May 11, 2022
Research shows participating in gardening and other horticultural activities gives people a more positive outlook on life. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)
Experts explain the many psychological benefits of plants and gardening
By Paul Schattenberg
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
 
Getting outdoors and gardening can do more than just provide some physical activity and produce food for the table; it can be beneficial to the mind as well.
 
Although there are many functional benefits of gardening and the inherent ways in which plants improve the quality of life, Texas A&M AgriLife experts say a particularly important aspect is how plants enhance mental health and a person’s overall outlook.
 
“As many people already knew and others discovered during the pandemic, plant-related hobbies like gardening offer an opportunity to enjoy nature and give a person a more positive outlook on life,” said Charles Hall, Ph.D., professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture in the Department of Horticultural Sciences of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
 
Hall has done extensive research on how plants and gardening can improve both physical and mental health.
 
Research by Hall, presented in an article published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, outlines the numerous psychological benefits of plants and the activity of gardening in a variety of categories. These benefits include:
 
  • Anxiety and stress reduction.
  • Attention deficit recovery.
  • Decreased depression.
  • Enhanced memory retention.
  • Improved happiness and life satisfaction.
  • Mitigation of PTSD.
  • Increased creativity, productivity and attention.
  • Reduced effects of dementia.
  • Enhanced self-esteem.

Hall said the pandemic was partly responsible for an increased interest in gardening as more people were becoming involved in at-home activities.
 
He said being in naturalized settings and engaging in activities like gardening have a positive impact on people’s feelings of vitality and energy.
 
“Consequently, this has a significant positive effect on a person’s overall mental health,” Hall said.
 
He also noted the activities of gardening and plant care help distract the mind and put it into a quieter and more relaxed state.
 
Gardening programs benefit mental health of all ages
 
Jayla Fry, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program coordinator for the agency’s Texas Master Gardener volunteer effort, said almost every day she sees gardening’s calming effect and ability to improve a person’s outlook.
 
“Through the Department of Horticultural Sciences, AgriLife Extension oversees thousands of adult Master Gardener volunteers throughout the state,” she said. “These Master Gardeners support agency horticultural programs and reach tens of thousands of people annually through their educational and community beautification efforts. These volunteers can attest to the positive psychological benefits gardening provides for them — and for those they work with in the community.”
 
Further commenting on the intersection of plants, gardens and mental health was Joseph Johnson, manager of The Gardens at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station.
 
“We think of The Gardens area as the Central Park for the Texas A&M University campus,” he said.
 
The Gardens is a 27-acre public teaching garden on campus that serves as a living classroom for educational, inspirational and recreational experiences. Primarily a peaceful retreat away from the activity of campus and the surrounding community, students and visitors alike visit to enjoy and learn from the nature that surrounds them.
 
“The Gardens helps enrich their lives by connecting them with the living world of horticulture,” Johnson said. “Students and community members can more easily relax being in such a beautiful and tranquil place. It makes them feel more peaceful in their minds and souls.”
 
Growing well-adjusted kids through gardening
 
Hall said when young people, particularly students, have a view of green spaces during school, they exhibit significantly better performance on attention tests and stress recovery.
 
“They get even greater psychological benefits if there’s a classroom or teaching garden on their campus,” he said. “These gardens provide opportunities for young people to improve their social, physical, psychological, cognitive, environmental and spiritual well-being.”
 
Randy Seagraves, AgriLife Extension specialist and curriculum coordinator for its Junior Master Gardener program in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said it is common to see a child’s demeanor and attitude improve as soon as he or she steps into a garden.
 
“We see them slow down, pause and smile,” he said. “For many of these kids, being a part of a school garden project will be their very first garden connection. When young gardeners have the experience of planting and caring for something from seed to harvest, they get a sense of accomplishment, pride and ownership. It’s a real esteem-builder for them.”
 
Hall said in addition to improved concentration and attention, children in schools with classroom gardens have been shown to have fewer instances of interpersonal conflict and bullying.
 
“Gardening is conducive to generating a positive learning environment, reducing children’s tendency towards distraction and helping them better concentrate on schoolwork,” he said. “Children engaged in classroom gardens get to be outside, be physically active and work together toward a common goal. Maybe most importantly, they also get to understand how patience and persistence are needed for them to literally see the fruits of their labor.”
 
