May 8, 2024

When dividing perennial plants, use a sharp spade or Hori Hori garden knife to easily cut plants into smaller sections. (Photo courtesy of Corona Tools)

Dig, divide, and boost your garden’s beauty

By Melinda Myers

Overcrowded, poor flowering, and floppy perennials can be invigorated with a shovel and a bit of your time and energy. Dividing perennials is an excellent way to improve their appearance and create new plants to use in other spaces in your landscape.

As the old garden adage states “divide spring-flowering perennials in late summer or early fall, divide fall bloomers in spring, and summer-blooming perennials in either spring or fall.” Some gardeners prefer to enjoy the spring blooms and divide soon after the flowers fade. Most gardeners have found the best time to divide is when they have the time and can provide proper post-transplanting care.

Reduce the stress on plants by dividing perennials on a cloudy, overcast day when the plants won’t dry out so quickly. Make sure the plants are well-watered a day or two in advance of dividing.

Dig up the whole plant using a garden fork or sharp spade, like Corona Tools’ DigMaster Nursery Shovel, with its narrow, hardened steel blade. A shovel with a long handle and narrow blade makes it easier to access plants in small and hard-to-reach spots in the flower garden.

Carefully lift the plant out of the soil. Depending on the plant and the tenacity of its roots, you may be able to gently pull the roots apart with your hands. Otherwise, use a sharp spade or knife, such as a Hori Hori garden knife, or a reciprocating saw to cut the plant into smaller sections. Some gardeners place two garden forks back-to-back in the center of the clump and pull the forks apart to make the divisions.

Discard the dead center, if needed, in the compost pile. Make sure each division has at least three to five healthy shoots and adequate roots. The larger the division, the quicker it will fill in the space and possibly need dividing sooner than smaller divisions.

Replant the divisions as soon as possible. In the meantime, store them in a cool, shaded location and keep the roots covered and moist.

Prepare the soil before planting. You can plant one of the divisions in the original spot once the soil is amended. Use the others to fill in bare areas or start new garden beds. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Plant the division at the same depth it was growing. Some gardeners set it slightly higher so it can settle in place. Either way, make sure the roots are not exposed and the crown, the part where the roots meet the stems, is not buried.

Gently firm the soil around the plant and water thoroughly. Check the soil moisture every few days and water deeply and often enough to keep the roots slightly moist. Reduce your watering frequency as the plant begins to develop a more robust root system.

Start by dividing just one or two overgrown plants. As you master the technique, you will find it easier to divide perennials when needed to keep your gardens looking their best.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Bloom magazine. Myers’s website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

Tips to yard your way for the planet

TurfMutt Foundation

For fifteen years the TurfMutt Foundation has advocated for the care and use of yards, parks, and other green spaces — what the Foundation calls “backyarding.” The outdoor areas around us makes everyday activities like working, dining, and working out more enjoyable, and they are also good for the planet.

“When properly planted and cared for, our yards and community parks can affect climate change on a microlevel and provide support for backyard wildlife and pollinators,” said Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “Remember, nature starts at your back door, and when done right, your yard is good for people, pets and the planet.”

The essential elements that make up your yard and our community parks and public green spaces — including plants, shrubs, trees, and grass — are “environmental superheroes.” Just to name a few benefits, they capture and filter rainwater, produce oxygen, and absorb carbon.

You get to decide how to create a backyard that supports your way of life, shows off your personality, and is designed according to your taste and purpose, adds Kiser. For those with an eco-conscious mindset, here are some tips from TurfMutt to “yard your way” for the planet this spring:

Remember “right plant, right place.” The key to successful eco-friendly backyarding is selecting plants that support your family’s lifestyle and ones that will thrive in your climate zone (with minimal input from you). Refer to the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find the plants, shrubs and trees that are best suited for your home.

Choose real grass. Research has shown that yards must be full of live plants to be beneficial to the local environment. Real turfgrass is a major carbon sink. According to this report, an average-sized home lawn in the U.S. has the potential to sequester 20.3 to 163.4 kg C/lawn/year. Artificial grass, on the other hand, cannot typically be recycled, has to be cleaned and cooled off with water, and is hot.

