March 16, 2016
  
Add sparkle to your landscape with unique containers and elevated gardens
 
By Melinda Myers
Gardening Expert
 
Perk up your containers and add a bit of sparkle to your landscape with bright colors, unusual materials or a unique purpose.
 
Include an elevated garden to increase planting space and make planting, weeding and harvesting easier on the back and knees. Liven things up with a robin egg blue VegTrug or washtubs elevated on a support for a bit of rustic charm.
 
Add wheels to make it easier to move planters around the patio or deck. This allows you to follow the sun or make room for company at summer gatherings.
 
Recycle items into containers or invest in some of the new planters made from galvanized metal, wooden apple crates and more. Look for new colors or personalize them to create a warm greeting for you and your guests.
 
Increase growing flexibility with lightweight grow bags. They now come in a variety of colors and sizes. These fabric containers fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
 
Save space with sleek designs and built in trellises. You'll be growing pole beans, tomatoes and flowering vines in a compact space. The colorful flowers and fruit will brighten a blank wall or screen a bad view.
 
Use containers and elevated gardens to increase the fun factor at your summer gatherings. Start your party with a trip to the outdoor bar. Weather-resistant butcher-block with built in planting space is sure to get the conversation going. Gardener's Supply Company is offering a new reclaimed wood outdoor bar with an integrated planter called "Plant A Bar." Fill the planting space with some favorite cocktail herbs. Then mix up your beverage and let your guests add a bit of homegrown flavor.
 
Include the next course by growing your own salad bar. Guests will enjoy harvesting and creating their own bed of greens to accompany the main course. Fill a pot or elevated garden with greens, radishes, onions, carrots, herbs and your other favorite salad fixings.
 
Keep your containers healthy and productive with proper care. Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Check pots daily and water as needed. Extend the time between watering with self-watering pots. Look for features such as weep holes that allow excess water to drain, funnels for top watering, and moisture indicators that let you know when it is time to add more water.
 
Further reduce maintenance by adding a slow release fertilizer to the potting mix at planting. Small amounts of nutrients are released over time, eliminating the need to mix and fertilize weekly. Give planters a mid-season boost or when making a second planting by sprinkling slow release fertilizer over the soil surface.
 
Harvest regularly to keep vegetables producing and looking their best. Replace early plantings as they fade with a second crop. You'll extend the harvest and your enjoyment.
 
So take a second look at your patio, deck or front steps and move in a bit of color, fun and flavor for this growing and outdoor entertaining season.
 
Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener's Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone" DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment TV and radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers' web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.
Bioretention systems are next step in going green
 
Soil Science Society of America
 
The emphasis on "going green" in cities has led to a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives. But Sally Brown, a Professor at the School of Environmental and Forest Services and the University of Washington, would like cities to actually become green. She means green with vegetation. Specifically, Brown would like to see an increase in the use of stormwater bioretention systems.
 
Stormwater bioretention systems are alternatives to normal sewer systems. Traditionally, engineers design city sewer systems so stormwater moves away from streets. The water moves into drains and pipes that take it to wastewater treatment facilities or directly to rivers and streams.
 
Bioretention systems divert water away from sewers. Instead, the water goes back into the ground. Brown explains, "Here you are talking about having soils and plants do the work for you."
 
Using plants and soil to do all of the work may sound simple, but the inner workings are complicated. Creating effective bioretention systems requires understanding, and being able to design, a living system. This has been one of the issues preventing more communities from installing these green systems.
 
"Living systems can change over time," says Brown. "Understanding how they will function over multiple types of storm events across different seasons is very difficult."
 
These systems also create a need for compost, which is often made of food and yard waste. In addition to saving landfill space, composting waste reduces greenhouse gas release within the landfill.
 
Other ingredients for compost can include municipal biosolids and animal manures. However, current regulations often restrict the use of certain composts. According to Brown, these guidelines for compost and soil mixtures have little basis in soil science.
 
