September 4, 2019
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The garden reader:
When good-looking exotics turn very bad
By William Scheick
Robin W. Doughty and Matt Warnock Turner. Unnatural Texas? The Invasive Species Dilemma. Texas A&M University Press, 2019. $32.00. 272 pp.
 Too often, our local parks have become congested with exotic baddies - "garden escapes" now occupying large swathes of public land. In my own park observations, for example, hedging privet (Ligustrum japonica) knows no bounds; nor does heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), the extent of its public-land grab particularly apparent during winter.
Plants that prove invasive in one place might be tame in others. So, while purple loosestrife (
Lythrum salicaria
) poses no issues in my dry-as-dust gardens, the wetter regions of Texas tell a different story.
Consider, too, the curious case of p
incushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea), a fragrant, summer-blooming, heirloom cutie. While usually unproblematic, it has somehow naturalized in North Central Texas, where it has become a serious threat to native habitats.
In nurturing settings, such plants do not share terrain with indigenous flora. Instead, they totally usurp the place, forming monocultures that out-compete and eventually crowd out surrounding plants and the critters depending on them.
Some garden non-natives (such as mints) can aggressively sprint into the wild without forming tyrannical monocultures. Others, such as Japanese honeysuckle (
Lonicera japonica
), fall somewhere between aggressive and invasive.
Even hybrids of troublesome plants - often toted as safely sterile - can complicate (rather than redress) matters. Allegedly sterile loosestrife cultivars mix and mingle non-stop. And (as
Robin W. Doughty and Matt Warnock Turner indicate in Unnatural Texas?) "85 percent of the saltcedar invasion in the United States consists of hybrids ... genetic combinations missing in the Old World."
Besides creek-choking saltceder (Tamarix spp.), the authors also explore the environmental impact of water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes), water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata) and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) - as well as sparrows, starlings, javelinas, feral cats and red fire ants. Their goal: to demonstrate that "many invasive stories are less straightforward, more nuanced and open to question and opinion" than commonly perceived.
An insightful book, Unnatural Texas? traces the introduction, history and impact of these troublesome species, with an eye-opening emphasis on the authors' most surprising disclosures: the little-known upsides of the notorious baddies' downsides. "The recognition that even invasive species offer ecosystem services reminds us to take care about removing them and making sure that what they do in the larger biological community is being done or can be done by others."
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USDA Forest Service awards first Community Forest Conservation Program Grant in Texas
Texas A&M Forest Service
Through the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, the USDA Forest Service awarded the first grant to a project in Texas. The funds will benefit a community forest project on Sink Creek in the city of San Marcos, Hays County, Texas.
San Marcos was named the fastest-growing city in the United States in 2015 for the third year in a row. Though the city has undergone substantial development, local residents and representatives have held natural resource conservation as a major priority alongside safe accommodation for the growing community. The Sink Creek Project will permanently protect 102.17 acres of sustainably managed forestland and offer the San Marcos community the numerous health, environmental and economic benefits that forested areas provide.
"The city targeted this property for conservation so it can serve as a buffer from development in a particularly sensitive area," said City of San Marcos Urban Forester Kelly Eby. "By awarding these funds to the City, the U.S. Forest Service is joining our efforts to achieve strategic environmental planning."
The protection of the land safeguards the Sink Creek watershed and the headwaters of the San Marcos River, considered to be the heart of the community. The project will also contribute to the city's goal of connecting all of its greenspaces.
"San Marcos is beautifully situated and this project not only preserves some of that ecologically important landscape, but will eventually provide public access for residents and visitors," said Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Legacy Coordinator.
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program allows communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.
Texas Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program grants are available to communities, nonprofits and tribes for the acquisition of lands at least five acres in size and 75 percent forested that provide community benefits and public access. The program provides community benefits through sustainable forest management, while protecting environmentally important areas threatened by development.
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Gardening tips
Gardeners in the northern part of the state should plant English peas, snow peas and snap peas now. Those in the central part of the state can plant them mid-month and south Texas gardeners can wait until early October.
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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SEPTEMBER
Athens: A new Master Gardener training course for Henderson County will begin September 6 and run once a week on Fridays (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) until December 6 at Trinity Valley Community College, 100 Cardinal Way, Athens. If you would like more information about this program, contact the Henderson County Master Gardener Association to get an invitation letter and application at (903) 675-6130 or
hendersoncmga@gmail.com
.
