January 15, 2014
  

Long-planted idea for public garden about to sprout at Texas A&M

By Kathleen Phillips

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

 

With more than 5,200 acres on its campus, some might think Texas A&M University's roots in agriculture would have produced a showy, public garden by now.

 

Almost. The Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Project is just beginning, but officials say the effort will be worth the decades it took to evolve.

 

Claiming 45 acres on the western part of the campus in College Station, the gardens will have more than 20 different features extending from the Horticulture and Forest Sciences Building to John Kimbrough Boulevard near the Bush Library, according to project coordinator Dr. Doug Welsh.

 

Construction of the AgriLife Complex on the more open western campus in 2012 created a "backyard," including White Creek running from north to south on the property, said Welsh, a retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturist who was rehired "to think about the garden 24/7 and move it forward."

 

Welsh said a team of faculty, staff and students dreamed up what to do with the green space that was officially allocated in the university's master plan.

 

"It could have ranged anywhere from a true botanic garden, which is a zoo for plants, all the way to an open place or straight park just for recreation," he said. "We've boiled it down to our core functions, and No. 1 is teaching. It has to be an outdoor laboratory."

 

Welsh said the garden will include a variety of spaces (green space, native tall- and short-grass prairies, White Creek's riparian area, post oak savannah, wetlands and wildflowers) and it will be useful for many different academic disciplines beyond horticulture and range management.

 

"I can see students in education who are learning to be primary and secondary school teachers bringing children to this garden setting to learn about science and the environment," he said.

 

The area will have an outdoor amphitheater that can seat 500 and accommodate another 500 on the lawn, plus pavilions to help protect people from weather.

 

"With 45 acres it sounds like a lot, but it's really not with the number of things that we want to do in the gardens," Welsh noted. "So everything has to be multi-use.

 

"And as much as 50 percent of the property will be in more of a natural landscape, which is good for the wildlife, specifically about 50 species of birds that traverse this area."

 

The idea of having a public garden has been around at Texas A&M University for at least 20 years, Welsh said, but many kinks put such a space out of reach, most notably the long-term maintenance needs.

 

"Building a garden is relatively easy," he said. "It's the long-term maintenance that will kill you over time, and that's true of both residential and public gardens."

 

Key to the establishment and perpetual care of the project, therefore, will be funds for both construction and maintenance, he said.

 

 "It's pricey, but the $60 million total includes $30 million in construction and a $30 million endowment," Welsh noted. "Now those are big dollars, and this may happen over a period of three to five years or it may be a 20-year process. We are just entering the fundraising phase."

 

The master plan was devised by Texas A&M landscape architecture and urban planning students under the guidance of Dr. Jon Rodiek. It is designed so that if a donor contributes to one part of the space, such as the rose garden, construction will begin on that part, Welsh explained.

 

"We'll have an opportunity to showcase the great work of Texas A&M AgriLife and all the professionals across the state, because we'll grow Texas Superstars, Earth-Kind roses, a vegetable garden and a fruit orchard," he said. "We can have change-out gardens in that we can have a design contest, and those who win will actually implement that design in a space, whether it's a butterfly garden, a dragonfly garden, a bird garden or wildscaping or xeriscaping or any thematic garden. We'll enjoy those gardens for 12-18 months and then will pull them out and do it again. And that's what I think helps create interest and continued interest in any garden."

 

He also said the space could be a model for what can be done to enhance other similar types of spaces.

 

"There are thousands and thousands of creeks like White Creek all over the state," he said. "They cause stormwater and management issues. And what we hope is that this could be a model of what can be done to turn land into a positive versus the negative aspect," he said.

 

"This Gardens and Greenway Project will not have any fences. It's open not only to the Texas A&M faculty, students and staff but to the public at large in the Bryan-College Station area and beyond to come and enjoy."

 

To find out more about the Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway project, visit http://agrilife.org/texas-am-gardens-and-greenway-project/.

 

Starting with seeds or transplants?

 

By Tom Harris, Ph.D.

The Hill Country Gardener  

 

In the vegetable garden, it's really your call whether to use seeds or transplants. The main difference is that transplants are seeds that someone else planted several weeks ago and have been nursing them up to the point you now see them (ever wonder where the term "nursery" came from?).

