 August 5, 2015
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 The garden reader: Tabletop gardens By William Scheick Book Reviewer Julie Bawden-Davis and Beverly Turner. Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden. Skyhorse Publishing, 2013. 189 pp. $16.95. Fiona McDonald. Fairy Gardening 101: How to Design, Plant, and Create Over 25 M iniature Gardens. Skyhorse Publishing, 2014. 208 pp. $16.95. The most majestic tabletop gardens I ever saw were showcased in Mountains in the Sea: The Vietnamese Miniature Landscape Art of Hon Non Bo (2005). This book is out of print now, but luckily I possess a copy and can easily revisit its gorgeous display of this artist's breathtaking miniature landscapes. Such majestic artistry is outside the capacity of most of us. Which is why it is very good to have more accessible know-how enticingly described in Fairy Gardening and Fairy Gardening 101. Both of these books are attractively designed and brightly illustrated, featuring tiny plants, figurines, bridges, wells, swings, gates, arches and more. Such "fairy gardens transport us to a place far from the mundane tasks of everyday life into a realm of wonder and imagination," Beverly Turner promises. "Some major garden suppliers now manufacture accessories specifically for fairy landscaping," Turner adds, "and the staggering number of people discovering this delightful hobby climbs daily." Tiny accessories, however, do not have to be special-made. They can be found in thrift stores and even "the aquarium section of certain pet stores," according to Fiona McDonald, who also includes instructions for fashioning your own fairies. The co-authors of Fairy Gardening offer separate chapters on developing a theme, establishing a focal point, creating action and telling a story. Even so, they advise, staying within the lines (so to speak) is not essential: "fantasy and imagination are far more important than accuracy; so if you want a waterfall in the middle of a desert, go for it." The author of Fairy Gardening 101 highlights 25 very different tabletop projects. They range from natural to artificial and from hanging baskets to terrariums. Tabletop gardens do not demand as much maintenance as bonsai, but some pruning is necessary even when using smart plant selections (detailed in each book). "The best way to determine when to give a 'haircut' is anytime a plant starts to cross its boundaries or gets too tall," Baldwin-Davis and Turner note. There is a difference between these two books, and it would be best to glance at both to see which (or both) might suit your goals. In my opinion, Fairy Gardening is more the 101 basic course than is Fairy Gardening 101, which strikes me as more venturesomely advanced in its celebration of unique models.
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Make the home garden a haven for beneficial pollinators
Jackson & Perkins
Bringing beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into the home garden is not only good for the plants; it also increases the yields of home crops and beautifies the landscape. Gardeners interested in attracting more pollinators usually begin by setting up hummingbird feeders, installing a birdbath or other water feature, and planting annuals and perennials that include pollinators' names, such as Butterfly Bush, Bee Balm, and Hummingbird Mint. While these are all excellent strategies, Park Seed Company brand manager Sue Amatangelo recommends additional steps gardeners can take to make their landscape hospitable to the living creatures that help grow new plants.
When designing the garden, plan for blooms to continue from spring right through fall. Most annuals are in full show from late spring through summer, so there is no shortage of available nectar and pollen during this time. And by selecting perennials with varying bloom seasons, home gardeners can achieve a succession of flowers that continues all summer long, bringing pollinators an uninterrupted and nicely varied supply of food. Supplement the summer display with spring-flowering fruit trees such as cherry, peach, and apple, as well as fall-flowering varieties Aster and Rudbeckia to Caryopteris.
Pollinators feel at home in landscapes planted with native species. Native North American plants are low maintenance, require less water than most others, and are less prone to disease and pests. Look for native varieties of Penstemon, Helianthus, Cleome, and Gaillardia to bring in the bees. Asclepias, Achillea, Lupinus, and Salvia are among dozens of American natives that attract butterflies, while hummingbirds appreciate Lonicera, Lobelia, Campsis, and Aquilegia, among others.
