December 27, 2023

Make sure all ornaments, tinsel and decorations are removed before disposing of a real Christmas tree. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller)

How to sustainably dispose of a real Christmas tree

By Leighton Chachere

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

For many people, nothing can compare to the smell, look and ambience of a real Christmas tree. And when the holidays are over, there are several eco-friendly ways to dispose of or recycle that ornamental piece of holiday tradition.

Alison Baylis, Texas A&M Forest Service regional urban ecologist, said utilizing real Christmas trees is something people do out of tradition, but each tree also represents an environmentally and economically friendly choice. Tree farms provide the same benefits as urban and natural forests. They clean air, provide soil stabilization and sequester carbon.

Buying real trees also supports local economies. According to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association, 175 Texas Christmas tree farms produce over 200,000 trees each year.

However, once the tree has served its purpose of bringing light and beauty into a home for the holidays, many trees end up in a landfill as their final resting place. Baylis said there are several ways to use the tree to add value elsewhere rather than discarding it as trash.

“Even though trees are a renewable resource, we should opt to recycle or dispose of them in a way that helps the environment and gives our trees a second life,” said Baylis. “Recycling Christmas trees can reduce our carbon footprint and support a more sustainable holiday season.”

The following are some ways to sustainably dispose of Christmas trees:

Recycle

Real trees are biodegradable, and many communities have tree recycling programs. Check with your local city or municipality, local waste management company, a nearby garden center or conservation organization to find out if Christmas tree recycling, whether curbside pickup or a drop-off station, is available in your area. Recycling trees is recommended over burning them to help prevent wildfire danger.

Mulch

The most common recycling option is chipping Christmas trees into mulch, which can be used for a variety of needs around homes and yards. Mulch can be placed around the base of trees and gardens as an insulator to help plants withstand cold temperatures and prevent soil erosion and compaction.

Tree limbs are a great way to insulate garden plants, and some cities even have free mulch available after the holiday season.

Pond and wildlife habitat

Place Christmas trees in yards, nature landscapes or in bodies of water to create a habitat for wildlife. When trees are sunken into water bodies, they increase the complexity of the aquatic habitat. Woody debris provides a place for aquatic species to flourish, which increases overall biodiversity. In creeks and rivers, woody debris also helps to slow the water flow rate during flash floods, which helps prevent erosion on streambanks. If you do not have a pond or lake on your property, contact local officials to see if there is a suitable body of water to properly dispose of your tree.

You can also set your tree in your yard, creating a wildlife habitat and providing birds with shelter. By tying bird feed, orange slices, popcorn and other bird-friendly treats to your tree, you can enjoy the view as birds fill the branches.

Fun family crafts

Keep the holiday spirit alive after Christmas by using parts of Christmas trees to make fun family activities such as “tree cookies” and coasters. Cut the trunk of your tree to make coasters or other decorative accent pieces in your home. Go a step further and let kids paint the trunk “tree cookies” for one-of-a-kind artwork.

Know before you dispose

As the joy of having a Christmas tree in your home ends this season, use one of the many ways to sustainably dispose of your tree to prevent it from ending up in a landfill. Make sure to remove all decorations, such as ornaments, lights and ribbon. If the tree is sprayed with flocking or fake snow, it should not be recycled.

For more information on how to sustainably recycle your Christmas tree, contact your Texas A&M Forest Service district office. Visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/ContactUs/ to find contact information.

Cedar fever season begins in Texas

Texas A&M Forest Service

It’s time for Texans to brace for cedar fever season once again, complete with runny noses, itchy eyes and general misery. Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by mountain cedar trees, and unfortunately, you don’t have to be allergic to the pollen for it to affect you.

In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is Ashe juniper, making cedar fever especially irritating in the Hill Country west of I-35 where there are primarily juniper trees mixed in with oaks and a few other species.

“With the quantity and density of Ashe junipers in Central Texas, all producing pollen at the same time, the concentration of pollen in the air causes cedar fever,” said Jonathan Motsinger, Texas A&M Forest Service Central Texas Operations Department Head.

