The Guadalupe Gardener
April 2015
Extension Service
A monthly publication of the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners in
cooperation with the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension, Guadalupe County
President’s Corner
April Meeting
Join the Earth Day Celebration and Plant Sale
Fellow Master Gardeners:
If you’ve missed the last couple of meetings you may not be aware that
Guadalupe Master Gardeners will hold a Plant Sale at Seguin’s Earth
Day Celebration Saturday, April 25 from 9 to 2:30 in Central Park. It’s
a pretty fabulous event which if you’ve never attended you might want to
check out.
Yes. We are holding the sale to raise funds. We want to earn a good
portion of the amount we committed to raise when we revised our budget
for 2015. If you think about it, raising plants to raise funds should be a
pretty natural thing for us. It’s called mission-driven fund raising.
We’ve done a really good job of raising the public’s understanding of
sound horticultural practices at Earth Day the last few years - both children and adults. This year will be no different.
We are adding two booths - for a total of 5. We’ll join the United Nations
in celebrating the International Year of Soil. Karen Patterson and company are putting together exciting activities for kids and great demonstrations for adults.
Earth Day aficionados of all ages will join Master Gardeners in celebrating the preservation, conservation and improvement of soil.
Children will learn how earth worms improve soil while adults learn
about earth worm composting.
Kids will play Good Bug-Bad Bug as shoppers select vegetables,
herbs, annual and perennial plants, succulents, cacti, and
houseplants.
Children will select free tattoos (they wash off, Mom!) while parents
and neighbors browse a wide selection of ornamental plants and
vegetables.
Children will plant herbs in recyclable containers and sign contracts
pledging to care for them while parents decide which herbs to
buy for their landscape.
Included in the sale will be heirloom tomatoes, various peppers, herbs
and other summer favorites. And we, the Certified Master Gardeners,
will be available to answer questions. You’ll have one more opportunity
to sign up to help. See page 3 for brief descriptions of volunteers’
jobs.
One way or the other, come to Earth Day in Seguin for fun, food & drink
it’s going to be Plant-astic!
1
Thursday
April 16th - 7 PM
AgriLIFE Extension
Building
April 16 - Dennis Hale will
present Spring Activities in
Your Lawn
Social & Refreshments 6:30 PM
Program at 7 PM followed by
Business Meeting
Don’t forget your name tag
- and plants for the plant
exchange
In This Issue
Page 2 - Meeting Prgrm, Future Prgms
Page 3 - Earth Day
Page 4 - March Meeting
Page 5 - MG Library, White Natives
Page 6-7 - Annual Awards
Page 8-9 - BC MG of the Month
Page 9 - SASSR Appreciation
Page 10 - Big Red Barn
Page 11 - How to Report VMS Hours
Page 12 - Community Garden & Lunch
and Learn
Page 13-15 - Gutierrez Garden
Page 16 - March Volunteer Recognition
Page 17 - Volunteer Opportunities
Page 18-21 - Education-ClassesSeminars
Page 22 - Gardening Events
Page 23 - April Calendar
Association News
March Meeting Program
Deedy Wright, GCMG, presented the educational program for the March meeting. Deedy
reported on NICE, a program sponsored by the
Natives Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT). She
has been a member of NPSOT since 1993.
NICE stands for Native Instead of Common
Exotics. The program is about 10 years old.
NPSOT encourages gardeners to use native alternatives in their yard and works with local nurseries to
carry native plants. Deedy provided a handout for the 2015 recommended native plants for Comal and
Guadalupe counties.
She explained that exotics often are indigestible to the wildlife, require more water, fertilizers and fungicides, may introduce harmful pests and often escape into the natural areas, taking over soil and crowding
out natives. The benefits of using natives are: natives are here naturally and so are adapted to the area,
they are hosts to the wildlife including butterflies and birds, they need less water and are less expensive
to maintain, they can be more deer resistant, and they preserve our Texas Botanical heritage. Besides,
natives are beautiful.
Plants recommended for Spring by NPSOT are the Texas
White Honeysuckle, the Blackfoot Daisy, Gaura and the
Anacacho Orchid Tree. For Summer, she talked about Pigeonberry, Mexican Feathergrass, Black Dalea and Texas
Kidneywood. For Fall, she encouraged planting Autumn
Sage, Chinquapin Oak, Fragrant Sumac and Virginia
Creeper.
Local Nurseries that carry natives include Green Gate in Seguin, Maldonado’s in Seguin and New Braunfels, and Schulz
in Marion. She encouraged using the NPSOT website to
look for other nurseries. She asked everyone to request the
native plants at area nurseries to encourage them to begin
carrying them in the local area.
Deedy closed with asking the GCMG to “Be part of the solution” and “Keep Texas looking like Texas”.
Submitted by Sandy Foss Photo by Marvin “T” Taylor
Go Native with N.I.C.E.
FUTURE PROGRAMS
June 18 - Summer Social at the Presbyterian Church in Seguin. Class 26 will be your hosts.
2
Earth Day Celebration of Soil and Plant Sale - April 25, 2015
Here are jobs still needing volunteers & the times available. Claim a spot in one of two ways:
send an email to Jose Contreras at elmerojose@gmail.com
call Jose at 830-401-0800 (leave voice mail if needed)
We’ll try to accommodate everyone, will confirm your selection and offer you the next best spot should your choice
be taken. So hurry!
