August 13, 2014
  
 

Forest agencies, conservation organization complete easement to save Texas' longleaf pine

 

Texas A&M Forest Service

 

The Nature Conservancy, Texas A&M Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to purchase a conservation easement on 4,785 acres of forestland in the Longleaf Ridge area of East Texas, permanently protecting some of the best longleaf pine habitat in the state.

 

The groups purchased the easement for 2.277 million dollars from Crown Pine Timber LP, a limited partnership managed by Campbell Global, a timber investment and management firm based in Portland, Oregon. Campbell Global manages more than 1 million acres of timberlands in East Texas on behalf of Crown Pine Timber.

 

The easement was funded through the Forest Legacy Program, a federal program managed by the USDA Forest Service. The Nature Conservancy provided $569,250 in matching funds.

 

This type of conservation - often called a "working forest" conservation easement - keeps forestlands in private ownership while conserving the land for future generations. Landowners and local communities continue to realize economic gain from timber management while the forest provides other benefits such as watershed protection, wildlife habitat, recreation and scenic values.

 

Crown Pine Timber will continue to harvest timber on the property according to a forest stewardship plan; however, the easement prohibits subdivision and development of the land by any current or future owner.

 

"We appreciate our partners for their commitment to maintaining working forests in this critical conservation area. Campbell Global has a rich history of environmental stewardship and sustainable forest management. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with our partners to protect this land from development and for future generations," said John Gilleland, CEO of Campbell Global.

 

Texas A&M Forest Service, a Member of the Texas A&M University System, will monitor and enforce the conditions of the easement.

 

"This conservation easement is good for Texas. It allows us to protect some of our working forests and the values and services they provide in perpetuity, while keeping the land in private ownership," said Brad Barber, who coordinates the Forest Legacy Program within the Texas A&M Forest Service.

 

Longleaf Ridge, where the easement is located, is a large block of undeveloped forestland located north of Jasper, Texas, connecting the Angelina and Sabine National Forests. The easement protects examples of the area's unique features, including spring-fed creeks, Catahoula rock outcrops, longleaf pine forests, and bogs which are home to wild orchids and insect-eating pitcher plants.

 

"The United States has lost 95 percent of its longleaf pine forests, which are now among the rarest and most threatened ecosystems in the country," said Wendy Ledbetter, director of The Nature Conservancy's forest program in Texas. "With our state's rapidly increasing population, we must work with private landowners, the timber industry and state and federal partners to restore these vital forests in Texas."

 

Longleaf pine forests once stretched from Texas to Virginia, covering some 90 million acres. These forests are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the United States, providing habitat for high-priority species such as red-cockaded woodpecker, Louisiana pine snake, Bachman's sparrow, bobwhite quail, eastern wild turkey, and Louisiana black bears. Today, according to USDA Forest Service, less than three percent is left of the original longleaf forest.

 

Over the last decade, increased awareness and restoration efforts have begun to reverse the century-long decline of longleaf pine forests, including the recent organization of the America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative, a national effort to focus public and private funding on maintaining, improving, and restoring longleaf pine forests throughout its historic range.

 

According to Brian Gowin, Conservation and SFI Manager for Campbell Global's Southwest Region, "Campbell Global has taken a proactive approach to protect and conserve longleaf pine ecosystems, working in partnership with non-profits and government agencies." In addition to this easement, Gowin credits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and National Wild Turkey Federation for partnering with Campbell Global to restore or enhance over 7,000 acres of longleaf pine forests and associated riparian habitat in Longleaf Ridge since 2008.

 

"At the moment, opportunities to conserve more forestland are limited only by the availability of funding," said David Bezanson, the Nature Conservancy's protection and easement manager. "Forest Legacy Program funding has been shrinking in recent years along with other federal conservation programs. More public and private investment is needed to keep forestlands intact to benefit the economy and wildlife of East Texas."


Cutflower Growing Tips

 

Jackson & Perkins

 

At the supermarket you can get a bunch of celery or a head of lettuce for under a dollar, and when you buy large bags you can get apples, oranges, potatoes, etc. for just a few cents each. But there is one plant product that you still have to pay a premium for: cut flowers. Decent bouquets regularly cost $25 or more, and these are often treated with large amounts of insecticides that can be detrimental to the environment. If you find yourself buying flowers with any kind of frequency, than cut flowers are the most vital thing for you to grow yourself! Save money and preserve the environment - get your cutflower garden growing with these 7 simple tips:

 

Create a dedicated bed. You will be asking a high level of production from your cutting garden, which means you will want to feed and water these plants more frequently. Therefore it is convenient to have your cut flowers in their own bed.