According to Motsinger, the pollen from Ashe junipers isn’t particularly allergenic or harmful — it’s just so concentrated that, even if you aren’t generally susceptible to allergies, it could still affect you. With millions of juniper trees releasing pollen at the same time, you can’t help but breathe it in, and when you do, your body reacts as it would to any perceived threat — it tries to fight it.

Since the pollen is spread by wind, cedar fever can affect individuals far removed from areas with a high concentration of juniper trees. And the source isn’t limited to Ashe junipers. In more eastern parts of the state there are also eastern redcedars that pollinate around the same time and can induce a similar response from people’s auto-immune systems.

Besides the massive quantity of pollen released, cedar fever is also problematic because of when the pollen is released. Most trees pollinate in the spring when many are expecting to have allergies. Ragweed pollen and mold spores can contribute to allergies in the fall, but very few plants pollinate during the winter. Juniper trees are the exception.

These trees typically begin producing pollen in mid-December, often triggered by colder weather or the passage of a cold front. Pollen production reaches its peak in mid-January, before slowly tapering off toward the beginning of March.

“During cold fronts, it gets very dry and windy and the pressure changes very rapidly,” said Motsinger. “This triggers the opening of pollen cones and the release of the pollen grains. When the conditions are right, you can actually see the pollen blowing off of some trees.”

While this creates some fascinating imagery, it can also lead to some serious misery. For people new to the Central Texas region, or unfamiliar with cedar fever as a whole, it can also lead to confusion since the pollination period of mountain cedar trees is smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. It’s not uncommon for people experiencing cedar fever to mistake their symptoms for a cold or the seasonal flu, especially given the variety of symptoms triggered by cedar fever. These include fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, partial loss of smell and — believe it or not — some people actually do run a slight fever. However, if your fever is higher than 101.5°F, then pollen likely isn’t the cause.

You can treat cedar fever by taking allergy medications and antihistamines, but you should consult with your physician or health care professional before taking new medications. You can also try and anticipate the pollen by tuning in to your local news station, many of which will give you the pollen count and can predict when it’s going to be a particularly pollen-heavy day. On those days, it’s smart to keep windows and doors closed, and to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors. It can also be helpful to change air filters in your car and in your home as a clean, new filter is better at removing particles, like pollen, from the air.

Removing juniper trees from your property isn’t recommended primarily because the pollen is airborne and—since they often wait to release their pollen until it’s cold, dry and windy—that pollen can blow for miles. It’s also important to note that only male juniper trees release pollen.

“The male trees have larger pollen cones, while the female trees have much smaller reproductive cones, which are very inconspicuous, but that’s what is pollinated from the male trees,” said Motsinger.

While junipers are notorious for releasing their fever-inducing allergens, they also have immense health benefits. Their berries, for instance, are used to make medicines and oils that can treat a variety of ailments, from an upset stomach to a snake bite. They are also high in vitamins, providing a nutritious source of food for birds and other wildlife. Additionally, junipers play a vital role in soil enrichment and erosion prevention as they often grow in a terrain that isn’t particularly hospitable to other species of trees. Most importantly, though, they provide the same mental, physical and environmental health benefits of trees and forests everywhere.

Ultimately, mountain cedars are really only singled out for the unusual time of year in which they pollinate.

“Many trees rely on airborne pollination,” said Motsinger. “In other parts of the country, folks suffer from pine or elm allergies. Here in the springtime, there is so much oak pollen collecting on surfaces that I have to wash my car’s windshield daily just to see out of it.”

While cedar fever might sound and seem particularly hostile, Ashe junipers are really just a species like any other, feeling out the conditions and waiting for the perfect moment to release their pollen in order to set their offspring up for success come springtime.

For more information about how to identify Ashe junipers and/or eastern redcedars in your own backyard, check out the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Tree ID webpage or the My Tree ID mobile app. You can also see the distribution of junipers, as well as a variety of other tree species across the state, via our Forest Distribution App.

BBQ smoking market evolves while Texas trees provide smokey flavor for all

Texas A&M Forest Service

For many, the smell of sweet, peppery BBQ smoke evokes many memories, traditions and flavors. Whether smoking for a tailgate or family and friends, BBQ never ceases to provide the inviting comradery of cooking.

