April 15, 2015
  

Tomato growing trends for 2015!

 

Jackson & Perkins

 

This spring, more than 42 million households will grow a vegetable garden, according to a 2014 study by the National Gardening Association. And nearly 9 out of 10 of them will feature tomatoes, far and away America's favorite vegetable for home growing. With hundreds of tomato varieties on the market today, which are most attractive to the home gardener?

 

"We're seeing three trends in tomato gardening," reports Sue Amatangelo, Director of Seed Horticulture at Park Seed, one of the country's oldest and most popular mail-order gardening companies. "First, people want the rich flavor and history of heirloom varieties, but with bigger yields and better-looking fruit than most of these older types can produce."

 

The solution is a new series called Heirloom Marriages, in which two classic varieties are crossed to create a new tomato with the advantages of both. Varieties such as Genuwine - a cross of the heirlooms Brandywine and Costoluto Genovese - offer the deep, tangy tomato flavor and aroma lacking in so many modern varieties, combined with improved plant vigor, crop size, and appearance. Tomato Big Brandy is another Heirloom Marriage, this one pairing Brandywine with a vintage variety called Big Dwarf to create a large pink-toned beefsteak tomato, knobby and gnarled like an heirloom but blemish-free and quicker to finish than either of its parent varieties.

 

Another trend Amatangelo sees is the need for compact tomato varieties that can be grown in flowerpots or hanging baskets on the patio. Nearly half of all home gardeners in 2014 grew one or more vegetables in containers, reflecting today's smaller gardens and the push for urban households to grow food at home. New varieties such as Fantastico Hybrid, a trailing cherry tomato, fit neatly into a hanging basket yet bear 12 pounds of fruit over the course of the season.

 

And the final trend Amatangelo sees? "Well, it's nothing new," she admits. "Vegetable gardeners have always valued high yields and trouble-free, easy-to-grow plants. If you can combine that with really great flavor, you've got a winner." Two new tomatoes for 2015 seem to fit this bill: Big Yummy, a nearly seedless variety offering 8- to 10-ounce fruit, has earned raves in taste tests; and Corleone, a plum or saladette variety, offers enormous yields thanks to superior disease resistance. Amatangelo expects both varieties to top the list of Park Seed Company's sales for spring 2015.

 

"It's not about trying to grow the earliest tomato on the block anymore," observes Amatangelo. "Today's home gardeners are serious food producers, demanding maximum flavor and yields with a minimum of effort. And that's just what you see in the best new tomatoes." New gardeners who successfully harvest their first crop of tomatoes in 2015 are very likely to become lifetime food producers at home. And that means even more exciting - and delicious! - new tomato varieties in years to come.

 

For more information on tomato growing trends, visit parkseed.com. 

Chemical-free gardening tips

 

Birds & Blooms

 

Though you recycle your plastic, glass and paper, use canvas bags when shopping and eat local and organic food, have you ever thought about "going green" in your garden? A lot of gardeners don't realize the effect their garden pesticides, fungicides and herbicides have on children, pets and the environment.

 

Following are three steps to make your garden chemical-free by getting rid of weeds and pests naturally - and why it's important:

 

Why Eliminate Chemicals?

 

Even if you don't have children or pets, there are plenty of reasons to steer clear of chemicals. For starters, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides don't just kill pests and weeds - they also kill helpful birds and insects. Pesticides also come with hidden consequences, like polluting the runoff water that flows into our water systems.

 

STEP ONE: Nurture Healthy Plants

 

Pests prey on weak plants, so to keep them out of your garden, your plants need to be as healthy as possible. Load the soil with as much compost and organic matter as you can. This provides the perfect environment for healthy, strong plants.

 

STEP TWO: Invite Your Allies

 

Less than 1 percent of the pest population of a garden can truly be considered pests. Most of these bugs are actually your garden allies, ready to take on the bad bugs. These garden friends can be wiped out when pesticides are used.

 

STEP THREE: Natural Pest Solutions

 

If you are looking for a solution to a specific problem, try a less toxic product, like insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils. These are helpful in controlling aphids, caterpillars, crickets, fleas, flies and mites.

Soils clean and capture water

 

Soil Science Society of America

 

In celebration of the International Year of Soil 2015 (IYS), the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is coordinating a series of activities to educate the public about the importance of soil. April's theme is "Soils Clean and Capture Water."