Fredericksburg: "Grow It Cook It: Cauliflower" will be presented noon to 1:00 p.m., September 6. Cost: $15 . Pay at door or ahead of time. Program will cover methods on growing cauliflower and give demonstrations on how to cook it. Recipe samples included. Program at the Gillespie County Extension Office, 95 Frederick Road, Fredericksburg. Contact the Gillespie County Extension Office at (830) 997-3452 for more information.
La Marque: "A Passion for Plumeria (Frangipani)," presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Loretta Osteen, 1:00-3:00 p.m., September 7, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg.
in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration: Ph (281) -534-3413, email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com
; for additional details visit
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
. Free, but you must pre-register.
San Angelo: The Concho Valley Master Gardeners in San Angelo are presenting their annual Fall Landscaping Symposium. The 8th Annual Fall Landscape Symposium will be held Saturday,
September 7, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 7887 N. US Highway 87, San Angelo. Cost is $30 per person. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required. Deadline to register is Wednesday, September 4, but don't wait too late as seats fill up fast. Six excellent speakers who are tops in their fields will be presenting throughout the day at this year's Symposium. Anita Nelson---Adding Water as a Design Element to Your Garden; John Begnaud-Starting From the Ground Up: Earth-Kind Soil Management for the Concho Valley; Jim and Lynne Weber---Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies and Moths; Rufus Stephens---From the Backyard to the Back Forty: Managing Landscapes or Ranch Land to Benefit Native Birds; Dr. Becky Grubbs-Bowling---The Healthy Lawns Checklist: A Simple Guide to Managing a "Happy" and Sustainable Texas Lawn; Registration includes refreshments throughout the day and lunch. On the day of the seminar, sign-in starts at 8 a.m. The speakers start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 3:15 p.m. To pay by check or cash, go to
txmg.org/conchovalley and download the registration form and mail or bring it to the Extension Office, 113 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas 76901. You'll also find parking and hotel information on the website. To pay on-line with a credit card, go to
http://squareup.com/store/cvmg
. For questions or more information call (325) 659-6522. No childcare will be provided.
Austin: The Austin Organic Gardeners' club's September meeting on Monday, September 9, will feature a fall garden panel. The panelists will be representatives from four Austin non-profits growing food for the community: Max Elliot, Executive Director of Urban Roots; Jeremy Rommel, Garden Educator from the Central Texas Food Bank; Lauren Maples, Executive Director of PEAS; and Kristy Sitchler, Garden Assistant from Community First! Village. Learn about their organizations, how they're using their harvests, what they're doing in their gardens for fall, and volunteer opportunities. The Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, in Zilker Botanical Gardens. 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 the guest speaker presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.
Marion: San Antonio is the fastest-growing city in the fastest-growing region in the US. The the majority of immigrants are used to greener, more forgiving climes but, arriving here, buy homes in communities built on former pastures and scrubland. These HOA residents must maintain their properties meticulously. Some familiar grasses and shrubs often die no matter how much water, fertilizer and time the owners spend on them. But fields of wild plants thrive nearby with no tending at all. Yet such plants could never suit HOA-approved small yards, right? Wrong. You can satisfy your HOA, your neighbors, this area's unique wildlife, and even your own timeclock and pocketbook if you'll look again at those seemingly untamable native plants. With their help, you can use far less time and money to create a thrifty, tidy, easy-growing, unique, beautiful and HOA-loving yard. Long-time former president of this NPSOT chapter and a vice president of the state organization, Kathryn Berck will show us how at 7:00 p.m.,
Tuesday, September 10, at
St John Lutheran Church, FM 465, Marion.
Meetings are open to the public. Visitors are welcome. There is a plant/seed exchange and greeting at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, directions to St John's Lutheran Church, or membership applications, visit
http://npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/.
Houston: The topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting Thursday, September 12, will be "Blackspot, Bugs and Garden Safety." The program will be presented by Dr. Allen Owings. Dr. Owings is a retired professor Emeritus at LSU AgCenter. He is a Senior Horticulturist at Bracy's Nursery and an American Rose Society Regional Director. The meeting will be held at 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. For more information, visit www.houstonrose.org.
Nacogdoches: Heather Thormahlen, Territory Manager, Treetown USA, Houston, will present "Nature's Bounty for Home and Business - Using Natural Vegetation for Wreaths, Garlands and Table Decorations," at 7:00 p.m., September 12, at the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet Street, Nacogdoches. There's a social at 6:30:00 p.m., preceding the presentation.
