April 22, 2015
  

Pollinators in the city 

 

Home Garden Seed Association

www.ezfromseed.org 

 

By now we've all heard the news: pollinators are in trouble. The White House has established a Pollinator Health Task Force to integrate the needs of bees and butterflies into land management plans. The Department of Ttransportation is seeking to increase pollinator habitat along highways. When it comes to the built-up cities, it's up to urban residents to provide nectar, pollen, and nestling options. Every person with access to a sunny fire escape, patio or tiny backyard plot can make a difference.

 

The Good News

 

A study by Rosemary Malfi, University of Virginia, and Neal Williams, UC Davis, showed that native bumblebees, which are among our most important pollinators, thrive in urban and suburban environments. In fact, their abundance has been shown to actually increase with increased development. Besides the ubiquitous bumblebee, researchers counted around 50 other types of bees in a five-year survey of community gardens in New York City. Carpenter bees, leaf cutters, borer bees, mason bees, sweat bees and others were drawn by the flowers and shrubs planted by urban gardeners.

 

The flip side of this, however, is the relative lack of abundance of some other wild bee species, particularly those that depend on early spring bloomers, or nest in bare soil.

 

Pots for Pollinators

 

Plant flowers in raised beds and containers throughout your own urban garden, and pollinators will find them. This has been proved in the Battery Rooftop Garden, a 35th floor New York garden that is isolated from life on the round and pummeled by harsh winds. Despite the extreme altitude the garden is inhabited by a diversity of pollinators and other beneficial insects, an abundance that has been attributed to high floral diversity. If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere!

 

Support Urban Bees

 

1. Be prepared for pollinators in spring. It's especially important to plant spring-blooming flowers if there are no fruit trees or early-blooming shrubs in the vicinity of your urban garden. Columbine, California poppies, sweet alyssum, larkspur, bachelor's buttons, clarkia, cerinthe, and cilantro will sustain bumblebees, miner bees, and other native pollinators until summer nectar and pollen sources become plentiful.

 

2. Plants Flowers in summer. Group plants of the same species in clusters, and provide a diversity of species in your garden. Zinnias, coreopsis, cosmos, sunflowers, tithonia, echinacea, and herbs that flower, such as thyme, basil, oregano, and arugula will keep bees busy through the summer and into fall.

 

3. Avoid pesticides. Hand-pick pests. or use non-toxic products such as horticultural oils or soap sprays. Particularly avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, even organic ones such as pyrethrin.

 

4. Offer water and nesting options. Bumblebees often build nests in abandoned rodent nests. Other cavity nesters prefer rotting logs or stumps, or the soft pithy centers of elderberry trees or sunflower stems. This means "neatening up" can deprive bees of prime nesting sites! Bees also need access to clean, shallow water.

 

5. Leave spots of undisturbed soil. Bees with the fewer housing opportunities in the urban garden are ground-nesting native bees. Set aside an are of the garden where you will not cultivate the soil, as bees need direct access to the soil surface to cnstruct their underground tunnels. Six to 36-plus inches under the surface, these narrow tunnels lead to small chambers (the brood cells), where next year's bees will development.  

Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association releases Industry Social Responsibility Report

 

Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association

 

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), a trade association of peat moss producers that accounts for 95% of Canada's total peat moss harvesting and production, has issued its first Industry Social Responsibility Report. The CSPMA's Industry Social Responsibility Report is designed to demonstrate the association's commitment to sustainable practices, responsible peat harvesting, and the restoration of Canada's vast resource of peatlands.

 

Included in the comprehensive CSPMA Industry Social Responsibility Report is a review of the horticultural sphagnum peat moss life cycle analysis, which included all operations involved in the production, transformation and distribution stages of peat moss production. The ISR assessment also includes a detailed description of peatlands management and restoration, the goals and objectives of the association's ISR mandate, and specific actions to be carried out in order to improve the degree of social responsibility of the association and the peat moss industry as a whole.

 

"The Canadian peat moss industry is already recognized as an international leader in sustainable practices," said Paul Short, President of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association. "The CSPMA Industry Social Responsibility Report is further evidence that we are continuing a leadership position in all facets of our industry, and we are accepting a role as a global leader in responsible peatland management and peat production."

 

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) Industry Social Responsibility Report is the result of several years of research and reporting. In 2012, the CSPMA used the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA) guidelines as a foundation for developing the association's first-ever ISR report. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) accepted the CSPMA's reporting project as one of 23 global pilot initiatives participating to advance the SAFA Guidelines.

