February 22, 2017
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Preparing lawn and garden equipment for spring
Inspect your equipment.
Check for loose belts and missing or damaged parts. If you find anything concerning, replace the parts or take your equipment to a qualified service representative.
Clean your equipment.
If you did not clean your equipment before storing it, there may be dirt, oil or grass stuck to it. A cleaner machine will run more efficiently and last longer.
Review your manual
. Read the operator's manual and re-familiarize yourself with the controls and what they do. Make sure you know how to stop the machine quickly if needed.
Check the fuel tank.
If fuel has been sitting all winter long in the fuel tank, drain it responsibly and put in fresh fuel and remember to dispose the old fuel properly. Don't leave fuel sitting in the tank for more than 30 days. Untreated gasoline (without a fuel stabilizer) left in the system will deteriorate, which may cause starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system.
Use only E10 or less fuel in outdoor power equipment.
Do not use gas with more than 10 percent ethanol (E10) in outdoor power equipment. Some gas stations may offer 15 percent ethanol (E15) gas or other fuel blends, but this higher ethanol fuel can damage - and is illegal to use in - small engine equipment not designed for it, such as lawn mowers, chain saws, generators, and all other lawn and garden equipment.
Drain out the old oil and put in fresh oil.
Refill the engine with oil recommended by the product manufacturer. Properly dispose of the oil you drained.
Install clean air filters.
Your engine and equipment will run much better with clean filters. Paper filters need to be replaced, while some foam filters can be cleaned and replaced.
Sharpen your cutting blade.
Have the lawn mower's cutting blade sharpened to get a clean cut on the lawn. Your lawn will be healthier and the lawn mower will operate more efficiently.
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From the garden to the party
By Melinda Myers
Make every meal a special event by bringing the garden to the table. Serve your favorite dishes made from homegrown ingredients. Then allow guests to add their own herbal seasonings right from the garden or container.
Start by growing the ingredients for your favorite recipes and beverages. Consider those, like tomatoes, that taste best fresh from the garden. Or create a salad bar by filling window boxes and raised beds with greens, hot peppers, green onions and more. Just hand your guests a plate and let them create their own fresh salad.
Dress up the table or balcony with a few containers of herbs on your patio, deck or near the grill. Use small herb containers as edible centerpieces. Just include a pair of garden scissors and allow your family and guests to season the meal to their taste.
Add a bit of color to your meal with edible flowers. Try nasturtium and daylily blossoms stuffed with cream cheese, calendula petals sprinkled on your salad and mint leaves a top a slice of chocolate cake.
Include a few herbs and vegetables that can be blended, muddled or added to your favorite beverage. Use the hollow stems of lovage as a straw for your tomato juice or bloody Mary. You'll enjoy the celery flavor this edible straw provides. Or pluck a few mint or rosemary leaves to flavor iced tea and lemonade.
Just be sure the vegetables and flowers you select are free of pesticides. Remove the bitter tasting pollen from edible flowers.
Start your party preparation in the garden. Once you compile your list of favorites prepare your garden and containers for a productive growing and entertaining season.
In the garden, add several inches of organic matter such as compost to the top eight to 12 inches of soil. You'll improve drainage in clay soil and increase the water holding ability in sandy soils. This is also a good time to incorporate an organic nitrogen fertilizer into the soil. This slow-release fertilizer provides needed nutrients for six to eight weeks. Then be sure to add a mid-season boost to keep your garden healthy and productive.
For container plantings, select a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a quality potting mix. This is also a good time to add an organic nitrogen fertilizer which will eliminate the need for weekly feedings. Just give containers a second application mid-season.
Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. As the mulch breaks down it improves the soil for future plantings.
Harvest regularly to keep your plants looking good and producing. Cut the outer leaves of leaf lettuce when four to six inches tall and it will keep growing new leaves. Pick peppers and tomatoes when fully ripe, so the plant continues flowering and forming new fruit.
And dress up the table with a bouquet of your favorite garden flowers. Pick a few extras to send home with your guests and they'll surely remember your special gathering filled with homegrown flavor and beauty.
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Gardening tips
It is time to plant mustard and Swiss chard in the southern two-thirds of the state. Both can handle freezing weather, but if the temperature is expected to drop into the low 20s, protect those seedlings by covering them with row cover or old sheets and blankets.
Have a favorite gardening tip you'd like to share?
Texas Gardener's Seeds is seeking brief gardening tips from Texas gardeners to use in future issues. If we publish your tip in
Seeds, we will send you a copy of
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r's 2017 Planning Guide & Calendar. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at:
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ning Tips.
