• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association
Bluebonnet Master Gardener AssociationTexas AgriLife Extension Service

Members Only   Enter Hours

  • Menu
  • #5 (no title)
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Projects
  • Resources
  • News Blog
  • Training Class
  • Contact Us

Mexican Heather Named Texas Superstar

June 5, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, Pollinators, TexasSuperstars

A Walk on the Trail Around Levine Park

June 2, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

 

Filed Under: BMGA Gardens, Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign

Gulf Coast Gardening Online Series – Free

May 29, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Fruit, Lawns, Vegetables

Invitation to Virtual Master Gardener College

May 29, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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

 

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: CEU, Compost, Pests, Seminar

Junk in the Garden, Part One

May 29, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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”.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign

Sales Tax Holiday-Water Efficient Products

May 22, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

Filed Under: Other

Growing Blueberries in Containers – Online Event

May 19, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

 

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Fruit

Blue Daze Named Texas Superstar

May 15, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, TexasSuperstars

All About Trees: Forests & Human Health Connections

May 13, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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, [email protected] or 936/546-3169.

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Trees

BMGA Graduates 19 New Interns

May 12, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CertificationClass

Pentas, Purslane & Petunia Varieties Named Texas Superstars

April 25, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: TexasSuperstars

Webinar for Urban Garden Grants Application Process

April 24, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

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.

Filed Under: Other

B.R Koehler Presented Mole & Gopher Control in Waller County

March 26, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

B.R presenting

B.R. Koehler Mole & Gopher presentation

Mole and gopher control is a frequent topic in our area.  These animals are not only a nuisance, but they can also be destructive to lawns and gardens. When their tunnels collapse in my yard, they leave holes in the lawn making what I call “ankle-twisters,” so named from experience.  Pocket gophers also pushed piles of sand up into our well house.

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association member B.R. Koehler gave his presentation on Mole and Gopher Control to the Waller County Master Gardener Association on February. 22, 2020 at the Waller County AgriLife Extension Office in Hempstead. B.R.’s wife, Master Gardener Charlene Koehler, gave her usual assistance with the program.

The program was considered supplemental training for the Waller County Master Gardener Training class of five.  The session was open to guests from the community for a total attendance of 35.  B.R.’s program includes circulating his “mole & gopher coffins” around the room with preserved samples of a mole and a gopher.  He does this so everyone can learn to identify them and see the difference between them.

Gopher sand in the well house.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, pocket gophers are burrowing rodents which live almost entirely underground. Gophers are well adapted to their underground existence, with stout forelegs and strong curved claws for digging. They have prominent, yellow incisor teeth and large, fur-lined external cheek pouches in which food is carried. The pocket gopher’s diet mainly consists of fleshy roots of various plants, including trees. Gophers normally eat tubers such as potatoes and peanuts. They also eat green tops and seeds that can be pulled down into their burrows.

Moles are small, burrowing mammals that feed on insects. Moles have furless, pointed snouts, small eyes concealed in the fur, and no external ears. They have broadened, shovel-like front feet, webbed to the base of the claws, that enable them to dig effectively for insects. Moles have a keen sense of smell and touch but are almost blind. Moles destroy only a few plants or bulbs by direct feeding. The main damage is done when plant roots are dislodged as the animals tunnel through the soil in search of insects. Their burrowing can disfigure lawns and parks, destroy flower beds, tear up the roots of grasses and create havoc in small garden plots.

For more information about controlling moles and gophers, review material provided by Texas A&M or attend one of B.R. presentations in the future.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Pests

2020 Fruit Tree Sale!

February 28, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association has kicked-off its 2020 fruit tree sale!  Only varieties suitable for growing in the Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington Counties are offered.

Pick up your trees at either of these locations:

March 20-21, 2020
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.   

1333 Downey Rd., Sealy, Texas

March 24, 2020
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fayette County AgriLife Extension Office
255 Svaboda Ln., La Grange, Texas   

Order Here

 

Filed Under: Other, Plant Sales Tagged With: Fruit, Trees

Why I Became a Master Gardener

January 25, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

By Christy Schweikhardt

For a kid growing up in Houston’s suburbs, my early love of vegetable gardening was an unusual passion. The gardening “bug” was sparked in the summer when I was about 10 years old. I traveled with an aunt and my two cousins to Oklahoma where we stayed about two weeks at the country home of my Great Aunt Joy, my grandmother’s sister.  When we arrived, Aunt Joy showed us around the place, which included a tour of her massive vegetable garden.  It was certainly massive to a kid whose family grew a few tomato plants in the backyard where the oak tree did not cast too much shade, but even today I would consider Aunt Joy’s garden an impressive in-ground home row garden.  It was luscious green, with large and small yellow blooms on plants I had never seen before and vegetables ready to harvest.  As we wandered up and down the rows, Aunt Joy identified the plants, talked about how to grow them and whispered loving encouragement to them. She showed me her compost piles and explained how they worked.  I was fascinated.

