June 19, 2024

While parts of the state struggle with a lack of rain, others have been experiencing more than the ground can handle in many places. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Protect your garden from water stress caused by too much, not enough rain

By Susan Himes

Texas A&M Extension Service

Texas gardens are often water stressed, plagued by too much or too little rain.

Ironically, the symptoms of too much and not enough water in your garden are often the same — sad looking plants with droopy leaves, said Larry Stein, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist at Uvalde and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Either water extreme can kill your plants. Standing water and saturated soil deprive a plant’s roots of oxygen. If there is not enough water, the plant will stop sending water from the roots up to the leaves.

Reduce water stress for plants

Whether it is supplemental irrigation to key plants or creating critical drainage, Stein said gardeners can help plants survive times of water stress.

When the issue is too much rain, plants in pots can be brought under eaves and placed in sheltered areas or protective domes can be used over flower beds.

But the best way to deal with too much rain is to address the situation before it happens. Make sure your soil is well-draining. When creating raised beds, ensure you are using the right type of soil. Well-drained soil allows water to percolate through it and not pool.

At the other extreme, exceedingly dry conditions can push valued landscape plants including trees to the brink.

“Sad to say, but the places not getting rain are getting desperately dry, and if things don’t change soon, more plants are going to die,” Stein said. “If you are in this dire situation, remember to concentrate water on your most critical plants.”

During droughts and in the hotter regions of the state, supplemental irrigation is essential for all but the hardiest plants. Stein said to water lawns and gardens thoroughly, but not too frequently, and try to soak to a depth of 6-12 inches. Because continual watering is not good for plants, is costly and time-consuming, it pays to conserve the moisture around plants.

Stein said preserving moisture is best done by mulching. A good mulch will retain valuable moisture needed for plant growth and improve overall gardening success. Mulches are usually applied 2-6 inches deep, depending on the material used. In general, the coarser the material, the deeper the mulch should be.

Removing competition for water can also help your plants. Make sure to hand-pull or hoe weeds before they mature and produce seed; if weeds aren’t robbing water and nutrients, more will be available for the plants you want to see grow.

Don’t toss your cicadas

By Samantha Tibbetts

E-Commerce Manager, Lawnifi

It’s really happening. Cicadas are popping up in waves all across the U.S. The 13-year and 17-year broods XIX and XIII are co-emerging in 2024 and it is leaving a lot of people wondering how to dispose of them.

Whether you find the critters fascinating or disgusting, you can leverage their arrival to benefit your garden if you’ve got the gall. Understanding how to use the bodies of cicadas and their shells can transform this once-in-a-generation event into some sustainable gardening goodness.

Using Cicada Carcasses and Shells in Your Garden

Nutrient-Rich Fertilizer. Dead cicadas are loaded with nitrogen—an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen and other vital minerals are released into the soil as they decompose, promoting healthy plant development.

Improved Soil Structure. The exoskeletons of cicadas contain chitin, a natural compound that’s good for the soil. Chitin promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the ground, helping to build a thriving ecosystem that supports your plants.

By incorporating molted cicada shells or dead cicadas into your potted plant soil or garden beds, you help improve its texture and fertility. And hey, you’re cleaning up a bunch of dead bugs while you’re at it. Win-win!

Natural Compost Enhancement. This is easy mode. Adding cicadas and empty shells to your compost pile can speed up the composting process. Nitrogen acts as a fuel for the microorganisms that break down organic matter. It is arguably the fastest and easiest way to get rid of these bugs in a productive manner.

How to Use Cicadas and Shells as Fertilizer

Sprinkle in your Garden. Dropping cicada carcasses and shells directly in your garden is a straightforward and effective method of boosting soil fertility. Still, it pays to spend some time on it. Here’s how to turn those cicada piles into a fantastic fertilizer:

• Crush ’em: Collect cicada shells and bodies, then crush them into smaller pieces. You can do this by placing them in a sturdy bag and gently stepping on them or using a garden tool like a shovel. Yes, it’s gross, but crushing them helps speed up the decomposition process, breaking down the bodies and allowing the nutrients to be released more quickly.
• Scatter 'em on the soil: Spread the crushed cicada remains evenly over your garden soil. Aim for a light, even layer to ensure that all areas of your garden benefit from the added nutrients.
• Mix 'em in: Use a rake or hoe to lightly till the crushed cicada material into the top few inches of soil. This helps mix the nutrients in, making them more accessible to plant roots. It also helps hide the fact there are dead bugs all over the garden bed.

Compost Those Insects. Incorporating cicada carcasses and shells into your compost pile can significantly speed up and enhance the composting process due to how nitrogen reacts with organic material. Let’s dig into the steps:

• Add Them to your Compost Pile: Collect cicada bodies and shells and mix them into your compost pile along with other organic materials.
• Balance your Compost: Ensure a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your compost. Cicadas are rich in nitrogen, so balance this by adding carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, straw or cardboard. Aim for a mix that is roughly two-thirds carbon materials to one-third nitrogen materials.
• Maintain Compost Conditions: Keep your compost pile moist but not waterlogged and turn it regularly to aerate the materials and speed up decomposition. With proper management, the cicada-enhanced compost will be ready to use in a few months.

Burying the Bodies & Shells. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of periodical insects you’ve collected, consider burying them in your garden for a natural boost.