In response, she and her colleagues studied how three different composts, each made with different materials, performed in simulated bioretention systems. The composts were mixed with sand in accordance with local guidelines. The researchers evaluated the mixtures for their ability to rapidly filter water, filter contaminants, and support plant growth.
 
So what did Brown and her team discover about the compost mixtures from their research? First, they found that all three compost mixtures removed contaminants like phosphorus, copper, and zinc, regardless of the mixture's blend.
 
The research team also discovered another factor that might increase the soil's performance. One mixture included leftover materials from the local utility company's treatment of drinking water. These residuals improved the filtering abilities of all of the compost mixtures. It may be important for removing contaminants.
 
The soil's ability to quickly filter water and contaminants is important if bioretention systems are used as alternatives to traditional systems. But they also need to look good while filtering water and contaminants.
 
"If designed poorly, these potentially pretty systems can become weedy eyesores," Brown says. Like any stormwater system, bioretention systems will still need maintenance. Rather than fixing leaky pipes, these systems will need weeding and pruning.
 
There are many potential benefits to bioretention systems. Potential perks include lower costs for water treatment plants, lower flooding risks for homes in low-lying areas, and increased public health benefits.
 
"Neighborhoods with these green systems look nicer and so people living near them are more likely to go for walks and are healthier as a result," says Brown.
 
Another perk is that these systems are effective in any green space. For example, people can create rain gardens in their backyards, and municipalities can use them alongside highways to reduce water on roads.
 
Overall, Brown and her team concluded the soil mixtures need evaluation in the field over time. "We are hoping that Phase III of our research will take us to the streets," Brown said.
 
What can ordinary citizens do to divert stormwater from the streets? Brown suggests mixing compost and sand and putting that into the soil near your downspouts. You can also talk to your municipal officials about incorporating bioretention systems into your community on a larger scale.
Gardening tips

"I use 6 to 8 layers of newspapers directly on the soil to retard weeds," writes Thyra E. Smith. "The last time I did this, the newspaper lasted five years. It's time to redo. Keep your hose handy to wet the newspapers as you lay them down so they don't blow away. Put mulch on top of the newspapers for further anti-weed help and aesthetic look. Leave a small space or cut through the newspapers to facilitate planting. Good way to recycle newspapers."               
 
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.
MARCH  
 
Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners will meet Thursday night March 17 at the AgriLife Building, 210 East Live Oak, Seguin. A social gathering will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by the educational program at 7 p.m. The topic of the meeting will be "Low Water Us Landscaping," presented by Dr. Calvin Finch. The membership meeting will follow the educational program. For further information, please call the AgriLife staff at 830-303-3889 or visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

Orangefield: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association is having their Annual Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fair Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Plants of all kinds will be available for sale, including Texas Superstars, annuals, perennials, natives, vegetables, citrus, berries, vines, tropicals, succulents, trees and many more. Vendors will be available selling plant and garden related products. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/orange.

Round Top: Plants and gifts for sale March 18-19: Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Round Top Festival Hill, 248 Jaster Road, Round Top, free admission (www.herbsocietypioneer.org).

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.

San Antonio: The Annual San Antonio Garden Center Plant Sale will be held Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Hanging baskets, landscape perennials, bedding plants, daylilies, roses, cactus and succulents, native plants and herbs will all be available for purchase. Drought tolerant and locally grown. Plus, pass-along plants donated by Garden Center members. For more information, visit sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981. Admission is Free.

Dallas: Two Water-Wise Landscape seminars will be presented Saturday, March 19, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Auditorium (Building E), 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Landscape designer and author Bonnie Reese of Beautiful Landscapes will be the speaker at both sessions. First-time seminar attendees at each session will receive a copy of Ms. Reese's book, "Common- Sense Landscaping" (limit one per household). Attendees can also enter a drawing for free bags of GreenSense organic fertilizer from Rohde's Nursery and Nature Store. There will be 3 drawings per session. Water-Wise Landscape Design 101, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Whether you have a new landscape or plan to update an existing area, it is critical to begin with a good design. This program teaches the principles of landscape design with an emphasis on how to create a beautiful landscape that will save resources - natural and financial! Fantastic Plants for North Texas, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Using colorful photographs, Bonnie demonstrates the natural beauty of native and adapted plants that thrive in the North Texas region. Learn when, where and how to plant each of the recommended plants, their size and height at maturity, seasonal color, texture and more. This program provides information on trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers and turf grasses. Space is limited, so register online at SaveDallasWater.com or by calling 214-670-3155.

