April 17, 2024

Masabni said the method behind no-dig gardening is similar to how nutrients are transferred on the forest floor. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Foundational tips for no-dig gardening

By Katharine Cook

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

No-dig is a gardening method that has been growing in popularity, and its practice perfectly matches its name. As a low-effort form of gardening, no-dig literally means you do not need to dig or alter the soil.

Joe Masabni, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist from the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, said no-dig gardening utilizes adding compost on top of your soil and letting its microorganisms give your plants the nutrients they need.

“It’s similar to how nutrients are transferred in a forest,” Masabni said. “When leaves fall to the ground, they form a layer above the soil and then they rot, releasing nutrients to the plant roots.”

How to start your no-dig garden

Starting a no-dig garden is not a challenge, especially if you already have a raised-bed garden. When starting your bed, cardboard is a key component.

Masabni said using cardboard in your no-dig garden creates a physical barrier against weeds for protection. You can also use cardboard on the top of your garden instead of mulch to further prevent weeds.

“If you’re starting a new garden, you’ll need to build the frame and put cardboard at the bottom, then fill with compost, plant in the bed and then leave it alone,” he said.

Already existing gardens with raised beds just need an addition of compost and plants and for gardeners to refrain from any tilling. Masabni has a variety of video examples online regarding no-dig gardening.

Best practices for a successful garden

While no-dig gardening is a low-maintenance option for home gardeners, there are still some important practices for caring for your garden. Gardeners should still add fertilizer to their no-dig gardens to help their plants.

“Compost by itself is not enough plant food all season long,” Masabni said. “It is important to add additional fertilizer on the top of your garden, whether it be chemical or organic.”

Additionally, Masabni said gardeners should never step on their no-dig garden to avoid damaging the layers of compost. Choosing a location for your garden away from foot traffic and in the right part of your yard can contribute to your no-dig garden’s success.

“Gardeners should be mindful of their location to avoid any standing water in your garden; selecting a location away from a low spot in your yard is a good choice,” he said.

Masabni also said no-dig gardening can be practiced with square-foot gardening and companion planting for expanded benefits.

Good things come to patient gardeners

When starting their journey with no-dig gardening, gardeners must practice patience with their yields.

“In the first year or so, a till garden will give you a better yield than a no-till garden,” Masabni said. “But over time, the nutrients will build up in the layers of good quality soil and you will have a successful yield without as much effort.”

While no-dig gardening takes a different approach, he said reframing your mentality and learning new skills is always a good practice in gardening, especially in the first few years of maintenance.

“Take note of your mistakes and try new things to keep the passion and pleasure of gardening alive, and learn to improve year after year,” Masabni said.

American Horticultural Society announces youth garden funding grant

The American Horticultural Society announced the launch of the Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund, a grant program designed to support youth gardening and gardening science projects. The grant, which provides $1,000-$2,000 annually to one educator, is intended to increase access to hands-on gardening and gardening sciences for youth and to foster a lifelong passion for gardening, the natural world, and horticulture in children from all backgrounds. 

“We are excited to offer this opportunity for educators to bring the joys and benefits of gardening to their students and community,” said Courtney Allen, AHS Director of National Programs. “This grant will help create engaging, educational, and transformative gardening experiences that can inspire the next generation of horticulturists and environmental stewards.”

Educators are invited to apply for the Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund by sharing details of their proposed project, including objectives, plans, timeline, staff and budget, as well as the anticipated impact on youth. The application window is open until May 10, 2024.

The grant recipient will be announced at the annual AHS National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in July. However, applicants do not need to attend the symposium to apply for the grant.

A gift to AHS from Thomas Byrd and Valerie Rappaport and their family established this new program. The Rappaport family made the gift in honor of Valerie’s mother, Julie Rappaport, a former AHS board member and long-time member of AHS, who loved gardening, science, and education.

To apply for the Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund, please visit www.ahsgardening.org/growinggardenersfund. For questions about the grant and application process, please contact Courtney Allen at 703.768.5700 ext. 121, or email programs@ahsgardening.org.