Social and mindfulness benefits of gardening
 
Hall said another psychological benefit of gardening is its ability to bring people together socially, especially in the case of a community garden.
 
“Neighborhoods with a community garden are often more friendly and inviting,” he said. “And a community garden helps break down certain social barriers in that you will often see people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and economic levels collaborating on them. This sense of community is really the glue that makes a neighborhood special and allows people a chance to really get to know and understand one another.”
 
Miquela Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist-health, Lubbock, with AgriLife Extension’s Family and Community Health unit, said studies show people at lower economic levels experience greater average net benefits from home gardening compared to medium- and high-income respondents.
 
“One reason is likely that low-income families often live in food deserts and experience greater food insecurity from limited access to fresh produce,” she said. “Home or community gardening allows them to grow their own nutritious food, which provides some measure of control over their food security and has a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.”
 
Smith also noted gardening is one of the ways people can improve their mindfulness as a means of supporting their mental health.
 
“Gardening is an excellent activity for practicing mindfulness, which is beneficial to overall well-being,” she said. “The ability to use our hands, coupled with being outside, makes it less likely to be distracted by phones or other technology. This helps you focus and distract your mind from those things that would worry you.”
 
She also reiterated Hall’s point that gardening can also be a family or community activity that promotes togetherness and provides the opportunity for making personal connections.
 
“This ability to make and sustain personal connections is something that is beneficial to all people, regardless of demographics,” she said.
Brown, withered leaves on red bay trees in the Kingwood residential area near Houston indicate laurel wilt. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dave Appel)
Laurel wilt a growing problem in Texas
By Paul Schattenberg
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
 
While oak wilt has been given serious attention as a tree disease, Texas A&M AgriLife experts are now warning Texans of another tree disease that’s becoming a growing problem in the state — laurel wilt.
 
“The laurel wilt pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola, affects any trees in the family Lauraceae,” said David Appel, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist and professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station. “This includes red bay, sassafras, avocados, swamp bay and other related trees.”
 
Appel said the laurel wilt pathogen is a classic invasive species, first found in Texas in 2013 after being introduced in Georgia in 2004 and spreading across the southern U.S. and into several East Texas counties.
 
“Until now, laurel wilt has not gotten much attention,” he said. “But last fall, it was brought to my attention that it was killing trees in the Kingwood area of northeastern Harris County, the same county where Houston is located.”
 
Appel said mature red bay trees comprise a large proportion of the shade tree population in the eastern part of the state, and the pathogen can be expected to keep spreading throughout the red bay population of East Texas and downward along the Gulf Coast.
 
“The disease has been identified in 14 East Texas counties and is a significant disease of forest and shade trees in residential neighborhoods and urban landscapes,” he said. “Many trees will likely die due to the explosive nature of pathogen spread. I expect there will be a good amount of spread this summer, and the situation will require some serious attention.”
 
Appel and others, including Texas A&M Forest Service experts, are developing an educational program on laurel wilt to be held mid-June in the Houston area. The first day of the seminar will focus on arborists and other tree-care professionals; the second day will focus on homeowners.
 
Trees expected to be affected
 
“In Texas, laurel wilt has primarily killed red bay and sassafras trees,” Appel said. “However, many other trees such as swamp bay, spicebush and California laurel, also found in Texas, may eventually be hosts to the pathogen. And while we do not have any significant number of avocado trees in Texas, these are also known to be affected by the disease.”
 
Appel said red bay, the tree mainly affected by laurel wilt, serves as a prized shade tree in urban communities in East Texas.
 
“Seeds of the red bay serve as a food source for wildlife,” he explained. “This is an attractive and adaptable evergreen suitable to many landscapes, including those of coastal beachfront properties.”
 
Mickey Merritt, urban and community forestry program leader with Texas A&M Forest Service, Bryan-College Station, said most red bay trees in Harris County are located along the Spring Creek and San Jacinto River corridors.
 
“While this is a limited area of Harris County, red bays are more prevalent in other East Texas counties,” Merritt said. “It’s important that homeowners in the areas likely to be impacted identify and inspect their trees, especially the high-value trees that have sentimental worth or would be costly to replace.”
 
However, he said, before removing any trees, it is best to consult an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist to assess the tree and determine if it is laurel wilt.
 
Homeowner experiences
 
Recently, Susan Messmer of Kingwood said she noticed leaves on the top branches of the red bay trees on her property had begun to brown and wither. She also noticed small, compressed sawdust structures near the base of the trees.
 
