July 4, 2018
  
The garden reader:
Solutions to common garden problems
 
By William Scheick
 
Theresa Rooney. Humane Critter Control: The Guide to Natural, Nontoxic Pest Solutions to Protect Your Yard and Garden. Cool Springs Press, 2017. 144 pp. $19.99.
 
In Humane Pest Control Theresa Rooney aims "to deter your pest, mitigate or prevent the damage it may do to your garden and, if necessary, remove it." Throughout this book, Bill Kersey's delightful watercolors help put the reader in the right mood for the author's informed lessons.
 
At the top of Rooney's advice list: "A healthy garden repels pests" especially by attracting beneficial insects. Next, consider types of fencing, blood meal, predator urine, insect-repelling fragrances, hot-pepper sprays and mechanical deterrents (such as flashing items, hanging bottles and sensor sprinklers).
 
Did you know that "simple white cloths hanging from a tree branch will deter some deer"? Discourage raccoons by using "repellants, motion-activated water sprinklers, lights or loose fencing that bends over when [they] try to climb up."
 
Rooney explores all of these and other techniques in helpful detail, together with safety advice on managing garden-visiting cats and dogs.
 
Judy Barrett. When Good Gardens Go Bad: Earth-Friendly Solutions to Common Garden Problems. Texas A&M University Press, 2018. 113 pp. $23.95.
 
In When Good Gardens Go Bad Judy Barrett congenially combines her personal experiences with commonsense suggestions to encourage the hesitant or frustrated gardener.
 
"It continues to amaze me," the author notes, "how little the earth requires of us and how much it is willing to forgive." She hopes that gardeners likewise "develop a philosophical and forgiving attitude that helps [to] brush off the problems that inevitably occur" with our plants.
 
As an aid, Barrett offers down-to-earth guidance on how to cope with the sort of annoying issues every gardener encounters - from unpredictable weather and fungal diseases to resilient weeds and damaging pests.
 
Without fanfare, she banishes stress to the tool shed and reassuringly offers straightforward organic responses to everyday gardening issues. She even provides an unusual formula for a basil-vodka spray to repel mosquitoes.
 
When Good Gardens Go Bad is as handy as it is attractively designed.
 
Max McMurdo. Upcycling Outdoors: 20 Creative Garden Projects Made from Reclaimed Materials. Jacqui Small, 2018. 144 pp. $29.99.
 
Accumulated, seemingly no longer useful stuff does not have to be a problem, Max McMurdo's promises in Upcycling Outdoors. Instead, think about life's leftover pieces from a fresh gardening perspective.
 
For instance, convert junked bicycle wheels into a fire pit, a marred dressing table into a planter or three scrapped doors into a shed - "magical" transformations typifying what to expect from the author's handyman expertise.
 
The award-winning McMurdo describes himself as someone "fortunate to be able to design and make innovative items, while trying to help the planet and inspire others to explore their creativity." And his step-by-step handbook radiates with the joy of this mission.
 
He designs planters from copper tubing, rain gutters, toolboxes, boat floats. He morphs other junk into a picnic-bench beverage holder, a chair swing, a concrete-topped table, a bird box and a dog-food station.
 
Upcycling Outdoors is actually the author's second book, which should be no surprise. No single book could possibly contain all of this backyard inventor's clever ideas.
 
William Scheick is a Texas Gardener contributing editor and the author of   Adventures in Texas Gardening (Texas A&M University Press).
Entomologist: Avoid itchy bites from spiking seasonal chigger populations

By Gabe Saldana
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
 
Anyone venturing into the great outdoors this summer in Texas should be ready for chiggers.
 
That's the message from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist Dr. Mike Merchant in Dallas. He said reports of chiggers to AgriLife Extension offices have seen a sharp uptick in recent weeks compared with normal seasons over the last 28 years.
 
"If my phone calls are any indication, this appears to be a whopping chigger season," he said, adding that unseasonably high temperatures and humidity during June have likely produced perfect conditions for chigger reproduction and higher populations in time for summer.
 
These nearly microscopic mites climb up a person's legs, leaving red, itchy bites as high as the armpits and usually concentrated near the "sensitive skin areas" around the waistline. Bites are itchy for a few days and take up to two weeks to disappear.
 