In monarch butterfly decline mystery, scientists rule out habitat loss in migration zone

A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey and partners in the U.S. and Mexico lends new insight into the puzzle of monarch butterfly population declines, showing that migration habitat in Texas and Mexico has largely remained intact over the period of decline. The new findings indicate that changes to migration habitat are not likely to be a primary cause of population declines and that good migration habitat remains for monarchs, especially in Mexico.

The study drew on data and expertise from both the U.S and Mexico to help complete the picture of habitat change across the full life cycle of the eastern population of migratory monarchs.

“It’s an important example of international scientific collaboration,” said Jay Diffendorfer, USGS research ecologist and lead author.

Monarch butterflies are well-known for their impressive annual migration. Not all monarchs migrate, but for those that do, their journey can be as long as 3,000 miles, a vast distance for an insect that weighs only one-half of a gram. The eastern migratory population flies northward each spring from their wintering habitat in central Mexico, mating and laying eggs on milkweed in Texas before they die. Subsequent generations migrate into central and eastern U.S. and southern Canada and continue breeding. In the fall, the last generation completes the annual cycle, by foregoing breeding and flying south to the wintering grounds in Mexico, passing through Texas on the way.

Monarch butterfly populations in their wintering habitat in Mexico have sharply declined since the 1990s, with the second-lowest numbers recorded this past winter in an annual survey led by the World Wildlife Fund.

Diffendorfer was in Mexico when the latest monarch population numbers were published, and his observations in the field reflected the latest numbers.

“It was shocking to be up there — you're at 10,000 feet in a beautiful fir forest — and there were almost no monarchs,” he said. “It was pretty sobering to say the least.”

The steep declines in the wintering population have been associated with a loss of milkweed across the midwestern U.S. as a result of the rapid adoption of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified corn and soybeans. The accompanying use of glyphosate herbicide essentially eliminated milkweed in and around agricultural fields in the Midwest.

However, there remains disagreement about the causes of monarch population declines, and some scientists have suggested that fewer monarchs are surviving the long fall migration to Mexico. While the loss of milkweed and other changes to monarch summer breeding habitat have been studied extensively, little research has investigated how land use and land cover change may have affected milkweed and nectar availability in migratory habitat in Mexico and Texas.

The researchers found little evidence of major changes to migratory habitat from 2001 to 2020, estimating only a 2.9% decline in milkweed in Texas, and little to no change in Mexico. Fall and spring nectar resources declined <1% in both regions. Overall, they found that monarch habitat in Mexico and Texas appears relatively more intact than in the midwestern, agricultural landscapes of the U.S.

These findings indicate that habitat loss in the migratory region studied is not likely to be a major cause of monarch butterfly declines, weakening support for the idea that monarchs are not surviving fall migration.

“If there had been big scale changes like we’ve seen in the Midwest, we would have picked that up,” says Diffendorfer. “The hypothesis that losses are happening during migration could still be correct, but it’s not because of the types of habitat change we measured.”

Despite the low numbers this year, the study highlights how much intact monarch habitat still remains in Mexico and Texas.

“This study provides baseline information to reinforce conservation actions from a Mexican perspective,” said Víctor Sánchez-Cordero, Professor at the Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and co-author on the study. “It justifies the idea of expanding conservation efforts throughout the monarch migratory route in Mexico, which has seen little land use changes for some decades. For example, a conservation area network can connect decreed protected areas with newly identified priority areas for conserving the migration corridor for monarchs in Mexico during their fall and spring journey.”

The study was published in Nature Scientific Reports on March 20.

