April 3, 2019
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The garden reader:
Native blooms showcase color and attract wildlife
By William Scheick
Nan Sterman. Hot Color, Dry Garden: Inspiring Designs and Vibrant Plants for the Waterwise Gardener. Timber Press, 2018. 320 pp. $24.95.
 At the outset of her inspiring new book, Nan Sterman debunks three misconceptions about water-thrifty gardens. They are not brown or colorless, they are not scrubby or spare and they are not merely rocks or dirt.
As proof, half of Hot Color features a well-illustrated gallery highlighting established gardens that should banish any skepticism about the feasibility of lushness in xeriscaped settings. One example, aptly titled "Native Confetti," makes a visual impact akin to an Impressionistic painting.
These landscape profiles include personal recollections of how these spaces came to exist as well as memories of hands-on experiences with specific plants and circumstances. Sidebars provide a handy summary of the facts, figures and key plants figuring in the formation of each of these gardens.
The other half of Sterman's book offers a useful directory of suitable plants, ranging from the sprays of big red kangaroo paws to the multi-colored trumpets of 'Changeling' monkey flowers. Also worth a second look: twisted, mahogany-barked manzanitas - small trees/shrubs native to the edge of East Texas.
David Mizejewski. Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife. Creative Homeowner, 2019. 168 pp. $19.99.
 David Mizejewski shares Nan Sterman's celebration of native plants. His brightly illustrated and information-rich new book (for the National Wildlife Federation) aims to reclaim our yards as habitats for wildlife.
"We need to reconnect our cities, towns and neighborhoods back into the ecosystem they were once a part of by restoring the green infrastructure that supports local and migratory wildlife." When cultivating native flora that serves as shelter as well as nectar and seed sources, gardeners should aim for a sequence that "provide[s] food throughout the year in all four seasons."
The author presents types of habitation, feeders and even supplemental-food, including a recipe to nourish hummingbirds. He supplies ample bird-feeding tips and a list of preferred avian edibles.
Mizejewski's book teems with many other helpful ideas, such as fashioning pinecones into food-stations and chiseling a tree stump to fashion a birdbath. Likewise not to be missed: easy-to-build nests for native bees - most preferring tunnels or hollowed-out stems.
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What do gardens bring to urban ecosystems?
Soil Science Society of America
"A healthy community requires healthy soil." This idea spurred a consortium of researchers, farmers, and community garden practitioners to dive into the challenges-and opportunities-of urban agriculture. Their efforts, now in a second year, may highlight how urban soil can be a resource for human and environmental health.
"We can benefit from how we manage the environment," says researcher Jennifer Nicklay. "Clean water, clean air, and agriculture benefit us, our waterways, and wildlife. We put a value on crop yield, which is all well and good. But in urban ag, we're in such proximity to other humans. The other benefits become really important to think of as a whole."
Nicklay is a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota. Along with researchers at the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University, all located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region, Nicklay is working with four urban growers to understand the contributions of city soils.
The growers have unique approaches to their urban plots. One group emphasizes community building and education, another culturally-relevant food. Another uses a community-supported agriculture model, while a final group emphasizes community reconciliation over yield.
For all groups, land permanence in the urban environment is a challenge. A lease may expire, a city code may prevent perennial plantings, or a tax burden prove unmanageable. "When you don't know how long you'll be there, it's hard to invest in long-term solutions," Nicklay says. "All the growers value land tenure and land access."
From the growers' perspective, "healthy soil" means it has enough organic matter and nutrients to encourage good plant growth. It's loose instead of compacted so water can move freely. From here, the concept of a "healthy community" moves upwards from the microbiome of helpful soil bacteria to insects, wildlife, and humans.
There's often more than just soil in the soil, from copper wires to chemical contamination. This challenges the growers. Researchers hope to also determine if they can leave the urban plots better than they found them.
The team is comparing the findings to another urban farm owned and monitored by the University of St. Thomas. They are also comparing the urban ag plots to urban green spaces such as parks. To do so, researchers gather soil and plant samples - some weekly, some less often - for 20 different lab tests. The results will provide information on urban ag's ecosystem services: changes to microbe and insect populations, water quality, soil fertility, and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers also measure how much each urban plot will grow given different growing practices.
The two distinct growing experiences build on each other. "The University of St. Thomas farm allows us to scaffold the data. We can control more variables, see patterns and put them into context. In the less-controlled scenarios of our four urban growers we see the range of possibilities in the real world," Nicklay explains.