Jacksonville: "The Circle of Life" Spring Garden Conference will be held beginning at 8 a.m., March 19, at First Christian Church, 1920 Beaumont St., Jacksonville. Speakers include Grace Barnett, Monarch Czar, National Wildlife Federation; Erfan Vafaie, Entomologist, Texas A&M Extension Service; and Kyle Tengler, Smith County Extension Agent, Permaculture Design Consultant. Registration fee: $10. For more information, call 903-683-5416.  

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: 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 Antonio: "Spring Vegetable Seminar" will be presented March 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Fanick's Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd., San Antonio. David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension Service, will demonstrate how to properly plant, grow and harvest vegetables. David has a ton of experience in gardening and loves to share his knowledge of and passion for vegetables. Seminar is free, but donations to the Children's garden are welcome. 1.5 CEUs for MGs. For more information, visit Fanick's website: http://www.fanicknursery.com/Upcoming%20Events.htm.

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.

Bryan: Brazos County Master Gardeners will present a Community Education Program, "Firewise Landscaping: Reducing Wildfire Risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface," 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest, Bryan. Neighborhoods close to dense woodlands in Southeastern Texas can be at risk for wildfires. Learn about creating a defensible space in the home ignition zone by becoming Firewise. Improve evacuation preparedness and learn about plant species that offer aesthetics while having firewise characteristics. Presented by Stuart Coombs and Jordan Adams, Wildland Urban Interface Specialists for the Mitigation and Prevention Department at Texas A&M Forest Service. They provide public outreach at events and workshops through empowerment and education, completing wildfire hazard assessments and post fire assessments, community wildfire protection plans, public information officer duties, prescribed fire, incident response and assistance with the Firewise Communities USA and Ready, Set Go programs. Visit brazosmg.com for more information.
 
Bryan: Brazos County Master Gardeners will present "Gardening with the Masters - Composting," noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, at the Brazos County Extension Office, 2619 Highway 21 W, Bryan. Master Gardener Compost Specialist Tommy Myrick will lead attendees through the steps for creating black gold from garden waste and kitchen vegetable scraps. Composting yard wastes can reduce what goes to the local landfill by 30 percent or more. The program is open to the public at no charge. Visit brazosmg.com 
for more information.

San Antonio: "What to Grow in the Shade" will be presented at the BCMG General Meeting, March 124, 6-8:30 p.m., at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) meeting begins with a social time at 6 p.m. followed by a special, free presentation at 6:30 p.m. Dotty Woodson will lead the presentation. 1.5 CEUs for MGs. For more information, email the BCMG President, President@bexarmg.org, or call 210-699-0663. 

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: 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

Athens: The Henderson County Maser Gardeners 2016 Spring Conference will be held March 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Athens. There will be a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., Dr. David Creech will discuss native plants. $25. For additional information, email hendersoncmga@gmail.com.
APRIL

Angleton: The Brazoria County Master Gardeners will present their 18th Annual Spring Plant Sale, Saturday, April 2, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Brazoria County Environmental Education Station, 799 E. Hospital Drive, Angleton. For more information, call 979-864-1558 x110.
Bonham: The 12th Annual Garden, Lawn, and Home Expo sponsored by the Fannin County Master Gardeners will be Saturday, April 2, at the Bonham High School, Hwy 121, Bonham. The Expo opens the doors at 8:30 a.m. with vendors offering a variety of plants, including landscape, herb and vegetables. Exhibit and vendor booths will have lawn and garden tools and supplies, handmade art and crafts, household items and outdoor equipment to see and to sell. Throughout the day there will be a silent auction and door prizes will be awarded. Presentaters include Dr. Kevin Ong, Associate Professor, TAMU Plant Pathology, and Ashley Hartman, Associate Professor, TAMU Plant Pathology. Lunch will be available to purchase. For more information or to be a vendor at the Expo call Fannin County Extension office at 903-583-7453 or visit http://fannin.agrilife.org.