 

According to IYS monthly leader Gary Pierzynski, "soil is a great water purifier. There are three ways that soil cleans water: physical, chemical and biological." Here are some facts from Pierzynski, a soil science professor at Kansas State University.

  1. Physical: the particles of soil act like a filter. The ideal soil has a distribution of pore sizes so it can filter water, while also allowing the water to pass through the soil.
  2. Chemical: soil particles have a negative charge! That means that positive ions like calcium, magnesium and potassium can all be removed from passing water and retained by the soil. This is good, because each of these ions is a nutrient for plants! Some contaminants can be removed by this mechanism as well.
  3. Biological: soil is the largest bioreactor on the planet. Within the soil, bacteria and fungi transform and decompose certain chemicals. Soil microbes can change organic forms of nitrogen into ammonium ions - and even into nitrogen gas. They can also decompose some organic pollutants!

As part of their celebration of IYS, SSSA is developing a series of twelve 2-minute educational videos. April's Soils Clean and Capture Water video can be viewed at www.soils.org/iys/monthly-videos. Educational materials can be viewed at www.soils.org/iys by clicking on the April tab.

The compost heap
Starting old roses

"When and how is the best way to start a rose from a rose that is many years old?" asks Alice Herzog. "This rose is pink and has a cluster of roses and is in full bloom  in the summer and I would love to root a few."

Roses are easy to propagate by either hardwood or softwood cuttings. Use rooting hormone and tent cuttings with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity while rooting. For more information on propagating roses and other plants see Plant Propagation by Alan Toogood, which we have available for purchase on our website, www.texasgardener.com. - Chris S. Corby, publisher 
Gardening tips

Try adding some color in containers to your patio or porch this spring. Blooming annuals are good choices. As they start to fade, replace them with new plants.       

 

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 2015 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.

APRIL

 

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardener Association is hosting the 2015 Texas Master Gardener State Conference April 16-18 at the Bell Count Expo Center in Belton. The Conference features amazing speakers such as Texas Gardener Contributing Editor Greg Grant, Felder Rushing, and Peter Hatch covering the following topics: Bees, Bats, Water Rights, Olive Trees and Foraging. Workshops on Vermicomposting, Floral Design, Bee Hive Construction, Leaf Casting, Edible Plants and Native Plants for Birds are part of the Conference. Additionally, tours to Salado, Fort Hood, Railroad Heritage, Train Trip to McGregor and various local gardens will be offered. This Conference is open to all Master Gardeners and to the public as well! Attend the entire Conference or just one day. Visit the Conference Website for complete information: http://txmg.org/2015tmgaconference/.  

 

Dallas: Purchase hard-to-find native and adapted butterfly host and nectar plants at Texas Discovery Gardens' annual Pollinator Plant Sale. The Greenhouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 and 19, with a Members' Preview April 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Members also receive a 10 percent discount. Interested in learning more about the established plants? Register for a Plant Sale Safari that runs an hour before the sale on Saturday (and before our members' preview sale)! Find details at www.texasdiscoverygardens.org. 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas.

  

Nacogdoches: On April 17-19, Stephen F. Austin State University will host the sixth Big Thicket and West Gulf Coastal Plain Science Conference. The focus of this year's plenary session will be "Watersheds and Waterflow" to be addressed by invited speakers. Dr. Francis "Ab" Abernethy, professor emeritus of English at Stephen F. Austin State University and editor emeritus of the Texas Folklore Society, and Dr. Kirk O. Winemiller, Regents Professor, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University will give plenary presentations. The Science Conference provides a forum for scientists and resource managers to share their research in the West Gulf Coastal Plain ecosystem, which comprises a variety of communities including southeastern pine forests, bottomland hardwood forests, and prairies. All topics relevant to the ecology of the region are appropriate, including studies of plant communities, wildlife, restoration ecology, effects of climate change, invasive species, fisheries, and large-scale disturbance ecology. In addition to the general call for papers, symposia or special sessions may be planned and available on a variety of topics. Contact the Program Committee BigThicket2015@gmail.com  if you are interested in hosting a session. Presenters are encouraged to submit manuscripts to be published in a special issue of the peer-reviewed journal, Southeastern Naturalist. All manuscripts will be subject to the full peer-review process and the standards of the Southeastern Naturalist. Abstracts for papers can be submitted to Dr. Chris Comer BigThicket2015@gmail.com by 1 March. Registration fees are $100 by 20 March; late registration is $150 and student registration is $25. Registration for only one day is $60. Optional field trips are not included in fees. Three trips are planned: 1) Saline Prairie, led by Will Godwin and Jason Singhurst; 2) Tonkawa Sand Hills, led by James Van Kley, and 3) Birding in the SFA Experimental Forest, led by Cliff Shackelford. Sponsors of the event include the Big Thicket Association, Stephen F. Austin State University, USFS Southern Research Station, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact Dan Saenz of the U.S. Forest Service (Conference Chair) with questions at dsaenz@fs.fed.us or check the conference website at www.bigthicket.org for additional information.