Most importantly, consider the entire garden a home for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, not just the pollen- and nectar-bearing plants that attract them. Avoid using pesticides and other non-organic sprays and treatments. Some beneficial insects and caterpillars may eat desirable foliage, and many undesirables will undoubtedly remain in the garden, but it is well worth it to create a healthy, balanced environment for pollinators. Provide a source of very shallow water with rocks or other stable surfaces for alighting and basking. Pollinators will be more likely to visit a natural environment that provides shelter, water, and resting places as well as good sources of food.
Whether the goal is to create a beautiful butterfly garden, to increase the production of home vegetable crops, or to create a haven for the endangered honeybee population, home gardeners can take many simple steps to turn their landscape into a pollinator-friendly environment. Bringing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into the garden helps create a more balanced environment that improves its long-term health and productivity. Park Seed's Sue Amatangelo urges home gardeners across the country to "plant one more for the pollinators," making every garden just a little more rich in the food these beneficial visitors need.
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 Gardening tips
Web worms can be a problem in August. If you notice masses of webs on your pecan trees, break them apart with a long pole or strong blast of water. That makes is easier for wasps to feed on the worms and control them naturally. It should go without saying, but don't destroy wasps nest around your home unless they are situated in a dangerous place, i.e., the front door or child's playhouse. 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.
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AUGUST
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 [email protected]. Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will present a Lunch and Learn entitled "How to Plan and Plant a Butterfly Garden," noon to 1p.m., August 6. Judith Stanley, a Guadalupe County Master Gardener and member of the Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society will present ideas from local butterfly gardens, a list of what attracts butterflies and pictures of our local butterflies and the plants needed to sustain them. The program will be held the AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak St., Seguin and is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch, and free handouts will be available. For additional information, visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call AgriLife Extension, 830-303-3889. Hondo: Pond Management Workshop, Friday, August 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Hondo Community Center 1014 18th St. Hondo. This workshop is intended to provide landowners helpful tips on pond ecology, stock rates for fish, selecting the right fish species for your needs, pond management, aquatic plant identification and mosquito control. Speakers: Troy Luepke and Derrick Drury, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Registration fee of $15 (cash/pers ck) is payable at the door. To RSVP call Becky Ramirez at 830-741-6180 or email her at [email protected]. Lufkin & Overton: Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Forestry Association are offering a free workshop Friday, August 7, for landowners, foresters and others in the Texas forest sector. Topics include: How to identify the current health of your woodlands; easy-to-follow recipes for increasing woodland health; record keeping to track Texas laws, family heritage; and a panel discussion on available assistance programs. Specific forest health issues and treatments will be discussed throughout the day along with prevention methods to minimize risk of insect and/or disease outbreak. The workshop begins at 9 a.m at the Community Service Building at Angelina College, 3500 S First St., Lufkin, with a live video feed in Overton at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, 1710 FM 3053 N, Overton. CEUs will be given for the SAF Certified Forester and the Texas Pro Logger programs. There is no cost for the workshop and lunch is provided. Sponsors for the workshop are Heritage Land Bank and Texas Farm Credit. Please RSVP by August 3 to [email protected] or 979-458-6650. Fair Oaks Ranch: Small Acreage Water Conservation, Saturday, August 8, 9:30 a.m.-Noon, City Hall Campus, City of Fair Oaks Ranch, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn, Fair Oaks Ranch. Free; Limit 30; RSVP to 210-698-0900 (Fair Oaks Ranch City Hall) by August 4. Workshop targets homeowners interested in learning Earth Kind best practices of water conservation for landscaping & wildlife habitat. Presented by Troy Luepke, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
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 [email protected], further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.
San Antonio: On August 8, join community members, volunteers, funders, and Green Spaces Alliance to bring the newest community garden into existence at Collins Garden! This day will be much, much more than a typical shovel thrust into a pile of lose soil. Volunteers will be assigned to teams, so beds can be built, trees planted, native gardens laid out, and more between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. An 8 a.m. ceremony will be immediately followed by lots of digging, scraping, placing, planting, building, and spreading. Individuals will be assigned to teams on a first come, first serve basis unless they preregister for specific tasks and shifts on the GSA website: http://www.greensatx.org/upcoming-events/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities?sheet_id=119. The garden is at 200 N. Park Blvd, behind the Collins Garden Public Library.
