July 15, 2015
  
The importance of soil-dwelling animals

 

Soil Science Society of America

 

Soil animals degrade organic matter, maintain soil structure

 

In celebration of the International Year of Soil 2015 (IYS), the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is coordinating a series of activities throughout the year to educate the public about the importance of soil. July's theme is "Soils Are Living." In SSSA's July 1 Soils Matter blog post, experts explain the role of larger animals in the soil ecosystem.

 

According to Mary Stromberger, a soil scientist with Colorado State University, "none of the services that soils provide could be done without the animals that live in them."

 

Large animals like gopher turtles and burrowing owls live in soils, as well as smaller ones like earthworms.

 

Soil animals perform several functions in soil that make them a vital part of all ecosystems, including agriculture. Soil animals are involved in:

  • degrading organic matter and making nutrients available,
  • improving and maintaining soil structure; and,
  • mixing organic matter through the soil.

Soil is home to more creatures than there are humans on the earth

 

Stromberger also noted that "soil is a living, dynamic natural resource. It helps us sustain life - but it doesn't do its job alone. The biodiversity of life in soil is critical to a healthy world."

 

Here are some facts about life in soil:

  • Larger animals like gopher turtles and burrowing owls make their homes in soil. The soil protects them from weather and predators.
  • Insects often live in soil, too. The give back by creating tunnels and helping aerate the soil.
  • Bacteria and fungi - referred to as microbes - live in the soil. These tiny creatures provide essential services like converting nitrogen from the air into a form that plants can use for food. They decompose organic matter and aid in weathering of rocks to provide plant nutrients.

As part of their celebration of IYS, SSSA developed a series of twelve 2-minute educational videos. July's "Soils Are Living" video can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Qas9tPQKd8w, or downloaded at www.soils.org/iys/monthly-videos. Educational materials can be viewed at www.soils.org/iys by clicking on the July tab.

Eco-friendly mosquito control

 

By Melinda Myers

 

Don't let mosquitoes keep you from enjoying your garden and outdoor parties. Look for environmentally sound ways to manage these pests in your garden and landscape.

 

Start by eliminating standing water in the yard. Buckets, old tires, and clogged gutters and downspouts that hold water make the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

 

Drain water collects in these as well as in kids' toys, tarps and pool covers. Store these items in the garage or turn them over to keep them from becoming a mosquito breeding ground. Even small containers hold enough water for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes to breed.

 

Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Consider installing a small pump to keep water moving to prevent mosquito breeding. Or use an organic mosquito control such as Mosquito Dunks and Bits in rain barrels and water features. The Mosquito Bits quickly knock down the mosquito larval population, while the Mosquito Dunks provide 30 days of control. They are both certified organic and safe for pets, fish, wildlife and children.

 

Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. These pests are less attracted to the lighter colors and can't readily reach your skin through loose clothing. And be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible with long sleeves and pants.

 

Add a few birdhouses to the landscape to bring in the birds. You'll enjoy their beauty and benefit from their diet of insects, including many garden pests and mosquitoes.

 

Keep the garden weeded. Mosquitoes rest in shrubs, trees and weeds during the day. Removing weeds and managing neglected garden spaces will make your landscape less inviting to these pests.

 

Consider using a personal repellent to protect you against disease-carrying mosquitoes. For those looking to avoid DEET, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also approved products with the active ingredient picaridin (found in Skin so Soft products), IR3535, and the synthetic oil of lemon and eucalyptus. Avoid products that contain both sunscreen and insect repellents as you need to apply the sunscreen more often than the repellent.

 

Add a bit more protection while sitting or eating outdoors. Use a fan to create a gentle breeze that keeps the weak flying mosquitoes away from you and your guests. Some gardeners even take a small fan into the garden while weeding.

 

Then add a bit of ambience to your next party by lighting a few citronella candles for your evening events. Citronella oil and the scented candles do have some mosquito repelling properties. Scatter lots of candles throughout your entertainment space. Position the candles within a few feet of your guests. This can provide some short term relief from these pests for you and your guests.

 

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including Can't Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener's Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone" DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers' web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

EPA proposes to cancel some uses of an insecticide commonly used for residential, industrial and commercial purposes

 

Environmental Protection Agency

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to cancel certain uses of the insecticide propoxur after preliminary human health assessment found risks from certain applications.