 

Seeds come from plants that have gone through all their life stages and the last one was the setting of seeds. Someone collected the seeds, cleaned them, packaged them, and stored them until they were ready to be used by you, the consumer.

 

Transplants, on the other hand, are seeds that were planted by someone, placed in special rooms used for propagation to get them started, and watered and fertilized for the first few weeks of the new plant's life. Usually, by the time you see them at your favorite independent nursery, the little plants are 3-6 weeks old already. This gives you a head start on the growing process - by 3-6 weeks. If you have a greenhouse of some kind, you could do the same thing if you want.

 

Remember that you can grow anything in a container that you can grow in the ground, so the next step is to decide which you'll use and get started. Either way, you need to have soil that is high in compost (at least 1/3 to 1/2), has a good amount of fertilizer in it before you start, and moisture for the fertilizer to dissolve in.

 

If you decide to go with seeds, know that

  • The "rule of thumb" for planting seeds is to never plant the seed deeper than its largest dimension. If the seed is only 1/8" in diameter, it should be planted only 1/8" deep, etc.
  • Be sure that the seed makes contact with the soil - it can't germinate if it doesn't make contact with soil.
  • The soil needs to be warm enough for the seeds to germinate. This may mean that you have to wait until the soil warms up before you start. Of course, you are not likely to have this problem if you plant in containers.
  • Keep the soil moist - not sloppy wet, but moist. Use a spray bottle to do this.
  • Don't fertilize the little plants until they get about 6" tall, then just use just a tiny bit fertilizer for the first few weeks. Half-strength liquid fertilizer works well.

If you decide to go with transplants, know that

  • The soil still needs to have plenty of compost in it so that it's easy to grow in.
  • Moisture is critical to a new plant. Keep the soil moist (but not sloppy wet) with a spray bottle.
  • You can use a little colloidal (rock) phosphate as a root stimulator if you'd like. If you use a commercial root stimulator, be sure to mix it according to the directions and apply it only once - at planting. It's not a fertilizer.
  • Don't fertilize the new little plant for the first few weeks. It needs to get its root system started before it can use any fertilizer.
  • You should pinch off the leaves of tomato transplants (all except the top bunch) and then plant the plant 3-6" deep. This encourages roots to form all along the stem where the leaves used to be.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to write me at gardener@gvtc.com.
Gardening tips

 

"I have had many problems transplanting cucumbers," writes Bob Divo. "Now I plant my cucumbers early in an old three-gallon plastic pot and let them grow. At planting time I dig a hole large enough for the entire pot. Then I cut off the bottom of the pot, place it in the hole, cut out the sides, and voila, transplanted cucumbers that thrive." 

 

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 free Texas Gardener 2014 Planning Guide & Calendar. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at: Gardening Tips. 
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.

JANUARY

 

Seguin: The Guadalupe Master Gardeners will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, January 16 at the Justice Center, 211 Court Street, Seguin. Mark Fanick, from Fanick Nursery, will discuss Fruit Trees. The meeting is free and open to the public. The regular business meeting will be at the end of the program. For additional information, visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call 830-303-3889.

 

La Marque: "Planting Fruit Trees" will be presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Herman Auer, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Saturday, January 18 at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Auer will teach how to properly plant container-grown and bare-root trees. This program will also cover root trimming, pruning, and correct planting depth for fruit and nut trees to properly anchor for longevity. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.   

 

San Antonio: Dr. Larry Stein, Extension Horticulturist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will present Earth-Kind Gardening Seminar: Fruit and Nut Tree Culture January 18, 9 a.m.-noon; at Fanick's Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Rd, San Antonio. This is a free presentation. Professor Stein will show you how to properly prune your fruit and nut trees for maximum production. You will also learn about the overall care of your trees before and after harvest. This seminar is very popular so arrive early for best parking and seating. Bring a notebook and plenty of questions.     