Children’s Activities, Hands-on fun and displays
Volunteers will be trained to help children…
Play Good Bug-Bad Bug
Select wash off tattoos
Understand worms and worm composting
Plant herbs, adopt herbs and sign contracts for their care
Volunteer times available:
7 to 10 am One opening only! Already committed: Beth Henry, Janette Barrow and Jerilyn Preston.
Information Booth, with exciting new information to share
Volunteers will be trained to
Use displays and handouts to introduce the public to and promote United Nations’ International Year of Soil
Hand out
Educational Materials
Free seeds
Class 27 Information & Registration forms
Answer Questions from Public
Volunteer times available:
7 to 10 am Two openings. Already committed: Kay McElveen and Judith Johnson
12:30 to 2:30 Three openings. Already committed: Mike Murley.
Plant Sale, Sales Team
Customer Service, 4
Walk alongside customer to answer questions and make suggestions if asked
Offer to carry customer’s plants in flat boxes for her/him so that they have both hands free to examine more
Turn customer over to check out when done
Volunteer times available:
7 to 10 am Two openings. Already committed: Join Welta Burris and Guadalupe Rodriguez
12:30 to 2:30 Two openings Already committed: Mary Styblo and Katie McLean.
Plant Sale, Check-out Team
Cashiers: Cindy Martin and Cindy Waechter are our two cashiers.
Helpers, 2 per shift
Prepare sale slips
Pull relevant plant care cards and give to customer
Escort customer to educational side
Volunteer times available:
7 to 10 am Two openings
10 to 12:30 One opening Already committed: Lisa Foss
12:30 to 2:30 Two openings.
Holding Area Worker, 1 per shift:
holds purchased plants for customers who want freedom to move about Earth Day Fair
makes sure customers get the plants they bought
Volunteer times available:
7 to 10 am Committed: Cynthia Lyssy
10 to 12:30 One opening
12:30 to 2:30 One opening
3
CH
MAR TING
MEE
Photos by
Marvin “T”
Taylor
The raffle of $17 was won by John Lewicki.
The door prize was won by Janet Magee.
March Meeting Refreshments
I want to thank all the MGs who answered my call for refreshments for the March meeting. The Refreshments were provided by: Jose Antonio Contreras, Pam Turner, Bob Teweles, Kathy Pape, Mary
Styblo, Beth Zies, Judith M. Johnson, Cynthia Lyssy, Kathy Bennett, Pat Watkins, and Bob Davis.
Thank you one and all!! Submitted by Treva Hicks, Refreshment Volunteer Coordinator
4
Our Office/Library
The Master Gardener Library is now set up so that Members can check out books. Jerilyn and Alfred
Preston have worked hours and hours over the past two months to catalog and label all 500+ books and
set up a record-keeping system. The members may now check out up to three books at a time for a two
week period. The office will be open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and on membership meeting evenings from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A book return box will be outside the door for returns when the office is not
open.
Please have your membership card to show when you want to check out books. We encourage your use
of our many fine books on all facets of gardening.
Submitted by Betty Hughes & Jerilyn Preston
It’s always helpful to see what’s new on the Aggie Horticulture Website
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/
White Trends for Native Spring Gardens
Shades of white for home and garden are trending this spring, and local chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) recommend four white-blooming Texas-born heritage plants to add to your home
landscape this year.
Gaura is a perennial flower with a leafy base and tall, thin stems topped with delicate
blooms that look like butterflies. The white and pink flowers swirl in every breeze, growing to 3-4' high in the sun. As a hardy native, it's a great ornamental plant for any flower
bed, wildflower garden or pocket prairie. Gaura lindheimeri is its botanical name.
Blackfoot Daisy is a favorite container and sprawling groundcover flower that loves to bloom in the
parched heat of Texas summers. The honey-scented flowers are white with yellow centers. To botanists,
it's Melampodium leucanthum.
The Anacacho Orchid tree, growing only 12' tall, is well suited to backyard patios and urban sites. White
orchid-like flowers attract butterflies in spring, and anacacho leaves have an interesting cleft shape. Botanically, it's Bauhinia lunarioides.
Texas White Honeysuckle is an uncommon woody shrub that can be trained as a vine. The showy white
flowers in spring are followed by orange-red berries in the fall. It is a non-aggressive alternative for the
highly invasive Japanese Honeysuckle. Be sure to ask for Lonicera albiflora.
The Guadalupe and Lindheimer chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) work with
neighborhood nurseries that stock true Texas plants. Look for them at Maldonado Garden Center in Seguin, Schulz Nursery in Marion, Maldonado Nursery in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake Ace Hardware,
South Texas Growers in Bulverde, Thyme N' Treasure Nursery in St. Hedwig and Green Gate in Seguin. These nurseries participate in the NPSOT chapters' NICE program: Natives Instead of Common
Exotics.
Homeowner and civic groups are invited to contact the NPSOT chapters for a free presentation on the
many native plants for this region. For more information, call Nancy Masterson in Guadalupe County at
830-305-9104 or Mary Moses at 210-279-5748 in Comal.County,
5
GCMG Annual Awards Recognition
GCMG celebrated our 2nd Annual Awards Recognition Ceremony during the March Membership Meeting.
Jose Contreras and Bob Teweles recognized 34 members receiving their 3, 5, 10, 20 and 25 year pins
for service ending 31 December 2014.
