August 10, 2016
  
Environmental benefits of a lawn
 
 
Having a manicured lawn has been proven to increase home value and happiness across the country, but what about its environmental benefits?
 
Grass Seed USA - a coalition of grass seed farmers and academic turf specialists - suggests these five reasons to go green with a natural turf lawn:
 
Grass is visually and environmentally important for our communities. Green lawns are both beautiful and functional. Grass areas are naturally calming and stress relieving, and the visual appeal contributes to improved mental health and greater community pride. In urban areas, grass is particularly important for absorbing noise, providing a healthy link with nature and deterring littering.
 
Erosion prevention. Grass is one of the most efficient and inexpensive ways to prevent erosion caused by wind and water. A thick lawn absorbs rainfall, virtually eliminating any runoff, and the extensive root systems of the individual grass plants bind the soil more effectively than many other ground covers.
 
It naturally recycles. A lawn is naturally self-repairing. If you choose the right grass for your climate conditions and lawn use patterns, it will be highly resilient and regenerate quickly in response to stresses such as drought, frost or foot traffic.
 
Grass can reduce your carbon footprint. We frequently hear about the value of planting trees to capture carbon and produce oxygen, but grass also provides the same benefits. When you responsibly manage your lawn, your grass absorbs and stores away carbon, therefore reducing your carbon footprint. According to the academic professionals with Grass Seed USA, a lawn of just 50 square feet releases enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four.
 
Grass has a natural cooling effect. On hot days, grass is much cooler than cement, asphalt and dirt, which trap heat. A Mississippi State University study showed that when the temperature of a sidewalk is 100°F, the temperature of the lawn next to it will remain near 75°F.
 
For more lawn care tips, information on the benefits of natural turf or help in selecting the best seed for your lawn, visit www.weseedamerica.com.
AgriLife Research remote sensing technology aims to solve critical crop diseases
 
By Blair Fannin
Texas A&M Extension Service
 
Sensor technology could possibly solve many challenges of crop production, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research faculty are aggressively attempting to find new solutions.
 
Dr. Alex Thomasson, an AgriLife Research biological and agricultural engineer, and Dr. Seth Murray, AgriLife Research corn breeder, both in College Station, and others are working jointly on several projects.
 
One project, an unmanned ground phenotyping system, provides data that can be used to aid decisions in breeding and production agriculture through techniques like conceptual modeling and spatial prediction, according to the scientists.
 
"The current ground phenotyping vehicle we are working on allows us to drive the vehicle through a field of corn and collect real-time data," Thomasson said. "We are also developing an autonomous phenotyping vehicle that will navigate itself through the field based on GPS. The purpose of these vehicles is to be able to drive through the field even over mature corn so we can collect data all the way through its growth cycle. This allows us to measure the height of the plant, evaluate the temperature of the plant and also get light reflectance in various wavelengths to determine the health of the plant.
 
"We can also look at other characteristics like the drought tolerance of the plant. The data these machines collect will ultimately enable the breeder to make selections from the best varieties and to do so much quicker."
 
Thomasson and other AgriLife and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are developing the ability to use remote sensing to detect and treat cotton root rot. Cotton Incorporated has been a strong supporter of this research, some of which is occurring at the Stiles Farm at Thrall.
 
"The cotton root rot project involves a lot of remote-sensing work to detect the locations of infection within individual fields," he said. "It's expensive for cotton farmers, not only the yield losses from the disease but the treatment to prevent it. It's costing them about $50 an acre to treat the fields, but this research can save them a lot of money by enabling them to treat only the infected areas of a field. Some are trying to use satellite data to identify infected areas, but the image resolution is low. We've begun using UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), which give us images with extremely high resolution. We have the potential to see where each infected plant is so we can know exactly where to place fungicide in subsequent seasons."
 
The remote-sensing research is related to a broader scope of research projects implemented by AgriLife Research. The Texas A&M Coordinated Agricultural Unmanned Aerial Systems project and Ground Vehicle Validation is a collaboration of more than 40 faculty members within the Texas A&M University System.
 
Led by AgriLife Research, the project also involves the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the Center for Autonomous Vehicles and Sensor Systems, and the Center for Geospatial Applications and Technologies, as well as businesses and farmers. The research centers on 1,400 acres of AgriLife Research fields near College Station where corn, cotton, sorghum and wheat, as well as peaches and perennial grasses are grown.
Gardening tips

There is still time to start those tomato transplants for fall production if you do it now. Seeds will germinate better in a shady spot where you can keep them moist. Once they have sprouted, gradually acclimate them to the hot summer sun and dry wind. Even mature tomato plants do better with some afternoon shade this time of year. You can provide shade with shade cloth, broad or sheet metal positioned on the west side of the plants. Once the temperature moderates in September you can remove the shade devices.     
 