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Upcoming garden events
If you would like your organization's events included in "Upcoming Garden Events" or would like to make a change to a listed event, please contact us at Garden Events. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details at least three weeks prior to the event.
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FEBRUARY
Bryan:
Brazos County Master Gardeners will present "Blue is the New Gold," a water conservation program, February 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. Learn methods to efficiently manage your outdoor use of this limited natural resource! Experts will give information and guidance related to rainwater harvesting, efficient home irrigation systems, how soils capture water and plant selection to conserve water.
John Ferguson
, owner of Nature's Way Resources (NWR), Conroe, will present "Soil, Your Ultimate Water Reservoir" in which he will discuss how soils capture and use water for low maintenance and environmentally friendly landscapes. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Dr. Dotty Woodson, a water resource program specialist at the Dallas Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, will present "Rainwater Harvesting" and "Irrigation Efficiency," covering rainwater collection for irrigation, provide mathematical formula for rainwater collection, design ideas, filtration options, irrigation pressure issues, efficient irrigation methods and prevention of cross contamination. 10:45-11:45 a.m. and 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Amy Uyen Truong, an extension assistant with the Texas Water Resources Institute and the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, will present "The Drought Survivability of 97 Ornamental Landscape Species," in which she discusses how drought-prone areas can benefit from ambitious landscaping strategies to allow consumers to properly manage their outdoor water use. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions.
$45 per person. Visit brazosmg.com for registration form and additional information.
Online: "Connections between People and Nature - Invasive Species," will be presented online
at 6 p.m., Sunday, February 26.
Professor Scott Solomon from Rice University, Biosciences, who will speak on Invasive Species. In his talk, he will examine one specific way in which humans affect the natural world: by transporting species around the world, we are creating powerful adversaries that impact not only native species but ourselves as well. Professor Solomon is a biologist and science writer who teaches ecology, evolutionary biology, and scientific communication. He recently published his first book, Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution. Professor Solomon will address Connections between People and Nature from the perspective of biosciences. After his talk, there will be time for Q&A. If you would like to join this online conversation, please register at eventbrite.com (search for "Connections between People" in Houston) and you will receive an invitation to the web meeting. For more information about this event, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Bryan:
Alan M. Day, General Manager of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, will present "Brazos Valley Groundwater Issues: Facts and Challenges" at 7:00 p.m., February 28, at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest, Bryan.
Learn about the issues and challenges related to groundwater in Brazos and Robertson counties-joined in the Groundwater Conservation District because of their geographical, economic and hydrological connections. Get the facts about the BV Groundwater Conservation District's role in water conservation. The public is invited at no charge.
Day holds a BS & MS in Animal Science from TAMU and was an Extension Agent in Agriculture for 7-1/2 years. The BVGCD is a not-for-profit agency that protects and conserves the groundwater resources of Robertson and Brazos counties through local authority and management, balancing the rights of private landowners and the need to protect the area's groundwater resources. See brazosmg.com for more details.
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MARCH
Angleton: Dr. Kevin Ong, director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, will present "Canker and Greening: Two Citrus Diseases That Have Some Folks in a Tizzy," at 7:00 p.m., March 1, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 21017 County Road 171, Angleton. For additional information, visit http://txmg.org/bell/.
Galveston: The Friends of Moody Gardens will host the
5th annual Gulf Coast Herb Fair and Luncheon on Wednesday,
March 1, in the Visitors Pyramid at Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston. The featured speaker during the luncheon will be Alicia Cahill, owner of The Kitchen Chick. Activities being planned include exciting vendors in the Visitors Pyramid, a Garden Blessing accompanied by music and the story of the Tussey Mussey, plus a lovely luncheon for $35/pp. Checks can be sent to Ellen Perry, 2903 Dominque Drive, TX 77551. For more information, phone 409-740-6842 or email
e.l.perry@att.net. For additional information, visit
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/f706afb5-3856-4a07-8ce2-9223dd12981b.
Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club will meet at 10:00 a.m.,
March 1, at First Baptist Church, 300 Church Street, Navasota. The Program will be "Tea for Two" Simple and Exquisite. Ladies are asked to wear their Sunday hats for "Afternoon Tea" in the English Tradition. The program will be on Table Decorations from whatever you have on hand or in the yard. For additional information, contact
Charlotte@moodyranch.com.
