January 17, 2024

Garden resolutions for 2024 may include saving water. Utilizing a catchment system off a home’s rain gutter is a great way to help keep gardens growing during times of drought. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller)

AgriLife Extension’s ‘garden guide’ for January

By Susan Himes

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

If you have yet to make your New Year’s resolutions or have already decided you do not want to keep a resolution like spending more time in the gym, consider flexing your green thumb instead.

A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert offered ideas for garden-centric resolutions as well as yard and landscape tips for January.

From planning vegetable gardens to landscaping perennials to preparing for annuals, there are actions you can resolve to take right now to help your garden perform throughout the growing season, said Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist, Uvalde, and associate head of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Ideas for garden resolutions

If you need additional motivation to have garden resolutions in 2024, keep in mind that even light gardening and yard work can burn around 300 calories an hour and requires just a commute to your backyard to workout. Gardening also is great for managing stress and improving mental health.

Stein has some ideas and resolutions about choosing varieties, spacing and care as well as water — a much-discussed topic for Texans.

January is an ideal time to plan how to maximize rain and water in your yard year-round, Stein said. Planning ahead can reduce the impact of drought and help protect plants in case of water restrictions during the dog days of summer.

“A big challenge in Texas is when we get rain, we often get too much at the same time and a lot of it goes to waste,” he said.

Resolve to catch water. Although a more elaborate water catchment system can make the most out of the moisture your home receives, even a 5-gallon bucket placed at a gutter’s downspout or a dripline can make a big difference in a garden.

• Resolve to research other water-saving methods to help your garden, such as raingardens or furrow diking. Furrow diking is typically used for agronomic crops, but it can be adapted for use in home gardens. By creating earthen channels to collect water, it helps prevent runoff and maximize every drop of water.
• Plant what will grow in Texas. Texas Superstar plants are designed to use less water and thrive in the conditions found across the state.
• Don’t grow plants or trees too close together. They will compete for resources including nutrients and water. Fewer plants and trees equal healthier and hardier plants and trees. A good rule of thumb with new plants is to follow the nursery tag suggestions for spacing. Trees should have canopies that can provide full shade from the direct sun. Smaller or incomplete canopies are typically an indication your trees are too close together. Don’t be afraid to remove established plants to help others thrive.
• When using a new product, make sure to leave an untreated area as a “check.” If you apply a new fertilizer, pesticide or other product to plants, some plants should be left untreated in order to monitor how they compare to the plants receiving the product. You don’t want to waste future time or money on a product that doesn’t work.

January garden guide

Watch out for changing weather

“Most Texas gardens and landscapes have experienced a warmer-than-usual season so far,” Stein said. “But gardeners shouldn’t let the mild temperatures lull them into thinking that this weather will continue.”

Despite the mild winter, gardeners need to be wary of sudden and extreme changes in temperatures, as this is when landscape plants that cannot be sheltered are the most vulnerable.

“So, if it is 85 degrees one day and predicted to be 18 degrees the following morning, that can be a challenge for plants,” he said. “Make sure plants are well-watered going into such an event.”

Care for cold-weather annuals

Continue to water and fertilize cool-weather annuals such as snapdragons, Bells of Ireland, stocks, larkspur, pansies, violas and sweet alyssum to encourage the best blooms. Even if you are in an area where some of these plants took a hit with a recent cold, they will recover if you take care of them.

Apply slow-release fertilizer to pansies and other cool-season annuals. Distribute 5 pounds of cotton seed or alfalfa meal per 100 square feet of bed area or use commercial slow-release fertilizer products according to label instructions.

Transplant dormant plants

Now is an excellent time to transplant trees and shrubs while they are dormant. When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially when dealing with bare-root plants. The medium-to-small sizes, around 4-6 feet, are usually faster to become established and more effective in the landscape than the large sizes.

Don’t fertilize newly set out trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly the first year.

Pick out your vegetables and flowers for spring

Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Not only will early planning pay off in improved plant selection, but it is also a fun way to spend a winter day paging through garden catalogs and books.

You can begin sowing seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias and impatiens should be sown in January or February. Warm-temperature plants such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds and periwinkles should be sown in late January or early February.

Also, you can prepare beds and garden areas for spring planting. Till in several inches of compost, composted pine bark or similar material.

Check narrow-leaf evergreens for pests

Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs overwinter in the pouch and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to begin feeding on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches reduce future damage.

Know when to cut back, prune

Herbaceous perennials and hardy ornamental grasses may be cut back at this time. It may be difficult to assess the extent of freeze damage on citrus and semi-tropical plants until warm weather arrives. When new growth begins, damaged material can be removed.

Hold off on pruning bush roses and grapes until mid-February or early March in northern parts of the state.

Hang onto holiday plants

The life of poinsettias and other holiday-season plants can be prolonged with proper care. Keep the soil moist but provide drainage so that excess moisture can flow from the pot. Keep the plant out of range of heating ducts and away from heating units. Keep in a cool room at night, preferably at 60-65 degrees.

Footsteps Through the Tulips

A Solve-It-Yourself Mystery

Editor's Note: Gardening news is slow at the beginning of the year, and many gardeners are unable to work in their gardens during winter. We thought you might enjoy a change of pace during this slow season, so following is a gardening-themed short story presented for your enjoyment. — Michael Bracken, editor 

By Katherine Wagner

“Stop them!” Angie Martin shouted as she entered her uncle’s backyard. “They’re trampling the tulips!”

Her eyes swept the landscape as she watched her seven cousins racing around the yard with shovels in their hands. Across the garden there were holes with mounds of dirt next to them.

She ran to Clive Grant, her uncle’s lawyer, who was leaning against the back-porch railing. There was a shovel next to him.

“Can’t you stop them?”