  

Fort Worth: "Art in Bloom - As I See It" is the theme of the Garden Club Council of Fort Worth's annual Flowercade, April 18 and 19, at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center at the Botanic Garden Center, 3220 Botanic Garden Drive, Fort Worth. The flower show is open to the public for viewing at no charge on Saturday, April 18, 12-6 p.m. and on Sunday, April 19, 1-5 p.m. Market Day, with opportunities to purchase plants, rose bushes and gardening-related items, is Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The standard flower show with its horticulture and design division exhibits the plants which have been grown successfully by participants and offers the opportunity to view new varieties of horticulture specimens. Guests may evaluate plants to add to their own collection. For further information, contact Pam Braak, Publicity, at p.braak@verizon.net or 817-488-5665.

 

Houston: Peckerwood Garden partners with the Garden Conservancy to bring you this Open Day, a self-guided tour of 6 private gardens in Houston. Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. that is part of the Conservancy's national garden visiting program. Peckerwood Garden staff and volunteers will be hosting a special sale of plants found at Peckerwood Garden. The sale will take place at 802 West Temple Street (corner of Temple and Watson) in the Heights, near the Cottage Street gardens that are open for the Open Day.Discounted Open Days ticket books, Garden Conservancy and Peckerwood Garden information, and water will also be available. Friends of Peckerwood members receive the Garden Conservancy member discounted price for tickets purchased at this location.Admission to each private garden is $7 per person, or discounted tickets (6 for $35) will be available at the following locations on the Open Day: 802 West Temple Street, 2434 White Oak Drive, 6502 Taggart Street, and 6801 Hazen Street.Special bonus for Houston Open Day visitors: bring your ticket stubs to Peckerwood Garden on April 19th or May 10th and receive 2 for 1 admission, a $10 savings. Please reserve in advance: http://www.peckerwoodgarden.org/explore/visit-peckerwood-garden/.  

 

Houston: The Houston Rose Society will hold a Rose Show on Saturday, April 18, at the Parish Hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd, Houston. Entrance to parking lot is on W 19th Street near Yale St. The Show opens to the public at 12:30 p.m. See award-winning blooms grown by competitors from around the state! Consulting Rosarians will be on hand to answer rose questions. Roses will be for sale, including Kordes roses from the MD Anderson Trial garden. Free admission. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.   

 

Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardeners' Spring Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Ruth Nichols Arboretum, 1015 South East Loop 456, Jacksonville. 

 

Midland: Annual Plant Sale by Permian Basin Master Gardeners - Saturday April 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Midland County Horseshoe, I-20 and Cotton Flat Road in Midland. Flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees, herbs, Earth-kind roses and more - all drought tolerant and perfect for West Texas and eastern New Mexico. Call 432-498-4071 for more information.

  

Tomball: Paul Cox will present "A Tree for Every Place" at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 18, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.

 

Tomball: Angela Chandler and Dean Cook will present "Bee Friendly Forum" at 11 a.m., Sunday, April 19, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.

 

Dallas: "Native and Adaptive Plants for North Texas" will be presented Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m.- noon, at the Texas A&M AgriLfie Research and Extension Center, Building C, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Are you a "Native Texan" or a transplant? Plants are native or transplants too!! This program covers a large selection of minimal water use plants that are native and adaptive ideal for a sustainable landscape or garden. You will learn proper soil preparation, proper planting, and native and adaptive plant selection. Plant list provided. To register, go to dallas.tamu.edu/courses.

 

Dallas: "Saving from a Rainy Day, Making a Rain Barrel" will be presented Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building C, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Does your rain just run off? Divert it, save it, use it!! Come learn the basics and benefits of rainwater harvesting and the effects stormwater has on the environment. Participants will learn how to collect and utilize rainwater at home and have the opportunity to construct their very own 55 gallon rain barrel. Cost: $50 per barrel. To register, go to dallas.tamu.edu/courses.  

