May 11, 2016
  
Five tips for growing healthy roses

By Randy Schultz
 
Roses are the queens of the garden. Flowering rose bushes have been cultivated for thousands of years, and the rose is the most popular flower in the world.
 
Just how popular are roses? In 1985, The American Rose Society successfully lobbied to have the rose declared the national flower of the United States of America. President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation certifying the rose as the national flower in a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden in 1986.
 
It's no surprise, then, that every year millions of rose bushes are planted in American gardens and throughout the gardening world. Rumors might persist that roses are fussy and difficult to grow, but rose experts tell us otherwise.
 
"All plants need the right growing conditions to thrive, and roses are no different," says Chris VanCleave, a nationally known rose expert and self-proclaimed Redneck Rosarian (www.RedneckRosarian.com). "If you provide the right conditions and the right care, rose bushes will thrive in virtually any garden."

Here are five tips for growing healthy roses. Follow these tips and you can enjoy these beautiful flowering shrubs in your own garden year after year.

Select the rose that's right for your garden 

There are more than 2,000 varieties of roses - and new varieties are introduced every year. Different roses have specific needs and behavior. You might be tempted to select a rose solely based on its flower appearance, but a rose's hardiness, disease resistance, bloom time and other factors are important to consider, too.
 
If your garden's climate isn't ideal for roses, don't despair. Many roses thrive in containers, such as a new variety from Weeks Roses called Cutie Pie. Other roses, including the popular groundcover roses like Rainbow Happy Trails, make it possible to grow roses in surprisingly tough garden conditions.
 
Plant your rose in the right location 

The first step toward a healthy, beautiful rose in the garden is planting the right rose in the right place. A rose will never perform well if planted in a poor spot, no matter how much you pamper it.
 
Get your rose off to a good start by first selecting the right variety for your garden's climate, and carefully planting it in a sunny location with good soil. Roses prefer locations that receive 6-8 hours of sunlight in order to produce the most blooms.
 
Prune wisely

Some roses bloom with a great flourish and they're done for the season. Other roses are repeat bloomers that flower continuously throughout the growing season. Once-blooming roses (such as antique rose varieties) should be pruned after they flower. Repeat bloomers can be pruned in early spring before they bloom.
 
"The trick to powerhouse blooms is deadheading your repeat-blooming roses after they flower," says VanCleave. "Snipping off the spent blooms sends a signal to the plant to repeat its bloom."
 
Water deeply and consistently
 
Roses need their water, and most varieties do not tolerate severe drought well. For the healthiest plants, water your roses on a consistent basis. When you water, make sure to water deeply to encourage healthy root growth. A soaker hose or drip irrigation works well because the water is delivered directly to plant roots. Avoid watering with sprinklers or spraying the foliage with a hose, because wet leaves invite diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
 
Fertilize (but don't overdo it)

A list of tips for growing roses should always include fertilizing. Roses are heavy feeders, but many gardeners use too high a concentration of fertilizer, which can damage plants. VanCleave recommends alternating between composted manure and a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer for the best results.
 
When growing roses in containers, or if your garden soil is relatively poor, you may need to provide some fertilizer a few times each growing season. Watch for signs of over fertilizing, which include leaf burn.
 
"Breakthroughs in breeding programs are producing much better rose bushes than our parents grew," says VanCleave, whose own rose garden includes 160 rose bushes. "The leading rose breeders like Weeks Roses in California introduce new varieties every year that are beautiful and thrive in most garden conditions. My rose garden would not be the same without them."
 
To see the many varieties of roses now available from Weeks Roses, visit www.weeksroses.com or your local garden center.
Conditions right for black flies
 
By Adam Russell
TexasA&M AgriLife Extension Service
 
Reports of black flies are increasing as recent rains created favorable conditions for the swarming, biting pest, according to Dr. Sonja Swiger, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, Stephenville.
 
Black flies aren't like run-of-the-mill house flies or other biting flies, such as horn or stable flies, Swiger said. They're tiny, powerful blood-feeders who aren't picky about their host. They attack humans as readily as domesticated animals, pets and wildlife, and feed at various times throughout the day.
 
"They're nasty biters," she said. "They'll attack anything with blood but they prefer animals."
 
