Comal GardenerFebruary 2019

A monthly publication of the Comal Master Gardener Association through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Comal County,325 Resource Drive, New Braunfels, Tx 78132 (830-620-3440)

http://txmg.org/comalVolume XXII Number 2

Inside This IssueExperience Entomology at Insect Expo 1-42018 Master Gardener of the Year 1,5February CMG General Meeting 1Garden Posts 2Speaker Robert Allen 6Focus on a Native: Hill Country Vines 7,8Garden Tips 9,10The Bad Gardener 10A Tomato Primer 11,12Spring Gardening Seminar 12CMG Awards 2019 Service Pins 132018 Volunteer Recognition Pins Awarded 14CMG Class of 2019 – Demographics 15Junior Master Gardener 16Status Report of CMG Membership 17Committee Reports 18,19CE Opportunities 19,20

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. The Texam A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the CountyCommissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. Individuals with disabilities who require an auxilary aid, service, or accomidation in order to participate in meetings are encouragedto contact the TexasA&MAgriLife Extension Service office at 830-620-3440 five days prior to the event so that appropriate arrangements can bemade. The information given hereinis for eduacational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names so not discriminate or imply endorsement intended by the Extension Service.

The CMG Insect Expo committee members have beenbusy organizing and preparing materials for the 1,500to 2,000 fourth graders from Comal ISD and NewBraunfels ISD planning to attend the Insect Expo onFebruary 26th and 27th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at theMcKenna Event Center.

Experience Entomology at 2019 CMGInsect Expo

During the January21CMGMembershipMeeting theComalMaster Gardeners announced Lois Ricci as the2018ComalMasterGardenerof theYear forhermanyactivities and abiding focus.

Lois certifiedas aMasterGardener inBexarCountyasa member of Class 13 and transferred to ComalCounty in 2003. In Bexar County, Lois was active insupporting school gardens and established a wildlifehabitat at her neighborhood school.

In Comal County, Lois has volunteered in a variety ofprojects, including the Fairground Gardens, AgriLifeExtension Office Gardens, Tye Preston MemorialLibraryButterflyGardens and as amentor for traineesin the Comal Master Gardener class. Her mostsignificant role, however, has been that as chair of theNew Life Butterfly Garden, where she hasvolunteered since 2009.

(Continued on page 2)

Lois Ricci Announced as 2018 MasterGardener of the Year

February CMG General Meeting

Date: Monday, February 18Gather: 6 pmSpeaker: Robert Nathan AllenTopic: “Edible Bugs”Speaker Time: 6:30 pmBusiness Meeting: 7:30 pmPlace: GVTC Auditorium36101 FM 3159New Braunfels, Tx 78132

See p 6 for article about the speaker.

(Continued on page 5)

by Sydna Arnold

by Mary Helen Phillips and Bonnie Leitch

February 2019 Page 2

Garden Posts

•So many Dates to Save! Such an active organization!o The Spring Seminar isMarch 8 and still has some available seats. To register, go to our site, pull down the

seminar menu, click continue reading, and you will find Registration toward the bottom.o Folk Fest is April 13-14.o Our traditionalSpringPicnic isApril 27. CheckwithHelenKent (tuneces01@gmail.com) fordetails or tohelp.o Open House is onMay 11. Check with Linda Valdez for details or to help. (ldvaldez@satx.rr.com).o September 22 is our annual Fajita Social to kick off the Comal County Fair.o Our annual Christmas Party will be brunch at the historic Forke Store December 4.•Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Karen Scherrer, former president of Comal Master Gardeners and a

truly wonderful spirit and friend to this organization.• If youmissed the Januarymeeting,MembershipOfficerCherylVance presented 5-year, 10-year and15-year pins.

For more information, contact Cheryl (nance.cheryl@gmail.com). (See related article on recognition pinson page 13.)

•Congratulations to RonWilliford for volunteering themost time to our organization in 2018. This was the secondyear in a row Ron has accomplished this, with enough hours in 2018 to equal almost four months of forty-hour weeks.

•Kathie Rule is the new chair of our reinstituted CMG Speakers Bureau. Look for more information in the nextfew months about this exciting venture. If you are interested in more information now or would like tovolunteer, contact Kathie (kfrule@gmail.com).

•Congratulations to Kay Zwart and her crew for a truly outstanding jump on the new Welch Gruene Haus.•CMG congratulates Vickie King, who certified last year and received her certificate and pin and signed the CMG

quilt at the January meeting.•There are many volunteer opportunities:o Help at the AgriLife desk from 1:15 to 2:30 pm on some Mondays. Available workdays are Feb 4 & 25, Mar

11 & 25, Apr 8 & 22 and May 6 & 20.o Join John Rayborn, Chair of Ask-a-Master-Gardener, either at the Farmers Market in New Braunfels one

Saturday amonth or by answering questions on-line. For the phone duty, just go to ourVMS, click onEventsand sign in. For more information, contact John (bluebloods2005@yahoo.com).

Experience Entomology at 2019 CMG Insect Expo(Continued from page 1)

Comal Master Gardeners hosted the event last yearunder the leadership of CMG Mary Helen Phillips(Insect ExpoChair), CMGDonTuff (retired Professorof Biology, Texas State University who holds a Ph.D.in Entomology from Texas A&M University), MollyKeck (Board Certified Entomologist and IntegratedPest Management Program Specialist with TexasA&M AgriLife Extension in Bexar County) andWizzie Brown (Program Specialist and IPM TravisCounty), who have expanded and improved the eventfor students this year.

Insect Expo, a collaborative effort between CMG,AgriLife Extension and Master Naturalists, has beenwell received in the community, as can be seen in theNewBraunfels ISD video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOHCBjpL_dc (“Students get hands-onexperience at Insect Expo”).

Fortymore volunteers are needed to ensure the successof this wonderful event. All volunteers workingdirectly with children are required to attend one of two2-hour training sessions on Thursday, February 21st

(Continued on page 3)

from 9 to 11 am or 1 to 3 pm in the Texas A&MAgriLife Extension Service Classroom. Interestedvolunteers should use this link to register for training:http://txmg.org/comal/event/insect-expo-training/. Inaddition to training, volunteers have the opportunity toassist with set-up on Monday, February 25th from 2 to5 pm and to work shifts with students during InsectExpo between 8:30 and 1:30 on February 26th and/or27th.

Students will visit over twenty booths designed toteach students with hands-on curriculum. Activitiesaddress specific science standards and objectives forfourth and fifth grade Texas Essential Knowledge andSkills or TEKS. A pre and post test will beadministered to all students tomeasure learning and tosupport continued funding for this program. Some ofthe activities include making insect antennae namebands, life cycle wheels, maggot art, suck-a-bugcontainers and food webs. Teaching students aboutinsects as a food source, volunteers will be stir fryingmealworms and crickets for tastings.

