June 29, 2016
  
Manage mosquitoes while enjoying the great outdoors
 
By Melinda Myers
 
Don't let disease-carrying mosquitoes keep you indoors this summer. Instead, employ these eight tips to protect yourself and manage these pests in your yard.
 
Do a bit of yard and garden clean up. Remove weeds, manage neglected gardens and keep the lawn properly mowed to reduce resting spaces for adult mosquitoes.
 
Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. Drain water that collects in buckets, kids toys, tarps, pool covers, clogged gutters and downspouts. Clear the gutters and downspouts so water can drain freely. Store items that tend to collect water in a shed or garage.
 
Evaluate drainage patterns in your landscape. Improve drainage by amending the soil with organic matter. Install French drains, drain tiles and other drainage systems if needed. Or turn it into a water feature. Consult your municipality first for any relevant guidelines and restrictions.
 
Manage water in birdbaths, fountains, ponds and rain barrels. Change water weekly in birdbaths and wading pools. Add a pump to keep water moving and prevent breeding. Or use an organic mosquito control in rain barrels and water features.
 
Add a fan to your outdoor décor. The gentle breeze keeps these weak flying insects away. Consider taking one to the garden when weeding.
 
Provide short-term relief when entertaining outdoors with the help of citronella oil or scented candles. Scatter lots of these throughout the area and within a few feet of your guests.
 
Cover as much of your skin as possible with loose fitting, light colored clothing. Mosquitoes are less attracted to the lighter colors and can't readily reach your skin through loose clothing.
 
Further protect yourself from disease-carrying mosquitoes by using a personal repellent. For those looking to avoid DEET, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also approved products with the active ingredient picaridin, IR3535, and the synthetic oil of lemon and eucalyptus. Avoid products that contain both sunscreen and insect repellents as you need to apply the sunscreen more often than the repellent.
 
Implement some of these strategies and then get ready to enjoy the outdoors mosquito-free all season long.
 
Gardening expert 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 & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers' website is www.melindamyers.com.
10 easy ways to save the planet while you care for your garden!

A lot of us think that it's the big sweeping changes that will make an impact on the care of our environment but you know, it's really the little things that matter. When millions of people do them, they add up fast. When you are planning your garden for this season, think about these easy tips you can use to help to save the planet at the same time, provided by the landscaping experts at RubberMulch. Every small action is part of the engine of positive environmental change!
 
Collect rainwater to help keep the garden green, even during a drought
 
A rain barrel will collect excess rainwater - something that can both protect and enhance your garden. It will help prevent flooding in low lying parts of the garden while at the same time allowing you to water your plants and flowers, guilt free and with no impact to your water bill. Even during a drought, you can maintain your garden's fresh and beautiful look. Tip? Install a screen on the top of the barrel to keep pests and bugs out!
 
Bring on the Good Bugs!
 
There are several varieties of insects that are good for your garden and you can encourage them to pay your plants and flowers a visit. Example? Ladybugs and lacewing flies love two things: brightly colored flowers - like sunflowers and marigolds - and plant destroying aphids. The former attracts the ladybugs and flies and and the latter becomes their lunch!
 
How do you encourage the good bugs to fly on over to your garden? Plant colorful flowers. They'll see them like a botanical drive-thru window.
 
Do you like a little Irish Spring in the shower?
 
Buy two bars of Irish Spring soap. When you're in the garden, shave a little of the first bar around your perennial plants and flowers: small, furry critters don't care for it. It's an inexpensive deterrent that smells a whole lot better than many of the products sold at the garden center.
 
When you're done all your gardening efforts for the day, take the other bar into the shower and put it to good use on yourself. Win-win!
 
Cornbread anyone?
 
Weeds are the bane of any gardener's existence but if you're partial to using corn meal gluten in your kitchen, you might want to use some in your garden too. To keep weed seeds from germinating and growing into full fledged plants, sprinkle some corn meal around your flowers. The gluten will prevent any seed from germinating - so avoid it in your vegetable patch or nary a tomato will you grow this year!
 
Do you already have some weeds growing? A pinch of salt at the base of weed will kill it naturally.
 
Snails and slugs are slimy but oddly, don't care for man made slime!
 