Swiger said she has received a higher number of calls about black flies this year and suspects spring rains have created perfect breeding grounds for the pest. A mild spring may have also provided better conditions for the temperature-dependent fly, which usually is active throughout the summer.
 
Black flies are especially problematic in northern and eastern Texas where water is plentiful, but the rains may expand their habitat, she said.
 
One recent case in East Texas involved the loss of more than a dozen adolescent chickens, according to the caller, Swiger said.
 
Black flies have been known to kill animals by sucking blood or suffocation from clogging or covering up airways, she said. The flies also carry diseases. Black flies' flight patterns are dependent upon the wind, light, temperature and host availability.
 
Swiger said as with any pest it's better to deal with black flies by addressing them before they reach adulthood, butthe flies' breeding habitat makes it difficult to kill eggs and larvae.
 
Eggs and larvae stick together in flowing water, such as creeks, attached to vegetation or rocks. Immature black flies can live in habitats ranging from trickling water to rivers.
 
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis products, which are better known for controlling mosquitoes, can be used to kill black flies in the larval stage.
 
Black flies lay between 100-600 eggs, so one hatching could pose problems to a landowner because they grow together and move in swarms once they reach adulthood, she said. Several generations can reach adulthood each year.
 
"They're not easy to find, but if you have a running creek nearby or have had a problem with them in the past you might see them again this year," she said. "Target areas around vegetation and rocks in flowing water."
 
Swiger said repellants with diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET, are supposed to be effective against them but added that female black flies are determined feeders once they find a potential host. Permethrin can be applied to animals to repel and kill black flies, she said. Dabs of petroleum jelly around the sensitive areas of animals, such as the nose, ears and eyes, can prevent bites and the pests from congregating.
 
"The fact that they are fully aquatic and their habitat is flowing water can make them tricky to deal with but it might be worth looking," she said.
 
For more information about black flies and other insects and pests, visit http://livestockvetento.tamu.edu
. 
Cool beans: beneficial faba braves a freeze
 
Crop Science Society of America
 
What bean has double the protein of wheat, triple that of rice, and also contains beneficial amino acids, B-vitamins, and micronutrients? The unassuming faba bean (also known as fava bean, broad bean, field bean, and by several other names), of course.
 
Faba beans have many unique properties. In terms of human consumption, they are high in protein and other important nutrients. They can also greatly benefit the soil. Faba beans, like other members of the pulse family, pull valuable nitrogen from the air so it becomes usable by the faba bean and other plants. The faba bean has one of the highest capacities for performing this service.
 
Additionally, they are valued as a cover crop. Instead of leaving the soil bare - and susceptible to water and wind erosion - farmers can plant faba beans. The beans' roots, stems, and leaves add mulch and protect the soil.
 
Most cover crops are planted in the fall to protect fields through the winter. However, the typical faba bean does not do well in cold weather.
 
"In areas like the Palouse in Washington State, it's required for these cover crops to be winter-hardy," explains Jinguo Hu. Hu is a research leader with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. "They are usually planted in the spring. But if you are able to plant a winter-hardy variety in the fall that will survive the winter, they'll better protect the soil from erosion."
 
To solve this problem, Hu and a team of researchers at Washington State University worked to find winter-hardy faba germplasm lines - batches of seed with genetic traits that help them survive in colder conditions. Researchers started with 175 seed samples from across the world. After six years of planting selected generations of seed, four survivors came out as winter-hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 6b.
 
Hu explains that the plants became more winter hardy by a process called selection. "Diversity is the base of selection. We planted many different varieties together and allowed the natural gene flow to maximize the gene combinations for selection," Hu says. "We didn't isolate the different plants. Pollinators like bumble bees simply cross-pollinated the plants and helped these new lines develop."
 
This method can increase how many beneficial traits plants have to help them survive the winter. For example, if a bee pollinates a plant with one beneficial gene with pollen from a different plant with another beneficial gene, this will result in an offspring seed with both beneficial genes.
 
The new faba bean types serve as a resource for researchers and breeders who are looking for other properties. Hu also adds that as climate continues to change, these types of experiments are also useful for finding plants with heat or drought tolerance.
 
"The next step is to get growers and companies interested in our work," he says. "I've starting working with some in Washington and even in California. Experimental seed samples have been sent to requesters from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Virginia for grow-out observation trials. The faba bean definitely has a place in the national market."
 