CMG members attending the February 18th generalmeetingwill “get a taste”ofwhat is in store for studentsthis year by sampling some of the delicacies from theCritterCafé FoodTruck. CMGNancyOber suggestedmaking a food truck façade, then designed andrecruited a team to build a vehicle for serving the insectsnacks. GretchenFarrell andChefPhilDelaplanehavedeveloped amenu of FireAnt andChorizoQuesowithChirp Chips, Salad with Maple glazed Silk Worms,toasted Walnuts and Walnut oil vinaigrette, CricketQuesadilla with Goat Cheese, Spinach, Mushroomsand Tomato Salsa and Honey glazed Apples withCricket Granola, Cinnamon Crema and Chapulines.According to the experts, “most of us haveinadvertently eaten up to a pound of insects in ourlifetime.”

While not initially thrilled with the idea of workingwith termites, maggots or cockroaches, working theInsect Expo with Dr. Tuff certainly can change one’sperspective. His boundless energy and enthusiasm iscontagious. Students learned that the chemical in Bicpen ink is similar to the trail pheromones produced byEastern Subterranean termites that will follow a line

drawn with a Bic pen much like they follow oneanother in the dark. Also learned was the fact thatmaggots are used to clean wounds and for fishing bait,but can also create some unique abstract art whenplaced on droplets of paint. Cockroaches (an ancientgroup dating to some 320 million years ago)entertained students who enjoyedwatching them race.Smiling students filled the McKenna Event Centerenthusiastically moving from one booth to the next asthey learned more about insects.

The 2019 Insect Expo committee members are LindaAbati, SydnaArnold,Wizzie Brown, Gene Carnicom,Ada Conlan, Phil Delaplane, Gretchen Ferrell, HarryFerrell, Clare Helminiak, Molly Keck, Taylor Keller(Comal ISD), Donna McPeek, Mary Moses, CherylNance, Nancy Ober, Mary Helen Phillips, StephanieShropshire, Emily Staats, Don Tuff, Robbi Will, RonWilliford and Robin Wright (New Braunfels ISD).

Working Insect Expo is a wonderful experience.Volunteers are needed, so sign up and attendorientation classes as described above.

Experience Entomology at 2019 CMG Insect Expo(Continued from page 2)

(Continued on page 4)

February 2019 Page 3

Mary Helen Phillips, Donna McPeek and NancyOber plan for the Insect Expo.

Experience Entomology at 2019 CMG Insect Expo(Continued from page 3)

Mary Slaughter helps paint the food truck for theInsect Expo.

Stephanie Shropshire and Ada Conlan punch holesto prepare bottles for the Suck-A-Bug activity - a

favorite last year!

Cheryl Nance uses an ice pick to drill holes for theInsect Life Cycle Wheel activity.

Donna McPeek and Sydna Arnold demonstrate afaster way to cut a roll of paper the MasterGardener way with compound-action loppers.

February 2019 Page 4

Currently, Lois serves as co-chair with Patty Malek atNew Life and has also helped to establish a vegetablegarden program with the high school girls there. Loishas created a beautiful trifold educational pamphletdescribing the life cycle of the butterfly andhighlighting native plants in the garden.

Volunteering with Lois is always fun. She providesbottled water and cookies, blueberry muffins or somekind of treat for the volunteers every workday and isalways the last one to finish in the garden. She nevermisses a workday unless it is to be with hergrandchildren or to take a birding trip. Her recentbirding travels have included Costa Rica and Iceland.

Lois is amember of theLindheimerMasterNaturalistsand is an active volunteer for that organization aswell.Whether as a gardener or a naturalist, Lois is definitelya master.

Comal Master Gardeners congratulates and thanksLois for all she has accomplished.

Lois Ricci Announced as 2018 Master Gardener of the Year(Continued from page 1)

Lois Ricci is recognized as 2018 CMG of the Yearby CMG President Bonnie Leitch during the

January general meeting.

February 2019 Page 5

EdMaciula announced his retirement as editor of theCMG newsletter, The Comal Gardener, during theJanuary general meeting. The staff of the newsletterwishes to thank Ed for his unstinting service as editorthe last two years. We wish him the best and areexcited he will continue working on The ComalGardener staff.

We know we share the thanks of the wholeorganization for his service to our organization’seducational mission.

The Comal Gardener Staff

Thanks to CMG Newsletter Editor Ed Maciula

Ed Maciula announces his retirement asnewsletter editor and thanks staff during the

January general meeting.

The CMG General Meeting on Monday, February 18highlights insects with Robert Nathan Allen, founderof the Little Herds organization, speaking on “EdibleBugs” from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. His presentation is aperfect segue to the CMG sponsored Insect Expowhich is the following week onMonday and Tuesday,February 26 and 27 at the McKenna Events Center inNewBraunfels. LittleHerds and the Insect Expo eventshare a common purpose - education.

According to Robert Nathan Allen, aka RNA, themissionof theAustin-basednonprofitLittleHerds is toeducate and empower communities to support andpromote the use of insects for food and feed. It allstarted when RNA's mother sent him a video on thenutritional and environmental benefits of insects,joking that he would never get her to “try this.” RNAtook the video seriously, and his subsequent researchconcluded that entomophagy, the practice of humanseating insects, is a viable source of nutrition and isenvironmentally sound.

At the CMG meeting, RNA will discuss both theecological and health benefits of entomophagy. Andfor those who consider eating insects icky, he willprovide the benefits of food production that producefewer greenhouse emissions and uses less water andspace than beef, chicken or pork while providing goodsources of protein, fiber and fatty acids. Meetingattendees will also have the opportunity to try sometasty morsels prepared by CMG chefs.

By the way, RNA convinced his mother to try insects,and she loves them.

The Little Herds organization can be found online athttp://www.littleherds.org/

by Betty Keese

Meeting Snacks Feature Insect-BasedHeadlinersMENU

by Gretchen Ferrell

Fire Ant and Chorizo Queso with Chirp Chips

Salad with Maple Glazed Silk Worms, Toasted

Walnuts and Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

Cricket Quesadilla with Goat Cheese, Spinach,

Mushrooms and Tomato Salsa

Honey Glazed Apples with Cricket Granola,

Cinnamon Crema and Chapulines

(grasshoppers)

February CMGMeetingRobert Nathan Allen to Speak on "Edible Bugs”

Cricket Tacos might not appear on San Antoniomenus any time soon, but according to Benchmark,a global hospitality company, and Greatist, a mediastartup company, 2019 food trends include edible

insects as the next big thing in the proteinmovement: Cricket flour has three times the protein

of beef, twice the iron in spinach and morepotassium than a banana.