APRIL

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Growing Peppers in Houston," 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 18, at the Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn about selecting and caring for pepper plants in Houston. Free and open to the public. Learn more at hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Spring Vegetable Gardening," 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 19, at Harris County Precinct One, 9500 Hall Road, Houston. Learn how to get your spring vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty vegetables. Free and open to the public. Learn more at hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners Southeast Perennials & Pepper Sale will take place 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at Genoa Friendship Gardens, 1210 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Houston. Order online for the best selection, April 1-18 at hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Growing Peppers in Houston," 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, at the Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Road, Houston. Learn about selecting and caring for pepper plants in Houston. Free and open to the public. Learn more at hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Growing Herbs in Houston," 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 26, at the Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Free and open to the public. Learn more at hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners Westside Summer Sale, Vegetables, Herbs & Flowers will be held 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at Alabonson Park, 9650 N. Houston Rosslyn Road, Houston. Get your summer vegetable and flower gardens started with the best varieties for Houston. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and make recommendations. Cash and Cards accepted. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: South Texas Unit of the Herb Society of America will host its 38th Annual Herb Day on Saturday, April 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Houston Museum District. This one-day symposium spotlights "The Bold and the Beautiful'' herbs turmeric, ginger and roselle. Special guest speakers feature horticulturist Henry Flowers, and chef, author and James Beard semi-finalist Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri Café. Pre-registration is required for this event filled with speakers, cooking demonstration, and education tables (including painting with turmeric). Arrive early to shop with vendors and at the Herbal Marketplace where you'll find seasonal herb plants, culinary herbal blends and teas, salves, handcrafted items and more made by members. Lunch, gift bag and a chance to win door prizes included with registration. Visit http://www.herbsociety-stu.org/herb-day.html for more information.

McKinney: The 2024 CCMGA Spring Plant Sale will be presented by The Collin County Master Gardeners Association on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (or until SOLD OUT) in the Show Barn at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney. Proceeds from the sale benefit CCMGA’s community outreach programs, horticultural education programs, workshops, and water conservation education throughout Collin County. CCMGA has carefully sourced a collection of locally grown drought-tolerant plants that are well suited to the local climate and will perform well in North Texas gardens. Attendees will find 13,000+ plants and 300 species available for purchase. Discover a diverse selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, grasses, pollinators and succulents not typically found at big box stores. Collin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer free advice to help homeowners plant with success. Arrive early for best selection! There is no sales tax, and purchases can be made by cash, check, or credit card. CCMGA has implemented Square Point of Sale technology to speed up the check-out process, so you can get your beautiful plants home and into your garden faster than ever! Bringing your own cart or wagon is recommended. Parking is FREE! The 2024 CCMGA Spring Plant Sale will be held rain or shine inside the Show Barn at Myers Park located at 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. To learn more visit www.ccmgatx.org.

MAY

Alvin: The Lone Star Daylily Society's Daylily Show and Sale, Lone Star Flowers of Lifelong Fantasies, will be on May 4, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Our Daylily Sale will begin at 8 a.m., lasting until 3 p.m. Both events will be held at the Alvin Senior Citizen's Building, 309 W Sealy, Alvin. There will be dozens of different varieties of registered daylilies for to choose from.

La Marque: “Patio Citrus.” Presented by Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff and Texas Department of Agriculture Citrus Health Response Inspector Janis Teas and learn about growing citrus in containers on the patio. Saturday, May 4, 9-11 a.m. Free. Location: Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For more information and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/.

La Marque: “Beautiful Blooms: Plumeria Seminar.” Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Loretta Osteen. Osteen will share her extensive experience with successfully growing plumeria. Saturday, May 4, 1-3 p.m. Free. Location: Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For more information and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present Plant Propagation at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 8, at the Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston. Learn the basics of propagating plants for your garden. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Luling: Sunny Hill Flower Farm is hosting its annual agriculture weekend May 10-11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 399 Pasture Rd. Luling. Visit Sunny Hill to cut flower bouquets in the field full of unending blooms, grab a bite to eat from delicious food trucks, enjoy live music, and visit and view 30 incredible select artisan vendors hosted on the farm. Plus, enjoy some fun farm experiences for the kids, such as farm animals and games. For more information, visit Market at the Farm event | Sunny Hill flower fa (sunny-hill-flower-farm.com). (To be a vendor or for other inquiries, Text/call 512-900-1041.)