Christy’s Tomato Bed 2019

While there, every day, sometimes before breakfast, I went out with her to survey the garden and harvest.  This is still my routine in my garden now; out in garden first thing in morning. The bush green beans in Aunt Joy’s garden were coming in like gang-busters so over the first few days of our visit, we harvested bushels of them. I had never seen such piles of fresh green beans. Since most of my green bean-eating experience consisted of beans from cans, I was not a big fan.  I usually dosed them with apple cider vinegar because I preferred the taste of vinegar to the beans.  But even though I was not planning to eat many of the harvested green beans, anticipating how many beans would be ready to harvest each morning and picking them from the bush was just down right fun.  We also harvested cucumbers which seemed to double in size every night.

When Aunt Joy cooked a pot of fresh green beans harvested that morning with onion and little bits of ham; boy did my impression of green beans change!   They were fabulous, no vinegar needed, and so dramatically better than store-bought canned beans.  Even a 10-year old could taste the difference and say “yum” while eating green beans.  I thought I betrayed kids everywhere by suddenly loving green beans!

2018 Garden

As good as they were, with all of the cucumbers and green beans piling up to more than we could possibly eat right away, it was time to preserve. The beans were dumped out on yesterday’s newspaper  (yes, we actually had paper newspapers in those days) on the kitchen table and we snapped them for hours it seemed; telling stories and laughing together while we worked.  I then stood by the stove watching Aunt Joy pour hot liquid over the beans packed in jars and we set the lids and rings. After the beans were canned, next came slicing and pickling cucumbers. When we were done, jars of beans and pickles where stacked all over the kitchen.

A neighbor dropped by the house early morning the next day, before breakfast.  Her family were beekeepers and harvested honey a few days ago.  She left Aunt Joy a few jars of honey and Joy gave her a few jars of green beans and pickles.  After she left, we made some toast, spread it with butter and drizzled that fresh sweet honey on top.  I had nothing but toast and honey for breakfast that day and was full of energy. Toast, butter and honey is still a special treat for me that will take my mind back to that specific moment.   I thought it was really cool how my Aunt traded produce from her garden with the beekeeper neighbor for honey. I learned that not only do vegetable gardeners enjoy showing off their garden and eating the produce, they enjoy the special pleasure of sharing it with others even more.

When we left for home, I had a few jars of green beans and pickles to take to my mother. I was excited explaining to her how we pickled, snapped, sliced and canned.  I begged for a little sunny spot in the backyard to grow some vegetables.  My mother, who is a childhood polio survivor, had a hard time getting down on the ground and gardening due to the ravages that cruel disease did to her leg muscles but she nonetheless helped me get a little garden plot going. I did not really comprehend then how physically hard it was for her to do this but I know now and appreciate so fully what she did to help me explore my new found interest.

Over the years, life and responsibilities got in the way of allowing me to pursue my gardening interests, but once I had a home of my own in Houston, the first project was starting the vegetable garden behind the garage.  I read every gardening book I could get my hands on and had some great success and some failures.  I dreamed of taking the Master Gardener classes offered in Harris County to learn from gardening experts but the classes did not fit into my work schedule.

Christy’s Container Garden 2019

One summer, I had to introduce myself to the neighbor who lived behind me because his teenage kids were hopping the fence to smoke cigarettes and joints in my garden, hiding from their parents. I knew because they were also leaving their cigarette butts and other paraphernalia behind in the garden.  But what got me angry enough to take action was that the kids did not respect the plants in the garden and trampled them. Before going to the next block to discuss the problem, I peered over the fence into their back yard and I spotted a few tomato plants in a bed. I then went to their front door and rang the bell, a little nervous about how the parents would react to what I had to say.  When the dad answered, I first mentioned that I could not help but notice his fine-looking tomato plants covered with fruit so I hope he would understand my situation.  I then told him that I could care less about their kids smoking cigarettes and joints, that was not any of my business, and they could even do it in my backyard, but trampling my garden I could not tolerate.  I said I hoped as one gardener to another, he would understand and speak with his kids. I don’t know how he felt about the kids smoking but we saw eye-to-eye as gardeners on the trampled plants – problem solved!

