June 5, 2019
  
Researchers gain ground in rose rosette battle
 
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
 
A comprehensive national effort among 30 industry and academic entities led by Texas A&M gains ground in the battle against rose rosette.
 
 The team has tracked the disease across the U.S., developed new diagnostic tools and expedited breeding with hundreds of new molecular markers.
 
The disease has claimed an estimated $40-$50 million in rose industry losses alongside thousands of jobs, researchers said.
 
Tracking Rose Rosette
 
Since the project's beginning in 2014, part of its $4.6 million grant helped establish https://roserosette.org. The website serves to track disease distribution, said Dr. Kevin Ong, director of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab in College Station. It is also a clearinghouse for educational rosette information.
 
Pathologists have verified more than 2,100 rose rosette occurrences in about 30 states through user photo submissions to the website so far.
 
In Texas, rose rosette is most highly concentrated in a few northern counties around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Meanwhile, states across the Midwest from Kansas to Maryland comprise the densest affected U.S. regions.
 
Detecting the disease

Researchers continue to test an array of genomic tools they've developed since 2014 to verify reported rose rosette. The group's plan - along with renewal of their U.S. Department of Agriculture grant in 2020 - is to produce a serological test, which functions like a home pregnancy test for rose rosette in the field.
 
"These are tools that could be used for consistent, economical rose rosette confirmation," Ong said.
 
This would lead to quicker determinations on rosette presence and more time for growers to plan interventions. But once the virus is detected, understanding how to proceed presents its own challenges.
 
Understanding the virus

The initiative's virology team, led by Dr. Jeanmarie Verchot with Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Dallas, seeks solutions to rose rosette from clues about its underlying emaravirus. The team seeks to capture the virus in field plots at Dallas, and to clone it for observation under greenhouse conditions.
 
"Very little is known about the mechanisms of this virus and how it interacts with plants," Verchot said.
 
Among her team's duties is reconciling varied reports on the virus' genome size and complexity. They will explore gene segment counts, symptomatic effects of each segment on rose plants and the effects of combined segments.
 
"We want to know, 'how is the virus stopped by resistance mechanisms in plants?'" Verchot said. "'Do they block the virus replicating itself, or block it from ever entering the vascular system? How does the virus interact with the plant?' We're at the beginning of all those experiments now."
 
Controlling the mite

In another aspect of the rosette initiative, entomologists seek to control populations of the eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. The arachnid is currently known as the sole distributor of the virus among roses, and entomologists are seeking vector-control methods beyond excessive, expensive miticide application.
 
"They're looking at possible pathogens and microbes that might help control the mite from a biological sense," said the grant's leader, Dr. David Byrne, professor and AgriLife Research rose geneticist, College Station.
 
Still, he said, any mite control measures will need to be bolstered by naturally resistant plants.
 
"In areas where you have rose rosette, you need resistance to rose rosette. Period," he said.
 
Breeding resistant roses

About 4 percent of roughly 1,200 rose cultivars observed during the ongoing grant period exhibit resistance potential after three years, Byrne said.
 
He seeks molecular markers underlying rose rosette resistance to help breed better varieties. Molecular markers denote plant traits associated with their presence along chromosomes. They let researchers quickly select viable cultivars to use for breeding.
 
About 3,000 markers are now identified, compared to roughly 150 at the grant's beginning. The new markers are unassociated with rose rosette. But based on other traits they represent, they allow researchers to weed out 50 percent to 75 percent of seedlings as poor candidates early in horticultural greenhouse trials.
 
"By the time I actually get to field trials, I've saved about 90 percent of the work," Byrne said. "New technology can up that number even further."
 
Major research field plots of the rosette initiative exist in Delaware, Tennessee and Oklahoma - high disease-threat areas. Byrne also explores rose-damaging blackspot disease as a concurrent molecular marker project.
 
Next steps

With a 2020 grant renewal, teams will screen commercial roses for resistance, guaranteeing solutions are more applicable to desirable industry varieties, Byrne said.
 
"We want to dissect what resistance and immunity really is at the molecular level," he said. "We want to get usable markers that we can demonstrate in action to breeding companies."
 
