October 7, 2015
  
The garden reader:
Special books for curious gardeners
 
By William Scheick
Book Reviewer
 
Elizabeth Gorcey. Green Is Good. Bowie Books, 2015. 24 pp. $14.99.
 
Green Is Good is the eighth book in the Liv on Life series (www.livonlife.com) inspired by the author's daughter. In this outing, young Olivia and her dog Bowie visit an organic farm.
 
Liv hopes that Bowie will learn to like green veggies as much as she does. Bowie resists, of course - he's OK with carrots, but not about greens.
 
Even so, after having fun at the farm, Bowie ends up making a little compromise.Designed for small children, Green is Good is uniquely illustrated and downright cute.
 
David Squire. A Miscellany for Garden-Lovers: Facts and Folklore through the Ages. Green Books, 2015. 144 pp. $15.95.
 
Quaintly cute woodcuts, engravings, drawings and photographs grace A Miscellany for Garden-Lovers. Topics include early garden tools, mouse-proofing, weighing lunar impact, bird clappers and garden gnomes.
 
There is also plenty of plant folklore from "those 'oldies' [who] knew a thing or two about growing plants." The "handed-down wisdom offered by 'sons of the soil'" include gardening advice on how to catch a spouse, increase human fertility, protect infants, produce good luck and ward off evil.
 
Bill Vaughn. Hawthorn: The Tree That Has Nourished, Healed, and Inspired Through the Ages. Yale University Press, 2015. 270 pp. $30.00.
 
Older gardening practices are also recovered in Hawthorn, Bill Vaughn's study of the role of mayhaws in our cultural history. These thorny plants were long ago cultivated to serve as fence-like hedgerows to keep large animals in or out of fields.
 
Native Americans made medicinal use of various hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries (haws), and sometimes preferred its wood for bows and sewing awls. The cooked pomes of Crataegus mexicana still play "an emblematic role in the holiday experience of many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans."
 
Thornapple, as this plant is also known, has a long heritage of serving symbolic functions, particularly celebrations of fertility. In Ireland, where hawthorns provide "devotional trees," thornapple flowers are said to bring bad luck if brought indoors, and roads there are likewise superstitiously routed around these trees.
 
In England some believe that the Glastonbury Thorn sprouted from the hawthorn staff of Joseph of Arimathea. It was erroneously thought to be "unique among species of Crataegus because it bloomed twice a year, once in the spring and once at Christmas."
 
Vaughn, who has grown "the largest recorded Douglas hawthorn in the world," provides a pleasantly conversational and wide-ranging overview of the still-strange function of mayhaws in both nature and our cultural history.
 
Kevin C. Vaughn. Beardless Irises: A Plant for Every Garden Situation. Schiffer Publishing, 2015. 160 pp. $29.99.

If the history of hawthorns has become obscure over time, so too, Kevin Vaughn contends, "the beardless irises have remained a secret to many gardeners." He hopes that his hands-on, richly informed book - gorgeously produced in a lush oversized format - makes these rhizomatous beauties as well known as their bearded-iris cousins.
 
All plant taxonomy is under constant revision these days, but so far at least five major groups of beardless irises have been established. "The Siberian, spuria and Japanese irises are derived from Old World species, whereas the Pacific Coast Native and Louisiana irises are derived from New World species."
 
Of course, the realm of irises hardly remains this simple. There are countless cross-group varieties that defy categorization, and "many of these hybrid types are able to grow in climates and conditions in which neither parent will grow."
 
Texas gardeners might be glad to learn about seed-producing spuria irises, especially since their hybrids tend to be produced in and for the dry Southwest. This Dutch-iris relative offers "flowers you can plant and forget" because "they just get better each year."
Texans encouraged to visit Texas wineries during October, watch new videos highlighting Texas wine trail
 
Texas Department of Agriculture
 
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller kicked off the start of Texas Wine Month October 2 with the release of eight new wine tourism videos highlighting 14 wine trails across the Lone Star State. The wine industry contributes more than $1.8 billion to the Texas economy each year. Commissioner Miller invites everyone to visit Texas wineries throughout the month of October to celebrate Texas Wine Month and taste the flavors of the state's wine country.
 