 

"Today, we are taking strong steps to protect human health-especially the health of children-from this widely used insecticide," said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention, on July 1. "The agency will continue its work to reduce exposure from pesticides that pose the greatest risk to those who are the most vulnerable."

 

From 1995 to 2013, EPA has reduced exposure from carbamates, the class of insecticide that includes propoxur. The use of carbamates has fallen by 70 percent.

 

EPA and the registrant reached an agreement to voluntarily cancel certain uses of propoxur. At the same time, EPA is proposing to cancel certain other pesticide registrations. Voluntary cancellation is the quickest way to fully address these risks, and best protect public health. EPA is proposing to cancel all indoor aerosol, spray and liquid formulations of propoxur inside hospitals and other commercial or institutional facilities where children may be present and all use in food-handling establishments.

 

After these cancellations, there would be no remaining food uses, and no tolerances levels for propoxur. In 2007, EPA cancelled the use of propoxur sprays inside homes, day care facilties and schools, and in 2014, EPA cancelled propoxur pet collars. The July 1 action was conducted as part of the agency's registration review program.

Don't let unwelcome pests take refuge in your home

 

Better Business Bureau

 

Living in a hot and humid state like Texas means you have probably encountered a few spiders, a trail of ants or an occasional cockroach in your home. Unfortunately, the occasional "home invader" could become more frequent thanks to weeks of constant rainfall and flooding.

 

In the summertime, ants tend to be the biggest problem. The hotter weather causes them to enter homes and businesses in search of water and food. They generally get in through tiny gaps in bricks, around windows and through other holes and cracks. Also, don't be surprised if you see more spiders and cockroaches than usual - these insects come out of the woodwork after rain. If your home is in or near a wooded area, fleas and ticks could be a problem.

 

If your home is seeing more pests than usual, it may be time to call a pest control service business. In 2014, BBB received more than 4,000 complaints against pest control services nationwide. Many complaints alleged they paid for services that were not provided, extermination attempts were ineffective and companies hid high cancellation fees.

 

To prevent pests, your Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin recommends:

  • Store food in sealed plastic or glass containers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consumers should try to remove sources of food, water and shelter that attract pests. Garbage containing food scraps should be sealed tightly and remove garbage regularly.
  • Fix leaky plumbing. Don't let water accumulate in trays under your house, plants or refrigerator. Also, don't leave pet food and water out overnight, as it could attract rodents and ants.
  • Get rid of clutter. While this is sometimes hard to avoid, especially in your garage, clutter provides places where pests can enter, hide or even make a home. Cover any holes with wire mesh and caulk cracks and crevices around cabinets or baseboards to keep pests out.
  • Learn about the pests around you. Research the kind of pests that could enter your home and the options to control them. If it is a persistent problem, your best option might be to hire an exterminator.

When looking for a pest control service business or contractor, BBB advises consumers to:

  • Compare prices. Solicit bids from at least three different pest control companies before making a decision. BBB provides a free Request a Quote service to make it easier to gather estimates from local BBB Accredited Businesses. You can also go to checkbbb.org for a full list of BBB Accredited pest control services in the area.
  • Get references. Ask family and friends for recommendations from pest control companies they have used. Beware of companies that offer to give your house a free inspection for pests or pressure you for immediate or costly treatments.
  • Ask about safety. Because pesticides and pest control products can be dangerous to touch or inhale, be sure to ask the company about the safety of the chemicals they use. Let the company know if you have children, pets or sensitive plants as that may impact the products they select for your home.
  • Check for licensing and insurance. Always hire a qualified pest control company and verify they meet state licensing requirements with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Also, find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
  • Carefully review your contract. Be sure you fully understand the nature of the pests to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation and the work necessary to solve the problem.
  • Get it in writing. Make sure the contract and all guarantees are clearly stated in writing with details about the service agreement. Be sure you understand what the company will do if pests continue or come back after treatment.
Gardening tips

As summer heat takes its toll on warm-season crops such as squash, cucumbers and greens, it is time to remove the spent plants from the garden.  You can replant with heat-loving vegetables such as okra, Swiss chard, Malabar spinach or sweet potatoes. However, leaving the soil fallow allows the soil a chance to rest and build up its structure and nutrient content. Start by spreading a 2-inch blanket of leaves, grass clipping or manure, along with chopped up old garden plants over the whole area. Rototill everything into the garden soil. Repeat if necessary. Then cover the whole area with a 3- to 4-inch thick layer of compost. This will deter weeds and the bed will be ready for planting cool-season crops such as broccoli, cabbage and spinach when the time comes.                