Many years later, after my husband and I retired and moved out to Washington County, Texas, I finally have the time and space for a proper garden. I completed the Master Gardener Training Class in 2016 with the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association.   I thought I knew a lot about gardening before the class, but I learned so much more and changed how I garden.  My success and enjoyment improved as well.  As a Master Gardener I continue to learn and refine my garden practices.

I was surprised that the Master Gardener program gives me not only the opportunity to share produce from my vegetable garden with family, neighbors and friends, but it gives me the joy of sharing fact research-based gardening knowledge with others.  Our lives have become more tech-heavy, hectic and with hand-sanitizer seeming to replace just plain soap & water sometimes, simply getting one’s hands in the garden soil refreshes the spirit.  As a Master Gardener,  if I help spark a passion in one child, teen or adult for gardening like my Aunt Joy did for me and help them to do it more successfuly, I will have shared the finest gift of all from my garden.

Filed Under: Other

Earth-Kind Landscape Short Course

November 5, 2019 by bluebonnet

Filed Under: Other

Master Gardener Online Earth-Kind Training

October 23, 2019 by bluebonnet

Earth-Kind Logo

Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training videos are made available by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These videos are available to the public to learn more about Earth-Kind® gardening practices.  This program is designed to provide information on a variety of environmentally friendly (Earth-Kind®) practices for use in the home landscape and garden. As your interest and knowledge in this area grows you will have an increased awareness of the many programs, practices and activities that are Earth-Kind®.

All Texas Master Gardeners must recertify each year to remain in the Texas Master Gardener program.  In addition to the annual volunteer hour requirements, recertification requires Texas Master Gardeners to complete continuing education hours on topics of horticulture and gardening practices.  This continuing education helps Texas Master Gardeners sharpen their gardening skills and learn new fact-based and scientifically sound practices supported by Texas A&M AgriLife.

Texas Master Gardeners may select from any of these on-line modules to obtain up to 3 hours of re-certification education credits in a calendar year. Each module is worth 1 hour of credit.  Progress through the training program is tracked “on-line” and the results for each completed module are automatically forwarded to the Texas Master Gardener’s county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Gardener Coordinator.

Participation in the Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training will assist Texas AgriLife Extension Service to promote principles and practices that help conserve and protect our state’s valuable natural resources. Working together we can create a healthy and sustainable environment.

To go to the online modules, click the link below and following the instructions.

Link to: Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training videos

Available videos are:

  • Landscape Water Conservation Training
  • Low-Volume Irrigation Training
  • Irrigation System Auditing Training
  • Safe Use and Handling of Pesticides in the Landscape Training
  • Safe Use and Handling of Fertilizers in the Landscape Training
  • Reducing Landscape Waste – Composting Training
  • Designing an Earth–Kind® Landscape Training

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Earth-Kind, LandscapeDesign, Seminar

2020 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training

October 16, 2019 by bluebonnet

2020 National JMB Leader Training

 

 

 

2020 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training Announced 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service announced registration for the 2020 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training has officially begun! Excitingly, JMG is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and the 2020 conference will not disappoint!   County Extension Agents, Assistant Agents, Master Gardeners/Master Volunteers, Health Specialists, School Educators/Administrators and community volunteers whom work closely with local Extension offices are encouraged to visit the AgriLife Conference Services website at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/JMG  to register, as soon as possible. Don’t miss out on this fun, engaging and valuable training opportunity!

Additionally, to learn more about the Junior Master Gardener program, access the specific details for this training, (including the conference host site/overnight accommodations) and select the registration button which leads individuals to the AgriLife Conference Services registration page referenced above,  please visit the JMG website at  http://jmgkids.us/2020jmgnlt/

The JMG program looks forward to working with a great group of conference attendees representing districts and regions throughout Texas this February 24-26, 2020 in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M University!