"Texas wineries are a special part of the Lone Star State, and they represent the perfect blend of agriculture and tourism," Commissioner Miller said. "More than 1.5 million tourists flock to our wineries each year. I encourage you to watch our beautiful new videos and experience the Texas wine industry for yourself. Just watching them on the computer isn't enough. I encourage everyone to find a wine trail near you and go experience it firsthand during October. After all, October is Texas Wine Month. Remember friends, from the field to the glass, Texas agriculture matters."
 
To coincide with Texas Wine Month, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and GO TEXAN program released the series of new videos, which feature beautiful vineyard scenes and a behind-the-scenes look at the wine-making process. The videos also afford viewers an opportunity to meet the people who make the Texas wine industry special. The wine trails highlighted in the video series take you across the state from the Pineywoods to Lubbock. Click here to visit the GO TEXANTV YouTube channel and watch the videos today.
 
Texas vineyards offer world-class wines and genuine Texas hospitality to visitors whether they come for a day trip, weekend visit or stay even longer. The state's booming wine industry represents the perfect marriage of agriculture and tourism. Texas is the No. 5 wine-producing state in the nation and is home to more than 350 wineries. The state's wineries are as diverse as the Texas landscape and are part of an exciting segment of the agriculture industry.
 
"It is a thrilling time to visit Texas wineries as they celebrate the end of the harvest in the vineyards and the beginning of the new wine releases," said Debbie Reynolds, executive director of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. "The Texas wine industry is vibrant and growing, and truly a favored destination by all native Texans and visitors to our great state. I can't tell you how excited we are about the harvest this year; it's the best ever in the history of our industry."
Covering the bases with cover crops
 
Soil Science Society of America
 
Most of us think that farmers grow and harvest crops for food. That's true for many crops: they either feed humans or farm animals. However, there's another category of crop that has a vital function in agricultural systems.
 
"Cover crops are usually planted between the regular crop production periods," says Hanna Poffenbarger. Poffenbarger is a graduate student in the department of agronomy at Iowa State University. She researched cover crops in her graduate work at the University of Maryland. "They protect the soil from erosion and take up excess nutrients when the ground would otherwise be bare."
 
Instead of being harvested, many cover crops are returned to the soil. In this way their nutrients can be used by other crops. Legume cover crops, in particular, are an excellent source of nitrogen - a key nutrient for all plant life. Cover crops also control weeds and help to manage pests.
 
Once the cover crops' season is finished, they need to break down quickly as the next crop begins to grow. Working under the advisement of Steven Mirsky (USDA-ARS) and Ray Weil (University of Maryland), Poffenbarger examined mixtures of two cover crops, cereal rye (a grass) and hairy vetch (a legume).
 
Cereal rye decomposes slowly and provides long-lasting mulch. This controls weeds and conserves soil moisture. However, it leaves the soil without much nitrogen for any crop planted later. Hairy vetch decomposes faster and provides a more immediate supply of nitrogen, but it doesn't make a good mulch.
 
What is the perfect proportion of these two cover crops? "We wanted to determine how the composition of the cover crop mixture affects the rate of nitrogen release and the persistence of the mulch," Poffenbarger explains.
 
A second question was how another source of nitrogen, poultry litter (chicken manure mixed with bedding) affected the cover crop decomposition. Poultry litter is often added to agricultural fields in Maryland, and the study tested decomposition of cover crop mixtures with and without poultry litter.
 
In general, researchers found more hairy vetch sowed on the field resulted in more nitrogen. The amount of cover crops broken down also increased. Additionally, cover crops combined with poultry litter had even more decomposition and nitrogen release than cover crops alone. However, this result only applied if the cover crop contained at least 50 percent cereal rye.
 