“No can do,” said Clive. “Your uncle stated he wanted all his nieces and nephews to have a fair chance to find the treasure he hid.”

Angie thought about the large number of dirt mounds in the yard.

“Wait a minute. It looks as though they’ve been here a while, but I was told to arrive now. How is that fair?”

“Think of it as a golf handicap. Peter believed you were the smartest so it wouldn’t be fair to them if all eight of you received the clue at the same time.”

Angie wasn’t sure if she liked his response but there wasn’t much she could do about it. “When do I get my turn?”

Clive pulled out a pocket watch. “In three minutes and five seconds.”

Angie turned her attention back to the commotion in the yard.

She couldn’t understand why her uncle would allow so much damage to be done, especially to his tulips. They had always been his pride and joy. She was glad he wasn’t there to see the petals of his pink-and-white “Angelique” ground into the dirt.

She couldn’t help but remember what the property had been like when she was young. Back then her uncle’s garden had been the finest in the county.

Then he suffered financial setbacks followed by ailing health. A few years earlier he had boarded up his house and left.

“Your uncle appreciated your visits,” Clive said, keeping one eye on the watch.

Angie knew none of her cousins had been in contact with Uncle Peter since he had moved away. She, on the other hand, had made weekly calls on him.

Angie recalled the time she spent at the assisted living facility. “I told him that when he got better we’d work together to turn the yard into a sanctuary.”

Clive cocked his head. “How would you do that?”

“For a start, restoring the creek in the back. And also plant flora to attract birds and bees.”

“What about the tulips?”

Angie laughed. “That’s what Uncle Peter said, too. I told him there’d be plenty of tulips.”

Clive cleared his throat. “It’s your turn now.” He handed her a piece of paper with five lines written on it.

The text read:

Where’s the treasure you want to know

I’ll give you a hint it’s down below

Still can’t find it? Here’s a clue

You’ll have what you want if you go back two

NQQM WPFGT VJG RQTEJ

A few minutes later Angie calmly handed Clive a small brown Japanese lacquer box. The shovel next to him hadn’t been disturbed.

 “Excellent,” he said. He blew a whistle to let the others know that the treasure hunt was over.

When Angie got home she made herself a cup of mint tea and sat at her kitchen table. She carefully opened the lid on the box. There was a letter on top addressed to her in the same handwriting as the clue had been:

Dear Angie,

Congratulations on finding the treasure! I knew you would. You helped me and I want to pay you back. You will inherit my property and there’s enough money in the bank account to start creating a sanctuary.

As for the garden, I assume your cousins have taken care of tilling the soil in their search for hidden treasure.

The treasure, my dear, is inside the box.

Your loving Uncle Peter.

P.S. Don’t forget about the tulips.

Angie picked up a seed and plant catalog from the box. “I won’t forget the tulips, Uncle Peter. I promise.”

Where was the treasure box hidden?

The riddle says the answer is below, referring to the last sentence of the clue. It’s written in code. The key is to “go back two,” meaning two letters in the alphabet. The first letter N becomes L. The second letter Q becomes O. The decoded sentence reads “Look under the porch.”

Katherine Wagner lives in Columbus, Ohio. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has two published children’s plays, one of which features Cinderella as a private eye.

JANUARY

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.

Amarillo: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will hold the annual Right-of-Way, ROW, and the ornamental and turf, OAT, conference on January 25 in Amarillo. The conference will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo, 6500 Amarillo Blvd. W., Amarillo. Registration is $25 and begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is on your own. The program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. The AgriLife Extension offices in Deaf Smith and Potter counties are hosting the event. Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available — three integrated pest management, one general, and one laws and regulations. Producers will be required to have their TDA pesticide numbers on the sign-in sheet to receive the units. For more information, contact Rick Auckerman, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Deaf Smith County, at 806-364-3573, r-auckerman@ag.tamu.edu, or Megan Eikner, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Potter County, at 806-373-0313, megan.eikner@ag.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.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners Northwest Fruit Tree Sale will be held Saturday, January 27, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Alabonson Park, 9650 N Houston Rosslyn Rd, Houston. Now is a great time to plant fruit trees in Houston. Select from avocado, nectarine, peach, banana, fig, pear, plum, pomegranate and a variety of citrus. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Accepts cash and cards. Catalog online at https://hcmga.tamu.edu/plant-sales.

Dallas: Allison Liddell, MD. will present "Hidden Dangers-How to Stay Safe in the Garden" at 3:00 p.m., January 28, at North Haven Gardens. Liddell is a longtime GDOGC club member and gardener, but her day job is as an infectious diseases specialist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. She received her undergraduate degree in pharmacy from UT Austin, then went to medical school at UT Southwestern and spent her residency and fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. She has always loved gardening as her grandmother had a beautiful cottage garden here in Dallas and was a great inspiration. Allison even has iris from that original garden here in her current Dallas home garden. While living in St. Louis, the amazing Missouri Botanical Garden was also a huge inspiration. However, despite loving to garden, Allison also sees infections and injuries regularly related to working outdoors, and likes to educate people about how to prevent these events. for more information, visit https://www.gdogc.org/.

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/.

Houston: A pruning demonstration will be held outdoors (weather permitting) on Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd. This is a great time to learn from Consulting Rosarians about how and when to prune your rose bushes. Participants are encouraged to bring roses they no longer want that are worthy of a new home to use for demonstrations. The bushes should be dug up carefully with their roots wrapped in a plastic garbage bag. You can dig up the bush the morning of the meeting or prior day. Unwanted rose bushes in pots are also accepted for this meeting. Immediately following the demonstration, they will have a drawing to give away all the bushes. Also, participants who bring gloves and pruning shears are invited to assist in pruning the bushes located throughout the St. Andrew’s Church grounds.

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.

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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