Online: Harris County Master Gardeners present Identifying "Good and Bad" Bugs at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 13. Learn how to tell the difference between beneficial and damaging insects in your garden. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Summer Gardening "at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 13, at the Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn how to help your garden thrive in the summer heat. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris Master Gardners present "Raised Bed Gardening" at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn the tips and tricks for helping your plants thrive in a raised-bed garden. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Online/Hays County: Hays County Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant & Tree Sale will be online and in-person this year. This is the perfect time to plant, and Master Gardeners will bring their favorite vegetables and herbs for your garden. Skip the line at the grocery store and harvest fresh in your backyard! Hays County Master Gardeners are also putting their expertise to work to bring their finest plantings and transplants from their home gardens. These will include Texas Superstars, Texas native and adapted perennials, ornamental grasses and sedge, trees, and succulents perfect for our Hill Country climate. The online sale link http://haysgardener.square.site will be activated March 18 through March 26. Online purchases can be picked up at the in-person shopping locations on Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Buda Downtown Greenspace and Gazebo and on Wednesday, March 27, 3-6 p.m. at Dripping Springs Farmers. Find more information, visit http://hayscountymastergardeners.org. For up-to-the minute news about the plant sale, visit https://www.facebook.com/HaysCountyGardeners/ or https://www.instagram.com/hayscountymastergardeners/.

Online: Harris County Master Gardeners present Identifying "Good and Bad" Bugs at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21. Learn how to tell the difference between beneficial and damaging insects in your garden. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

Quitman: A demonstration on proper care of orchids & houseplants will be held noon-1:00 p.m., May 23, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Permaculture Gardening" at 10:00 a.m., Mnday, May 29, at the Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn the actions you can take to have a more natural design and flow in your garden. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

La Marque: “Tomato Tasting in the Garden.” Celebrate tomato culture with the Galveston County Master Gardeners. Tomato tasting and contest to vote for best in show. Presentation of tomato research results to help you improve growing your homegrown tomatoes. Saturday, May 30, 9-11 a.m. Free. Location: Discovery Garden in Carbide Park, 4102 Main St (FM 519), La Marque. Register and learn more: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/.

JUNE

McKinney: The Collin County Master Gardeners Association will host their annual Walk in the Park on Saturday, June 1, 9:00 a.m.-noon. A Walk in the Park features self-guided tours of the international award-winning research and demonstration gardens at beautiful Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, Texas. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the great outdoors and see the season’s star plants in full bloom. Enjoy fun educational activities for children and demonstrations in the gardens. This is a FREE event for the entire family. Learn about Earth-Kind gardening principles and see beautiful plants that push the limits to survive and thrive in North Texas’s extreme weather conditions without fertilizer, pesticides, and with minimal irrigation. The gardens include perennials, annuals, herbs, a potager garden, a vegetable garden, a vineyard, a shade garden, shrubs, trees and grasses and even a pollinators garden. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Amid the blooms and greenery, the Art Club of McKinney and the McKinney Plein Air Society will bring extra dimension to A Walk in the Park this year. Artists will be stationed across the gardens offering a glimpse of their creative process as they paint the stunning views, making A Walk in the Park a truly immersive cultural experience. Join the Collin County Master Gardeners at Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. Parking is available at the Polo Field on the north side of the park off CR 168. For more information visit https://ccmgatx.org/events/a-walk-in-the-park/. In the event of rain, A Walk in the Park will be rescheduled to Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Quitman: "Revamping Winnsboro Library Gardens with Earth Kind Principles" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., June 27, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

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.

Temple: Temple Garden Club, District V meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., the first Thursday of each month (September-May), at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N 3rd Street.

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 on the last Thursday of each month, January through September, at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. October is the annual potluck. Visitors are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments provided by members. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. followed by a raffle. For additional information, email board@aogc.org.

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. 2024. 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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