“I looked around the neighborhood and noticed several trees in the same or worse condition,” she said. “I did an internet search in the tree and the symptoms and then contacted my local AgriLife Extension office.”
 
After some discussion and a visit to her property by Appel, with an arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture Texas Chapter, followed by a lab analysis by the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station, it was determined Messmer’s trees were infected with laurel wilt.
 
“I collected tissue samples from dying trees and confirmed the presence of Raffaelea lauricola by isolating the pathogen and having the molecular analyses done to prove the identity of the fungus,” Appel said.
 
Messmer said it was unfortunate to see the disease affecting so many trees throughout her area.
 
“Three of the six trees in my front yard are dead, and dozens more trees in the neighborhood are diseased or dying,” she said. “It has been very challenging and expensive to try and keep the disease from spreading and to replace the trees that have died or we know will never recover.”
 
Kate Henderson, another Kingwood resident, had many of the red bay trees on her 1-acre property infected by laurel wilt.
 
“I began to notice some browning in my trees last summer and thought at first it was the weather,” Henderson said. “Later, I realized it was just happening to the red bay trees on my property.”
 
She contacted Merritt, who, along with Texas A&M Forest Service forest entomologist Demian Gomez, based in Austin, came to her property to investigate and take samples for analysis. The results confirmed her trees had been infected by laurel wilt.
 
“It really amazed me how quickly the trees died once I saw signs of laurel wilt,” Henderson said. “I remember seeing the initial signs on one of the red bay trees, and it was totally brown within four weeks. So far, I have lost 17 red bays on my property. I’ve seen it all around this area and have heard of it also being found in Liberty, Conroe and elsewhere.”
 
Henderson said she also has a number of oaks, yaupons and magnolia trees on her property, as well as sassafras trees.
 
“I was told sassafras was also susceptible to laurel wilt, but fortunately, I haven’t seen any signs of it yet on my sassafras trees,” she said. “But I know this disease is serious, and people need to be aware of it.”
 
Henderson said she believes in reusing natural materials in the landscape, so she has had her dead red bays chipped into small chunks for lining the pathways on her property and for mulch.
 
How is it spread, and what are its symptoms?
 
“The way laurel wilt spreads is similar to that of Dutch elm disease or oak wilt,” Appel said. “It can spread by insect or through the roots of one tree to another if the root systems comingle.”
 
He said part of the reason for the rapid spread of the laurel wilt pathogen is the ambrosia beetle. It can carry the pathogen from diseased to healthy trees, sometimes for considerable distances.
 
“The red bay ambrosia beetle was introduced simultaneously with the pathogen,” Appel explained. “These beetles are uniquely suited to acquire the fungus from dead trees and transmit it to healthy trees.”
 
Female ambrosia beetles carrying the fungus will bore tunnels into healthy trees and lay eggs. As the eggs hatch, the juveniles feed on the pathogen as it grows in the original tunnels. They then emerge as adults to visit new trees and spread the pathogen.
 
“This is a very virulent disease that colonizes in the water-conducting vessels of the tree’s vascular system,” he said. “This starts with an attack of a small number of beetles. Eventually, more are attracted to the tree, and they overwhelm its natural defenses. Once the tree is overwhelmed like this, the likely result will be death.”
 
Appel said the initial symptoms of an infected tree are yellowing and wilting of leaves in random branches.
 
“These symptoms will spread to larger limbs so that increasingly more of the tree canopy will be affected, displaying splotchy patterns of yellow and brown leaves throughout the crown,” he said. “Although this may not always kill the tree, it will negatively affect its appearance and overall health.”
 
Appel said that, internally, the tree will have distinctive streaking in the sapwood that is revealed when bark is removed from the trunk or larger limbs. The ambrosia beetles also cause small holes on the bark surface that will extend beneath the bark into the sapwood.
 
“Externally, the beetles cause tiny ‘sticks’ comprised of compacted wood dust protruding from the bark,” he said. “The sawdust-like substance will usually accumulate in bark furrows or around the base of the tree.”
 
How can I find out if my tree has laurel wilt?
 
Appel said an initial assessment of whether a tree has laurel wilt can be made by direct observation of any symptoms known to be associated with the disease.
 
“However, different plant diseases or environmental factors may account for one or more of those symptoms, so the most accurate way to determine if laurel wilt is present is to send a sample to a plant disease diagnostic laboratory for assessment,” he said.
 