February 2019 Page 6

Focus on a Native: Hill Country Grasses

by Betty JacksonThe Texas Hill Country is a defined area of nineteencounties situated within the Edwards Plateau. Sincethe region incorporates about 24 million acres, thediversity of its flora and fauna reflects that vast size.Some 280 species of grasses are found here. Some arenative, and some have been introduced, eitherintentionally or not. Texas Parks andWildlife lists thefive most common grasses for the Edwards Plateau assilver bluestem, Canada wildrye, big muhly, littlebluestem and Indian grass.

Native grasses provide food for wildlife and somegrazing for cattle. The deep grass roots protect slopesfrom erosion and keep the soil from compacting sowater can seep into the aquifer below.

Silver bluestem, Bothriochloa laguroides, is a warmseason perennial bunch grass that displays silver,fluffy-flowered inflorescence. From May throughNovember, its easily-recognizable blooms sway in thewind and catch the sunlight for a stunning display. Ifused in the landscape, take care to contain it as itspreads quickly.

Canada wildrye, Elymus Canadensis, is a tall, nativebunchgrass. A cool season perennial grass, it has seedhead spikes that resemble wheat or barley. The seedheads droop downward giving it another commonname, nodding wildrye. The young plants are anutritious forage, and the thick bunches provide good

cover for smallmammals and birds. It is the larval hostto the zabulon skipper butterfly and blooms in Marchwith seedheads forming fromMay throughDecember.

Big muhly, also called Lindheimer muhly,Muhlenbergia lindheimeri, is another native, warmseason perennial bunchgrass that thrives on theEdwards Plateau. Its feathery florescence grows from8-16 inches atop stalks thatmaybeas tall as six feet. Asa landscape component it can be used effectively aseither a screen or an individual accent, sometimes inplace of pampas grass. Locate it in an areawith full sunor light shade and expect blooms fromSeptember untilDecember.

(Continued on page 8)

Silver Bluestem

Canada Wildrye

Big Muhly

February 2019 Page 7

Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is a warmseason perennial bunchgrass. Its dense root systemmay extend down as far as eight feet, making it anexcellent soil stabilizer. Its blue-green stems turn arich russet color in the fall. The seeds are small andfuzzy, growing alternately along the awns of the 24-36inch stems. Little bluestem is the host plant to thecommonwoodnymph,Leonard’s skipper and swarthyskipper butterfly larvae. It blooms from Augustthrough December with seed heads forming inSeptember.

Indian grass, also known as yellow Indian grass,sorghastrum nutans, is a tall perennial nativebunchgrass with long, wide leaf blades. The 30-96inch seed stalks are topped with golden spikes. Thisgrass occurs both in bunches and as a single stemamong other grasses. It is a prolific seed producer andprovides a good source of seeds for small mammalsandbirds. In nature it is very drought and cold tolerant,but in the landscape it prospersbest in amoist area. Thebloom begins in mid-spring and seeds are producedfrom September until December.

SeeGrasses of the Texas Hill Country by Brian Loflinand Shirley Loflin for more information.

Focus on a Native: Hill Country Vines(Continued from page 7)

Little Bluestem

Indian Grass

February 2019 Page 8

Tips from the Garden

The month of February is traditionally dedicated toroses, and here in our area, it’s also dedicated to theircare. Give special attention, not only to the bushesthemselves, but to their surroundings.

• Remove weeds and debris such as dead leaves andtwigs and lay on a clean, fresh layer of mulch. Trimoverhead branches that can diminish sunlight andprune encroaching branches from surrounding shrubs.Ensure that excess water can drain away so as not todamage roots.

• Grandiflora, floribunda and hybrid tea roses shouldbe pruned to two-to-three feet, or at least one-third toone-half their height, to accommodate healthy newgrowth.

• Old Garden Roses, climbers and shrub roses can bepruned to control their size and/or desired shape. Planto add a border of shrub roses along a walkway or todefine an entertaining space.

• Remove dead growth and other debris fromgroundcovers, then trim and shape. Apply somegranular fertilizer after the chance of frost is over. (Theaverage last frost for New Braunfels, elevation 620feet, is 15 March; for the higher elevations of ComalCounty, it is 30 March or later.)

• Plan to reducewater usage by increasing the areas ofgroundcover. Adding a few plants such as creepingjuniper or themounding variety of artemisia (Artemisiaarborescens) are a couple of suggestions. See the link(1).

• Spring flowering bulbs will be popping up soon, sothis is the time to plant any that may have been left instorage. This includes bulbs of Paper Whites that arestill somewhat firm, as they might have a good chanceof sprouting if they are planted now.

• Most shrubs are still dormant this month and can betransplanted without harm. Replace those that havegrown too large with something smaller, or with adifferent variety or color. Transplant the ones you’veremoved to another area and give them fresh, enrichedsoil andagood trim;youcouldbenicely rewardedwithnew growth and blooms.

• Lawnsare alsodormant thismonth anddonot requireany care except for debris pick-up.Theywill hopefullyweather any freeze and be ready for fertilizing whenthe ground warms.

• It’s essential to prune and shape fruit trees thismonthbefore they set blossoms. Consult a planting guide forinstructions pertaining to your species and yourparticular needs. There is a guide (2) listed below.

• Small tomato transplants are arriving in localnurseries. See the article by Lee Franzel on page 11 inthis issue for making the most of these fragile arrivals.

• Among the vegetables that can be seeded this monthare leaf lettuces, spinach and beets (30-60 days),carrots, broccoli and parsley (60-80 days) and Englishpeas, turnipsandcabbage,maturingat80+days. Thereare links below (2 and 3).

• Potatoes in many varieties can be planted after mid-month. Use “seed” potatoes from a nursery or a‘feed&seed’ store, not the supermarket. If the potatoesare to be cut into “eye” sections, theywill need severaldays to harden before planting. Links (3) and (4).

Links:

• (1) Artemisia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_(genus) The name "artemisia" ultimatelyderives from the Greek goddess Artemis (Roman:

by Adrienne MorganWon't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

~Richard Brinsley Sheridan

February 2019 Page 9

(Continued on page 10)

by Ron SchmidtIt is a new year and I am enthusiastic. My spousesuggested a topic for this issue, and I ranwith it. Asmywife pointed out, the vegetable garden is beyondamendment and needs a complete emendment. (Lookthose words up.) A while back I mentioned that mygarden soil was crap. Well, that has not changedbecause I was way, way too lazy to do anything aboutit. Not this year.

When I built my garden in 2007, I had not attended theCMG class and believed that dirt was dirt. The classdisabused me of this, but too late. I used regular blackloam top soil that I got from a truck on the side of theroad formost of thegarden, anda couple of beds I filledwith sandy loam left over from the foundation of mymeagerZoysia sod. I foughtnut sedge in the sandybedsfor years, and still to this day have some show up. Theblack loam turned hard as our limestone bedrock notlong after I almost burnedoutmyHondapowered tillertrying tobreak it up. It hasgotten towhere Idon’tmuchtill anymore, electing just to put compost andcomposted manure on top and hope for the best.