Class 23 Members and folks transferring in from other counties receiving 3 Year Pins were: Sharon Delcambre, Dave Elder, Joyce Friesenhahn, Susan Hadley, Gladys Haecker, Ellen Laubhan, LaVerne
McKenney, Debbie Real, Randy Rye, Judy Stanley, Mary Styblo, Cindy Waechter and Cynthia Winkelman.
Class 21 Members receiving 5 Year Pins were: Bob Davis, Lynda Heggy, Gail Johnson, Jim Johnson,
Eddie Johnston, Joyce Johnston and Debbie Krause
Class 15 & 16 Members receiving 10 Year Pins were: Mary Bowe, Ryla Cottingham, Betty Hughes,
Hattie Majors, Jeff McKee, Hughlene Micheli, Jerilyn Miller, Ruthie Miller, Chuck Slaten, Dean Webb and
Joe Welch.
Class 5 Members receiving 20 Year Pins and standing ovations were: Ann Odvody and Dale Odvody.
Transferring into GCMG from Ft Bend County, TX receiving a 25 Year Pin and standing ovation was Liz
Romero.
33 Master Gardeners reported 100 or more volunteer hours in 2014 and received a “Volunteers Plant
Seeds of Kindness” pin.
Volunteer
Dale Odvody
Cindy Waechter
John Lewicki
Dave Elder
Ann Odvody
Robert Teweles
Betty Hughes
Iris Seale
Peggy Jones
Mary Bowe
Jerilyn Preston
Jose Antonio Contreras
Mary Styblo
Hughlene Micheli
Cindy Martin
Joyce Friesenhahn
Ellen Laubhan
Vol Hours
704
671.5
540.25
463.75
458.5
359.15
317
310.8
279.3
274.25
251.75
200.1
196.75
175
174.75
159.75
158
Volunteer
Elaine McIntyre
Joyce Briscoe
Liz Romero
Janice Knobles
Patricia Tyler-White
Treva Hicks
Carol Suchan
Pat Schultze
Esther Pinter
Cynthia Lyssy
Kim Darrough
LaVerne McKenney
Welta Burris
Jim Johnson
Laurie Brunell
Pam Turner
Vol Hours
143
142.8
142.5
135
135
119.9
119.05
118
115.01
112
108
106
105
103
101.5
100.25
.If you were unable to pick up your pin at the March meeting, please contact Cindy Waechter at a future
meeting.
Article submitted by Cindy Waechter.
See photos next page.
6
Awards Photos - by Marvin “T” Taylor
Twenty
Years
And the Standing Ovation they ALL Deserve
7
Master Gardener of the Month
From the Bexar County Master Gardeners “Scion”
Our Master Gardner for the month of March is actually a couple, Dale and Ann
Odvody, and they are not Bexar County Master Gardeners. Dale and Ann are
actually members of the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners Association, but
they are being featured as Master Gardeners of the Month in order to highlight the
invaluable service that their gardening organization gives to the Bexar County
Master Gardeners in putting together our yearly display and program for the San
Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Dale and Ann work as a liaison between the
Bexar County and the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners Associations. The
partnership started more than ten years ago when the Guadalupe County organization was much smaller and its members were straining to get in their required
number of volunteer hours. Dale explains that his Master Gardener Association
Dale Odvody (green hat) working at a table saw during rodeo also needed volunteer outlets for those members who, for one reason or another,
could not get down in the dirt and dig or do some of the hard work associated with
construction for the MG.
gardening. So the opportunity that the rodeo affords for gardeners to get their
volunteer time in by selling plants, acting as greeters and docents, driving the van or helping with the school
tours was welcomed by all. Not that the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners don’t help with the hard work. A couple of years ago, seventeen
aspirant Guadalupe County Master Gardeners showed up to help with
the construction phase of the rodeo as part of their class assignment,
and Dale thinks that he will log in about 100 hours this year, starting with
working on the fall planning committee, helping with the construction
phase of the rodeo, working at the Master Gardener booth and ending
with the take down. Ann has put in fewer hours, but is still active in her
participation in rodeo activities. Dale estimates that volunteers from the Ann Odvody (blue Jjcket) at the MG
Booth
Guadalupe County Master Gardeners fill 20 to 30 percent of the volunteer slots at the rodeo each year. When asked where he lives in Guadalupe County, Dale paused and then admitted that he actually lives on the eastern fringe of Bexar County close to
Marion. It seems that after Dale retired from active duty in the Air Force, and eventually ended up at Randolph
Air Force Base in his civilian job as a Systems Accountant, he began to want to know more about gardening in
South Texas. Both he and Ann come from families that worked the soil and the call to continue that tradition is
strong in both of them. As a child, Dale spent his summers on his grandparent’s farm in Nebraska, and Ann
remembers that her Air Force family carried on with their farming backgrounds by planting gardens around the
world. So it was natural, once they bought a home and set down roots in Bexar County, that their common interest would lead them to want to enroll in Master Gardener classes in order to expand their gardening acumen to
include skills for this region. However, Dale heard a nasty rumor in 1994 that Bexar County Master Gardeners
were only looking for retirees, who had more time to volunteer. Since both Dale and Ann were still working, they
applied, instead, to the Guadalupe County Master Gardener Association and were accepted. Dale confesses
that he and Ann were only interested in acquiring gardening knowhow to apply to their own one-acre plot of land
out in the country. They were definitely not interested in volunteering! That was years and many, many volunteer hours ago. Now both Dale and Ann are very much involved in the Community Demonstration Gardens that
the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners maintain in Schertz. Ann is Planning and Planting Co-chair, while