Austin: Locally raised heirloom veggies and herbs make their big debut 9 a.m. at Sunshine Community Garden (SCG), 4814 Sunshine Dr., Austin, March 4. The sale is the largest Certified Organic Non-Profit Plant event in Texas. More than 150 tomato varieties, 72 wicked hot and sweet bell pepper varieties, 15 kinds of eggplants, 5,000 herbs and other plants ready for spring planting. The first bite of a delicious and juicy home grown organic tomato will make you beg for more. Improve your health with regular gardening exercise. Save big money by growing your own organic vegetables. For complete list of plants on sale and varieties to grow visit http://www.sunshinecommunitygarden.org/.
Hempstead: Peckerwood Garden presents Peckerwood Insider's Tours: Saturday,
March 4, 10 a.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd. Hempstead. Pre-Registration Required. Tours will highlight a focused subject each month, ranging from Peckerwood's specific plant groups, garden design strategies, seasonal interest and more. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to see sections of the garden never visited during the general tours as we explore "Early Interest Winter Plants." $15 admission and parking, Free for members. For more info, visit
http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/ or email
info@peckerwoodgarden.org.
Ruston, LA: The North Central Louisiana Master Gardeners will hold their fifth annual seminar on Saturday,
March 4, from 8 a.m. until noon at Lomax Hall of Louisiana Tech University. The theme for this year's seminar is Daffodils: Bring Your Best Buds. This presentations include: "Daffodils for Southern Gardens" presented by Greg Grant, county agent in Smith County (Tyler), Texas, contributing editor to
Texas Gardener magazine, and an award-winning horticulturist, author and garden speaker. He lives in his grandparents' dogtrot farmhouse and gardens on his ancestral land in Arcadia, Texas.
"Not Just Daffodils: Other Bulbs and Companion Plants
" presented by Kathie Rowell, who wrote gardening articles at
The Shreveport Times where she was features editor. Many of the plants in her Shreveport garden came from her grandparents' garden in Ashland. She writes about gardening on her website
www.LouisianaBlooms.com.
"The Legacy of Annie Lou's Daffodils," led by Celia Jones, a tireless promoter of daffodils who carries on the tradition of growing heirloom daffodils on her grandmother Annie Lou Holstun Jones' farm in Bienville Parish. The farm has been featured on HGTV, in
Southern Living, Fine Gardening and other magazines and newspapers. Admission will be $15.00 at the door. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and speakers will begin at 8:30 a.m. There will be door prizes and refreshments. For more information, please visit
www.facebook.com/nclmg.
Houston: "Chemical Safety in the Garden" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting on Thursday,
March 9, at the
Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. The parking lot is Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. Donald Burger, an American Rose Society master consulting rosarian and the Houston Rose Society garden chemical safety expert will present the program. Donald is the well-known teacher of "Bee Keeping in Your Backyard." He will be addressing the effects of chemicals on our bee population. Honey from Donald's hives will be given away as door prizes! Free admission. For more information, visit www.houstonrose.org.
Houston: "Current Plant Trends" by Paul Winski, Harris County Texas AgriLife Extension Agent. 10:00-11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 9, Genoa Friendship Garden Education Bldg., 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. Free. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.
Tyler:
Smith County Master Gardeners at the library, March 10 at 11:30 a.m. "Azaleas: New, Old, Native, and Exotic," with Keith Hansen, retired Smith County Horticulture Extension Agent. Presentation with Q&A to follow. Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College, Tyler. Free and open to the public. For additional information, call 903-590-2980.
La Marque:
"Bonsai": with GC Master Gardener Clyde Holt presenting 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., March 11, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to
galvcountymgs@gmail.com, further details see
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. $25 fee to cover cost of materials; you keep your tree. Class limited to 10 participants; must pre-register.
La Marque:
"Composting": with GC Master Gardener Jim Gilliam presenting, 1:00-2:30 p.m.,
March 11, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to
galvcountymgs@gmail.com, further details see
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Free.
Woodway: Robin Liebe, Master Gardener, will present an educational program on Bee Friendly Gardening with an emphasis on the importance of cultivating year-round flowering native plants and provide general background information on bees and their absolute importance as pollinators. Bring lunch. Noon to 2 p.m., March 15, at The Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum,
9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway
. Free. For additional information, call the Carleen Bright Arboretum at 254-399-9204 or email jschaffer@woodwaymail.org.
Round Top: The 22nd Annual Herbal Forum will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday,
March 17, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday,
March 18, on the grounds of The Round Top Festival Institute, 248 Jaster Road, Round Top. The Herb Society of America, Pionee Unit, will host the "Thyme Well Spent" Gift Shop and Plant Sale. For additional information, visit
www.herbsocietypioneer.org or email
henryf@festivalhill.org.
