JANUARY

La Marque: Grafting Your Own Fruit Trees, Tuesday, January 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener Herman Auer, Propagation Specialist, will present a program and hands on workshop on wedge grafting. Attendees will leave the class ready to begin their own grafting projects with confidence. Additional grafting specialists will be on hand to provide one-on-one assistance. Note: Class is limited to 32 persons participating. You must pre-register in order to attend. Other persons may attend for observation only. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

San Antonio: San Antonio Garden Center Clubs will meet on Wednesday, January 7, at 10 a.m. at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston. The New Year's program features Don Olsen, Ichiyo Master and teacher, who will talk about "Beauty in Simplicity" and demonstrate Ikebana design basics. Coffee at 9:30; meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981.

Nacogdoches: SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 8, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. Tony Napolillo from Green Mountain Energy Company will present "Why Solar is the Future of a Sustainable World." Green Mountain is the nation's longest-serving renewable energy retailer, providing consumers, including those in Nacogdoches, with the choice for electricity plans backed by wind and solar. Through the company's Green Mountain EnergySun Club, residential customers and supporters of solar have the opportunity to give back to non-profit organizations through solar power projects. Contributions from customers to the Sun Club help fund the purchase and installation of solar projects at deserving non-profits each year.Since the program's founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated more than $3 million to help install over 700 kilowatts of solar power, which has the potential to avoid more than 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That's like planting 145 trees every year.Tony Napolillo has managed the Sun Club since 2006, overseeing almost all of the program's 75 solar projects, with one of the most recent beingthe solar array at Stephen F. Austin State University on the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. Tony has 20 years of experience in the marketing and customer relations fields and has been with Green Mountain since 2003. He lives in Austin with his wife and three young, crazy boys, who keep him constantly on his toes. His passion for the environment and communications are a natural fit for Green Mountain, and the Lecture Series. 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 raffle for rare plants 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 always are 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 Elyce Rodewald at 936-468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

San Antonio: In Central Texas we know how important rain is to our plants and gardens. Learn how to collect and store rainwater to use when you need it most. Conserve water and benefit your plants and garden. Make-and-take your own rain barrel in just a few hours by attending the Rain Barrel Workshop (part of the Backyard Gardening Series) Thursday, January 8, 9 a.m.-noon, Texas A&M AgriLife Extention Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. RSVP with payment to Angel Torres by Jan 5. For additional information call 210-467-6575 or email matorres@ag.tamu.edu. Limit 30. $50 per person. Make check payable to: Texas A&M AgriLife and mail to: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230. 3 CEUs for MGs.

San Antonio: Chris Duffy, owner of Edible Arrangements, will present "The Herb of the Year...Savory" at the San Antonio Herb Society's January meeting. The presentation will include how and when to grow savory, what time of year to harvest and what to use it for after harvest. The meeting will be Thursday, January 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-826-6860 or email mbelisle@satx.rr.com.

La Marque: Growing Avocado And Papaya, Saturday, January 10, 9-11:30 a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Presented by Jerry Hurlbert, Moderator and Coordinator of Texas Rare Fruit Growers Association, who has 35 years of experience growing avocados. Learn the best varieties for the Gulf Coast, how to start plants from seeds, as well as tips on tree planting and cultivation methods for growing avocados. Discover the best methods for protecting plants from cold and sun, especially for young trees. There will also be information on growing papaya but this topic will not be covered in as much depth. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

La Marque: Successfully Growing Peaches in Galveston County, Saturday, January 10, 1-3 p.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener Herman Auer will present a program on the best variety selection (both white and yellow flesh) for Galveston County, what to look for when buying your peach tree, and the best planting locations. Learn about pest control, chill hours, rootstock, pruning to shape and thinning methods that lead to larger fruit and greater yield. Find out how to judge ripening dates and the best time to harvest. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

San Antonio: Free Fruit Tree Seminar Saturday, January 10, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Milberger's Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio. Learn how to properly select, plant, prune and maintain fruit and nut trees for maximum production and about overall care of your trees before and after harvest. David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist will present this wonderful seminar. 1.5 CEUs for MGs.

Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will begin its 2015 Lunch and Learn With the Masters lecture series Monday, January 12, noon until 1 p.m. at the Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria. Victoria County Extension Agent Peter McGuill will discuss "Selection and Care of Trees in Your Landscape." The event is free to the public. Those attending may bring a sack lunch and beverage.   