Originating from leftover meat at meat markets smoked in the ground with hot coals, BBQ and meat smoking methods have evolved over centuries while never losing their value, only expanding it. More importantly, the tradition of meat smoking has made itself a staple in Texas, supporting thousands of farmers, ranchers, businesses and timber and lumber operations throughout the state.

Most essential to the meat smoking process is the source of the smoke — wood. Traditionally, meat smoking utilized hot coals underground. As smoking methods continued to evolve, the use of split woods and wood chips, such as hickory and pecan woods, were introduced. These new methods invited the expansion of flavorful meats and a higher demand for the delicacy.

Now, the meat-smoking tradition has taken a new step with the introduction of processed wood pellets.

“The introduction of wood pellets into the BBQ market has allowed greater access to even the most novice smokers,” said Shane Harrington, Texas A&M Forest Service Senior Project Manager and Texas BBQ catering business owner. “The world of BBQ has exponentially grown in the last 10 years due to greater access to woods and with the creation of wood pellets and pellet smokers.”

Smoking pellets, often a byproduct of lumber production, offer sustainable forest management solutions by ensuring that every part of a tree is used in the secondary stages of production.

“The evolution of and higher demand for BBQ smoking products means that lumber producers have a new avenue for wood byproduct usage that they didn’t have before,” said Harrington.

Wood pellets are a product of chipped logs, branches and excess lumber that are processed into wood fiber. The fiber is then passed under a magnet to ensure it contains no metal before it is dried, leaving only 6% of its original moisture, locking in powerful, earthy flavors. Last, the dried wood fiber is then pressed in a pellet mill under intense pressure to form the pellets made available to consumers.

Choosing a specific pellet group can be a difficult task when accounting for the flavor and heat given off by the pellets. This is why, after many creative tests, BBQ enthusiasts will blend together different wood pellet groups to ensure optimal flavor and consistent heat is present.

Among the most popular Texas woods to smoke with are hickory, oak, pecan and mesquite.

Hickory

Hickory wood is one of the hardest domestic hardwoods in Texas meaning that the temperature will be lower and will last longer. With hardwood comes lower smoking temperatures. To combat the lower temperatures of hickory wood, softer hardwoods like oak or mesquite can be added to add bursts of higher temperatures.

Hickory wood is known for its sweet, powerful smoke flavor. It is among the most popular when smoking pork, especially ribs and pork belly used for bacon.

Oak

With a lifespan that can span centuries and is known for its abundant production of acorns, oak trees serve as a staple of Central Texas.

Oak wood is a versatile wood for smoking. Due to its milder smoke flavor compared to hickory wood, oak wood can be paired with other woods such as apple or cherry. Many smokers combine hickory and oak woods when in search of a tamed-down hickory flavor.

Pecan

Serving as the Texas state tree, pecan trees provide many economic benefits to the Texas forestry industry. Pecan trees, either naturally produced or planted in a production orchard, can be found throughout the state.

Pecan wood is most widely used to smoke poultry. Adding a reddish tint to the meat, pecan wood locks in a mild sweet and nutty flavor.

Mesquite

For red meat lovers, mesquite wood offers a strong, earthy flavor that is sure to complement the natural flavors of the beef. Of the hardwood smoking options, mesquite provides one of the highest volumes of smoke.

Most often, mesquite wood is only used as a heat and flavor aid to other woods, as using it alone may result in a more bitter taste. Mesquite is best used to add color to meat and for times when you need a direct, quick smoke.

As Texans maintain the tradition of meat smoking, the forestry industry continues to embrace the sustainable technological advancements of wood production to provide flavorful wood and pellets for all to enjoy.

JANUARY

La Marque: “Wedge Grafting” presented by Galveston County Master Gardeners Hazel Lampton and Debbie Espinosa. Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Hands-on class on wedge, whip and tongue, and chip bud method of grafting. Limited to 20 participants, others may observe. Must pre-register to attend. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 512), La Marque. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture, or call 281-309-5065.

La Marque: “Growing Peaches in Galveston County” presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Herman Auer who will guide you through practices to successfully grow peaches in this area, including best variety selections and planting locations. Saturday, January 6, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 512), La Marque. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture, or call 281-309-5065.