Austin: Judy Barrett, publisher of Homegrown Texas, will discuss fall gardening, an extended season in Austin from August to January, on Monday, August 10. Judy will also cover how to include veggies in your landscape. The Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., in Zilker Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the opportunity to meet, mingle, and ask questions with local gardeners; club business begins at 7 p.m., followed by the guest speaker's presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.
Houston: Seed Swap: August 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation of "What to Plant and Do Now in your vegetable garden" 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Houston Urban Gardeners (HUG) meeting, Moody Park Community Center, 3725 Fulton, Houston. For more information, visit www.HoustonUrbanGardeners.org. Free.
Schertz: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will present a Lunch and Learn entitled "How to Plan and Plant a Butterfly Garden," noon to 1p.m., August 10. Judith Stanley, a Guadalupe County Master Gardener and member of the Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society will present ideas from local butterfly gardens, a list of what attracts butterflies and pictures of our local butterflies and the plants needed to sustain them. The program will be held 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 additional information, visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call AgriLife Extension, 830-303-3889.
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 ([email protected] or 830-401-4420) or Mike Murley ([email protected] 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.
Nacogdoches: Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 13, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches. Scott McMahan, owner of McMahan Nursery in Atlanta, will present "Climbing Asian Mountains, Fording Rivers and Fighting the Elements: Moments from a Plant Hunter's Diary." A resident of Decatur, Georgia, McMahan is an extreme plant enthusiast. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wofford College and an associate degree in horticulture from Spartanburg Technical College in South Carolina. He was a propagator for a large wholesale grower for five years, as well as the nursery manager at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for several years. McMahan left the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2003 to open his own business. Located just north of Lake Lanier, McMahan's Nursery specializes in hardy, unusual perennials, shrubs and trees in the Southeastern United States. He has traveled to China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam and various locations in the Southern and Northwestern U.S. in search of rare finds. He enjoys pushing the limits of what will grow in Zone 7 of the United States Department of Agriculture's zone system that helps determine plant hardiness and assists gardeners in defining which plants are well suited for specific climates. In fall 2009, McMahan opened Garden*Hood, a full-scale retail nursery and in-town plant boutique located near Zoo Atlanta. The nursery was named Best Place to Buy Plants in the "Atlanta Magazine" 2009 issue and also won both the editor's and people's choice award in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Best of the Big A poll for 2010. More recently, Garden*Hood won Best Garden Shop in Creative Loafing's 2011, 2012 and 2014 Best of Atlanta issues. The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at SFA's Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves lecture series fund are always appreciated. Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. For more information, call 936- 468-1832 or email [email protected].
San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society August meeting will feature Don Crites, a long time Master Gardener, presenting Good Bugs, Bad Bugs in your Garden. Herbs have some pesky bugs, so if you have questions or even examples, bring them. The San Antonio Herb Society meeting is Thursday, August 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-826-6860 or email [email protected].
Bastrop: The wildfires of 2011 caused significant destruction throughout Bastrop County. Residents may now wonder what can be done to reclaim the beauty of the landscape. This question can be answered during Texas A&M Forest Service's landowner workshop. Attendees will learn how to manage oak and yaupon sprouts, and help pine trees to once again re-establish as a central feature of Bastrop County. This workshop will help landowners take a more proactive role in managing their properties post burn. Landowners will learn what options are available for land management assistance and provide techniques they can use to manage the species composition within their landscapes so that pine trees are not totally displaced by oak and yaupon sprouts. Experts from across the state and multiple agencies will address tree planting service availability, fuel reduction, woody vegetation control with demonstrations, standing dead tree removal and Firewise landscaping. The workshop is free and will take place at the Bastrop Refectory in Bastrop State Park at 3005 TX-21, Bastrop, on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch is not included, but coffee and snacks are provided. Registration is open now until Aug. 12. For more information or to register for this workshop visit http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/content/landing.aspx?id=21194 or contact Daniel Lewis at 979-968-5555 or [email protected].
