February 17, 2016

Handy tips to maximize the roses in your home landscape

If the thrill is gone from those Knock Out roses you planted a few years back, you're not alone, explained Mark Seavers, president of Seavers Landscape in Houston. "Many people wonder what happened to the showy blooms they used to enjoy. The truth is, roses need a little tough love in order to stay vibrant, and that means giving them a serious pruning each year."

Seavers said that when rose bushes are left to their own devices, they can become unsightly all the way to the outer edges, with lots of thick stems and sparse blooms. "That's because you have old growth that hogs all the nutrient power from the plant. Roses grow from the pruning point. So when you cut them back you're helping the plant to concentrate as much energy as possible on growth and blooming."

Seavers said now is the perfect time for homeowners in the Houston area to prune their roses. "During early to mid-February our roses are nearing the end of dormancy, so cutting back your roses now puts them in good shape for the start of the main blooming season."

Most types of roses can benefit from a good whacking, said Seavers, including shrub roses like the Knock Out varieties, antique roses, hybrid teas and low-growing groundcover roses. Seavers said that gardeners shouldn't be shy about bringing them down to size: "Don't be afraid to cut. For most roses, take them down to about 10-12 inches above the main stem. You may be left with bare branches for a little while, but a hard pruning works wonders."

For climbing roses, Seavers advised that a light trim is all that's necessary. "Climbers are different - they bloom on the older canes - so trim for control only."

Seavers said the payoff will come as springtime emerges over the coming months. "You'll notice vigorous growth and more numerous and robust flowers than you've probably seen in years."

Which means love will be blooming once again.

Big Tree at Goose Island State Park to receive special care

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Certified arborists will tend to "Big Tree" at Goose Island State Park, providing the aging icon with the best possible care.

Big Tree is an ancient live oak tree, estimated to be over 1,000 years old. A celebrated icon of the Texas State Parks system, the tree has been used by many generations for weddings, picnics, thousands of photographs and meditations. Legends say Big Tree was even a hanging tree, a pirate's rendezvous and a ceremonial site for the Karankawa Indians.

In 1966, Big Tree was named State Champion Live Oak by the Texas Forest Service. That same year, it was also named National Champion Live Oak and was believed to be the largest live oak tree in the nation. It measured 44 feet tall, with a circumference of 35 feet and a crown that spread 90 feet.

In 2003, however, Big Tree lost its champion title when a larger live oak tree was discovered in Brazoria County. The Brazoria tree, known as the San Bernard Oak, is open to the public in the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.

Though Big Tree remains one of the largest and most celebrated live oak trees in Texas and the nation, it has been declining in vigor despite focused care by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), professional arborists and local contributors over the past decade. Natural factors, especially the prolonged drought from 2009-2014, may have contributed to the tree's decline. During the summers of 2009 and 2011, the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department spent 12 days delivering nearly 100,000 gallons of water to Big Tree.

Members of the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISAT), in cooperation with the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) and TPWD, will volunteer their expertise to care for the aging tree. A special work event spearheaded by the ISAT and supported by TFS and TPWD will be conducted this week.

The care team will remove built up soil from around the base of the tree at the root collar, which should be exposed to the air to promote the best health. The team will use an air spade to gently remove soil from around the root collar without disturbing the roots before spreading out the excavated soil in the area around the tree. Some members of the team will climb up into the tree to remove small dead limbs. They will also remove dead wood from the mottes - or grove of trees - surrounding Big Tree. Many of the trees' roots are connected underground, and Big Tree's health depends on that of the entire motte.

The care team will repair and replace portions of the lightning arrestor system, which prevents lightning strikes from destroying Big Tree. The group will also continue pruning some of the trees in the surrounding mottes.

The park is also looking for historic photographs of the tree, especially photos taken before 1970. Anyone who has photos they would like to share should contact the park at 361-729-2858.

Gardening tips

February is a great time to plant roses. Be sure to select disease resistant varieties and plant them in a sunny location with good drainage. Old cultivars, often called "antique" roses, are time tested and well-adapted to Texas growing conditions.

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 copy of the latest issue of Texas Gardener magazine. 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.