Each year I see the wonderful things that thedemonstration garden, Lee Franzel and Harold Vogesharvest frombeds that have been carefullymaintained.All have made it abundantly clear that good, properlymaintained soil is the real key to successful gardening.Still, because I ambasically insane, I keep trying to gettheir results frommy crappy dirt. Well, I have decidedto hire my son, Kelcey Schmidt, to dig out that gunkand replace it with Gardenville’s finest. Of course,

things at my house are never that easy. I have to takedown part of my six-foot deer fence circling thosebeds. Also, when I built the raised beds I consideredspace for walking down the pathways, but not fordriving a double-wheel barrow. Hence, I will have tobuy a single-wheel version to fit it between the sidesand angles.

I’ll need to move fairly quickly because of the comingplanting season and because my trailer is not built formajor loads. You might be thinking that I should justhave Gardenville deliver a dump-truck-full. Theproblem is that I have nowhere to put it, so it is onetrailer load at a time. The bright side is that I can workon one raised bed at a time. The downside is that, if thisworks, a lot of my column material will go away.Luckily, I still have several acres to screw up.

The Bad Gardener

Per the Bad Gardener: “I don’t think even a smallwheelbarrow will fit.”

Diana), thenamesakeofGreekQueensArtemisia I andII. Amore specific referencemay be to Artemisia II ofCaria, a botanist and medical researcher who died in350 BC.

• (2) Fruit trees https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/home-landscape/edible-gardens/fruits

• (3) Vegetables https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series

• (4) The Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide(pdf) by A&M Assistant Professor and ExtensionHorticulturist, JosephMasabni, can be found at https://

austin.agrilife.org/gardening-landscaping/texas-home-vegetable-gardening-guide. Just click the linkon the opening page.

References: Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to TXGardening;, Vegetable and Herb Gardening forComalCounty;Month-By-MonthGardening inTexas,Gill & Groom; Comal County Gardening Guide ©2012.

Online: neilsperry; aggie-horticulture;plantanswers; lsuhorticulture; milbergers; and othersites.

Tips from the GardenFebruary 2019 Page 10

(Continued from page 9)

by Lee FranzelCertified TX AgriLife Vegetable Specialist

In February, gardeners start looking forward to thearrival of tomato transplants in local nurseries.Although it’s much too early to plant them outdoors,buying six-packs of these babies and then transferringthem gradually into larger pots will give the plants afaster start. This process is called “potting up.” Placethe plants near a sunny windowsill and by plantingtime at the end ofMarch, they may have progressed toone-gallon containers, and couldbe12” to14” tallwithblossoms.

Experienced vegetable gardeners know that the fasteryou can get a crop plant to produce its harvest, thebetter the results will be. This is especially true in thisarea. The temperature here is moderate from April tothe end ofMay, but June could see temperatures in the90s during the day and 75degrees at night,which is toohot for tomatoes to set fruit. Therefore, early is better.When first setting the plants into the garden, however,they will need to be covered if nighttime temperaturesare projected to be under 50 degrees. Keep carefulrecordsof your endeavor for future reference.Thiswillhelp vegetable gardeners to get better and better.

Following are 10 essential points for productivetomatoes:1. Plant selection is important. Modern tomatoes havedisease resistance bred into them and will be markedwith a ‘VFN’ after their name. When choosing yourplants, consider that cherry andmedium-size tomatoesfare better here thanBeefsteak varieties because of ourshorter growing season. Celebrity is a medium-sizetomato and has proved itself to be the best all-roundtomato for Comal County and most of Texas. Be sureto include it along with several others. By tryingdifferent varieties, you will find your own favorites.

2. Plant in full sun. The sun’s energy is stored in thefruit as food. More sun equals better results.

3. Good soil is essential. It requires two items: lots oforganicmatter such as compost and substantiallymorenutrition than is required by ornamentals and nativeplants. Organic matter improves the structure of thesoil, and fertilizer provides the nutrients which theplant converts into food.Cropplants areheavy feeders;

therefore, if a gardener’s harvest is poor or mediocre,many times it’s due to inadequate nutrition.

4. Here in theHill Country, there is scant soil, so raisedbeds work very well. They make it easy to provide agreatly improved soil medium, and they also assureexcellent drainage.

5. Keep the fruit off the ground by using stakes orcages. Some gardeners prefer to remove “suckers”from their plants; others don’t. Experiment foryourself and include the results in your record book.

6. If using organic fertilizer, apply some liquidfertilizer when planting the transplants. Because ittakes time for the organic fertilizer to break down andstart providing nutrition to the roots, the use of liquidfertilizer as a “starter solution” will go right to work.

7. Bag and store leaves that fall in the spring, using abagging lawn mower if possible, so that leaves areshredded. When temperatures rise inmid-April, applythree inches of these leaves as mulch around the baseof the plants. Mulch hasmanybenefits, and eventuallythe leaves become humus, future nutrients.

8.When the plants are actively increasing in size, givethem supplemental fertilizer.

9. Tomato plants transpire a lot of water and must bewatered frequently. It’s best to keep water off theleaves by using drip irrigation or by hand watering at

A Tomato Primer:Helpful Hints For Growing Terrific Tomatoes

A healthy branch of Celebrity Tomatoes (Photofrom Southern Living Magazine)

February 2019 Page 11

(Continued on page 12)

the base. Hand watering provides an opportunity tokeep an eye out for possible problems.

10. Examine your plants daily. Disease and bugproblems are best dealt with as soon as they appear. A

preventative spray of “Bt” will deter the verydamaging tomato hornworm. Left unnoticed,hornworms can defoliate a tomato plant in a day. “Bt”is approved for organic use.

A Tomato Primer:Helpful Hints For Growing Terrific Tomatoes

Don’t forget to register for the Spring Gardening Seminar to be held on Friday, March 8, at the McKenna EventsCenter. Space is limited so don’t delay. The seminar has a great lineup of expert gardening speakers.

•Dr. Larry Stein, Ph.D., Associate Head, Professor and Extension Horticulturist Department of HorticulturalSciences,TexasA&MUniversity. Dr. Stein’s seminar topicwill beSelectingandMaintainingFruitTrees.

•David Rodriguez, County Extension Agent – Horticulture, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bexar County.His seminar topic will be Vegetable Gardening in the Four Seasons.

•Robert “Skip” Richter, County Extension Agent – Horticulture, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, HarrisCounty. Skip Richter’s topic will be Four Seasons of Landscape Maintenance.