 

Since the late 1980s, the Canadian peat moss industry has placed environmental stewardship in the forefront of its strategic planning, research and activities. Protecting ecosystems and restoration of peat bogs are considered essential to sustainable management and responsible development of the natural resource. The CSPMA has developed science-based policies to ensure appropriate peat moss harvesting, peatlands restoration actions by its members, and the adoption of best environmental sustainability practices. After harvesting, the sites are restored by re-establishing the biodiversity, hydrology and greenhouse gas exchange functions of the peatland.

 

Canada is the world's largest producer and exporter of sphagnum peat moss for horticultural use. Peat is an essential input used in the multi-billion dollar North American horticultural industry. Canada produces more than 65% of the peat used for horticultural purposes in the United States. The peat moss industry in Canada provides more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs to Canadians all across the country.

 

Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss is a natural, organic soil amendment that improves soil structure. It increases water retention in sandy soils, which helps reduce the leaching of nutrients. It increases the aeration in clay soil, which helps increase drainage. Peat moss is a source of organic matter, and it offers a stable pathogen and contaminant-free environment for plant growth. Adding peat moss to garden soil helps regulate moisture and air around plant roots to create ideal growing conditions for plants.

A greener way to do business

 

By Sheryl Schroeder

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Brenham 

 

April 22 is Earth Day, a great time to recommit to going green. More than one billion people will celebrate Earth Day this year. Saving energy, conserving water, and using less gas are just a few ways to go green (and save the earth).

 

At Social Security, we strive to have a positive impact on the environment and community. By visiting www.socialsecurity.gov, you can handle much of your Social Security business quickly and securely from your home or office.

 

Whether you want to get an estimate of your future retirement benefits, request a replacement Medicare card, report a change of address, or take charge of your retirement planning, our online services help meet your Social Security needs while saving you time. The best part is there's no need for paper, printing, and postage.

 

Visiting www.socialsecurity.gov is also the cleanest and greenest way to do business with Social Security. Going online saves you a trip to our office and reduces emissions.
Gardening tips

The oldest living tree on earth is 5,062 years old. That makes it 487 times older than Egypt's great pyramid.

Earth Day Tip

 

In honor of Earth Day, try turning off the water when you brush your teeth. That alone will save about 200 gallons of water per month.


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

 

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.

Denton: "In-Town Gardens" is the theme of the 2015 Denton County Master Gardener Association Spring Garden Tour, which is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. Five beautiful private gardens inside the Denton city limits are included on this year's tour, which raises funds for horticultural education programs. Veteran Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and point out interesting characteristics of each landscape. The garden at 2005 Burning Tree Ln. in Denton is a Pollinator's Paradise. It greets guests with an explosion of colorful plants and flowers, including old time-favorites: daylilies, sedum, daisies, lambs ears, coneflower, chrysanthemum, herbs, yarrow, salvia, Mexican milkweed and seasonal annuals. My Secret Garden, located at 908 Circle View Ln., is filled with graceful plants and antique and whimsical yard art. Mini-gardens fill every nook and corner, including a charming fairy garden. Several rainwater collection barrels supply water to the raised beds and colorful containers. All That Jazz is the name of the vibrant garden at 1218 Emerson Ln. The owners were striving for rhythm, balance, emphasis and unity when they planned their landscaping, and they incorporated trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, all of them native or adapted to North Texas. At 2308 Crestwood Place in northeast Denton, visitors will discover Hidden Gardens and Wildscape, with mature tree-lined paths and secluded garden plots visited by bees, butterflies and critters, both wild and domestic. Each area has its own personality, providing the homeowners with several treasured places for work, play and renewal. The Heather Lane Herb Garden at 1306 Heather Lane features an organic landscape planted with herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, perennials and annuals. Dry-river beds and several rain barrels help supply water for the garden. The fifth garden is located at Lake Forest Village, the retirement facility at 3901 Montecito Rd. in Denton. Primarily a vegetable garden, it was built and is used by residents to produce food for their personal use. The surplus is sold in the Village grocery store to residents who might not be able to participate in garden activities. As a bonus, an assortment of flowers and Texas-adapted plants provide color and attract pollinators to the grounds. Garden Tour tickets are $10 per person and are available from Master Gardeners, local nurseries and online at www.dcmga.com. Children under 12 are admitted free. Admission to a single garden is $5 at the gate.

