Nancy Galloway explaining the butterfly life cycle.
Students at Citadel Christian School in Brenham, Texas had the opportunity to learn about Monarch butterflies through two educational programs lead by Bluebonnet Master Gardener Assocation member Nancy Galloway, with assistance from Teresa Wilson and Mandy Ames, also Master Gardeners. Both programs were held at the school on Novebmer 6, 2023.
The first program was for students in grades 1 through 4. It featured a detailed display illustrating theMonarch butterfly’s life cycle, from egg to butterfly, along with a live butterfly exhibit. Nancy, clad in signature Monarch orange top with a light brown field vest mimicing the colors of the Monarch, covered aspects of the north and south Monarch migrations, explaining the life cycle and yearly generational patterns.
Nancy Galloway leading class with Mandy Ames looking on.
Students were also given the chance to practice tagging Monarchs for research purposes, using simulated butterflies. In a practical demonstration, Nancy tagged a Monarch she caught earlier that day in her garden, with hopes that it would be found in Mexico, contributing to migration data.
Nancy Galloway talking with the class; Teresa Wilson looking on.
The second presentation was tailored for 10th-grade students who already had some knowledge of Monarchs. Nancy delved into the habits, nutrition, nesting needs, pests, and diseases associated with Monarchs. The class is now planning to create a natural area with milkweed, following Nancy’s recommendations, to establish a Monarch waystation habitat.
Nancy Galloway’s adeptness in adjusting lecture levels to suit the audience made the presentations informative. Teachers at the school also received educational packets to support ongoing learning.
This presentation was part of the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s work to provide garden-related education at the school.
8:00 am: Gardens open. Join us for coffee and light breakfast
8:50 am – 9:00 am: Welcome: Jay White
9:00 am – 9:50 am: Rosanne Green – Growing Tomatoes with, and for the Young Family
10:00 am – 10:45 am: Destin Noak – Mastering Container Grown Tomatoes
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Patty Leander– Know Before you Grow: Best Varieties for 2024 PLUS 8 Steps to Grafting Success.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Kevin Ong – The Beauty of Diseased Tomatoes
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Skip Richter– 10 Commandments of Tomatoes
3:30 pm: Wrap up and final door prizes
Many Thanks to our generous sponsors!
The Antique Rose Emporium
Nelson’s Plant Food
Medina Agriculture Products
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association announces opening registration for it 2024 Master Gardener Certification Training Class.
Our 2024 Class is scheduled each Wedenday from January 10th – April 24th, 2024 with the final graduation class on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The last class on April 24th is a Bonus Day including topics not contained in the standard training manuel.
Participants from Austin, Colorado, Fayette & Washington Counties are welcome to register for the class. The 50+ hours of classes will be held at the Washington County Expo Event Center at 1305 East Bell Road, Brenham, Texas 77833.
Details of field trips for on-site learning will be announced in class. The Master Gardener Handbook, compiled by the Texas Master Gardener Association, is included in the $200 registration fee. You may register online below or contact the Washington County Extension office at (979) 277-6262 for more information.
Class size is limited to 25.
For more information about the Master Gardener Program and to apply for the class, HERE
Extreme heat makes for difficult gardening conditions for both the plants and the gardener. As gardeners, we focus on helping our plants and gardens survive the heat of Texas summer but also, we must also take steps to protect ourselves from the heat. More 100+ degree days are forcast for our area this summer. Spending hours in such heat can pose serious health risks to gardeners. Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be debilitating or even life-threatening.
Here are a few tips to help reduce heat-related illness while gardening in the extreme heat:
Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing that allows air circulation. Long sleeves and pants can protect the skin from direct sun exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn. Additionally, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can shield the face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Hydration: Hydration is essential when working in hot conditions. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after gardening to replace fluids lost through sweat. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages while in the heat, as they contribute to dehydration.
Time of Day: Schedule gardening activities during the cooler parts of the day, typically early morning or early evening. Avoid working during peak sunlight hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m when temperatures are at their highest. Take regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning to rest and cool down.
Use Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 on exposed skin, at least 30 minutes before going outside to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Sunscrean helps prevent UV-ray-damage to the skin which can cause cancer and “thin” skin that tears and bleeds easily. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if sweating heavily.
Seek Shade & Air Conditioning: Use natural shade from trees and tall plants in the garden or create a shade structure in the garden. Take frequent breaks in shaded areas or go inside to the air conditioning to lower your body temperature and minimize the risk of overheating.
Although we garden year-around in Texas, July and August are probbaly the most challenging physcially for both the plants and for us. By taking a few precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses, gardeners can continue to find joy in the garden even in the hash temperatures of summer. Stay cool out there gardeners!
The Texas Superstar brochure is updated. The new brochure is a beautiful, full color 44-page booklet with detailed descriptions, suggested uses and special notes for each plant with the Texas Superstar® designation. 
Link to the Texas Superstar: Strong & Stunning Plants for Texans brochure
You may print, download, view it in your browser or on device. Be sure to have it available when planning your landscape and vegetable gardens.
To be designated a Texas Superstar® a plant must be beautiful and perform well for growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.
Texas Superstar® is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, a state agency that is part of the Texas A&M University System. Plants are designated Texas Superstars by the Texas Superstar executive board, made up of nine horticulturalists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University.