Dale serves as Co-chair of the Construction Committee. The Demonstration Gardens started out small with only
four raised beds but the project has quickly blossomed into 22 raised beds, not counting the 10 to 12 beds that
are elevated at different levels to accommodate gardeners of varying sizes, abilities and disabilities, all with drip
irrigation and timers to conserve water. This year they are adding three keyhole gardens. This is a type of garden that originated in the dry and arid climate of South Africa. This garden is circular in shape and only
(Continued on following page)
8
(MG of the Month - Continued from previous page)
six feet in diameter. It has an entryway to the center, where there is an upright cylinder into which composting
materials are placed. The garden is watered through the cylinder and as water trickles out to the surrounding
plants, so, too, do needed nutrients. Ann estimates that she and Dale, who originally wanted nothing to do with
volunteerism, now spend 8 to 16 hours per week at the Community Gardens, which over the last four years has
produced over 7 tons of food that was distributed to the various food banks in the area. As for their own garden,
Ann admits to filling up their acre of land with a new flowerbed each of the thirty years that she has lived there, with
Dale working at her side. She sighs when she remembers how frustrated she was when armadillos and other
such rooting critters dug up her plants almost as fast as she could put them in the ground. But together she and
Dale have solved that problem by going to the Natural Gardener Nursery in Austin to buy pine straw, which deters
these marauding varmints. In all their gardening projects Ann and Dale work together; for theirs is a partnership
that began with a chance meeting on a TDY assignment out of Randolph Air Force Base more than thirty years
ago. It is a partnership that is enriched by a shared interest in gardening that has, in turn, enriched both the Bexar
County and the Guadalupe County Master Gardener Associations.
By: Ann Marie Caldwell, JMG 1
SASSR Volunteers are Appreciated
Dear Guadalupe County Master Gardeners,
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Bexar County Master Gardeners would like to give a big THANK
YOU to all GCMGs that participated in the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo 2015. It was completely new for everyone to be in tent and we really appreciated everyone’s cooperation, patience and
determination.
Construction went really well and the Little Buckaroo Farms came out beautifully. Thank you so much for
stepping up and filling in those empty shifts as well. There were 86, 824 people that came through the
tent those 18 days of Rodeo. All 610 trees were adopted over the weekends, and all of the Purple Heart
Bluebonnets, Rodeo Tomatoes, herbs, veggies, and other plants were completely sold out by Sunday
night. Breakdown couldn't have gone any better as well. It was completely done by 3pm the next Monday afternoon.
Thank you so much for all your efforts and thank you for helping to make Rodeo 2015 as successful as it
was..
Ruby Zavala, Bexar County Master Gardeners
REMINDER
If anyone needs a card from
the organization for an illness
or loss of a family member,
contact: Welta Burris Secretary
210-273-5025, or e-mail
hwburris@ctxu.net.
Newsletter Staff
GCMG Outreach
Editor - Elaine McIntyre
Photographer - Marvin “T” Taylor
Distribution - Doug Biggs
Proof Reader - Bob Teweles
Wandering Gardener - Marilyn Moltz
Virginia Biggs is GCMG’s Outreach Chairman. If anyone
knows of a GCMG who needs a
meal, please let her know 830560-1976.
TEXAS GARDENER FUNDRAISER
Our Treasury keeps 25% of your subscription when it is sent through GCMG
9
Report from the Big Red Barn
The spring planting at the Big Red Barn is well underway. The wet, cold weather delayed the planting but
those things that are in the ground are doing well. We have tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, egg plant,
some beans (more to come), cucumbers, etc. and everything is looking good now that we have some
warmer temperatures and sunshine.
This spring we are trying a small plot with a “heritage” planting plan that was used in colonial America. It
is called the Three Sisters and consists of pole beans growing on corn surrounded by squash. In our plot
the squash is French (Courgette – supplied by Patricia Watkins) but the plan is traditional.
As mentioned in an earlier article, much work has been done on the Herb Garden and the Butterfly Garden. They are both looking beautiful and thanks to Beth Henry (artist) and Mike Chandler (carpenter) we
have wonderful new signage.
One other fairly major effort to get the garden ready for the spring school tours involved putting new,
more finely shredded mulch on the paths. We hope the finer mulch will make the footing more secure for
the children (and some of us older folk too). Bob Cox and Mike Chandler obtained and hauled the mulch
several loads and a number of us worked to spread it. Thanks to Welta, Pam, Patte, Patricia, John
(Patricia’s husband), Janice, Beth, Karen (if I’ve missed anyone, please forgive me) for all of the hard
work.
It looks like it is going to be a great spring at the Big Red Barn! Y’all come visit!
Article submitted by Kay McElveen.
Photos by Bob Cox
10
How Do I Report My Hours in VMS?
Question: I attend the Native Plant Society Meetings. Are these reportable hours for Master Gardeners?
Answer: Yes and no. You can report your travel time to and from the meeting as Volunteer Hours. You
can report the Speaker Portion of the program as Continuing Education. However, the business portion
of the NPSOT meeting is not reportable. You would report one VMS Continuing Education entry.
