January 18, 2023
Freeze damaged pansies in College Station. (Texas A&M photo by Courtney Sacco)
Tips from AgriLife Extension on pruning damage, cool-weather annuals, spring garden planning
By Susan Himes,
Texas A&M Extension Service

The cold weather and freezing temperatures at the end of the year damaged grasses, plants and trees across the state. The coldest December in Texas in 40 years left gardeners dealing with the ugly aftermath in their gardens and yards.
 
“We now have a lot of ugly vegetation,” said Larry Stein, Ph.D., horticulture specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and associate department head and professor within the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Uvalde. “As we have said in the past, learn to like ugly for a while, as there is more winter to come and this vegetation will provide a bit of protection. And, also, we don’t know exactly what has been injured.”
 
Stein advised gardeners to leave any damaged greenery in place and avoid pruning, weeding and cleaning up yards and gardens until they are confident the cold weather has passed your area for the year.
 
While waiting out the weather to see what plants recover, he offered the following gardening guide for January.
 
Water and fertilize cool-weather annuals
 
Continue to water and fertilize cool-weather annuals such as snapdragons, Bells of Ireland, stocks, larkspur, pansies, violas and sweet alyssum to encourage the best blooms.
 
“Even some cool-weather plants took a hit with the recent cold, but they will recover if you take care of them,” he said.
 
Transplant mature or established trees and shrubs
 
While they are dormant, January is an excellent time to transplant mature or established trees and shrubs.
 
For extra help identifying what tree works best for your yard and tips on how to buy them, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Tree Planting Guide.
 
Check plants for winter pests
 
Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs overwinter in the pouch and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to feed on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches reduce future damage.
 
Plan and prepare for spring flower and vegetable gardens
 
Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Time spent “armchair gardening” by the fireplace will pay off in improved plant selection. Besides, it is fun to page through the garden catalogs and books while contemplating changes in your garden.
 
Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias and impatiens should be sown in January or February. Warm-temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February.
 
Prepare beds and garden areas for spring planting. Till in several inches of compost, composted pine bark or similar material.
 
Extend the life of holiday poinsettias
 
The life of poinsettias and other holiday season plants can be prolonged with proper care. Keep the soil moist but provide drainage so excess moisture can flow from the pot. Keep the plant out of the range of heating ducts and away from heating units. Keep it in a cool room at night, preferably at 60 to 65 degrees.
 
Apply slow-release fertilizer to cool season annuals
 
Apply slow-release fertilizer to pansies and other cool-season annuals. Distribute 5 pounds of cotton seed or alfalfa meal per 100 square feet of bed area or use commercial slow-release fertilizer products according to label instructions.
 
Don’t fertilize newly set out trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly the first year. When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially when dealing with bare-root plants. The medium to small sizes, 4-6 feet, are usually faster to become established and more effective in a landscape than larger sizes.
 
Remember to like the ugly, for now
 
Resist pruning bush roses and grapes until mid-February or early March in northern parts of the state. Herbaceous perennials and hardy ornamental grasses may also be cut back at this time.
 
It may be easier to assess the extent of freeze damage on citrus and semi-tropical plants when warm weather arrives. When new growth begins, remove damaged material.
 
For more gardening advice, explore Aggie Horticulture’s diverse and robust educational resources and programs.
Scarecrow
Editor's Note: Gardening news is slow at the beginning of the year, and many gardeners are unable to work in their gardens during winter. We thought you might enjoy a change of pace during this slow season, so following is a gardening-themed short story presented for your enjoyment. — Michael Bracken, editor 

By Cory Braidon
 
You remember me mentioning Shorty, us digging up potatoes one time, looking for a lost thimble. Another time, we set up a scarecrow for his mom. Her garden’s wide as a field. Easy to lose something in that field.
 
Shorty — his ironic name — asks for a hand, he gets it.
 
“Shoulda done this sooner for her,” he admits, “but you know.”
 
Yah, I know. We have our work, and the hours ain’t regular.
 
Shorty’s mom sewed the scarecrow. Baggy pants, legs noosed at the bottom. A classy shirt, pocket torn a little. Stuffed pantyhose jammed inside the pants and sleeves. Cinched burlap head, an Astros baseball cap stitched on top, shiny metal-disk eyes, lipsticked red gash for a mouth. No ears.
 
Maybe a clown, maybe a demon.
 