Online: Intro to Aquaponics by Harris County Master Gardeners. Monday, January 8, 10-11:30 a.m. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive a link: https://hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register.

Houston: Angela Chandler will describe how to select the perfect site for constructing a bed to grow roses and companion plants at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 11. Chandler owns “The Garden Academy” and teaches gardening and micro-homesteading, Gulf Coast style. She is a lifelong gardener with a passion for learning and for teaching. She and her husband Fred enjoy a half- acre micro-homestead in Highlands, where they grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and bee-friendly plants. They have chickens, beehives, and pet goats. She is a member of the Garden Writers Association, and a retired Texas Master Gardener and Texas Master Naturalist. At The Arbor Gate Nursery in Tomball, she currently teaches classes, provides a wide variety of horticultural advice, and handles their monthly blog. For more information and how to contact Angela, visit www.thegardenacademy.com or the Garden Academy Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thegardenacademy. Join the meeting at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., Houston, or virtually from the comfort of home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with GoTo Meeting https://meet.goto.com/828142133. Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install.

Houston: Native Plants by Robin Yates, Harris County Master Gardeners, at MLK PEACE through PIE Event. Saturday, January 13, 11:00 a.m. Beauty's Community Garden, 4204 Yale Street, Houston. Learn the many benefits of putting native plants in our gardens and yards, where we can find them, and how we can make a positive impact on our own ecosystem! Free and open to the public, https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Online: Intro to Aquaponics by Harris County Master Gardeners. Tuesday, January 16, 11 a.m.-noon. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: www.facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

Houston: International Vegetables Grown Locally by Teresa See, Harris County Master Gardeners. Thursday, January 18, 10:00 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn how to successfully grow produce from around the world. Free and open to the public, https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

La Marque: “Planting Fruit Trees the Right Way” presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Herman Auer who will explain best methods for planting stone fruit plants and trees, including sapling evaluation for plant vigor, root washing, root pruning, and wedge grafting. Saturday, January 20, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Discovery Garden in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street, La Marque. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars, or call 281-309-5065.

La Marque: “Growing Great Tomatoes, Part 2 of 3” presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Ira Gervais. Learn about varieties that do well in this area, making selections, when to transplant seedlings, and various growing techniques. Saturday, January 20, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located in Carbide Park at 4102-B Main Street (FM 512), La Marque. Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars, or call 281-309-5065.

Houston: Rainwater Harvesting by Teresa See, Harris County Master Gardeners. Tuesday, January 23, 10:00 a.m. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd., Houston. Rain is the best water for your gardens. Learn to capture some of it to help you save money and be prepared during droughts. Free and open to the public, https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners are taking applications for their 2024 "Become a Master Gardener" class. The class will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays January 23-May 7 at the AgriLife Extension Office, 210 E Live Oak, Seguin. Cost is $250, which includes Handbook and all materials. Cost for two people is $420 who share one Handbook. Applications are accepted until class is full. Apply and pay online at GCMGTX.org. For any questions, contact Paul Carter at mepcarter11@gmail.com, 830-481-0817, Tim Steele at tlscowboys@hotmail.com, 210-385-2219, or April Rippel at adrippel@gmail.com, 830-433-2218.

Cypress: Spring Gardening by Valerie Depew, Harris County Master Gardeners. Wednesday, January 24, 11:30 a.m. Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Rd., Cypress. Learn how to get your spring vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty spring vegetables. Free and open to the public, https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Shade Gardening by Debra Caldwell, Harris County Master Gardeners. Thursday, January 25, 10:00 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn more about making your plants thrive in the shady parts of your garden. Free and open to the public, https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