La Marque:
"Tomato Stress Management": with GC Master Gardener Ira Gervais presenting, 9:00-11:00 a.m., March 18, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to
galvcountymgs@gmail.com, further details see
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Free.
La Marque:
"Culture & Care of Palms": with GC Master Gardener OJ Miller presenting, 1:00-3:00 p.m.,
March 18, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to
galvcountymgs@gmail.com, further details see
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Free.
McKinney: The Garden Show
will be presented by the Collin County Master Gardeners Association March 18 and 19 at Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney. The two-day event will feature vendors offering garden wares that range from whimsical to practical, and engaging educational programs. Collin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer ideas for more successful gardening experiences. Demonstrations and presentations will run throughout the show on a variety of gardening topics. Dynamic speakers will discuss subjects will include: Vegetable Gardening, presented by Linda Hornbaker; Monarchs to Mexico, resented by Steven Chamblee; Pollinator Garden Certification, presented by Nancy Payne; Indian Marker Trees, presented by Steve Houser; The History of Franconia Brewery, presented by Dennis Wehrmann; and "What is Farm to Table," panel discussion featuring renowned Chef Andrea Shakelford from Harvest & other local chefs. The Garden Show is an indoor event, so come rain or shine! Hours are from 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Saturday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday. Entry on both days is a donation of $2 per person. Parking is free! All proceeds will benefit Hope's Door. Visit
www.ccmgatx.org/TheGardenShow
, or call 972-548-4232 for up-to-date information.
Orangefield: The Orange County Master Gardeners are having their 4th Annual Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fair Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Hundreds of nursery and member-grown plants will be for sale, including many varieties of citrus, stone fruit, berries, cold-hardy avocados, LSU gold & purple figs, Texas Superstars, perennials, natives, annuals, house and tropicals along with succulents, lilies and many other hard to find and unusual plants. Plant specialists and members will be available to answer questions and help you select your plants. Specialty booths will be set up with unique gardening items. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/orange.
Pasadena: Harris County Master Gardener Perennial Sale, plant overview 8-9 a.m. Sale hours 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Campbell Hall, Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7600 Red Bluff Rd., Pasadena. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.
Houston: Open Garden Day, 8:30-11:00 a.m., Monday, March 20, Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. Master Gardeners available to answer your questions. Free. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.
Flower Mound: Monarch Butterfly Flight School will be offered
Tuesday, March 21, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane, Flower Mound.
Help Monarch butterflies take flight this spring! Learn simple steps to create a Monarch Way Station in your backyard. Carol Clark, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, presents the Monarch life cycle, its magnificent migration through Texas and actions you can take now to support conservation of this threatened butterfly.
The event will include representatives from Keep Flower Mound Beautiful, Native Plant Society of Texas/Trinity Forks chapter, Denton County Master Gardeners Association, Texas Master Naturalists, Monarch Watch and Monarch Way Station owners from the community. These representatives will be available before and after this program to answer questions, provide resources and a free step-by-step guide to start your butterfly garden in North Texas.
To register for this free event, email
fmpl@flower-mound.com
or call 972-874-6165.
Huntsville: Herb Festival at the Wynne Home, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 25, on the grounds of the beautifully restored Wynne Home Arts Center, 1428 Eleventh Street, Huntsville. Sponsored by the Texas Thyme Unit of the Herb Society of America. Herb plants galore; Pollinator plants; Camellias; Vegetables, Kitchen, garden and herbal vendors; speakers; music; Children's Crafts; Artists and more! Free admission. The Wynne Home will be open to visitors. For information call, 936-891-5024.
La Marque:
"Turning Dirt Into Soil": with GC Master Gardener Jim Gilliam presenting, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.,
March 25, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to
galvcountymgs@gmail.com, further details see
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Free.
Lufkin: Angelina Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale, 8:00 a.m.-noon, Saturday,
March 25, Angelina Farmer's Market, 2107 S. Medford Dr., Lufkin. Annuals, perennials, herbs, roses, shrubs and trees. Bring a wagon and come early for best selection. Proceeds used to fund educational projects of Angelina Master Gardeners. Visit Angelina Master Gardeners on Facebook for a plant list close to sale date. For additional information, call 936-634-6414.
Athens: New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart will speak at Henderson County Master Gardener's Spring Conference on Wicked Plants: the weed that killed Lincoln's mother and other botanical atrocities at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 30, at Hart-Morris Convention Center, 5601 CR 4812, Athens. Tickets are $25 each, seating is limited. Dinner is included. Advance purchase of tickets is encouraged. Doors open 5:30 p.m. A table may be reserved with the purchase of 8 tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 903-675-6130 or email HendersonCMGA@gmail.com.
