Scion &#8211; August 2022

Hello, Fellow Gardeners,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying cool. I am very thankful for the few rain events we have had in the past several weeks, but I sure hope more is on the way soon.

This month I would like to update everyone about the change in the San Antonio Water System’s (“SAWS”) WaterSaver Rebate Program. In my February article, I explained that there would be a new coupon to replace the patioscape coupon SAWS has offered for many years. The new coupon SAWS has added to their rebate program is the outdoor living rebate. This is an incentive the SAWS Conservation Department offers to remove some of that water using turfgrass and replace it with a pervious (allowing water to pass through) material instead, for example, flagstone or pavers. You can select the material that will work best in your landscape and extend your living space to the outdoors as the temperatures start to cool down. (Yes, that will really happen!)

To be eligible for this rebate, there are several things to know before you begin any work on this project. There is a pre-inspection requirement and the minimum size for the project is 200 square feet with a width of at least 10’, so a walkway or pathway will not be eligible. Any existing irrigation systems in the space must be removed. All of the details of this exciting program can be found here.

As I stated in my February article, the Landscape Coupon has not changed. You can still transform your landscape and receive a coupon from SAWS to help you pay for every 200 square feet of grass you remove — saving water and money! Details can be found here.

The Residential Irrigation Design Rebate is also still in effect. If you make changes to your irrigation system, you may be eligible for a cash rebate to help create the garden or landscape you want without the high water bills. If you eliminate the entire system, you’ll be eligible for a larger rebate. The specific details of the program can be found here.

SAWS also offers its customers a Water Sensor Flow Rebate to detect leaks and to help you save even more money. Water flow sensor devices record your water use and identify potential leaks in your system. Track your use and have peace of mind with help from their rebate program. Details can be found here.

These offers from the SAWS Conservation Department can really add up to a lot of savings, and each household can use 4 coupons for 2022, with a lifetime limit of 8 coupons total. Each coupon has specific rules and guidelines to follow, so check the individual coupons for the specifics. All the SAWS WaterSaver Programs can be found here.

I highly recommend that you consider taking advantage of one or more of these coupons or rebates as you consider enhancing your landscape while making it more water efficient.

Conservationally yours,

Anna Vogler

Water Conservation Coordinator

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Gardening Education Opportunities

Home Grown Lecture Series 2022 – Safety in the Home Garden – Free

August 4 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am ONLINE

Presented by Shannon Dietz, County Extension Agent- Ag & Natural Resources. Part of the 2022 Home Grown Lecture Series held monthly online. Online registration is required.

Easy Backyard Composting

August 5 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Oasis at the Meadows, 700 Babcock Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78201

Presented by Bill Swantner, Bexar County Master Gardener. Tickets – $6.00.

Fall Into Winter Veggies

August 6 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Rainbow Gardens, 8516 Bandera Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78250

Presented by Karen Gardner, Bexar County Master Gardener. Tickets – $12.50.

Growing the Best Fall and Spring Tomatoes and More on Your Block

August 9 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Northeast Community Learning Center, 8750 Tesoro Dr
San Antonio, TX 78217

Presented by David Rodriguez, Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Course Fee: $20.

Texas Native Annuals & Perennials for Your Landscape – Free

August 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place
San Antonio, TX 78209

Presented by Lynn Cox, Bexar County Master Gardener. The use of native annuals and perennials in our landscape is just… natural! Join the Bexar County Master Gardeners, as they share the benefits of using native plants and introduce some of the many native annuals and perennials that will bring color and more to your landscape. Master Gardeners will be available at the end of the workshop to answer your gardening questions.

BCMG August Monthly Meeting – Landscape Design for Water Conservation – Free

August 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – ONLINE

Presented by Dotty Woodson, Horticulturist and hosted by Bexar County Master Gardeners. With the current drought and high temperatures, landscape water restrictions are being discussed by all water providers. Landscape water conservation is achieved by design, plant selection, and irrigation efficiency. These methods work together to reduce water use. Dotty will discuss how you can implement these practices and answer your questions. Prior registration is required for this online webinar.

15 Bugs Everyone Should Know – Free

August 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Guadalupe County AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak
Seguin, TX 78155

Presented by Molly Keck, Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and hosted by Guadalupe County Master Gardeners.