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: Advanced Training, CEU, Kids

Hurricane Harvey Community Tree Recovery Tree Distribution

October 11, 2019 by bluebonnet

Tree Give Away Poster

Trees available:
Live Oak
Shumard Oak
Overcup Oak
White Oak
Southern Magnolia
Mexican Plum
Baldcypress

Are you one of the many who lost trees due to Hurricane Harvey?  If so, please join us for the Hurricane Harvey Community Tree Recovery Tree Distribution on October 25, 2019 in Sealy, Texas.  All area residents are eligible to receive free trees to replace trees lost due to Hurricane Harvey damage.  The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to join event sponsors International Paper, FedEx, Arbor Day Foundation and Texas A&M Forestry Service to distribute the trees and provide planting instructions to citizens seeking to replace lost trees.

Through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery Campaign — a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation, International Paper and FedEx — Bluebonnet Master Gardeners Association will distribute 500 trees to homeowners in Sealy and surrounding areas on Friday, October 25th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at American Legion Hall, 1630 Meyer Street in Sealy, TX. These new trees will be free of charge for residents and will help to replace trees damaged and destroyed by the past four years of weather devastation.

Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation president said, “By replanting, we strive to bring healing and hope to the people and the communities in which they live, as well as help return the beauty and the value trees bring back to their properties.”

“Through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery program, International Paper is able to contribute to the resilience of the communities where our employees live and work,” said Tom Eugate, International Paper’s Sealy Container site manager. “Our entire business depends on the sustainability of forests, and we are proud to help provide healthy trees for this community and for the generations to come.”

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Chapter in Texas is associated with its four county Texas A&M AgriLife Agricultural Extension offices. The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is a four-county chapter receiving guidance from four AgriLife professionals; one from each of Austin, Colorado, Fayette & Washington Counties.

With the flooding from Hurricane Harvey, many trees in the area have been seriously affected, and they will present a decrease in tree vigor and stability. Because of the growth patterns of trees, flood damage effects are usually only expressed 2-4 years after the event. Due to the massive number of stressed trees in the area, pests will reach peak populations and present a management problem for as many as 5 years into the future.

 

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Trees

Coneflowers with Aster Yellows Disease

September 1, 2019 by bluebonnet

photo of coneflower with Aster Yellows Disease

The coneflower oddities pictured came from Sens Center Vegetable Demonstration Garden that the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association manages in Bellville, Texas in June 2019.  Our research shows that these plants are infected with Aster Yellows disease caused by phytoplasma.  However interesting the effect, Aster Yellows is a serious garden disease impacting more than 300 plants species in 38 plant families.

The Texas Plant Disease Handbook lists the following as the most important impacted plants of Aster Yellows disease:

Crops: broccoli, buckwheat, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, endive, flax, lettuce, onion, parsley, potato, parsnip, pumpkin, red clover, salsify, spinach, strawberry and tomato.

Flowers: aster, anemone, calendula, Centaurea, China aster, chrysanthemum, Clarkia, cockscomb, Coreopsis, cosmos, delphinium, daisies, Gaillardia, hydrangea, marigold, Nemesia, Paris daisy, periwinkle, petunia, phylox, Scabiosa, snapdragon, statice, strawflower, veronica, and zinnia.

Weeds: cinquefoil, daisy fleabane, dandelion, horseweed, plantain, ragweed, thistle, wild carrot, and wild lettuce.

Yellows diseases are caused by phytoplasma.  All known forms of these small, specialized bacteria cause plant disease.  Phytoplasmas are naturally spread from plant to plant by sucking insects, particularly leafhoppers. The insects pick-up phytoplasma during their feeding on infected host plants, then spread the disease when they move to feed on other plants. The phytoplasma can overwinter in leafhoppers and on perennial host plants  and will re-emerge in the Spring.

Phytoplasmas commonly cause distorted, dwarfed, and yellowish leaves and shoots often referred to as “yellows”. Other symptoms include abnormal flower and leaf development, shortened internodes, and shoot proliferation (known as “witches’ broom”). The flowers of infected plants sometimes develop green, leaflike structures as seen the coneflower photo from the Sens Center Demonstration Garden.

Aster Yellows wreaks havoc on all parts of the plant. There are no chemical or organic treatments known to cure, suppress or kill the disease so once plants become infected, they remain infected and are a host plant for further infection throught the garden.  Failing to destroy the infected plant means it survives as a constant source of phytoplasma to be spread to other plants.  Garden sanitation is key to managing the disease.  Once the disease is discovered, all parts of the plant including the root system must be removed and destroyed.  Although heat may kill the pathogen, it is best not compost diseased plants. As with all phytoplasmas, the Aster Yellows pathogen cannot survive outside of the plant so the bacteria will not remain in the soil.

