January 7, 2026

Texas A&M horticulture experts recommend watering and protecting cold-sensitive plants before freezing temperatures. (Texas A&M Forest Service)

Protect plants, pipes and pets from winter weather

By Karn Dhingra

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Freezing temperatures eventually reach every corner of Texas, due to the state’s famously unpredictable winter weather. With advance preparation, Texans can reduce damage to their homes and landscapes while keeping animals safe when temperatures drop.

Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences experts offer practical, research-informed guidance to protect livestock, plants, pipes and pets during winter cold snaps.

Water plants and protect tender species

From the subtropical Rio Grande Valley to the cold Panhandle, winter plant protection varies by region as well, said Mike Arnold, Ph.D. However, watering thoroughly is always the first step. Arnold is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University.

“Well-watered plants survive freezes better than drought-stressed ones,” Arnold said. “Moist soil freezes more slowly, providing insulation during sudden temperature drops.”

Before a freeze, Arnold recommends homeowners:

• Drain irrigation systems, unhook hoses and cover hose bibs.
• Apply 2-to-3 inches of organic mulch to protect plant roots.
• Cover plants susceptible to damage from cold weather with frost cloths or blankets.
• Place old-style holiday lights beneath frost cloths for especially cold-sensitive plants such as citrus. Do not let the lights contact the frost cloths to avoid fire hazards.

Be sure to remove plant covers once temperatures rise above freezing to prevent overheating, Arnold said.

He also advises leaving dead growth on perennials, bananas, palms and many woody plants until late winter or early spring. Pruning too early can cause freeze damage.

“Be patient. Learn to love ugly,” he said.

Winterize pipes and wells ahead of the first freeze

Pipe insulation is one of the most important — and often overlooked — winter tasks, said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and Texas Well Owner Network coordinator, Bryan-College Station.

“It’s always cheaper to prepare and prevent than to fix things,” Pigg said.

He encourages Texans to buy insulation materials early because pipe wrap and heat tape often sell out once freeze warnings are issued.

Northern regions need earlier preparation, but South Texas should also plan for the rare — yet still damaging — deep freezes.

Homeowners should:

• Insulate well houses, wrap pipes and position safe heat sources before cold weather arrives.
• Especially be sure to protect vulnerable pipes in attics or exterior walls.
• Shield pipes from direct wind, which accelerates freezing.

Pigg warned that a single overlooked line can burst and cause major damage. He recommends preparing in October or November and maintaining protections through March or April, since most Texas freezes hit between late January and February.

Keep pets indoors and watch for cold-weather risks

Texas A&M veterinary experts urge Texans to bring pets indoors during freezing weather.

When outdoor time is unavoidable, pets need well-insulated shelters just large enough to trap body heat, said Lori Teller, a clinical professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Pet homes with rigid foam insulation and elevated floors — filled with deep straw bedding — help keep pets warm. Avoid using blankets and towels because they retain moisture.

Teller said pets most vulnerable to cold include those that are short-coated, small, underweight, elderly or very young. She recommends using sweaters or jackets to help thin-coated pets retain heat. These pets should spend minimal time outside during freezing temperatures.

Signs of hypothermia include shivering, pale gums, reluctance to walk and collapsing.

Salt and chemical deicers can irritate or poison pets. If pets are exposed to these products, owners should wash the paws with warm water and mild shampoo after outdoor exposure, Teller said. She recommends using paw balm and booties for added protection.

If multi-day freezes are forecast, owners should bring pets indoors, stock food and medications, and prepare warm bedding in case of power outages or burst pipes. Texans should also review state and local laws such as the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, which sets minimum shelter standards during extreme weather.

More winter preparation information and resources

For more information on preparing for severe winter weather:

• Visit AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery’s winter storms resources page.
• Contact your AgriLife Extension county office for region-specific tips and answers to questions.

How I Spent My Summer

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 Shari Held

“Now, just you wait, Thomas Hartly,” my mother said in that tone of voice she used when she meant business.

Darn. I’d hoped to dodge her and make it outside before she knew I’d escaped.

“You wouldn’t be trying to renege on our errand to Grant’s Nursery, would you?”

“But it’s Saturday. Me and the guys are going to hike in Caprock Canyons State Park. It’s perfect weather for it.”

“It’s also perfect weather for starting your garden.”