The method by which scientists applied poultry litter also played an important role. Poultry litter mixed with cover crop residues increased decomposition and nitrogen release. In contrast, poultry litter applied under the soil surface did not affect these factors.
 
Poffenbarger's research will be used to develop decision-making tools to help farmers understand which benefits their cover crops can best provide. Some farmers might prefer cover crops that break down slowly, but others may want quick nitrogen release.
 
"Farmers can use our results to optimize cover crop management for their specific mulch and nitrogen goals," she says.
 
Poffenbarger notes that future work will provide more information about how cover crops break down in different locations. "The final step," Poffenbarger says, "is to make this information easily available through online resources."
 
Poffenbarger's research is published in Agronomy Journal. The research was supported by funding from the USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

'Chunkapalooza' at Kilgore College Oct. 10

By Robert Burns
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

 

This year's Chunkapalooza has something for just about anyone of any age, including pumpkin 'chunking,' according to event organizers.

 

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kilgore College Demonstration Farm, 2211 State Highway 135, about 2 miles northeast of Overton.

 

This is a collaborative event between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Kilgore College, said Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Overton.

 

"We'll have results of tomato and watermelon variety trials, and discuss vegetable production under high tunnels," Masabni said.

 

"We wanted a county fair-like event, with both 'just-for-fun' and educational events," said Dr. Karl Steddom, Kilgore College ag instructor.

 

In the just-for-fun category, there will be a pumpkin-painting contest for children 12 and under, a hayride, food samples from the Kilgore College culinary arts department, a farmers market and, of course, the pumpkin chunking contest.

 

"It's called pumpkin 'chunking,' not pumpkin 'chucking,' perhaps because the catapults turn perfectly good pumpkins into large chunks," Steddom said.

 

In the educational category there will be several presentations, including:

  • Pumpkin fungicide trials, Steddom.
  • Watermelon and tomato variety trials, Masabni.
  • Epigenetics beef cattle research, Brittani Littlejohn, doctoral candidate at the Texas A&M AgriLife and Research Center at Overton.
  • Information on protecting pollinators, Steddom and a representative of the East Texas Beekeepers Association.

The pumpkin chunking contest consists of entries from local high schools and Kilgore College student groups. They use all-mechanical devices that have been built by the students to toss 7 to 15 pound pumpkins, Steddom said. They will be competing for prizes for both distance and creativity.

 

"No devices using explosives, engines, motors or compressed gasses of any kind are allowed," he said.

 

Prizes of $500, $300 and $200 will be awarded to those whose machines chunk the pumpkins the farthest. There will also be a $300 prize awarded to the most creative entry.

 

"Following the chunking contest, we will have some safer devices available for kids to use under supervision," he said. "Kilgore College students have made a small cannon that can be triggered remotely, and kids get to push the button. The ag students are going to build some kind of slingshot that will be safe for kids to operate. We will have a bunch of extra pumpkins available for the kids that are leftovers from a trial, so there is no charge for the kids' chunking ammunition."

 

Though there is no entrance fee, there will be pumpkins and other produce available for sale. There will be a cost for pumpkins to be used for the painting contest, Steddom said.

 

For more information about the event and to enter the chunking contest, contact Steddom at 903-983-8656 or ksteddom@kilgore.edu.
Gardening tips

We are happy with the Tycoon tomato plants we grew this spring. Here is a Tycoon we planted in a container back in July. It was loaded with tomatoes in late August when this photo was taken. When we see tomatoes set like this, we top dress the plants with a handful of fertilizer every week or so. This plant is being grown in a large container that can be moved with a dolly into a greenhouse or garage if freezing weather is predicted. Vine ripened, home-grown tomatoes at Thanksgiving is hoped. 
 