San Antonio: On Wednesday, January 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., David Rodriguez, County Extension Agent-Horticulturist, will present Joey Villarreal, Proprietor and Brewer of Blue Star Brewing Company, Todd Huntress, Operator of San Antonio Homebrew Supply & Home Brewer, along with Bexar County Master Gardener and Home Brewer, Lou Kellogg in the first Backyard Gardening Series presentation for 2015: The Basics of Home Brewing 101. Held at Blue Star Brewing, The Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S. Alamo St, San Antonio 78210. 2 CEUs for Master Gardeners. Fee: $20. RSVP to Angel Torres 210-467-6575 or email matorres@ag.tamu.edu . Must be 21 years of age or older.

La Marque: Growing Citrus in Your Own Backyard, Saturday, January 17, 9-11 a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener Chris Anastas will present a program on how to successfully grow citrus trees. The presentation will cover such topics as rootstock and variety selection, cultural care of trees, typical disease and insect pest problems, and freeze protection. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

Rosenberg: Join the Fort Bend Master Gardeners on Saturday, January 17, for a program to preview the trees and plants to be sold at their Annual Fruit and Citrus Tree Sale. It will include how to heel in your fruit trees, pruning and how to plant as well as an overview of plants at the sale. The program will be held at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the program will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. For more information call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

San Antonio: Free Fruit Tree Seminar, Saturday, January 17, 9 a.m. to noon, Fanick's Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd, San Antonio. Dr. Larry Stein from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will show you how to properly select, plant, prune and maintain fruit and nut trees for maximum production. Also learn about the overall care of your trees before and after harvest. 3 CEUs for MGs.

La Marque: Gardening by the Square Foot, Tuesday, January 20, 6:30-8 p.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener John Jons. This program is an introduction to the methodology of gardening by the square foot. Discover this unique way of planning the bed, selecting plants, building the bed, maintaining the bed and renewing the bed. This is an ideal program for anyone who would like to learn a simple, productive method of gardening and will also enable them to teach children or adults with limitations how to learn and enjoy gardening. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

Seabrook: Wednesday, January 21, Heidi Sheesley, owner of Treesearch Farms, will present "Citrus and Fruit Trees for the Houston area" at 10 a.m., in the meeting room at Clear Lake Park, 5001 NASA Parkway,Seabrook. The trees will be available at the Master Gardener sale on February 14 at Campbell Hall in Pasadena. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu .

La Marque: Successful Spring Vegetable Gardening, Saturday, January 24, 9-11:30 a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Luke Stripling. Stripling has over 65 years of hands-on experience growing vegetables. Learn how to plan and start a vegetable garden. Find out about the best soils, location and plant varieties to use for Galveston County. Gain knowledge on pollination, mulching, composting, and the effects of full sun and shade on vegetable gardening. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

McKinney: The Collin County Master Gardeners Association will host "Spring into Vegetable Gardening" on January 24, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Landing at Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney. The focus of the program will be vegetable gardening in Collin County from January through May. Vegetable garden experts will discuss the specifics on when and what to plant in Collin County, with month-to-month guidelines for January through May planting. Attendees will learn about the importance of soil and soil preparation, how to propagate seeds, and which varieties of plants grow well in the area. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions at demonstration tables on the following subjects: water conservation with rain barrels and drip irrigation, propagation, gardening resources, soil amendments, compost, vegetable container gardening, raised bed construction, and more. Representatives from Texas Pure Products will be on hand with examples of compost and mulch. Tour the potager and vegetable trial gardens at the end of the program with the volunteers who work in these gardens. This ambitious project began in the fall of 2013 with 16 raised beds, including two wheelchair-accessible beds, and utilizes the principles and practices of Earth-Kind Environmental Stewardship. Registration will open online January 3 at the CCMGA website www.ccmgatx.org. There is a $10 per person fee payable online (credit card only) or at the door with cash, check or credit card. Contact Kathleen Brooks at 469-401-3873 with questions or for additional information.