"They're my personal worst nightmare," Merchant said. "The only good thing I can say about chiggers is that, as far as we know, they don't carry disease."
 
Bramble patches, woods and grassy fields are the most common places to encounter chiggers, but the pest can pose a threat even in manicured lawns under the right conditions.
 
"Workers in our turfgrass breeding program have annual problems with chiggers beginning around late May and early June," Merchant said, referring to research plots at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas.
 
He recommends wearing long pants, tucking pant legs into socks, and using a repellent with DEET on shoes and socks. If practical, a quick shower after possible exposure to chiggers can help reduce the number and severity of bites.
 
More information on controlling chiggers is available at https://citybugs.tamu.edu/chigger-season.
Gardening tips

July 4 is the traditional end of tomato season in most of Texas. While there may be a few tomatoes left on your cherry tomato plants, production for most types is done. If early blight and the bugs haven't wiped you out, then the temperatures will. Tomato pollen shatters when temperatures go above 100 degrees. No pollen, no pollination, no tomatoes. Pull spent plants now, weed and mix in compost so the soil will be ready for an August 15. 
 
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 Texas Gardene r's 2018 Planning Guide & Calendar. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at: Garde ning Tips.
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.
JULY

Athens: Henderson County Master Gardener Association , is thrilled to host "Facts and Fantasies of Texas Gardening, An Evening with Neil Sperry," Thursday, October 4, at the Athens Country Club, from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $50 each, including dinner, and went on sale July 1. A table can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets. A limited number of tickets are available and they are expected to sell out early. The tickets will be sold only online at a safe and secure website: https://hendersonmg.ejoinme.org/fallconference , and assistance is available from a Master Gardener, if needed, for online ticket purchases. A receipt will be emailed immediately after purchase. For those who like to shop, the event will also include a silent auction, with items donated by local businesses. For more information, contact Henderson County Master Gardeners Association, Henderson County Courthouse, 100 E. Tyler Street, Suite 300, Athens, TX 75751; (903) 675-6130; or hendersonCMGA@gmail.com  .

Austin: The Austin Organic Gardeners club is celebratingits 73rd year. At the July 9 meeting, club old-timers will discuss what the club and organics in general were like back in the day. Members want to appreciate the good work and longevity others have put into our club. Club members are encouraged to bring stories, photos, and clippings - everyone is encouraged to bring your gardening questions. The Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, in Zilker Botanical Gardens the 2nd Monday of each month except December. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the opportunity to meet, mingle, and ask questions with experienced local gardeners. Club business begins at 7 p.m , followed by our guest speaker presentation. For more information, please visit www.austinorga.nicgardeners.org.
 
Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will hold a "Lunch and Learn With the Masters" program on "Xeriscaping: Drought Resistant Plants" Monday, July 9. The event, free to the public, will be held noon until 1 p.m. at the Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria. Attendees may bring a sack lunch and beverage. Master gardener Debbie Krueger will be the speaker.

Houston: The Houston Rose Society will hold its annual Ice Cream Social and Summer Celebration on Thursday, July 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be vendors, door prizes and make-your-own ice cream sundaes with lots of toppings to choose from. Admission is free. Just bring your favorite ice cream topping or finger food. This event will be held at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. Free parking is in Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. Details are available at www.houstonrose.org.
 
Nacogdoches: Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., will discuss "Blinding Color in the Garden," July 12 in the Brundrett Conservation Education building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call (936) 468-4129 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu

Pasadena: Tony Collins, retired University of Houston college professor, will discuss begonias, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., July 12, at the Genoa Friendship Gardens Educational Center Building, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Pasadena. Free. Plants for sale in the greenhouse. For more information, call (713) 274-0950 or visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Spring: "Raised Beds, Drip Irrigation, and Rain Barrels" will be the subject of the Harris County Master Gardeners Green Thumb Series presentation 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., July 12, at the Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. For additional information, call (713) 274-0950 or visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Austin: Travis County Master Gardeners Association is sponsoring "The Six D's of Successful Container Gardening," a free gardening seminar on July 14. Whether you want colorful winter flowers or tasty summer vegetables, you can grow them in containers. Travis County Master Gardener Kirk Walden will highlight the major considerations and decisions that lead to gardening success - from design and soil to irrigation and sunlight. Participants will come away with a list of recommended plants and resources suitable for Central Texas. The seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Austin Area Garden Center at the Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Spring Road, Austin. A park entrance fee is required. Fees are $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over), and $3 for non-Austin Residents. Cash or check accepted. For more information, visit http://www.zilkergarden.org/about/events/calendar.html#july.