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.
OCTOBER

Austin: "Plant Propagation" will be presented 10 a.m. to noon, October 8. Learn how to make new plants for your yard through propagation methods such as rooting slips and cuttings. In this workshop you will assemble a self-watering propagator and select cuttings to grow new plants. All supplies, instructions, and cuttings will be provided for each participant. Master Gardener Sue King, a Plant Propagation Specialist, is a retired school librarian, an avid soup-maker, and a life-long gardener. Master Gardener Carolyn Turman found propagating plants using cuttings as an easy and inexpensive way to add wonderful additions to her landscape. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin. Cost: $25 thru 9/28, $30 starting 9/29. Seating limited to 25. No on-site registration available. No cash accepted - checks and credit cards only. Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty, Register by Phone: 979-845-2604. Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.

Houston: "Compost Tea - Nature's Elixir" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society Meeting on October 8, at 7:30 p.m. Speaking will be John Ferguson owner of Nature's Way Resources, a composting company that specializes in high quality compost, mulch, and soil mixes. John will discuss how to make a home-brewed compost tea that is a great fertilizer for roses and all plants. The HRS has moved to the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston 77004. The parking lot is Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. Free admission. For more information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

La Grange: Wizzy Brown will present "Ants" at 12:05 p.m., October 8, at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange. Everyone has a home remedy or recommendation about controlling ants. Listen to someone who has real knowledge about controlling those pesky critters. For additional information, visit http://fayette.agrilife.org.

San Antonio: Brian Gordon from Roots of Change Community Garden will be presenting Hugelkultur, a German gardening method of layering of mounds for an ideal biosphere for organisms and a base for seedlings and seeds, at the October San Antonio Herb Society October meeting, Thursday, October 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N New Braunfels Ave. Free and open to the public. For additional information: 210-826-6860 or mbelisle@satx.rr.com.

San Antonio: "Beekeeping Basics" will be presented Saturday, Oct 9, at 3355 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio. Classroom and Field Day options: Oct 10 (Adkins) & Oct 11 (Leon Springs). If you have ever been interested in keeping bees, or need to know the basics of how to get started, this course will answer those questions for you. Topics covered include the equipment, space and tools needed, where to get bees, what you need to get started, and resources for future help. Taught by beekeepers with experience. Cost is $60, lunch included. Registration form available on the BCMG Calendar, http://www.bexarmg.org/members/, or email Molly Keck ,mekeck@ag.tamu.edu, for more information. Class fills quickly, register soon!

College Station: In conjunction with the "History in the Making: Texas A&M Forest Service" exhibit and the centennial celebration of Texas A&M Forest Service, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station, is hosting a community-wide Fire Prevention and Safety Family Festival Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Attendees will learn how they can protect their families from preventable fires and create emergency plans for their households - including how to put out grease fires, candle and match safety, what to watch for with holiday-related fires and using electrical appliances safely. In the meantime, they can enjoy free refreshments, games and a special appearance by Smokey Bear! The event will fulfill most of the requirements for the Fire Safety Merit Badge, as presented by the Boy Scouts.

La Marque: "Galveston County Plant Sale Preview Presentation," presented by GC Master Gardener John Jons. 8-8:50 a.m., October 10, at Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; further details see www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

La Marque: The Annual Galveston County Master Gardener Fall Sale will be held October 10 at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. This popular annual fall sale will introduce and feature many outstanding and hard-to-find fruit and citrus trees, fall/winter vegetables, herbs and perennials that grow well in this area. New this year are bulbs and corms that grow well in the area, and a craft table, Seminar 8-8:50 a.m. Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For additional information, visit www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

Marshall: Beginning at 10 a.m., October 10, the Harrison County Master Gardeners are hosting a plant and seed swap on the grounds of the Starr Family Home Historical Site, 407 West Travis St., Marshall. The swap is free and open to the public. Bring plants or seeds to swap, and take home something new. Master Gardeners will be bringing homegrown plants and seeds to trade and give away. The Starr Home Site is located at the corner of W. Travis and S. Grove in Marshall. Come early, as this won't last long! For more information, contact heidibender027@yahoo.com.