Details of Hu's work are published in Journal of Plant Registrations.
Gardening tips

If you have warm-season annuals growing in your beds, now is a good time to side dress them with 1/3 cup of turf fertilizer per 25 feet, scratched into the ground and watered in. Use three times that amount if you are using an organic fertilizer. This will give a boost of vigor to the plants and they should produce more blooms as we go into summer.     
 
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.
MAY

Houston: "What's Buggin' You?" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12, 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 entomologist, Erfan Vafaie. Vafaie is a scientist from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Plant Research Station in Overton, and is the entomology member of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association's educational board. His program will focus on identification and control of rose pests and a discussion of new invasives that could become potential threats to roses. Free admission. For additional information, visit http://www.houstonrose.org.

Nacogdoches: Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. Dr., Nacogdoches. Lisa Alexander, United States National Arboretum geneticist will present "Improving the World One Plant at a Time."Alexander is a U.S. Department of Agriculture research geneticist working to improve woody ornamental landscape plants for the USNA. She received a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2005 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she conducted research on American chestnut tree restoration. She received her doctoral degree in molecular genetics from Purdue University in 2010. Her dissertation focused on using molecular markers for oak seed orchard management.Her current research focuses on breeding hydrangeas and other ornamental landscape species for improved disease resistance and cold tolerance, and introducing unique traits to popular ornamental species through hybridization and other advanced-breeding techniques. More information on Alexander's work can be found online at http://www.usna.usda.gov/Research/sy-info.html. The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at SFA's Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare-plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building.For more information, call 936-468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu .
 
Seabrook: Nelson Darden, will present "New Plants From Proven Winners and Euroamerican," 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 12, at Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. Free. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

San Angelo: The Friday, May 13, Lunch 'n' Learn seminar will feature Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, talking about vegetable gardening. There's nothing better than the taste of fresh, homegrown, produce. Growing a productive vegetable garden can be a challenge in West Texas. With a little knowledge and practice it can be done. Learn what to plant when and find out the basic techniques for a plentiful harvest. The seminar is held at the Edd B. Keys Building, 113 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, in the AgriLife Extension Office, first floor. It starts at noon and goes until 1 p.m. If you are on your lunch hour, feel free to bring your lunch. The cost is $5. All funds go toward the PPC garden projects.
   
La Marque: "Galveston County Home Fruit Growers' Tour"; three fruit orchards are in the tour, as well as vegetable gardens at each site. Visit sites in any desired order, 9 am-Noon, May 14. No pre-registration required. For further details and maps to each orchard, see http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/, or Ph 281-534-3413. Free.
 
Waco: The McLennan Co. Master Gardeners will have their Annual Plant Sale 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 14, at the Westview Village Arcade, 551 Valley Mills, Waco. Cash, check and credit cards accepted. Included will be a great selection of plants, including flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and herbs grown in members' yards. Also, garden arts & Crafts, hanging baskets, color bowls, and compost will be for sale.
 
Smithson Valley: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold their monthly meeting May 17 at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, Smithson Valley. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. The speaker will be Dan Hosage, owner of the Madrone Nursery and Plants-man Extraordinaire, will present "The Milkweed Family and its Numerous Species." There will be exhibits and milkweed plants for sale. The meeting is free and the public is welcome. For more information, call Martha Guethle, 830-438-5996.

Seguin: Consider becoming a certified Master Gardener with the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Guadalupe County AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M, with a mission is to provide research based information and resources to people who want to garden in a successful, economical and earth friendly way. For more information, attend an orientation meeting on May 19. The orientation will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Guadalupe County AgriLife Extension office located at 210 Live Oak Street, Seguin. Then stay for the monthly speaker and to meet other certified Master Gardeners from 6:30-8:00. For additional information, visit guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or contact the class coordinators. Kay McKelveen at hkaymcelveen@gmail.com or Cindy Martin at wonderwoman52@wildblue.net.

Fort Worth: The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society's Annual Herb Festival will be held at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens,3220 Botanic Gardens Blvd., Fort Worth, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 21. Admission: $4.00. Children under 12 Free. Plants, garden art, handmade soaps, Artisan Cheese and much more to see. Featured Speakers: 10:30 a.m. "Companion Planting with Herbs for Disease and Insect control" Lucy Harrell T.C.N.P. lecturer, author and landscape designer; 1 p.m. "Vertical Gardening" Doctor Dotty Woodson, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center. For more information, contact Stacy Moore at 817-781-0478 or president@gfwhs.org, or Esther Chambliss at herbalhen@yahoo.com.

