Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation.
COVID-19 Resources
Bluebonnet Master Gardener AssociationTexas AgriLife Extension Service

Members Only   Enter Hours

Home > News Blog

Frost/Freeze Protection in Small Raised Beds

by

By Paula K. Trahan, BMGA Master Gardener

As our Texas fall has turned into a real winter including snow in Bluebonnet Master Gardener’s four counties, we are all seeking to protect our precious plants we put into the soil in September and October.  Depending on the size of garden you have, there are options to shield your investment and not lose much, if any, plant stock.

In past seasons, I have not been vigilant in covering my small, raised beds and just taken my chances.  This stance has cost money (losing future production and plant material) as well as extra work (all the wilted plants are a mess!).   Social distancing has given me time to design a frost/freeze protection system that can be deployed easily and removed for use this year and next.  With an up-front cash outlay of less than $100.00, the coverage is approximately 160 sf (two raised beds, 4×20 feet each).

The structure consists of several 1/2” pvc pipes, 10’ long.  Each pipe is bent in an arch across the raised bed and tucked inside along the raised portion of the bed’s 2×10’s.  The interval is about 4’ apart. With a bed width of 4’, this arch is around 4’ high giving plenty of height for your growing plants. As the bones of the system doesn’t interfere with the garden itself, you can leave these in place until the danger of frost is gone in spring.

Planket installed over raised bed for the recent freeze in Cat Spring, Austin County.

Planket installed over raised bed for the recent freeze in Cat Spring, Austin County.

 

The product to cover and protect was readily available at a local do it yourself store.  The brand purchased was Planket.  It comes in various sizes and variations such as round and rectangular.  The application for my garden needed 2 packages of 10×20’.  These were cut in half resulting in four 5×20’ pieces. This was easier for one person to handle when installing, especially on a windy day.  Each piece was laid lengthwise across the skeleton of pvc pipes then clipped together with colorful binder clips and then attached to the pipes themselves with small plastic clamps.

 

Clips holding the fabric on to the pvc skeleton.

Clips holding the fabric on to the pvc skeleton.

The clamps are perfectly sized, and the fabric doesn’t blow apart or in the case of recent sleet and frozen precipitation, it won’t sag and touch the plant material inside.

With our unpredictable weather it may be necessary to remove after only one or two days.  It is quite simple to take the Planket off and store for the next frost warning.  Just unclip all the fabric, lay it out lengthwise on the grass and roll each piece onto the cardboard tubes in which they were purchased.  Rolling them at a two-foot width allows for storage in a plastic tub along with the binder clips and clamps.  Plus, storing them in a roll makes for trouble free use in the future.

 

After several hours of freezing weather, the brussel sprout leaves are unfazed. Very easy to check on the status of your plants by just unclipping at various places.

After several hours of freezing weather, the brussel sprout leaves are unfazed. Very easy to check on the status of your plants by just unclipping at various places.

Brussel sprouts looking good. Ready to harvest soon.

Brussel sprouts looking good. Ready to harvest soon.

 

Broccoli plants are still producing from side shoots, so we are protecting them.

Broccoli plants are still producing from side shoots, so we are protecting them.

As it is early January, you can still get a couple of months use out of a system such as this.  Considering the cost of plant loss and replanting, it can still be cost efficient for your garden. We all remember those late Easter freezes and now you won’t be caught off guard! For more information on larger garden frost protection, please consult your local BMGA Master Gardener.

Tomato & Pepper Plant Sale – Spring 2021

by

Photo of Tomatoes

Washington County Horticulture Committee Tomato & Pepper Plant Sale – Now Accepting Orders

Calling all gardening enthusiasts!  It’s that time of year again and we wanted you all to be the first to know that the Annual Tomato and Pepper Plant Sale is officially here and we are ready to take orders.  The varieties featured have all been selected by Washington County Horticulture Committee Members and are suitable for our area.