“I read that scarecrows don’t shoo birds for long,” I mention. We’re working on two-by-fours for posts to make the clothes stand up good, not blow over.
 
“Mom believes. Stop them pecking at her tomatoes and corn ears,” Shorty tells me. “She swears at ’em.”
 
“Too bad the weather’s so hot here or she could plant crocus to do that.”
 
“Crow cuss? That’s a plant?” Shorty’s thinking a bit, lets it go, then adds, “Crows’re thugs. Beat up birds, scheme together stealing stuff.”
 
“Some use tools, hold grudges, too,” I said.
 
“Mom says they stalk her, yank her hair when she’s out here.”
 
“Funny thing I read in the Chronicle — a bunch of crows is called a murder.”
 
Shorty’s quiet again, maybe wondering if I’m pulling his leg or something.
 
“A murder, huh?” He glances at the crumpled lifeless thing on the ground.
 
“When a crow kills another crow, is that a murder within a murder?”
 
“Dunno. Sounds complicated. Why I never bother with the Chronicle.”
 
I glance up and notice a thick crow sailing over us. It lands on an oak branch, stares down at Shorty and me, like it’s listening close. Or maybe meaning something I don’t get yet.
 
Then a thought comes to me. I ask Shorty if he’s ever heard about crows carrying the spirits of dead people.
 
“Mom’s seen them crowd up and caw at a funeral once.” He wipes his brow, tugs to loosen his sweaty shirt from his back. “Their poking around the garden gives her the creeps.”
 
“Maybe a croquet mallet would work.”
 
“Nah. This drill and screws’re all we need.”
 
I imagine a crowbar but drop it.
 
Near the corn rows we build the frame, then pick up shovels to dig two deep holes to sink the posts in cement. But I’m digging hard in my mind too because I recognize the pricy plaid shirt on the sprawled dummy.
 
There was this deal went south about a signed mint baseball card. The dupe cons to the fake, makes a fuss. Shorty puts on his gag shirt printed with “Woke Up on the Wrong Side of Capitalism.” We show up, scare the dupe good, no batting practice needed.
 
Looks like the scare didn’t stick, though, and the score got settled another way. No second chances with Shorty. “It’s not complicated,” he likes to say, “there’s just winning or losing, nothing in between.” He keeps things simple and why he’s outstanding at what he does.
 
I look at the shirt on the ground and notice a slight bulge from something small inside the stained pocket. I bend and move my hand over the pocket but don’t touch it. Instead, I finger the tiny seagull stitched near the collar and remember the time Shorty lured a mess of gulls with peanut butter smeared on our high-school coach’s car. But that’s another story, and my mind’s digging hard into something right in front of me.
 
“This here,” I point at the stitched bird, “reminds me that hawks can rip crows and gulls right outta the air.”
 
“You seen that?”
 
“Seen this shirt before.”
 
Shorty stops digging, strong-grips the shovel two-handed like a bat. “Yeah.” He looks me straight in the eye.
 
“That stuffed-shirt dupe was dumber than we thought. Held a grudge, ended up here. Mom sees him outside one night, calls me on the cell, says a deranged guy’s trampling her garden.”
 
“What?”
 
“I get here, grab his arm, bend it up hard, drag him out where Mom can’t see.”
 
“She could’ve used her shovel,” I kid, knowing his mom.
 
“Nah. She hates violence. Was upset but would’ve felt sorry for him.”
 
“How’d he find her?”
 
“Dunno. Maybe seen me driving her home from the food bank. She grows a lot for them. He was stoned — couldn’t get much outa him.”
 
“Except his shirt that got torn and this Astros cap?”
 
“Got more than that.” Shorty goes quiet — you could almost hear the seconds tick in the wind. Like a lotta times with Shorty, I’m not sure what’s coming.
 
Then he says, “You know that crone judge who always squawks at people on TV that Mom watches? She’d say that baseball-card clown shoulda put on his listening ears.”
 
I got the picture then. No need to second guess. Shorty and me known each other since high-school baseball. Coulda gone worse for the dupe in that big field.
 
Shorty shovels out a bit more dirt and tells me, “Made sense the dummy should donate to Mom’s scarecrow.”
 
I nod, take a swallow of Corona, letting Shorty’s joke sink in deeper. I almost joke back about his mom’s scarecrow not being just another stuffed shirt, now that he’s dressed to be outstanding in his field. But I think twice and just dummy up.
 