 

Schertz & Seguin: The Guadalupe Master Gardeners Organization will present "Preparing Your Spring Vegetable Garden" at 2 locations on Saturday January 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. The sessions are conducted by Gardening Specialists, from Guadalupe Master Gardeners. One session will be in Schertz at the Guadalupe County Annex Courtroom, 1101 Elbel Road, with Deedy Wright as the presenter. The same topic will be at the Mary B. Erskine School Cafeteria, 216 East College Street in Seguin. The presenter will be Clara Mae Marcotte. Both sessions will start at 9 a.m. and last until noon. Topics covered at both sessions will be: Vegetable Selection, Garden Soil Preparation, Seed Starting, Cold Weather Protection Methods, and Vegetable Garden Maintenance. Handouts will be proved as part of the fee. The cost of the seminar will be $20 at the door. You may buy your tickets at the AgriLife Office, 216 East College Street, Seguin, during normal business hours for $15.00. For more information, call Bob at 210-289-9997.

 

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 will host Open Garden Day, 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Monday, January 20, at their Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Free and open to the pubic. Children welcome. For additional information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

 

Conroy: Dr. Larry A. Stein, Professor & Extension Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will present "Backyard Gardening Series: Growing Pecans," 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 21. Dr. Stein will be presenting a short history on Texas pecans: the different varieties of seedlings, to use bare root or container grown, where to plant your pecan tree, how to plant your tree, and which pecan tree is best for your area. This will be a fabulous educational opportunity for both homeowners and small acreage producers. Presentation will be conducted in Suite 208 of the AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County, located in the Conroy Square office complex, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive. For more information and to register please call Angel Torres 210 467-6575. Cost: $12.  

 

Humble: "Creating Your Personal Garden Sanctuary" will be presented 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 23, at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road. Humble. This hands-on class, taught by Darnell Schreiber, will guide participants in designing the perfect serene space for any home landscape and includes a tour of Mercer's gardens. Bring personal garden photos and a pair of scissors. Seating is limited, so please call 281-443-8731 to make reservations.

 

Houston: Beth Clark, retired landscape architect and principal and Clark Condon Associates, will present "From Developer Dirt to Meadows," at the January meeting of the Houston Chapter-Native Prairies Association of Texas, 3015 Richmond Ave., Houston, Thursday, January 23. The meeting begins at 6:30 with the presentation at 7. For additional information, contact hnpat@texasprarie.org.

 

San Antonio: Green Spaces will host a Seed Swap 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, January 23, at the Reconciliation Oaks Community Garden, 8900 Starcrest, San Antonio. For more information, visit www.greensatx.org, email info@greensatx.org, or call 210-222-8430. 

 

Conroe: The Montgomery County Master Gardeners are having their annual Fruit and Nut Tree Sale, featuring bare-root fruit trees from apples to pomegranates, pecans and more, on Saturday, January 25, at 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Program is at 8 a.m.; sale is from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, call 936-539-7824 or visit www.mcmga.com.

 

Humble: Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and The Mercer Society (TMS), will offer the third and final segment of the Texas Gulf Coast Gardener (TGCG) program beginning Monday, January 27 for a six-week period onsite at Mercer, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Registration is open now through January 20, so call 281-443-8731 or visit the park to enroll. Tier 3 classes focus on landscape design, the use of hardscapes and water features in the landscape, and sustainable design practices. Participants will be introduced to an effective process for analyzing and designing a successful landscape, with emphasis on residential sites. A broad range of exciting lessons and lectures, presented by Mercer staff and experts from the greater-Houston area, will accompany practical design workshops with such topics as designing mixed borders; effective water use and conservation in the home landscape; and ways to incorporate fruit- and vegetable-producing plants into visually-appealing landscape designs. Classes will be held every Monday from January 27 through March 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. The cost of enrollment for TMS members is $100; enrollment for non-members is $115. Participants will receive a text book, class supplies, and a custom-designed TGCG gardening apron. The TGCG curriculum was developed by Mercer staff with guidance from Dr. David Creech, professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University, and staff from Mast Arboretum in Nacogdoches. The program gives participants the knowledge and skills needed to start, develop, and maintain their own gardens through a variety of gardening and horticulture topics specifically designed for the pleasures and challenges of the Texas Gulf Coast climate.

