the environment but adds so much personality. Thank you for touring “junk in the garden”.

Sales Tax Holiday-Water Efficient Products

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Image of drop of water

WATER-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS SALES TAX HOLIDAY

May 23-25, 2020

Applies to online, telephone and in store purchases.  For guidelines and more details, please see posting by the Texas Comptroller’s Office

You can buy items tax free during the holiday that are used or planted for

  • conserving or retaining groundwater;
  • recharging water tables; or
  • decreasing ambient air temperature, and so limiting water evaporation.

Examples of items that qualify for the exemption include

  • a soaker or drip-irrigation hose
  • a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system
  • mulch
  • a rain barrel or an alternative rain and moisture collection system
  • a permeable ground cover surface that allows water to reach underground basins, aquifers or water collection points
  • plants, trees and grasses
  • water-saving surfactants
  • soil and compost

Examples of items that do not qualify for the exemption include

  • construction/building materials
  • awnings and other items used to create shade
  • air conditioners*
  • ceiling fans*
  • sprinklers

*Certain air conditioners and ceiling fans can be bought tax free as part of the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday during Memorial Day weekend.

From Garden to Glass: DIY Mocktails/Cocktails – Online Event

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Join Aggie Horticulture & Denton County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension online for a Facebook Live event on “From Garden to Glass: DIY Mocktails/Cocktails”. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist Janet Laminack will be sharing about how to create mocktails and cocktails from plants in your garden. A team of Extension Specialists will also be available to answer questions in the chat window during the event.

Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CDT

Join Event

CEU credit for Master Gardeners.

 

 

Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events!

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LogoJoin Aggie Horticulture on Wednesdays & Fridays at 1 p.m. Central time on the Aggie Horticulture Facebook Page to watch Facebook Live events!

Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events

Upcoming Events:

  • 5/22/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – From Garden to Glass DIY Mocktails/Cocktails
  • 5/27/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – “Some Like it Hot” – Growing Vegetables in Summer
  • 5/29/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – TBD
  • 6/3/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – Check your crape (and other plants) for scale

Qualifies for Master Gardener CEU Credits.

Prior Live Event Videos Available on Aggie Horticulture’s  Facebook page:

All About Trees: Forests, Water and People Online Class

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Tree

 

Thursday, May 21, 2020 2:00 pm
Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)

COST: FREE
Thursday, May 21, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 

Click below link to register:

https://tfs.webex.com/tfs/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2b809db1e53296189759595ec886e545

Healthy forests are critically important for protecting water supplies.

Forests play an important role in providing clean water. More than 50 percent of the nation’s freshwater resources originate from forests that cover about one-third of the United States. In addition to providing clean water, forests also absorb rainfall, refill groundwater aquifers, slow and filter stormwater runoff, reduce floods and maintain watershed stability and resilience.

Several municipalities and water utilities have already recognized the important role forests play in supplying fresh drinking water, and, as such, have taken action to conserve these critical landscapes. Efforts are underway to explore these approaches throughout the South.

Approximately 89 percent of the South’s forestland is privately-owned, making it the nation’s stronghold for private forestland ownership. To sustain healthy forests and protect water resources, viable economic markets, careful forest management and well-targeted forest, conservation efforts are critical. (Southern Group of State Forester)

Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved several of our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, hydrology and arboriculture to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.

Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, and others organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.

This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing healthcare providers, certified forest therapy guides, foresters and arborists to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.

Program information is available by emailing or calling John Warner, jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu or 936/546-3169.

Growing Blueberries in Containers – Online Event

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Aggie Horticulture is hosting and online for a Facebook Live event on “Growing Blueberries in Containers.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist Tim Hartmann will share about how to grow blueberries in containers. A team of Extension Specialists will also be available to answer questions in the chat window during the event.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CD

Online Event:  Join Event

CEU Credits for Master Gardeners.

 

Online Backyard Basics Gardening Workshop -May 29, 2020

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will a present a Backyard Basics: Gardening webinar on gardening and landscaping from 9 a.m.-noon May 29.

“This is a free workshop, and we hope folks from across Texas will join us,” said Matlin Sain, AgriLife Extension agent, Presidio County. “We’ll have a group of experts covering the backyard basics you need to know to have a more successful garden.”

tree photo

Tree disease and pruning will both be discussed at the Backyard Basics webinar. (AgriLife Research photo)

Participants need to register in advance for the event, which will be held on the Zoom meeting platform. Contact Sain with any questions.