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APRIL
Austin: Trowel and Error, Mayfield Park Gardening Symposium will be held 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday,
April 1, at Mayfield Park 3505 W. 35th Street Austin (next to Laguna Gloria Art Museum). Presentations include: 10 a.m. Jay White, contributing writer for
Texas Gardener, Masters in horticulture, will present "Pest-free Organically"; 11 a.m. Patty Leander, Texas master gardener vegetable specialist, contributing editor for
Texas Gardener, will present "Tiny Garden/Small Garden: From Microgreens to Hay Bales"; Noon, Bruce Leander, biotechnology, art, photography, golf, "sort of" the Photographer in Residence at Lady Bird Wildflower Center, will present It's a Snap To Take Good Garden Pictures: A Few Simple Tricks to "Develop" Outstanding Digital Pictures. Mayfield has the best deals in town for hard-to-find heirlooms and other perennials perfect for the April garden. A "garden goodie" raffle for the discerning gardener will round out the day. Sponsored by Friends of the Parks of Austin, a non-profit organization, Trowel and Error is the solitary fund-raiser for historic Mayfield Park. Although admission is free, a $5.00 donation is requested. For more information: 512-453-7074,
neenok@aol.com, or
mayfieldpark.org.
Hempstead: Peckerwood Garden presents Peckerwood Insider's Tours: Saturday,
April 1, 10 a.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd. Hempstead. Pre-Registration Required. Tours will highlight a focused subject each month, ranging from Peckerwood's specific plant groups, garden design strategies, seasonal interest and more. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to see sections of the garden never visited during the general tours as we explore "Early Interest Winter Plants." $15 admission and parking, Free for members. For more info, visit
http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/ or email
info@peckerwoodgarden.org.
Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club will meet at 10:00 a.m.,
April 5, at First Baptist Church, 300 Church Street, Navasota. The meeting will include the annual Club Flower Show starring whatever is blooming in your yard and a program entitled "A Glance into Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation." For additional information, contact
Charlotte@moodyranch.com.
Woodway: Take lunch and enjoy a free Horticulture Seminar on Wednesday, April 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Carleen Bright Arboretum Pavilion,
9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway
. Dr. Robert Creech, master gardener, will introduce Wendell Berry, an 81-year-old Kentucky farmer, as well as an award-winning poet, essayist, and novelist. Be inspired by Berry's thinking about the land, soil, farming and farmers. Listen to readings of his poetry along with some reflections on their implications. For additional information, call the Carleen Bright Arboretum at 254-399-9204 or email jschaffer@woodwaymail.org.
Hempstead: Peckerwood Garden presents Evening at Peckerwood Lecture Series: Friday,
April 21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd. Hempstead. Topics will include various aspects of horticulture, botany, garden design, plant collecting adventures, conservation and many other related fields of interest. Wine and refreshments provided. $10 admission and parking, $5 for members. For more info, visit
http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/ or email
info@peckerwoodgarden.org.
Tyler:
Smith County Master Gardeners at the library, April 21 at 11:30 a.m. "Flower Arranging from the Garden" with Master Gardener Neysa Mueller. Presentation with Q&A to follow. Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College, Tyler. Free and open to the public. For additional information, call 903-590-2980.
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MAY
Woodway: Steven Chamblee, Horticulturist of Chandor Gardens, will present "Peace, Love, & Milagros: Life Lessons from the Road," noon-2 p.m.,
May 17. During his 30-plus years road-tripping around Texas, Chamblee has collected great stories about horticultural heavens, botanical blunders, and tender tales that will melt your heart. Heeding the advice of a close friend, Chamblee has brought his favorite stories together for a very personal presentation of inspiration, enlightenment, and humor. The seminar will be held at the Whitehall Center of the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway. This is not the usual location. For additional information, call the Carleen Bright Arboretum at 254-399-9204 or email
jschaffer@woodwaymail.org.
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Monthly meetings
If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details.
FIRST WEEK
Kaufman:
The Kaufman County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at the First Community Church at 1401 Trinity Drive in Crandall. January through April and August and September meetings are at 9 a.m., with the remaining meetings beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information visit http://www.kcmga.org, call 972-932-9069 or email to sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.
Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the
first Tuesday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension, 3033 Bear Creek Drive (near the intersection of Highway 6 and Patterson Road), Houston. For additional information visit
http://hcmga.tamu.edu
or call 281-855-5600.
Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the
first Wednesday of each month at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas. The club hosts different speaker each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring your lunch! For more information, email Bunny Williams at
bunny-williams@sbcglobal.net.
Kerrville: Hill Country Master Gardeners meet the
first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit
www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.
Midland/Odessa: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners meet at noon, the
first Wednesday of each month, lternating between the Midland and Ector County's Extensions Offices. For more information about location, call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.
Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club meets on the
first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 10:00 a.m., usually at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 300 Church Street, Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door at the North entrance. Guests are welcome. Members are from Grimes County and surrounding counties.
Allen: The Allen Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. on the
first Thursday of each month, February through December, at the Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St., Allen. For more information, visit
www.allengardenclub.org.
Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners meet the
first Thursday of each month at the Atlanta Memorial Hospital Conference Room, State Highway 77 @ S. Williams St., Atlanta. A business meeting is followed by an educational program. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or visit
http://cass.agrilife.org.
Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually mee tat 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Waller County AgriLife Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead. For more information on the meeting schedule, visit http://txmg.org/wallermg or call 979-826-7651.
Fort Worth: The North Central Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. except (January and July) in the Fort Worth Botanical Garden Building at
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth. For additional information, contact President Theresa Thomas at kayleetl@sbcglobal.net.
Gonzalas: Gonzales Master Gardeners hold their monthly meeting at noon on the
first Thursday of each month at 623 Fair Street, Gonzales. Bring a bag lunch, drinks provided. Contact AgriLife Extension Office at 830-672-8531 or visit
http://gonzalesmastergardeners.org
for more information.
New Braunfels: The Comal Garden Club meets the
first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Southbank Clubhouse, 222 Southbank Blvd., New Braunfels.
Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, hosts a special Peckerwood Insider's Tour at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Spaces are limited so pre-registration is required. $15, free for members. For more information, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
SECOND WEEK
Austin: Austin Organic Gardeners Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the
second Monday of each month (except December) at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin. For more information, visit
www.austinorganicgardeners.org.
Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardeners meet on the
second Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Woodmen of the World, 1800 College Ave., Jacksonville. For more information, e-mail Tom Abbott at
tom@deerfield-abbey.org.
Glen Rose: The Glen Rose Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the
second Tuesday of each month (September through May) at the Somervell County Community Center in Glen Rose. For additional information, email
stringer030@yahoo.com.
Glen Rose: The Prairie Rose Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6 p.m. on the
second Monday of each month at the Somerville County Citizen Center, 209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose. For additional information, email
prairierose.npsot@gmail.com.
Harrison County: The Harrison County Master Gardeners meet on the
second Tuesday of each month in the Harrison County Annex building, 102 W Houston St. (south side of the square), Marshall. Meetings are held in the 2nd floor AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email
wannagrow2@gmail.com.
Marion: The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the
second Tuesday of each month except July, August and December at St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. Directions to St. John's Lutheran Church: From FM 78 turn south onto FM 465 and the church is just past the Marion School on the right. From IH-10 go north on FM 465 towards Marion. The Church will be on the left, just before you get to town. A plant exchange and meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT visit
www.npsot.org/GuadalupeCounty/
or contact
guadalupecounty@npsot.org.
Quitman: The Quitman Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. the
second Tuesday of each month at the Quitman Library on E Goode Street, Quitman. It is a diverse group that welcomes all visitors. For more information, e-mail
quitmangardenclub@gmail.com.
Denton:
The Denton County Master Gardener Association meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. the
second Wednesday of each month
. Meetings are open to the public. For complete details, visit
http://dcmga.com/.
Humble: The Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, hosts a Lunch Bunch the
second Wednesday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Take a sack lunch or order a box lunch from Starbucks when you call 281-443-8731 to reserve your spot. Master Gardeners and Masters Naturalists may earn CEU credits by attending.
Jacksboro: The Jacksboro Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the
second Wednesday of each month (except June, July and August) at the Concerned Citizens Center, 400 East Pine Street, Jacksboro. For more information, call Melinda at 940-567-6218.
Longview:
The Gregg County Master Gardeners Association's Learn at Lunch program meet the second Wednesday of each month. The business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon, at the AgriLife Extension Office, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Longview. The program is presented for horticultural education and is free to the public. For further information call 903-236-8429, visit www.txmg.org/gregg, or like us on Facebook at Gregg County Master Gardeners.
Rockport: The Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group, founded in March 2003, meets the
second
Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport, to discuss all aspects of using and growing herbs, including historical uses and tips for successful propagation and cultivation. Sometimes they take field trips and have cooking demonstrations in different locations. For more information, contact Linda 361-729-6037, Ruth 361-729-8923 or Cindy 979-562-2153 or visit
www.rockportherbs.or
g and
http://rockportherbies.blogspot.com.