This year the lineup features 13 tomato varieties including one new option.  In addition to some new tomato varieties we will be offering basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley as part of the sale!  Also included in the selection will be bell peppers, banana peppers, poblano peppers, jalapenos, eggplant, squash, and zucchini!  A brief description of each tomato variety is included on the back of the flyer; we have put some basic information together to help you make the best decision!

If the great selection and confidence in the proper varieties for our area is not enough, we are also offering these plants at $2.50 per pack!  Plus, all proceeds from this sale benefit the youth of Washington County through the annual AgriLife Extension – Horticulture Committee Scholarship Program.  Each year the Horticulture Committee works to identify graduating seniors pursuing a degree in agriculture who are deserving of a scholarship and will award these scholarships in May at their school assemblies.

Order forms are available online at https://washington.agrilife.org/plantsale or at the Washington County Extension Office.  All orders must be paid for when they are placed, and no orders will be accepted without payment.  For more information on the Tomato and Pepper Plant Sale please call the Extension Office at (979) 277-6212.

Orders are due by March 12th!  – Don’t delay, order today!

Pick-Up will be on Tuesday, March, 23 from 10:00am-5:30pm at the

Washington County Expo Sales Facility in Brenham!

 

 

Online Horticulture Learning Could Never be Easier

by

 

LogoSo many online horticulture learning opportunities you don’t know where to start?  This guide can get you started learning from horticulture experts.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recorded many of their programs for viewing on your own schedule.  These recorded presentations are free to the public.

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association members may claim Continuing Education Units (CEU) for these all AgriLife programs that pertain to gardening and horticulture; live or recorded.  Just watch the presentation and record your time as CEU.  BMGA members, remember to get your CEU credits recorded by December 31, 2020 to apply those hours to your re-certification requirement.  For 2020, you need 6 CEU credits.

Below are links to some of these programs to start learning from our Aggie experts.

Gulf Coast Gardening Online Series
There are 22 videos for more than 24 hours of learning. Topics include:

Young Tree Care – Video  #5
Earth Kind Pest Disease & Weed Control – Video #10
Texas Superstar Plants – Video #19

Horticulture & Gardening Webinar Series with David Rodriguez, County Extension Horticulture Agent, Bexar County
There are currently 17 of these recorded sessions for more than 13 hours of education. Topics include:

Getting Your Lawn and Landscape Ready for Summer Heat – Video #9
Tomato Basics 101 – Video #13
Butterfly Gardening – Nectar Plants – Video #5

Aggie Horticulture Facebook Live Recordings
There are 55 horticulture recorded events. Wow!  You do not need a Facebook account to watch.  Topics include:

Homeowner Greenhouses- Video #41
Transitioning to a Fall Garden, Two Parts – Video #40 & #45
Toys for Vegetable Gardening – Video #50
Fall Blooming Flowers & Biennials Planted in Fall – Video #51
Growing Blueberries in Containers – Video 18

 

2021 Master Gardener Training Class Announced

by

Training classes begin January 12th and will be held every Tuesday through April 27th at the Weimar Civic Center at 1754 I-10 in Weimar from 9:00 am-1:00 pm.  Final assessment will be held on April 20th, with graduation held on April 27th. Applications are available at the Colorado County Extension Office or online at https://txmg.org/bluebonnet/ . Class size will be limited, so to ensure your spot in the 2021 BMGA Training Class the application and payment of $175 must be turned into the Extension Office as soon as possible.

The updated training manual published in 2020 by the Texas Master Gardener Association and horticulture specialists at Texas A&M is included in the registration fee.

Register Button

For more information, call the Colorado County AgriLife Extension office at  (979) 732-2082.