Spread some petroleum jelly on the edges of your pots and planters and save your plants from becoming an all-a-snail-can-eat buffet of green goodness.
 
Get to reusing those milk jugs and plastic bottles
 
We all have too many of them in the house, what with growing kids and thirsty parents, and most can be recycled but you can also put a few of them to good use in the garden. You can keep your early spring seedlings safe from sudden frosts or other harsh weather elements by cutting off the bottom from the jug or bottles and placing them over top of the seedling. This will protect them from threats of spring frost or hail. Just don't forget to remove them when the good weather is here for good, so the plants can benefit from the full and healthful effects of sun and rain!
 
Mulch much?
 
Mulching is so important for your garden! It protects plants from pests and weeds and helps the plants retain moisture and the necessary minerals from the earth that they feed on. As if those weren't good enough reasons, mulch helps to cut down on the time and energy you need to spend maintaining the garden and plant beds.
 
Epsom salts for you... and for the garden?
 
Did you know that epsom salts are a perfect natural fertilizer? They will help keep your garden plants green, your flowers growing in abundance and balance the levels of magnesium in your soil, an important mineral for your garden's happiness. And then you can put some in your hot bath and relax those tired muscles after a lovely day of tending your beautiful garden!
 
Coffee grounds and eggshells are compost gold!
 
Who knew being addicted to coffee could end up being good for the garden? Coffee grounds that are placed in the earth or the compost, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, can do a lot of good. The grounds provide phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and copper, all of which your soil needs: like a dirt multivitamin! While the grounds degrade in the earth, they will also release nitrogen into the soil, which is another essential compound for a healthy garden. Fun tip? Sprinkle some as mulch at the base of your hydrangea plants and your pink flowers will turn blue as the grounds alter the pH levels of the soil!
 
Eggshells are two-pronged goodness for your garden too:
 
1. They are composed of 96% calcium carbonate so they can given your compost that hit of calcium it needs to nourish the resulting mixture for your soil. Pepper and tomato plants in particular love calcium!
 
2. Crushed eggshells are sharp! Sprinkle some around your plants to deter pests like slugs and snails from munching on your growing garden.
 
These tips are things that we can all do to help our gardens grow and our earth to sustain itself.
The compost heap
'Ripe' controversy

"The June 15 'Gardening Tip' - 'Harvest peaches and plums when fully ripe and just starting to soften. These fruits won't continue to ripen indoors so the must be left on the tree until ripe.' - doesn't always seem to be the case," writes Susan Hampton Linnard. "My years of experience as a Master Gardener trained dirt-digger (and also grandma-trained) has been that peaches and plums both do continue to ripen for at least three days after picking, if they are picked within the week before reaching full ripeness. This even holds true for fruit purchased from the grocery store. This has also been my experience with tomatoes.
 
"This is important for your gardeners to know if there is the challenge of birds or critters helping themselves to your ripe fruits and vegetables. In those cases, necessity might dictate picking a few days early and letting Mother Nature finish the ripening process on the kitchen counter."

We stand by our guns. Peaches and plums do not ripen if picked green or less than fully ripe. The same goes for strawberries. Tomatoes are different: They can and should be harvested when they start to glow a bit if critters and insects are a problem. - Chris S. Corby, publisher 
Gardening tips

If you have recently planted (or plan to plant) some of the heat-tolerant vegetables like okra, Swiss chard and southern peas, cover them with a double layer of row cover to protect them from the intense summer heat until they are fully established. Remove the cover after a couple of weeks and they should thrive with regular watering.                    
 
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.
JULY

Conroe: Montgomery County Master Gardeners will present Floral Gardening in Montgomery County at the Montgomery Co. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. 9:00 until 11:00, July 9. $5.00 per person (cash or check) is due at registration the morning of each class. The fee covers costs of materials, supplies, coffee and snacks. Get the best information on flowers and how to grow them in Montgomery County. For more information, visit  http://www.mcmga.com/ or call 936-539-7824.