Dig a large hole in an area of your garden that needs more nutrients. When in doubt, dig a bigger hole than you think you need.

Dump those cicadas in the hole and cover them with soil. This will speed up decomposition, contain any odors and provide a nutrient-rich area for future planting. It’s a cicada recipe for success to your home-grown food pantry.

Natural Decomposition on Lawn. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can allow cicadas to decompose naturally on your lawn. Simply leave them where they land, and over time, they’ll break down the old-fashioned way.

While this method is easy, be mindful of potential odors and the appearance of decaying insects, which may not be pleasing to you or your neighbors and might attract pests.

More Unique Ideas to Get Rid of Cicadas

If you don’t have a garden, don’t worry, there are a lot of other unique ways to get rid of the overwhelming amount of bugs heading your way. Here are just a few ideas:

• Sell Your Cicadas: That’s right! This is such a garden gold-mine that some gardening neighbors are actually buying them. Give it a try and you might be surprised.
• Eat Them: You won’t want to try this if you’re squeamish, but you can safely consume them or mix them into a recipe from your cookbook. Cicadas are a high-protein additive, like many other insects. Heck, why not give fried cicadas a shot?
• Feed Your Chickens: If you don’t want to eat them, maybe some domesticated critters would love to take your leftovers. Just set the bucket of cicada bodies in their pen and the chickens will go cluck-wild for them.

What to do with those cicada shells and bodies

By using the cicadas and shells as fertilizer, you can enhance your garden’s fertility naturally and sustainably. Just collect the bodies, smash and sprinkle them, bury them in your garden or add to your compost pile. Nature will take control and convert it into a nutrient boost for your soil, lawn and plants.

Embrace this unique opportunity presented by the seasonal cicada broods to enrich your garden and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. It may seem distasteful, but you’ll likely be cleaning them up in one way or another. Might as well get some use out of them.

JUNE

Houston: Residential Rainwater Harvesting by Harris County Master Gardeners, Wednesday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Rain is the best water for your gardens. Learn to capture some of it to help you save money and be prepared during droughts. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Composting by Harris County Master Gardeners, Tuesday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd., Houston. Learn best practices and techniques to make your own compost. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

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

Houston: Organic Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 5, 1:00 p.m. Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr., Houston. Learn more about organic gardening practices and how they benefit your garden. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Composting by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 8, Noon. Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn best practices and techniques to make your own compost. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Online: Fall’s Best Vegetable Garden by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 8, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn how to prep your backyard garden by preparing the soil, using fertilizer and discover which vegetables are best to grow for the fall season. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register.

Houston: Identifying and Managing Bugs by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 9, 1:00 p.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn how to boost your beneficial bugs and safely get rid of the destructive ones. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Fall Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 10, 10:30 a.m. Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston. Learn how to get your fall vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty fall vegetables. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Plant Propagation by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 10, 6:00 p.m. Tuttle Neighborhood Library, 702 Kress St., Houston. Learn the basics of propagating plants for your garden. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Pasadena: Growing and Cooking Mushrooms by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 10, 6:00 p.m. Pasadena Public Library, 4330 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena. Learn the different techniques, tips and tricks to growing and cooking your own mushrooms! Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Composting by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 13, 10:00 a.m. Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonet Street, Houston. Learn best practices and techniques to make your own compost. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Online: Fall’s Best Vegetable Garden by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 16, 11:00 a.m.-noon. Learn how to prep your backyard garden by preparing the soil, using fertilizer and discover which vegetables are best to grow for the fall season. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

Houston: Fall Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 18, 10:00 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn how to get your fall vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty fall vegetables. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Fall Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 23, 10:00 a.m. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd., Houston. Learn how to get your fall vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty fall vegetables. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

Houston: Fall Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 25, Noon. Dr, Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library, 5505 Belrose Dr. Houston. Learn how to get your fall vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty fall vegetables. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

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.

Houston: Growing Tomatoes in Fall by Harris County Master Gardeners, July 30, 10:30 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston. Learn how to get your fall tomatoes started along with tips and tricks to make them thrive. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu.

AUGUST

Houston: Mycorrhizal Fungi by Dr. Lisa Morano, August 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd., Houston. First Tuesday Monthly Lecture Series is free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series

Online: Growing Bulbs in Texas by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 12, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn how to choose, plant and grow bulbs in our warm climate. You can have something in bloom almost every month of the year! Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register

Houston: Composting by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 14, 10:30 a.m. Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr., Houston. Learn best practices and techniques to make your own compost. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu

Houston: Container Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 15, 10 a.m. Glazier Senior Ed Center, 16600 Pine Forest Ln., Houston. Learn the basics to start and maintain a container garden. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu

Hockley: Fall Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 19, 5 p.m. Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., Hockley. Learn how to get your fall vegetable garden started and see how easy it is to grow your own tasty fall vegetables. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu

Online: Growing Bulbs in Texas by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 20, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn how to choose, plant and grow bulbs in our warm climate. You can have something in bloom almost every month of the year! Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events

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.

Houston: Raised Bed Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners, August 27, 10 a.m. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd., Houston. Learn the tips and tricks to get the most out of raised bed gardening. Free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu

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 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.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardners Herb Interest Study Group meets the second Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office: Learning Center, 1605 N. Main Street, Belton. 

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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