Question: How do I report my hours for attending a Master Gardener Meeting?
Answer: Report attendance at a Master Gardener Meeting in one VMS Membership Meeting entry.
Report the Speaker Portion of the program as Continuing Education. Report your travel time to and from
the meeting as well as time spent attending the Business Meeting as Volunteer Hours.
Question: I prepare newsletter articles for the GCMG Guadalupe Gardener. What VMS project do I
record these hours under?
Answer: GCMG considers volunteer hours in support of “The Guadalupe Gardener” to be in support of
the Guadalupe County Master Gardener Association. You would report Volunteer Hours related to the
newsletter under the Project (c) MG Organizational Support.
Submitted by Cindy Waechter
11
Community Garden - Updates from Ann Odvody
3/4 - I disconnected the timers this afternoon while it was warm for a change. I filled another 5 gallon bucket in
the GH. Hopefully that will be enough until this weekend when it may warm up again and I can reattach the timers
and turn on the water. vr, Dale
3/5 - Brrrrr! 29 degrees in the garden sounds like a good excuse to sleep in tomorrow morning. So, please make
good use of the good excuse. Next week sounds like it will be better and we can plant some seedlings from the
green house. Hope to see you then. vr, Dale and Ann
3/8 - The threat of a freeze is over and the timers are attached and the water is on. Tuesday, at the last weather
forecast, no telling about the next, shows we should be able to plant broccoli, cabbage and collards from the
greenhouse as we weed the beds they are going in. Those of us who don’t feel like planting, there is always
weeding and the fence line around the garden needs edging with the string trimmer. The garden is starting to look
trashy. The bad weather has taken its toll. vr, Dale
3/9 - Okay, I can’t predict weather any better than the paid educated weather persons. In fact they were more right
than usual. Who could believe a 60% chance of rain was more than a sprinkle, much less 2 inches. As result the
garden is too wet to pull weeds and plant in the beds. So far as gardening is concerned, we’ll wait until Friday. vr,
Dale
3/14 - Thank you everyone! It was great to see old friends and new faces. You answered our call for help planting the cabbage and broccoli plants grown in the greenhouse. The plants were beautiful. Great job Greenhouse
Team! Beds were weeded and amended before planting. The kids helping out seemed to enjoy learning to plant
more than the weeding, but they did a good job at both tasks. If we are not rained out Tuesday (60% chance of
rain), we will finish the planting and continue clearing beds. Harvest totals will be light as we remove crops planted
in the fall and replace them with spring plantings. We picked lots of broccoli today, as well as onions, beets and
brussel sprouts. This was our first crop of brussel sprouts. Totals for today came in at 19 pounds 7 ounces, giving
us 257 pounds 6 ounces. Hope to see you soon in the garden.
Lunch and Learn Programs
The March 7th, Lunch and Learn program by Peggy Jones, “How to Use Companion Plants in the Landscape” was
very well received by 34 MGs, guests and visitors. The pictures of her garden were gorgeous and I for one was
very envious of all her lovely plants. It’s easy to see that she truly knows and loves growing roses and has been
doing it very well for a very long time. Article by Treva Hicks.
Below are photos from our February Program featuring Jim Johnson on Vegetable Gardening
Photos by Box Cox
12
Submitted by John Lewicki
(Continued on following page)
13
(Gutierrez - Continued from previous page)
14
LAST SATURDAY OF SPRING BREAK AT GXP
Steele High School Key Club Members
spent their last Saturday of spring break
working with Master Gardeners at Gutierrez
Xeriscape Park (GXP). The spring breakers
laid cardboard for a new pathway behind the
main sign; carted crushed granite in wheelbarrows to the new pathway; raked, leveled
and tamped down the granite; weeded the
butterfly garden; added mulch around trees;
cleared a portion of the parking lot; filled
sinkholes; planted sunflowers, rosemary,
passion vine and succulents.
Led by GXP Co-Chairpersons Kim Darrough
and John Lewicki, the spring breakers
Left to right: Parker Dentino, Judy Stanley, Joyce Briscoe,
Timothy Kidd, Denise Leverich, Taylor Perry, Hunter Dentino, worked with Master Gardeners Judy Stanley
and Joyce Briscoe in hauling top soil for
Welta Burris, and Jacob Frentzen.
planting sunflowers along the stone wall and
Master Gardener Welta Burris in adding plants to the Xeriscape Garden and the new Herb Garden. A
special thanks to Key Club Faculty Advisor Denise Leverich for not only her hard work but also for providing donuts that gave everyone a burst of energy to start their morning tasks
Photos L-R: 1. Taylor Perry getting another load of mulch. 2. Parker Dentino planting sunflowers. 3.
Welta Burris planting rosemary in herb garden. 4. Hunter Dentino & Jacob Frentzen clearing parking
lot. 5. Kim Darrough, Joyce Briscoe, and Judy Stanley putting sunflowers in front of stone wall. 6.
Denise Leverich raking mulch around trees by new granite pathway.
15
March Volunteer Recognition Program
43 Certified Master Gardeners qualified for the March Volunteer Recognition Program Drawing. Having
done so, all 43 also qualify for one entry into the $150 Annual Recognition Drawing.