 

Nacogdoches: "Pining for Birds Arcadian Adventure" will take place 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 9. Join ornithologist Cliff Shackelford and horticulturist Greg Grant on a bird and nature walk as they hike through Greg's beloved backyard Rebel Eloy Emanis Pine Savanna and Bird Sanctuary in rural Shelby County. With annual prescribed burns, regular thinning, and standing snags, Greg maintains this 22-year-old, eight-acre stand of loblolly pines as a habitat for cavity dwelling birds and pine savanna wildlife. He named it for his outdoor-loving grandfather who formerly owned the property. Plan to see brown-headed nuthatches, pine warblers, eastern bluebirds, tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, Carolina wrens, eastern phoebes, and an assortment of woodpeckers. Prepare to hike approximately one mile on dirt trails, so wear comfortable shoes. Transportation is provided and will leave from the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Center at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet, Nacogdoches. Group size will be limited. $30 for SFA Gardens members. $35 for non-members. For reservations contact sfagardens@sfasu.edu  or call 936-468-1832.

 

San Antonio: Visit and learn of the abundant community gardens in San Antonio. Join Green Spaces Alliance for an exclusive urban bike ride or walk to tour eight community gardens during the fourth annual SicloVerde! Choose from several tour options including the 17-mile ride, the 13-mile ride and a 5k walk or ride. Participants will gather at the first garden in the morning and travel in small groups with experienced guides, visiting with gardeners at San Antonio's community gardens before completing the loop and participating in closing festivities. SicloVerde 2015 will occur Saturday, May 9, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Eastside Sprouts Community Garden - a garden on the Ella Austin Community Center campus at 1023 N. Pine, 78202. Interested parties should visit www.greensatx.org/sicloverde for more detailed information and to register in advance.

 

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.

Hempstead: Mother's Day Open Day takes place May 10 at the Peckerwood Garden, 20559 F.M 359, Hempstead. Visitors enjoy 1-hour guided tours of the garden led by knowledgeable docents, exploring key collections such as the Mexican oaks and magnolias. Seasonal highlights are featured and there is the opportunity to purchase many of the plants from the garden at our nursery on Open Days. Refreshments are available, and parking and plant sale admission is free. Peckerwood Garden Open Day hours are 10-4 p.m. Guided tours are offered each day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and you may reserve a place on the tour of your choice in advance. Tour fee is $10 per person.Peckerwood Garden Foundation members are always welcome, free of charge, to participate in Open Days tours. To purchase tickets, visit https://squareup.com/market/peckerwood-garden-conservation-foundation?utm_source=peckerwood-garden-conservation-foundation&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=button_v1#menu.

Schertz: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will present a Lunch and Learn class on herbs from noon to 1 p.m. on May 11 in Schertz. Gail Johnson, Guadalupe County Master Gardener, will present "Twenty Great Herbs for South Central Texas." Mrs. Johnson's program will discuss not only successful varieties of herbs for this area, but the seasonality of growing herbs. The program will be at the GVEC Service Center Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz, and is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch, and free handouts will be available.For further information, visit  www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call the Guadalupe County Extension Service Office in Seguin at 830-303-3889.


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.

 

Sugar Land: The Great Grow, a 501c3 community and school garden organization, will present "Treesearch Farms: The Unique and Different" Plant Sale and School Garden Event at Imperial Farmer's Market, 198 Kempner St, Sugar Land, May 16. Plant Sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. School Garden Presentations at 11 a.m. For additional information, contact Diana Miller, Program Director, 713-724-3113, or visit www.TheGreatGrow.com.

 

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.

JUNE

San Antonio: Engage in gardening and engage your community. Join Green Spaces Alliance for the second Community Harvest Blitz. The theme is Salsa Gardening and it will be a chance to learn about gardening, participate in cultivation, watch and taste food demonstrations straight from the garden by local chefs, share a meal with new friends, and watch a movie all in the garden setting. Green Spaces' Community Harvest Blitz will occur Saturday, June 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gardens of St. Therese - a west side community garden at 906 W. Kentucky Ave, 78201. Multiple activities are scheduled for all age ranges. Interested parties should visit www.greensatx.org/fruitfulsa for more detailed information and must register their planned attendance. Materials and foods will be limited by the number of registered attendees.

 

San Antonio: Engage in gardening and engage your community. Join Green Spaces Alliance for the third Community Harvest Blitz. The theme is Fall Harvest, as this is National Food Day. It will be a chance to learn about gardening, participate in cultivation, watch and taste food demonstrations straight from the garden by local chefs, share a meal with new friends, and watch a movie all in the garden setting. Green Spaces' Community Harvest Blitz will occur Saturday, June 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at River Road Community Garden - a near north community garden at 780 E. Huisache, 78212. Multiple activities are scheduled for all age ranges. Interested parties should visit www.greensatx.org/fruitfulsa for more detailed information and must register their planned attendance. Materials and foods will be limited by the number of registered attendees.

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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