Sheridan 4H Youth Butterfly Garden
BMGA Leaders: Robbie Showers and Lynn Showers
Location: Sheridan Community Center, 5803 S. Logan Park Dr., Sheridan, TX 77475
Work Schedule: There is a spring cleaning of the garden every year in March. Other maintenance is on an as needed basis. Master Gardeners interested in working on this project should contact Robbie Showers or Lynn Showers for details.
Purpose: The Butterfly Garden is designed to teach 4H youth and other children about gardening and insects. The garden and its creation taught youth how to plant and maintain plants that attract butterflies. They also learned about beneficial bugs and the metamorphosis stages of the butterfly. The garden consists of native plants that attract butterflies as well as a water stand specifically designed for butterflies. 4H youth assisted in the initial planting along with Bluebonnet Master Gardeners. The Sheridan Community Center provides all of the plants and supplies used in the garden.
Weimar Gazebo and Library Grounds
BMGA Leader: Theresa Sevier
Location: Weimar Gazebo and Library Grounds, 1 Jackson Square, Weimar, TX 78962
Work Schedule: Contact Theresa Sevier
Purpose: The city of Weimar Gazebo and Library Garden is a park located in a high traffic area in the center of town. It is utilized by the city’s Gedenke festival, city residents, library patrons, kids’ camps and the Boys & Girls Club. Master Gardeners will direct a renovation design of the project with a focus on pollinator plants, Texas Superstars and native plants. Maintenance duties such as weeding, pruning, mulching and irrigation monitoring will be directed by Master Gardeners in a joint effort with city workers and garden club members. To promote interest and education in horticulture, presentations on various gardening topics will be made to groups such as the garden club, science classes and Junior Master Gardeners
Weimar Downtown Container Gardens
BMGA Leader: Norma White
Location: Downtown Weimar, E Post Office and E Main Street, Weimar, TX 78962
Work Schedule: Contact Norma White
Purpose: The city of Weimar Downtown Container Gardens is located throughout two high traffic streets in the downtown area. The container gardens and fountains are part of a beautification push for the city, residents and visitors. Master Gardeners will direct a renovation design of the containers with a focus on pollinator plants, edibles, Texas Superstars and native plants. Maintenance duties such as weeding, pruning, mulching and irrigation monitoring will be directed by master gardeners in a joint effort with city workers, businesses and garden club members. To promote interest and education in horticulture, presentations on various container gardening topics will be made to groups such as the garden club, rotary, school classes and Junior Master Gardeners.
Champions Valley Boys & Girls Club – Weimar Unit
BMGA Leader: Mark Dannemiller
Location: Weimar Boys and Girls Club, Jackson Sq, Weimar, TX 78962
Work Schedule: First Thursday of each month starting at 9:00 am.
Contact Mark Dannemiller
The Weimar Unit of the Champions Valley Boys and Girls Club is located in the former Jackson Hotel in the highly trafficked and visible center of Weimar. BGMA will improve and maintain the Gazebo and Library grounds which are diagonally across the square from the Boys and Girls Club.
This project will demonstrate all areas of horticulture including design, management, soil preparation, irrigation, perennial, annual and pollinator gardens. Master Gardeners will assist with design, maintaining the beds (weeding, mulching, monitoring irrigation and adding appropriate plants) and education. BMGA will venture to provide timely presentations on gardening to the children members of the Boys and Girls club to promote their interest in horticulture and the Junior Master Gardener program. The flower beds will promote Texas Superstars and native plants.
Weimar St. Michael Serenity and Prayer Garden
BMGA Leader: Mary Jane Berger
Location St. Michael Catholic Church, 410 N Center St, Weimar, TX 78962
Work Schedule: Contact Mary Jane Berger
Purpose: The Weimar St. Michael Serenity and Prayer Garden is a special place of peace that is available to anyone inclined to sit and reflect on their spirituality, nature, plants, and trees. It offers a safe place of refuge and reflection. This garden will showcase the power of working together through the Master Gardeners, local garden club and Church members. Master Gardeners will assist with design aspects, maintaining the beds (weeding, mulching, monitoring irrigation and adding seasonal plants) and horticulture education. The garden demonstrates that horticulture can create a serene and meditative experience for all.