Woodway: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meet on the
second Wednesday each month at noon at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway. Educational programs follow the business session. For more information, call 254-757-5180.
Beaumont: The Jefferson County Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. (social) 7:00 (meeting) the
second Thursday of each month except in July in the AgriLife Extension auditorium, 1225 Pearl 2nd floor (downtown Beaumont next to the Court House). For more information contact: 409-835-8461 or
txmg.org/jcmg.
Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. the
second Thursday of each month at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street. Georgetown. For additional information, contract Kathy Henderson at kshend@verizon.net or visit
http://www.npsot.org/wp/wilco.
Orange: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association holds their monthly meeting on the
second Thursday of each month. A short program is presented. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the new Orange County Expo Center on Hwy 1442 in Orangefield. Enter the building in the front entrance, first door on the right, Texas AgriLife offices. Pot luck supper at 6 p.m. Visit
http://txmg.org/orange
for more information.
San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society meets at 7 p.m. on the
second Thursday of each month at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels (corner of Funston & N. New Braunfels). For more information on programs, visit
www.sanantonioherbs.org.
Smithville: The Smithville Community Gardens meets at 5:30 p.m. the
second Thursday of each month at the Smithville Recreation Center.
Angleton: The Brazoria County Master Gardeners meet at 11 a.m. on the
second Friday of each month at the Brazoria County Extension Office, 21017 County Road 171, Angleton. There is a general business meeting followed by a brief educational program each month. For further information call 979-864-1558, ext.110.
College Station: The A&M Garden Club meets on the
second Friday of each month during the school year at 9:30 a.m. in the training room of the College Station Waste Water Facility building at the end of North Forest Parkway, College Station. Expert speakers, plant sharing, and federated club projects help members learn about gardening in the Brazos Valley, floral design, conservation, and more. For more information, visit
http://www.amgardenclub.com/.
Houston: The Spring Branch African Violet Club meets the
second Saturday of each month, January through November, at 10:30am at the Copperfield Baptist Church, 8350 Highway 6 North, Houston. Call Karla at 281-748-8417 prior to attending to confirm meeting date and time.
Kilgore: Northeast Texas Organic Gardeners meets at 1:30 p.m. on the
second Saturday of each month. For more information, call Carole Ramke at 903-986-9475.
Dallas: The Rainbow Garden Club of North Texas meets the
second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Meetings are held at member's homes and garden centers around the area. For more information, visit
www.RainbowGardenClub.com.
THIRD WEEK
Arlington: The Arlington Men's Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the
third Monday of each month (except December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact Lance Jepson at
LJepson@aol.com.
Cleburne:
The Johnson County Master Gardener's meet on the third Monday of each month at McGregor House, 1628 W Henderson, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 2 p.m. October through April, except December and at 6 p.m. May through September. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For additional information, contact Sue Matern at 817-517-9076.
New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. the
third Monday of each month (except April and December,) at the
GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. An educational program precedes the business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, call 830-620-3440 or visit
http://txmg.org/comal/
.
Texarkana: The Four Corners Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 7 p.m. on the
third Monday of each month at the Southwest Center, 3222 W. 7th St. (U.S. 67), Texarkana. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Belinda McCoy at 903-424-7724 or
blackmtngardens@yahoo.com.
Corpus Christi: The Nueces Master Gardeners meet at noon the
third Tuesday of each month, except December, at Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For further information call 361 767-5217.
Evant: The Evant Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., usually at the bank in downtown Evant. To confirm the date, time and place of each month's meeting, call 254-471-5860.
New Braunfels:
The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the third Tuesday of each month at
6:30 pm
at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. Meetings include an informative speaker
and a Plant of the Month presentation. Meetings are free and
visitors are welcome. For more information,visit www.npsot.org/w/lindheimer.
Note
: there will be no meeting in June or December.
Rockport: Monthly meetings of the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners are held at 10 a.m. on the
third Tuesday of each month at Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Aransas County Office, 892 Airport Rd., Rockport. For additional information, e-mail
aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103.
Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the
third Tuesday of each month, September through November and January through April at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. The club hosts a different speaker each month. For more information, visit
www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.
Denton: The Denton Organic Society, a group devoted to sharing information and educating the public regarding organic principles, meets the
third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Avenue. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a social at 6:30. For more information, call 940-382-8551.