•Dr. Calvin R. Finch, Ph.D., Horticulturist and Director, Texas A&M Water Conservation and TechnologyCenter. His topic will be Four Seasons of Color.

One of the highlights of the spring seminars is the array of unusual, beautiful centerpieces put together by thedecorating committee. These creations are given as door prizes to a lucky winner at each of the 34 tables. Thecommittee has been working on them all year, and the centerpieces will be a surprise to all because they keep theideas top secret until set-up time.

The lunch will be provided by Honey Baked Ham Company. It catered the lunch last year, and it was very wellreceived.

There will be several plant vendors. Other vendors will offer ironwork for the gardener, fine art cards andwatercolors, excellent honey and lavender products. Wild Birds Unlimited will also be represented.

Registration forms can be found on the CMG website and at the AgriLife Extension office. Please give them toWendy Mathews, Registrar, or mail them to Comal Master Gardeners/Seminar, AgriLife Extension Service, 325Resource Dr., New Braunfels, TX 78130.

Spring Gardening Seminar: Dynamics of the Four Seasons

by Germaine Tuff

February 2019 Page 12

CMG Library Speaker Series – February 2019The CMG Library Speaker Series for February 2019 features “Vegetables” with Lee Franzel at the following:

* 2nd Saturday, February 9, at 10 am, Westside Center Library. For more information, contact Carmen Butts(cpbutts@sbcglobal.net) or Jennifer Hernandez (jhernandez@nbtex.org).

* 3rd Wednesday, February 20, at Noon, Tye Preston Memorial Library. For more information, contact KathySewell (katsew@icloud.com) or Brenda Coulter (BrendaCoulter@tpl.org).

* 3rd Thursday, February 21, at 10 am,Mammen Family Public Library. For more information, contact MargaretBrackley (margaret.brackley@gvtc.com) or Bethanie Corder (bethanie@mfplibrary.org).

* 4thWednesday, February 27, at 3:30 pm,NewBraunfels Public Library. Formore information, contact RonRay(ron@t65s.com) or Lynn Thompson (lthompson@nbtexas.org).

(Continued from page 11)

by Cheryl Nance, Membership ChairThe Texas Master Gardener Association and Comal Master Gardeners Association recognize members withextended service by the award of 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year and 25-year Service Pins at the first generalmeeting of the year. Accordingly, CMG service pin awards were awarded at the January 21st general meeting.

To qualify, only years in which the member achieved the annual certification requirements count toward a servicepin award. Years of membership in other Texas Master Gardener Associations also count toward a pin award.

CMG congratulates and thanks the following service pin recipients:15 YearsKaren Glisky (2004), Meredeth Nyman (2004), Melissa Skasik (2004) and Sherry Barwick (2002-T Sherry did notreceive her pin in 2017 because of missed information about her transfer records).

10 YearsLindaDufour (2009),LeeFranzel (2009), PattyMalek (2009),MaryHelenPhillips (2009),BeckyPinkerton (2009),Linda Sanchez (2009), Alan Welch (2009), Janis Womack (2009) and Sharon Wright (2009).

5 YearsValerie Marburger (2012-T), Jann Gartman (2013-T), Sharon Abbott (2014), Margaret Brackley (2014), KathrynBryant (2014), Laurie Brunell (2014-T), Gene Carnicom (2014), Phil Delaplane (2014), Ed Finger (2014), ClareHelminiak (2014), Diane Jones (2014), Rex Klaurens (2014), VivianMiller (2014), Cheryl Nance (2014-T), LauraSivy-de la Cruz (2014) and Jeanette Willard (2014).

Note: The T after a year indicates the member was a Transfer from another master gardener organization.

CMG Awards 2019 Service Pins

5 Year Service Pin Recipients:Front row left to right: Cheryl Nance, Kathryn

Bryant, Sharon Abbott, Jann Gartman, Laura Sivy-de la Cruz, Clare Helminiak and Gene CarnicomBack row left to right: Jeanette Willard, RexKlaurens, Ed Finger, Diane Jones and Phil

DelaplaneNot pictured: Valerie Marburger, MargaretBrackley, Laurie Brunell and Vivian Miller

10 Year Service Pin Recipients:Front row left to right: Sharon Wright, Janis

Womack, Linda Dufour, Linda Sanchez and MaryHelen Phillips

Back row: Lee Franzel and Alan Welch

Not pictured: Patty Malek and Becky Pinkerton

15 Year Service Pin Recipients:Karen Glisky and Sherry Barwick

Not pictured: Meredeth Nyman and MelissaSkasik

February 2019 Page 13

2018 Volunteer Recognition Pins Awarded

by Volunteer Hours Recognition CommitteeRecognition pins for volunteer service hours wereannounced during the January 21 CMG GeneralMeeting. Pins awarded include the Legion Award Pinfor volunteering over 30 hours, the Centurion AwardPin for volunteeringover 100hours, theTopCenturionAward Pin for volunteering over 200 hours and theTriumphusAwardPin forvolunteering themost hours.

The 2018 Legion Pin was designed byMariaWatkins.CMG thanks Maria for her work.

Those being awarded pins who have not yet receivedthem can pick them up at a general membershipmeeting.

RonWilliford received the2018TriumphusAward forvolunteering the most hours in 2018. Ron volunteered670.5 hours for the year, and Emily Staats came insecond volunteering 502 hours.

The following lists show all the CMGswho received a2018 recognition pin. The names are in descendingorder based on the number of hours accumulated foraward category.

Top Centurion Award Pin for volunteering over200 hours:RonWilliford,EmilyStaats,GlennaDunnington,SamNorris, Sydna Arnold, Mary Helen Phillips, StevenGrainger, Cheryl Nance, Kathryn Zwart, DonnaMcPeek, Gary Johnstone, Richard Vonder Embse,Jean Buddin, Donna Welch, Marietta Diehl, BonnieLeitch, Betty Keese, Stephanie Shropshire, JudieWaechter, John Rayborn, Linda Valdez and HelenKent.

Centurion Award Pin for volunteering over 100hours:Ada Conlan, Diana Simmons, Patti Mabon, EdMaciula, DeborahKing, RexKlaurens, JannGartman,Genevieve Inman, Mildred Hoffmann, Ray Elizondo,Rosemary Lambert, Nat Warner, Rick Cross, KarenCarlson, Jerry Finke, Max Valdez, Jan Martin, GwenMills, Donald Tuff, Jeanette Willard, AdrienneMorgan, Ron Schmidt, Carole Bartram, ChristyMartinez, Diane Jones, Gretchen Ferrell, Carol Steinand Germaine Tuff.