FEBRUARY

Dallas: "Master Gardener - Water Efficient Landscape Design" will be presented

Wednesday-Friday, February 17-19 at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building C Classroom & Large Hall, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Do you have a demonstration garden or school garden project that needs help to be water efficient? The Water Efficient Landscape Design Program for Master Gardeners provides you the skills to be your own landscape designer. You bring the project and we provide the guidance. You will learn basic landscape design techniques, native/adaptive plant selection, rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation to help your project become the envy of water efficient landscapes. This is a three-day program with Wednesday and Thursday evening optional design workshops. This workshop is only open to current Master Gardener volunteers. One registration is good for two club members to attend with design materials to share. Additional design materials available for purchase. Registration: Only 20 Master Gardener participant spots are available for this training (10 groups). Registration is first come/first served basis. Cost: $300.00: (includes lunch, dinner and design materials). For additional information please email Karen Sanders at karen.sanders@tamu.edu. To pay by credit card please contact Clint Wolfe at 972-952-9635.Registration Dallas.tamu.edu/courses.

San Antonio: Bulbs for San Antonio, a BCMG Educational Seminar, will be presented 1 p.m.-4 p.m., February 18, at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) sponsors this free, afternoon seminar. Sandy Justice will present a program on how to select the kinds of bulbs that will grow in San Antonio on how to plant and propagate them, and where to find them for starters. 2 CEUs for MGs. For more information, email the BCMG President, President@bexarmg.org, or call 210-699-0663.

New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present their Spring Seminar featuring "Plants For All Seasons, Magnificent Monocots, A to Z" at McKenna Events Center, 801 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, on Friday, February 19, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $55 and includes lunch, snacks, and seminar handout. Dr. Flo Oxley, Professor of Biology at Austin Community College, will give an introduction to Monocots; Joanne Hall, owner of South Texas Growers of Bulverde, will give an overview of ornamental grasses in the landscape; Velia Sanchez-Ruiz, a member of the American Hemerocallis Society and a Region 6 Daylily Judge, will cover Daylilies; David Will, Texas Certified Landscape Professional and owner of Landscape Details, will speak on bulbs; Dotty Woodson an AgriLife Extension Specialist, will provide instruction on how to make a rain garden. Seating is limited, so register early. Registration forms are available at http://txmg.org/comal/event/seminar/. For additional information, call 830-620-3440.

San Angelo: Friday, February 19, The People/Plant Connection will present "Lunch 'n' Learn" seminar series with Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist for Tom Green County. She will be talking about "Spring Forward: Get Ready to Grow." Spring is almost here, get a head start by learning the right things to do in the landscape and garden to be prepared for the spring planting season. You'll find out the best EarthKind practices to assure a water conserving landscape. We meet from noon to 1 p.m. at the Edd B. Keys Building, 113 W. Beauregard, San Angelo. We'll be in the AgriLife Extension Offices, in the former Library location, on the first floor by the elevator. Cost is $5 per person. All proceeds go toward building the Children's Adventure Garden, projected to open in April, 2016. For more information, visit www.peopleplantconnection.org.

Conroe: MCMGA is presenting Gardening Class: Lawns - Grass Selection, Soil Preparation, Planting, Watering, Fertilization, and Problems to Identify and Eliminate on February 20. All classes will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings at Texas AgriLife Extension, Tom LeRoy Education Center, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. A fee of $5.00 per person (cash or check) is due at registration the morning of each class. The fee covers costs of materials, supplies, coffee and snacks. Call 936-539-7824 for more info.

Hitchcock: "Galveston County Master Gardener Annual Fruit, Citrus Tree and Vegetable Sale" will be held at Galveston County Fair Grounds in Jack Brooks Park - Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 and Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock, February 20. GC Master Gardener Jon Johns presents the plants and vegetables that will be available 8-8:45 a.m. Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ph 281-534-3413; further details visit www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

McKinney: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a two-day Earth-Kind Landscape Design and Management School at the Myers Park and Event Center, 7117 County Road 166 near McKinney. The course will be held Feb. 20-21 and consist of an in-depth classroom program and outdoor laboratory session, plus a personalized, extended 1.5 hour landscape design consultation to be conducted a few weeks later. Earth-Kind landscaping combines the best of research-proven techniques of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment. Cost for the course is $295 per household and class size is limited, so attendees are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible. For more information and to enroll, contact Kim Betancourt at 972-952-9211 or kim.betancourt@ag.tamu.edu.