For example, samples from diseased trees may be submitted to the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of AgriLife Extension. For information, go to https://plantclinic.tamu.edu.
 
“Submission involves collecting the appropriate sample,” he said. “In this case, it should be a branch or trunk sample consisting of symptomatic sapwood from the infected tree or trees. Further instructions will depend on the diagnostic protocol being used by the clinic running the samples and should be obtained prior to submission.”
 
Laurel wilt control, management
 
“Proper diagnosis of laurel wilt is always the first step in planning an effective management program,” Appel said. “The second step is to prevent the pathogen from spreading to new, healthy trees.”
 
He said all precautions should be taken to prevent the wood from diseased trees from being transported into areas where the pathogen is not known to occur.
 
“If the pathogen is introduced into an area, then diseased and dead trees should be promptly identified and removed,” he said. “The wood should be destroyed, buried or otherwise treated appropriately to eliminate the threat of spreading contaminated beetles.”
 
Merritt noted that although burning the infected trees has also been proposed as an option for disposal, drought conditions should exclude this option for the time being.
 
“While red bay trees are not typically used for firewood, it’s important not to transport them for this or any other use,” he said. “But it’s generally safe to have the trees chipped into small pieces that can eventually be used in compost or as mulch, once the chips have sufficiently dried and start to decompose.”
 
Appel said any wounds on uninfected trees should be treated with pruning paint as they are likely to attract beetles.
 
“Weakened or stressed trees also attract beetles, so keep susceptible host trees healthy and free of stresses that might compromise their health,” Appel said.
 
He said the intravascular injection of trees with a fungicide may also effectively manage the pathogen.
 
“Propiconazole, a fungicide sold under the trade names Alamo and Propizol, have been shown to have at least some short-term benefit in protecting trees when properly applied,” Appel said.
 
He noted there are many injection methods and types of equipment used in this process, so it is best to have a trained commercial arborist perform any such procedure.
 
Merritt noted that another means of reducing the spread of tree diseases is to plant a diverse selection of trees.
 
“Having a diverse mixture of species will help keep diseases that affect the same tree genera and families from spreading and infecting a significant amount of your landscaping.” he said.
Upcoming Garden Events
 
If you would like your organization's events included in "Upcoming Garden Events" or would like to make a change to a listed event, please contact us at Garden Events. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details at least three weeks prior to the event.
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has caused the cancellation or rescheduling of many events these past few years. If you wish to attend any of the events listed below, please contact the presenters in advance to determine if the event has been cancelled or postponed, or if it will take place as scheduled.
MAY

Galveston: “Home Fruit Growers Tours” Three fruit orchards and vegetable gardens open for tours 9 am-Noon, May 14. No pre-registration needed; visit sites in any desired order. No rain date will occur regardless of weather. Free. For orchard locations and additional information: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars/.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners Plant Sale: Perennials and Herbs. Order online for best selections at hcmga.tamu.edu/plant-sales/. Saturday and Monday, May 14 & 16, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Pick up online orders on Saturday for best selections or purchase plants in person on Monday while supplies last. Family friendly activities. Genoa Friendship Garden, 1210 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Houston.

Houston: Open Garden Day, May 16, 8:30-11:00 a.m., Genoa Friendship Gardens, 1210 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Houston. Tour a variety of planting exhibits and meet and talk with Harris County Master Gardeners. Vegetable plants may be purchased in person.

Online: Succulents by Harris County Master Gardeners, May 17 – 11:00 a.m.-noon. Succulents. FREE Virtual Lecture with Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation needed: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events/.

Corinth: Denton County Master Gardeners Association General Meeting & Program “Gardening for Wildlife,” presented by Ben Jones, Executive Director, Texas Conservation Alliance. May 18, 10 a.m.-noon, Global Spheres Center, 7801 Stemmons Fwy, Corinth.

Various locations: Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association Kids’ Kamp will hold Kids’ Kamps in Washington, Colorado, Fayette and Austin counties for the fifth year. This program provides a “hands on” introduction to the fun and importance of gardening, soils, water conservation and insects. Students will complete take home projects including a bee house to attract pollinators to their own yards. Taught by Master Gardeners, Kids’ Kamp promotes a love of gardening and an appreciation of our environment. Kamps run for 3 days (Tuesday-Thursday) from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. The cost is $30 per child. Registration forms can be obtained at the AgriLife offices in each county or online at https://txmg.org/bluebonnet/kidskamp/. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 20. Kamp Dates are: Washington County 5/31 – 6/2, Colorado County 6/14 – 6/16, Fayette County 6/21 – 6/23 and Austin County 6/28 – 6/30.