Legion Award Pin for volunteering over 30 hours:Linda Beverlin, Suzanne Albert, Janis Womack, Lois

Ricci, Deb Kuykendall, Phil Delaplane, Kathy Black,Nancy Ober, Keith Tunnell, Laurie Brunell, LindaSanchez, Linda Abati, Maria Godlewski, HugoMonDragon, Sherry Barwick, Walt Carter, GeneCarnicom, Charlie Kahn, John Kittle, MeredethNyman, Pat Williford, Dottie Laster, Winnie Butts,Wendi Blohm, Patty A. Malek, Lynn Norvell,Maryellen Mills, Mary Barr-Gilbert, David Fristoe,KayParke,Regina Ford,WendyMathews, Phil Touw,Lee Franzel, Clare Helminiak, Vickie King, VickyRoshto, Matthew Hanson, Kathy Sewell, Dan Platzer,Evelyn Nielson, Susan Chavers, Michelle Shreves,Tim Cronin, Erin Harrison, Bill Waechter, JohnCruickshank, Bob Bunyard, Maria Watkins, IrisHumphreys, Kathy Ofsdahl, Jack Ralph, Brian Trock,Elizabeth Jackson, Martha Dahl, Pat Hartley, BeckyPinkerton and Janie Tew.

CMGthanks all of the recipients for their contributionsand valuable hours of service.

2018 CMG Recognition PinsLeft to right: Legion Award Pin, Centurion Award

Pin and Top Centurion Award Pin

Ron Williford receives the 2018 CMG TriumphusAward Pin from CMG President Bonnie Leitch

during the January general meeting.

February 2019 Page 14

CMG Class of 2019 – Demographics

by Philip DelaplaneCMG class coordinator, Emily Staats, along with theclass committee,manyotherCMGsandComal countyagents, welcomed the new CMG class for orientationon Wednesday, January 16. It was great to see 32trainees with such fresh and happy faces, ready fortheir first class and all the information coming theirway.

This year, snacks were prepared by the classcommittee so the trainees could get a selection of ideasfor when they will be providing snacks for theremaining classes.

A demographics for the new class follows. Thecommittee tried to get an accurate count, but a fewcould have been missed.

The class has 13 native Texans, but none native toComal County.

Time in Comal County – there are four students withless than one year, 17 with 1-5 years, two with 6-10years and five longtime residents with more than 10years.

The students have come here from many differentareas - two from outside the U.S. and 11 from out ofstate.Frominstate– thereare seven fromHouston, twofromDallas-Ft Worth, one from San Antonio and fivefrom other parts of Texas.

Their residencies seem to be concentrated in the centerand eastern part of Comal County for the most part.Three students are east of I-35, 26between I-35 andUS281,butnonewestofUS281,16arenorthofSH46andseven south of SH 46.

Most have ended their various careers, as 26 are retiredonly one is working part-time and three are stillworking full time; those working full-time will have achallenging time balancing work and theresponsibilities for becoming a CMG, but we knowthey can do it!

Their occupations, as always, are varied. Eithercurrent or retired, we have five teachers, six from themedical field, seven military, four from the financefield, two police or fire, two from sales, two businessowners/operators and four others.

The trainees’ gardening experiences cover a widerange, but all seem to look forward to the challenges of

gardening inComalCounty and hope this class and theexperience of “hands on gardening” and talking toexperienced, well-versed CMGs will make them a bitmore confident in their abilities and knowledge.

Gardening experience in Comal County is 11with lessthan one year, 13 with 1-5 years, one with 6-10 yearsand four with more than 10 years here. They do seemtohavea lot of overall gardeningexperience - fivehaveless than one year, threewith 1-5 years, threewith 6-10years and 22 with more than 10 years.

They learned about the class from a variety of sources- 11 from an online search or neighborhood onlinegroups, five from a newspaper, three from posters atnurseries or community businesses, two called theAgriLife Extension office plus two others. There areten trainees that know a Comal Master Gardener. So,knowing a CMG and word of mouth remain one ofCMG’s best recruitment tools.

Itwill not take long to see the trainees involved inCMGactivities.Therewerealready20newCMGTrainees atthe January monthly meeting. CMGs are asked toplease take a moment when you see new trainees towelcome them to our CMG gardening family. Thankyou in advance for your assistance.

Left: Emily Staats welcomed the thirty-two 2019CMG Trainee class members at orientation on

January 16, 2019.

Right:Ada Conlan and Phil Delaplane preparematerials for the new trainee class members.

February 2019 Page 15

by Mary Helen PhillipsInsect EXPO training sessions are scheduled forThursday, February 21, from 9 to 11am, or from 1 to 3pm at the AgriLife classroom. Set up for the event isMonday, February 25, from 2 to 5 pm, and the EXPOitself is Tuesday, February 26, and Wednesday,February 27, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.Volunteers cansign up on the Master Gardener web site.

Thank you to Linda Beverlin who is serving as theExtension Office liason for School Gardens. Tomatoand pepper transplants have been delivered tosecondary school green houses in both Comal andNew Braunfels ISD. Thank you also to Sam Norris,Kay Zwart and Jann Gartman for their support instarting a new and exciting program for schoolgardens.

Helen Kent and Rosemary Lambert will be attendingJuniorMaster Gardener leadership training in CollegeStationonFebruary26 through28.This intensive threeday training prepares Master Gardeners for teachingand supporting the JuniorMasterGardener curriculumand for leadership in the School Gardens program.

Volunteers are needed to assist with building raisedbeds at Spring Branch Middle School on Saturday,

February 2. Teachers and students will be assisting inthis project. Troy Luepke will be leading theconstruction of four cinder-block raised beds. ContactMary Helen Phillips.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the MammenFamily Library after-school program. The programcoordinator, Montana Rindahl, needs help withplanning garden related activities for approximately30 children in kinder through third grades. The class isscheduled for Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5 pm.

Volunteers are needed to participate once a month atLone Star Early Childhood Center. Classes meet thefirst Friday of the month from 8 to 11 am. Volunteerswill be assisting in the garden with children ages 3through 5.

Volunteers are needed to assist with JMG lessons withthree third grade classes at LamarElementary.ContactMary Helen Phillips.

For questions or additional information or tovolunteer in a school garden program, contactMaryHelenPhillips atmaryhelenphillips@usa.net

February 2019 Page 16

Insect Expo Event

February 26th and 27th from 8:30 am - 1:30 pmMcKenna Event Center, New Braunfels, TX, 78130

Sign up to volunteer at: https://txmg.org/comal/event/insect-expo-event-1-submission/Requirements To Volunteer - Mandatory Background Checks Through One (1) Of The Following Organizations. Texas A&M

AgriLife Extension Service, New Braunfels Or Comal Independent School Districts.

Membership Chair Cheryl Nance reported on the membership status of CMG during the January 21 GeneralMembership Meeting. She stated that to begin 2019, CMG had 182 active members, 11 members on leave ofabsence, 8 emeritus members and 32 trainees, for a total of 233 members.

