Rooted in Research: A Guide to Successful Gardening the San Antonio Area

Bexar County Master Gardener Association
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Semimonthly

Gardening in San Antonio can be challenging because of our diverse clay based soils, our water and our climate. Rooted in Research: A Guide to Successful Gardening the San Antonio Area speaks to our unique challenges gardening using research based-locally relevant information. The first podcast of each month will give ideas on what to do each month, list gardening educational opportunities, and an aspect of our unique gardening conditions will be featured each month. A second podcast each month will focus on one specific topic such as selecting plants, composting, mulches, etc

  1. 1d ago

    Water in Texas part 2

    This podcast looks at the Edward's Aquifer Authority, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), what gardeners can do to help with our water issues, and theoretically what could happen if gardeners were very proactive.

    20 min

  2. Jun 1

    Water Challenges Globally-Locally

    This episode looks at the Earth's water cycle and the specific water challenges from Texas history and Texas law.

    27 min

  3. May 31

    Gardening in Edwards and sandy clay-pan soils

    In this podcast what does the science say about core aerating the lawn, the concerns about "weed and feed" products, should leaves be raked or left alone, and finally the "how behind the why" of gardening on the Edward's Plateau on the northwest-north side of Bexar County and the sandy clay-pan soil on the southside of Bexar County. Pilot Knob Austin ⁠https://texashillcountry.com/pilot-knob-largest-extinct-volcano-remaining-in-central-texas/⁠ Fort Inge ⁠https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/fort-inge⁠ Soil Preparation ⁠https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/soil-preparation/⁠ Soil Testing ⁠https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/homehort/archives-of-weekly-articles-davids-plant-of-the-week/it-all-starts-with-soil/⁠ Calcareous Soils Calcareous soils are defined as soils that contain more than 15% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and are commonly found in arid, semi-arid, humid, and semi-humid regions.  Caliche Soil a hardened layer in soil, common in arid regions, formed when calcium carbonate cements soil particles (sand, clay, silt) into a rock-like, often whitish-gray, material. General Soil Map of Texas ⁠https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/texas/texas-general_soil_map-2008.pdf⁠ Improving Landscape Soils ⁠https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2010/10/soilimprovement.pdf⁠ Tom Ewing- Texas Geologic History Quick Overview ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1zGgOktFQ8&t=6s

    28 min

  4. May 16

    New Intern Class

    This podcast gives information on how to become an intern with the Bexar County Master Gardener Association.

    5 min

  5. May 15

    Becoming a Master Gardener

    In this podcast we'll look at how the MG movement started the Texas MG association with Texas A&M university, explain more about the Bexar County MG application process & certification process. ___________________________________________________________ Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) Links: Bexar County Master Gardner Website BCMG Gardening Question Helpline: 210-631-0400Follow BCMG on FB Research and Podcast Notes / Links to further research : The Master Gardener Training Class is designed to provide you with the horticulture information that you will use to provide the community with unbiased, research-based gardening information.  2026 Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Intern Training Class #69If you would like to apply to be a Bexar County Master Gardener submit your application now! Apply For Training HERE Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Contact: David Rodriguez at dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.eduApplication Deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026Cost: $275Location: Greenies Urban Farm1615 Sherman StreetSan Antonio, TX 78202TX Gardening & Educational Events:Festival of Flowers: 26th Anniversary May 30th9am-5pmAt: San Antonio Shrine Auditorium 901 N Loop 1604 W $10, open to the public + free parkingGardening with David: Stump The ExpertMay 16, 2026At Milberger’s Nursery3920 N. Loop 1604 ESan Antonio, TX 78247@10amGardening with David: Stump The ExpertMay 23, 2026Garden Center 10682 Bandera RdSan Antonio, TX 78250@10amRadio: Saturday Mornings Lawn & Garden Show 6am-9am on WOAI (1200 News Radio AM) Call in: 210-737-1200 or 1-800-383-WOAI Email Karen: karenclauss@iheartmedia.comEmail David: dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.eduFollow on FB / Follow on IG Podcast: Bugs By The Yard

    14 min

  6. May 1

    Mulch

    This presentation is on selecting the correct mulch for any given project.

