February 14, 2018
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The garden reader:
Succulents, dry-gardening and compost
By William Scheick
John Bagnasco and Bob Reidmuller. Success with Succulents: Choosing, Growing, and Caring for Cactuses and Other Succulents. Cool Springs Press, 2017. 192 pp. $24.99.
"In areas of unreliable water availability, like the Southwest, a wide selection of [succulent] sizes and striking architectural features add interest and excitement to both home and commercial landscapes," John Bagnasco and Bob Reidmuller write.
Their
Success with Succulents covers every aspect of how to prevail with these easy-care plants, including tips on propagation by seed, stems, leaves and offsets. The book's three main sections concern outdoor management, indoor care and 100 attractive plant profiles.
Indoor lighting for succulents can be problematic. So, the authors helpfully point out, "haworthias, gasterias, gasteraloes and sansevierias get along just fine with indirect bright light and no extra angst or fuss."
With full-page photographs,
Success with Succulents is a handsome book easily enjoyed for its own beauty. And its faultless, down-to-earth advice would be a perfect place to start for anyone planning to get serious about growing succulents.
Maureen Gilmer. The Colorful Dry Garden: Over 100 Flower and Vibrant Plants for Drought, Desert & Dry Times. Sasquatch Books, 2018. 214 pp. $22.95.
Of course succulents make an appearance in
The Colorful Dry Garden, Maureen Gilmer's account of "a designer's understanding of contemporary and traditional West Coast styles for residential landscaping" as well as a "horticulturalist's view on cultivation problems and a passion for flowers."
While written from a West Coast perspective, most of this book features beautifully illustrated profiles of drought-tolerant plants that prove equally suitable for dry Texas gardens. And Gilmer's nifty tips likewise apply to our state.
One tip refers to tiny plants (such as creeping thyme) grown between flagstones - a challenging environment because of the heat absorbed by these stones during the day. "High-quality artificial turf makes a far better porous filler for flagstones that requires no care or water and looks cool and lush all year round," Gilmer recommends.
Of special interest: how to grow dry-garden edibles - sweet bay, figs, olives, pomegranates, artichokes, grapes and apple cactus (
Cereus peruvianus).
Michelle Balz. Composting for a New Generation: Latest Techniques for the Bin and Beyond. Cool Springs Press, 2018. 192 pp. $22.99.
"Compost gives your soil the sponge-like, water-retaining quality preferred by most plants," Michelle Balz explains in her new book. "Adding just 5 percent more compost to your soil could quadruple your soil's capacity to hold water."
Compost also adds nutrients, aeration and drainage. "The gift that keeps on giving, compost also creates a soil habitat where macroinvertebrates thrive" and promote plant health.
After investigating the science of composting, Balz gets down to practical guidebook basics - from what organic matter should be composted, to "balancing browns and greens," then on to troubleshooting problems with a compost bin.
Balz will also help you choose a composting style - her design possibilities are surprising and attractive.
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Forget the groundhog, 'Springcasting' tool predicts when to plant, pollinate
Cornell University
Punxsutawney Phil - the prognosticating groundhog who famously foretells the arrival of spring - may need a new job. Cornell University's Emergent Climate Risk Lab has unveiled Springcasting, a web tool to determine the onset of spring - a full season before it occurs.
"We're trying to look beyond the typical five- to 10-day barrier of traditional meteorological forecasts by focusing on the timing of spring indicators, not just warm or cold temperatures," said Toby Ault, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell.
"Our Springcasting product tries to predict spring onset a season in advance. The climate is changing, and the onset of spring impacts agriculture, orchards, insects, migrating birds, pollinators, quite literally an entire suite of ecosystem responses. We're trying to get a heads-up a season ahead of what to expect each year," he said.
The new tool's map of the continental U.S. shows in color where spring will be early, late or right on time. Updated forecasts will be issued Jan. 31, Feb. 15, Feb. 28, March 15 and March 31 for this spring.