San Antonio: Michelle Gorham - Community Gardens Manager will lead "How to Start a Community Garden Workshop" on February 20 at EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main Ave., San Antonio. Green Spaces' staff has designed a great new workshop to expedite and ease the community garden startup process. It is based on years of identifying best practices. We're creating it for any group which has a current funding source or at least has gathered lots of in-kind materials. Garden groups should also come to the workshop with lots of passion for and dedication to their project, even if they might be lacking in the realms of community organizing, construction, and local-gardening practices. The workshop will be comprehensive in nature and 3-4 hours long. Topics to be covered will include: Organizing your community; Site selection and design; Overview of garden components like raised beds, pergolas, and rainwater collection; Resources for locally appropriate gardening techniques; Fundraising; and Garden maintenance. The cost for the workshop is $75/per person. For additional information, contact jesus@greenspacesalliance.org.

Bryan: Brazos County Master Gardeners will presdent "EVOO-From Tuscany to Texas" 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, at Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. EVOO - You've heard this term bandied about by television's gourmet chefs, but what is it and what is so special about "Extra Virgin Olive Oil?" College Station olive oil producer, Dr. Carolyn Adair - a native Texan and retired Director of Student Activities at Texas A&M University - will share how she brought an abandoned olive grove in Tuscany, Italy, back into production, and how she produces and imports her EVOO. A tasting will follow the presentation. The program is open to the public at no charge.

San Antonio: Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer Master Gardener Intern Training Class #60 from February 24 to May 25 (Noon-4 p.m., each Wednesday) at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Application Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 9. Application form available at http://www.bexarmg.org/get-involved/.

Dallas: Dallas Blooms, named by Southern Living Magazine as "the best spot this side of Holland to see Spring flowers," returns to The Dallas Arboretumand Botanical Garden with "The Artistry in Nature" on February 27. Continuing through April 10, this year's festival will showcase an explosion of color with 500,000 blooms. Additionally, international sculptor Gary Lee Price's historic Great Contributors exhibit of life-size bronze statues will be set throughout one of America's best floral festivals, sponsored by Bank of America. The Great Contributors reflects Gary Lee Price's celebration of the human spirit with bronze sculptures of Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Claude Monet, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain and the Wright Brothers, which will be seated on benches displayed throughout the 66-acre garden. Dallas Blooms features tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring-blooming annuals and perennials along with 150 Japanese cherry trees. The finale will be the flowering of the garden's 3,000 azaleas blooming toward the end of April. Events will also be offered throughout, including: Mommy and Me Mondays & Tiny Tot Tuesdays: February 29-April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Spring Teas: February 29 - April 8; Gary Lee Price Unveils the Great Contributors Exhibit: February 27; Spring Break Camps: March 7 - 18; Good Friday Children's Concert & Activities: March 25; and Cool Thursdays Concert Series: March 17 - June 30. For more information on Dallas Blooms or other events call 214-515-6500 or visit dallasarboretum.org.

Nacogdoches: A landscape design seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. Make plans to explore the fundamentals of landscape design through presentations, discussions and hands-on activities led by SFA alumnus Seth Rodewald-Bates, a landscape architect for Spackman Mossop and Michaels, an international landscape architecture and urban design practice with offices in Sydney, Australia and New Orleans. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Tulane School of Architecture, Rodewald-Bates has worked on a variety of projects, including numerous campus, waterfront, urban and mixed-use developments. Currently, he is assisting on the design of MCCNO Park, a $60 million linear park in downtown New Orleans. Previously, Rodewald-Bates worked for Sasaki Associates in Boston, Massachusetts; Newton Landscape Group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and the Chinati Foundation, a contemporary arts museum in Marfa, Texas. During the seminar, participants will gain an understanding of design tools and the design process. They also will learn the basics of navigating surveys, drafting a base plan and developing scale drawings. Attendees can bring their own plans or develop concepts using workshop vignettes. Rodewald-Bates also will discuss current themes in landscape design using ideas that can be applied in your personal garden. Rodewald-Bates graduated magna cum laude from SFA in 2001 with his bachelor's degree in horticulture and received his master's degree in landscape architecture from Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture in 2005. He is a certified by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration and licensed as a landscape architect in Louisiana and Mississippi. He is a member of the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture Alumni Council. Space is limited, so make reservations in advance by sending an email to sfagardens@sfasu.edu or call 936-468-1832. Cost is $25 for SFA Gardens members and $30 for non-members. A second family member may attend for an additional $10.

