 |
October 27, 2010 Welcome to Texas Gardener’s Seeds, the weekly newsletter for Texas gardeners. Please do not reply to this e-mail because the sending address is not monitored. See the bottom of this newsletter for information on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or contact the editor. |
|
|
Correct
landscape errors in the fall
By Jay White Fall is my favorite time of the year for gardening.
While I appreciate the milder temps the season brings, I really love
fall gardening because it is the best time of the year for me to correct
my landscaping errors! This is very important to me because even though
I want a beautifully landscaped yard, I have no discernable talent in
the area of landscape design. So, because I love landscaping and I do
not have many skills, I make a lot of landscaping mistakes! Fall is the
perfect time to “do over” those “mistakes” in my beds that just didn’t
turn out as well as I had hoped.
All of the attractive beds at my house are the
product of much trial and error. Each winter I sit down and make a list
of the new plants that I want to plant. Then I get out the graph paper
and lay out a plan. For some reason, the resulting beds never look as
good in my yard as they did on the paper. So, every fall, I move things
that I think would look better somewhere else. Very few of the plants at
our house are currently located where they were originally planted. This
drives my wife crazy. She jokingly calls me “The Mover.” That’s OK. I
would rather take her teasing than leave a plant in a place that I don’t
enjoy.
A lot of people seem to think that plants will die
if they move them. I have not experienced this in any great measure. I
have moved a few things that did die, but most of the things that I have
moved have done all right. In fact, many plants need to be dug up
periodically and moved in order to thrive. Bulbs and irises are classic
examples. Most horticulturists recommend that bulbs and corms that
readily divide should be divided every three years. If you leave irises
alone long enough, the clump will start to die in the center as it
spreads outward. This leaves a fairly unattractive iris “ring” that can
only be fixed by digging them up and moving them around.
Bulbs are not the only thing that can be
transplanted relatively easy. I have learned that just about anything
can be moved (as long as it doesn’t have a deep tap root). Using the
method described below I have successfully moved red buds, crapemyrtles,
roses, small oaks, and a mature sage. I have even successfully moved
half-grown tomatoes, peppers, and many annuals in full bloom. Here is
how I do it.
First, I dig the hole where the plant is going.
This is important. The new hole should be as deep and wide as the root
ball of the plant you are moving. Once a plant is pulled up from its
original location, the roots start to dry out. Having the new hole ready
will allow you to decrease the shock of transplanting by quickly getting
the roots back in the ground.
Next, dig up the plant to be relocated. I dig in a
manner that keeps the root ball intact. I do this by using my shovel to
cut a complete circle into the ground around the plant. As I dig, I push
the shovel into the ground at an angle toward the plant. This will cut
the plant’s roots and allow you to pull up a section of soil that is
roughly the shape of a bowl. Again, try to keep this soil intact as it
protects the roots from exposure.
Finally, use your shovel to transport the plant and
root ball to the new hole. Make sure the plant is replanted at the same
depth as it was in the original location. Now back fill, tamp the soil
and water. Proper watering is critical to the success of this operation.
I always water very deeply immediately after replanting and then I give
it a good deep watering every day for at least a week.
I know in the ideal world, we would design a bed,
plant it and then enjoy it for all eternity. Most of us don’t live in
that ideal world though. If you are not happy with a plant in its
current location, wait until fall and move it. The milder fall
temperatures put less stress on the plant and provide ample time for the
plant to re-root before the cold temperatures of winter kick in. If you
take a little care while relocating them, most plants will hardly even
realize that they have been moved!
P.S. Here is a link to a YouTube video from Bob Villa Productions
that shows a guy doing pretty much what I describe in this article:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHjXv5j3yxo.
Jay White maintains The Master's of Horticulture blog at
http://yupneckw.wordpress.com. |
 |
Scientists
pursue new sustainable alternatives for weed control in organic
production systems
Weed Science Society of America What is the most critical problem facing today’s
organic grower? The USDA’s Invasive Weed Management Unit says the answer
is weeds. They rob fields of moisture, compete with crops for nutrients,
reduce yields and drive up costs.