Scheduled topics and expert speakers are:

  • Integrated Pest Management for Your Garden – Jeanette Castanon, AgriLife Extension horticulture agent, Midland.
  • How to Identify Tree Diseases in Your Yard – David Appel, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension plant pathology specialist, College Station.
  • How to Properly Prune Your Trees – Jonathan Motsinger, Texas A&M Forest Service, Central Texas Operations department head, Idalou.

Each topic will be followed by a Q&A period. For more information, visit the website for the AgriLife Extension office in Presidio County.

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association members participating in any AgriLife sponsored horticulure educational program may claim CEU credit for the program.

This post and the photo were taken from AgriLife Today’s article of May 13, 2020.

 

Blue Daze Named Texas Superstar

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Blue Daze Texas Superstar Photo

Blue Daze

The 4th Texas Superstar named in 2020 is sun-loving, low-spreading tropicl plant, Blue Daze.  Brent Pemberton, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist, Overton, said Blue Daze has been a long-time ornamental favorite of gardeners and landscapers and deserves the designation.  “It’s a true-blue flower and a long-established Texas gardening staple,” he said. “Blue Daze is very popular because its claim-to-fame blue color is a coveted color in the flower world.”

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.

This post was summarized and the photograph taken from AgriLife TODAY.  For more information about this hardy heat-loving tropical, see the full AgriLife Today article about Blue Daze.

All About Trees: Forests & Human Health Connections

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TreeEVENT – Forests & Human Health Connections – VIRTUAL CLASS

Register for the Class

Immersion in forests and nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical well-being, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists in public health. Join the conversation in science-based evidence and practices about health, forests, and natural landscapes.

Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved several of our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, healthcare, wellness, forest and nature therapy, and arboriculture to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.

Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, CME, and others organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.

This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing healthcare providers, certified forest therapy guides, foresters and arborists to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.

COST: FREE
Thursday, May 14, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Program information is available by emailing or calling John Warner, jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu or 936/546-3169.

BMGA Graduates 19 New Interns

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Texas Master Gardener Logo

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce the graduation of 19 Master Gardener Interns who completed its 2020 Master Gardener Training Class.  Master Gardener training is tough any time, but this group of interns are a particularly hardy, dedicated, flexible and passionate group.  The class endured unique challenges due to the pandemic sending the last five training classes, a total of 20 hours, to online video conference sessions. Even the required intern presentations and the final exam moved to an online format.  All but one field trip was cancelled.

Congratulations to the 2020 BMGA intern graduates:

Bobby Bentke Linda Hufford
Mary Jane Berger Lillian Kwiatkowski
Rex Boyd Kathleen Lannou
Terri Burnham Mike Lannou
Deanna Butler Cindy McAllister
Cameron Carper Scarbrough, Carol
Michael Fromm Gary Scardino
Esther Hartman Stephanie Vickers
Randy Hegemeyer Bonnie Wills
Linda Hill

The class started out as one of change, including a new statewide Texas Master Gardener Handbook with new material to include in the program.  In addition, the class was held for the first time in Washington County, first steps were taken to revive the mentor program and at the start of the class, efforts were made to move some administrative components of the class online. Although bumps in the road were expected due to the changes, a pandemic shutting down in-person training halfway through the 15-week program was not anticipated.

However, with the work and guidance of Washington County Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Kara Matheney, the many professionals associated with Texas A&M University and the class participants’ eagerness to continue their training, classes moved online with Zoom video presentations from AgriLife Specialists and others to complete the course.   Although challenges persisted, the material and speakers were of the high quality required for Texas Master Gardener training.