Plant for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and birds are not only pretty, they’re also critical to our food system and to maintaining biodiversity in our human-made environments. Selecting a variety of native plants that have evolved for your region that will bloom throughout the year is just one way you can support pollinators with your plantings.

Water wisely. Watering too much is actually bad for turfgrass because over-watered grass gets lazy, growing roots in a horizontal pattern. With less water, grass sends its roots deeper and vertically to seek water. By working harder, grass does a better job of sequestering carbon and releasing oxygen.

Mowing know-how. You should only cut off about a third of the height of the grass blades per mow to produce a stronger, healthier lawn. That’s because longer grass blades collect more sunlight, resulting in a thicker turf that has a deeper root system. This helps the grass retain moisture and fight off weeds. Scientists have also found that recycling grass clippings on lawns (called grasscycling) will help your grass sequester even more carbon.

MAY

Online: Elisabeth Castro, an Old Garden Rose devotee, ARS Consulting Rosarian and serves on the HRS Board as Secretary, will provide an overview of the history of the Texas Rose Rustlers and share the best old garden roses to grow in Houston. Elisabeth serves as the 2024 President of The Texas Master Gardener Association and has volunteered on their Executive Committee in various positions over the past seven years. Elisabeth is also the current Chairman for the Texas Rose Rustlers organization and has been an active member for the past ten years. Consulting Rosarians who attend this meeting will receive one hour of continuing education credit. CRs will be required to email president@houstonrose.org prior to the meeting with their name, email address, and name of your rose society if outside HRS in order to receive credit. Join virtually on Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. from the comfort of your home or office. Go to the website www.zoom.us and enter the following meeting information. Meeting ID: 843 7249 9703. Passcode: 896440.

Luling: Sunny Hill Flower Farm is hosting its annual agriculture weekend May 10-11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 399 Pasture Rd. Luling. Visit Sunny Hill to cut flower bouquets in the field full of unending blooms, grab a bite to eat from delicious food trucks, enjoy live music, and visit and view 30 incredible select artisan vendors hosted on the farm. Plus, enjoy some fun farm experiences for the kids, such as farm animals and games. For more information, visit Market at the Farm event | Sunny Hill flower fa (sunny-hill-flower-farm.com). (To be a vendor or for other inquiries, Text/call 512-900-1041.)

Austin: The Travis County Master Gardeners Association presents Inside Austin Gardens Tour (IAGT). Saturday, May 11, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The tour provides a rare look inside four private gardens that demonstrate realistic, sustainable gardening practices for Central Texas that will inform and inspire. The tour’s theme remains: “For Gardeners. By Gardeners,” focusing on the vast variety and practical beauty of native and well-adapted plants in the garden. In turn, each garden has a theme that highlights a particular set of characteristics Central Texas gardeners are likely to encounter in their own gardens. Those themes are: The Suburban Farm – 35 garden spaces, 5 chickens and 2 miniature donkeys on three acres; The Woodland Escape – Shade of 65+ oaks, garden rooms nestled into natural areas, sculpture; The Elevated Garden – Berms, stock tanks, fruits, veggies, bee hives, succulents, a 20-lb. tortoise; The Work-In-Progress – On-going suburban experiments, successes and not. Three of the gardens are at the home of Travis County Master Gardeners, and the fourth, The Work-In-Progress garden, features the home landscape of Travis County Extension Horticulturist Daphne Richards, who also appears weekly on Austin PBS’ widely loved and respected “Central Texas Gardener” television segment. Complete information on the participating gardens and ticket purchases may be found at http://www.InsideAustinGardens.org. If you have a question, leave a message at (512) 710-7098, or send an email to travismghelpdesk@gmail.com.

Online: Harris County Master Gardeners present Identifying "Good and Bad" Bugs at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 13. Learn how to tell the difference between beneficial and damaging insects in your garden. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Summer Gardening "at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 13, at the Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn how to help your garden thrive in the summer heat. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Seguin/Marion: The Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1121, E. Walnut St. Seguin., The Presenter will be David Will, a Horticultural Consultant that will be doing a 2-part Program about “Saving Prairie Grasses.” Part 1 will be in Seguin and Part 2 on June 11 in Marion. There will be a seed/plant exchange, social time at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program 7:00 p.m. Parking in the rear, enter from N. Moss Street. Meetings open to the public, Visitors welcome. For more information: http://npsot.org/chapters/guadalupe/.