 

FEBRUARY

 

Nacogdoches: SFA Gardens will host a special lecture at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 4, Dr. Peter H. Raven, president emeritus of the St. Louis Botanical garden and renowned conservationist will be speaking on "Conservation in a Rapidly Changing World." Raven's lecture will be the inaugural lecture in the new Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. Raven is one of the world's leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity. For four decades, he headed the Missouri Botanical Garden, an institution he nurtured into a world-class center for botanical research and education, and horticultural display. He retired as president in 2010 and assumed the role of president emeritus and consultant through 2014. Described by Time magazine as a "Hero for the Planet," Raven champions research around the world to preserve endangered plants, and he is a leading advocate for conservation and a sustainable environment. In recognition of his work in science and conservation, Raven is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious International Prize for Biology from the government of Japan and the U.S. National Medal of Science, the country's highest award for scientific accomplishment. He has held Guggenheim and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowships. Raven was a member of President Bill Clinton's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. He also served for 12 years as home secretary of the National Academy of Sciences and is a member of the academies of science in Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, the U.K., and several other countries. The author of numerous books and reports, both popular and scientific, Raven co-wrote Biology of Plants, an internationally best-selling textbook, now in its sixth edition. He also co-authored Environment, a leading textbook on the environment. The Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building is located at the Stephen F. Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches. The event will be free and open to the public but to ensure seating and for more information call 936-468-1832 or e-mail erodewald@sfasu.edu. 

 

Ft. Worth: It's every vegetable gardener's goal to raise the perfect tomato. Whether you are a novice or experienced, tomato growers will learn step-by-step how to grow the best tomatoes for North Texas at the Tarrant County Master Gardeners Association Spring Conference "Tomato Roundup: All you ever wanted to know about growing tomatoes" on Saturday, February 8, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth. Speakers will be William "Bill" Adams and Tom LeRoy. Both are retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents whose books include "The Texas Tomato Lovers Handbook," "The Southern Kitchen Garden" and "Commonsense Vegetable Gardening in the South." Topics include: selecting the best tomato variety, grafting tomatoes, selecting the best location, fertilization, irrigation, insects and diseases and weed control. There will be time for Q&A with the speakers. There will be breakout sessions on make and take tomato cages or simple drip irrigation unit; examples of three types of raised beds; and cooking with tomatoes. Cost of the conference is $45 including lunch. Check the website at tarrantmg.org for the conference brochure and registration information. Or contact Pam Braak at 817-488-5665 or p.braak@verizon.net.    

 

New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardener Association will host its third annual Spring Seminar from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. February 8 at the New Braunfels Civic Center. The program is "Specialty Gardens in the Landscape" and will present programs on Container Gardens, Succulent Gardens, Herb Gardens, Pollinator Gardens and Rose Gardens. Cost is $49 per person and includes lunch and snacks. For additional information or to register, go to: txmg.org/comal/seminar.  

 

Schertz: Do you enjoy the colors and antics of butterflies, hummingbirds, and song birds in your garden? Want to find out how you can entice them to visit your yard? Then attend the Natives to Fly For: Attracting Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and Song Birds to Your Yard workshop. This daylong event will feature four experts to show you how you can have lots of little visitors in your landscape: Craig Hensley, award-winning community educator with Texas Parks & Wildlife, will explain "Butterfly Basics: Who They Are and What They Need"; Mark Klym, coauthor of Hummingbirds of Texas, will speak on "Want Hummingbirds? Think Lasagna"; Ann Mallard, Audubon Society member and nature photographer specializing in bird life, will present "Songs in the Garden--Creating a Native Habitat for Birds"; Kelly Simon, author of Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife, will pull all this information together as she shows participants how to create a "Central Texas Habitat." The workshop takes place Saturday, February 22, at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Schertz. The hours are 9-3 and the $40 registration fee includes lunch and snacks. Registration begins at 8:30. Door prizes will be given throughout the day. In addition to the workshop, participants can shop the booths of two local nurseries offering many of the plants discussed by the speakers, purchase books on workshop topics, and select bird-related items from Wild Birds Unlimited. Authors Mark Klym and Kelly Bender will sign their books during lunch. But wait, there's more! A beautiful bluebonnet quilt and two 55-gallon, hand-painted rain barrels will be raffled during the workshop. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the event. Natives to Fly For is sponsored by the Guadalupe County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 830-303-0333. The number of tickets is limited, so call early. For more information, visit http://npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/.     