March Volunteer Recognition Program
March Volunteer FIRSTNAME
Members Reporting 5 or More Hours in February 2015
1
Augustus Lillian
23
McIntyre Elaine
2
Benfield Regina
24
McKenney LaVerne
3
Bennett Kathy
25
Micheli
Hughlene
4
Bowe
Mary
26
Miller
Marla
5
Briscoe
Joyce
27
Moltz
Marilyn
6
Cardona Ramonita
28
Montalvo Maria
7
Chandler Mike
29
Odvody Ann
8
Cox
Robert (Bob)
30
Odvody Dale
9
Darrough Kim
31
Patterson Karen
10
Ermel
Bill
32
Preston Jerilyn
11
Friesenhahn, Joyce
33
Romero Liz
12
Hadley
Susan
34
Schultze Pat
13
Henry
Beth
35
Seale
Iris
14
Hughes Elizabeth (Betty)
36
Slaten
Chuck
15
Jones
Peggy
37
Stanley
Judy
16
Knight, Jr. James
38
Styblo
Mary
17
Krause
Debbie
39
Turner
Pamela (Pam)
18
Leos
Cynthia
40
Tyler-White, Patricia
19
Lewicki
John
41
Wallace Penny
20
Magee
Janet
42
Watkins Patricia
21
Martin
Cindy
43
Wise
Donna
22
McElveen Kay
Congratulations to John Lewicki our March winner. As our March Volunteer, John won a $20 gift certificate to Schulz Nursery.
To qualify for the Monthly Volunteer Recognition Program drawing, Certified Guadalupe County Master
Gardeners must report a minimum of 5 volunteer and continuing education hours earned during the
month in VMS by the last calendar day of the month. Hours earned for attendance at the monthly GCMG
Membership Meeting are not included in the minimum 5 hours, except those earned for meeting setup.
Board members do not participate in the Volunteer Recognition Program.
Don’t forget to earn and report your hours by 30 April 2015 to be eligible for the May Membership Drawing.
Article submitted by Cindy Waechter
GCMG has report 2295.55 Volunteer Hours and 381.15 Continuing Education Hours in 2015.
Continue to report your hours on VMS!
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Volunteer Opportunities
Guadalupe County Master Gardeners
Volunteer Opportunities
Every Monday the MG office/library is open from 8:30am-noon except for holidays. Volunteers are always needed. Contact Betty Hughes. 830-401-4066 or e-mail ehughes5@satx.rr.com.
Every Tuesday and Friday are work days at the Guadalupe County Community Garden. Check with Ann
Odvody (odvodyd@swbell.net 830-914-3593) for start hour and access at other times.
Every Friday 9 am is a workday in the gardens at the Big Red Barn. Check with Janice Knobles, 830-379-6193
or e-mail jmknobles@yahoo.com for details.
KWED Master Gardener Lawn and Garden Show is always looking for volunteers. Contact Janet Grafe at 830639-4199 or e-mail to janetgrafe@hotmail.com.
Chairperson is needed for the June 18th Summer Social. Contact Jose Contreras at elmerojose@gmail.com
Volunteers are needed to set up the chairs before each monthly meeting. Contact Treva Hicks at
hickslt@lycos.com
Spring Tours at the Big Red Barn
The folks at the Big Red Barnbare holding spring tours of their facilities and gardens for school children
(pre-K and up) and would like our help. There will be opportunities to help in April and May, but at this
writing the specific dates are not yet known. A call list will be taken. Janice Knobles is working on a
script appropriate for Spring as well as indoor activities in case of rain. If you would like to help children
discover the wonder of growing things we eat, add your name to the call list of Master Gardeners.
Give Karen Heinemeyer your name, number and email address by phone: 830-557-6308 or by email at:
ronheinemeyer@sbcglobal.net
Of course you should and will earn volunteer hours for helping with this.
Plan Ahead for the County Fair
Cindy Martin, Chair for the 2015 County Fair, encourages everyone to not only volunteer, but to ENTER!
Plan Ahead - and - Plant Ahead
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Texas Master Gardener Board of Directors
Two Year Term - Dave Elder - Alternate - Marvin Borth
One Year Term - Peggy Jones - Bob Teweles, Alternate
Membership Outreach Committee - Virginia Biggs
Speakers Bureau - Treva Hicks
Guadalupe Co. Community Garden - Dale & Ann Odvody
Master Gardener Office/Library - Betty Hughes
Refreshment Coordinator - Treva Hicks
Big Red Barn - Janice Knobles
Gutierrez Xeriscape Garden - John Lewicki & Kim Darrough
Historian - Sandy Foss
Class 27 Coordinators - Kay McElveen & Mike Murley
Facebook Editor - Cynthia Leos
Newsletter Editor - Elaine McIntyre
Web Master - Bob Teweles
KEYHOLE AND ELEVATED GARDEN BEDS
WITH DRIP IRRIGATION DEMONSTRATIONS
Saturday April 11, 2015 - 10 am-12-pm
Guadalupe Community Gardens, 1101 Elbel Road, Schertz
(Behind the Guadalupe Courthouse Annex)
Learn how to build and maintain Elevated and Keyhole Garden beds and setup and maintain a drip
irrigation system. $15 Cost recovery fee. Taking orders for custom made Elevated Bed Kits.
For more information contact: guadalupemastergardeners.org
or call 830-303-4712 or 830-303-3889 Agrilife Extension Office
Educational Programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color,
sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.