San Antonio: "Landscape Chores To Do Now" will be presented 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, February 27, at Milberger's Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio. 1.5 CEUs. Spring is just around the corner, so what needs to be pruned, fertilized, mulched, planted, etc. in your landscape, lawns and garden? Visit with David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist who will show you the what & how!

MARCH

Tyler: Tyler 1st Tuesday in the Garden, "Floral Design with Flowers from Your Garden," will be held at IDEA Garden in the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler, noon-1:00 p.m. March 1. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for your comfort. In case of inclement weather, program will be held inside the Rose Garden Center. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events or call 903-590-2980.

San Antonio: San Antonio Garden Center Clubs will meet Wednesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston. Program will feature "An Orchid Workshop" presented by the owners of Miller's Tropicals in Dripping Springs. The Millers will offer hands-on help with potting, diagnosing, and problem-solving. A range of supplies, mixes, and tropical plants will also be available for sale. Coffee at 9:30; meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981.

Santa Barbara, Calif.: The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds March 4-6. As the oldest and one of the largest annual orchid shows in the United States, the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show marks its 71st year with the theme "Wild World of Orchids." General admission to the show is $12. Seniors and students with ID pay $10; children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Individual tickets can be purchased at the show box office or through Ticketmaster. Group sales information is available at www.sborchidshow.com, via email at sborchidshowpublicity@gmail.com or by phone at (805) 403-1533. The Show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 4, Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6. To learn more, visit www.sborchidshow.com.

Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners Association's Spring Gardening Seminar is Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waller County Road and Bridge Building, 775 Business 290 East, Hempstead. $25 per person registration by March 3 (Lunch included!).Speakers include Paul Eyre and Herman Auer. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/wallermg, call 979-826-7651 or email wallermgardener2013@gmail.com.

Longview: The 2016 Spring Garden Seminar, hosted by the Gregg County Master Gardeners, will be held on Saturday, March 5, from 7:30 a.m. until noon at the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia Street, in their Faith Center, Whaley Street entrance. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 a.m. Speakers will be Kent Ormsby and Texas Gardener Contributing Editor Greg Grant. This seminar is a superb opportunity to hear two exceptionally knowledgeable and entertaining lecturers. Kent Ormsby, owner of Kelsey Creek Farm, Gilmer, will be speaking on "Permaculture (No Till Gardening)." He is working to encourage and support people who are interested in growing their own food naturally, by using various "no till" gardening and other natural techniques; and without the use of chemicals, pesticide, herbicides, or any other "sides". Greg Grant, an award-winning horticulturist, writer, conservationist, and seventh generation Texas, will be the second speaker. Topic 1: "Vegetable Gardening"; Topic 2: "Landscape Plants." He serves as a research associate at the Stephen F. Austin State University's Pineywoods Native Plant Center in Nacogdoches. Greg holds degrees in floriculture and horticulture and a Master's degree in agriculture from Texas A&M University. His gardening books will be available for purchase at the seminar. An "Ask a Master Gardener" table will be available to answer gardening questions. Complimentary refreshments, door prizes, garden-related vendors, and a raffle will be part of the morning's activities. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, call Gregg Co. AgriLife Extension office, 903-236-8429. For more information, visit www.txmg.prg/gregg.

San Angelo: Green Thumb Gardener Mini seminar-Rainwater Harvesting & Texas Superstar Plants 9 a.m. until noon, March 5. Southside Recreation Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd. San Angelo. Ron Knight, Master Gardener, will talk about Rainwater Harvesting and how it benefits the homeowner and environment. He will also talk about the Texas Superstar plants that are designated by Texas A&M as drought tolerant plants for our area. After his talk attendees will be invited to tour his rainwater system and his garden that is fed from his rainwater. Cost is $25. Refreshments and door prize. Must pre-register by calling 325-656-3104.

San Antonio: "Watersaver Landscape Design School", 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the Bishop Jones Center, 111 Torcido, San Antonio. Learn how to create a new, contemporary landscape that is water efficient and low maintenance. Four expert presentations on the basics of xeriscaping, design ideas, working with your soil conditions and plant selection. One-on-one idea consultations follow the presentations. Tuition is $25 for individuals, $40 for households of two people. Registration includes three full-color plant and landscape guides, and the CD version of "DIY Drip-Line Gardening." Presented by Gardening Volunteers of South Texas in partnership with San Antonio Water System. More information: www.GardeningVolunteers.org, 210-251-8101 or info@gardeningvolunteers.org.