Katy: The Harris County Master Gardeners present "Gardening for Beginners"at 9:00 a.m., May 15, at the Peckham Aquatic and Fitness Center HCP4, 5597 Gardenia Lane, Katy. Learn the basics to start and maintain a garden in yur yard. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners present "Raised Bed Gardening" at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn the tips and tricks for helping your plants thrive in a raised-bed garden. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

Smith County: Smith County Master Gardener Annual Home Garden Tour, May 18, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets may be purchased in advance online $15.00 at txmg.org/smith/event/2024-home-garden-tour or $20 the day of the tour at any garden tour location. For more information, visit https://txmg.org/smith/event/2024-home-garden-tour/ or call 903-590-2994.

Online: Harris County Master Gardeners present Identifying "Good and Bad" Bugs at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21. Learn how to tell the difference between beneficial and damaging insects in your garden. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

Quitman: A demonstration on proper care of orchids & houseplants will be held noon-1:00 p.m., May 23, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

Hempstead: Tues., May 28, 8:30 am: Junior Master Gardener Summer Camp - Wildlife in the Garden and Me, Waller County Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead. $25. RSVP 979-826-7651 https://txmg.org/wallermg/master-gardener/jmg2024/.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardeners present "Permaculture Gardening" at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 29, at the Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn the actions you can take to have a more natural design and flow in your garden. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit hcmga.tamu.edu.

La Marque: “Tomato Tasting in the Garden.” Celebrate tomato culture with the Galveston County Master Gardeners. Tomato tasting and contest to vote for best in show. Presentation of tomato research results to help you improve growing your homegrown tomatoes. Saturday, May 30, 9-11 a.m. Free. Location: Discovery Garden in Carbide Park, 4102 Main St (FM 519), La Marque. Register and learn more: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/.

JUNE

McKinney: The Collin County Master Gardeners Association will host their annual Walk in the Park on Saturday, June 1, 9:00 a.m.-noon. A Walk in the Park features self-guided tours of the international award-winning research and demonstration gardens at beautiful Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, Texas. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the great outdoors and see the season’s star plants in full bloom. Enjoy fun educational activities for children and demonstrations in the gardens. This is a FREE event for the entire family. Learn about Earth-Kind gardening principles and see beautiful plants that push the limits to survive and thrive in North Texas’s extreme weather conditions without fertilizer, pesticides, and with minimal irrigation. The gardens include perennials, annuals, herbs, a potager garden, a vegetable garden, a vineyard, a shade garden, shrubs, trees and grasses and even a pollinators garden. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Amid the blooms and greenery, the Art Club of McKinney and the McKinney Plein Air Society will bring extra dimension to A Walk in the Park this year. Artists will be stationed across the gardens offering a glimpse of their creative process as they paint the stunning views, making A Walk in the Park a truly immersive cultural experience. Join the Collin County Master Gardeners at Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. Parking is available at the Polo Field on the north side of the park off CR 168. For more information visit https://ccmgatx.org/events/a-walk-in-the-park/. In the event of rain, A Walk in the Park will be rescheduled to Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Quitman: "Revamping Winnsboro Library Gardens with Earth Kind Principles" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., June 27, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

JULY

Quitman: "Vegetable Gardening for Fall" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., July 25, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

AUGUST

Quitman: "Herbs: Harvesting and Preservation" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., August 22, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

SEPTEMBER

Quitman: "Winterizing Your Garden" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., September 26, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

OCTOBER

Quitman: "Greenhouses: How to Get Started" will be presented noon-1:00 p.m., October 24, at the Wood County Extension Office, 618 S. Main Street, Quitman.

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

Jasper: The Jasper County Master Gardeners meet on the first Monday of each month at St. Michael's Catholic Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The evening begins with pot luck social and then guest presentations and/or educational class to conclude. Visit https://jasper.agrilife.org/jasper-master-gardeners/ 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; Visit  https://mastergardener.tamu.edu/become/ to become a member.

Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardener Association meets the first Monday of each month (second Monday, if the first is a holiday) at the First Christian Church (formerly, and still on Google Maps, Grace Christian Church) located at 504 S. Houston Street, Kaufman. An educational program begins at 10 a.m., followed by the business meeting. For topic and additional information, visit http://www.kcmga.org/ and check Events. Refreshments will be available. For more information or to ask about accommodations, call 469-376-4520, or email Jackie Robertson at jrobertson@ag.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet the first Monday of each month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. Announcements begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an educational lecture. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet the first Tuesday of each month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. Announcements begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an educational lecture. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series/. Location is subject to change for Holidays & Voting days.

Schulenberg: Schulenburg Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 11:30 a.m., September-May, at the Schulenburg First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 110 Upton Ave., Schulenburg.

Corpus Christi: The Coastal Bend Cactus and Succulent Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. The purpose is to stimulate an interest in cactus and succulent plants by providing a forum to foster and broaden knowledge of the plants. Join the society on Facebook: Coastal Bend Cactus & Succulent Society.

Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the first Wednesday of each month, Sept.- May, at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas, 75230. The club hosts different speakers each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come early and order lunch from the The Cafe, which features a healthy menu, fresh local produce and sustainably produced meats and fish (or call in advance to order 972-338-2233). For more information about Garden Masters Inc, email Marcia Borders at borderlineart1@gmail.com.

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: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland counties) have monthly meetings at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the West Texas Food Bank, 1601 Westcliff Drive in Midland. For more information call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.

Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 10:00 a.m., at the First Baptist Church Family Life Building, 500 E. Holland St., Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door of the Family Life Building. Guests are welcome. Members are from Grimes County and surrounding counties.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Garden Center meets on the first Wednesday of each month from September – May at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston, San Antonio. Social and plant sale begins at 9:30 a.m. Program at 10 a.m. Open to the public. For more information visit www.sanantoniogardencenter.org.

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. 

Fort Worth: The Native Plant Society of Texas - North Central Chapter meets the first Thursday of each month, excluding January and July, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m. Guest speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Members, friends, family, guests and the public are welcome. For a list of speakers and topics or more information, visit http://www.txnativeplants.org.

Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually meet at 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.

Gonzales: 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.

Temple: Temple Garden Club, District V meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., the first Thursday of each month (September-May), at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N 3rd Street.

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. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; club business begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation. 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 The First Methodist Church, 1031 TX-456 Loop, Jacksonville. For additional information, contact Kim Benton at kim.benton@ag.tamu.edu.

Cedar Park/Leander/Liberty Hill: The Hill Country Bloomers meet the second Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main Street, Cedar Park. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to socialize and swap plants and seeds. Meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of topics for the home gardener or landscaper. They host a plant sale in the spring and a garden tour in the late summer/early fall. Throughout the year they contribute time and expertise to local projects. Those with any level of experience are welcome. Non-members are invited to their first meeting at no cost. Membership and speaker info is available at www.hillcountrybloomers.com.

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 at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, in the Harrison County Extension Office, 2005 Warren Drive, Marshall. Meetings are held in the AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email hctxmastergardener@gmail.com.

Seguin/Marion: The Guadalupe Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of the month except for July, August, and December. The Chapter alternates meetings. Seguin, First Presbyterian Church, January, March, May, September and November. Marion, St. John Lutheran Church, February, April, June and October. Meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Program at 7:00 p.m., Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/guadalupe.

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.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners host hour-long Lunch & Learn programs on various gardening topics on the second Wednesday of most months from 12 to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch, these programs are free and open to the public. They are held at the AgriLife Extension building, 210 E Live Oak, Seguin. For more information, visit GCMGTX.org.

Woodway: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meeting is held on the second Wednesday of each each month at noon at the Central Presbyterian Church, 9191 Woodway Dr., Woodway. 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 Kathy Henderson at kshend@verizon.net or visit http://www.npsot.org/wp/wilco.

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.

Pasadena: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Genoa Friendship Garden Educational Building at 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Pasadena. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

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.

San Marcos: The Spring Lake Garden Club meets the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m., September-May, at McCoy's Building Supply Headquarters, 1350 IH-35, San Marcos. Contact Terri Boyd (512) 395-66644 x6134.

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. at Peace Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 2201 Rio Grande Blvd., 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 10:00 a.m. 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.

