June 1, 2016
  
The garden reader:
Outside the garden box
 
By William Scheick
Book Reviewer
 
The four books reviewed this month are not typical "garden-variety" undertakings. With memorably fresh insights, each of these books offers a truly unique approach to gardening and related activities.
 
James Wong. Grow for Flavor. Firefly Books, 2016. 224 pp. $29.95.
 
Grow for Flavor provides a cornucopia of information based on botanist James Wong's years of his own and others' research. He aims to "supercharge the flavor of homegrown harvests."
 
Forget striving for maximum yield, Wong insists. Focus, instead, on maximum taste and maximum nutritional quality.
 
And expect the unexpected - such as the value of an aspirin booster spray. Since the chemistry of aspirin is based on a plant hormone, an aspirin spray can increase the resilience and the taste of some plants, including tomatoes.
 
Also unexpected: "Tomatoes grown in salty water taste better." And "ignore the advice that tells you to defoliate [tomato plants] to help ripen their fruit."
 
Then there is Wong's "very own tonic spray, specifically developed for squash plants, to help maximize their health and improve their cold tolerance." For milder radishes, water generously; for spicier radishes, apply Epsom salts.
 
Although Grow for Flavor is designed for gardening in the United Kingdom, its abundant lessons can be adapted elsewhere. I know of no other book quite like this eye-opening one.
 
Jerry Spagnoli (photographs). Heirloom Harvest: Modern Daguerreotypes of Historic Garden Treasures. Bloomsbury, 2015. 192 pp. $85.00.
 
The 9x12-inch photos in Heirloom Harvest, Amy Goldman explains in her introduction, are "an act of preservation and a way of honoring beauty, diversity and history in the face of pressures not to garden, not to save seeds."
 
These "dreamlike and ghostly" photos are daguerreotypes (images on silver-plated copper). "What better way to pay homage to heirloom plants than to marry them to the most heirloom of heirloom photography?"
 
Jerry Spagnoli explains his photographic goal: "I felt committed to respecting the individuality of each subject I photographed," especially "their integrated structures, their beauty expressed in the complex interrelationship of all the parts, none possible without the others."
 
That's a good attempt at an explanation, but finally the visually arresting result cannot be adequately represented in words. The images must be seen to experience what wonders they capture and also to appreciate that, even in our "electronic" time, a hardcopy book can still be a wonder to behold.
 
Maggy Howarth. Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook: Third Edition. Firefly Books, 2016. 272 pp. $35.00.
 
"There is a spiritual satisfaction to be gained from the careful placing of natural stones in rhythmic patterns and bonding them together like fossils in a lava flow," Howarth promises in Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook. "There is a basic appeal in the pebble as a found object, formed by the great forces of nature, recalling memories of happy childhood days spent on sunny beaches."
 
The author begins with step-by-step advice on basic principles and methods. Then she provides numerous design possibilities tailored to a wide variety of outdoor spaces - overall an amazing array of options.
 
Although I have crafted many stained- and leaded-glass panels, I have no idea of how much patience might be necessary to create a large pebble mosaic. Even so, after being blown away by the lushly illustrated examples in Maggy Howarth's stunning book, I am convinced that a completed pebble mosaic would be well worth whatever the patience-price.
 
Selina Lake. Botanical Style: Inspirational Decorating with Nature, Plants and Florals. Ryland Peters & Small, 2016. 160 pp. $29.99.
 
With an attractive elegance of its own, Botanical Style "celebrates a whole host of patterns and designs inspired by all things botanical." Besides actual houseplants and seasonal wreaths, Selina Lake offers a wide range of home-decor suggestions on how to use spreads, pillows, tablecloths, dishes, wallpaper, and the like to convey a botanical appearance indoors.
 
Her plant-themed decoration tips range from vintage effects to patterns and prints ideal for home interiors with an "industrial look that has been a growing trend over the past few years." For those lucky enough to have a garden room or unlucky enough to be renting a warehouse space, Lake has nifty ideas for maximizing plant-design opportunities in either case.
 
There is considerable imagination and chic-magic in Botanical Style, a lushly illustrated book that reaffirms the adage that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
Emerald ash borer found in Texas
 
Texas A&M Forest Service
 
The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle that has killed tens of millions of ash trees across the U.S. has been detected in Texas. State and federal agencies are preparing people and communities with information, education and preventative measures to fight the pest.
 
In May, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) - agencies leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) EAB survey in the state - trapped four adult beetles in Harrison County just south of Karnack, Texas. Although the ash trees in the immediate vicinity of the trap did not exhibit symptoms of the pest, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) laboratory confirmed the specimens were emerald ash borers. Efforts are underway to identify any infested trees.
 