 

Plant in rows rather than clusters. This gives your flowers enough room to "eat" and "drink" heavily - after all, it takes a lot of energy to create bloom after bloom!

 

Stagger your plantings for continuous bloom production.

 

Cut blooms promptly. This will encourage more rebloom, and it is better to harvest buds before they fully open - they will open a bit more in the vase. Cut your flowers in early morning or late evening, not during the heat of the day.

 

Keep your plants healthy by using sharp, clean tools to cut flowers.

 

Help your blooms last longer by re-cutting the stems under running water, then submerging them in water and flower preservative. These steps kill bacteria that would spoil the flowers.

 

Avoid mold by changing the water in your vase frequently and keeping the vase in a low-humidity spot.

 

One of the best ways to create a gorgeous display in your vase is to start with a large, impressive bloom like Armani Peony Queen's Circle Tulip, or Starry Night Hibiscus.

 

Then back up these big blooms with vertical color, like the spires of color with Delphinium or Beardtongue.Fill up the middle space with a symphony of textures, using the distinctive forms of flowers like Persian Fritillary Columbine, or Epimedium.For that finishing touch, be sure to intersperse some delightfully fragrant blooms like Muscari, Lavender, Gardenia, or Magnolia.Once your flower are truly spent in the vase, you can still enjoy their beauty a while longer if you dry them out! The substantial blooms of flowers like Echinacea are ideal for this process.


New tropical virus invades USA

 

Chikungunya, the mosquito-borne virus that continues to spread throughout the Caribbean, has now arrived in the U.S. Florida health officials have confirmed the first locally acquired cases of the painful disease. This means mosquitoes on the U.S. mainland have become infected with the disease and are now spreading it to people that they bite.

 

"It was only a matter of time before Chikungunya virus invaded the USA," said Jonathan Cohen, mosquito control expert and president of Summit Responsible Solutions, which makes mosquito control products. "We have seen this progression before with the spread of West Nile virus in the USA starting in 1999."

 

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of Chikungunya virus are fever and severe joint pain. There is no vaccine to prevent the virus, so mosquito control is the key to preventing the spread of the disease. Chikungunya is carried by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both of which are found in the U.S.

 

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so homeowners are advised to eliminate places where water can collect and stand in their yards and gardens. To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in ponds, bird baths and other places where water collects, use a product that contains Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) - a bacterium that naturally kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to other living things.

Gardening tips

The best way to keep armadillos out of your garden is to fence them out using chicken wire or similar small mesh fence material. The fence does not have to be very high - 24 inches is sufficient. You could also try to catch them in a live animal trap, which is difficult to do. Because they won't come to bait like a raccoon or possum would do, you will need to place the trap strategically in the area where they have digging and run a long board out from one of the sides of the trap. The armadillo will wander along and, hopefully, the board will direct him into the trap.    

   

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.
AUGUST

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners Class #26 will be held in Sequin  from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday, August 13 through December 10. Attendees will receive superior gardening instruction from faculty and staff of Texas A&M University and Texas AgriLife Extension, as well as from Certified Mater Gardeners. The cost is $190 and the registration deadline is July 31. For more information, contact Cindy Waechter, assistant class coordinator, at 830-624-1114 or [email protected].

Diboll: The long-term plan for a privately-owned estate can be as individualized as the property owner. That includes how the land is managed both now and into the future. Texas A&M Forest Service can help landowners explore options to develop a plan that is right for you. The state agency that works to conserve and protect the natural resources of the state - including assisting landowners in managing their own piece of Texas - will be featured at the Woodland Owners' Workshop August 14 in Diboll. Agenda items include eminent domain, planning for the future, inheritance and property transfer, and what tools and resources are currently available to property owners for making management decisions. TFS has a longstanding practice of providing such assistance to landowners. The workshop is free to the public and will be held at the Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center in Diboll from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included and continuing education credits are available. Please RSVP by Aug. 8 to Shane Harrington at 936-546-1470 or [email protected].