Sugar Land: The Great Grow, Children's Organic School Garden program presents the Disney Nature Movie "Wings of Life," University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land. 10:30 to 11:40 a.m., Saturday, August 15. Learn the importance of our declining pollinators in this beautifully filmed movie. Perfect for all ages. Free to the public. Info at www.TheGreatGrow.com or call Diana Miller 713-724-3113.
San Antonio: "30 Bugs Every Gardener Should Know" will be presented Wednesday, August 19, 1-3 p.m. at the Bexar County Ext Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge St, Suite #208, San Antonio. Cost: $10. If you spend any time outdoors, you know there are bugs and this wet spring and summer have helped insect populations explode! Learn which bugs are hurting or helping your plants, invading your home, or just causing a nuisance. See real insects as well as pictures and be sure to bring your insects or plant damage that you need identified. To RSVP, email Molly Keck at [email protected] or call 210-467-6575.
Seabrook: Tony Collins, past president of the San Jacinto Branch of the American Begonia Society, will present "Begonias" at 10 a.m., August 19, in the Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park, 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.
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. San Antonio: Edwards Aquifer--BCMG Seminar & Meeting will be held Thursday, August 20, 1-3 p.m. at Texas AgriLife Ext Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Gregg Eckhardt, an environmental scientist who has been studying the Edwards Aquifer and related issues since 1972, will discuss the Edwrads Aquifer. In 1994, he created Edwards' website as an educational tool for the public. He is a registered Environmental Manager and has served on many local committees and boards and has received several State appointments to scientific and educational panels. His talk will include some water history, hydrology basics, and some of the regulatory complications. Free. Plant exchange prior to meeting. For more information email Barbara Lutz at [email protected] or call: 210-699-0663. 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 [email protected], further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free. San Antonio: Alamo Area Conservation Workshop will be held Friday, August 28, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 NW Military Hwy. San Antonio. Speakers will represent Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Forest Service, Bexar County Master Gardeners and Alamo Area Master Naturalists. Cost: $20 per person by Aug 21 ($25 at door); lunch included. Learn about Fire in the Urban Wildland Interface, Oak Wilt, Feral Hogs, Insects, Water Quality and the Natural History of the South Texas Plains. For details or to register, email Angel Torres at [email protected] or call 210-467-6575.
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 [email protected], 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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
San Angelo: The Concho Valley Master Gardeners in San Angelo, Texas will present their 4th Annual Fall Landscape Symposium, Saturday, September 12. The Symposium will be held at the Stephens Central Library Community Room, 3rd floor, 33 W. Beauregard, San Angelo. Pre-registration is required to attend. Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 8. Presentations include: Neil Sperry presenting "Myths and Mystiques of Texas Gardening: Is it Fact or Fiction?" and "Water Conscious Landscaping"; Charles Floyd presenting "Creating Mini-Habitats in Your Landscape for Desirable Songbirds"; Dr. Steve Lyons presenting "Weather & Gardens-Taking Weather Away From Plant Growing Woes"; and Cindy Burkhalter presenting "How to Start and Maintain a Butterfly Garden in the South." The cost $25 per person and includes refreshments and lunch. Sign-in from 8-8:45 a.m. The program starts at 8:45 a.m. and continues until 3:15 p.m. To register: txmg.org/conchovalley and download the registration form and mail or bring it to the Extension Office, 113 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas 76901. To pay on-line with a credit card, go to http://mkt.com/cvmg. For information call 325-659-6522. No childcare will be provided.