Texas has anticipated the arrival of the EAB and has strategically placed beetle detection traps across the state for the past four years in an effort to provide an early warning if and when the invasive pest arrived.
 
"Early detection of this destructive pest minimizes its spread and enables us to effectively work with those affected by providing information and science-based solutions to potential attacks," said Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Health Coordinator Shane Harrington. "TFS is working with other state and federal agencies to ensure that the general public, home- and landowners know fact from fiction and what to look for when monitoring for EAB."
 
The EAB is a destructive, non-native, wood-boring pest of ash trees and poses a significant threat to urban, suburban and rural forests, killing both stressed and healthy ash trees. The trees typically die two or three years after becoming infested. Native to Asia, the EAB was first discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002. Since then, infestations of this invasive pest have been found in 26 states and have killed tens of millions of ash trees.
 
In the United States, there are 16 ash species susceptible to attack - Texas is home to seven of these species. Ash trees make up less than 5 percent of rural Texas forestlands but comprise a large population of the state's urban forests. Texas A&M Forest Service is working with APHIS, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Forest Service, among other state and federal agencies, to implement a response plan.
 
The statewide plan includes monitoring beetle movement, conducting educational campaigns, providing technical assistance in prevention, preparation and recovery, and working with regulatory agencies in considering and establishing quarantines in affected counties.
 
"The Texas Department of Agriculture, through our biosecurity program, is committed to defending Texans from invasive species like the EAB, which have the power to decimate our crops and landscapes," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. "Working together with Texas A&M Forest Service and our federal counterparts, we will implement a comprehensive response plan to tackle this threat to all Texans."
 
Texas A&M Forest Service is also working with the state's forest industry, rural landowners, urban communities and homeowners on detecting possible infestation and taking measures to slow the movement of the beetle. Measures of control include protecting ash trees through the use of insecticide tree injections and soil drenching and bolstering the urban forests with other tree species not susceptible to the emerald ash borer.
 
"Proper planning can reduce the impact of EAB in our communities," said Texas A&M Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator Paul Johnson. "Removal of poor quality ash, planting trees that aren't susceptible to EAB, and protecting high value ash by treating them will help us weather this attack. Work with a forester or an ISA-certified arborist to help you assess your EAB risk and care for your trees."
 
To learn more about EAB, visit www.emeraldashborer.info  and https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/eab/.
Gardening tips

Check roses closely for signs of spider mites. Look for discoloration of the leaves and tiny reddish specks on the backside of the leaves. If you suspect spider mites, blast the plants with a strong stream of water. Repeat weekly until the population has been reduced significantly.            
 
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.
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.

San Angelo: The last of a series of three "Talk & Tour" Nursery tours will be Saturday, June 4. The destination will be Native Ornamentals in Mertzon. As before, attendees will meet at Southside Rec Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd., San Angelo, and caravan to the location. Whether you've heard of it or not, this is a great nursery for Texas native plants and much more. Attendees will get a personal tour by the owner, Steve Lewis, and see the beautiful plants they offer. Cost is $15. There will be refreshments and a door prize when you arrive. Pre-registration is required. Call 325-656-3104.

La Marque: "Drip Irrigation" with GC Master Gardener Susan Roth presenting, 6:30-8:00 p.m. June 7, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Tyler: 1st Tuesday In The Gardens with Smith County Master Gardeners, June 7, will feature a dicsussion of Crapemyrtle Bark Scale. The meeting will be held in the IDEA garden in the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler. Free and open to the public. An informative lecture covering seasonal gardening topics. Held on the patio of the IDEA garden, the program begins at noon. The lecture is approximately 30 minutes with a Q&A session following. Seating is limited; please bring a chair for your comfort. In case of inclement weather, program will be held inside the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more information, visit http://txmg.org/smith/coming-events/ or phone 903-590-2980.

Helotes: Dr. Larry A. Stein and Dr. Justin Scheiner will be present "The Basics of Homemade Wine," Thursday, June 9, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Gardens at Old Town Helotes 15060 Antonio Drive, Helotes. They will provide a history of wine making, will discuss how to grow grapes and other winemaking fruit, will provide steps and equipment for starting, and will present a wine making demonstration. RSVP by emailing Angel Torres, or calling 210-631-0400. $40 per person includes lunch; make check payable to Bexar County Master Gardeners 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230. Deadline to register is Monday, Noon, June 6.