His team plans to implement field spectral imaging to detect pre-symptom responses to rose rosette. They also seek better screening techniques off the field; insights into environmental characteristics of the vector eriophyid mite; and bolstered reporting of rose rosette to the national website.
 
An added provision would support continued work to address blackspot disease.
 
"This is ongoing research, so new discoveries can influence and change how we approach rose rosette disease in the future," Ong said.
The garden reader:
Their legs & abs are dusted with floral scents
 
By William Scheick
 
Paige Embry. Our Native Bees: North America's Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them. Timber Press, 2018. 224 pp. $25.99.
 
While the decline of honeybees has rightly generated news headlines, our even more endangered native bees have remained the less celebrated heroines of our gardens. Sometimes we glimpse them, perhaps a 1-inch carpenter bee or bumblebee; but more often we don't see them, especially the 1/10-inch Perdita minima.
 
Large and small, these busy and invaluable apian natives number more than 4,000 species in North America. Some may already be extinct (such as the Franklin bumblebee), and the safety of the others depends on our restoration or maintenance of supportive habitats - "rethinking normal," in Paige Embry's apt phrase.
 
In an entertaining account of her personal bee adventures (far more fascinating than I had anticipated), Embry's book sets the record straight about the immense value and the precarious future of native bees. Here's an example of her reader-engaging manner - in this instance, a memory of her first encounter with hibernating blue orchard bees:
 
"Hmmm. These little lozenge-shaped cocoons ... don't look big enough to hold a bee the size of a honeybee. Maybe my bees are runts?
 
"Maybe last year was a bad year for bees and the moms weren't able to lay down adequate food stores for babes to grow big and fat? Or maybe the bees are just stuffed in there really tight?
 
"A few cocoons are way smaller than the others, more like the size of two rice grains... All my book knowledge seems useless as I look at these cocoons and wonder at their inhabitants."
 
I enjoyed every page of Our Native Bees.
 
Katherine Pryor. Bea's Bees. Schiffer Publishing, 2019. 40 pp. $16.99.
 
A hardback, beautifully designed for young children, Bea's Bees highlights a little girl's delight in finding and observing a nearby nest of apian neighbors. When they disappear one day, her concern leads her to learn about what these bumblebees require to survive.
 
Bea plants seeds, which eventually flower, and (wonderfully) new bees appear. The child's timely lesson is clear: people need to deliberately foster environments supportive of these extraordinarily important pollinators.
 
Never mind the author's hiccup when representing bumblebees as flying "in and out of a hidden beehive." Hive or nest - sure, there's a technical difference, but an inspirational book as well-intentioned and well-illustrated as this one deserves some poetic license.
 
My Gardening Journal. Fox Chapel Publishing, 2019. 160 pp. $12.99.
 
If you are interested in keeping a log of the many and different bee species visiting your garden, then My Gardening Journal provides a handsomely designed and handy book format for that record.
 
With ample space on every page (each allowing for a 4-year period), your personal documentation would enable you to conveniently keep track of which plants worked and which failed. This record can "help you refine your gardening knowledge and improve future gardens."
 
William Scheick is a Texas Gardener contributing editor and the author of Adventures in Texas Gardening (Texas A&M University Press).
Gardening tips

"Small lengths of broken garden hose can be used to protect the bark of young staked trees," writes Bridget DeLay. "Slip a cut piece of hose onto a length of rope, curve the hose around the tree's trunk and tie securely. Attach the other end of the rope to a stake." 

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 2019 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.
JUNE

La Marque: "Drip Irrigation" with GC Master Gardener Susan Roth presenting, 6:30-8:00 p.m., June 7, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Austin: Perennial flowers, plants that return year-after-year, are both economical and low-maintenance. In selecting perennials for Central Texas, it is always best to choose plants that will tolerate our summer heat, native soils, and infrequent rains. Join life-long plant enthusiast and Travis County Master Gardener Reeve Hobbie as he shares dozens of his favorite tried and true perennials that thrive here with minimal care in our climate and soils. The seminar, sponsored by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, will be held on June 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical Garden. Reeve's collection of beautiful slides and plant descriptions will also highlight how perennials add color and texture to your landscape. He especially likes bearded iris and daylilies, but you'll have to ask him why he doesn't grow them. You are bound to go home with some new plant ideas to try out. No registration is required. Attendance to the seminars is free and open to the public. A park entrance fee is required. The Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical Garden is located at 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin 78746. The 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.tcmastergardeners.org/event/native-and-adapted-perennials-for-central-texas or call Travis County Master Gardener Association at (512) 854-9600.