    30 min

  7. Apr 15

    Home Composting

    Home composting is as simple as a pile of leaves and as complex as mixing various materials. In this podcast I'll cover the basics such as Browns/Greens and ratios. I'll start with the simplest of composting methods and end with tweaking your compost pile to fit your specific needs. ________________________________________________________ Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) Links: Bexar County Master Gardner Website BCMG Gardening Question Helpline: 210-631-0400Follow BCMG on FBResearch and Podcast Notes / Links to further research : Vocabulary Words: Compost - a nutrient-rich, earthy soil amendment made from decayed organic matter - such as food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings. It is created by a managed biological process where microorganisms break down waste into a dark crumbly fertilizer that is used to improve soil health and support plant growth.  Humus - a dark, spongy, and highly nutrient-dense component of soil.  Browns - dry, carbon-rich organic materials added to a compost pile. Greens - fresh, wet, nitrogen-rich organic materials. Ratio - the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the materials being broken down. The ideal compost ratio is 25 to 30 parts carbon for every 1 part nitrogen by weight.  Browns have a  30:1 C:N ratio2/3 Brown + 1/3 Green will make the best compost blend that will break down the fastest. LEVELS of HOME COMPOSTINGL1. How to make Leaf Mold Compost - Add shredded leaves in layers into your container, and add water to moisten after building up each layer. The easiest way to start composting.L2. Palate Compost - a simple and cost-effective structure used to hold, aerate, and break down organic waste into nutrient-rich garden compost.  “Lasagna Method”: 2/3 Brown + 1/3 Green. Add 6” of browns, saturate with water, then add layer of greens, add water, continue… Bacterial Dominant Compost Identifiers: Rapid, sharp spike in temperature climbing from 140-160 degrees within the first 24 hours. Can look slimy or greasy and the volume may shrink more quickly. Will have a specific strong odor. A fine textured, dark, crumbly texture. Fungal Dominant Compost Identifiers: 100-120 degrees in the first 24 hours. You may see mycelium threads through compost pile. Will have a smell like the forest floor. A chunky textured mixture with more bits of carbon. TX Gardening & Educational Events:  2026 Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Intern Training Class #69If you would like to apply to be a Bexar County Master Gardener submit your application now! Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceContact: David Rodriguez at dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.eduApplication Deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026Cost: $275Location: Greenies Urban Farm1615 Sherman StreetSan Antonio, TX 78202Festival of Flowers: 26th Anniversary May 30th9am-5pmAt: San Antonio Shrine Auditorium 901 N Loop 1604 W $10, open to the public + free parkingGardening with David: Stump The ExpertMay 16, 2026At Milberger’s Nursery3920 N. Loop 1604 ESan Antonio, TX 78247@10am Gardening with David: Stump The ExpertMay 23, 2026Garden Center 10682 Bandera RdSan Antonio, TX 78250@10amRadio: Saturday Mornings Lawn & Garden Show 6am-9am on WOAI (1200 News Radio AM) Call in: 210-737-1200 or 1-800-383-WOAI Email Karen: karenclauss@iheartmedia.comEmail David: dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.eduFollow on FB / Follow on IG Podcast: Bugs By The Yard

    28 min
  8. Compost: What it is, what it does.

    Apr 1

    Compost: What it is, what it does.

    In this podcast we'll look briefly at watering. The final segment of the podcast will cover: what is compost; sources of compost- manure or vegetable; specific sources such as cotton burr-mushroom-human, etc.

    32 min
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Gardening in San Antonio can be challenging because of our diverse clay based soils, our water and our climate. Rooted in Research: A Guide to Successful Gardening the San Antonio Area speaks to our unique challenges gardening using research based-locally relevant information. The first podcast of each month will give ideas on what to do each month, list gardening educational opportunities, and an aspect of our unique gardening conditions will be featured each month. A second podcast each month will focus on one specific topic such as selecting plants, composting, mulches, etc

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