 

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.
JULY
 

Athens: Henderson County Master Gardeners Summer Series #2: Fall Vegetable Production "Science and Sense". Rick Hirsch, HC Extension Agent, shares his best tips for your successful fall vegetable garden. Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m., Cain Center, Athens. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 903-675-6130 or email hendersoncmga@gmail.com.

 

San Antonio: Summer Camps for Kiddos, Grands, Nieces, Nephews: Art in the Garden for Ages 5-8 yrs, Jul 16, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Learn about plants, insects, and other garden life while creating art for your garden(s). Cost: $20 per child. For more information and to register email Ruby Zavala at Ruby.Zavala@ag.tamu.edu.

 

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will meet Thursday, July 16, at the AgriLife Building, 210 East Live Oak, Seguin. A social gathering will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by the educational program at 7 p.m. The speaker will be Gail Johnson, Master Gardener. Her topic will be "Composting with Worms." Gail will bring the worms she uses at her home. The membership meeting will follow the educational program. For further information, call the AgriLife staff at 830-303-3889 or visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

 

Dallas: Texas A&M AgriLife Program Specialist Dotty Woodson shares her love of orchids and how to raise them July 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. Dotty covers orchid growing supplies, nutritional requirements, grooming techniques, and pest and disease control. Take an orchid home with you! $50, $40 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.

 

Dallas: Join Dallas County Master Gardener Joanne Durbin July 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. as she teaches us how to make beautiful display plates and décor in the shape of leaves we gather in our garden. Make and paint a leaf cast! Supplies will be provided. $50, $40 for TDG Members. Register in advance. $50, $40 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.

  

Glen Rose: A slow-drip irrigation system planning and installation seminar will be held ar 9 a.m., July 18 at the Native Plant Community Garden located on the Glen Rose Courthouse Square adjacent to the Somervell County museum.  

 

Cleburne: Johnson County Junior Master Gardener Vegetable Gardening Certification Course for children 7-11 will be held Monday-Friday July 20-24 at the Chisholm Trail Museum, 101 Chisholm Trail Dr., Cleburne. Monday - What a P.L.A.N.T. NEEDS - Shake Rattle & Roll Your Soil; Tuesday - Propagation - Create an olla watering system; Wed. - How to Bring Pollinators to the Garden - What's Bugging YOU; Thursday - Prepare & Plant for the Fall Garden; Friday - Celebrate our garden with finishing touches and having a party by make salsa from the Summer Garden. During the week we will study explore the Summer Vegetable Garden; plants what kinds and why they are planted, soil testing soil type and pH, check for insects good and bad and is it underwater? Over watered? What a PLANT needs? Bring water and a snack. Seating is limited. Registration required. For more information and to register, contact Pat Kriener at 817-793-4625.

  

Dallas: Drip Irrigation DIY will be presented Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Building E Auditorium, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Water slower, deeper and more efficient with every drop. Convert your spray heads and watch your sprinkler system save you money from our hands on drip conversion class. You will 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. Drip irrigation for foundation watering will also be covered. Free. 

  

Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will hold its 2015 Summer Symposium, Thursday, July 23 at Victoria Educational Gardens, 283 Bachelor Dr., Victoria. VEG is located across from Victoria Regional Airport control tower. The event will be held starting at 8 a.m. with registration and conclude at 2 p.m. Speakers will be Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturist Dr. H. Brent Pemberton, internationally known speaker Gaye Hammond and Texas Rose Society chairman Audrey McMurray. Registration is $25 at the door. Early registration ends July 20 and is $20. To obtain registration form go to vcmga.org. For more information telephone 361-575-4581. 

 

La Marque: A Homeowner's Guide to Weed Control will be presented by GC Master Gardener Anna Wygrys, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413. Fee/Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. For the Galveston County residents help line, call 281-534-3413 ext.1 and press menu option 1 to ask a Master Gardener.    