 

Nacogdoches: SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 14, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. Ethan Kauffmann will present "Green Roofs, Green Walls, the South Carolina Way." Kauffmann grew up in Lancaster, Penn., before attending Clemson University and earning a B.S. in Biology. In 2007 he joined Moore Farms Botanical Garden after eight years at Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden where he managed the zoo horticulture program. In his current position as Garden Director at Moore Farms Botanical Garden, he has led the transition from a private pleasure garden to a non-profit botanical garden. Kauffmann has collected plants across the country and abroad but is always excited to return to the wild places of South Carolina. He feels that horticulture connects us to the natural world and that exploring this relationship is vital to understanding and defining our place in it. Ethan currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina. The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture's SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves lecture series fund are always appreciated. Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. For more information, call 936-468-1832 or email [email protected].

 

San Antonio: Natalie Cervantes from AgriLife will discuss teaching children about herbs and about starting a classroom garden, at the August 14 meeting of the San Antonio Herb Society, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. For more information, call 210-826-6860 or email [email protected].

La Marque: "Successful Fall Vegetable Gardening" with long-time GC Master Gardener Luke Stripling, 9-11:30 a.m., August 16, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; 281-534-3413; email reservations to [email protected], further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

 

Rosenberg: "Backyard Basics: Vermicomposting" - raising worms and harvesting their castings for use as an organic fertilizer. Worm castings can provide extremely rich organic fertilizer at minimal cost. Presented at 9 a.m., Saturday, August 16, by Fort Bend Master Gardeners Composting Specialist Sam Guardiola and Master Gardener Margo "Mac" McDowell, 9 a.m. Fort Bend County Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15 ($25 couple). For details and registration, call 281-342-3034, email [email protected], or visit http://fortbendagrilife.org or www.fbmg.com .

 

La Marque: "Gardening by The Square Foot" with GC Master Gardener John Jons, 6:30-8 p.m., August 19, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; 281-534-3413; email reservation to [email protected], further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

 

San Antonio: "It's Not Too Early to Start a Fall Garden"--Backyard Gardening Series will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m., August 19, at Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 208, San Antonio. Learn how to prepare for a fall garden: soil and planting preparation and getting rid of weeds; types of soil amendments and fertilizers; variety of warm and cool season crops; do's and don'ts of fall gardening; successes and challenges of having a fall garden. Presented by David Rodriguez, County Extension Agent-Horticulture, Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Svc. 2 CEUs for Master Gardeners. Cost is $10. RSVP to Angel Torres, at 210-467-6575 or [email protected].

 

Seabrook: Jim Bundscho, a Montgomery County master gardener, will present a program on aquaponics at 10 a.m., August 20, at the Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubP2.aspx.

 

San Antonio: The Bexar County Master Gardeners General Meeting for August will be held at the AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive Suite 208, San Antonio, 1 p.m.-3p.m. on Thursday, Aug 21. Fall Gardening 101 will introduce gardeners to the flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, and veggies that do well with fall planting. Dr. Tom Harris, Master Gardener, Gardening Columnist, and frequent contributor to Seeds, will discuss bed preparation, selecting the right varieties of plants including planting, watering, and fertilizing them. The meeting is free and open to the public. Master Gardeners and Interns will receive 1.5 CEUs for attending.

 

Seguin: The Guadalupe Master Gardeners will meet on Thursday, August 21 at the Justice Center, 211 Court Street, Seguin. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. after a social function starting at 6:30. Join Master Gardener Specialists for a Round Table Discussion: Just-in-Time Gardening Refresher for Fall. Attendees will choose 3 small discussion groups to attend. Master Gardener specialists will lead each small group, discussing challenges, solutions, and successes in areas such as: plant propagation; growing herbs, vegetables, and native plants; efficient irrigation, composting; and tree care. For further information visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call 830-303-3889.

 

San Antonio: Do you have (or know of) a child or children, age 8 to 13, interested in learning how to grow a vegetable garden and how to become a good steward for the environment? If so, The Children's Vegetable Garden Program is the place to be this fall!  This program, held on 16 consecutive Saturday mornings, is hosted at the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston, San Antonio. The Fall session starts on Aug. 23 and concludes Dec. 6 and applications are being accepted until Aug. 18, but hurry as space is limited. Fee: $50 per child or $60 for two children to share a 3.5' x 28' garden plot (non-refundable). For more information and to register, visit https://www.sabot.org/?nd=vegtable . Or, contact Timothy Roan at 210-207-3278 or [email protected]. 