Cypress: Saturday, May 21, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ask a Master Gardener at Towne Lake Farmers Market, 9955 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress. Hands-on children activity.

Pearland: The Lone Star Daylily Society's annual Flower Show and Plant Sale will be held May 21 at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 5515 Broadway, Pearland. The plant show will take place 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and the flower show 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.lonestardaylilysociety.org.

Bryan: Brazos County Master Gardeners will host a presentation on house and garden plants that are poisonous to animals. Dr. Travis Mays, Head of Analytical Chemistry at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, will discuss toxic principles associated with specific plants, strategies to avoid poisonings, and examples of diagnostic cases involving animal poisonings from toxic plant ingestion. Tuesday, May 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Brazos County Extension Office. This event is open to the public at no charge.

La Marque: “Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees,” with Galveston County Master Gardener Robert Marshall and Stephen Brueggerhoff, Extension Horticulturist, presenting 9-11:30 a.m., May 28, begins at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Bldg. in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main (Hwy 519), La Marque, and continues in the Discovery Garden. Free. Registration limited to 30 people. To pre-register and for more information, visit https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/mgseminars/.
JUNE

Bryan: Brazos County Master Gardeners will host Anne Deleon, the nursery manager at the Farm Patch, who will talk about designing an English-style cottage garden in Texas. Ms. Deleon will share her design expertise and her extensive knowledge of plant selections for Brazos County. Tuesday, June 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the Brazos County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Court, Bryan. This event is open to the public at no charge.
Weekly Meetings

Galveston: The Young Gardeners Program is a school garden and healthy eating program operating on Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. Every Saturday, 9-11 a.m., they host a garden Community Day at one of the schools. It's an opportunity for community members to work and play in the garden and it's kid-friendly. First Saturday - Crenshaw, 416 State Hwy 87, Crystal Beach; Second Saturday - Rosenberg Elementary, 721 10th St., Galveston; Third Saturday - Morgan Elementary, 1410 37th St., Galveston; Fourth Saturday - Oppe Elementary, 2915 81st St., Galveston.
Monthly Meetings

If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details. 
 
FIRST WEEK
 
Jasper: The Jasper County Master Gardeners meet on the first Monday of each month at St. Michael's Catholic Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The evening begins with pot luck social and then guest presentations and/or educational class to conclude. Visit https://jasper.agrilife.org/jasper-master-gardeners/ to verify meeting date for any given month, as circumstances could require a change, and to find information on the speaker and topic scheduled for each meeting; Visit  https://mastergardener.tamu.edu/become/ to become a member.
  
Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at the First Community Church at 1401 Trinity Drive in Crandall. January through April and August and September meetings are at 9 a.m., with the remaining meetings beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information, visit http://www.kcmga.org, call 972-932-9069 or email to sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at a location in Houston to be determined. For additional information, visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/ or call 713-274-0950.

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.

Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the first Wednesday of each month, Sept.- May, at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas, 75230. The club hosts different speakers each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come early and order lunch from the The Cafe, which features a healthy menu, fresh local produce and sustainably produced meats and fish (or call in advance to order 972-338-2233). For more information about Garden Masters Inc, email Marcia Borders at borderlineart1@gmail.com.
 
Kerrville: Hill Country Master Gardeners meet the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.
 
Midland: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland counties) have monthly meetings at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the West Texas Food Bank, 1601 Westcliff Drive in Midland. For more information call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.

Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 10:00 a.m., usually at the First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, 302 Nolan Street, Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door of the Family Life Building. Guests are welcome. Members are from Grimes County and surrounding counties.
  
Allen: The Allen Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, February through December, at the Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St., Allen. For more information, visit www.allengardenclub.org.

Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners meet the first Thursday of each month at the Atlanta Memorial Hospital Conference Room, State Highway 77 @ S. Williams St., Atlanta. A business meeting is followed by an educational program. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or visit http://cass.agrilife.org

Fort Worth: The Native Plant Society of Texas - North Central Chapter meets the first Thursday of each month, excluding January and July, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m. Guest speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Members, friends, family, guests and the public are welcome. For a list of speakers and topics or more information, visit http://www.txnativeplants.org.
  
Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually meet at 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Waller County AgriLife Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead. For more information on the meeting schedule, visit http://txmg.org/wallermg or call 979-826-7651.
 
Gonzalas: Gonzales Master Gardeners hold their monthly meeting at noon on the first Thursday of each month at 623 Fair Street, Gonzales. Bring a bag lunch, drinks provided. Contact AgriLife Extension Office at 830-672-8531 or visit http://gonzalesmastergardeners.org for more information.

New Braunfels: The Comal Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Southbank Clubhouse, 222 Southbank Blvd., New Braunfels.
 
SECOND WEEK
 
Austin: Austin Organic Gardeners Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except December) at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; club business begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardeners meet on the second Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at The First Methodist Church, 1031 TX-456 Loop, Jacksonville. For additional information, contact Kim Benton at kim.benton@ag.tamu.edu.
 
Cedar Park/Leander/Liberty Hill: The Hill Country Bloomers meet the second Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main Street, Cedar Park. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to socialize and swap plants and seeds. Meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of topics for the home gardener or landscaper. They host a plant sale in the spring and a garden tour in the late summer/early fall. Throughout the year they contribute time and expertise to local projects. Those with any level of experience are welcome. Non-members are invited to their first meeting at no cost. Membership and speaker info is available at www.hillcountrybloomers.com.

Glen Rose: The Glen Rose Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (September through May) at the Somervell County Community Center in Glen Rose. For additional information, email stringer030@yahoo.com.

Glen Rose: The Prairie Rose Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Somerville County Citizen Center, 209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose. For additional information, email prairierose.npsot@gmail.com
 
Harrison County: The Harrison County Master Gardeners meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Harrison County Annex building, 102 W Houston St. (south side of the square), Marshall. Meetings are held in the 2nd floor AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email wannagrow2@gmail.com
 
Marion: The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of each month except July, August and December at St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. Directions to St. John's Lutheran Church: From FM 78 turn south onto FM 465 and the church is just past the Marion School on the right. From IH-10 go north on FM 465 towards Marion. The Church will be on the left, just before you get to town. A plant exchange and meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT visit www.npsot.org/GuadalupeCounty/ or contactguadalupecounty@npsot.org.
 
Quitman: The Quitman Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Quitman Library on E Goode Street, Quitman. It is a diverse group that welcomes all visitors. For more information, e-mail quitmangardenclub@gmail.com.
 
Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener Association meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. For complete details, visit http://dcmga.com/.
 
Humble: The Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, hosts a Lunch Bunch the second Wednesday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Take a sack lunch or order a box lunch from Starbucks when you call 281-443-8731 to reserve your spot. Master Gardeners and Masters Naturalists may earn CEU credits by attending.
 
Jacksboro: The Jacksboro Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month (except June, July and August) at the Concerned Citizens Center, 400 East Pine Street, Jacksboro. For more information, call Melinda at 940-567-6218.
 
Longview: The Gregg County Master Gardeners Association's Learn at Lunch program meet the second Wednesday of each month. The business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon, at the AgriLife Extension Office, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Longview. The program is presented for horticultural education and is free to the public. For further information call 903-236-8429, visit www.txmg.org/gregg, or like us on Facebook at Gregg County Master Gardeners. 
 
Rockport: The Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group, founded in March 2003, meets the
second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport, to discuss all aspects of using and growing herbs, including historical uses and tips for successful propagation and cultivation. Sometimes they take field trips and have cooking demonstrations in different locations. For more information, contact Linda 361-729-6037, Ruth 361-729-8923 or Cindy 979-562-2153 or visit www.rockportherbs.org and http://rockportherbies.blogspot.com.
 
Woodway: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meet on the second Wednesday each month at noon at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway. Educational programs follow the business session. For more information, call 254-757-5180.
 
Beaumont: The Jefferson County Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. (social) 7:00 (meeting) the second Thursday of each month except in July in the AgriLife Extension auditorium, 1225 Pearl 2nd floor (downtown Beaumont next to the Court House). For more information contact: 409-835-8461 or txmg.org/jcmg.
 
Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street. Georgetown. For additional information, contract Kathy Henderson at kshend@verizon.net or visit http://www.npsot.org/wp/wilco.
 