I kicked at the closest kitchen cabinet, making sure to not actually make contact with the tip of my hiking boot. I didn’t have a death wish. “It’s not fair. I doubt if old lady Sanders even remembers what happened last fall.”

“Well, I do. You and your friends stole the persimmons off her trees. Now you’re going to repay her by giving her items from your garden.”

“It’s not like old lady Sanders could pick those persimmons. They’d have gone to waste. We were being…ecologically proactive.”

“You were being hoodlums. You should have volunteered to pick them for her. I’m sure she would have given you some. And stop calling her old lady Sanders. It’s Mrs. Sanders to you.”

“Harry’s Mom isn’t making him plant a whole garden and take care of it all summer,” I said, feeling the heat collect in my cheeks.

“You’ll thank me for this one day. Now, drop that backpack and let’s go.”

* * *

Grant’s was packed. Two ladies were fighting over a plant—the last one with brilliant orange flower spikes. I paused to see if they’d duke it out. Maybe a nursery wasn’t such a dull place after all.

“That’s Lindheimer’s paintbrush,” Mom said. “It’s difficult to find in nurseries. Come on. Vegetables are toward the back.”

Tables filled with plants stretched as far as I could see. Some in pots of varying sizes. Others in twelve-packs.

“You’ll want tomatoes, pole beans, corn, peas, peppers, and watermelons, for sure,” Mom said.

I went for the biggest plants available. Those twelve-packs looked awfully straggly. I’d kill them for sure.

“You know the larger ones cost a bunch more,” Mom said. “Are you sure you don’t want the smaller ones. They’ll catch up in a month or so.”

“Naw,” I said.

Mom shrugged her shoulders.  “Now you can look at herbs and flowers.”

“Flowers? I don’t want any girly flowers. And I’m fer sure not going to give ol…um, Mrs. Sanders any flowers.”

Mom just smiled and tossed a few wildflower packets in the cart along with a couple pairs of gardening gloves. When it came time to pay, Mom stepped to the side and told the cashier I’d be paying.

“Me? I said, my voice reaching high C. “You didn’t tell me I had to pay for everything. This is so unfair.”

“No, it’s not. What you don’t give to Mrs. Sanders you can sell to me. If you have a bumper crop, you can sell to other people. You may end up making money. And doing a good deed.”

I didn’t know about that, but people behind me in line were becoming antsy. I pulled out my wallet and paid, vowing to never come near a persimmon again.

* * *

Buying the plants was the easy part. Once home, Mom told me to spritz them lightly and place them in the shade until I was ready to plant them. I placed the biggest plants, the tomatoes, first, patting the soil around them to keep them secure. The smaller ones were trickier. Some didn’t want to stand straight. I wasn’t sure they’d make it. Some, I was too rough with, and they snapped in half. I planted them anyway. Who knows? They might make it.

Making teepees for the pole beans to climb as they grew was fun, although I didn’t let on that it was. Finally, I sowed the seeds, finishing with the wildflowers. The sun was setting by this time, and I was pooped.

“Be sure to give everything a good watering,” Mom said. “But make it gentle. You don’t want to wash the seeds away.”

“Sure, Mom,” I said, feeling a bit like slave labor.

* * *

All summer I tended the garden. I cheered the scraggly ones as they grew strong. I watched in awe as blooms transformed into tomatoes and other vegetables. I was dismayed when birds and other critters beat me to some of my harvest. And I marveled at the beauty of the colorful wildflowers. Not that I’d admit it. That wouldn’t be cool.

As my vegetables ripened, I picked the best of each variety and delivered it to Mrs. Sanders. She was so grateful. I felt proud of what I was doing for her now and regret that I’d stolen her persimmons last fall. All at the same time.

One day while I was making a delivery, she asked me in for a bite of her strawberry pie. Her granddaughter was visiting, and Mrs. Sanders thought it would be nice for her to meet some neighbors her own age. I would have bowed out—who wanted to spend time with some girl who looked like Mrs. Sanders—but the promise of strawberry pie lured me in.

“Tom, meet my granddaughter Samantha,” Mrs. Sanders said as I entered the kitchen.

“Hi, Tom,” said the most gorgeous girl I’d ever seen.

I looked down at my faded jeans, tattered tee, and muddy work shoes and wanted to disappear. “Hi, Samantha,” I said, shuffling my feet and hooking my thumbs into my jean loops.