San Antonio: Rain Barrel Workshop will be presented Saturday, September 12, 9 a.m.-noon, at Stone Oak Property Owners Offices, 19210 Huebner Road, San Antonio. A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores water when you need it most. You conserve water and benefit your plants and garden!! Make-and-take your own rain barrel in just a few hours by attending this workshop. Fun and educational for the whole family! Bring the kids to help assemble your rain barrel - and enjoy free food and drinks for all! Also visit with SAWS and Trinity District water conservation specialists. Limit 30 - $25 per person. RSVP with payment to Angel Torres by Sept 3, 2015: 210-467-6575 or [email protected]. Make check payable to: Texas A&M AgriLife, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio. Sugar Land: The Great Grow, Children's Organic School Garden program presents Fall Kids Fest at the Museum. 13016 University Blvd, Sugar Land 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, September 26. Enjoy this fun filled fall festival. Explore the museum butterfly garden. See a live bee hive. Pumpkin patch sponsored by HEB. Habitat plant sale. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Info at www.TheGreatGrow.com or call Diana Miller 713-724-3113. |
Monthly meetings
If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details.
FIRST WEEK
Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at the First Community Church at 1401 Trinity Drive in Crandall. January through April and August and September meetings are at 9 a.m., with the remaining meetings beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information visit http://www.kcmga.org, call 972-932-9069 or email to [email protected].
Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension, 3033 Bear Creek Drive (near the intersection of Highway 6 and Patterson Road), Houston. For additional information visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu
or call 281-855-5600. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected].
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 [email protected]. Harrison County: The Harrison County Master Gardeners meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Harrison County Annex building, 102 W Houston St. (south side of the square), Marshall. Meetings are held in the 2nd floor AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email [email protected].
Marion: The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of each month except July, August and December at St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. Directions to St. John's Lutheran Church: From FM 78 turn south onto FM 465 and the church is just past the Marion School on the right. From IH-10 go north on FM 465 towards Marion. The Church will be on the left, just before you get to town. A plant exchange and meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT visit www.npsot.org/GuadalupeCounty/ or contact [email protected].
Quitman: The Quitman Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Quitman Library on E Goode Street, Quitman. It is a diverse group that welcomes all visitors. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener Association meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. the
second Wednesday of each month. 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 [email protected].
Cleburne:The Johnson County Master Gardener's meet on the third Monday of each month at McGregor House, 1628 W Henderson, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 2 p.m. October through April, except December and at 6 p.m. May through September. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For additional information, contact Sue Matern at 817-517-9076.
New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month (except April and December,) at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. An educational program precedes the business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, call 830-620-3440 or visit http://txmg.org/comal/.
Corpus Christi: The Nueces Master Gardeners meet at noon the third Tuesday of each month, except December, at Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For further information call 361 767-5217.
Evant: The Evant Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., usually at the bank in downtown Evant. To confirm the date, time and place of each month's meeting, call 254-471-5860.
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 [email protected] or call 361-790-0103.
Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through November and January through April at 10 a.m. at the 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 [email protected] or call 817-454-8175.
Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston (NPSOT-H) meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except for October (4th Thursday) 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 [email protected].
Fort Worth: The Organic Garden Club of Forth Worth meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July and December at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center, 3220 Botanic Blvd., Ft. Worth. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 817-263-9322 or visit www.ogcfw.webs.com.
San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, except August and December, at the Lions Field Adult & Senior Center, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio. Social and plant/seed exchange at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio or email [email protected].
Houston: The Houston Chapter of the Native Prairie Association of Texas (HNPAT) meets from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at 3015 Richmond Ave., Houston. For more information, contact [email protected].
Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 10:30 a.m. at the community room behind the Greater Texas Federal Credit Union,1300 N. Bell, Cedar Park, unless there is special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, we share a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call president Cathy Clark-Ramsey at 512-963-4698 or email [email protected].
Dallas: The Dallas County Master Gardeners meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. For location and program information, visit http://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.
Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. For more information, call 214-824-2448 or visit www.gdogc.org.
Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month (except November and December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact David at 817-483-7746.
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