July 13, 2016
  
Agroforestry helps farmers branch out
 
American Society of Agronomy
 
Imagine an agriculture field. Most are planted with row upon row of tidy cash crops. Now imagine that same field with rows of trees between the rows of crops. This forested field concept is called alley cropping. Alley cropping helps farmers diversify by growing long-term tree crops alongside short-term cash crops like wheat.
 
"For so long farmers have been taking trees off farmland," said Josh Gamble, agroforestry researcher at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, "So the idea of putting trees back on is a little bit of a barrier."
 
Alley cropping is a type of agroforestry, which is the practice of combining crops and trees into one farming system. The dual income from the land can bring greater economic security to farmers.
 
The idea is that it's potentially a multi-use system, with more diversity and more function," said Gamble
 
Alley cropping is not only useful for diversifying a farm's income. Fields with trees capture more carbon than fields without trees. Trees protect the crops planted alongside them by providing shade and wind protection.
 
In addition, trees can provide a buffer between the field and nearby waterways. When a field floods, the water runs off with nutrients and soil, leaving the field less productive and the river more polluted. Trees can filter the nutrients and stabilize the soil on farm land.
 
Tree crops are used for a variety of products. Some, like pine, are grown for timber. Others, like hickory and walnut, can be used for nut production. Josh Gamble is interested in growing biomass, or trees and crops that are grown for heat and power production. Gamble and his team chose two fast-growing, hardy trees - willows and poplars - and planted them alongside a variety of native grasses.
 
The willows, poplars, and grasses absorb excess nutrients, preventing them from leaching into waterways. The grasses are especially productive and absorb nutrients quickly. Because the grass is cut and removed from the land at harvest time, fewer nutrients are released back into the ecosystem. Additionally, the roots that remain after harvest help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
 
Gamble and his team wanted to find out which pairings of trees and grasses were most compatible. "Some species pairings work, and some compete against each other," said Gamble.
 
Poplar and prairie cordgrass were among the best-performing pairs, but Gamble said that might change. "These are only the first four years, so we'll see what happens," said Gamble. "We're trying to think about long-term productivity and diversity."
 
The trees and the grasses have to strike a truce for alley cropping to work well. "There's a fine balance between competition and sharing resources," said Gamble. Part of ensuring that balance is done by planting species that benefit each other. Warm- and cool-season species can benefit from the shade protection of trees to survive heat stress. It's also important to plant species that match the condition of the landscape. If a field is prone to flooding, farmers should plant species that can survive wet conditions.
 
Alley cropping adds a certain amount of complexity to the day-to-day management of farms, which can make it unappealing to some farmers. However, Gamble said that alley cropping is one technique in a broad suite of agroforestry tools that improve ecosystem function and boost productivity.
How gardeners reap what they sow
 
Jarden Home Brands
 
Gardens are in full bloom and it's no wonder their planters are rejoicing. In a new survey, Jarden Home Brands, makers of the iconic Ball brand mason jar and ORC International, uncovered the different ways gardeners reap what they sow, including how they use their summer bounty to preserve, share and even save money:
 
Here are a few things the survey revealed:
  • Why do gardeners garden? 58% believe homegrown food is healthier, 54% like to know exactly where their food comes from, and 51% believe it saves money.
  • The weirdest food found in America's gardens is...habanero, ghost and purple bell peppers.
  • Tomatoes are the favorite crop to plant (32%), but also top the list of produce for garden excess, followed by peppers and cucumbers.
  • Gardeners make good friends: 71% of gardeners share more than half of the food grown in their gardens with others by giving it away or enjoying with family and friends.
  • Why do gardeners can? 46% want to eat foods at their seasonal peak freshness year-round and 40% want to know exactly what is in their food.
  • 40% of gardeners plan to preserve half or more of the produce they grow this season.
  • Most commonly, extra produce is either given away (59%) or frozen for later use (44%), but 9% toss it out.
The compost heap
Isn't that just peachy?

"I'm standing by my guns as well," writes Susan Hampton Linnard in response to comments published in "The Compost Heap: 'Ripe' Controversy," Seeds, June 29, 2016. "Peaches do ripen after picking, as do plums, as do apricots, as do figs, as do bananas, as do tomatoes, as do avocados, as do mangoes, as do cherries. Wish I could say the same for apples.
 
"If your peaches and plums don't continue to ripen, perhaps they were sprayed when picked with an agent to deter ripening. Or they were picked green and hard, and not close enough to ripening time...or they were put in cold storage for too long."