Tenaha: On October 10, help celebrate King's Nursery's 100 years serving Texas and Louisiana gardeners. The festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a welcome and bit of nursery history followed by an entertaining lecture by well-known Texas horticulturist and Texas Gardener Contributing Editor Greg Grant at 11 a.m.. Hot dogs and fixings will be served at noon followed by a generous helping of musical talent. The nursery is located on US 84 just east of the US 59/US 96 interchange in Tenaha. For more information call the nursery at 936-248-3811.

Tyler: The Smith County Master Gardener Fall Conference and Bulb Sale will be held October 10 at the Harvey Hall Convention Center, 2000 W Front St., Tyler. Registration: 8:30 a.m. Program: 9 a.m. Free and open to the public Skip Richter, Harris County Extension - Horticulture Agent and Texas Gardener Contributing Editor, will present "Building Soil & Controlling Pests Nature's Way." The bulb and plant sale will follow the conference. Bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs will be offered for sale. For more information: http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/  or 903-590-2980.

Austin: John Dromgoole, founder and owner of The Natural Gardener, will discuss spiritual gardens including the historical background and ceremonial uses of specific plants as well as creating sacred spaces in your garden, Monday, October 12. 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: Gary Edmondson will present "What to Plant and Do Now in Your Backyard Garden" at the Houston Urban Gardeners meeting, 6:30 p.m., October 12, at the Moody Park Community Center, 3725 Fulton, Houston. 

Schertz: "Lawn Care" will be presented by Marvin Borth, Master Gardener, noon-1 p.m., Monday, October 12, at the GVEC Service Center Community Room, 908 Curtis Street, Schertz. Topics include: Turf Grass Types, Proper Maintenance, Fertilization, Weeds, and Pests Control. Free and attendees are welcome to bring a lunch. For more information call 830-303-3889, AgriLife Extension Office or visit guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

San Antonio: "Trees, Trees, Trees!" presented by Mark Krotze of the Texas A&M Forest Service, 103 p.m., October 15, at 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio, will focus on trees in the local area and all you need to know about providing proper tree care. 2 CEUs for MGs. Free. Bexar County Master Gardner (BCMG) Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held on the afternoon of the third Thursday every other month at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Suite 208. For more information contact Jack Downey, President@bexarmg.org, or call 210-699-0663.

Bryan: The Brazos County Master Gardeners will host a booth at the Brazos Valley Fair, Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18, at the Brazos County Expo Complex, 5827 Leonard Rd., Bryan). Their booth will be open Friday, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Members will answer gardening questions.

Austin: The Travis County Master Gardeners Association presents Inside Austin Gardens Tour October 17. The tour provides a rare look inside six special private gardens and one public experimental garden that demonstrate realistic, sustainable gardening practices for Central Texas. Tickets may be purchased in advance via the website or at the garden sites. Complete information and tickets at www.InsideAustinGardens.org. Tour presented by Travis County Master Gardeners Association and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 512-854-9600.

Huntsville: A Texas Pollinators Garden Symposium will be held 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., October 16 followed by a Butterfly Festival and Fall Plant Sale October 17 at the Veterans Conference Center, 455 Hwy 75, Huntsville. Speakers include Felder Rushing, Henry Flowers, and Dotty Woodson. Registration: $75 until September 15; $95 after September 15. For additional information, visit www.walkercountymastergardeners.org or call Duane Robinson at 936-355-8215.

Beaumont: Texas Gardener Contributing Writer Patty Leander and Jefferson County Master Gardener Paul Eyre are the featured speakers at the Jefferson County Master Gardeners Fall Vegetable Seminar. 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, October 17, at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. For additional information, call 409-835-8461.  