A History of the Sens Activity Center Demonstration Garden

by

 A History of the Sens Activity Center Bluebonnet Master Gardener Demonstration Garden 

 By Faye Beery, Master Gardener
Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association

Sens Garden produce

Sens Garden produce

The original garden was started by then Master Gardener Judy Mead in 2001.  It was a program started with the Boys and Girls club at the old Bellville High School. Due to planned construction, around 2003, the garden was moved to the jail with the help from then Sheriff Dewayne Burger, and was called the Jail Garden. Members decided that a more appropriate name would be the Chesley garden when the garden was moved from behind the jail to beside the jail on Chesley street. Ed Linseisen, Larry Miller, Harry DeFoy, and Marvin Schindler, along with other members, were instrumental in getting the garden established.

The garden remained at the Chesley street location until 2015. Many interns earned their hours there as well as learning about vegetable gardening from Master Gardeners. Vegetables were given to the food pantry; some were sold to the Farmer’s market and some brought to meetings for sale to the members. Some were given to the inmates for use in the jail kitchen. Many hours of friendship were forged working in the beds and learning from one another about vegetable gardening.

In 2015, Sheriff Brandes announced that the sheriff’s office would be constructing a new building where the garden was located and asked that the garden be moved.   The board of directors at Sens Activity Center had contacted me for help with the landscaping at the Center.  The Center had adequate land for a garden and access to water, which was not included in other sites that had been explored for a garden. In December of 2015, Garry Kroeger submitted a proposal to the City of Bellville to use the Sens Center land for a new Master Gardener demonstration garden. In return, the Master Gardeners would care for the flower beds around the Center. The city agreed to provide the necessary water and parking space. In 2016, Garry and a team of Master Gardeners and community help moved all the bedding materials and the shed to the Sens Activity Center.

Garden under construction

Garden under construction

Many hours of hard work went into plowing the land and establishing the beds. The first year, deer and rabbit, and probably other small animals also found the garden rewarding. Unfortunately, some vandalism also occurred, and it was decided that a fence would be built around the garden. This provided security for the garden, and no further crops were lost to marauders. Garry Kroeger had been instrumental in finding a good site for the garden and had also done much of the work including using his own tractor to plow the land, and has spent many hours working to see that the garden is as productive as possible.

Garry's Garden Sign

Garry’s Garden sign

The Master Gardeners decided to name it Garry’s Garden, and Elery Kimes, also a Master Gardener, made the sign to put on the fence in his honor. Pete Smith has also been instrumental in working the garden, and fortunately lives in the subdivision, giving him easy access to working there. Pete has been managing and directing efforts to pick and prepare vegetables to be sold at the Farmer’s Market on the square in Bellville.

The garden has been extremely prolific under Garry’s and Pete’s direction. It is still giving interns and Master Gardeners opportunities to work for their hours and to develop friendships and knowledge. Usually, around 5 to 7 people work the garden each Wednesday starting around 7:00 to 8:00 am.  In 2018, 1,208 lbs. of vegetables were harvested from the garden. Some were sold, some were given to the food pantry, some were taken to meetings, some were taken home by those who worked there. In 2019, 1,505 lbs. were harvested from the garden. Vegetables included beans, peas, corn, blackberries onions, chard, cucumbers, okra, eggplant, cabbage, turnups, carrots, broccoli, squash, potatoes, peppers, bell and jalapenos, cantaloupes and some herbs.

Volunteers weighing produce

Volunteers weighting produce

Pete Smith working the okra

Pete Smith working in the okra

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the garden. Hopefully, we can have some sort of a celebration and educational activity to let everyone know about the history and successes of the garden. Everyone is welcome to come and work with us in showing what can be done to raise your own produce and lessening dependence on outside sources. Not only does local produce taste better and is better for you, but it reduces transportation costs and reduces waste.

Hope to see you there!

Fall 2020 Fruit Tree Sale – Order Online

by

Peach Tree

UPDATE:  Orders Open to October 9, 2020
Order Button

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association will kick-off its Fall 2020 Fruit Tree sale on September 28.  Revisit this page to order and for updated information. In the meantime, review the tree list and plan your order!