 

Tomball: Dawn Volynn, Big Chicken Daylily Farm, will present "Superstars in the Southern Garden" at noon, Wednesday, April 22, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.

 

Tomball: Henry Flowers, Festival Hill Gardens, will present "The Evergreen Herb Garden" at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 23, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.  

 

Athens: Rain or shine, Henderson County Master Gardeners will host a Plant Sale on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside the Henderson County Senior Citizen's Center, 3356 State Hwy 31E, Athens. Plants for sale will include a wide variety of trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, annuals, natives, heirlooms, vegetables, and herbs. Master Gardeners will be on site for consultation, to answer questions, and to diagnose your plant problems. An early arrival is recommended for best selection. For more information, call 903-675-6130 or email hendersoncmga@gmail.com.

 

Dallas: Discover how to prepare vegetable plots, pick the right seeds for our climate and season, and veggie growing basic with the "Seed to Table" class April 25 from noon to 2 p.m. at Texas Discovery Gardens. This makes a good beginner or refresher course. $25, $20 for members. Then, stay for "Nutrition Facts: Gardens do not come with Labels," in which you learn how to really read nutrition facts and what homegrown veggies would say if they were labeled. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; $25 and $20 for members. Register in advance at www.texasdiscoverygardens.org or call 214-428-7476 ext. 343. The Gardens are at 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas.

 

Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener Association will hold its annual spring plant sale on the grounds of the Trinity United Methodist Church, 6333 Hobson Lane, Denton, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. This year's inventory is expected to go fast. The selection includes hard-to-find shrubs, ground covers and bedding plants, plus s generous selection of herbs, native Texas plants, tough perennials and no-fuss roses. Shoppers may choose from many special container plants and pass-along plants from the homes of local Master Gardeners. Veteran Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, offer landscaping advice and discuss proper plant care.  

 

San Antonio: Turfgrass 101 Seminar will be presented Saturday, April 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Milberger's Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E., Exit Bulverde Road, San Antonio. David Rodriguez from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will discuss the basics of lawn maintenance through proper nutrition, mowing, weed control and irrigation. This seminar is very popular so arrive early for best parking and seating. Seminar is free. 1.5 CEUs for Master Gardeners who attend. For additional information, visit http://www.milbergernursery.com/.

 

Seguin: See the wide selection of annual bedding plants, perennial flowers, tomatoes, vegetables plants and herbs available at the Guadalupe Master Gardeners Booth during the Seguin Earth Day on the Square, April 25, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. (or the plants get sold out). The Master Gardeners will also be having a tree raffle, children's activities, as well as the Master Gardener Information Booth.For further information, please call the AgriLife staff at 830-303-3889 or visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

 

Bryan: Judy Warren, Ph.D, Professor and Special Initiatives Coordinator with Texas AgriLife Extension Service will present "Texas Learn, Grow, Eat, Go!" at the Brazos County Master Gardeners monthly meeting, Tuesday, April 28, 7-8 p.m., at Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, Room 102. "Texas Learn, Grow, Eat, Go!" is an AgriLife Extension Service classroom curriculum emphasizing science, math, and reading through gardening, vegetable tastings, recipe demonstrations and other activities that result in positive health outcomes. For additional information, visit www.brazosmg.com, call the Brazos County Extension office at 979-823-0129, or send an email to brazosmg@brazosmg.com.  

 

Grapevine: Gail Manning, Entomologist and Director of Education at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, will present Monarch Butterflies at the April 28 meeting of the Grapevine Garden Club. She will speak about one of our native butterflies - the marvelous Monarch. We will learn about their life cycle, the food they need to survive, recording and tagging to determine their flight patterns during migration and the issues they face on their journey. The group meets at the Grapevine Convention Center, 1209 South Main Street, Grapevine. However the actual location of the building is the corner of Vine Street and Municipal Way, 1 block east of Main Street. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 a.m.

 

Dallas: "Shade gardening" will be presented Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building C, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Shaded out? Do you have areas in your landscape where nothing grows because there is not enough sunlight? Learn a new way to landscape for the shade.To register, go to dallas.tamu.edu/courses. 

 

San Antonio: "Dollars for Scholars" Luncheon, Fashion Show and Silent Auction

to benefit San Antonio Garden Center Scholarships for Bexar County students studying horticulture at Texas A&M University is Thursday, April 30,at noon, at the Garden Center; reservations required, $35 paid in advance by cash, check, or credit card. Send to San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio 78209, or call 210-824-9981. 
MAY

Arlington: The Texas Native Plant Sale will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 2, at Redenta's Garden, 5111 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington. For additional information, visit www.txnativeplants.org.

Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club is hosting its 16th annual Spring Garden Tour on May 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rain date is May 9. Eight distinctive private gardens in Venetian Estates are featured on the tour. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour for $15 at the parking lot of the BancorpSouth Building, 8410 Highway 90A, next to the Venetian Estates. Fpr more information, visit SugarLandGardenClub.org.

Tomball: Katherine Ashby will present "Feng Shui in the Garden" at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 2, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.

Southlake: The Southlake Garden Tour will be held Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For additional information, visit www.southlakegardentour.org.

  

Tyler: "Getting Ready for Hot Weather" will be presented as part of 1st Tuesday in the Gardens with Smith County Master Gardeners at noon, May 5, in the IDEA garden in the Tyler Rose Garden. Free and open to the public. The lecture is approximately 30 minutes with a Q&A session following. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for you comfort. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Rose Garden Center. For more information http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/  or 903-590-2980.

 

San Antonio: San Antonio Garden Center Clubs will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston. The program features Bob Brackman, Executive Director of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, who will talk about "The Flowering Future" of the Botanical Garden and share details of the City's Master Plan for its development. Coffee at 9:30 a.m.; meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981.


Tomball: Cynthia Graham, RN, BSN, will present "Pepperazzi" at noon, Wednesday, May 6, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com.

Seguin: "Lawn Care" will be presented by Marvin Borth, Master Gardener, and the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners, noon-1 p.m., May 7, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St., Seguin. Topics will include Lawn Types and Maintenance; Weeds, Pests and Control; and Fertilization. This presentation is free and attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch. For more information, call 830-303-3889 or visit http://guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

Tomball: Felder Rushing will present "Art in the Garden" at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9, at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. For additional information, email info@arborgate.com or visit www.arborgate.com. 

La Grange: Jason McBroom, Fayette County Commissioner, will lead "Drip Irrigation," noon-12:50 p.m., May 14, at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange. For additional information, call 979-968-5831 or visit http://fayette.agrilife.org.

Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners will host "Walk in the Garden," a garden conference and yard tour, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., May 16, at Whippoorwill Gardens, 5024 FM 2328 Atlanta. Four morning classes will be followed by afternoon tours of four local gardens. Tickets are $10 if purchased by May 8; $12 after May 8 and at the door. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or 903-748-3414.

Dallas: Attend a Drip Irrigation class at Texas Discovery Gardens May 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Water more deeply and efficiently: convert your spray heads and watch your sprinkler system save you money with this hands-on drip conversion class. Learn how to install drip irrigation tubing from your faucet or how to convert an existing zone to drip. Drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method and essential to sustainable landscapes and foundation watering. $25, $20 for TDG members. Register in advance at www.texasdiscoverygardens.org or call 214-428-7476 ext. 343. The Gardens are at 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas.

 

Woodway: "Raised Bed Gardening" will be presented by Master Gardener Ila Jean Carothers from noon-2 p.m., May 20, at the Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum, 1 Pavilion Way, Woodway. Learn the advantages of growing in raised beds and learn how to construct various types of raised beds. For more information, call 254-399-9204.

 

Dallas: Find out about those mystery trees and shrubs in your yard May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon with Director of Horticulture Roger Sanderson at Texas Discovery Gardens. Bring photos of the specimens as well as a cutting. He will do his best to answer questions and share great trees and shrubs for North Texas landscapes.  $25, $20 for TDG members. Register in advance at www.texasdiscoverygardens.org or call 214-428-7476 ext. 343. The Gardens are at 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75210.

 

Tyler: The Smith County Master Gardener Annual Garden Tour will be held May 30. This is a unique opportunity to view four private gardens and landscapes in the Tyler area. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/ or call 903-590-2980.

Monthly meetings

 

If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details. 

 

FIRST WEEK

  

Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at the First Community Church at 1401 Trinity Drive in Crandall. January through April and August and September meetings are at 9 a.m., with the remaining meetings beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information visit http://www.kcmga.org, call 972-932-9069 or email to sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.


Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at 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.

Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the first Wednesday of each month at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas. The club hosts different speaker each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring your lunch! For more information, email Bunny Williams at bunny-williams@sbcglobal.net.

 

Kerrville: Hill Country Master Gardeners meet the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.

 

Midland: 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.

Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners meet the first Thursday of each month at the Atlanta Memorial Hospital Conference Room, State Highway 77 @ S. Williams St., Atlanta. A business meeting is followed by an educational program. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or visit http://cass.agrilife.org. 

 

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.

Fort Worth: The North Central Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. except (January and July) in the Fort Worth Botanical Garden Building at 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth. For additional information, contact President Theresa Thomas at kayleetl@sbcglobal.net.

 

Gonzalas: Gonzales Master Gardeners hold their monthly meeting at noon on the first Thursday of each month at 623 Fair Street, Gonzales. Bring a bag lunch, drinks provided. Contact AgriLife Extension Office at 830-672-8531 or visit http://gonzalesmastergardeners.org for more information.

New Braunfels: The Comal Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Southbank Clubhouse, 222 Southbank Blvd., New Braunfels. 

 

SECOND WEEK

 

Austin: Austin Organic Gardeners Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except December) at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardeners meet on the second Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Woodmen of the World, 1800 College Ave., Jacksonville. For more information, e-mail Tom Abbott at tom@deerfield-abbey.org.  

 

Marion: The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of each month except July, August and December at St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. Directions to St. John's Lutheran Church: From FM 78 turn south onto FM 465 and the church is just past the Marion School on the right. From IH-10 go north on FM 465 towards Marion. The Church will be on the left, just before you get to town. A plant exchange and meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT visit www.npsot.org/GuadalupeCounty/ or contact guadalupecounty@npsot.org.

 

Quitman: The Quitman Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Quitman Library on E Goode Street, Quitman. It is a diverse group that welcomes all visitors. For more information, e-mail quitmangardenclub@gmail.com.

 

Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener Association meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. the

second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. For complete details, visit http://dcmga.com/.

 

Humble: The Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, hosts a Lunch Bunch the second Wednesday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Take a sack lunch or order a box lunch from Starbucks when you call 281-443-8731 to reserve your spot. Master Gardeners and Masters Naturalists may earn CEU credits by attending.

 

Jacksboro: The Jacksboro Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month (except June, July and August) at the Concerned Citizens Center, 400 East Pine Street, Jacksboro. For more information, call Melinda at 940-567-6218.

 

Longview: The Gregg County Master Gardeners Association's Learn at Lunch program meet the second Wednesday of each month. The business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon, at the AgriLife Extension Office, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Longview. The program is presented for horticultural education and is free to the public. For further information call 903-236-8429, visit www.txmg.org/gregg, or like us on Facebook at Gregg County Master Gardeners. 

 

Rockport: The Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group, founded in March 2003, meets the

second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport, to discuss all aspects of using and growing herbs, including historical uses and tips for successful propagation and cultivation. Sometimes they take field trips and have cooking demonstrations in different locations. For more information, contact Linda 361-729-6037, Ruth 361-729-8923 or Cindy 979-562-2153 or visit www.rockportherbs.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 6 p.m. (social) 7:00 (meeting) the second Thursday of each month except in July in the AgriLife Extension auditorium, 1225 Pearl 2nd floor (downtown Beaumont next to the Court House). For more information contact: 409-835-8461 or txmg.org/jcmg.

 

Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street. Georgetown. For additional information, contract 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 LJepson@aol.com.

 

Cleburne:The Johnson County Master Gardener's meet on the third Monday of each month at McGregor House, 1628 W Henderson, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 2 p.m. October through April, except December and at 6 p.m. May through September. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For additional information, contact 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 aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103.

 

Smithson Valley: The Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, Smithson Valley. Meetings include an informative speaker, plant of the month presentation, and plant raffle. Visitors are welcome. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/wp/lindheimer . 

 

Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through November and January through April at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. The club hosts a different speaker each month. For more information, visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.

 

Denton: The Denton Organic Society, a group devoted to sharing information and educating the public regarding organic principles, meets the third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Avenue. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a social at 6:30. For more information, call 940-382-8551.

 

Glen Rose: The Somervell County Master Gardeners meet at 10 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month at the Somervell County AgriLife Extension office, 1405 Texas Drive, Glen Rose. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 254-897-2809 or visit www.somervellmastergardeners.org.

 

Granbury: The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners meet at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Hood County Annex 1, 1410 West Pearl Street, Granbury. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the business meeting. For information on topics call 817-579-3280 or visit http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/.

 

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) at the Houston SArboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park (4501 Woodway Dr.). For more information on programs, and for information about native plants for Houston, visit http:/npsot.org/wp/Houston.

 

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 email npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com.

 

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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