September 13, 2023

More than 4,900 people — from hobbyists to professional landscapers, nursery owners and managers, and others in the green industry — attended the recent Texas Nursery and Landscaping Association expo held in San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Paul Schattenberg)

Green industry focused on drought impacts at nursery and landscaping expo

By Paul Schattenberg

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Drought — and its impact on turf grass, plants and trees — was a hot topic during the recent Texas Nursery and Landscaping Association exposition in San Antonio.

Fortunately, experts from Texas A&M AgriLife were available to answer questions and provide information and guidance on this and other topics to many of the expo’s 4,900 attendees. Those attendees ranged from gardening enthusiasts to professional landscapers, commercial nursery owners and other green industry stakeholders.

Representatives from across Texas A&M AgriLife, including from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M Forest Service, as well as experts from across Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences and Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, provided a variety of horticulture-related and other educational materials at the expo.

Additionally, Texas A&M AgriLife experts from the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab and Texas Superstar program were available to answer attendee questions.

Building awareness

“This expo is where many people in the green industry come for informational and educational opportunities and to share their challenges,” said Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station. “And this is where Texas A&M AgriLife has a chance to showcase what information, advice and services we provide to support our nursery and landscaping industry.”

Dhingra said the expo also provides the opportunity to build awareness of Texas A&M AgriLife efforts, as well as reach out to young people interested in gaining an education in horticulture for future professional opportunities in the green industry and reconnect with former students now employed in that industry.

“We’re taking this opportunity to talk about possible internship opportunities for students and networking to connect students and industry,” Dhingra said. “We want to make people aware of the many well-paid opportunities in horticulture, such as orchard manager, nursery manager, landscaper, floral designer, research scientist, viticulturist, winemaker and other career choices.”

Tammy Neel, a program coordinator in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said the expo also provides an opportunity to connect students interested in a horticulture-related career with those already involved in the green industry.

“This gives us a chance to ask those in an already established green industry business if they are looking for interns or full-time employees so we can see if there may be job opportunities for students who are still in our undergraduate program or have recently graduated,” she said.

Neel said 10 Texas A&M Horticulture Club members assisted with booth set up and take down at the expo. Plants donated to the club from the expo will be sold at the annual Fall Plant Sale on Oct. 20-21. Donations will help pay for club member travel.

“The Horticulture Club is a social organization dedicated to bringing Texas A&M students together who share a passion for plants and making a mark on the horticultural community,” Neel said. “Through the club, there are opportunities to learn new information and techniques from guest speakers, professors and each other.”

Each year, the club represents Texas A&M at the Association of Collegiate Branch competitions of the American Society for Horticulture Science.

Green industry educational, informational offerings

Texas A&M AgriLife booths offered materials relating to AgriLife Extension and its programs, plant diseases, Texas Superstar plants, urban forestry, and a wide variety of print and digital educational materials available through AgriLife Learn’s informational and educational outreach.

Texas A&M Forest Service representatives were also on-hand at the expo to promote their decades-long tree improvement program and address any questions attendees might have regarding their agency.

“We are promoting the idea of resilient reforestation in the state by growing trees from selected and improved seed,” said Weston “Wes” Schempf, tree improvement specialist with the agency. “To that end, we are looking for partners for our Urban Tree Improvement Program.”

The agency’s Texas Tested, Texas Tough seeds come from repeated cycles of testing and selection from multiple tree species whose genetics, or family lines, are proven to thrive under various conditions and can be confidently planted to withstand the harsh Texas climate.

Heat- and drought-induced diseases

Many expo attendees concerned with plant diseases, primarily those exacerbated by drought but also by other conditions, met with experts from the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

“A lot of plant disease has been facilitated by the extreme heat and extended drought conditions we’ve been experiencing,” said Kevin Ong, Ph.D., professor and associate head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory helps identify plant diseases so people can better understand what steps they might be able to take to address them and prevent future incidences, Ong said. That way, if a remedy exists, it can be used successfully and effectively.

He said the past year has been extremely challenging for the green industry, and being at the expo gave him the opportunity to discuss those challenges with various industry stakeholders and examine ways to support them.

“These stakeholders include producers, nursery owners and managers, landscapers and people involved in public projects like sports fields or parks,” Ong said. “We can show them what research, educational outreach and technical expertise we might have to help make them more efficient, successful or profitable.”

Plant diagnostic lab personnel fielded inquiries on diseases ranging from phytophthora, which damages plant root systems, to post oak decline, wilt diseases, rose rosette, leaf scald and take-all root rot.