The BMGA 2020 Training Class Committee gives a special “thank you” to all who presented to the class in-person or via video:

Kara Matheney –  Introduction to AgriLife
Dr. Jake Mowrer – Soil Characteristics & Soil Improvement
Elizabeth Wizzie Brown – Insects
Joseph Johnson – Tour of the Leach Teaching Gardens at Texas A&M
Charlene & B.R. Koehler – Plant Propagation
Randy Albers – Plant Propagation
Michael Potter – Landscape Design
Jayla Fry – Plant Development
Sheila McBride – Diseases
Joel Pigg – Water
Tim Hartman –  Earth-Kind Landscapes
Erfan Vafaie – Integrated Pest Management
Tim Hartman – Fruit Trees
Rebecca Bowling – Lawns & Weeds
Skip Richter  – Vegetable and Herbs and Organic Gardening

Pentas, Purslane & Petunia Varieties Named Texas Superstars

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Three new ornamental Texas Superstars were announced this week in AgriLife TODAY.  Click the plant name for the full AgriLife TODAY article on that Texas Superstar.

Tidal Wave Red Velour Petunia

Tidal-Wave-Red-Velour

Tidal Wave Red Velour Petunia

Tidal Wave Red Velour Spreading Petunia has been named the latest Texas Superstar release based on its superior performance across the state, according to Mike Arnold, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Horticulturist.

Penta

Luck Star Deep Pink Pentas

Luck Star Deep Pink Pentas

Pentas, including long-time Texas Superstars and new series added to the list, offer season-long color for pollinator-friendly landscapes and gardens. David Pemberton, Ph.D., AgriLife Research Ornamental Horticulturist, Overton, said pentas are a Texas-tough landscape ornamental annual plant that offers a range of sizes and colors throughout summer.

Purslane

Rio Grande Magenta Purslane

Rio Grande Magenta Purslane

Cupcake, Muffin and Rio Grande purslane series were named Texas Superstars because plants show so many good characteristics, said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, San Antonio.  “All these new selections bloom better, longer and are more heat resistant,” Rodriguez said. “They represent all the best qualities you can find in purslane.”

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.

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must not only be beautiful but perform well for consumers and growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must be easy to propagate, which should ensure the plants are not only widely available but also reasonably priced.

This post and the photographs were summarized from AgriLife TODAY articles. Click the plant name above to link to the full AgriLife TODAY articles.

Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping- A Virtual Master Gardener Training

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Wildfire season is fast approaching. 🔥 This is occurring amid reports of the highest temperatures on record in some parts of the country and the continued megadrought in the southwestern U.S.- which is reported as one of the worst droughts in 1200 years! As well, extreme weather and other factors continue to fuel tragic wildfires every year across the country. For these reasons and more, it’s imperative that communities better prepare for wildfires. Master Gardeners are a trusted educational gardening resource in numerous U.S. communities and can play an important role in helping their communities become more wildfire resilient.

A new USDA-NIFA funded training was developed recently, Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping, to teach Master Gardeners about fire-resistant landscaping so, through their outreach and education efforts, they can help reduce their communities’ wildfire risk. Please invite Master Gardeners to join me for an upcoming training to learn more. Details follow.

 Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping- A Virtual Master Gardener Training

Thursday, April 30, 2020, from 1pm-3pm Eastern (please check correct time for your time zone)

Description: This free, Zoom Master Gardener training on fire-resistant landscaping, or firescaping, will teach Master Gardeners about what firescaping is and how to implement it in their communities. Specifically, participants will learn about fire history and behavior and ways to prevent home ignition through understanding plant flammability and firescaping design. This Zoom training will include presentations, “interactive” activities, and a discussion period.

Zoom training details:

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/95360284745

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 953 6028 4745

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adt5MzasbS

 

Webinar for Urban Garden Grants Application Process

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USDA Logo

NRCS will host a webinar, open to both conservation partners and the general public, on Monday, April 27, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). To join the webinar, visit: http://nrcs.adobeconnect.com/tx-nrcs-grants/. Log in to Adobe Connect using the guest option and enter your name. To join by teleconference, call 1-888-844-9904 and enter access code: 1946147.

Grants are available for up to $4,000 for a vegetable garden, $3,000 for a pollinator garden, $5,000 for a rainwater harvesting system, and $6,500 for a seasonal high tunnel.

Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity before the webinar to be prepared to ask questions. The notice of funding opportunity for both grants is available at https://www.grants.gov. Applications for Project G.R.E.E.N. (opportunity number USDA-NRCS-TX-PG-20-GEN0010731) and applications for the Texas Urban and Rural Conservation Project (opportunity number USDA-NRCS-TX-URCP-20-GEN0010730) are due May 29, 2020.