In 2017, spring arrived early throughout most of the Southeast, Southwest and the Midwest. "Spring was crazy last year, more than 20 days early in several places. That took everyone by surprise," Ault said, explaining that he and his colleagues examined models and circumstances from late 2016 forward. "Could we have seen that coming? The answer was pretty much 'yes.' We probably could have predicted the crazy early spring last year, if we had tried."
This year, Ault and his colleagues aim to predict spring onset for all regions in the U.S. months in advance. Current forecasts predict much of the West, Southwest and parts of the Southeast will have an early spring. Growers and natural resource managers, for example, could use the spring outlooks to make critical decisions about allocating assets on long lead-time horizons.
Ault has collaborated with Mark D. Schwartz, professor of geography/climatology at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Julio Betancourt of the U.S. Geological Survey; and the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) to develop and apply quantitative indices of spring onset for North America.
Ault is collecting feedback on the site at ecrl@cornell.edu. "To improve the models, we want to hear from people out in the field and on the farms," he said.
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Gardening tips
Around Valentine's Day is the best time to plant potatoes in much of the state. We have become lazy in our old age and like to plant them directly on the garden soil, then cover with 18- to 24-inches of shredded tree mulch. After a couple of weeks, the potatoes wills start to emerge from the mulch. When they are ready to harvest, you don't need a shovel or hoe, just dig them out with your hands. Next year that potato row with the mulch can become a walkway between rows if you plan it out in advance The tree mulch will take a while to decompose but makes an excellent mud-free walkway. Also, you can usually get the shredded tree mulch free from many landscape companies that are always looking for a place to "dump" debris from tree-trimming jobs.
Have a favorite gardening tip you'd like to share?
Texas Gardener's Seeds is seeking brief gardening tips from Texas gardeners to use in future issues. If we publish your tip in
Seeds, we will send you a copy of
Texas Gardene
r's 2018 Planning Guide & Calendar. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at:
Garde
ning Tips.
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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.
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| FEBRUARY
Hitchcock: "Galveston County Master Gardeners Annual Spring Fruit & Citrus Tree, Vegetable, Perennials, Bulbs, and Crafts Sale," huge number of plant varieties adapted to the Texas Gulf Coast growing area offered; Pre-sale seminar, 8-8:50 a.m., Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m.;
February 17, at
Jack Brooks Park Rodeo Arena,
10 Jack Brooks Rd and Hwy 6, Hitchcock, TX 77563 (Galveston County Fairgrounds). For a complete list of plants included in the Sale, visit
McKinney: The Collin County Master Gardeners Association will host, "Spring into Vegetable Gardening" on February 17, from 8:00 a.m. till noon at the Landing at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, Texas. The focus of the program will be basic vegetable gardening in Collin County for beginners and backyard gardeners. Vegetable garden experts will discuss the specifics of planning, designing, and planting a garden, the best plant varieties and the planting calendar for Collin County gardens. Attendees will learn about the importance of soil and soil preparation, how to grow vegetables in raised beds, containers and small spaces, plus learn "Everything You Want to Know About Tomatoes," how to propagate seeds, and more.
Demonstration tables will feature hands-on displays and will be manned by Master Gardeners and local experts who have expertise in vegetable resources, raised bed construction, vertical gardens, water conservation, drip irrigation, propagation, container gardening, insects/disease, and more. Representatives from Texas Pure Products will be on hand with examples of various soil amendments and mulches. Spend the morning session with Collin County Master Gardeners learning how to grow delicious, nutritious veggies, and stay for the afternoon session "Tree Care" seminar. Trees are a valuable part of the landscape, providing shade, improving air quality, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. The program, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. will cover "Tree Care 101" presented by Urban Forester Mike Sills, and "Tree Diseases and Pests" presented by Consulting Arborist Dr. Greg Church. Register online at the CCMGA website
www.ccmgatx.org
. There is a $10 per person, per session, fee to attend. Seating is limited so registration is required to ensure enough handouts and goodie bags for attendees. Contact 972-548-4219, or visit
www.ccmgatx.org for more information. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. on February 17 at the Landing at Myers Park, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney.