 

Hempstead: Waller Co. Master Gardeners will host a "Fall Gardening" program presented by Tom Leroy, retired extension horticulture agent from Montgomery County, on Tuesday, August 26, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at a location to be announced later. Call 979-826-7561 to reserve a spot. On-site registration: $15. Light refreshments will be served. 

 

San Antonio: An Earth-Kind Education Seminar on Fall Vegetable Gardening will be presented by David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturalist, 10:30 a.m.-noon, August 23, at Milberger's Landscape Nursery, 3290 N. Loop 1604, San Antonio. 1.5 CUEs. Free.

 

La Marque: "Strawberries" with GC Master Gardener Robert Marshall, 6:30-8 p.m., August 26, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; 281-534-3413; email reservation to [email protected], further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

 

Woodway: Dr. David Appel, head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, will discuss important tree problems, including oak wilt and drought, at 1 p.m., August 27, at Whitehall Center at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway. $10 admission. For more information, visit http://www.mclennanmastergardeners.org.

San Antonio: An Earth-Kind Education Seminar on Fall Vegetable Gardening will be presented by David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturalist, 10:30 a.m.-noon, August 30, at Fanick's Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road, San Antonio. 1.5 CEUs. Free.
SEPTEMBER

San Antonio: The Colorization of Texas Bluebonnets--Backyard Gardening Series will be held on September 2, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 208, San Antonio. Dr Jerry Parsons will discuss: Classifying of the Texas Bluebonnet; History of the Alamo and the Pink Bluebonnet; Efforts from Carol Abbott and John Thomas; Seeds vs. Transplants; Collection of Seeds; and Maintaining Strand of Future Bluebonnets. 2 CEUs. Cost is $10. RSVP to Angel Torres, at 210-467-6575 or [email protected].


Austin: With its warm days and cooler nights, along with more stable weather patterns, fall just may be the best season for vegetable gardening in Central Texas. On September 4, Master Gardener and vegetable specialist Tommie Clayton will share her many years of experience in gardening, with details on planting schedules, proven varieties for our area and other helpful resources. The program will be held at the AgriLife Extension office at 1600-B Smith Rd, Austin; cost is $10 for early registration and $15 for late or on-site registration. Register online: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty. Register by phone: 979-845-2604. For more information, contact Daphne Richards at 512-854-9600 or [email protected].


Humble:
Tony Avent, founder of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens and owner of Plants Delights Nursery, Inc., in Raleigh, N.C., discuss "Exploration to Exploitation - The Road from Plant Discovery to Market" at 6:30 p.m., September 4, at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. For ticket information, call 713-639-4629 or visit http://www.hmns.org.lectures.

New Braunfels:
Comal Garden Club will have Susan Savana present a program on how to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in a tower garden, September 4, 9:30 a.m. at the Southbank Clubhouse, 222 Southbank Blvd, New Braunfels. Business meeting to follow.

 

San Antonio: Texas Water Star Program Earth-Kind Landscape School, A Four-Part Series for Homeowners, will be held at Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Svc, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio, on four Saturdays (Sept. 6 & 20 and Oct. 4 & 18) from 8:30 a.m. to noon. This four-part workshop that will target new homeowners in the Alamo area interested in learning the best practices for home landscaping and gardening. 3.5 CEUs per session for Master Gardeners. Registration fee:  $60 for all four Saturday sessions or $100 For a Couple (same household) or $20 per session; RSVP and registration & fee due Aug 27. Contact Angel Torres, (210) 467-6575, or [email protected].