“Many people we spoke with were surprised to learn that take-all root rot, a fungal disease that causes dry, brown dead patches in turf grass, can be promoted by overwatering during drought conditions,” said Samantha Knackstadt, associate diagnostician at the laboratory. “Wet areas provide good conditions for fungus growth while discouraging healthy root growth.”

Knackstadt also noted that drought conditions may impact plant disease diagnosis. They advised people to wait until the weather cools before sending in their samples for disease testing, because in hot, dry weather, the pathogen can go dormant and lead to a false negative in testing.

Research-backed Texas-tested plants

Many expo attendees were drawn to the Texas Superstar booth, which displayed a variety of heat-tolerant, low-water-use plants that received the exclusive Texas Superstar designation.

“The researchers and AgriLife Extension specialists involved in the Texas Superstar program choose these plants after extensive field testing,” said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulture agent, Bexar County. “They are chosen for their attractiveness and ability to thrive in a variety of Texas weather conditions. We also choose those plants we feel confident will be available in sufficient supply to meet consumer demand.”

He said Texas Superstar plants also meet Texas A&M AgriLife’s EarthKind standards for plants requiring less water and fewer chemical inputs. He said for the current drought conditions, some of the Texas Superstar plant types he has been recommending include vinca, Gold Star Esperanza, Pride of Barbados, blue plumbago and lantana, salvia and fall zinnia.

“Along with these ornamental plants, we are also letting attendees know about some of the citrus and other edible plants, like the Ruby Crush tomato, which we gave away at the expo, that have earned the Texas Superstar designation,” Rodriguez said.

He said having Texas Superstars available to the state’s green industry has helped fill a vital consumer niche and provided an additional revenue source for many commercial nurseries and landscapers.

“We’re hoping our educational outreach, technical expertise and the services we provide for the green industry will help the industry recover from its recent challenges and continue to grow as a viable, sustainable industry for the state,” Dhingra said.

Fall lawn care tips

By Valerie Smith

Sod Solutions Content Strategist

It’s time to get prepared for fall lawn care with the colder months ahead. Our list of fall lawn maintenance tips will help your lawn prepare for winter so that it comes back full and thriving in the spring.

Reduce Mowing for Deeper Roots

It’s recommended that you mow your lawn a lot less during the fall months. This is an important tip for fall grass care in warm season lawns like zoysia, bermuda grass, St. Augustine and centipede grass.

Keeping your warm season lawn slightly higher will encourage deeper root growth during the fall so that the grass will survive through winter dormancy.

• Finer-Bladed Zoysia Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 0.5–1.5 inches
• Wider-Bladed Zoysias Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 1–2 inches
• St. Augustine Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 2–4 inches
• Bermuda Grass Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 0.5–1.5 inches
• Centipede Grass Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 1.5–2 inches
• Fescue Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 2.5–3.5 inches
• Bluegrass Mowing Height for the Fall Season: Slightly Higher Than 2.5–3.5 inches

Water Less as Temperatures Drop

Reduce watering in fall as temperatures change. Overwatering can cause disease, especially when combined with shade from falling leaves. Water to prevent drought stress while warm season grasses enter dormancy, requiring 1 inch of water per week. Cool season grasses need 1–1.25 inches. Water in the early morning to minimize disease risk.

Fertilize Your Lawn with the Right Nutrients

Choose the right fall fertilizer for your grass type. Consider the Lawnifi Fall Fertilizer Box, a box made up of three liquid fertilizer bottles. Apply Boost in early fall for green-up, Maintain in mid-fall for balanced nutrition and Recover in late fall for environmental stress preparation before the coldest time of the year. Each bottle covers 5,000 sq. ft. and easily attaches to the end of a garden hose.

Control Weeds with a Pre- or Post-Emergent Herbicide

Apply pre- and post-emergent herbicides for fall weed control. Pre-emergent prevents fall and winter weeds, while post-emergent tackles existing ones. Address hard-to-control weeds like Poa annua, sedge, crabgrass, goosegrass, chickweed and henbit. Fall is ideal for pre-emergent application, also suitable in spring.

Keep an Eye Out for Insect Invasions

Watch for grub worms and chinch bugs in warm and cool season lawns. Other pests like sod webworms, fall armyworms and mole crickets may appear. Use broad-spectrum insecticides for treatment based on the specific pest. Address the issues promptly to prevent damage.

Prevent Disease Outbreaks as Temperatures Change

Apply systemic fungicide preventatively in early fall to keep disease outbreaks under control. Address past issues with multiple fungicide applications in affected areas. Focus on spring dead spot prevention, applying fungicide at high rates. Water after using granular disease control products. Remove dead leaves to prevent shade-induced damage.