Conroe:  Saturday, July 14, Educational Classes. Session 1: Water and Your Yard - Basics, 8:00 til 10:00 a.m. Session 2: Water and Your Yard - Advanced, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $5 per session or $8 for both. Are you trying to figure out what grass you have? Are you overwatering? When and how to irrigate? Join Master Gardeners for both sessions to learn about lawns, watering properly, irrigation systems (exactly what kind you have!) and more with hands-on classes. Montgomery County Master Gardeners, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. For more information, visit http://www.mcmga.com or call 936-539-7824.
 
La Marque: "Irises for the Gulf Coast Garden": with Galveston County Master Gardener Monica Martens, presenting, 1-3 p.m., July 14, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration required: Ph 281-534-3413, email galvcountymgs@gmail.com ; for additional details visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html . Free, but registration required.
 
Athens: As part of the Henderson County Master Gardener Association's Library Series, Sherri Doss, owner of the Bluebonnet Worm Farm, will present "Compost Tea Making - The Organic way to Healthier Vegetables, Flowers, Orchards, Vineyard and Lawns" on Tuesday, July 17, at 5:30 p.m., at the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library, 121 S. Prairieville, Athens. Doss will share her knowledge about how worm castings and compost tea can help you get better results in your garden. For more information, call (903) 675-6130, email hendersoncmga@gmail.com or visit txmg.org/hendersonmg.
 
La Marque: "A Homeowner's Guide to Weed Control": with Galveston County Master Gardener John Jons presenting, 6:30-8 p.m., July 17, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration required: Ph 281-534-3413, email galvcountymgs@gmail.com ; for additional details visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html . Free, but registration required.
 
Seguin: Judy Barrett will present "When Good Gardens Go Bad!" 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m, July 19, at AgriLife Extension Service, 210 East Live Oak St., Seguin. Free. For additional information, visit https://guadalupecountymastergardeners.org/
 
La Marque: "Arranging Fresh and Artificial Flowers": with Galveston County Master Gardener Jackie Auer presenting, 9-11 a.m., July 28, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Bring your own vase for hands-on arranging. Pre-registration required: Ph 281-534-3413, email galvcountymgs@gmail.com ; for additional details visit   http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html . Free, but registration required.
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 a location in Houston to be determined. For additional information, visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/ or call 713-274-0950.

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

Fort Worth: The Native Plant Society of Texas - North Central Chapter meets the first Thursday of each month, excluding January and July, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m. Guest speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Members, friends, family, guests and the public are welcome. For a list of speakers and topics or more information, visit http://www.txnativeplants.org.
 
Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually meet at 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.
 
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.

Pasadena : The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the  second Thursday of each month  at The Genoa Friendship Garden Educational Building at 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Pasadena. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu .

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 10:00 a.m. 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 Elaine Bell at 817-309-8052.
  
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.

Abilene: The Master Gardeners meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene. For more information, contact Lind Spivey, Corresponding Secretary at spivey209@hotmail.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/.

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.
 
Hallettsville: The Hallettsville Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month from September through May, at the Hallettsville Garden and Cultural Center, 605 E 2nd St, Hallettsville. Each month, the club hosts speakers that provide informative programs on a wide range of gardening subjects, and refreshments are provided by member hostesses after the business meeting. Visitors are welcome. Please email Sharon Harrigan at sharonspetals@yahoo.com for more information.

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.
 
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 June, July and August) at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room of the Leander Presbyterian Church, 101 N. West St., Leander, unless there is a special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, there is a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call President Kathleen Tully at 512-422-8580 or email LeanderGardenClub@gmail.com .
 
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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Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. You may forward this publication to your friends and colleagues if it is sent in its entirety. No individual part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher.

 

Missed an issue? Back issues of Texas Gardener's Seeds, beginning with the first issue in April 2006, are available at www.texasgardener.com/newsletters.

 

Publisher: Chris S. Corby ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

 

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