Member losses during 2018 included: 2 deceased members; 1 intern dropped; 2 members who did not certify; 3members who transferred out; 13 members who resigned; and 12 members who retired.

CMGs Jim Mosier and Trudy Arndt died in 2018.

The members who retired in 2018 were: Marlene Ballard, Tim Barker, Michael Caldwell, Sharon Carew, BogGodlewski,DanKrueger, BetsyPayson,MartinRice,RonSchumacher,NancyWackerbarth,RichardWackerbarthand Maria Watkins.

The following members transferred into CMG: Laurie Brunell from Guadalupe, Andrew Hannibal from Hays andValerie Marburger from Hays.

Transfers fromCMGwereMatt andMauri Fagan (2017) who transferred to Bandera andGayleMorris (2017) whotransferred to Hays.

The followingmembers resigned in 2018: MaryDisbrow (2016), AmandaEdwards (2016), DiannEiserloh (2016),Maureen Guerrero (2016), Callie Jacks (2012), Randy Jacks (2015), Nina Klippen (2015), Coleen Pfeiffer (2015),Lisa Ruane (2014), Connie Terao (2017), Cheryl Trock (2014), Sherri Watson (2017) and Karen Wiest (2016).

The CMG Membership Chair provides a few reminders to all members:•Enter your CE and volunteer hours as soon as you get home from acquiring them.•Don’t forget you can gain up to 3 CE hours from the Earth-Kind online modules, as long as you haven’t takenthem before. You can find 13 modules athttps://aggie horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/training.

• In addition you can earn 1 CE hour (limited to only one per year) fromwatching awebinar which can be foundlisted in the weekly E-Minder emails.

• It is important to read these weekly E-Minders to find places to volunteer and where to gain your CE’s.•The monthly newsletter has a listing of the volunteer committee schedules and of the monthly CE available.•To recertify members need 12 CE’s, 12 volunteer hours and attendance at 2 CMG General Meetings.

As always, if you ever need help with your membership decisions you can email the membership chair atnance.cheryl@gmail.com.

Status Report of CMGMembership

by Cheryl Nance, Membership Chair

February 2019 Page 17

Visit the ComalMaster Gardener website at http://txmg.org/comal and select the Calendar link to view the currentvolunteer activities and to add an event to your personal calendar.

• The CMG Executive Board meets on the first Thursday of each month, (February 7, 2019) at 9 am, in theAEGC meeting room. Interested CMGs are always welcome to attend.

• All CMGs wishing to contribute to The Comal Gardener Newsletter are invited to attend the planning meetingfor theMarch 2019 issue onWednesday, February 6, at 10 am, in the AEGCmeeting room. Writers and copyeditors are always needed.

• AGRILIFE OFFICE GARDENS (AEGC)We will have workdays on Tuesdays, February 5 and 19. Starttime will depend on the weather. E-mails will be sent to our regular workers on the Sunday evening before theworkdays. Trainees wishing to work with us should sign up on our CMG calendar page.Linda D. Valdez, Chairman (ldvaldez@satx.rr.com),Marietta Diehl, 1st Vice-Chair (diehlmd@yahoo.com),Richard Bradley, 2nd Vice-Chair, Co-Chair Native Grasses and Rain Garden (rmbrad@gvtc.com),Kathryn Bryant, Co-chair of the Wildscape Garden (nettles2@att.net),Waynette Dolan, Co-chair of the Shade Garden (winedot1@yahoo.com),Ed Finger, Co-chair of Special Projects (edpfinger@yahoo.com),John Cruickshank, Co-chair with Rex Klaurens, of Irrigation (johnmitzi2@gmail.com),Maria Godlewski, Co-chair with Cheryl Nance (nance.cheryl@gmail.com) of the Salvia and of the TX SuperstarGardens (godlew@gvtc.com),Rex Klaurens, Co-chair of the Understory Garden, the Plants Data Base, and of the Irrigation division(rklaurens@gmail.com),Patti Mabon, Co-chair of the Butterfly Garden (pfmabon@academicplanet.com),Ron Schmidt, Co-chair of the Herb Garden (noscamsinnb@yahoo.com),Cindy Scifres, Co-chair of the Deep Shade Garden (cscifres@gvtc.com),Jeanette Willard, Co-chair of the Cactus Garden (nettyb101@hotmail.com).

• THE AEGCVEGETABLEGARDEN Wemeet everyMonday, Wednesday and Friday of each month at7:30 am. Contact Sam or Susan Norris (snorris8@satx.rr.com or 830-626-7893) for general information. RichardVonder Embse (vicki.vonderembse@yahoo.com or 830-438-1025) is the co-chair for Mondays; co-chair forWednesdays is Betty Keese (bettykeese@gvtc.com or 830-885-6100); co-chairs for Fridays are Marietta Diehl(diehlmd@yahoo.com or 254-749-5400) and Diana Simmons (aggies76@ymail.com or 210-473-5973).

• COMALCOUNTYFAIRGROUNDSGARDEN Our workday will beThursday, February 21, at 8:30 amat the Grant Street Garden. There will be a short meeting at the beginning of the day to introduce the garden to the2019 class members. We will then begin cleaning up the garden after the winter break. Bring tools for raking,weeding and trimming. Water will be provided. In case of rain the workday will be delayed until February 28. Formore information, contact Jerry Finke (jefdeleps@aol.com or 605-291-9440) or Jeanette Willard(nettyb101@hotmail.com or 830-708-9822).

• LINDHEIMERHAUSGARDENS OurFebruaryworkdaywill be onTuesday, February 12, at 9 am,weatherpermitting. Wewill prune the perennials, rake leaves and pullweeds. Bring sharp bypass pruning shears and a small“shrub” rake; we have the larger tools. We provide water and refreshments. Come join us. For information, contact(germainetuff@hotmail.com).

The Butterfly Garden at The Mammen Family Public Library is closed for library construction.

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February 2019 Page 18

Committee Reports

• NEWBRAUNFELSCONSERVATIONPLAZAROSEGARDEN Wewill have twoworkdays in February,Wednesday the 13th and the 27th, both days beginning at 8:30 am. We will be pruning the roses and cutting outdead wood on both workdays. If we complete pruning the roses on February 13, then we will drench the gardenswithnutrientsonFebruary27. Toolsneededare loppers, handpruners, two-handedpruners, shovels, buckets, glovesandLysol (wewill provideLysol if youdonothaveyourown).Refreshmentswill beprovided. If it rains themorningof our workday, the workday will be cancelled. Contacts: Janis Womack (gwomack1@satx.rr.com or830-620-7002); Jerry Finke (jefdeleps@aol.com or 605-291-9440); and Suzy Keepers (suzykps@gmail.com or210-602-9291). We hope to see you in the Rose Garden!