Gonzales: The Gonzales Master Gardeners' 6th Annual Spring Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in downtown Gonzales on Texas Heroes Square located just west of Gonzales County Court House. Shoppers will have the opportunity to select from an assortment of vegetables, herbs, annual and perennial plants, succulents, cacti, houseplants and citrus fruit trees. A wide variety of vegetable plants will include heirloom tomato plants, various pepper varieties and much more. A great selection of herbs for the garden will be available. Check out the not-so-common perennials, hanging baskets, bromeliads, and dish gardens that will also be offered for sale. Bring gardening questions to the "Ask the Master Gardener" booth and stop by to bid on the wide variety of items in the silent auction. Food and drink will also be available for sale. Proceeds from the silent auction and the sale of plants will be used for education projects for the school children, adult education programs and other community projects. Contact Fran Saliger at 830-672-2953 for more information.

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.

Houston: Rose Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 2, at St. Andrews Church Bazaar, 1819 Heights Blvd. Houston, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Houston Rose Society will be selling 48 grade #1 roses purchased from Congo Nursery in Pasadena. Arrive early for the best selection. $25 per potted bush. Consulting Rosarians will be on hand to answer rose questions. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

Marshall: The Annual Spring Plant Sale of the Harrison County Master Gardeners will be held on Saturday, April 2, 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.

Nacogdoches: SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its annual Garden Gala Day Spring Plant Sale and Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet Street, in historic Nacogdoches. A wide variety of hard-to-find, "Texas tough" plants will be available, including Texas natives, heirlooms, tropicals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and unusual species. Most of the plants are trialed in the gardens before being offered to the public and most are produced by the SFA Gardens staff and volunteers. This popular event benefits the SFA Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden, and educational programs hosted at the gardens. The educational programs at SFA Gardens reach more than 15,000 students of all ages on a yearly basis. The 9th Annual SFA Earth Day Celebration presented alongside the SFA Spring Garden Gala Plant Sale will begin at 10 a.m. and feature informational booths, guest speakers, activities for kids of all ages, free local food, live music, and more. Held in the beautiful setting of the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, the outdoor festival is sponsored by Campus Recreation's Outdoor Pursuits program, the SFA Student Sustainability Coalition, SFA Gardens, and Nacogdoches Naturally. The celebration is an opportunity for members of the SFA student body and the Nacogdoches community to join together in furthering the vision of a sustainable campus and community. Parking is available at the nearby Early Childhood Research Center, 2428 Raguet St. The public is encouraged to arrive early and bring a wagon. For more information, call 936-468-4404, or visit www.sfagardens.sfasu.edu  two weeks before the sale for a list of available plants.

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.

San Antonio: San Antonio Garden Center Clubs will meet Wednesday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston. The program, "Keeping the Bloom in Blooms," will feature Joe Don Zetzsche, the Director of HEB's Blooms. He will talk about the logistics of supplying and running the Blooms floral departments in 250 stores and the unique joys and challenges of such a large operation. Coffee at 9:30; meetings are free and open to the public. For more information visit sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981.

Huntsville: Herb Festival at the Wynne Home will be held Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1428 Eleventh Street, Huntsville. Sponsored by the Texas Thyme Unit of the Herb Society of America. Herb, butterfly and hummingbird, camellias and perennial plants for sale. Speakers, herbal and garden vendors, artists, musicians, food, and children's activities. The Festival is free. For information, call 936-891-5024.