Senior Therapy Flower Garden
BMGA Leaders: Robbie Showers and Lynn Showers
Location: First Baptist Church, 5801 Main St, Sheridan, TX 77475
Work Schedule: Work on an as needed basis. Master Gardeners interested in working on this project should contact. Robbie Showers or Lynn Showers for details.
Purpose: To give seniors a place to “tend to flowers” as therapy. There are lonely seniors who love to garden but are not physically able to maintain a flower garden. Seniors are welcome to add their own special touch to the garden with other plants, etc. The Bluebonnet Master Gardeners do the physical labor of maintaining the garden, The Church generously provides funds for the plants and supplies needed in the garden.
Colorado County Fairgrounds Gate #1
BMGA Leader: Debbie Braden
Location Colorado County Fairgrounds Gate # 1; 1146 Crossroads Blvd., Columbus, Texas 78934
Work Schedule: Contact Debbie Braden
Purpose: This garden will help educate the public about gardening and promote learning and interest in Texas Superstars by creating this teaching garden.
Colorado County AgriLife Office Garden
BMGA Leaders: Robbie Showers & Lynn Showers
Location: 316 Spring St., Columbus, TX 78934-2475
Work Schedule: To be determined. Contact Robbie Showers.
Purpose: Promotes interest in EarthKind gardening practices.
Weimar Chamber of Commerce
BMGA Leader: Joe Jimenez
Location: 100 W. Grange St., Weimar, TX 78962
Work Schedule: Contact Joe Jimenez
Purpose: BMGA will renovate the existing landscape and maintain the beds. BMGA will also create a Local Gardener’s Resource for new and existing residents. This would detail local soil conditions, plant zone and include lists of shrubs, trees, flowers and other plants best suited to the area as well as a list of invasive plants which should not be introduced locally. It would also list local suppliers of gardening materials such as topsoil, mulch and plants.
Sprout to Share Free Seed Library
Leader: Alison (Ali) Blake
Location: Create Space Studio at 717 Walnut St, Columbus, 78934
Work Schedule:Weekly seed stewards care-take the library and are assigned on an 8-week rotation. Work is to be completed during the time the Create Space Studio is open – Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Additional Volunteer hours, including teaching opportunities, will also available for events and classes to be held throughout the year.
Purpose: This Free Seed Library offers the opportunity for residents of Colorado, Fayette, Austin, Wharton, and Lavaca Counties to check-out up to 4 vegetable and/or herb seed packets daily. The library functions through the community loop of “checking out seeds,” growing, harvesting and returning a portion of seeds back to reinvigorate the library. Sprout to Share offers opportunities to build community and to combat food insecurities and biodiversity loss through not only providing seeds to grow; but also, bringing educational events focused on learning to grow, harvest, dry, prepare, and store seeds for donation, sharing, and future planting. The class designs are catered to novice gardeners.
Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn
Leader: Laramie Kettler
Location: Colorado County Services Building: 305 Radio Lane, Columbus, TX 78934
Work Schedule: Contact Laramie Kettler 979-732-2082
Purpose: Educational seminars on various gardening topics delivered during lunchtime on the 3rd Wednesday of select months (January-May, July-November). Work needed includes arranging topics, speakers, set-up and clean-up. The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association sponsors several Lunch N Learn Series programs in our four counties. These gardening presentations are free to the public. Light refreshments are provided or bring your own lunch.
Extension Office
Extension Office Assistance Colorado County
Laramie Kettler, Colorado County Extension Agent
BMGA Master Gardeners may volunteer time to assist their local AgriLife Extension Office with various projects. Please contact your local AgriLife Extension Agent for what assistance is needed.