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 Gardeners meet on the third Monday of each month at Johnson. County Agricultural Office, 109 W. Chambers, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 6 p.m. An educational program precedes the business meeting.

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 comalmg.org. 

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.

Abilene: The Master Gardeners meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene. For more information, contact Big Country Master Gardeners Association at mgardeners@yahoo.com.

Alvarado: The Alvarado Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month during the months of September through May (excluding December). The meeting time is 1 p.m. and the locations vary for each meeting. The club hosts a different and exciting speaker each month that focuses on enriching the lives of all gardeners. Meetings are free and include a light lunch. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, please contact 817-680-4291. 

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.

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.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardeners Herb Interest Study Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (January to November) at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1601 N. Main Street, Belton, in the Kitchen Classroom. Socialize from 10-10:30 a.m. Study Begins promptly at 10:30-Noon.

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/.

Waco: The McLennan County Master Gardeners host Lunch with the Masters on the third Wednesday of each month at noon at MCC’s Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC), 7601 Steinbeck Bend Dr., Waco. These educational programs are free and open to the public. Attendees bring their own lunch. For more information, call 254-757-5180.

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.

Hallettsville: The Hallettsville Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month from September through May, at the First United Methodist Church Annex, corner of S. Glendale and East Fourth streets behind the church in Hallettsville. Each month, the club hosts speakers that provide informative programs on a wide range of gardening subjects, and refreshments are provided by member hostesses afterwards. Visitors are welcome! Please email Sharon Harrigan at sharonspetals@gmail.com for more information.

Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter meets at 6:45 pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway, Houston. For more information about meeting presentations and native plants, visit https://npsot.org/wp/houston/. 

Mineola: The Fannie Marchman Garden Club meets at the Mineola Civic Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month from September through May. For additional information, find them on Facebook or email FannieMarchmanGardenClub@gmail.com.

Ft. Worth: The North Texas Daylily Society is affiliated with the American Daylily Society and is located in AHS Region 6. Club meetings are held in the Camellia Room located inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, on the third Thursday of each month (excluding June and July). Throughout the year NTDS hosts guest speakers, special interest programs, an annual daylily show, an annual daylily sale, and social activities and outings. For more information visit, their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northtexasdaylilysociety.

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 with presentation is held 6:00-8:00 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1:00-3:00 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.

Fort Worth: The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at Texas Garden Club Inc, 3111 Old Garden Club Rd., Fort Worth (located next to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden), 10:00 a.m. to noon, September through June. For more information, email herbalhen@yahoo.com.

FOURTH WEEK

New Braunfels: The New Braunfels Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the fourth Monday of each month except July and December. Meetings are held at the New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E. Common St, New Braunfels. Meetings are “hybrid” with in-person and Zoom available. They start at 5:45 PM. with a meet and greet time, followed by a short business meeting at 6:15 PM. Programs begin at 6:30 PM. Native plant and seed exchanges are held monthly. Expert speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information about Zoom or to join, visit https://npsot.org/wp/newbraunfels/.

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 County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Ct., 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.

San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, except August, November and December, at the Gathering Hall at The Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park and via Zoom. 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 (except November and December) at the Houston Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact hnpat@prairies.org.

Austin: The Garden Club of Austin meets at Zilker Botanical Gardens auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. 7:00-7:30 p.m. Refreshments and Social, followed by a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Free. For additional information, visit http://thegardenclubofaustin.org/.

Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except June, July and August) at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room of the Leander Presbyterian Church, 101 N. West St., Leander, unless there is a special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, there is a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call President Kathleen Tully at 512-422-8580 or email LeanderGardenClub@gmail.com.

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.

Denton: The Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets the fourth Thursday of each month to share information about native plants. Excellent programs are heard each month, January-September. Social time begins at 6:30, program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/trinity-forks/.

Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets on the last Thursday of each month, January through September, at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. October is the annual potluck. Visitors are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments provided by members. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. followed by a raffle. For additional information, email board@aogc.org.

Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month (except November and December) at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Road, Dallas. For more information, visit www.gdogc.org. 

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Texas Gardener's Seeds has been published each Wednesday since April 26, 2006.

Publisher: Jay White ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

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