 

Only varieties suitable for growing in the Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington Counties are offered. Orders accepted from September 28, 2020 to October 9, 2020.

Pick-up: Buyer must pick-up trees between 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2020 at one of the following locations, chosen when the order is placed:

Note Pick-up Locations

Austin County                       Colorado County
Koehler Ranch                       Colorado County Extension Office
1333 Downey Rd.                   316 Spring Street
Sealy, TX 77474                     Columbus, Texas 78934

Fayette County                    Washington County
AgriLife Building                   Washington County Fairgrounds-VIP Building
255 Svoboda Ln                   1305 E. Blue Bell Rd
La Grange, TX 78945           Brenham, TX 77833-2436

Figs

Everything listed will grow well in our area however, lemons must be protected from frost and freezing weather. Figs and citrus have to be protected when they are young.

Please note that the Chocolate Persimmon isn’t really chocolate. It just has brown stripes on the orange fruit.

Available Trees & Prices –  3 Gallon Containers
Availability may be limited

  1. APPLE – FUJI   $24
  2. AVOCADO – LILA  $58
  3. AVOCADO – PANCHO  $58
  4. BLUEBERRY – CLIMAX   $22
  5. BLUEBERRY – PREMIER  $22
  6. BLUEBERRY – TIFBLUE   $22
  7. DWARF IMPROVED MEYER LEMON  $58
  8. DWARF KEY LIME   $58
  9. DWARF PERSIAN LIME   $58
  10. DWARF ORANGE NAVAL N-33   $58
  11. FIG – CELESTE   $24
  12. FIG – TEXAS EVERBEARING   $24
  13. GINGER – CULINARY   $24
  14. GOJI BERRY   $24
  15. LEMON – IMPROVED MEYER   $44
  16. LEMON – LEMONADE   $44
  17. LOQUAT   $24
  18. ORANGE – VALENCIA RHODE RED   $44
  19. PEACH – FLORIDAKING   $32
  20. PEACH – LA FELICIANA   $32
  21. PEAR – SHINSEKO   $32
  22. PERSIMMON – GIANT FUYU   $38
  23. PERSIMMON – CHOCOLATE   $38
  24. POMEGRANITE – SALAVATSKI   $38
  25. PUMMELO – CHANDLER   $44
  26. SATSUMA – MIHO   $44
  27. SATSUMA – OWARI FROST   $44

Variety Descriptions

Apple, Fuji– 400 – 600 chill hours, yellow-green skin with red stripes. Ripens in early fall. More tasty than the red Fuji.  Allow to ripen on the tree.

Avocado, Lula – Green skinned medium sized fruit. Ripens in late October-January. Hardy to about 24 degrees. Full sun

Avocado, Pancho – Originated as a seedling at Stuart Place, TX.  The fruit is oval to slightly pear shaped and is light green in color with a very thin skin.  Medium sized fruit.  Cold hardy to mid teens, ripens Aug – September.

Berry, Goji- Nutritional and Medical benefits. Super food high in antioxidants. Known to promote longevity

Blueberry, Climax – rabbiteye blueberry, which is early ripening. Most of the fruit ripens in a short period of time. The crop load is moderate to high.  310-420 Chill hours. Requires a pollinator.

Blueberry, Premiere – This variety is an early season rabbiteye variety, that produces fruit of excellent color, size and flavor. The bushes are vigorous and productive, and have been suited to mechanical harvesting. 310-420 chill hours. Requires a pollinator.

Blueberry, TifBlue – is the most universally outstanding rabbiteye blueberry grown to date. The fruits are large, light blue and ripen late in the season. The bush is vigorous and very productive. Tifblue is more cold hardy than most rabbiteye blueberries varieties. 350-400 chill hours. Self fruitful

Fig, Celeste – medium sized sweet fruit, ripens in July. Requires lots of water with good drainage

Fig, Texas Everbearing (Brown Turkey) – medium sized fruit that is nearly seedless, mild sweet flavor

Ginger, Zingiber “Baby Ginger”–  Great selection of yellow edible ginger, tender with mild flavor, does not need to be peeled.