 

MARCH

 

Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardener Association will hold their annual Spring Conference March 8. The conference will be held at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 1920 Beaumont Street, Jacksonville. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the first speaker will be at 9 a.m. There will be a $10.00 fee which includes drinks, refreshments and a chance to win one of four door prizes. The program will feature three well known respected speakers. Greg Grant is Lecturer in the School of Horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University. He was formerly the Cherokee County Horticulturist with the Texas Cooperative Extension in Rusk. He is also co-author, with William C. Welch, of the book Southern Heirloom Garden, and he is a columnist for Texas Gardener magazine. He has traveled extensively to botanical and public gardens throughout the United States and Europe and is a popular public speaker in the southern United States. Dave Whitinger is the creator of several large and popular websites, most notably Dave's Garden and All Things Plants. He moved to Cherokee County in late 2007 and lives just outside Jacksonville with his wife and 6 children. They have a homestead with extensive gardens, cows, chickens, and various other domestic animals. In addition to being a member of the Cherokee County Master Gardeners, Dave is also a software programmer whose passion is to bring gardeners together and provide them with custom made software tools that both serve gardeners as well as take online gardening to the next level. Keith Hansen has been the Texas AgriLife Horticulturist for Smith County since 1992. Prior to that, he was the extension agent for Nueches County. Keith has a weekly column, "Keeping it Green," in the Tyler Morning Telegraph and has written numerous articles for other publications. For more information, contact Ginny Scurlock at 903-530-8610 or at ginnyscurlock@yahoo.com.

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

 

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension, 3033 Bear Creek Drive (near the intersection of Highway 6 and Patterson Road), Houston. For additional information visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu or call 281-855-5600.

 

Wichita Falls: The Wichita County Master Gardener Association meets at 5:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, 600 Scott Street, Wichita Falls, on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.txmg.org/wichita or call 940-716-8610.

 

Kilgore: Northeast Texas Organic Gardeners meets at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information, call Carole Ramke at 903-986-9475.

 

Midland: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners meet at noon, the first Wednesday of each month at the Permian Basin Readiness Center at the Midland International Airport. For more information, call 432-498-4071.

  

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.

 

Brownwood: The Brown County Master Gardeners Association meets the first Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, 605 Fisk Ave., Brownwood. For further information, call Mary Green Engle at 325-784-8453.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Evant: The Evant Garden Club meets on the second 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 254-471-5585.

 

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 at 401 W. Hickory St., Denton. Meetings are open to the public. More information is available at: 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 meets the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Longview. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program preceding the business meeting. For further information call Cindy Gill at 903-236-8429 or visit www.gregg-tx.tamu.edu.

 

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 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1225 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Beaumont. For more information, call 409-835-8461.

 

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 Billye Adams at 512-863-9636 or visit http://www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 at 2 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at McGregor House, 1628 W. Henderson, Cleburne, which includes a program and a meet & greet. For more information, call Sharon Smith at 817-894-7700.

 

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/. 

 

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.

 

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 Novemberand January through April at 10 a.m. at the Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way, 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/.

 

Seabrook: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the Lakeside), 5001 NASA Road 1, Seabrook. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

 

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).

 

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) and December (2nd Thursday). Location varies. For locations, for more information on programs, and for information about native plants for Houston, visit http://www.npsot.org/Houston.

 

Rosenberg: The Fort Bend Master Gardeners meet at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except December at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center located at 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg. For more information, call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

 

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, at the Justice Center, 211 Court Street, 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.

 

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 call Bea at 210-999-7292.

 

Houston: The Houston Chapter of the Native Prairie Association of Texas (HNPAT) meets from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at 3015 Richmond Ave., Houston. For more information, contact hnpat@prairies.org.

 

Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 10:30 a.m. at the community room behind the Greater Texas Federal Credit Union,1300 N. Bell, Cedar Park, unless there is special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, we share a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call president Cathy Clark-Ramsey at 512-963-4698 or email info@leandergc.org.

 

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.

 

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.
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