Dripping Springs: On Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Dripping Springs' fifth annual Tomato Round-Up will gather together the best homegrown tomatoes in northern Hays County for everyone's tasting pleasure. All tomato growers, whether farmers or the home garden variety, are invited to bring their best tomatoes and compete for ribbons and bragging rights during the coming year. This year's Round-Up will be held at the Triangle in Dripping Springs (corner of Hwy 290 and RR12). Beneath the large tent, festival-goers can taste dozens of delectable tomatoes. There will also good food, live music, games, tomatoes to take home, and information from the Hays County Master Gardeners on how to grow the best tomatoes and other garden plants in Central Texas. The Tomato Round-Up is sponsored annually by the City of Dripping Springs and organized by its Farmers Market Committee.

San Angelo: Green Thumb Gardening Mini Seminar on Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. until noon. Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, will talk about Fall Vegetable Gardening, Growing Heirloom Vegetables and Antique Roses. Fall is a great time for vegetable gardening because the weather is cooler and there are fewer pests in your garden. Find out what vegetables to plant in fall and winter. You'll also learn about heirloom vegetables and the advantages of growing them. Attendees will receive free heirloom vegetable seeds. Antique Roses have been around for many years. Find out what varieties are best and what determines an antique rose. Attendees will have a hands-on activity to take rose cuttings for propagating. The seminar will be held at the Southside Rec Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd., San Angelo. Cost is $25 per person, $45 per couple. Refreshments are served and a door prize given away. Pre-registration requested to assure materials, call 325-656-3104.

Austin: Monday, July 11, Edwin Marty, Austin's Food Policy Manager, will discuss his role in the Office of Sustainability as well as work being done to promote school gardens. The Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, in Zilker Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the opportunity to meet, mingle, and ask questions with local gardeners; club business begins at 7 p.m., followed by our guest speaker's presentation. For more information, please visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Houston: The Houston Rose Society will hold its annual Ice Cream Social on Thursday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. Join the fun! There will be vendors, door prizes and make your own ice cream sundaes with lots of toppings to choose from. This event will be held at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. The parking lot is Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. Free admission. For more information, visit www.houstonrose.org.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society's July program is the annual Share Meeting. Members take turns sharing various information about herbs. It's time to share those fun facts, stories or recipes. The meeting will be Thursday, July 14. The hospitality tables will be open at 6:30 p.m., with the business meeting starting at 7:00, at the San Antonio Garden Center, located on the corner of Parland and N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. The meeting is free and open to the public.For more information, visit http://www.sanantonioherbs.org/.

Seabrook: Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2, present Raymond Haak from Raymond Haak Vineyard speaking about growing grapes and winemaking, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Thursday, July 14, at Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. Free. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

San Angelo: A Lunch 'n' Learn seminar will be held Friday, July 15, and will feature Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist talking about Drought-Tolerant Landscaping. Find out how to create a beautiful landscape that can survive hot, dry summers. Also learn about good plant selection, soil management and other tips and tricks. 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.

Houston: Monday, July 18, is Open Garden Day, with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2, Genoa Friendship Garden,1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. The garden is open 8:30-11 a.m., and Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions. FREE. Plants for sale every Monday in the Greenhouse. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu .

La Marque: "A Homegrower's Guide to Weed Control" with GC Master Gardener Jon Johns presenting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., July 19, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Smithson Valley: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold their monthly meeting July 19 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 Dr. William Welch, Professor of Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Dr. Welch will speak on "Native vs Introduced Plants: Old vs New Concepts." The meeting is free and the public is welcome. For more information, call Martha Guethle at 830-438-5996.

Athens: A special two-hour presentation with Steven Chamblee will be held 5:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Senior Citizen Center, 3344 Hwy 31 East, Athens, next to the Fairgrounds. This time of year it's hot in Texas. A nice shady spot in your landscape might be just the place to escape the heat. Steven Chamblee, Chief Horticulturist for Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, will talk about creating your own lovely oasis of seasonal color and delightful texture, including the pitfalls and perils awaiting the novice shade gardener. Chamblee served 17 years as consulting editor for a gardening magazine, writes a monthly e-newsletter column entitled "Native Son," and is an adjunct instructor for Tarleton State University and Texas Christian University's Extended Education.
 
La Marque: "Aquaponics" with GC Master Gardener Robin presenting, 9:00-10:00 a.m., July 23, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
 
La Marque: "Successful Fall Vegetable Gardening" with long-time MG Master Gardener Luke Stripling presenting, 9:00-11:30 a.m., July 30, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: Ph 281-534-3413. Further details http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
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