But a number of innovative research projects are
under way to improve tried and true weed control strategies and to
explore new alternatives that can benefit organic crops.
A few examples: The Global Change and
Photosynthesis Research Unit of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is
exploring practical ways to reduce the persistence of weed seeds — a
long-standing goal for weed scientists. Researchers at Ohio State and
Purdue universities are also exploring ways to reduce the weed seed
bank, while the University of Maine is exploring how to control weeds
through improved crop rotation techniques. Researchers at the same
universities are working with the University of California at Davis and
Wageningen University in The Netherlands on a USDA-sponsored project to
redesign extension programming for organic weed management. They are
developing a best practices model that integrates scientific knowledge
with the indigenous knowledge of experienced organic farmers.
One particularly innovative project underway in
California involves a prototype cultivation device that uses “machine
vision” to attack weeds growing in the crop row. According to Steve
Fennimore, extension vegetable weed specialist with the University of
California at Davis, a video camera mounted on the front of a specially
designed cultivator captures images of the crop row and passes them to a
computer for precise alignment. The blades of the cultivator can then
pass down the row and precisely remove weeds without causing damage to
the crop.
“The prototype is expensive, so it requires a bit
of a leap of faith,” Fennimore says. “But we’ve been able to reduce hand
weeding in lettuce, tomato and celery crops by as much as 40 percent.”
Fennimore is quick to point out that the same
innovative technology holds potential for conventional growers as well.
“Other than herbicides, the toolbox of available
weed management practices is the same for all growers,” he says.
“Effective weed control requires an integrated approach based on
knowledge of each crop and the weeds that threaten it.”
In a survey conducted online by researchers at
Rodale Institute, 85 percent of the organic growers responding use at
least three weed management strategies — and most use six. The top six
practices are hand weeding, mechanical control, mulches, cover crops,
crop rotation and dense planting. These practices remove weeds, prevent
them from being competitive or, in the case of crop rotation, inhibit
weeds that prefer the growing conditions associated with certain crops.
But some of these techniques also have drawbacks.
Farmers who rely on hand-weeding know it is a labor-intensive process.
And the disadvantages of extensive mechanical control (tillage) are
well-documented in some types of crops and fields. Tillage can promote
soil erosion and rob the soil of moisture. According to the National
Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA), it also can disturb
soil biology, increase runoff, decrease water infiltration, damage soil
structure and even invite weeds by exposing bare ground. Such drawbacks
heighten the need for scientific research focused on sustainable weed
management alternatives.
“Research that advances our knowledge of the
biology, ecology and management of weeds is fundamental to success on
any farm, and it is vital that we do more of it,” Fennimore says.
“Scientific investigation gives us a broader base of tools that can be
used successfully — regardless of the size of the operation or whether a
farmer chooses conventional or organic growing practices.” |
|
|
The Compost Heap Tarantulas better left in wild “I receive your Seeds newsletter online and I really enjoy it,” writes Paula Phillips. “However, the most recent one (‘Spiders and pumpkins and bats, oh my!” Seeds, October 20, 2010) discusses bats, spiders and pumpkins. In the section about tarantulas, the writer says that they make good pets, although short-lived. I work at San Marcos Nature Center and we have several tarantulas. I have also raised them in the past. They do not make good pets and I feel that you do them a disservice by encouraging folks to buy and keep them. They are remarkably fragile and should be left in the wild, especially with their habitat disappearing at an alarming rate. I hope that in the future, you won't encourage people to take native species from the wild or patronize pet stores that sell exotics and other ‘pets.’” |
 |
Gardening tips
"Be careful when putting grass clippings directly onto your growing soil, to 'compost in place,'" writes Ruth Kaplan. "If they are scavenged from someone who may use herbicides on their lawn, the herbicides may cause problems for your vegetables. It can take up to a year for herbicides to break down in compost. My rule is, mulch with leaves, compost with grass." Have a favorite gardening tip you’d like to share? Texas Gardener’s Seeds is seeking brief gardening tips from Texas gardeners to use in future issues. If we publish your tip in Seeds, we will send you a free Texas Gardener hat. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at: Gardening Tips. |
 |
Did You Know...