An integrated pest and disease management approach including destroying infected plants immediately upon discovery of the disease, maintaining proper garden sanitation practices and attempts to control the leafhoppers is recommended. If you believe you have plants of any kind infected with Aster Yellows or a similar disease,  contact the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab for information about diagnostic testing and recommendations for minimizing the spread of disease in your garden.

Web sources used for this post include:  Texas Plant Disease Handbook, Texas Plant Disease Diagnosic Lab, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Ohio State Cornflower Clean-up, Wisconsin Horticulture Division of the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

 

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Disease, Pests, Vegetables

Yellow Butterfly Vine Named Texas Superstar

June 21, 2019 by bluebonnet

Source: AgriLife Today, June 13, 2019;

Yellow Butterfly

Yellow butterfly vine, also known as yellow orchid vine, a perennial, twining evergreen vine, has been named a Texas Superstar selection for its low maintenance requirements and beauty.

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, said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Bexar County.

Rodriguez said the clusters of dainty flowers on butterfly vine are a brilliant yellow in the summer sun. But it’s the seed pods that give the plant its most common name.

Read Full Article

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, TexasSuperstars

Paul McClendon Recieves Rainwater Harvesting Certification

May 29, 2019 by bluebonnet

Photo of BMGA President Keith McGraw presents certficiate to Paul McClenndon.

BMGA President Keith McGraw presents certficiate to Paul McClenndon.

Master Gardener Paul McClendon was presented  his certification in Rainwater Harvesting from the Texas Master Gardner Association at the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s monthly meeting May 28, 2019 in Bellville, Texas.  After attening the Rainwater Harvesting training class, Paul volunteered 20 hours to assist AgriLife Extension Service increase citizens’ awareness of rainwater harvesting.  These 20 hours of volunteer service were on top of the annual 20 hours of volunteer time all Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association members are required to perform each year. Paul is a member of the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association serving Austin, Colorado, Fayette & Washington Counties, Texas.

Other BMGA members with Rainwater Harvesting Advanced Training certification include B.R. Koehler and Charlene Koehler, both of Sealy, Texas.

See a complete list of BMGA members with Advanced Training certifications.

Other topics in which Master Gardeners in Texas may gain advanced  training  certification are:

  • Budding & Grafting
  • Compost
  • Earth-Kind®Landscaping
  • Entomology
  • First Detector
  • Greenhouse Management
  • Home Fruit (South Texas)
  • Irrigation Efficiency
  • Junior Master Gardener (JMG)
  • Plant Propagation
  • Rainwater Harvesting
  • Texas Superstars®
  • Tree Care
  • Turf Grass
  • Vegetables

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: Advanced Training, RainwaterHarvesting

2019 Summer Kids Kamp Registration is Open!

May 3, 2019 by bluebonnet

2019 BMGA Kids Kamp Flyer

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s 2019 week long 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:

Washington County:  June 3 – 7, 2019
Colorado County: June 10- 14, 2019
Fayette County: June 17-21, 2019
Austin:June 24-June 28, 2019

The kids will learn about worm composting, soil & gardening, nutrition & kitchen management, food preservation and good bugs and bad bugs in the garden.  They will also make garden related crafts and 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 two 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 $25.00 for the week, this may be the best bargin in summer fun.

Register Online or by Mail

 

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Compost, Kids

Reminder to Master Gardeners: Deadline to Register for TMGA Conference Tours

February 7, 2019 by bluebonnet

Logo

Reminder to Master Gardeners who wish to join the 2019 TMGA Conference tours:

The DEADLINE to register for the tours is Feb. 21.

So, if you haven’t already registered now is the time!

Hope to see you in Victoria April 25.

For information go to www.2019tmgaconference.com

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Seminar

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Go to Next Page »

Quick Search Tags

Advanced Training CertificationClass CEU Citrus Compost Disease Earth-Kind Fruit Fruit; Trees; CEU Greenhouses Herbs Irrigation Kids LandscapeDesign Lawns Lunch N Learn Pecan Trees Pests Pollinators Propagation RainwaterHarvesting Seminar Soil Testing TexasSuperstars Trees Vegetables Volunteer Webinar Wildflowers
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member
  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information