Dallas: "Mending Habitat for Monarchs & More" will be presented June 8 at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. Discover what Dallas Nature was and what it could be, in a tour of TXDG's Prairie & Pollinator Restoration sites. Free to attend, but pre-registration required. For more information, visit http://TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
 
Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will hold a "Lunch and Learn With the Masters" program Monday, June 10. Helen Collins will present a program on "Propagation of Plants, the Easy Way." The program will be held from noon until 1 p.m. at the Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria. The public may attend free of charge, and those attending may bring sack lunches and beverages.

Dallas: "Bitty Bugs Half-Day Summer Camp" will be presented 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 11, at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. Four ages 3-4.Young ones learn all about bugs in their backyard, and get home by naptime! $20, $17/members. For more information, visit http://TexasDiscoveryGardens.org .

La Marque: "T-bud Grafting of Citrus and Fruit Trees" with GC Master Gardener Sue Jeffco presenting, June 11 at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Pre-registration required. Class size limited to 24, others welcome to observe.
 
La Marque: "Planning for Your Successful Fruit Tree Orchard" with GC Master Gardener Herman Auer presenting, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., June 11, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details   http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Spring: Harris County Master Gardeners Green Thumb Series: Propagation & Seed Saving - 6:30-8:30 p.m., June 11, Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. 713-274-0950; hcmga.tamu.edu .

Dallas: "All About Bugs Day Camp" will be presented June 12, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., for 3-5 year olds and June 13, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for 6-9 year olds, at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. The day is filled with bug encounters, songs, games, and crafts. A perfect event for the young entomologist! $35, $30/members. For more information, visit http://TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.

Rosenberg: Discover how to cultivate enrichment in kids' activities through the interdisciplinary curriculum of the Junior Master Gardener program in a hands-on workshop on June 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg. The cost for the workshop is $25. Attendees will earn 6 CEUs and lunch is provided. Visit https://fbmg.org/junior-master-gardener-teacher-leader-session/ to complete the registration form to reserve your spot. For more information, email mmcdowell@ag.tamu.edu.

Dallas: "Butterfly Tea Party" will be presented June 13, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. Fancy reigns supreme during the tea party! Dress in fancy finery for lightsnacks, tea, arts & crafts, and fancy activities.The day ends with a very fancy storytime. Book soon because this event usually sells out. $15/child 3-11; $12/member. $4 child 1-3; $2/member. Adults pay regular admission. For more information, visit http://TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.

Houston: The topic of the June 13 meeting of the Houston Rose society will be "Using the Right Equipment for the Job." The program will be presented by Bob Patterson, owner of Southwest Fertilizer. Learn valuable tips on garden safety and choosing the correct tools to make your garden jobs easier.  Please note the location for the June 13 meeting is the Cherie Flores Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. Arrive at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments; the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Free admission, visit www.houstonrose.org.

Nacogdoches: Allen Owings, Horticultural Consultant from Hammond, Louisiana, will discuss "Crimes Against Horticulture - Common Improper Practices" at 7:00 p.m., June 13, at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet Street, Nacogdoches. There's a social at 6:00 p.m. and a plant raffle following the lecture.

Pasadena: Harris County Master Gardeners Lecture Series: Propagation: Stems & Leaves by Jean Fefer - 10:00-11:30 a.m., June 13, Genoa Friendship Gardens Educational Center Building, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Pasadena. Free. 713-274-0950; hcmga.tamu.edu  .

Denton: Denton County Master Gardener Association 2019 Fruit, Vegetable, Herb & Flower Show on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Denton County Historical Park and Community Market at 317 West Mulberry Street, Denton. Are you working on a spring garden? Plan now to enter your fruits, vegetables, herbs and/or flowers. Open to all Denton County residents. Entries accepted from 9-10 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. Winners announced at noon. Categories for adults and children. Cash awards!
 