"Regarding the controversy about fruit not ripening indoors," writes Dorothy Williams. "I agree with Susan Hampton Linnard as I have always found, in my many years of gardening, that peaches, plums, tomatoes, and cantaloupes will continue to ripen if picked when still semi-green. Even the green tomatoes that I pick in the fall  will ripen indoors. I have been gardening for over fifty
years and I stand by my guns and my fruits and vegetables."
"I beg to differ with you on the peach ripening issue," writes Deborah Lunceford. "Peaches definitely ripen when picked green. I do it frequently out of self-defense. If I didn't pick them green, often we would not get any at all. I will say though that one year we had a very late freeze and my grandmother made a large batch of green peach preserves."

Sources differ about what happens to peaches after they are picked, with several sources contending that peaches continue to soften and change texture, but do not continue to ripen once picked. On the other hand, in "Harvesting and Handling Peaches," a paper written by Kathryn C. Taylor, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia, and James W. Rushing, Coastal Research & Education Center, Clemson University, the authors write: "Peaches are climacteric fruit, they can be harvested when they are still firm but physiologically mature, which means they will continue to ripen after harvest." - Michael Bracken, editor  
Gardening tips

Hot weather will put the damper on some of the less heat-tolerant spring flowers like petunias. If you have a variety with good heat tolerance like zinnia or marigold, you can bring it back with a light shearing followed by fertilizing and 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

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.

Nacogdoches: Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. Ethan Guthrie, greenhouse and nursery manager for the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Smithgall Woodland Garden in Gainesville, Georgia, will present "Yes, We Really Are the Atlanta Botanical Garden, But, We Are the One in Gainesville, Georgia." Guthrie has worked for the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Gainesville location for the past seven years. He started as the greenhouse/nursery manager and transitioned to horticulture manager. Guthrie mainly propagates unusual species with a focus on various magnolias. He serves on the board of directors for the Magnolia Society International, and in his spare time, creates new magnolia hybrids. He also is a member of the International Plant Propagators Society. 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.

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.

Dallas: "Shade Gardening Workshop" will be presented Thursday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center - Building "E", 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Shaded out? Do you have areas in your landscape where nothing grows because there is not enough sunlight? Learn a new way to landscape for the shade including how to design and implement your shade garden for maximum effect. Daniel Cunningham, a horticulturalist with the Water University at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Dallas, will be the instructor. Space is limited, so register online at SaveDallasWater.com
or by calling 214-670-3155.

Conroe: Montgomery County Master Gardeners will present "Water Smarts: Doing It Right!" at the Montgomery Co. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe, 9:00 until 11:00 a.m., July 23. $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 smart water use and conservation in Montgomery County! For more information, visit http://www.mcmga.com/ or call 936-539-7824.
 
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/.
AUGUST

Cleburne: The Summer Thyme Festival will take place 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6, at Hill College, 2112 Mayfield Pkwy, Cleburne. Fun for the whole family with Kid's Alley, free crafts & games for the kids. Lots of vendors offering herbal, health services, garden related, organic and just for fun items. Workshops include: 9:30 JCHS Hands on Herbal Seasoning Workshop; 11:00 Permaculture with Seth Hamby; 12:30 Flower Essence, Herbals & Essential Oils with Judy Griffin; 2:00 Snake Encounters with Daryl Sprout. Furry friends will be there from the Cleburne Animal Shelter. Door Prizes galore from business and garden art made by the JCHS. $1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets. Bring a can of pet food or newspapers for the shelter and receive a free door prize ticket. For more information, call 817-793-4625 or visit www.jcherbsocietytx.webs.com.

Houston: "Roses of Russia" will be the topic of the Houston Rose Society meeting, Thursday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston. The parking lot is Lot C, located at Hermann Drive and Crawford Street. This program will be presented by Houston Rose Society and American Rose Society member, Penny Pressler. Penny and her husband are world travelers. The program will focus on the roses and rose gardens of Russia. Free admission For more information, visit www.houstonrose.org. 

Conroe: Montgomery County Master Gardeners will offer "Fall Vegetable Gardening in Montgomery County" at the Montgomery Co. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe, 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., August 13. $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. For additional information, visithttp://www.mcmga.com/  or call 936-539-7824.

Smithson Valley: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold their monthly meeting August 16 at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, Smithson Valley. The doors open at 6:30 pm and the meeting starts at 7:00 pm. The speaker will be Jim McCollough, Geologist & Master Naturalist. Jim will discuss "Hill Country Geology." The meeting is free and the public is welcome. For more information, call Martha Guethle, 830-438-5996.
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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