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GUADALUPE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS
LUNCH & LEARN GARDENING PROGRAMS
12-1PM FREE to the Public Bring your own lunch
Thursday April 2—“Landscaping with Wildflowers”, Deedy Wright, Guadalupe Master Gardener
presented at the GC AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St. Seguin
Thursday May 7,---“Lawn Care”, Marvin Borth, Guadalupe Master Gardener, presented at the GC
AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St., Seguin
Monday May 11, --“Twenty Great Herbs for South Texas”, Gail Johnson, Guadalupe County
Master Gardener, presented at The GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz.
Thursday June 4—“Gardening with your Kids and Grandkids”, Lo Ra Dick, Guadalupe County
Master Gardener, presented at the GC AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St. Seguin. (Bring
your own Kids)
Monday June 8—“Gardening in the Shade”, Liz Romero , Guadalupe County Master Gardener,
presented at The GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz.
Thursday July 2—“Twenty Great Herbs for South Texas”, Gail Johnson, Guadalupe County
Master Gardener, presented at the GC AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St. Seguin.
Monday July 13—“Hello Invasives Good Bye Texas”, Nancy Masterson, Guadalupe County Master Gardener, presented at The GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz.
Thursday August 6,-- “Planning and Planting a Butterfly Garden”, Judy Stanley, Guadalupe
County Master Gardener, presented at the GC AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St. Seguin.
Monday August 10--“Planning and Planting a Butterfly Garden”, Judy Stanley, Guadalupe
County Master Gardener, presented at The GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz.
For more information call 830-303-3889, AgrilLife Extension Office or http://
www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org
Educational Programs of the Texas A&M Extension Service are open to
all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin,
age, disability, genetic information or veteran status
Floral Designs
Wednesday, April 1, at 10 am
3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston
At the San Antonio Garden Center Clubs meeting well-known floral artist and teacher, Henry DeLeon,
brings his joyful exuberance and riotous color palette with him. In true "Fiesta Flores" style, DeLeon
will demonstrate how to create fabulous floral designs at home, and audience members will have the
opportunity to take away more than just ideas. Join us for coffee at 9:30. Free and open to the public.
For more information, go to SanAntonioGardenCenter.org or call (210) 824-9981.
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Native Plant Society of Texas
Guadalupe County (Schertz-Seguin) Chapter
Tracking the Wild Invaders
As a field botanist, Minnette Marr of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has surveyed plant communities on private ranches, and in state forests and national parks
throughout Texas. Land managers use these surveys for many purposes, including
the control of invasive species. Tonight Minnette will teach us how to get involved in
mapping and eradicating invasive species in our own neighborhoods. Check out one
of Minnette’s observations from the San Marcos River watershed at http://
www.texasinvasives.org/observations/detail.php?site_id=18942. When Minnette is not surveying plant
communities, she is scouting for opportunities to collect seeds of native plants. You can follow her seedy
adventures at https://twitter.com/beeblossomseeds.
Tuesday April 14, 2015, 7:00 PM
St John’s Lutheran Church, FM 465, Marion, TX
Meetings are open to the public. Visitors are welcome. There is a plant/seed exchange and greeting at
6:30 PM followed by the program at 7:00 PM. For more information, directions or membership applications see our website at: http:/www./npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/
The purpose of the Native Plant Society of Texas is to promote research, conservation and use of native plants
and habitats through education, outreach and example.
Rain Gardens: Landscaping for Sustainability and Beauty
April 21, 2015 at 7:00 PM
GVTC Auditorium located at 36101 FM 3159, Smithson Valley
At the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas monthly meeting Lee Marlowe, Sustainable Landscape Superintendent for the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), will give a presentation on
Rain Gardens: Landscaping for Sustainability and Beauty. She will describe specific native plants that
can be used in rain gardens to provide multiple benefits including water conservation, pollinator habitat
and beauty in the landscape. The public is welcome. For more information www.npsot.org/wp/
lindheimer
Annual Grafting Seminar
Sat., Apr 11, 9am-12pm
Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road, San Antonio
Dr. Larry Stein from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service will show you how and why fruit, nut and
citrus trees are grafted. You will learn all the different grafting techniques like inlay, four flap, cleft, approach grafts and some of the budding techniques like chip budding and t-budding. You will also learn
about the overall care of your fruit, nut and citrus trees before and after you graft them. This seminar is
very popular so arrive early for best parking and seating. Seminar is free. 3 CEU’s for Master Gardeners
who attend.
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Earth-Kind® Landscape Design and Management School
April 10, 11 & 12, 2015 in Dallas, Tx
During this unique educational experience you will learn how to design, plant and manage landscape that
is beautiful, low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant, and the ultimate in environmental responsibility.
No previous, design, plant or management knowledge is needed.
This 2.5 day course will consist of an in depth classroom program, outdoor laboratory session, field trip
to tour Earth-Kind® plant trials, plus a personalized, extended (1.5 hour) landscape design consultation,
to be conducted a few weeks later.
Dr. Steve George, Professor and Extension Landscape Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Service and creator of the Earth-Kind® Environmental Landscape Management System, is the lead
instructor and will personally conduct all of the design consultations.