Katy: Harris County Master Gardeners Green Thumb Series: Propagation & Seed Saving - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 15, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. 713-274-0950;  hcmga.tamu.edu.
 
Athens: Join Master Gardener Shannon Greene for a hands-on demonstration on "Common Medicinal Herbs." This demonstration is part of the Henderson County Master Gardener Association's Library Series and will be held on Tuesday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library, 121 S. Prairieville, Athens. Learn about what part of the plants are used, how to prepare the plant parts for use, and storing the prepared herb. Each attendee will assist with making capsules, tinctures, decoctions, and teas. Learn how common Chamomile, Plantain, St. John 's Wort, Lemon Balm, Echinacea, Thyme, and more can be used for common health concerns. This demonstration is free and open to the public. For more information, call 903-675-6130, send an email to hendersoncmga@gmail.com , or visit: txmg.org/hendersonmg.
 
Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners Green Thumb Series: Propagation & Seed Saving - 6:30-8:30 p.m., June 18, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale, Houston. Free. 713-274-0950; hcmga.tamu.edu.

La Marque: "Design Principles for Landscapes" with GC Master Gardener Karen Lehr, Masters in Landscape Architecture, presenting, 9:00-11:00 a.m., June 18, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details   http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners Green Thumb Series: Propagation & Seed Saving - 6:30-8:30 p.m., June 20, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Ln, Houston. Free. 713-274-0950;   hcmga.tamu.edu .

Houston: Houston Urban Food Conference - 8:00-3:30 p.m., June 21, University of Houston Downtown, 201 Girard St., Houston. Choose from 4 sessions, plus keynote speaker, lunch topics and more. $25 for student, $50 general admission. 713-274-0950; https://hufc2019.eventbrite.com.

La Marque: "Growing Cucurbits (summer and winter squash, cucumbers and cantaloupes)": GC Master Gardener Herman Auer, Texas Master Gardener Vegetable Specialist, presenting, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., June 21, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details   http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
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, Sept.- May, at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas, 75230. The club hosts different speakers each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come early and order lunch from the The Cafe, which features a healthy menu, fresh local produce and sustainably produced meats and fish (or call in advance to order  972-338-2233) . For more information about Garden Masters Inc, email Marcia Borders at  borderlineart1@gmail.com .
 
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: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland counties) have monthly meetings at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the West Texas Food Bank, 1601 Westcliff Drive in Midland. For more information 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.
 
Cedar Park/Leander/Liberty Hill: The Hill Country Bloomers meet the second Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main Street, Cedar Park. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to socialize and swap plants and seeds. Meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of topics for the home gardener or landscaper. They host a plant sale in the spring and a garden tour in the late summer/early fall. Throughout the year they contribute time and expertise to local projects. Those with any level of experience are welcome. Non-members are invited to their first meeting at no cost. Membership and speaker info is available at www.hillcountrybloomers.com.

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.   
 
Lockhart: Caldwell County Master Gardeners meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. January through November at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, 1st Floor, 217 S. Main St., Lockhart. A monthly educational horticulture program is presented from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. covering various topics of interest to gardeners and homeowners. For more information, email caldwellcountymg@yahoo.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 Big Country Master Gardeners Association at mgardeners@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/.

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@gmail.com for more information.
 
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter meets at 6:45 pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Houston Arboretum Nature Center (entrances at 4501 Woodway Dr. and 610 West Loop N). For more information about meeting presentations and native plants, visit http://npsot.org/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/.
 
Fort Worth: The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at Texas Garden Club Inc, 3111 Old Garden Club Rd., Fort Worth (located next to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden), 10:00 a.m. to noon, September through June. For more information, email herbalhen@yahoo.com.
 
FOURTH WEEK
 
New Braunfels: The New Braunfels Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the fourth Monday of each month except July and December. Meetings are held at the Westside Community Center, 2932 S. I-35 Frontage Road, New Braunfels. Meetings start at 6:15 p.m. with a meet and greet time, followed by a short business meeting. Programs begin around 7:00. Native plant and seed exchanges are held monthly. Expert speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information or to join, visit www.npsot.org.
 
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.
 
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/.
 
Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month (except November and December) at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Road, Dallas. For more information, visit www.gdogc.org. 
 
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Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2019. 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.

 

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