Rake dead leaves weekly to avoid shade and moisture accumulation. Adapt your fall lawn care routine for changing seasons, temperatures and soil conditions, ensuring your grass is prepared for the colder months ahead.

SEPTEMBER

Houston and online: Donald Burger will present “How to Grow Roses in Containers,” 7:00-9:00 p.m., September 14. Burger is a Master Consulting Rosarian, a past president and current board member of the Houston Rose Society, a beekeeper, and a long-time gardener and speaker for his many recreational interests in the Houston area. Along with Maria Trevino, Donald grows some 100 roses in his Victorian garden in the Heights. He joined the Houston Rose Society in the 1980s when he bought his first home. It had a bed of 13 roses, and he needed to learn how to care for them. He and Maria have been growing roses ever since. This meeting has been approved for one hour of continuing education credit for ARS Consulting Rosarians. CRs are required to register by email to president@houstonrose.org with your GTM Screen name, email address, and rose society name in order to receive credit. This meeting will be hybrid so you can join from the comfort of your home or office on a computer or smart phone device using GoTo Meeting or join us in person at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., Houston. To join virtually from your computer, tablet or smartphone click on https://meet.goto.com/938258197. Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install.

Online: "Fall is for Planting" will be presented by Fort Bend Master Gardeners, 2-3:30 p.m., Friday, September 15. This virtual presentation is free, but registration is required Landscape Success - Fort Bend (agrilife.org).

Cypress: Growing With Plants & Nature Youth Activity by Harris County Master Gardeners. Saturday, September 16, 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Towne Lake Farmers Market, 9955 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress. Free.

Kaufman: Kaufman County Master Gardeners fall seminar, "Go Native: Saving Nature in Your Yard," will be held at the Grace Christian Church, 504 S. Houston St., Kaufman. Registration begins at 8:30; the program is from 9 to 12:30, September 16. The cost is $10 per person. Register at https://kcmga.org/sheet/go-native-saving-nature-in-your-yard/ to reserve your resource materials. Bees are dying, birds are disappearing, and wildlife extinctions are alarming, the headlines say. What can you do? Plant natives. Learn about selecting flowers, shrubs, and trees that restore nature’s balance and look good doing it, while also using less water, fertilizer, and pesticide, saving both time and money. Using native plants also reduces the cost and effort put into maintaining your landscape. Learn about the national Homegrown National Park movement designed to join gardeners working for nature together. Investigate plants for the area that are the keystone for improvement. Find out about landscaping to draw wildlife to your yard. Native plant expert Janet D. Smith will show how to use native plants for year-round blooms. Contact info@kcmga.org or more information or to request accommodation.

La Marque: “Wild About Wild Flowers” presentation by Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff about native Texas plants and wildflowers. Prime time now for planting. Saturday, September 16, 9-11a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office classroom, located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Free. For additional information and to pre-register: https://txmg.org/galveston or call 281-309-5065.

Houston: Genoa Friendship Garden: Open Garden Day, Monday, September 18, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Tour a variety of planting exhibits and meet with Harris County Master Gardeners. Plants will be available for sale in the greenhouse. Genoa Friendship Gardens, 1210 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Houston. Free.

Online: Green Thumb Gardening Lecture Series: ‘Growing Roses in Texas’ by Harris County Master Gardeners with Harris County Public Library. Tuesday, September 19, 11:00 a.m.-Noon, Free Virtual Lecture. No reservation required. Watch on Facebook at facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

Houston: Harris County Master Gardener Westside Fall Plant Sale, Saturday, September 23, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Bear Creek Park, 3000 Bear Creek Dr, Houston. For more information, visit facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardeners.

Corinth: Fall Into Gardening Event presented by Denton County Master Gardeners & Beulah Acres, Saturday, September 30, 8:15-2:00 p.m., at Global Spheres Center in Corinth. Learn from Master Gardener experts how to plan and grow the garden of your dreams. Steve Huddleston is the Keynote Speaker and there will be presentations, demonstrations and information booths to help you grow! $14 adults, $8 children, includes a box lunch. Sign up at dcmga.com.

Hempstead: The John Fairey Garden Conservation Foundation (formerly Peckerwood), 20559 F.M. 359, Hempstead, host an Open Day Saturday for the fall season 2023 on September 30, October 21, November 18 and December 16. Docent-led tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., cost is $15 for non-members and free to members of our garden and reciprocal program for The American Horticulture Society. For more information, visit www.jfgarden.org.