La Marque: "Buried Treasures...Bulbs & Other Hardy Perennials for Gulf Coast Landscapes," presented by GC Master Gardener Anna Wygrys. 9-11 a.m., October 17, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details see www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

McKinney: The 12th Annual Bulb & Perennial Mart, presented Saturday, October 17, is a one-day, one-stop shopping opportunity to learn more about, and purchase, beautiful bloomers that are easy-to-grow, have been thoroughly researched by the Bulb and Perennial Mart Committee, and are proven suitable for our climate and soil. In addition to new bulbs and hard-to-find crinums, the Bulb &Perennial Mart committee leaders announced a new feature at The Mart this year...Specialty Gardens. Four specialty garden collections will be offered - Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, Fragrant Garden, Native & Drought Tolerant Garden, and Shade or Part-Shade Garden. Each of these four garden collections will include a large selection of perennials and bulbs that takes the guess work out of what to plant in your desired garden. Experienced and novice gardeners alike will appreciate the easy, time-saving specialty gardens. Be sure to shop early as there will be a limited number of specialty garden collections available. Schedule of Events: 8:30 a.m. Early Bird Seminar; 9 a.m. Pick up August Pre-Sale Bulb orders; 9 a.m-1 p.m. Bulb and Perennial Sale; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tours of Myers Park Research and Demonstration Gardens; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Information Booth. The Bulb& Perennial Mart is an indoor event, so come rain or shine! Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, and to conduct tours of the research and demonstration gardens as well. The event is free and there is no sales tax on purchases. Myers Park is located at 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. To learn more about The Mart call 972-548-4232 or visit the CCMGA website,  www.ccmgatx.org/bulbs.

Woodway: The Master Gardeners and the Woodway Arboretum will host the 8th Annual Children Garden Fair from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Arboretum, 9011 Bosque Blvd., Woodway. The Free event is designed as a hands-on adventure for all ages. About 20 craft booths and activities will have volunteers helping children pot plants, pop corn, identify insects, and search for answers in their natural environment. Other organizations that provide activities are: Audubon Society, Master Naturalist, Girl Scouts, Bee Keeping Organization, Waco Gem and Mineral Society, Rose Society, World Hunger Farm and Urban Garden Commission. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

La Marque: "The Joy of Daylilies," presented by with Nell Shimek, 6:30-8 p.m., October 20, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details see www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

Woodway: Master Gardener Louis McDaniel will present "Hydroponics/Aquaponics" from noon until 2 p.m., October 21, at the Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum, 1 Pavilion Way, Woodway. For additional information, call 254-399-9204.

St. Francisville, Louisiana: The Southern Garden Symposium, offering prestigious speakers amid gracious surroundings, will be held October 23 & 24, in St. Francisville, La. With featured speakers including LSU Ag Center's Allen Owings, award-winning floral designer Scott Hasty, and noted author Larry Mellichamp, no other gardening program brings together top quality speakers and historic plantation settings as well as the Southern Garden Symposium in St. Francisville, La. Known as much for its engaging social events and historic venues as for its outstanding gardening lectures and workshops, the Southern Garden Symposium - now in its 27th year - has become an annual tradition for garden enthusiasts from across the south. While the symposium's workshops and lectures provide ideas and inspiration for the gardener, the social activities surrounding the event are classic southern elegance at its best. From the home-baked breakfast breads served in the morning, to the sumptuous fare of the evening gala and the delightfully relaxed Saturday afternoon tea, not a single detail of southern hospitality is overlooked. Located about 45 minutes north of Baton Rouge, La., St. Francisville was established in 1809. Set in a unique location on a bluff of the Mississippi River and often described as a town "two miles long and two yards wide," the quaint community offers southern hospitality, fantastic shopping, and breathtaking scenery. Symposium events are held at several historic and picturesque locations, both public and private, including Afton Villa Gardens, Rosedown Plantation, Grace Episcopal Church, Wildwood, Underwood Cottage, and more. For complete program information and registration forms, visit www.SouthernGardenSymposium.org, call 225-635-3738, or email luciecassity@bellsouth.net. For information regarding overnight accommodations in St. Francisville, visit www.stfrancisville.us  or call 225-635-4224, toll free at 800-789-4221. Seating is limited and hotel rooms can be scarce in St. Francisville in October, so register now!