“Call me Sam,” she said. “Gram’s pie is great. You’ll love it.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the table, where a huge slice of pie was waiting.

We both dove in. Sam was right. The pie was delish.

“Grams has been telling me how you’ve kept her in vegetables all summer,” Sam said. “That’s very kind of you.”

I felt myself blush. “It’s nothing. Always ready to help, you know.”

We talked a while. Turned out we liked a lot of the same shows, music, and electronic games.

“Would you like to do something Saturday night,” I blurted out while I had the nerve. I held my breath.

“That would be great,” she said, beaming at me.

That Saturday evening, I showed up at Mrs. Sanders’ house. No veggies, just a huge bouquet of wildflowers for Sam.

Mom was right about planting flowers in my garden. But I’ll never tell her that.

Shari Held spins tales of crime, mystery, romance, and horror. Her short stories have been published in dozens of magazines and anthologies, including Black Cat Weekly, Hoosier Noir, Tough, Yellow Mama, and Murder 20/20, for which she served as co-editor. Visit her website—www.shariheld.com—for more information about her and her stories.

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 not less than three weeks prior to the event.

JANUARY

La Marque: Urban Orchard Series: Wedge Grafting, with Galveston County Master Gardener Hazel Lampton. Learn various methods of grafting in this hands-on class. Limited to 20 participants. Sat., Jan. 10, 9-11 a.m. Free - Must Pre-register. Location: Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For details and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/events/or call 281-309-5065.

La Marque: Vegetable Garden Series: Growing Great Tomatoes, Part 2 of 3, with Galveston County Master Gardener Ira Gervais. Learn varieties, making selections, when to transplant, and growing techniques. Plus information on factors contributing to best tomato fruit set. 1-3 p.m., Sat. Jan. 10. Free. Location: Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For details and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/events/or call 281-309-5065.

Hempstead: Waller County Master Gardeners will present Branching Out: An Orchard Grower’s Seminar. This seminar will help new or prospective growers from backyard to 100-acre orchards. Sat. January 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 811 14th St, Hempstead, 979-826-7651. Registration opens Dec 15 and is required. txmg.org/wallermg waller.mg@tamu.edu Free Event

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 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 p.m. at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.

Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 10:00 a.m., at First Methodist Church, 616 Holland St., Navasota, in 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 meet the first Thursday of each month at 623 N. Fair Street, Gonzales at noon. For more information, call 830-672-8531.

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 https://hcbloomers.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 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 Gardener Association holds a members-only meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at the AgriLife Extension office, 405 E. Marshall Avenue. For information, call 903-236-8429, visit www.txmg.org/gregg, or like them on Facebook at Gregg County Master Gardeners.

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.

Waco: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meeting is held on the second Wednesday of each each month at noon at the 1705 N. 5th Street, Waco. 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.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardners Herb Interest Study Group meets the second Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office: Learning Center, 1605 N. Main Street, Belton.

Brenham/Round Top/Burton: The Pioneer Unit of the Herb Society of America meets the second Thursday of every month (except July and August) at one of these locations: Brenham Presbyterian Church, 900 Jackson St.; Round Top Festival Institute, 248 Jaster Road in Round Top; Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 412 S. White St. in Round Top; or at St. John's UCC at 516 N. Colorado St. in Burton. Refreshments are available from 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. with a guest speaker followed by announcements and a potluck lunch. Details, including guest speakers and locations of the meetings can be found at https://www.herbsocietypioneer.org.

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.

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.

Kempner: The Browning Community Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of each month, August-May. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. and are held at the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department Training Room, 315 Pecan Street, Kempner. For more information about speakers, field trips and projects, visit www.bcgctx.org.

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 Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury, 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.

San Antonio: The Water Garden Club of South Texas meets on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at various locations. Most meetings are open to the public. Visit www.watergardenclubsouthtexas.org/calendar for up-to-date locations and program scheduled. The club is all about creating a family of individuals that share the common love of ponds, water gardens, fish, plants, and all the beauty and intrigue this hobby has to offer.

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 6 p.m. at the Brazos County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Ct, Bryan, TX 77807. 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.

Ector/Midland: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland) meet at 11 a.m. on the 4th Wednesdays of each month at alternating locations. For information, call either extension office at 432-598-4071 or 432-686-4700.

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.

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. 2026. 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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