 

McKinney: Join the Collin County Master Gardeners on Saturday, July 25, for their annual Fall into Vegetable Gardening program and learn how to make your own garden produce delicious and nutritious cool-season vegetables. The class will be conducted at beautiful Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney from 8 a.m. until noon. Master Gardeners will speak about the Best Varieties of Vegetables to grow, Harvesting Vegetables; Integrated Pest Management for the Vegetable Garden; and the Planting Calendar with a few Garden Secrets. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and will feature demonstration tables offering information on raised bed construction, container gardening, irrigation and rain water harvesting, general CCGMA information, Texas Pure products, and vegetable gardening resources. There will also be tours of the vegetable demonstration beds at Myers Park at the end of the program. Attendees will take home goodie bags filled with useful information to help get their fall/winter garden off to a great start. To register for the event or for more information visit the CCMGA website,www.ccmgatx.org, or call the CCMGA Information Center at 972-548-4232. Registration is required and will open July 1, 2015 on the website. There is a $10 per person fee payable online or at the door with cash, check, or credit card.

 

Dallas: "Saving from a Rainy Day, Making a Rain Barrel" will be presented 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 30, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center WaterSense Labeled Home, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Does your rain just run off? Divert it, save it, use it! 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 own 55-gallon rain barrel. Cost: $50 per barrel. Register online at dallas.tamu.edu/courses.

AUGUST

Cleburne: Johnson County Herb Society Summer Thyme Festival will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, August 1, at the JN Long Cultural Arts Center, 425 Granbury, Cleburne (behind HEB). Children's activities, lectures, vendors, and seed swap. The four free lectures include 9:30 a.m. Pat Kriener - "Butterfly Gardening & Certification"; 11 a.m. Judy Barrett - "What Can I Do with My Herbs"; 12:30 p.m. Jenny Reynolds - "Key Hole Gardening"; and 2 p.m. Debbie Gordon - "Aromatherapy Basics." For additional information, call Pat at 817-793-4625 or email jcherbsocietytx.webs.com.


Athens: Henderson County Master Gardeners Summer Series #3: Taste the "Foods and Flavors of the Mediterranean" with Ellis Co. Master Gardeners Susan Clark and Arlene Hamilton. Taste & learn which herbs do well in our local area and love the Texas heat. Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m., Cain Center, Athens. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 903-675-6130 or email hendersoncmga@gmail.com.

La Marque: "Backyard Gardening: Strawberries" with GC Master Gardener Robert Marshall. Saturday 9-11 a.m., August 1, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

 

Odessa: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners will host a class on Backyard Basics: Home Fruits, Nuts, Grapes, and Strawberries from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., August 4, at the AgriLife Office, 1010 E. 8th ST., Odessa. The class will include the best varieties for West Texas, and growing grapes and strawberries for the table. Dr. Russ Wallace, Associate Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist, will be the presenter. For more information, call 432-498-4071.


Dallas: Landscape Design - Be Your Own Landscape Designer, with Water Efficiency in Mind will be presented Tuesday, August 4, 11, 18, and 25, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center WaterSense Labeled Home, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Are you on a budget, but your landscape needs a facelift? Be your own Landscape Designer by learning hands on approaches to landscape design for the "do it yourself" homeowner. Learn proper plant placement, design aspects and installation for a more water efficient landscape. This is a four week class meeting once per week. Cost: $395. Note: This is a project-based class and is limited to one project please. Fee includes dinner each week for up to 2 project leaders/homeowners listed at initial registration. If you will have two project leaders/homeowners please reply to the confirmation email after you have registered.

Austin: "Backyard Chickens" will be presented 10 a.m. to noon, August 6, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin. Are you ready for the fun and rewarding experience of keeping your own backyard chickens? Learn about the various breeds, caring for chicks, ideas to beat boredom, diets for delicious eggs and keeping the coop clean. Master Gardener Ally Stresing will help you get started with this informative talk on raising the home flock. Ally is an accomplished vegetable gardener who decided that no backyard garden is complete without chickens. Cost: $10 thru 7/27, $15 starting 7/28 and onsite, No cash accepted - checks and credit cards only. Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty, Register by Phone: 979-845-2604. For additional information, contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.