The team operates within a unique collaborative model. An annual "All Hands" meeting in the waning winter months unifies community and university participants with common goals. Weekly workdays and check-ins during the growing season maintain contact with grower sites to help share findings and address concerns. Community meetings and events throughout the year continue this close relationship.
"These regular, repeated interactions - in ways that are both related and not related to the project - are really, really important," Nicklay emphasizes. "It allows us to honor grower and community knowledge in all aspects of our work, from generating questions to designing methods to analyzing data."
Nicklay says the process is time-intensive but rewarding. "When something hasn't gone well, they tell me. We're able to work through it," she says. "We're getting so much from the farmers. We want to give back and answer community questions. We make sure people know we're here and invested in their success."
This research project will conclude in 2020. Researchers hope their findings will help urban growers and policymakers make better land use decisions.
"We need local, data-driven evaluation of these ecosystem services to complement our narratives and experiments in order to maximize land use strategies," Nicklay says. "Already, we're thinking to the future. We know that there are innumerable community and home gardens in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and we want to figure out how to capture the impacts they are having. We can help researchers, growers, communities, and policymakers understand the potential impacts of urban agriculture at this larger scale."
Nicklay presented this project
at the Soil Science Society of America International Soils Meeting, Jan. 6-9, in San Diego. Funding from the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Research and Education Grant and the University of Minnesota Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment, and Life Sciences supports this continuing research.
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Gardening tips
Now is the time to plant caladiums There are two types of caladiums. Fancy Leafed varieties produce large, heart shaped leaves and do best in shade. Strap Leafed varieties produce slightly smaller leaves. However, they take sun better and work well in containers. Plant your bulbs with about an inch of soil over them in well-draining soil.
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.
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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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APRIL
Orangefield:
The Orange County Master Gardeners will hold their annual Master Gardener Certification training starting April 4. Classes will be held in two semesters this year. First semester will be from April 4 thru May 30 and the second semester will be September 5 thru November 14. Each class will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:30 p.m. with most taking place at the Orange County EXPO Center, 11475 FM 1442, Orangefield. Some classes will be off site and on Saturdays. Class fee is $110 which includes your Texas Master Gardener Handbook, all class supplies and background check. Training will be presented by Master Gardeners, local horticulture specialists, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agents and USDA
employees. For more information visit https://txmg.org/orange, call (409) 882-7010 or email sheribethard@yahoo.com.
Dallas: Horticulture Director Roger Sanderson and Entomologist John Watts will lead a "Butterfly Gardening Workshop," 9:30 a.m.-noon. April 6, at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. For more information, visit TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.
Friendswood: "Successful Container Gardening," with Karolyn Gephart and Kay Corey, Galveston County Master Gardeners and Keep Friendswood Beautiful, presenting 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,
April 6, at Friendswood Public Library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood Ph (281) 309-5065; email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com; for additional details
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html. Free, but pre-registration required.
Friendswood: "Gardening for Jewels - Hummingbirds," with Deborah Repasz, Galveston County Master Gardener & Master Naturalist, presenting 1-3 p.m.,
April 6 at Friendswood Public Library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood; Ph (281) 309-5065; email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com; for additional details
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html. Free, but pre-registration required.
Hempstead:
Peckerwood Garden presents Peckerwood Insider's Tour: Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd., Hempstead. Collections located across the creek. Pre-Registration Required. Join us for our spring tour of the collections north of the creek. Seen from afar on our general tours, this is a special opportunity to learn more about the unique plants that hide in the collections of the north dry garden along with rare trees, shrubs and perennials in the surrounding dry woodland garden. The nursery will be open. Purchase Tickets. $15 admission and parking, Free for members. For more info, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ or eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
Schulenberg: The Schulenburg Garden Club is holding a Standard Flower Show on Tuesday,
April 9, at Schulenburg Civic Center, 1107 Hillje, Schulenburg. Free admission, open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. Lunch, plants and homemade goodies offered for sale. This year's theme is America's First Ladies.
Houston: The topic of the
April 11 meeting of the Houston Rose society will be "Hybridizing, A Child Can Do It and So Can You." The program will be presented by Mary Fulgham, a master consulting rosarian and past president of the Houston Rose Society. She grows more than 300 roses in her Bellaire garden. Mary will demonstrate her method of cross-pollinating roses for hybridization. This is the same method she taught her daughter Ivy Keen when Ivy was six years old! Ivy went on to create more than 50 of her own cultivars. Please note the location for the April meeting has changed. It will be held at the Lott Clubhouse, 6201 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. Arrive at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments; the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Free admission. For more information, visit
www.houstonrose.org.