Kaufman: "Learning to Love Your Lawn: Texas Turfgrass Management," with Dr. Chrissie Segars, Texas A&M Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist. Saturday, September 14, from 8:30 am to noon at the Garden Learning Center/South Annex, 3003 S. Washington Street, Kaufman. Dr. Segars will talk about soil testing, irrigation systems testing, weed and disease control, and application of fertilizers for the four most popular grasses in our area: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Buffalo. Cost is $5 per person. Pre-register at (972) 932-9069 or by email to sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.
Austin: Join Master Gardener Jerry Naiser at a free gardening seminar as he takes you through the steps of selecting, planting and caring for your trees. The seminar, sponsored by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, will be held on Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical Garden. There are many types of trees. Matching a tree's characteristics and growing requirements with your personal preferences is the first step to successfully adding or replacing trees that will increase the value of your property and bring you enjoyment for many years. Planting the tree in the right season, ideally between October and April here in Central Texas, allows the tree's roots to grow and get established before the heat of the summer is upon us. Naiser will highlight proper steps in planting that help reduce transplant shock and root damage to the tree. Providing care immediately upon planting and regular preventive maintenance ensures the tree's successful development and growth. No registration is required. Attendance to the seminar is free and open to the public. A park admission fee is required. The Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical Garden is located at 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin. Park admission fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over), and $3 for non-Austin Residents. Cash or check accepted.
La Marque: "Kitchen Gardening," presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Mary Dememy, 1:00-3:00 p.m., September 14, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg.
in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration: Ph (281) 534-3413, email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com
; for additional details visit
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
. Free, but you must pre-register.
Athens: As part of the Henderson County Master Gardener Association's Library Series, Master Gardener Addie Matney will give a presentation on Day Lillies. Her presentation will be held on Tuesday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library, 121 S. Prairieville, Athens. Matney received her Master Gardener certification in McLennan County. She also has certifications as a Vegetable Specialist and in Native Plant Landscaping. This presentation 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.
Dripping Springs/San Marcos: The Hays County Master Gardeners will host their annual plant sale September 18 and 21. This year we will feature native and adapted perennials, herbs and Texas Superstar plants, which are highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife. For those new to gardening, there will be an information table staffed with Master Gardeners who will provide planting guidance. The Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale will be held at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market, Wednesday, September 18, 3:00-6:00 p.m., 160 E Mercer St, Dripping Springs and at the San Marcos Farmers Market, Saturday, September 2, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1901 Alpine Trail, San Marcos. For more information, visit https://txmg.org/hays/.
Dripping Springs and San Marcos: T
he Hays County Master Gardeners will host their annual Fall Plant Sale at the he Dripping Springs Farmers Market, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 18, at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market ,160 E Mercer St, Dripping Springs, and at the San Marcos Farmers Market, Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1901 Alpine Trail, San Marcos. Learn more at
https://txmg.org/hays/
.
Cash and credit card accepted.
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter presents their annual Wildscapes Workshop, September 21, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Anderson-Clark Center at Rice University, 6100 S. Main St., Houston. This is a one-day educational event which benefits local native plant gardens, grants, and scholarships. Admission includes four presentations by native plant and wildlife experts, lunch and refreshments, book sale, native plant sale, silent auction, prize drawing, as well as the opportunity to network with other native plant lovers. Early Bird Price $45/$40 NPSOT Members and TPWD), $50. After Aug 31. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a sponsor, visit https://npsot.org/wp/houston/event-overview/wildscapes-workshop/.
La Marque: "T-bud Grafting of Citrus and Fruit Trees (hands-on workshop," presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Nancy Langston-Noh, 9:00-11:00 am., September 21. Hands-on workshop limited to 20 participants, must pre-register; others welcome to observe. Location: at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg.
in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration: Ph (281) 534-3413, email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com
; for additional details visit
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
. Free, but you must pre-register.
La Marque: "Turning Dirt into Soil - Creating an Ideal Soil," presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Jim Gilliam, 1:00-3:00 p.m., September 21, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg.
in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration: Ph (281) 534-3413, email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com
; for additional details visit
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
. Free, but you must pre-register.
Rosenberg: The "Fall Vegetables" class will be held on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; doors open at 8:30 a.m. at the
Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg
.
Classes combine indoor and outdoor lessons. Participants will learn how to start a garden, the keys to success, what to plant and when, and how to reap the benefits of year-round food production in Fort Bend County. A portion of the class will be taught in our demonstration gardens.