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.
AUGUST

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.

Nacogdoches: Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches. Horticulturist Laura Miller will present "Ornamental Plants for a Drier and Hotter World." Miller is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service commercial horticulture agent for Tarrant County. She provides informal educational programs and problem-solving services to anyone wanting to make money in horticulture. She assists all gardeners, from green industry professionals to fruit, vegetable and ornamental plant growers. Prior to taking on her present position in 2008, she was a commercial horticulture extension agent for seven years at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. A sixth-generation Texan, Miller is a graduate of Eagle Pass High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in horticulture and a Master of Education in agricultural education from Texas A&M University. She is a Texas Certified Nursery Professional and serves on the boards of Region V of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council, the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, and the International Plant Propagators' Society - Southern Region of North America. 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 Brundrett Conservation Education Building. For more information, call (936) 468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society will present a program by Grace Emery on August 11. In addition to being the current president of the Herb Society, Grace is also a Master Gardener, and Red Cross volunteer. She will be speaking on Garden First Aid and Citizen CPR. Basic first-aid topics covered will include bleeding, heat stress, poisoning, bug, spider, and snake bites, back strain, and sunburn. Some herbal remedies will also be covered as well as traditional Red Cross first aid. The meeting will be held at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels at Parland from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free and the public is welcome. For more information, visit www.sanantonioherbs.org.
 
Seabrook: Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 present one of their own, Chris Hammen, speaking on "Fall Vegetable Gardening in Our Area," 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.. Thursday, August 11, at Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. Free. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

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.

Houston: Open Garden Day, with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2. 8:30-11:00 a.m., Monday, August 15, at the Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Houston. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. Free. Plants for sale every Monday in the Greenhouse. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.

Lufkin: Dr. Bill Welch will present "Redesigning the Landscape" at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 15, at Angelina Extension, 2201 S. Medford Drive, Lufkin. Cost is $10 at the door. Dr. Welch's books will be available for sale and signing at 6:00 p.m. Call 634-6414 for more information.

La Marque: "Gardening by the Square Foot" with GC Master Gardener Jon Johns presenting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., August 16, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. For additional information, visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

Odessa: Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland Counties) will continue its Backyard Basics series with classes on Home Egg Production. Classes will be held on Tuesday, August 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. with an identical class on Wednesday August 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Choose either class to fit your schedule. Both classes will be held at the West Texas Food Bank, 411 South Pagewood, Odessa. Attendance is free, but registration is requested at 432-498-4071. Topics will include buying and raising chicks, feeding, housing, care and costs, egg production and end of production.

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 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. 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.

Woodway: Mark Barnett, Master Gardener and Horticulturist/Landscape Designer, will present a program on Native Texas Plants, noon to 2:00 p.m., August 17, Pavilion at the Woodway Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway. From flowers to bushes to trees, learn about many plants that do very well in Central Texas landscapes. Free. For more information, call 254-399-9204.

San Antonio: "Colorization of Bluebonnets" will be presented Thursday, August 18, 1-3:30 p.m., at Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208, San Antonio. The Texas State Flower has been given notable attention in paintings, songs and roadway beautification efforts. The "blue" in bluebonnet is only one of many colors available in this remarkable and beautiful wildflower. Retired AgriLife Extension Horticulturist Dr. Jerry Parsons worked many years to expand the choice of colors for the gardener and for overall beautification, and to garner further recognition for the Texas bluebonnet. During this afternoon seminar, Dr Parsons will share the history and efforts that have led to colorful new selections. Free and open to the public. Bexar County Master Gardner (BCMG) Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held on the afternoon of the third Thursday every other month. For more information contact BCMG President: President@bexarmg.org, or call 210-631-0400, or visit http://www.bexarmg.org/colorization-blue-bonnets/.