San Antonio: Genevie Gamboa, Garden Steward, will present "Gardening with Kids; A Work(ing)shop for Grown-ups Who Care," 9 a.m.-noon, March 5, at the Doral Club Community Garden, 7750 Culebra, San Antonio. Each year, Green Spaces Alliance brings a series of gardening Work(ing)shops to San Antonio. The series was designed for community gardeners but translate well for the hobbyist and backyard gardener. Green Spaces Work(ing)shops always include a hands-on activity and are held at one of the 37 network community gardens. Participants get to try their hand at a useful gardening technique, witness an active San Antonio community garden, while gaining experience from San Antonio's local experts and community gardeners. Learn techniques and tools with Green Spaces Community Gardeners on how to engage kids in the garden.

Dallas: "Landscape Design - Be Your Own Landscape Designer, with Water Efficiency in Mind" will be presented 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Tuesdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 at 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. Registration Dallas.tamu.edu/courses.

La Grange: La Grange: Fayette County Master Gardeners present their Lunch-N-Learn on "Moles and Gophers" with BR Koehler as speaker from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., March 8, at Fayette County AgriLife Extension Service, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information call 979-968-5831.

Houston: "Fertilization - How Fertilizers Work and Factors that Impact Efficiency" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. The parking lot is Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. This program will be presented by James Laperouse, master consulting rosarian. The program will cover fertilizer basics, but will also include a discussion on how weather, temperature and sunlight affect a plant's ability to take up nutrients. Free admission. For more information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

Conroe: The Montgomery County Master Gardeners are having their annual Spring Sale, featuring avocados, blueberries, raspberries, perennials, vegetables, herbs and more, on Saturday, March 12, at 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Program is at 8 a.m.; sale is from 9 a.m. until noon. For more information, call 936-539-7824 or visit www.mcmga.com.

La Marque: March 12 "Tomato Stress Management, Part 3" with GC Master Gardener Ira Gervais presenting, 9-11 a.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

La Marque: March 12 "Vermiculture - Worm Castings For Your Garden" with GC Master Gardener Linda Brown presenting, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

San Antonio: Sarah Loden will present "Gardens Alive Community Art Project," 10 a.m.-1 p.m., March 12, at the Beacon Hill Community Garden, 1144 W. Gramercy PI, San Antonio. Artist and storyteller, Sarah Loden, will touch on a wide number of subjects surrounding plants, including nutritious eating habits, the lifecycle of a plant, a garden's ecosystem, and acts of social kindness. All ages are encouraged to participate in the storytelling show, creating a fun and engaging platform to discuss and reflect on the value of plants, plant life, and the role we each play in caring for the earth and each other. The Beacon Hill Community Garden will additionally be brought into vivid display with a colorful, quirky array of ornamental figures created and installed by the community members during the course of the event. The community-constructed artwork will become a permanent fixture of the space, serving to decorate and invite people to visit and use the garden for years to come. The event is sponsored by Green Spaces Alliance, Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association, and the San Antonio Department for Culture and Creative Development.

Schertz: Bob Cox, John Lewicki, and the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will present a Lunch and Learn about Texas Superstar Plants, noon-1p.m., Monday, March 14, in the GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtis St., Schertz. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch, and free handouts will be available. For additional information, email hickslt@lycods.com.

Bastrop: Do you know a good bug from a bad one? Tommie Clayton and Susan Jung, First [Bug] Detector Specialists, will explain the difference on March 15, from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Bluebonnet Electric Co-op building (650 Hwy 21 East) in Bastrop. With more than 30 years of Master Gardening experience between them, Tommie and Susan are also founding members of Texas Sage Master Gardeners, which serves Bastrop and Caldwell Counties. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/tsmg/, email TexasSageMG@gmail.com, or call 512-581-7186.