Orange: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association holds their monthly meeting on the second Thursday of each month. A short program is presented. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the new Orange County Expo Center on Hwy 1442 in Orangefield. Enter the building in the front entrance, first door on the right, Texas AgriLife offices. Pot luck supper at 6 p.m. Visit http://txmg.org/orange for more information.

Pasadena: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Genoa Friendship Garden Educational Building at 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Pasadena. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels (corner of Funston & N. New Braunfels). For more information on programs, visit www.sanantonioherbs.org.

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. in the training room of the College Station Waste Water Facility building at the end of North Forest Parkway, College Station. Expert speakers, plant sharing, and federated club projects help members learn about gardening in the Brazos Valley, floral design, conservation, and more. For more information, visit http://www.amgardenclub.com/.
 
Houston: The Spring Branch African Violet Club meets the second Saturday of each month,January through November, at 10:00 a.m. at the Copperfield Baptist Church, 8350 Highway 6 North, Houston. Call Karla at 281-748-8417 prior to attending to confirm meeting date and time.
 
Dallas: The Rainbow Garden Club of North Texas meets the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Meetings are held at member's homes and garden centers around the area. For more information, visit www.RainbowGardenClub.com.
 
THIRD WEEK
 
Arlington: The Arlington Men's Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (except December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact Lance Jepson at LJepson@aol.com.
 
Cleburne: The Johnson County Master Gardener's meet on the third Monday of each month at Johnson. County Agricultural Office, 109 W. Chambers, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 2 p.m. October through April, except December and at 6 p.m. May through September. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For additional information, contact Elaine Bell at 817-309-8052.
  
New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month (except April and December,) at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. An educational program precedes the business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, call 830-620-3440 or visit comalmg.org

Texarkana: The Four Corners Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Southwest Center, 3222 W. 7th St. (U.S. 67), Texarkana. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Belinda McCoy at 903-424-7724 or blackmtngardens@yahoo.com.

Abilene: The Master Gardeners meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene. For more information, contact Big Country Master Gardeners Association at mgardeners@yahoo.com.

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

Corpus Christi: The Nueces Master Gardeners meet at noon the third Tuesday of each month,except December, at Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For further information call 361 767-5217.
 
New Braunfels: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the third Tuesday of each month at  6:30 pm at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. Meetings include an informative speaker and a Plant of the Month presentation. Meetings are free and visitors are welcome. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/w/lindheimer.  Note: there will be no meeting in June or December.
 
Rockport: Monthly meetings of the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners are held at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Aransas County Office, 892 Airport Rd., Rockport. For additional information, e-mail aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103.
 
Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through November and January through April at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. The club hosts a different speaker each month. For more information, visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.
 
Denton: The Denton Organic Society, a group devoted to sharing information and educating the public regarding organic principles, meets the third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Avenue. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a social at 6:30. For more information, call 940-382-8551.
 
Glen Rose: The Somervell County Master Gardeners meet at 10 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month at the Somervell County AgriLife Extension office, 1405 Texas Drive, Glen Rose. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 254-897-2809 or visit www.somervellmastergardeners.org.
 
Granbury: The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners meet at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Hood County Annex 1, 1410 West Pearl Street, Granbury. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the business meeting. For information on topics call 817-579-3280 or visit http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/.

Brownwood: Brownwood Garden Club meets the third Thursday of each month, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. The club meetings are at Southside Baptist Church, 1219 Indian Creek Road, with refreshments and a speaker presentation. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email boeblingen@centex.net or call 817-454-8175.
 
Hallettsville: The Hallettsville Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month from September through May, at the Hallettsville Garden and Cultural Center, 107 Fink Street, Hallettsville. Each month, the club hosts speakers that provide informative programs on a wide range of gardening subjects, and refreshments are provided by member hostesses afterwards. Visitors are welcome! Please email Sharon Harrigan at sharonspetals@gmail.com for more information.
 
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter meets at 6:45 pm on the third Thursday of each month at the American Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Fwy. For more information about meeting presentations and native plants, visit http://npsot.org/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.

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 Westside Community Center, 2932 S. I-35 Frontage Road, New Braunfels. Meetings start at 6:15 p.m. with a meet and greet time, followed by a short business meeting. Programs begin around 7:00. Native plant and seed exchanges are held monthly. Expert speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information or to join, visit www.npsot.org.
 