A Pushcart Prize recipient, Cory Braidon has published short stories in literary journals (such as New Texas), popular periodicals (such as Mystery Magazine) and Seeds (January 19, 2022).
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.
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has caused the cancellation or rescheduling of many events these past few years. If you wish to attend any of the events listed below, please contact the presenters in advance to determine if the event has been cancelled, postponed, moved online or if it will take place as scheduled.
JANUARY
 
La Marque: Veggie Garden Series: Growing Great Tomatoes, Part 2, Saturday, January 21, 9:00 a.m-11:30 a.m. in the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park at 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Part two of three programs Growing Great Tomatoes by Galveston County Master Gardener Ira Gervais. Gervais reveals his secrets of successful production of great tomatoes. Learn about various varieties that do well in this area, when to transplant your seedlings, and best growing techniques. Receive information about soil requirements, nutrients, and temperature range for best tomato fruit set. With this knowledge, you can become the tomato king or queen on your street and be challenged by your friends. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars, or call 281-309-5065.
 
La Marque: Urban Orchard Series: Propagating Fig Trees, Saturday, January 21, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park at 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Explore best methods propagating and pruning fig trees with Galveston County Master Gardener Barbara Canetti. Canetti will cover fig growth habit and fruiting varieties, as well as maintenance. We will visit the Discovery Garden Orchard for hands-on experience with the fig collection. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars, or call 281-309-5065.

College Station: The 59th annual Texas Pecan Short Course will be held Jan. 23-26 at the Texas A&M University Horticulture Teaching Research and Extension Center, 3199 County Road 269 East, about 9 miles west of Texas A&M University, College Station. The short course will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Registration is now open, but seating is limited. Cost is $300, and participants must preregister at https://tx.ag/2023PecanShortCourse. Lunch will be provided each day and participants should wear clothing and footwear suitable to outdoor activities in Texas during the winter. The four-day course will encompass both classroom learning and hands-on demonstrations. Nesbitt and other experts from the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences will teach the course. Demonstrations will take place nearby at the Texas A&M University Pecan Orchard, a research and teaching pecan orchard covering 56 acres with over 1,500 trees. Demonstrations will include: Harvest equipment, spray equipment, tree planting, and training, pruning and grafting.

Conroe: Montgomery County Master Gardener Fruit and Nut Tree Sale, Saturday, January 28, presentation at 8, sale begins at 9 a.m. til noon. Live and in person! Come get your fruit and nut tree and other good plants. The plant catalog is ready and open for viewing at this link: mcmga.square.site/shop. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe, 936-539-7824, mcmga.com.
FEBRUARY

Online: "Backyard Poultry Fundamentals" will be presented by Shannon Dietz, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent-Horticulture, at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 2. This virtual presentation is free, but registration is required: https://homegrown2023a.eventbrite.

Houston: Weather permitting, the annual Houston Rose Society February Rose Pruning Demonstration will be held outdoors at 2:00 p.m., February 11, in person, in the St. Andrew’s Church courtyard at St. Andrew’s Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., Houston. Participants are encouraged to bring their pruning shears and gloves to the event. Immediately following the pruning demonstration, participants are invited and encouraged to assist in pruning the rose bushes located throughout the St. Andrew’s church grounds.
MARCH

Round Top: The Herb Society of America, Pioneer Unit’s Annual Plant and Gift Sale. Friday, March 17th, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your carts and wagons to Round Top Festival Institute to fill with plants from our annual plant and gift sale. Replace those plants that didn't make it through the winter with items from our great selection of bedding plants, herbs, shrubs and succulents. You'll find new varieties and old favorites in the plant sale as well as lovely garden gifts and delicious food items in the Thyme Well Spent Shop. Admission is free. 248 Jaster Road, Round Top. See http://herbsocietypioneer.org/events or call 832-867-9617.