 

San Antonio: The Fall Youth Gardens Educator's Training class will be held Saturday, September 6, 8:30 a.m.-3: p.m., at the Education Service Center Region 20, 1314 Hines, San Antonio. This program is designed for teachers, educators, and volunteers in support of youth gardening in the classroom and community. Training and lunch is provided at no cost to participants. 5 CEUs for Master Gardeners and Interns. For more information, contact Ruby Zavala, Youth Gardens Coordinator, at 210-467-6575 or [email protected]


Austin:
"Visiting Artist Series of Lone Star Bonsai Federation - Peter Tea of California," a bonsai demonstration and lecture, will be held at 7 p.m., September 10, at the Zilker Garden Center, Austin. A donation of $5 is appreciated. For more information, visit www.austinbonsaisociety.com.
OCTOBER

San Antonio: October  21 is the evening to learn all about Home Aquaponics. Join David Rodriguez at 6:30 p.m. when he introduces Steven Sumrow from Aquaponic Systems USA at Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Svc, 3355 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio. During this two-hour presentation, learn how to create your own Home Aquaponics to grow plants and vegetables in a water environment along with aquatic fish. Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. No chemicals or soil needed, thanks to its automatic recirculating system, Aquaponics does not require much monitoring or measuring. 2 CEUs for Master Gardeners and Interns. Fee:  $10. RSVP to Angel Torres at 210 467-6575 or [email protected].

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 [email protected].


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.

 

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.

 

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 [email protected].

 

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 [email protected].

 

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.

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 [email protected].

 

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 Sue Matern at 817-517-9076.

  

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.

 

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.  

 

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 [email protected] 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 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 [email protected] 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.

 

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 [email protected].

 

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 [email protected].

 

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 [email protected].

 

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 [email protected].

 

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.

Texas Gardener digital edition available

Same magazine as our print edition without the paper and at a better price. Fully compatible with your desktop, laptop, iPad or Tablet. Access Texas Gardener anywhere, anytime: at the office, home, vacation, even in the garden. Easy to use with robust features and fully searchable archive as long as your subscription is active. Visit www.TexasGardener.com and click on the digital radio button to subscribe.
Garden success starts here!

Make gardening easier and more enjoyable in 2014. No more keeping it in your head or, worse yet, juggling all those wrinkled, sweat-stained pieces of paper that seem to accumulate and end up lost. It's time to get organized and the perfect way to start that off is with your very own copy of the 2014 Texas Gardener Planning Guide and Calendar. No more guessing when to plant or do different activities. You will find everything you need in one simple but informative guide and calendar. Plus plenty of room to record your own planting dates, rainfall events and other data for future reference.

Here's a sample of what you will find in this information-packed guide:
  • Many, many practical and timely garden tips that are for Texas - not Maine or California!
  • Organic, earth friendly tips to make your garden grow and prosper
  • Lots of space to record your own activities for future reference
  • Planting dates and tips for vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and lawns
Order today, while it is fresh on your mind. Don't forget to order copies for your gardening friends and relatives!

Only $12.80 per copy (includes shipping, handling and tax).

To order using your credit card, call toll-free 1-800-727-9020 or online at
www.TexasGardener.com.
Buy two books, receive cap free!

The Vegetable Book

By Dr. Sam Cotner

 

Finally, back by popular demand and in its fourth printing, the most informative and comprehensive "how-to" book on vegetable gardening in Texas (also, suitable for most other areas of the South) written by the late, great Dr. Sam Cotner, former head of horticulture at Texas A&M University and lifelong gardener. This interesting read has over 370 pages of detailed information on every crop, from Asparagus to Watermelon including problem/solving sections for each vegetable. If you want to maximize your enjoyment and success growing vegetables in Texas, this book is a "must have," whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener. Price $34.02

The Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook

By William D. Adams

 

The best thing for tomato enthusiasts since the tomato itself! Adams draws on more than thirty years of experience to provide a complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Learn everything from soil preparation, planting, feeding, caging and watering. Liberally sprinkled with the author's easy humor and illustrated with his own excellent photographs, this must-have book has everything you'll need to assure a bumper crop! 189 pages. Lots of color photographs! Price: $31.94

Order both books, receive a FREE Texas Gardener cap!

($15.82 if ordered separately)

 

Remit payment to:

TG Books * PO Box 9005 * Waco, TX 76714

or call Toll-Free 1-800-727-9020

 

American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Accepted

Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. � Suntex Communications, Inc. 2014. 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.

 

Missed an issue? Back issues of Texas Gardener's Seeds April 2006-September 2013 are available at www.texasgardener.com/newsletters. Back issues beginning October 2013 are available here

 

Publisher: Chris S. Corby ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

 

Texas Gardener's Seeds, P.O. Box 9005, Waco, Texas 76714

www.TexasGardener.com