Not all plant symptoms are indicative of a disease like a virus. Some of these symptoms look similar to those caused by nutrient deficiencies. If the symptoms occur in a scattered fashion among plants in the row or bed, the problem is likely a disease. If all the plants show the symptoms then the problem is likely a nutrient deficiency. |
 |
Upcoming garden events.
If you would like your organization’s events included in "Upcoming Garden Events" or would like to make a change to a listed event, please contact us at Garden Events. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details at least three weeks prior to the event. Rockwall: Texas AgriLife Extension Service is hosting a Homeowner Landscape Design school October 29 at the Rockwall County Library. Cost is $95 per household and pre-registering and payment must be made by October 15. The cost includes a full day seminar, landscape handbook, personal landscape consultation and more! Call 972-204-7660 for more information. Austin: “Caring for Your Trees” will be presented Saturday, October 30, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., at the Yarborough Public Library, 2200 Hancock Dr., Austin. Join Austin’s City Arborist, Michael Embesi, to learn about the benefits of trees, the urban forest, and why trees are an essential part of our lives. Learn to select appropriate trees for Central Texas landscapes, those that are appropriate for native soils and tough climate. Understand how to select and care for the right tree, in the proper location, considering size, longevity, and biological needs. Finally, hear about opportunities within multiple community programs, including grant opportunities, which promote the urban forest. This seminar is free and open to the public. It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For more information, visit www.tcmastergardeners.org. Kemah: The Kemah-Bay Area Garden Club will hold its next meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 3, at the Jimmie Walker Community Center, 800 Harris Avenue, Kemah. The program will be "Flowers and Waterdrops," a painting presentation by Liz Pearsall, artist/owner of Windale Studios in La Porte. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited. For additional information, call Annience Larkins, president, at 281-842-9008. Marble Falls: Thinking about having purple martins this spring? Join Master Gardener Robert Yantis November 4 for a "Living with Purple Martins." Purple martins are the only birds that depend on humans for their housing. Learn about taking care of and enjoying our beautiful springtime visitors at a program presented by the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society in Marble Falls at the Marble Falls Public Library at 9:30 a.m. See upcoming gardening events at http://yantislakesidegardens.giving.officelive.com/events.aspx. Kingsland: Learn the techniques for taking beautiful pictures of plants and wildlife in your garden in a program presented free by the Kingsland Garden Club. Master Naturalist and expert photographer Marvin Bloomquist will give you tips on "Photography in Your Garden" Friday, November 5, at the Kingsland Library. The meeting begins at 1 pm., and the program starts at 1:45 pm. For more information, call 325-388-8849. Burnet: Learn helpful tricks to having a successful Hill Country garden with "Tips on Hill Country Gardening" with Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and author Bill Luedecke. This is a free Green Thumb Program presented by the Master Gardeners at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 6, at the Burnet Library. Shop before and after at the Master Gardeners Farmers Market on the Square across from the library in downtown Burnet. Fredericksburg: The annual Grape Camp, sponsored by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, will be held November 7 and 8 at the Lady Bird Johnson Pioneer Pavilion, 432 Lady Bird Johnson Dr., Fredericksburg. Educational programming for the camp is designed and conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with universities and TWGGA. Presentations at the camp will be made by members of the AgriLife Extension Viticulture Team, as well as by members of TWGGA and the University of Houston-Downtown. The camp’s "Beginners Session" will be from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 . The program, designed for those new to wine-grape production, will be followed by a networking reception and barbecue dinner fundraiser. Attendee registration and welcome for the beginner session will be from 8-9 a.m. Presentation topics for the day will include vineyard site selection, preparation and design; grape varieties and rootstocks; vine-training systems and training young vines; legislative issues affecting the Texas wine industry; the new U.S. Department of Agriculture "Rocks to Wine" grant to the University of Houston; weed control for