Loquat, Japanese Plum – Evergreen tree. Tangy and sweet fruit. Can get 20-30 feet tall. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Mulberry, Dwarf Everbearing- Sweet medium sized berry, Produces continuously in warm bright conditions, strengthens immune system, great for eyesight.

Peach, Flordaking – High quality, early season peach, large semi-freestone sweet fruit, 450 chill hours or less

Peach, La Feliciana- Heavy bearer of high quality fruit. Firm and flavorful. Yellow fleshed freestone. 550-600 chill hours.

Pear, Shinseiki– juicy, sweet crisp Asian pear with bright yellow-skin. 12 – 16’. Vigorous and heavy bearing.  Cold Hardy, self fruitful best with pollinator. Resistant to fire blight.

Persimmon, Chocolate – Large fruit, delicious flavor, has chocolate brown stripes on orange skin. Ripens in September. Acorn shaped.

Persimmon, Giant Fuyu – Orange fruit is larger than the regular Fuyu and just as good. Ripens in October and November. Non-astringent, crisp and sweet.

Pomegranate, Salavatski –  6 – 8’ tall, heavy producer, slightly dwarf, fruit has hard seeds with sweet tart juice, self fruitful. Produces bright orange flowers edible over an extended time. Cold Hardy.

Citrus

Lemon, Improved Meyer – sweet and tangy, medium size fruit, thin yellow skin, very juicy. Least cold sensitive of all the lemons, but still needs to be protected from freeze.

Lemon, New Zealand Lemonade – delicious, sweet lemon hybrid with few seeds, very productive, very large fruit

Orange, Valencia Rhode Red – great for juicing, harvest between March & June. Only variety of orange in season during summer.

Pummelo, Chandler – large tree, dark green winged leaves, very large fruit, flesh is pink & sweet. Ripens in November

Satsuma, Miho  – cold hardy, medium to large fruit, seedless, good flavor. Ripens in September and October.

Satsuma, Owari Frost –  very cold hardy, medium sized sweet, seedless fruit, keeps well on the tree, ripens in early October

Dwarf Varieties

Dwarf Varieties are 30 to 40% smaller than standard trees which make them easier to grow in pots and to protect from the cold. They do well in a garden setting, have standard size fruit and are easier to pick.

Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon – compact tree, medium size fruit, thin yellow skin, very juicy. Least cold sensitive of all the lemons, but still needs to be protected from freeze.

Dwarf Key Lime  – Extremely cold sensitive, small tangy fruit, tasty

Dwarf  Lime, Persian – dark foliage, medium-large fruit with delicious juicy flavor.

Dwarf Orange, Navel N-33 – fruit has thick orange rind, rich flavor, juicy & seedless

Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series – September 2020

by

Lunch & Learn

Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series – September 2020

Join Horticulturist David Rodriguez and Entomologist Molly Keck for their Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Webinar Series.  Learn about your landscape and vegetable gardening.   To join, click link below and put in the meeting id and passcode at the date and time of the presentation.
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time

Click Here to Join

Meeting ID: 990 2593 9574
Passcode: Garden2020

September 16: Where do Insects Go When it Rains?
September 23: September is Butterfly Month!
September 30: Dragonfly Watching

 

9th Annual Texas Fruit Conference – Online

by

Figs

Texas AgriLife Extension announced today that The 9th Annual Texas Fruit Conference on September 21st and 22nd will be held On-line, rather than in person.   The program is committed to providing an easily-accessible, Online web conference that will be practical and educational for the diverse Texas fruit growing community’s needs.