La Marque: March 15 "The ABC's of Home Composting" with GC Master Gardener Ken Steblein presenting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

Woodway: Master Gardeners Carol Wood and Ila Jean Carothers will present "Some Like it Hot" (plants that thrive in Texas heat) and "Shade Gardening" (plants that thrive on less light) from noon until 2 p.m., March 16, at 1 Pavilion Way (The Pavilion at Woodway Arboretum). For more information, call 254-399-9204. Lunch with the Masters will continue every 3rd Wed. in 2016. Sponsored by the McLennan County Master Gardeners and Carleen Bright Arboretum.

San Angelo: Lunch 'n' Learn Gardening Seminar-Earthkind Landscaping-Noon until 1 p.m., March 18, at Edd B. Keys Building, 113 W. Beauregard, 1st floor in the AgriLife Extension Office meeting room, San Angelo. Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist for Tom Green County, will be talking about the aspects of an Earthkind Landscape. This is a way to have a pretty landscape that doesn't require much water and will be strong through our drought situations. Cost: $5.

La Marque: March 19 "Honey Bees Around the Garden" with GC Master Gardener Robert Marshall presenting, 9-10:30 a.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

La Marque: March 19 "Turning Dirt Into Soil" with GC Master Gardener Jim Gillian presenting, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

Orangefield: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association will host their Annual Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fair on Saturday, March 19, at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Available will be Texas Superstar plants, natives, perennials, annuals, vines, tropical storm, vegetables, citrus, blueberries, and many other varieties. In addition, vendors will have locally produced products, specialty plants and organic items for plants and lawns. For more information, visit txmg.org/orange.

San Angelo: Youth Garden Club. 4-5:30 p.m. March 21-May 9 at Southside Rec Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd. 3rd, 4th & 5th grade youth will learn about planting, growing fresh vegetables, eating healthy, preparing food and more. Instructors will be Master Gardeners using the "Learn, Grow, Eat & Go!" curriculum from the Texas A&M Extension's Junior Master Gardener program. Students will have classroom activities and hands-on experience working in the new Children's Adventure Garden, projected to open in April. Cost is $10 for 8-weeks. Must pre-register by March 11. Call 325-656-3104. Mail registration to: The People/Plant Connection, P.O. 62841, San Angelo, TX 76906.

La Marque: March 29 "'Texas Tuff' Landscape Plants - Blooming and Beautiful" with GC Master Gardener Sandra Devall presenting, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

APRIL

Dallas: Is your landscape brown and crispy? Learn to create and install a water efficient landscape or garden. You will learn proper soil preparation, a large selection of minimal water use plants that are native and adaptive, and how to design and plan a small or large project. Plant list provided. "Water Efficient Landscape" will be presented 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 2, and Saturday, April 9, at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building E Auditorium, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. For additional information, visit http://dallas.tamu.edu.

Marshall: The Annual Spring Plant Sale of the Harrison County Master Gardeners will be held on Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., on the Tractor Supply parking lot at 105 E End Blvd (Hwy 59) in Marshall. Many Master-Gardener grown (pass-along) plants will be available, as well as commercially-grown flowers and vegetables, all at competitive prices. Arrive early for the best selection.

Tyler: Tyler 1st Tuesday in the Garden, "Bullet-Proof Plants," will be presented in the IDEA Garden in the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler, noon-1:00 p.m., April 5. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for your comfort. In case of inclement weather, program will be held inside the Rose Garden Center. For more information visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events or call 903-590-2980.

La Grange: La Grange: Fayette County Master Gardeners present their Lunch-N-Learn on "Companion Planting" with Pat Mokry as speaker from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., April 12, at Fayette County AgriLife Extension Service, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information call 979-968-5831.

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.

Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually mee tat 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Waller County AgriLife Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead. For more information on the meeting schedule, visit http://txmg.org/wallermg or call 979-826-7651.

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.

Glen Rose: The Glen Rose Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (September through May) at the Somervell County Community Center in Glen Rose. For additional information, email stringer030@yahoo.com.

Glen Rose: The Prairie Rose Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Somerville County Citizen Center, 209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose. For additional information, email prairierose.npsot@gmail.com.

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/.

Texarkana: The Four Corners Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Southwest Center, 3222 W. 7th St. (U.S. 67), Texarkana. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Belinda McCoy at 903-424-7724 or blackmtngardens@yahoo.com.

Bastrop: Texas Sage meets the third Tuesday of each month. The location varies. For additional information, call 512-581-7186 or email TexasSageMG@gmail.com.

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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