Bryan/College Station: The Brazos County Master Gardeners' Association will host the 3rd Annual Garden Tour, "Beyond the Garden Gate," on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year's garden line-up will offer four diverse home gardens and the Master Gardeners' Demonstration Idea Garden (The DIG). The Demonstration Idea Garden (DIG): "The DIG," the garden created and maintained by local Master Gardeners, is located at 2619 Hwy. 21 West, Bryan, and will offer fun-filled and educational addition to this year's tour. There will be a family pollinator hunt with prizes from 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Then from noon - 1 p.m. Chef Tai, owner of Veritas Wine & Bistro will hold a demonstration of garden cooking. From 1:30-2:30 there will be a demonstration by a local beekeeper and door prizes will be announced at 3:00p.m. Wildlife Habitat and Garden: This 5.5 acre property, located at 10100 White's Creek Rd., College Station, is certified as a Wildlife Habitat, a Texas Wildscape and Best of Texas Backyard Habitat and as a Butterfly Garden. The homeowner has augmented the natural setting with native Texas plant species selected to entice and sustain local and transient wildlife with food, water and shelter. The owner is a die-hard composter and loves to teach others the art and science of composting. Garden of Easing: The Garden of Easing, located at 11737 Durrand St., College Station, provides an inviting setting for relaxation, contemplation, and entertainment. The owners designed a long-term functional structure for the garden that protects the large post oaks, elms and other trees, shrubs and vines that are on the property. The lawn was reduced to a minimum to lower irrigation requirements while providing a drainage swale that directs water from front to back. Seasonal splashes of color are provided by annuals in the ground and in decorative containers. To avoid mud trails and increase the backyard entertainment area, a circular concrete paver patio is extended with connecting flowing cobble. As the name indicates, this gardener was looking for function, aesthetics and ease of gardening. The Rescue Garden of Hidden Dimensions: The Rescue Garden of Hidden Dimensions, located at 3927 Hawk Owl Cove, College Station, demonstrates the infinite dimensions possible in a small garden created from discounted plants lovingly resuscitated by the gardener. Hundreds of plants grow in a riotous beauty that brings joy to the beholder. Plants can be seen at many vertical levels and raised beds are framed by white stones. Water features and soft night lighting are embedded into garden environments. With careful nurturing in winter, the gardener has successfully grown an abundance of subtropical and potted tropical plants, rewarding visitors with a splash of leaf and flower colors and textures through most of the year. Sanctuary Rose Garden: Taking inspiration from Europe and Savannah, the homeowner of this garden, located at 4605 Oakmont Circle, College Station, has designed a tranquil, rose-filled, walled sanctuary, using classical elements of symmetry, structure, and stone. Roses, emblematic in Catholicism, predominate, but under, above and through the canes is a rich diversity of plants, including fruit trees and hard-to-grow specimens of camellia and hydrangea. A six-foot statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel surmounts the Italianate fountain at center stage. Bricked and gravel paths lead past the statue to roses and clematis climbing the fences. A compact vegetable garden is tucked in next to the rain capture system that waters the yard by means of drip irrigation. Ticket Information: Tickets may be purchased between September 1 -October 22, on-line at www.brazosmg.com, at Brazos Natural Foods, 4303 S. Texas at Rosemary, Bryan, or at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 2619 Hwy. 21 W, Bryan. They may also be purchased on-site at any of the five gardens on tour day. Tickets are $15 for adult admittance to all gardens. Tickets for "The DIG" only are $5 and there is no charge for children under 12 years of age with ticketed adult. Tickets purchased at the Extension Office or those purchased on-site at any garden on October 24 must be paid by cash or check only.

La Marque: "Garden Tool Care Presentation and Workshop," presented by GC Master Gardeners Tim Jahnke and Henry Harrison, III, 9 a.m.-noon, October 24, at Galveston County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details see www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Free.

Victoria: Victoria County Master Gardener Association will hold its 2015 "Garden Tour: Nature's Beauty Beyond the Gate" featuring six home locations in Victoria Oct. 24-25. For more information call 361-575-4581.