This is the fifth class in our Grow Your Own six-class series on creating a productive, edible garden in the home landscape presented by the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Fort Bend County. The cost per class per attendee is $15.
For information on the remaining classes in this series visit
https://fortbend.agrilife.org/grow-your-own/
. Advanced registration is preferred, but we also welcome walk-ins. Save the date...and bring a friend for this great Grow Your Own class.
For additional information contact Brandy Rader at (281) 342-3034 or
brandy.rader@ag.tamu.edu
.
Online: Garden Communicators International (GardenComm) will present two online webinars: 'Move Over Hydrangeas, Houseplants are Taking Over' and 'Mastering Mobile Photography'. Both classes will be recorded for later purchase, and are open to members of the general public who may have an interest either or both of these topics. 'Move Over Hydrangeas, Houseplants are Taking Over' will be offered
September 24, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST and will focus on houseplant tips, care, and becoming the best houseplant parent you can be. The class is led by Lisa Eldred-Steinkopf, the Houseplant Guru, who has written for many magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens magazine and HGTVgardens.com and has published multiple books about houseplants. On Tuesday,
October 8, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST, the 'Mastering Mobile Photography' class will take place, and it will feature tips and tricks for using a mobile phone camera and apps to help participants build confidence in photographing scenes and gardens more effectively. The class will be taught by Jennifer Packard, who grew up in Western North Carolina, has traveled extensively, and has experience photographing many different types of landscapes. Because the classes will be held online, anyone can join in from the comfort of their home or office. The cost of each class is $30 or $15 for GardenComm members, and the classes will be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend during the live sessions. For more information about these webinars, visit
https://gardencomm.org/GardenComm-Events-Webinars.
Friendswood: "Rainwater Harvesting," presented by Nat Gruesen, Galveston County Master Gardener and Certified Rainwater Harvesting Specialist, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., September 28, at Friendswood Public Library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood.
La Marque: "Herbs of the Gulf Coast," presented by Galveston County Master Gardeners Nancy Langston-Noh and Briana Etie, 9:00-11:00 a.m., September 28, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg.
in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Pre-registration: Ph (281) 534-3413, email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com
; for additional details visit
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
. Free, but you must pre-register.
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OCTOBER
Tyler: 1st Tuesday in the Garden. "Summer Bulbs". October 1; noon-1:00 p.m. Join Anne Pattullo and Tommie Grinnell, Smith County Master Gardeners, for an informal informative session highlighting the bulbs to be offered in the From Bulbs To Blooms Sale October 12. Held in the IDEA Garden within the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler. The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for your comfort. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Tyler Rose Center. For more information call (903) 590-2980 or visit
https://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/.
Hitchcock: "Galveston County Master Gardener Annual Fall Plant Sale," October 12, 8:00-8:50 a.m. - Information seminar about plants for sale; 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Plant sale. Thousands of plants adapted to the Texas Gulf Coast growing area. Volunteer certified master gardeners present to answer questions. Galveston County Fair Grounds in Jack Brooks Park-Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 and Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock. Additional details:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
.
Tyler: The Smith County Master Gardeners will host "From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale" at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W Front St., October 12. Registration begins 8:30 a.m. Greg Grant, Texas gardener contributing editor, will present "Earth-Kind Bulbs for Year Round Beauty" at 9:00 a.m. The bulb/plant sale begins at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 590-2980 or visit
https://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/.
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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
Jasper:
The Jasper County Master Gardeners meet on the first Monday of each month at St. Michael's Catholic Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The evening begins with pot luck social and then guest presentations and/or educational class to conclude. Visit https://jasper.agrilife.org/jasper-master-gardeners/ 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; Visit
https://mastergardener.tamu.edu/become/ to become a member.
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 Insider's Tour at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Spaces are limited so pre-registration is encouraged. $15, free for members. For more information, visit http://peckerwoodgarden.org/product/peckerwood-insiders-tours/.
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. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; club business begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation. 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.
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 American Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Fwy. 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 a garden Lecture Series at 11:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Spaces are limited so pre-registration is encouraged. Lectures are free to the public. For more information, http://peckerwoodgarden.org/product/peckerwood-garden-lecture-series/.
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, hosts a garden Open Days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. Drop-in tours are permitted but pre-registration is encouraged. Docent led tours are $10 for guests, free for members. For more information, http://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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