New Braunfels: The NPSOT, Lindheimer Chapter, will present "Spring Native Plant Sale" on April 9, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and April 10 from noon to 5 p.m. The sale will take place at Folkfest in Heritage Park, 1370 Church Hill Dr., New Braunfels. There will 40+ varieties of native plants, with special focus on butterfly and hummingbird plants. Activities for children will be included.

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.

Houston: Houston Rose Society Spring Rose Show will be held Saturday, April 16, at Memorial City Mall, 1-4 p.m. Use the entrance near Dillards. See roses grown by expert exhibitors. Free to the public. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

San Antonio: "Annual Grafting Seminar" will be presented April 16, 9 a.m. to noon, at Fanick's Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd, San Antonio. Dr. Larry Stein from the AgriLife Extension Service will demonstrate how and why fruit, nut and citrus trees are grafted. Learn all the different grafting techniques such as inlay, four flap, cleft, and approach grafts, and some of the budding techniques such as chip budding and t-budding. Also learn about the overall care of fruit, nut and citrus trees before and after grafting them. This seminar is very popular so arrive early for best parking and seating. Seminar is free.3 CEUs for MGs. For more information, visit Fanick's website: http://www.fanicknursery.com/Upcoming%20Events.htm.

Houston: Houston Rose Society Rose Garden Tour will be held Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets on sale at HEB for $5 a person. See four spectacular gardens in Bellaire and River Oaks. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

Canyon Lake: The NPSOT, Lindheimer Chapter, will be sponsoring the "Native Landscape Certification Program, Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes," to be held on April 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, Canyon Lake. The course will focus on the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes. The classroom and outdoor sessions will cover 45 native plants to use in landscaping and 5 exotic invasive plants to avoid. Students graduating with a Certificates of Completion or Competency may progress to Level 2 or 3. The cost of the program is $37 for members and non-members alike. To register, visit http:/npsot.org/wp/nlcp and click on register beside the Lindheimer class. For additional information, about registration, contact Meg Inglis, NLCP Coordinator, meg.inglis@npsot.org  or 512-589-1316. For additional information about the class, contact Sara Riggs, Class Coordinator, Riggs_571@msn.com or 512-236-8571.

Ft. Worth: The Tarrant County Master Gardener Association Annual Plant Sale and Gardening Demonstration will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at the Tarrant County Resource Connection, 1801 Circle Drive, Ft. Worth. For additional information, visit www.tarrantmg.org. 
Monthly meetings
 
If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details. 
 
FIRST WEEK
  
Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at the First Community Church at 1401 Trinity Drive in Crandall. January through April and August and September meetings are at 9 a.m., with the remaining meetings beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information visit http://www.kcmga.org, call 972-932-9069 or email to sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension, 3033 Bear Creek Drive (near the intersection of Highway 6 and Patterson Road), Houston. For additional information visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu
or call 281-855-5600.

Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the first Wednesday of each month at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas. The club hosts different speaker each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring your lunch! For more information, email Bunny Williams at bunny-williams@sbcglobal.net.
 
Kerrville: Hill Country Master Gardeners meet the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.
 
Midland/Odessa: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners meet at noon, the first Wednesday of each month, lternating between the Midland and Ector County's Extensions Offices. For more information about location, call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.
  
Allen: The Allen Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, February through December, at the Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St., Allen. For more information, visit www.allengardenclub.org.

Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners meet the first Thursday of each month at the Atlanta Memorial Hospital Conference Room, State Highway 77 @ S. Williams St., Atlanta. A business meeting is followed by an educational program. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or visit http://cass.agrilife.org. 
 
Brownwood: The Brown County Master Gardeners Association meets the first Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, 605 Fisk Ave., Brownwood. For further information, call Mary Green Engle at 325-784-8453.

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  6:30 pm at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. Meetings include an informative speaker and a Plant of the Month presentation. Meetings are free and visitors are welcome. For more information,visit www.npsot.org/w/lindheimer.  Note: there will be no meeting in June or December.
 
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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