Brackenridge Park: The Native Plant Society San Antonio Chapter meets every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center, 2809 Broadway at E. Mulberry, Brackenridge Park, except August and December. Social and seed/plant exchange at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bea at 210-999-7292 or visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio.
 
Bryan: The Brazos County Master Gardeners, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Brazos County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Ct., Bryan. There is a public gardening program at each meeting and pertinent information may be found at brazosmg.com or 979-823-0129.
 
Edna: The Jackson County Master Gardeners present their "Come Grown With Us" seminars on the fourth Tuesday of each month, January through October, beginning at 7 p.m. at 411 N. Wells, Edna. The seminars are free, open to the public and offer 2 CEU hours to Master Gardeners or others requiring them. For additional information, contact the Jackson County Extension Office at 361-782-3312.
 
Linden: The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of Native Plants Society meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the senior citizens building at 507 S Kaufman St. in Linden at 6:30. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Karen Tromza at khtromza@yahoo.com.
 
San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, except August and December, at the Lions Field Adult & Senior Center, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio. Social and plant/seed exchange at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio or email npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com.
 
Houston: The Houston Native Prairie Association meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except November and December) at the Houston Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact hnpat@prairies.org.

Austin: The Garden Club of Austin meets at Zilker Botanical Gardens auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. 7:00-7:30 p.m. Refreshments and Social, followed by a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Free. For additional information, visit http://thegardenclubofaustin.org/.

Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except June, July and August) at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room of the Leander Presbyterian Church, 101 N. West St., Leander, unless there is a special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, there is a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call President Kathleen Tully at 512-422-8580 or email LeanderGardenClub@gmail.com.
 
Dallas: The Dallas County Master Gardeners meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. For location and program information, visit http://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.

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

Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month (except November and December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact David at 817-483-7746.

Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, hosts a garden Open Days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. Drop-in tours are permitted but pre-registration is encouraged. Docent led tours are $10 for guests, free for members. For more information, http://peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
 
Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month (except November and December) at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Road, Dallas. For more information, visit www.gdogc.org
Planning Guide & Books of Interest
 
2022 Planning Guide & Calendar
Only $14.95 per copy (includes tax and shipping) 
 
Make gardening easier and more enjoyable in 2022. No more keeping it in your head or, worse yet, juggling all those wrinkled, sweat-stained pieces of paper that seem to accumulate and end up lost. It's time to get organized and the perfect way to start that off is with your very own copy of the 2022 Texas Gardener Planning Guide and Calendar. No more guessing when to plant or do different activities. You will find everything you need in one simple but informative guide and calendar. Plus plenty of room to record your own planting dates, rainfall events and other data for future reference.
Here's a sample of what you will find in this information-packed guide:
  • Many, many practical and timely garden tips that are for Texas - not Maine or California!
  • Organic, earth-friendly tips to make your garden grow and prosper
  • Lots of space to record your own activities for future reference
  • Planting dates and tips for vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and lawns
Order today, while it's fresh on your mind. Don't forget to order copies for your gardening friends and relatives!
 

Easy Edibles
By Judy Barrett

Only $29.75 (includes tax and shipping)

Eating fresh and eating local has really caught on! Easy Edibles: How to Grow and Enjoy Fresh Food focuses on ways to grow some of your own food without devoting a lot of space, time and work to the project. Barrett also covers how and where to find the bounty offered at local farmers markets, farm stands and pick-your-own operations. This book is the perfect gift or guide for folks new to gardening or those who have limited time and resources but still want to eat fresh! Click on this link to order https://texasgardener.com/product/easy-edibles/.

The Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook
By William D. Adams

Only $31.94 (includes tax and shipping)

The best thing for tomato enthusiast since the tomato itself! Adams draws on more than thirty years' experience to provide a complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Learn everything from soil preparation, planting, feeding, caging and watering. Liberally sprinkled with the author's easy humor and illustrated with his own excellent photographs, the must have book has everything you'll need to assure a bumper crop! 189 pages. Lots of color photographs! Click on this link to order https://texasgardener.com/product/texas-tomato-lovers-handbook/.

And check out these other great books available from Texas Gardener:

Worms Eat My Garbage

Grow Great Vegetables Texas

Wicked Bugs

Wicked Plants

Wicked Plants Coloring Book

A Kid's Guide to Keeping Chickens
Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2022. 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 
 
Texas Gardener's Seeds, P.O. Box 1676, Brenham, Texas 77834-1676