The tentative program plan is as follows:

Session 1, Monday, September 21st: 1 pm to 5:00 pm: Intro to Fruit Growing Workshop—a crash course in starting a fruit orchard—crop and variety options, soil and water evaluation, orchard design, planting, irrigation etc.

Session 2, Tuesday, September 22nd: 9 am to 11:30 am: Texas’ Fruit Future—a series of presentations aimed at new growing practices, new crops and new marketing strategies (Titles and speakers to be determined)

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm: Experiences in Growing Fruit Trees—a virtual field trip to one or more established fruit growers in Texas (Site(s) to be announced)

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Hard Questions—Good Answers—Live panel discussion with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Fruit Team

Registration Fee:
Monday (9/21) Only: Intro to Fruit Growing Workshop: $50
Tuesday (9/22) Only: Texas’ Fruit Future, Experiences in Growing Fruit Trees, Hard Questions/Good Answers: $35
Combination package: both sessions $70.00

Registration site: http://Agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ (Registration begins 8/14/2020)

Register Button

For more information contact:
Monte Nesbitt
Horticultural Sciences
mlnesbitt@tamu.edu

Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series

by

Lunch & Learn

Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series – August 2020

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time
Join Horticulturist David Rodriguez and Entomologist Molly Keck for their Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Webinar Series.  Learn about your landscape and vegetable gardening.   To join, click the link below and put in the meeting ID and Passcode at the date and time of the presentation.
Join the Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 990 2593 9574
Passcode: Garden2020
Schedule:
August 11: Tomato 101: Growing Basics
August 12: Pests of Tomatoes
August 18: Lawn 101: Turfgrass Basics
August 19: Lawn 101: Turfgrass Pests
August 25: Growing a Fall & Winter Vegetable Garden
August 26: Managing Cool Weather Fall Veggie Pests
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time
For more information, contact David Rodriguez,  dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu

 

2020 Fall Veggie Plant Sale

by

2020 Fall Plant SaleCalling all gardening enthusiasts!  The Washington County Extension Horticulture Committee is pleased to share with you an opportunity to purchase fall garden plants and support local scholarship at the same time!

ORDER ONLINE HERE

2020 Fall Plant Sale Order Packet

For the third year the committee will be offering a selection of cool season plants including, arugula, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale (curly and flat leaf), green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, and swiss chard.  A brief description of each cool season plant being offered in this line up has been included with the plant sale flyer to help you make the best decisions when selecting plants for your fall garden.

If the great selection and confidence in knowing the offering are the best suited varieties for our area isn’t enough, we are also offering these plants at $2.50/pack of four!  Also, all proceeds from this sale benefit the youth of Washington County through scholarships offered by the Committee.  Each year the Horticulture Committee works to identify qualified graduating seniors pursuing a degree in agriculture and awards a scholarship of $1,000 or more in May at the respective school assemblies.

Order forms are available online at http://washington.agrilife.org/ or at the Washington County Extension Office located at 1305 E Blue Bell Road in Brenham.  All orders must be paid for when they are placed and no orders will be accepted without payment.

Online orders for the Fall Garden Plant Sale can be submitted and paid by PayPal or credit card online at https://washington.agrilife.org/plantsale/

Orders are due by Friday October 2nd so don’t delay; get your orders in today.  Plant pick-up will be on Tuesday October 13th from 10:00am-5:30pm at the Washington County Fairgrounds Sales Facility in Brenham!  All plants must be picked up at this time!

For additional information about the Fall Garden Plant Sale please call the Extension Office at (979) 277-6212.

Orders are due by October 2nd!  – Don’t delay, order today!
Pick-Up will be on Tuesday October 13th from 10:00am-5:30pm at the
Washington County Fairgrounds Sales Facility in Brenham!

 

Mystery seeds arrive in Texas

by

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

by

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!

 

Breylee's Note

 

 

  

Zane's Thank You Note

 

Backyard Bug Hunt Recorded Series

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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”.