FEBRUARY

Tyler: The annual East Texas Fruit, Nut and Vegetable Conference, Friday, February 9, at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler, Texas, will offer both professional and amateur gardeners tips on blackberries, blueberries, bunch grapes, muscadines, and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) on peppers and tomatoes. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.; followed by the first session at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is provided. Pre-registration is required (for lunch head count) and ends February 7 at 5:00 pm. The cost of the program is $25 (plus 5% convenience fee for online credit card payment). The program will be held in person only. Pre-registration is required for a lunch headcount. To register and pay in person, contact the Smith County Extension Office. One hour of Department of Agriculture IPM CEU will be awarded for this event. However, CE’s (5 hours) for certified Texas Master Gardeners will be. Topics and speakers include: Growing Blueberries in East Texas: Dr. David Creech, Professor Emeritus, Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Creech is the director of SFA Gardens in Nacogdoches and the leading expert on blueberries in Texas. Growing Muscadines and Bunch Grapes in East Texas: Michael Cook, Viticulture Regional Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Michael earned his Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology at California State University-Fresno. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on Peppers and Tomatoes: Dr. Rafia Khan, Assistant Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Dr. Khan is the new entomologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Experiment Station in Overton and has experience conducting research on commercial tomatoes in Florida. Knowing and Growing Pears in East Texas: Dr. Andrew King, King’s Nursery, Tenaha, Texas. Dr. King is a 4th generation East Texas nurseryman and the assistant director of SFA Gardens in Nacogdoches. Growing Blackberries in East Texas: Dr. Tim Hartmann, Assistant Professor, Fruit Crops, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Dr. Hartmann is a lifelong horticulturist and well versed in all things “fruit.” This event was organized to meet the growing demand for information about fruit, nut, and vegetable production for home gardeners and commercial growers in East Texas. It’s an opportunity to learn tips from specialists and agents on how to be successful, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to learn more as you grow. For more information contact the Smith County Extension office at 903-590-2980. The flyer, schedule, and registration link are posted on the “Texas A&M AgriLife-Smith County” Facebook page and on the county web page at smith.agrilife.org/fnvc/.

MARCH

Huntsville: Texas Thyme Unit, Herb Society of America. Herb Festival at the Wynne Home, March 23, 8:00-2:00. 1428 Eleventh Street, Huntsville. Locally grown herbs, native plants, pollinator and passalong plants, vegetables, etc. Garden vendors, speakers, music, and fun for the kids. Bring your wagon. Information: 936-891-5024. Free event. http://www.texasthymeunit.com Facebook: Texas Thyme Unit, Herb Society of America.

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) at the First Christian Church (formerly, and still on Google Maps, Grace Christian Church) located at 504 S. Houston Street, Kaufman. 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 the first Monday of each month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. Announcements begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an educational lecture. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet the first Tuesday of each month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. Announcements begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an educational lecture. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series/. Location is subject to change for Holidays & Voting days.

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., at the First Baptist Church Family Life Building, 500 E. Holland St., 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.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Garden Center meets on the first Wednesday of each month from September – May at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston, San Antonio. Social and plant sale begins at 9:30 a.m. Program at 10 a.m. Open to the public. For more information visit www.sanantoniogardencenter.org.

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.

Gonzales: 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 at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, in the Harrison County Extension Office, 2005 Warren Drive, Marshall. Meetings are held in the AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email hctxmastergardener@gmail.com.

Seguin/Marion: The Guadalupe Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of the month except for July, August, and December. The Chapter alternates meetings. Seguin, First Presbyterian Church, January, March, May, September and November. Marion, St. John Lutheran Church, February, April, June and October. Meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Program at 7:00 p.m., Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/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.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners host hour-long Lunch & Learn programs on various gardening topics on the second Wednesday of most months from 12 to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch, these programs are free and open to the public. They are held at the AgriLife Extension building, 210 E Live Oak, Seguin. For more information, visit GCMGTX.org.

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 Gardeners meet on the third Monday of each month at Johnson. County Agricultural Office, 109 W. Chambers, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 6 p.m. 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.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardeners Herb Interest Study Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (January to November) at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1601 N. Main Street, Belton, in the Kitchen Classroom. Socialize from 10-10:30 a.m. Study Begins promptly at 10:30-Noon.

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 First United Methodist Church Annex, corner of S. Glendale and East Fourth streets behind the church in 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, November and December, at the Gathering Hall at The Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park and via Zoom. 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, January-September. Social time begins at 6:30, program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/trinity-forks/.

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.

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.