San Angelo: The monthly Lunch 'n' Learn seminar on Friday, June 10, will feature Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist talking about Landscape Pests. Find out how to win the battle against some of the common landscape pests in the Concho Valley. You'll learn how to combat insects, diseases and weeds. 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: "T-bud Grafting of Citrus and Fruit Trees" with GC Master Gardener Sue Jeffco presenting, June 11, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. Pre-registration required. Class size limited to 24, others welcome to observe.
 
La Marque: "Planning for Your Successful Fruit Tree Orchard" with GC Master Gardener Herman Auer presenting, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., June 11, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

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. 

La Marque: "Design Principles for Landscapes" with GC Master Gardener Karen Lehr, Masters in Landscape Architecture, presenting, 9:00-11:00 a.m., June 18, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
 
La Marque: "Growing Cucurbits (summer and winter squash, cucumbers and cantaloupes)": GC Master Gardener Herman Auer, Texas Master Gardener Vegetable Specialist, presenting, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., June 21, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

San Angelo: The Concho Valley Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Water Conservation Seminar, Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. until noon. It will be held at the 4-H Building, 3168 N. US Hwy 67, San Angelo. The featured speaker is Dr. Dotty Woodson, Program Specialist-Water Resources, Biological & Agricultural Engineering Dept. Texas A& M Extension Service in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Woodson will be talking about rainwater harvesting, plant selection and irrigation efficiency. There will be vendors available to answer questions is display their product information. This seminar is open to the public and has no admission fee. Call 325-659-6522 to register and assure materials.
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.
Texas Gardener digital edition available

Same magazine as our print edition without the paper and at a better price. Fully compatible with your desktop, laptop, iPad or Tablet. Access Texas Gardener anywhere, anytime: at the office, home, vacation, even in the garden. Easy to use with robust features and fully searchable archive as long as your subscription is active. Visit www.TexasGardener.com and click on the digital radio button to subscribe.
Vegetable Gardening in the Southwest

By Trisha Shirey

 

Sweet, vine-ripened watermelon, tomatoes, bell peppers, crisp winter salads are just a few of the delights awaiting gardeners in Texas and the Southwest. While the cold winters and hot, dry summers can present challenges, there are many ways to have a productive garden and an ever changing menu of seasonal food. This book is for vegetable gardeners in Texas and surrounding states who want to get the most out of their gardens. Trisha Shirey (featured in the May/June issue of Texas Gardener magazine) is an award-winning heart-of-Texas gardener, and the head gardener at the Lake Austin Spa Resort where she has successfully overcome drought, insects and early freezes. She shows readers how to deal with these problems, along with others, and come out a winner. This book isn't loaded with lots of pretty color pictures, but it is loaded with lots of terrific gardening advice written just for gardeners in Texas and the southwest! Softback. 238 pages.

 

Only $26.55 (includes shipping, handling and tax). 

 

To order using your credit card, call toll-free 1-800-727-9020 or online at
www.TexasGardener.com.
Buy two books, receive cap free!

The Vegetable Book

By Dr. Sam Cotner

 

Finally, back by popular demand and in its fourth printing, the most informative and comprehensive "how-to" book on vegetable gardening in Texas (also, suitable for most other areas of the South) written by the late, great Dr. Sam Cotner, former head of horticulture at Texas A&M University and lifelong gardener. This interesting read has over 370 pages of detailed information on every crop, from Asparagus to Watermelon including problem/solving sections for each vegetable. If you want to maximize your enjoyment and success growing vegetables in Texas, this book is a "must have," whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener. Price $34.02

The Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook

By William D. Adams

 

The best thing for tomato enthusiasts since the tomato itself! Adams draws on more than thirty years of experience to provide a complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Learn everything from soil preparation, planting, feeding, caging and watering. Liberally sprinkled with the author's easy humor and illustrated with his own excellent photographs, this must-have book has everything you'll need to assure a bumper crop! 189 pages. Lots of color photographs! Price: $31.94

Order both books, receive a FREE Texas Gardener cap!

($15.82 if ordered separately)

 

Remit payment to:

TG Books * PO Box 9005 * Waco, TX 76714

or call Toll-Free 1-800-727-9020

 

American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Accepted

Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. You may forward this publication to your friends and colleagues if it is sent in its entirety. No individual part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher.

 

Missed an issue? Back issues of Texas Gardener's Seeds April 2006-September 2013 are available at www.texasgardener.com/newsletters. Back issues beginning October 2013 are available here. 

 

Publisher: Chris S. Corby ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

 

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

www.TexasGardener.com