Bryan: Learn how to "Cut Your Water Bill and Grow Your Landscape" 7 p.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, at the Brazos County Master Gardeners meeting held at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest, Bryan. Learn how to conserve water in the landscape while saving yourself money with Jennifer Nations, Water Resource Coordinator, City of College Station. Jennifer will give provide tips on the efficient use of water on your garden and lawn. Learn about available rebates, calculate your actual water use, and sign up for free weekly lawn watering emails from the Brazos Valley WaterSmart Network to help you use water more efficiently. The program is open to the public at no charge. Visit brazosmg.com for more information.
 
Tyler: The Smith County Master Gardener Annual Garden Tour will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 28. Five homeowners open their private gardens for public viewing, rain or shine. $10 in advance/ $12 day of tour. Visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events or call 903-590-2980 for ticket and location information.

San Antonio: "Earthkind Gardening Practices" will be presented at the BCMG General Meeting, 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 26, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, San Antonio. The 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. 1.5 CEUs for MGs. David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension Service, will combine the best of organic gardening with the best of traditional gardening and include elements of Integrated Pest Management.

San Angelo: Saturday, April 30, will be the first of the three "Talk & Tour" series. This is a special time where attendees meet at the Southside Rec Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Road, San Angelo, at 9 a.m. to caravan to the nursery. Desert Gardens at Cactustown is located on N. Hwy 67. Upon arrival at the garden, refreshments will be served and the owner, Mike Moseman, will give a personal tour of his garden. View an extensive collection of cactus and succulents and learn how to add these beautiful, drought-tolerant specimens to your garden. This time of year they are in bloom and look beautiful. Those looking for unique garden art, will also find a large selection of metal and wood pieces. Creating a beautiful garden using cactus and succulents gives homeowners a better alternative to rocks. Save when you pay for 2 or more tours. Cost: 1/$25, 2/$45, 3/$60. Shopping is optional, however, PPC members get a discount at Desert Gardens and memberships will be available on-site. Preregistration is required. Call 325-656-3104 to register.

San Antonio: Saturday, April 30, San Antonio Rose Society will host the Spring Rose Show at San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 North New Braunfels, San Antonio, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This year's theme is "The Wizard of Oz," so follow the yellow brick road and stop in to see and smell the roses. Free entry to Public!

La Marque: "Bamboo Uses in the Landscape" with GC Master Gardener Tish Reustle presenting, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., May 31, at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque; Ph 281-534-3413; email reservations to galv3@wt.net, further details see http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Free.
JUNE

La Marque: "Peach Tree Pruning for the Home Orchard," a hands-on demonstration with GC Master Gardeners Herman Auer and Sue Jeffco, will be held June 2, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. and again 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at Galveston County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden/Orchard in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Email reservations to galv3@wt.net. For additional information, visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/ or call 281-534-3413. Free.

Austin: The Austin Pond Society will hold its 22nd Annual Austin Pond and Garden Tour June 4 and 5. South and Central Austin sites will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., June 4; one pond in South Austin will be open 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., June 4; and sites in North Austin will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., June 5. Wristbands are $20 in advance and can be purchased at austinpondsociety,org. Wristbands purchased at any of the sites on the day of the event are $25. Children 12 and younger are free with a paid adult. For additional information, visit austinpondsociety.org or call 512-629-7825 or 512-635-9516.

La Grange: Boone Holiday will present "Backyard Greenhouse Building" from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., June 14, 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/Lockhart: Texas Sage Master Gardeners meet the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Bastrop or Lockhart. Visit their Facebook page for location and educational topic of the month: https://www.facebook.com/TexasSageMG. For additional information, or to become a Texas Sage Master Gardener, 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.

San Antonio: The Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208, San Antonio. During the months of Jan., March, May, July, Sep. and Nov., an evening meeting begins with a social time at 6 p.m. followed by a free presentation from 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1-3:30 p.m. Check http://www.bexarmg.org/ to verify meeting date for any given month, as circumstances could require a change, and to find information on the speaker and topic scheduled for each meeting.
 
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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