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce the 2023 annual college scholarships winners. Scholarships were awarded to high school graduates from Austin, Colorado, Fayette & Washington Counties, Texas. To view the winners’ bios, see below. The winners are:
Emma Eckelberg – Austin County
Abigail Hilley – Colorado County
Tamara Otto – Fayette County
Dawson Rudloff – Washington County
The recipients demonstrated outstanding achievement in leadership, citizenship, community service and other endeavors that form the basis of becoming lifelong responsible, productive citizens and leaders in their communities.
Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship winners!
BMGA Intern Class of 2023
On April 26, 2023 the Bluebonnet Master Gardeners held graduation ceremonies and a luncheon for 22 Interns at the Fayette County Agrilife Building in LaGrange, Tx.
Front row l-r: Lucy Halasz, Colleen Clements, Pat Karisch, Patti Sobota, Carla Michalka, Terri Russell, Karen Miley, Bob Haeuser.
Back row l – r: Sherise Davis, Jim Malik, Marian Tajchman, Mandy Ames, Gary Russell, Robin Greer, Greg Mills, Cindy Edge, Dennis Edge, Carol Daniels (class coordinator).
Bluebird eggs are a welcome herald of Spring at the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association’s Sens Center Demonstration Garden. Five lovely bluebird eggs are in a nest box attached at the top of an 8′ tall chain-link fence which encloses the garden. The nest box faces west toward an open area with woods approximately 100′ away. The Sens Center Demonstration Garden is located in Bellville, Texas behind the Sens Community Center.
There are several species of bluebirds found in Texas, including the Eastern Bluebird, Western Bluebird, and Mountain Bluebird. Eastern Bluebirds are the most common throughout the eastern and central parts of the state, while Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds are less common and typically found in the western and northern parts of the state. Bluebirds in Texas prefer open areas with scattered trees and may be found in fields, pastures, and orchards. They primarily feed on insects and berries and can often be spotted perched on fences, power lines, or other elevated perches. Bluebirds are a beautiful and welcome sight in Texas and are often attracted to birdhouses placed in suitable habitats.
Bluebird nest boxes are encouraged by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) as the boxes provide important habitat for bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds. In many areas of Texas, natural cavities suitable for nesting are in short supply, so nest boxes can be a vital resource for bluebirds.
The photo was taken by certified Master Gardener and BMGA member Leah Pearce, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
The Washington County Bluebonnet Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for Washington County, Texas announce their 2023 Spring Lunch-N-Learn Spring series.
These FREE to the public programs will feature speakers from the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association.
April 5, 2023 & May 3, 2023
Washington County Expo Event Center
1305 E. Blue Bell Road
Brenham, Texas 77833
(Parking and the Event Center face Blue Bell Road) (Map)
Place orders NOW and until March 1, 2023. Pick-up plants on March 21, 2023 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Washington County Expo Sales Facility in Brenham.
For paper order form, click HERE
All proceeds benefit the AgriLife Extension Horticulture Committee’s Scholarship Fund.
Bluebonnet 2023 Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale.
In addition to landscape plants for sale, tomato plants will also be available for purchase. Nine varieties will be offered. Click HERE for the complete list.
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is pleased to announce that its 2023 Master Gardener training classes begin January 19th in La Grange, Texas. Registration is now open.
Go to Online Class Application
The series consists of 50 hours of training held every Thursday form January 19 to April 20, 2023. Master Gardener Carol Daniels of La Grange is the coordinator of the 2023 training program.
The BMGA class is designed for trainees from any of the four Bluebonnet Master Gardener counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides the training material and many of the expert horticulture and related speakers used by Master Gardener programs statewide.
This is a unique opportunity for individuals who are interested in horticulture and serving their community. Master Gardeners are trained in all facets of horticulture such as plant & soil science, entomology, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable gardening, and much more. Upon completion of their training, Master Gardeners will be required to give at least 50 hours of volunteer service time in their local community in order to receive the title of “Master Gardener”.
An Open House is scheduled January 12, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension Office, 255 Svoboda Ln., La Grange, Texas for anyone interested in learning more about the program. This event will provide a great opportunity to visit with current Master Gardeners, learn about projects in each of the counties, and enjoy a few Master Gardener goodies.
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce its 2022 annual college scholarships winners. Eight scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $1,000, were awarded to high school graduates from Austin, Washington, Fayette & Colorado Counties, Texas. To view the winners’ bios, see below. The winners are:
Mackenzie Lee (Austin Co.)
Jagar, Rau (Colorado Co.)
Brynn Mikulenka (Fayette Co.)
Laura James (Fayette Co.)
Waylon Hinze (Washington Co.)
Weston Hinze (Washington Co.)
Keely Mikolajchak (Washington Co.)
Eli Saunders (Washington Co.)
All eight demonstrated outstanding acheivement in leadership, citizenship, community service and other endevours that form the basis of becoming lifelong responsible, productive citziens and leaders in their communtiies.
Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship winners!
Hybrid Program-Live & Remote Options!
September 26 & 27, 2022, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Civic-Consvention Center
375 S. Castell Ave.
New Braunfels, TX
For more information, visit:
https://tamu.estore.flywire.com/products/texas-fruit-conference
or call 979-862-1218