San Antonio: San Antonio Rose Society presents a Rose Pruning Demonstration at 11:00 a.m., February 17, at 8516 Bandera Road, San Antonio, and again at 2:00 p.m. at 2585 Thousand Oaks, San Antonio. For additional information, visit
https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioRoseSociety/.
Houston: The Nancy Thomas Horticulture Lecture featuring landscape architect
Michael Van Valkenburgh. This free lecture is sponsored by The Garden Club of Houston. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with the lecture beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 21, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, 77056. For more information: https://www.gchouston.org/lectures/.
Tomball: Teresa Thornton, A-I Amazing Massage, presents Prepare Your Muscles for an Injury Free Spring at 10:00 a.m., February 22, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Discover techniques for muscle preparation and injury prevention from the expert. For additional information, visit arborgate.com.
La Marque: "How to Grow Native Milkweed," with Monarch Gateway Director Barbara Keller-Willy, presenting, 1-3 p.m.,
February 24, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email
galvcountymgs@gmail.com; for additional details visit
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html. Free.
Tomball: Gaye Hammond, Houston Rose Society, presents Rose Pruning and Planting, at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 24, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Take the guess work out of pruning and planting. Learn the secrets from the expert! For additional information, visit arborgate.com.
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MARCH
Austin: The annual plant sale/fundraiser for Sunshine Community Gardens, 4814 Sunshine Drive, Austin, will be held
March 3, 9:00 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunshine Community Gardens are the largest community garden in Austin with the largest community garden plant sale. Available will be organically grown tomatoes (126 varieties), peppers (80 varieties), eggplants, tomatillos, herbs, natives and ornamentals, plus compost to help them all be healthy and happy. For more information, visit
sunshinecommunitygardens.org.
Navasota: "Being One with Nature" Nature Walk at Becker Home, 2578 Vista Hills Dr., Navasota, at 10:00 a.m., March 7.
Houston: "Essentials of Growing Roses"
is the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting, Thursday, March 8, 7:00 p.m., at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavillon, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. The parking lot is Lot C located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. James Laperouse, a Consulting Rosarian, exhibitor and American Rose Society Judge, will share his knowledge and personal experience of growing beautiful roses in Houston. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Social time and refreshments at 7:00 p.m.
Free admission. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.
New Braunfels: The 7th Annual Spring Seminar, "Secrets in the Garden" Native Plants and Their Pollinators, will be presented Friday, March 9, at the McKenna Events Center, 801 San Antonio Street, New Braunfels. $55 admission includes lunch, snacks, door prizes and vendors. 6 CEUs for Master Gardeners.
Tyler:
Master Gardeners at the Library, March 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. "Raised Bed Gardening on a Hillside" with Smith County Master Gardener Wayne Elliott. Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College, Tyler. Free and open to the public. For additional information, visit
www.txmg.org/smith
or call 903-590-2980.
Conroe
: Saturday, March 10. Educational Classes.
Session 1: Floral Plants for Montgomery County. 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. Session 2: Vegetables for Montgomery County. 10:30 until 12:30 p.m. $5 per session or $8 for both. Come learn what you need to know about having great gardens in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Master Gardeners, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. For more info, visit www.mcmga.com or call 936-539-7824.
Bonham: Fannin County Master Gardeners 2018 Garden, Lawn and Home Expo, Saturday, March 24, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Bonham Civic Center (former Armory Bldg.) 1100 W 5th St. Hwy 121 & Hwy 56, Bonham. Speakers: 9:00 a.m., Michael Cook, Denton Co. Viticulture Specialist, Topic "Backyard Viticulture: Growing Grapes in North Texas"; 11:00 a.m., Steve Chamblee, Chandor Gardens, Weatherford, Topic "Texas Tough 50"; 1:00 p.m., Steve Chamblee, Topic "Great Garden Ideas"; 2:00 p.m. Janet Rowe, The Bee Charmer, Topic "Hobby Bee Keeping." For additional information, email: fannin@ag.tamu.edu or phone 903-583-7453.