Bryan: Lauren Ward, graduate student in the Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, will provide insight into the art and science of what attracts and keeps bees returning to plants and landscapes, as well as how to protect and encourage bees to visit local landscapes at the Brazos County Master Gardeners monthly garden program, 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest, Room 102, Bryan. The public is invited at no charge.
NOVEMBER

Tyler: "Providing Winter Care for Wildlife" will be presented at noon, November 3, in the IDEA garden at the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler. An informative lecture covering seasonal gardening topics held on the patio of the IDEA garden, the program begins at noon. The lecture is approximately 30 minutes with a Q&A session following. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for you comfort. In case of inclement weather, program will be held in Rose Garden Center. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/ or call 903-590-2980.

Austin: "Bold and Beautiful Edibles" will be presented, 10 a.m. to noon, November 12. Learn about edible plants with ornamental potential for Central Texas landscapes. We're talking artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, herbs and more. Some are perennials, some are annuals, but all will beautify your landscape and satisfy your appetite. Master Gardener Patty Leander is a writer for Texas Gardener magazine and grows vegetables year round in her Oak Hill garden. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin. Cost: $10 thru 11/02, $15 starting 11/03 and onsite, No cash accepted - checks and credit cards only. Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty, Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.

La Grange: Johnny Schroeder will present "Lawn & Landscape Equipment Management" at 12:05 p.m., November 12, at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange. Maintenance tips and schedules for all your outdoor power equipment. maintain your yard and garden like a pro with these handy operation tips and tricks. For additional information, visit http://fayette.agrilife.org.

Woodway: Master Gardener Patricia Goaley will present "Anecdotes from the Garden," an amusing romp through the garden, from noon until 2 p.m., November 18, at the Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum, 1 Pavilion Way, Woodway. For additional information, call 254-399-9204.
DECEMBER
Grapevine: The National Grazing Lands Coalition will host the 6th National Conference on Grazing Lands December 13-16, at the Hyatt Regency DFW near Grapevine. Conference organizers expect more than 1,200 ranchers, professors, land managers, researchers, public officials, conservationists and students to attend this national conference and participate in the exchange of ideas and information on grazing land environmental and economic practices and issues. The conference will feature experts in fields such as range science, range and pasture management, forage management and animal behavior. Speakers include Dr. Don Ball, professor emeritus, Auburn University; Dr. Garry Lacefield, professor of plant and soil science, Extension forage specialist, University of Kentucky; Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, forage product manager, Barenbrug, USA; and Dr. Rachel Gilker and Kathy Voth, who produce "On Pasture," an online grazing magazine which translates research and experience into actions graziers can implement on their own operations. The conference's unique format will provide grazing information and expert speakers along four "tracks" - Western, Midwestern, Eastern and Dairy. Some of the topics to be highlighted include grazing management, grazing land economics and marketing, public policy, soil health and the ag/urban interface. Session speakers also include everyday ranchers and land managers. This year's conference will also feature a "Texas Day" on December 15 that will feature sessions on prescribed burning and brush management, along with a Texas Social in the evening. Early bird registration of $295 is available through Oct. 15, followed by regular online registration of $365 until Dec. 4. On-site registration is also available at $365. For more registration information, or opportunities to exhibit or participate in poster presentations visit http://www.grazinglands.org.

Woodway: Peggy Cathey of Waco Iris will discuss Irises from noon until 2 p.m., December 16, at the Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum, 1 Pavilion Way, Woodway. For additional information, call 254-399-9204.
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.

 

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 wannagrow2@gmail.com.   

 

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 AgriLife Building, 210 East Live Oak, 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 Native Prairie Association meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Cherie Flores Pavilion in McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Drive, 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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Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2015. All rights reserved. You may forward this publication to your friends and colleagues if it is sent in its entirety. No individual part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher.

 

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Publisher: Chris S. Corby ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

 

Texas Gardener's Seeds, P.O. Box 9005, Waco, Texas 76714

www.TexasGardener.com