La Marque: “T-bud Grafting” presentation by Galveston County Master Gardener Hazel Lampton with hands-on workshop, includes methods used on peach, plum, pear, apple, others. Limited to 20 pre-registered participants. Saturday, September 30, 9-11:30 a.m. at Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office classroom, located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Free. For additional information and to pre-register: https://txmg.org/galveston or call 281-309-5065 or call 281-786-6834.

Lufkin: The Angelina County Master Gardeners with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are holding their Annual Fall Native Plant Sale on September 30. The sale will be at the green house in the Angelina County Farmers Market, 2107 S. Medford Dr., Lufkin, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until sold out. They will have a large selection of plants, including trees, bulbs, shrubs, perennials and so much more. Cash and checks only. Any questions, call the Extension Office at 936-634-6414.

OCTOBER

San Antonio: Fall Floral Design School 2023, taught by The Rose Boutique, October 17, Noon-2 p.m., 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. $40 per class. Must be paid one week in advance, credit cards, checks or cash. Fee includes container, fresh flowers and greenery. Take home a beautiful, finished project. Remember to bring your floral tools, such as scissors & wire cutters. For more information, call 210-824-9981 or email info@sanantoniogardencenter.org.

La Marque: “Galveston County Master Gardener – 2nd Annual Fall Festival & Plant Sale” 9 a.m.-1 p.m., October 21. Fun, food, discovery, featuring Discovery Garden Tours and seminars, “Ask a Master Gardener” and Galveston County AgriLife Extension program booths, Master Gardener grown plants, Fall vegetables, herbs, bulbs, and more. Galveston County Master Gardener Discovery Garden inside Carbide Park, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque. Free. For additional information https://txmg.org/galveston or call 281-534-3413.

Tyler: For their 25th anniversary, the Smith County Master Gardeners will present well-known speakers and authors Chris Weisinger of The Southern Bulb Company and Greg Grant, Smith County’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturist. The lectures begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, at Pollard United Methodist Church (3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler). They will be bringing a selection of their own East Texas grown bulbs for the sale to those who attend the conference. Attendees will also have a chance to win fabulous door prizes, including two wonderful, two-night getaway packages, and a “super-sampler” of locally grown bulbs. After the door prizes are awarded, there will be a mini “Run for the Bulbs” when the special bulbs farmed by the speakers are presented for sale; first come; first served. The SCMG webstore (scmg-online.company.site) will open at 7 a.m. on Monday, 9 October, and close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 18 October. Bulbs featured in the sale are all locally-trialed, hardy, heirloom, and hard-to-find. Quite a few of them rarely available for sale. A small selection of hardy trees and shrubs, along with autographed books by the two speakers, plus the new SCMG 2024 calendar and garden guide will be available for pre-order. Anything ordered from the webstore must be picked up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, 21 October, beginning immediately after the conference. During pick-up hours, there will be a plethora of Smith County Master Gardeners to answer gardening questions; “bonus” bulbs, artwork, and T-shirts for sale; children’s activities, and more helping them celebrate their exciting milestone. For more information, visit the Smith County Master Gardener website at https://txmg.org/smith/ or follow them on Facebook. Proceeds from the sale support horticulture education in Smith County, the Tyler Botanical Garden, and scholarships for horticulture students at Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin State Universities. Smith County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

McKinney: The 2023 CCMGA Fall Plant Sale, presented by The Collin County Master Gardeners Association, will be held Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or until sold out. This event will be held in the Show Barn at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney. Proceeds from the sale benefit community outreach programs, horticultural education programs, workshops, and water conservation education throughout Collin County. Fall is the best time for planting in North Texas. Gardeners know they can find the best plants for North Texas gardens at The CCMGA Fall Plant Sale. CCMGA has carefully curated a collection of locally grown drought tolerant plants that are well suited to our climate and will perform well in North Texas gardens. Attendees will find a selection of cool-season annuals along with dozens of varieties of perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses, groundcovers, succulents, vines, daylilies and annuals that are not typically found at big box stores. CCMGA has worked with our growers to offer increased inventory for the sale. Collin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice to help homeowners plant with success. Arrive early for best selection! There is no sales tax, and purchases can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Bringing your own cart or wagon is recommended. With the exception of Service Dogs, No Dogs Allowed. Parking is free. The 2023 CCMGA Fall Plant Sale will be held rain or shine inside the Show Barn at Myers Park located at 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. To learn more visit www.ccmgatx.org.

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) the First Community Church at 1402 Trinity Drive in Crandall. 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 at noon the first Tuesday of each month at a location in Houston to be determined. For additional information, visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/ or call 713-274-0950.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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 Hallettsville Garden and Cultural Center, 107 Fink Street, 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 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.

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.