Burnet: The Highland Lakes Master Gardeners will present their 20th Annual Lawn & Garden Show at the Burnet Community center, 401 Jackson St., Burnet,
March 24, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free family event has variety of native, exotic plants, herbs flowers and vegetables. Demonstrations throughout the day on many garden techniques. The show features children activities, a quilt raffle, silent auction and food for purchase. For more information, contact Irene Daphin at 254-498-6009.Vendors contact Roxanne Dunegan at 512-756-9396.
Conroe
: Saturday, March 24
, Spring Plant Sale. Presentation 8:00 a.m., sale 9:00 a.m. until noon. Get your spring "yardening" needs! Don't forget your wagon. On sale are varieties that will do well in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Master Gardeners, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe
. For more info, call 936-539-7824 or visit www.mcmga.com.
Huntsville: Herb Festival at the Wynne Home, Saturday, March 24, 8:00-2:00, on the grounds of the beautifully restored Wynne Home Arts Center, 1428 Eleventh Street, Huntsville. Sponsored by the Texas Thyme Unit of The Herb Society of America. Herb plants galore; pollinator plants; vegetables, kitchen, garden and herbal vendors; gardening and culinary demonstrations; music; children's crafts; artists and more! Free admission. The Wynne Home will be open to visitors. For information, call 936-891-5024.
Orangefield: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association will hold their Annual Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fair, March 24, 8:00 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. All types of plants will be available, including bedding plants, Texas SuperStars, citrus, avocados, blueberries, roses, succulents, trees, shrubs and many more types. Potential vendors and attendees can find more information at
https://txmg.org/orange.
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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
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.
Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the
first Wednesday of each month at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas. The club hosts different speaker each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring your lunch! For more information, email Bunny Williams at
bunny-williams@sbcglobal.net.
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/Odessa: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners meet at noon, the
first Wednesday of each month, lternating between the Midland and Ector County's Extensions Offices. For more information about location, 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 Baptist Church Family Life Center, 300 Church Street, Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door at the North entrance. 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.
Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, hosts a special Peckerwood Insider's Tour at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Spaces are limited so pre-registration is required. $15, free for members. For more information, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
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. 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 Woodmen of the World, 1800 College Ave., Jacksonville. For more information, e-mail Tom Abbott at
tom@deerfield-abbey.org.
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 contact
guadalupecounty@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.or
g 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.
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 10:30am 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.
Kilgore: Northeast Texas Organic Gardeners meets at 1:30 p.m. on the
second Saturday of each month. For more information, call Carole Ramke at 903-986-9475.
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 McGregor House, 1628 W Henderson, 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
http://txmg.org/comal/.
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.
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.
Evant: The Evant Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., usually at the bank in downtown Evant. To confirm the date, time and place of each month's meeting, call 254-471-5860.
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, 605 E 2nd St, 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 after the business meeting. Visitors are welcome. Please email Sharon Harrigan at
sharonspetals@yahoo.com for more information.
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston (NPSOT-H) meets at 7:30 p.m. on the
third Thursday of each month except for October (4th Thursday) at the Houston SArboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park (4501 Woodway Dr.). For more information on programs, and for information about native plants for Houston, visit
http:/npsot.org/wp/Houston.
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 begins with a social time at 6 p.m. followed by a free presentation from 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1-3:30 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.
Hempstead: The Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation, 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, hosts the Evening at Peckerwood Lecture series at 7 p.m. on the
third Friday of each month. Tickets are available online. Tickets are $10, $5 for members.For more information, visit
http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
FOURTH WEEK
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 Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, 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.
Fort Worth: The Organic Garden Club of Forth Worth meets at 7 p.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of each month except July and December at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center, 3220 Botanic Blvd., Ft. Worth. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 817-263-9322 or visit
www.ogcfw.webs.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 at the Cherie Flores Pavilion in McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. 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
h
ttp://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.
Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 7:00 p.m. on the
fourth Thursday of each month at the REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. For more information, call 214-824-2448 or visit
www.gdogc.org.
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, holds an Open Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. Tours start at 10 a.m. and the last tour leaves at 2 p.m. Tickets available online or at the gate. $10, free for members. For more information, visit http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.
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Texas Gardener digital edition available-Only $19.95 per year (digital only) or $9 per year if you tack it on to your print subscription!
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