Warm Weather Vegetables (Part I) – Free

August 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Milberger’s Landscaping & Nursery, 3920 North Loop 1604
San Antonio, TX 78247

Presented by David Rodriguez, Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Frequently check the BCMG Calendar, as that is where all the new, upcoming programs will be posted. Click Here

BCMG Happenings!

2022 BCMG Scholarship Winner

Each year, BCMG funds a $2,000 scholarship to be awarded to a Texas resident enrolled full time above the Sophomore level, at a Texas Institution of Higher Education, and majoring in Horticulture Sciences, Landscape Design and Architecture, Turf Grass Management or any affiliated “Green Industry.” The applicants must have a GPA of 2.8 or above to be considered.

BCMG received a record SEVEN applications for this annual BCMG Scholarship award! Angela Kirby, BCMG Scholarship Committee Chair, contacted professors, department liaisons and Scholarship Departments at Agriculture Colleges and Universities to have our BCMG Scholarship added to their horticulture scholarship database. She reached out to former applicants as well. A five-member BCMG Scholarship Committee used strict evaluation criteria to select Ganga Bhatt.

Ganga Bhatt is an outstanding Texas A&M horticulture science major/agribusiness entrepreneurship minor. Ganga is graduating in the fall of 2022. Ganga has earned a GPA of 3.84. Currently, he is an intern with Village Farms, one of the largest greenhouse producers of hydroponic tomatoes in Texas. He has a passion for growing plants. He likes growing plants in hydroponics since it provides a controlled environment. He indicated that this is both a better working environment for people and a better growing environment for plants, since it provides better control of climatic variables. After graduation, he wants to work for a hydroponic company where he could learn more about managing a business and save enough money for his own hydroponic business. He aims to have a hydroponic operation to grow Asian variety crops in Dallas, Texas.

Special thanks to Angela and the Committee Members who reviewed and scored the seven applications: Brenda Burell, Kimberly Casillas, Brigid Oman, Mary Quant and Nancy Socher.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Happenings!

David Rodriguez, Bexar County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, and BCMG volunteers assist with training teachers at the “Youth Gardens Advanced Leadership Training” which helps teachers get the most out their school’s youth gardening program. (Photo by Lou Kellogg)

Past webinars are posted on YouTube for your viewing (or reviewing) pleasure! Check often for new postings! Click here for the list.

**Click to go to Aggie Horticulture Facebook, where they have regular information and educational videos**

Call in to Live Radio on Saturday mornings, with your gardening questions for David.
Call in: 210-737-1200 or 1-800-383-9624 on Saturdays from 7 am to 10pm

Or just listen to the show, and learn from everyone else’s questions!

WOAI 1200 AM – Lawn and Garden Show
Host: David Rodriguez, Bexar County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist.

Past shows are archived here, for easy listening on your computer, tablet or phone, anytime! Listen on your phone while you drive!

Ask a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are available to help you with your gardening questions. We provide unbiased, research-based, locally relevant gardening information. Free service. You can reach us:

By phone: 210-631-0400 (Ask to speak to a Master Gardener)

Mon-Fri 9 am – Noon, 1-4 pm (Closed on county holidays)

Or Submit A Question Online

The phones and the Hotline are being operated from Master Gardener home telephones; hotline calls are being directed by the AgriLife Extension receptionist.

Last year, Amazon Smile donated $82 to the Master Gardeners, at no cost to Amazon customers.

What is AmazonSmile?

An easy, convenient way for you to support BCMG every time you shop, at no cost to you.

Available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.

Amazon smile has the same prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com

How to Sign Up

Simply go to smile.amazon.com on your web browser or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone within the Settings or Programs & Features menu

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization to receive donations from your future eligible AmazonSmile purchases.

Use the Search feature to Select: Bexar County Master Gardeners

That’s it! AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Bexar County Master Gardeners.

On your web browser, you can add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start shopping with AmazonSmile.

Use your existing Amazon user name and password to sign on to Amazon Smile. No need to create another Amazon account.

Note: Amazon will remember your selected charity. You do not have to select BCMG each time you purchase from smile.amazon.com. We are grateful for all you do and all you give to Bexar County Master Gardeners.