Jacksonville: Cherokee County Master Gardeners Spring Conference will be held March 25, 2023, 1:00-4:00 at the First Christian Church, 1920 Beaumont, Jacksonville. For questions contact Brenda Sheridan at 903-571-7417.
Weekly Meetings

Galveston: The Young Gardeners Program is a school garden and healthy eating program operating on Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. Every Saturday, 9-11 a.m., they host a garden Community Day at one of the schools. It's an opportunity for community members to work and play in the garden and it's kid-friendly. First Saturday - Crenshaw, 416 State Hwy 87, Crystal Beach; Second Saturday - Rosenberg Elementary, 721 10th St., Galveston; Third Saturday - Morgan Elementary, 1410 37th St., Galveston; Fourth Saturday - Oppe Elementary, 2915 81st St., 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
 
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 Gardener Association meets the first Monday of each month (second Monday if the first is a holiday) the First Community Church at 1402 Trinity Drive in Crandall. An educational program begins at 10 a.m., followed by the business meeting. For topic and additional information, visit http://www.kcmga.org/ and check Events. Refreshments will be available. For more information or to ask about accommodations, call 469-376-4520, or email Jackie Robertson at jrobertson@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.

Schulenberg: Schulenburg Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 11:30 a.m., September-May, at the Schulenburg First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 110 Upton Ave., Schulenburg.

Corpus Christi: The Coastal Bend Cactus and Succulent Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. The purpose is to stimulate an interest in cactus and succulent plants by providing a forum to foster and broaden knowledge of the plants. Join the society on Facebook: Coastal Bend Cactus & Succulent Society.

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 Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, 302 Nolan Street, Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door of the Family Life Building. 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.
 
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 The First Methodist Church, 1031 TX-456 Loop, Jacksonville. For additional information, contact Kim Benton at kim.benton@ag.tamu.edu.
 
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 Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of each month except July, August and December at St. John Lutheran Church in Marion. Directions to St. John 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 always welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT contact guadalupecounty@npsot.org. Or visit https://npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/
 
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.org and http://rockportherbies.blogspot.com.
 
Woodway: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meeting is held on the second Wednesday of each each month at noon at the Central Presbyterian Church, 9191 Woodway Dr., Woodway. 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.

San Marcos: The Spring Lake Garden Club meets the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m., September-May, at McCoy's Building Supply Headquarters, 1350 IH-35, San Marcos. Contact Terri Boyd (512) 395-66644 x6134.

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. at Peace Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 2201 Rio Grande Blvd., 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.
 
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 Johnson. County Agricultural Office, 109 W. Chambers, 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.
  
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 comalmg.org. 

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.

Alvarado: The Alvarado Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month during the months of September through May (excluding December). The meeting time is 1 p.m. and the locations vary for each meeting. The club hosts a different and exciting speaker each month that focuses on enriching the lives of all gardeners. Meetings are free and include a light lunch. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, please contact 817-680-4291. 

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.
 
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/.

Waco: The McLennan County Master Gardeners host Lunch with the Masters on the third Wednesday of each month at noon at MCC’s Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC), 7601 Steinbeck Bend Dr., Waco. These educational programs are free and open to the public. Attendees bring their own lunch. For more information, call 254-757-5180.

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, 107 Fink Street, 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 afterwards. 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, 4501 Woodway, Houston. For more information about meeting presentations and native plants, visit https://npsot.org/wp/houston/. 

Mineola: The Fannie Marchman Garden Club meets at the Mineola Civic Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month from September through May. For additional information, find them on Facebook or email FannieMarchmanGardenClub@gmail.com.

Ft. Worth: The North Texas Daylily Society is affiliated with the American Daylily Society and is located in AHS Region 6. Club meetings are held in the Camellia Room located inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, on the third Thursday of each month (excluding June and July). Throughout the year NTDS hosts guest speakers, special interest programs, an annual daylily show, an annual daylily sale, and social activities and outings. For more information visit, their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northtexasdaylilysociety.

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 with presentation is held 6:00-8:00 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1:00-3:00 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.
 
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 New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E. Common St, New Braunfels. Meetings are “hybrid” with in-person and Zoom available. They start at 5:45 PM. with a meet and greet time, followed by a short business meeting at 6:15 PM. Programs begin at 6:30 PM. 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 about Zoom or to join, visit https://npsot.org/wp/newbraunfels/.
 
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 County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Ct., 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 (except November and December) at the Houston Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. 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 http://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.

Denton: The Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets the fourth Thursday of each month to share information about native plants. Excellent programs are heard each month. Social time begins at 6:30, program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/wp/trinityforks/.

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. 
Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2023. 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. 

Texas Gardener's Seeds has been published each Wednesday since April 26, 2006.
 
Publisher: Jay White ● Editor: Michael Bracken 
 
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