Seven Points: A free presentation on growing grapes in Texas will be hosted by the Henderson County Master Gardeners and presented by Dr. Justin Scheiner. Thursday, August 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Cedar Creek Library, 410 E Cedar Creek Parkway, Seven Points. Justin Scheiner received a B.S. in Horticulture and Crop Science from Sam Houston State University in 2005. In 2007, he received his M.S. in Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences from Texas A&M University. Dr. Scheiner earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Cornell University in 2010. From 2010 to 2013 he served as the Director of the Viticulture and Enology Program at Grayson College. Dr. Scheiner joined the faculty of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M as an Assistant Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist in 2013. Dr. Scheiner's Extension activities include developing educational programming for prospective and current grape growers in the state of Texas and conducting applied research on best management practices for vineyards in areas of Texas affected by Pierce's Disease. Dr. Scheiner also teaches HORT 416 Understanding Wine: From Vines to Wines and Beyond, and he is a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. For more information, call 903-675-6130 or visit www.henderson-co-tx-mg.org.

San Angelo: A Lunch 'n' Learn seminar will be on Friday, August 19, and will feature Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist talking about Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation. No matter what the weather is doing, we seem to always need more water. Learn how to capture and store rainwater when we get it, so you can use it when we don't. Also find out how to be the most efficient with landscape water so it will last as long as possible. 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. Feel free to bring your lunch. The cost is $5. All funds go toward the PPC garden projects.

San Angelo: Green Thumb Gardening Mini Seminar on Saturday, August 20, from 9 a.m. until noon. There are three featured speakers. Tommy Olive, owner Olive Nursery, will talk about "Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt." He will discuss different ways to amend your soil to make your landscape more productive and require less water. Linda Rowe, Master Gardener, will talk about the benefits and how to's of Vermiculture-Worm Farming. Learn how to start a worm farm and how it can benefit your soil in your garden and landscape. Finally, Susan Stanfield, Master Gardener, will talk about composting and how to start a compost pile. She will also demonstrate how composting can be beneficial to lawn and landscape. 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 special door prizes will be given away, including the materials to start a worm farm and a bottle of Tommy's special recipe of Olive's Oil. Pre-registration requested to assure materials, call 325-656-3104.

La Marque: "Flower Arranging" with GC Master Gardener Jackie Auer presenting, 9:00-11:00 a.m., August 27, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. For additional information, visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
 
La Marque: "Growing Strawberries" with MG Master Gardener Robert Marshall presenting, 1:00-2:00 p.m., August 27, at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building in Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St., La Marque. Fee/Free. Participants must pre-register: 281-534-3413. Galveston County Master Gardener event. For additional information, visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.

San Antonio: "Start Growing Your Fall Tomatoes Now!" will be presented Saturday, August 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon at Milberger's Landscape Nursery. 3920 North Loop 1604,San Antonio. This free Earth-Kind Seminar will be presented by David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist. South Texas offers vegetable gardeners two great growing seasons every year. Fall has milder temperatures which bring out the best flavors in home vegetable gardens. Insects and disease are less bothersome. And you can grow warm- and cool-season crops. Bring your questions and a notebook. Earth-Kind combines organic and traditional principles that help homeowners create lush yet environmentally safe gardens and landscapes. These research-proven techniques are successful, and preserve and protect the environment. For more information, visit http://www.milbergernursery.com/event/start-growing-your-fall-tomatoes-now/.

San Antonio: Michelle Gorham, Community Gardens Manager, will present "How to Start a Community Garden Workshop" Aug. 27 at EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main Ave., San Antonio. Green Spaces' staff has designed a great new workshop to expedite and ease the community garden startup process. It is based on years of identifying best practices. It is for any group which has a current funding source or at least has gathered lots of in-kind materials. Garden groups should also come to the workshop with passion for and dedication to their project, even if they might be lacking in the realms of community organizing, construction, and local-gardening practices. The workshop will be comprehensive in nature and 3-4 hours long. Topics covered will include: Organizing your community; Site selection and design; Overview of garden components like raised beds, pergolas, and rainwater collection; Resources for locally appropriate gardening techniques; Fundraising; and Garden maintenance. The cost for the workshop is $75/per person.
SEPTEMBER

Woodway: Master Gardener Steven Lovecky will share his knowledge and love of growing Cacti and other succulents. (He knows a lot!) The program runs from noon to 2:00 p.m., September 21. Join us at the Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway, for an interesting afternoon. For more information, call 399-9204 or email jschaffer@woodwaymail.org.

Lufkin: 4th Annual Native Plant Sale will be held at the Farmer's Market, 2107 S Medford Dr., Lufkin, on Saturday, September 24, beginning at 8:00 a.m. until sold out. Featuring native and well adapted ferns, grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees. Angelina Master Gardeners. Call 634-6414 for more information.
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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