Rosenberg: The Fort Bend Master Gardeners will hold their Annual Fruit and Citrus Tree Sale on Saturday, January 24, at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds - Barn H, 4310 Highway 36S, Rosenberg. The sale will open at 9 a.m. and will run until 1 p.m. or until sold out. For more information call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

La Marque: Anyone Can Grow Roses, Tuesday, January 27, 6:30-8 p.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener and American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian John Jons, the program will cover all the basics for growing large, beautiful, sweet smelling and healthy roses in Galveston County. Topics will include rose selection, bed preparation and maintenance, planting, pruning, disease and insect management and any questions that on growing roses. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

La Marque: Growing Great Tomatoes (Part 2), Saturday, January 31, 9-11:30 a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. The second part of the three-part program on Growing Great Tomatoes in Galveston County. Galveston County Master Gardener Ira Gervais reveals secrets for planting and growing great tomatoes. Learn about the various varieties that do well in this area, how to make your selections, how and when to transplant your seedlings and various growing techniques. Find out about soil requirements and needed nutrients and the temperature ranges for best tomato fruit set. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

La Marque: Growing Blueberries, Saturday, January 31, 1-3 p.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office in Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. Presented by Dr. David Cohen, an accomplished home grower of blueberries by avocation and a practicing physician by trade. Dr. Cohen has an impressive "blueberry patch" as part of his home landscape and has gained considerable hands-on experience with successfully growing blueberries under our growing conditions. Learn the facts about blueberries and site selection and preparation. Find out about variety recommendations for this area and the planting, spacing, fertilizing and pruning requirements. The program will also cover harvesting and understanding the problems and the costs of growing blueberries here in Galveston County. For course reservations, call 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or email GALV3@wt.net.

San Antonio: Spring Floral Design Classes at the San Antonio Garden Center will be held Tuesday, February 17, 24, and March 3, from Noon-3 p.m. Tuition is $75 for the 3 classes. Learn how to design your own floral arrangements in these hands-on classes with Instructor Melissa White. Fresh flowers, greenery, container, and instruction for a take-home finished project each week with emphasis on flowers and colors of spring. Classes are held at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels. Further information at www.sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210- 824-9981. Registration deadline is February 13. Make check payable to San Antonio Garden Center. Tuition for missed classes cannot be refunded.

New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service present their Spring Seminar featuring tomatoes, keyhole gardening, and nutrition at McKenna Events Center, 801 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels. February 21, from 8:50 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cost is $49.00, and includes lunch, snacks, seminar booklet, and vegetable gardening handbook. Speakers include William D. Adams, author or co-author of Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook, The Southern Kitchen Garden, Commonsense Vegetable Gardening for the South, and Growing Fruits and Nuts in the South. Dr. Deb Tolman will provide all the details of keyhole gardening and Ashley Currie will provide a talk on health and wellness. Seating is limited so register early to save your place. Registration forms are available at http://txmg.org/comal/event/seminar/ . For additional information, call 830-620-3440.

San Antonio: Advance your gardening expertise, plus gain self-satisfaction through volunteer efforts which enhance the quality of life for citizens of your community using the science and art of horticulture. Bexar County Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer Master Gardener Intern Training Class #59 from February 25 to May 27 (noon-4 p.m., each Wednesday) at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Registration for Class 59, is open NOW through February 9. See the attachment for details, application form, and planned class agenda. For more information, call 210-467-6575.

Rosenberg: Join the Fort Bend Master Gardeners on Thursday, February 26, for a program to preview the plants to be sold at their Annual Vegetable-Herb Plant Sale. The program will be held at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the program will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. For more information call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

Rosenberg: The Fort Bend Master Gardeners will hold their Annual Vegetable-Herb Plant Sale on Saturday, February 28, in front of the greenhouse behind the Agriculture Center, 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg. The sale will open at 9 a.m. and will run until noon or until sold out. For more information call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

Quitman: The Wood County chapter of Texas Master Gardeners will host a spring conference featuring speaker Steven L. Chamblee. March 28, at Quitman High School, 1101 East Goode Street, Quitman. "Time to Plant Smarter" will focus on plants and gardening methods specifically for east Texas. Chamblee is the Chief Horticulturist for Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, Texas. He serves as Consulting Editor and Author for a gardening magazine, writes a monthly e-newsletter column entitled "Native Son," and is an Adjunct Instructor for Tarrant County College and Texas Christian University's Extended Education. He will introduce Texas Tough Plants which are environmentally friendly and native to the state. This will be especially informative for people new to the area or state and adapting to Texas weather and seasons. He will cover subjects on trees, shrubs and color with emphasis on heavily flowering herbaceous perennials. The conference will also have mini-seminars on native plants, rainwater harvesting and worm farming. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be available. For more information contact: Gloria Jean Rosewall at gloriajeanerosewall@gmail.com; Roy Culbertson at royculb@gmail.com; or Lin Grado at lingrado@gmail.com .