  

La Marque: "The Great Pepper Extravaganza Seminar & Tasting" with GC Master Gardener Gene Speller. Saturday 9-noon, August 8, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

  

Seguin: Applications are being accepted for the Guadalupe County Master Gardener Class, which will meet on Wednesdays, Aug. 12-Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the AgriLife Building, 210 E. Live Oak, Seguin. Cost: $190 with $10 late fee after July 31. The cost of the textbook and handouts are included. Application can be found at www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org/. Contact Kay McElveen (kay.mcelveen@yahoo.com or 830-401-4420) or Mike Murley (murleyml@yahoo.com  or 830-491-8502) with questions.

 

Houston: "Watering Systems" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting on Thursday, August 13, at 7:30 p.m. Baxter Williams, past president of the Houston Rose Society, author of numerous articles on rose culture, and an expert on growing roses on the Gulf coast of Texas, will speak on inexpensive, easy-to-build watering systems. The meeting will be held at the Parish Hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., Houston. Entrance to the parking lot is on W. 19th Street near Yale St.


Woodway: Master Gardener Mark Barnett will discuss "Soils, Trees, and Oak Wilt" at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, The Pavilion, Woodway, August 19, from noon until to 2 p.m. Learn about crafty ways to create art for your garden. Get ideas on fairy gardens, cement as art, beautifying areas of your landscape, decorative signs, plant markers, fence panels, and many other fun and creative ideas. Bring lunch! For more information, call 254-399-9204.

La Marque: "The Patio Garden" with former Montgomery County agent Tom LeRoy. Saturday 9-11 a.m., August 22, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.


Ft. Worth:"Vegetable Gardening in North Texas: Fall is a Great Time to Start" will be presented 9 a.m.-1 p.m., August 29, in Building 2300, Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Ft. Worth. Learn the basics of vegetable gardening in North Texas and why fall is the best time to plant a garden. Topics to be covered included, "It Begins in the Bed," "Best Vegetable Varieties," "Insects and Diseases," and "Vegetable Garden Alternatives." Following the presentation, visit the Tarrant County Master Gardener Community Demonstration Garden, 1801 Circle Drive, for demonstrations and displays, including vegetable beds, composting, irrigation systems, and more. Cost is $30. Lunch may be purchased. For more information and registration, visit www.tarrantmg.org or call the Master Gardener Help Desk at 817-884-1941.

La Marque: "Successful Fall Vegetable Gardening" with GC Master Gardener Luke Stripling. Saturday 9-11:30 a.m., August 29, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

  

Odessa: Jonathan Motsinger will present an Urban Landscape Tree Workshop, from 9 a.m. until noon, August 29 in the Discovery room of the First Baptist Church, 709 N. Lee St., Odessa. Jonathan is a certified arborist and a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester. He has been with the A & M Forest Service, for the last nine years, with the last six years in West Texas. He is familiar with West Texas trees - their problems and their beauty. There is no cost for this class.

SEPTEMBER

Austin: Wizzie Brown will discuss "Natural Pest Control," September 10, 10 a.m. to noon at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin. Learn how to tell pests from other insects found in your backyard, learn integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid many problem pests you may experience, and learn a combination of practices to prevent or avoid pest problems rather than treating them once they occur. Stabilize your landscape so that conditions are more favorable for plants than for pests. Wizzie Brown serves as Program Specialist - IPM in the Austin metroplex encompassing Travis County and surrounding counties. Cost: $10 thru 8/31, $15 starting 09/01 and onsite, No cash accepted - checks and credit cards only. Register on line at

https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or by phone at 979-845-2604. For additional information, contact Sue Carrasco at 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.


La Grange: Dr. Mark McFarland will discuss "Soils Testing & Fertility Management, 12:05 p.m.-12:50 p.m., September 10, at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, 255 Svboda Lane, La Grange. Registration 11:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m., For additional information, visit http://fayette.agrilife.org.
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/Odessa: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners meet at noon, the first Wednesday of each month, lternating between the Midland and Ector County's Extensions Offices. For more information about location, call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.

  

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. 

 

New Braunfels: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) 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, New Braunfels. 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.

 

Rockport: Monthly meetings of the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners are held at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Aransas County Office, 892 Airport Rd., Rockport. For additional information, e-mail aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103.

 

Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through 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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