This school is an outstanding value at only $295 per household. Class size is limited. For more information and to enroll contact Kim Betancourt (972-952-9211, kim.betancourt@ag.tamu.edu)
TEXAS MASTER GARDENER SPECIALIST TRAINING
Plant Propagation
12:30 pm May 7 - 12:00 Noon May 9, 2015
Tarrant County Master Gardeners – Ft. Worth, Texas
All Master Gardeners with an up-to-date Master Gardener Certification are eligible to participate in this
high quality training combined with hands-on experience. . Registration is $200. For additional information http://txmg.org/event/plant-propagation-specialist-tarrant-county/ or contact Billie Hammack, P. O.
Box 1540, Fort Worth, TX 76101-1540.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS APRIL 1, 2015
Texas Master Gardener Specialist training
Entomology
September 28 through October 2
Montgomery County Extension Office, Conroe
The training is designed to provide an in-depth exposure to the world of insects: 4.5 days of insectoriented field trips, lectures and hands-on insect collecting and photography.
Montgomery County is not currently accepting applicants for the program, but for updates and further
information see http://agrilife.org/insectspecialist/
Turfgrass 101 Seminar
Sat., Apr 25, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio
Speaker is David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. 1.5 CEUs. Free. Learn the basics
of lawn maintenance through proper nutrition, mowing, weed control, and irrigation.
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GARDENING EVENTS
Texas Master Gardener Conference for 2015
The Blooms on the Old Chisholm Trail
April 16 -18.
Bell County Expo Center in Belton, TX
Please check http://txmg.org/2015tmgaconference/
for all the details.
or
Spring Native Plant Sale at Folkfest in New Braunfels
Saturday, April 11, 2015 - 11 am - 6 pm.
Sunday, April 12, 2015 - 12 pm - 5 pm
• Butterfly and Hummingbird plants;
Milkweed (weather cooperating with our grower!)
• Children’s activities with plants
Heritage Village, 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, Texas
(Take exit 189 off Interstate 35 and proceed west on Loop 337 to Church Hill Drive. Signs will also refer
to this Loop as State Hwy. 46.)
Sponsored by the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas
For more information, http://npsot.org/wp/lindheimer/main-page/
•
National Children and Youth Garden Symposium
July 9-11, 2015 - Austin, Texas
This exciting event is related to the Learn, Grow, Eat & Go This conference is coordinated by the
American Horticulture Society (AHS) and this year the International Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program will be a co-host for the conference. Information about the conference events, lodging, travel,
etc. may be found on the following website: http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/youth-gardening/
ncygs/2015-ncygs/overview The conference hotel is the Radisson Austin Downtown and the symposium has a special rate of $149.00 per night.
Anniversary of Gutierrez Xeriscape Park Dedication
Sunday, April 19th - Noon to 5 PM
1300 Borgfeld, Schertz
See the new art work by Steele High School, listen to a mariachi band, get free food and drinks, visit the
Guadalupe County Native Plant Society and Master Gardener information tables, and visit the Butterfly
Garden and Monarch Waystation.
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail
Mar 20 through Apr 5, 2015
Tyler, TX
In addition to the eight miles of residential gardens and historic homes sites, there are numerous Spring
events and year-round attractions in Tyler to make the trip a great one! For more information http://
www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail
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Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednes
day
1
Thursday
2
LUNCH
and
LEARN
Friday
3
GCCG Workday
Red Barn 9 AM
Saturday
4
KWED Radio
1580 AM
Lawn & Garden
Show 9 a.m.
O - FULL MOON
5
Happy
Easter!
12
6
Master Gardener
Office/Library
8:30-Noon
13
Master Gardener
Office/Library
7
GCCG Workday
8
9
GCMG
Board
Meeting
14
GCCG Workday
15
16
GCMG
Meeting
10
GCCG Workday
Red Barn
11
KWED Radio
Lawn & Garden
Show
GCCG
Workshop
Keyhole &
Drip
17
GCCG Workday
Red Barn
18
KWED Radio
Lawn & Garden
Show .
G NEW MOON
19
Gutierrez
Xeriscape
Park
Dedication
26
20
Master Gardener
Office/Library
21
GCCG Workday
22
23
24
GCCG Workday
Red Barn
25
KWED Radio
Lawn & Garden
Show
EARTH DAY
PLANT SALE
27
Master Gardener
Office/Library
28
GCCG Workday
29
30
GCCG - Guadalupe County
Community Garden
Newsletter
Deadline
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Extension Service
Guadalupe County Master Gardeners, Inc.
210 East Live Oak St.
Seguin, TX 78155
Guadalupe County Master Gardeners http://www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org 830-379-1972 Ext 210
Guadalupe County Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension http://www.guadalupe-tx.tamu.edu/ 830-379-1972
Texas Master Gardeners http://www.txmg.org
GCMG Officers & Board of Directors
Jose Contreras
Bob Teweles
Marvin Borth
Cynthia Lyssey
Welta Burris
Jim Johnson
Treva Hicks
Dave Elder
Open
Cindy Waechter
Travis Franke
President
Past President
President Elect
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Education Chairman
Publication Chairman
Volunteer Chairman
Membership Chair
AgriLIFE Agent
Master Gardener Coordinator
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April Meeting
Thursday, April 16, 2015 - 7 PM
AgriLIFE Extension Building
210 E. Live Oak, Seguin, Tx
Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the
understanding that no discrimination by the Master Gardeners is
implied, and no endorsement by the Master Gardeners is implied.
Educational programs conducted by the Guadalupe County Master
Gardeners and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open
to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national
origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.
Elaine McIntyre, Editor
(tindo@gvec.net)