Dallas: Horticulture Director Roger Sanderson shows how to incorporate native and adapted plants into your landscape at a "Plant Sale Safari," 3:00 p.m.-4 p.m., April 12, at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, Fair Park at Gate 6, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. Attending allows entry into the following Members' sale. $25, $10/members. For more information, visit TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.
Dallas: Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park will host a Pollinator Plant Sale 4: p.m.-7:00 p.m., April 12 (members) and 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., April 13 and 14 (non-members). For more information, visit TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.
Tyler:
Smith County Master Gardeners at the Library, April 12. "Super charge your garden with Texas Superstar plants" presented by Smith County Master Gardeners, Advanced Training - Texas Superstars. Tyler Public Library, 201 S College, Tyler, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. Overflow free parking in garage across from the library.
Austin: The 2019 East Austin Garden Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center, 2608 Gonzales St., Austin. The Fair is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Travis County Master Gardener Association, the fair will have more than 50 booths exhibiting on a variety of gardening topics. There will be a just-for-kids section, plant giveaway, lots of free gardening materials, and complimentary soil screening. (See instructions at
http://austintexas.gov/soilkitchen.)
Travis County Master Gardeners will provide information on a variety of horticulture topics, while community partner organizations, such as Sustainable Food Center, Central Texas Food Bank, Green Corn, H.E.B, will provide information on related services, programs and projects. For more information, call (512) 854-9600 or visit https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/local-extension-resources/east-austin-garden-fair/.
Cedar Park: Shop for inexpensive plants for your garden or landscaping project at the Hill Country Bloomers Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cedar Park Rec Center, 1435 Main Street, Cedar Park. Look for the sale around back on the patio and in the adjoining meeting room. Expect incredible prices on a wide variety of plants for any lighting conditions that are perfect for Cedar Park and Leander soil and climate. Many were propogated by club members from plants that are thriving in their gardens. Get tips on planting and growing your selections while there. This is an affordable way to fill your gardens while supporting a local garden club! Rain or Shine. Cash, Checks or Credit Cards accepted.
Learn more about Hill Country Bloomers and our monthly gardening/landscaping presentations at www.hillcountrybloomers.com.
Conroe:
Educational Classes. Session 1:
The Which, What & How of Spring Blooms
, 8:00 til 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, Identification and descriptions of plants everyone will want in their gardens. The right plant in the right place! Learn the steps needed to produce healthy, beautiful plants. Session 2:
Multiplying Your Blooms!
10:30 til 12:30. Receive info on various ways to propagate plants. Tour the demonstration gardens and greenhouses, then propagate a plant to take home!
$5 per session or $8 for both.
Montgomery County Master Gardeners, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. For more information, visit http://www.mcmga.com or call (936) 539-7824.
Granbury: Granbury Master Gardener Association (LGMG) will have its annual plant sale from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at the LGMG garden, 1410 West Pearl St., Granbury. Rain or shine. For information, call (817) 579-3280 or visit https://txmg.org/hcmg/.
Hempstead:
Peckerwood Garden presents Peckerwood Garden Open Day: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd., Hempstead. Visitors enjoy 1-hour guided tours of the garden led by knowledgeable docents. Guided tours are offered approximately every 30 minutes, leaving between 10 am and 2 pm. The nursery will be open.Purchase Tickets. $10 admission and parking, Free for members. For more info, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ or eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
Hempstead:
Peckerwood Garden presents the Peckerwood Garden Lecture Series: Friday, April 20, 5 p.m., 20559 FM 359 Rd., Hempstead. Camellia Research - Species and Cultivars with Dr. Jiyuan Li, China Academy of Forestry Science. Refreshments provided. Register now! Free admission and parking, $10 for the tour at 10 am. The nursery will be open. For more info, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ or eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
Hempstead:
Peckerwood Garden presents Peckerwood Garden Open Day: Saturday, April 27, 10 am. - 3pm, 20559 FM 359 Rd., Hempstead. Visitors enjoy 1-hour guided tours of the garden led by knowledgeable docents. Guided tours are offered approximately every 30 minutes, leaving between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The nursery will be open. Purchase Tickets. $10 admission and parking, Free for members. For more info, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ or eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.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 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.
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@yahoo.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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