• NEWLIFE BUTTERFLYGARDEN Our workday will be onMonday, February 25, starting at 9 am. Formore information, contact Lois Ricci (poepjr@aol.com or 830-899-5362) or Patty Malek(tommalek56@hotmail.com or 830-964-5613).

• TYE PRESTONMEMORIAL LIBRARY BUTTERFLYGARDEN Wewill perform regular maintenanceof the gardens on Friday, February 15, from 9 to 11 am. For more information, contact Winnie Butts(winkayb@hotmail.com) or Wendy Mathews (wkgmathews@gmail.com).

Tuesday, February 5, 7 – 8 pm. “EcosystemManagement of the Edwards Plateau’sKerrWMA”withDeannaPfeffer. The monthly meeting of the Boerne chapter of the Native Plant Society will feature a presentation on thechanges in the Kerr Wildlife Management Area’s plant communities and ecosystems. NPSOT – Boerne. CiboloNature Center Auditorium, 140 City Park Rd., Boerne. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/wp/boerne/. 1CE

Tuesday, February 5, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. “Spring Vegetable Gardening” with Suzanne Love. Hays CountyMasterGardeners. Kyle Public Library, 550 Scott St, Kyle. For more information, visit: https://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/. 1 CE

Friday, February 8, 12 – 1 pm. “GrowingEarth-KindFruitTrees.” The February installment of the 2019BrownBag Lunch& Learn Series from the Bexar CountyMaster Gardeners will cover growing and caring for Earth-Kindfruit trees. Bring your own lunch and horticulture information.BexarCountyMGs.BexarCountyExtensionOffice,3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste 208, San Antonio. Visit https://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/bexarcounty/files/2018/11/Brown-Bag-2019-Flyer.pdf for more information. 1 CE

Saturday, February 9, 10 – 11 am. “Vegetables” with Lee Franzel. This presentation is part of the Comal MasterGardener’s Library Speaker Series. Comal Master Gardeners. Westside Community Center & Library, 2932 S IH35FrontageRoad,NewBraunfels.Formore information, contactCarmenButts (cpbutts@sbcglobal.net) or JenniferHernandez (jhernandez@nbtex.org). 1 CE

Monday,February11, 10 – 11 am. “MedicinalPlants –Poultices andPotions,Tinctures andLotions, Pick ‘emandBrew ‘em,Kill ‘emorCure ‘em”withClareHelminiak andGeneCarnicom.Themonthlymeeting of theHerbSIG. CMG – Herb SIG. AgriLife Meeting Room, 325 Resource Dr, New Braunfels. 1 CE

Tuesday, February 12, 7 – 8 pm. “Using Native Plants to Attract Butterflies” with Craig Hensley. Join theGuadalupe chapter of theNativePlant Society ofTexas for their Februarymeeting featuring a discussion about localnative plants preferred byour native butterflies.NPSOT–Guadalupe. St. John’sLutheranChurch, FM465,Marion.For more information, visit https://npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/. 1 CE

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CE Opportunities

Committee Reports

February 2019 Page 19

Saturday, February 16, 10:30 – 11:30 am. “The Love of Roses – Pruning & Care” with Linda Keese. HaysCountyMaster Gardeners. Buda Community Library, 405 E Loop St. Suite 100, Buda. For more information, visithttps://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/. 1 CE

Monday, February 18, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. “Edible Bugs” with Robert Nathan Allen. As excitement builds for theInsect Expo, our own CMG general meeting will be a taste of what’s to come. Edible bugs will be on the “menu”for this month’s speaker. Come get inspired! Comal Master Gardeners. GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, NewBraunfels. For more information, visit https://txmg.org/comal/event/general-meeting-2/. 1 CE

Tuesday, February 19, 7:15 – 8:15 pm. “History of South Texas Growers” with Joanne Hall. The Februarymeeting of the Lindheimer chapter of the Native Plant Society will feature a presentation discussing South TexasGrowers as well as an explanation of how a nursery functions. NPSOT – Lindheimer. GVTC Auditorium. 36101FM 3159, New Braunfels. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/wp/lindheimer/. 1 CE

Wednesday, February 20, Noon – 1 pm. “Vegetables” with Lee Franzel. This presentation is part of the ComalMaster Gardener’s Library Speaker Series. Comal Master Gardeners. Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 SAccess Rd, Canyon Lake. For more information, contact Kathy Sewell (katsew@icloud.com) or Brenda Coulter(BrendaCoulter@tpl.org). 1 CE

Thursday, February 21, 10 – 11 am. “Vegetables”with Lee Franzel. This presentation is part of theComalMasterGardener’s Library Speaker Series. Comal Master Gardeners. Mammen Family Public Library, 131 BulverdeCrossing, Bulverde. For more information, contactMargaret Brackley (margaret.brackley@gvtc.com) or BethanieCorder (bethanie@mfplibrary.org). 1 CE

Thursday, February 21, 1 – 2 pm. “Milkweed forMonarchs”withDianaBlack. HaysCountyMaster Gardeners.Dripping Springs Community Library, 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs. For more information, visit https://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/. 1 CE

Thursday, February 21, 1 – 3 pm. “If Dead People Can Grow Roses, You Can Too!” with Robbi Will. BexarCounty Master Gardeners. 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. For more information, visit https://www.bexarmg.org/event/roses-bcmg-educational-seminar/. 1 CE

Thursday,February21, 7 –8pm. “PhytonutrientGardening”with JoeUrbach.Learn about growingantioxidantrich foods at the February chapter meeting of the Guadalupe Master Gardeners. Guadalupe Master Gardeners.AgriLife Extension Service, 210 East Live Oak St., Seguin. For more information, visit https://guadalupecountymastergardeners.org/. 1 CE

Tuesday, February 26, 2 – 3 pm. “Spring Vegetable Gardening” with Suzanne Love. Hays County MasterGardeners. Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM 2325, Wimberley. For more information, visit https://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/. 1 CE

Wednesday, February 27, 3:30 – 4:30 pm. “Vegetables” with Lee Franzel. This presentation is part of the ComalMaster Gardener’s Library Speaker Series. Comal Master Gardeners. New Braunfels Public Library, 700 ECommon St, New Braunfels. For more information, contact Ron Ray (ron@t65s.com) or Lynn Thompson(lthompson@nbtexas.org). 1 CE

Wednesday, February 27, 6 – 7 pm. “Spring Vegetable Gardening” with Suzanne Love. Hays County MasterGardeners. SanMarcosPublicLibrary, 625EHopkinsSt, SanMarcos. Formore information, visit https://txmg.org/hays/in-the-garden-library-series-2018/. 1 CE

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February 2019 Page 20

CE Opportunities