Glen Rose: The Somervell County Master Gardeners meet at 10 a.m., the
third Wednesday of each month at the Somervell County AgriLife Extension office, 1405 Texas Drive, Glen Rose. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 254-897-2809 or visit
www.somervellmastergardeners.org.
Granbury: The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners meet at 1 p.m. on the
third Wednesday of each month at the Hood County Annex 1, 1410 West Pearl Street, Granbury. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the business meeting. For information on topics call 817-579-3280 or visit
http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/.
Seabrook: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the
third Wednesday of each month at The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the Lakeside), 5001 NASA Road 1, Seabrook. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.
Brownwood: Brownwood Garden Club meets the
third Thursday of each month, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. The club meetings are at Southside Baptist Church, 1219 Indian Creek Road, with refreshments and a speaker presentation. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email
boeblingen@centex.net or call 817-454-8175.
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston (NPSOT-H) meets at 7:30 p.m. on the
third Thursday of each month except for October (4th Thursday) at the Houston SArboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park (4501 Woodway Dr.). For more information on programs, and for information about native plants for Houston, visit
http:/npsot.org/wp/Houston.
San Antonio: The Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) meet on the
third Thursday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208, San Antonio. During the months of Jan., March, May, July, Sep. and Nov., an evening meeting begins with a social time at 6 p.m. followed by a free presentation from 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1-3:30 p.m. Check
http://www.bexarmg.org/ to verify meeting date for any given month, as circumstances could require a change, and to find information on the speaker and topic scheduled for each meeting.
Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners meets at 6:30 p.m. the
third Thursday of each month, at the AgriLife Building, 210 East Live Oak, Seguin. After a brief social hour, the meeting and guest speaker begins at 7 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 830-303-3889 or visit
www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.
Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, hosts the Evening at Peckerwood Lecture series at 7 p.m. on the
third Friday of each month. Tickets are available online. Tickets are $10, $5 for members.For more information, visit
http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
FOURTH WEEK
Brackenridge Park: The Native Plant Society San Antonio Chapter meets every
fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center, 2809 Broadway at E. Mulberry, Brackenridge Park, except August and December. Social and seed/plant exchange at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bea at 210-999-7292 or visit
www.npsot.org/sanantonio.
Bryan: The Brazos County Master Gardeners, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, meet the
fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. There is a public gardening program at each meeting and pertinent information may be found at
brazosmg.com or 979-823-0129.
Edna: The Jackson County Master Gardeners present their "Come Grown With Us" seminars on the
fourth Tuesday of each month, January through October, beginning at 7 p.m. at 411 N. Wells, Edna. The seminars are free, open to the public and offer 2 CEU hours to Master Gardeners or others requiring them. For additional information, contact the Jackson County Extension Office at 361-782-3312.
Linden: The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of Native Plants Society meets the
fourth Tuesday of each month at the senior citizens building at 507 S Kaufman St. in Linden at 6:30. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Karen Tromza at
khtromza@yahoo.com.
Fort Worth: The Organic Garden Club of Forth Worth meets at 7 p.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of each month except July and December at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center, 3220 Botanic Blvd., Ft. Worth. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 817-263-9322 or visit
www.ogcfw.webs.com.
San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the
fourth Tuesday of each month, except August and December, at the Lions Field Adult & Senior Center, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio. Social and plant/seed exchange at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit
www.npsot.org/sanantonio or email
npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com.
Houston: The Houston Native Prairie Association meets at 7 p.m. on the
fourth Wednesday of each month at the Cherie Flores Pavilion in McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. For more information, contact
hnpat@prairies.org.
Austin: The Garden Club of Austin meets at Zilker Botanical Gardens auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, at 7:00 p.m. on the
fourth Thursday of each month. 7:00-7:30 p.m. Refreshments and Social, followed by a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Free. For additional information, visit
http://thegardenclubofaustin.org/.
Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the
fourth Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 10:30 a.m. at the community room behind the Greater Texas Federal Credit Union,1300 N. Bell, Cedar Park, unless there is special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, we share a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call president Cathy Clark-Ramsey at 512-963-4698 or email
info@leandergc.org.
Dallas: The Dallas County Master Gardeners meet the
fourth Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. For location and program information, visit
h
ttp://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.
Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 7:00 p.m. on the
fourth Thursday of each month at the REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. For more information, call 214-824-2448 or visit
www.gdogc.org.
Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the
last Thursday of each month (except November and December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact David at 817-483-7746.
Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, holds an Open Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. Tours start at 10 a.m. and the last tour leaves at 2 p.m. Tickets available online or at the gate. $10, free for members. For more information, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
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