non-bearing and bearing vineyards; disease and insect management; and using sustainable contracts to eliminate harvest misunderstandings. The "Advanced Session” designed for those with commercial vineyard experience, will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 8. The day's program starts with an attendee registration and welcome from 8-9 a.m., then presentations begin at 9. Advanced program topics will include the benefits of Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association membership; legislative issues and regulation compliance issues affecting wine-grape growers; crop estimation; fruit thinning for crop uniformity and enhanced quality; balancing yield and quality in the vineyard; balancing yield and quality in the winery; maturity monitoring and harvest timing; the influence of vine vigor on grape quality; an update on 2,4-D regulatory status and potential actions for remediation of 2,4-D damage. Registration costs vary, depending on sessions, association membership, meal menu choices and a la carte options. For registration options and information, go to TWGGA Events Registration at http://www.twggastore.org/Grape-Camp_c9.htm. For more information on membership or event registration, contact Monica Kaczmarski at Monica@twgga.org or 817-424-0570. Pearland: The Harris County Master Gardener Association will present a program about soils and composting from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 9, at Bass Pro Shops, Highway 288 at the San Houston Tollway, Pearland. This lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 11, at the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor, 402 W 8th St., Georgetown. Visitors welcome. For additional information, contact Susan Waitz at 512-948-5241 or visit http://www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm. Austin: “Growing Culinary Herbs in Texas” will be presented Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. until noon, at the American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Rd., Austin. Herbs are a delight to the senses and an easy way to add beauty to your landscape! This class will cover the basics of growing both seasonal and perennial culinary herbs in central Texas, and will offer some suggestions for their use. Class size is limited, so sign up early by calling the Master Gardener Help Desk at 512-854-9600. This seminar is free and open to the public. It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For more information, visit www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at 512-854-9600. Seabrook: Dr. Anthony Camerino, County Extension Agent, Texas AgriLife Extension, Harris County, will answer the question, "What Is Organic Gardening" at 10 a.m., November 17, at The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the lakeside), 5001 NASA Road 1, Seabrook. Johnson will discuss when and how to accomplish major tasks and what not to do in the landscape. This lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Houston: Considering all the rain and flooding that Harris County gets — with or without tropical storms — one wouldn't think that rainwater harvesting would be a hot topic. But rainwater harvesting is a good fit for wet areas as well as dry. "There's quite a bit of interest in rainwater harvesting in Harris County," said Justin Mechell, AgriLife Extension water resources specialist. "They have a lot of rainfall, so there's a lot to capture. And also they're irrigating quite a bit of land, so there's a big need and great potential for capturing that water; it provides a good opportunity." To respond to that growing interest, AgriLife Extension will offer a one-day training in collecting and using rainwater on November 18 at the AgriLife Extension office in Harris County, 3033 Bear Creek Drive, Houston. The training has been designed primarily for professional landscapers, but the public is welcome, Mechell said. Pre-registration for the course is $125; same-day registration will be $150. A 90-percent refund will be given to those who pre-register but have to cancel. Registration includes a manual with more than 200 pages written by AgriLife Extension engineers and rainwater harvesting experts. Lunch will be provided. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m., with the presentation beginning at 9 a.m. First up will be a "big-picture" overview of rainwater harvesting methods used throughout the state, including their sustainability and economics. "Sizing of Rainwater Harvesting System Components" will review the basic components of a rainwater harvesting system, including information on how to size a storage tank, cover designs and pipe systems. After lunch, "Methods to Improve Stored Water Quality" will cover selecting roofing materials, gutter screening, first-flush diversion design, basket screens, connection of multiple tanks and dealing with overflows. In "Treatment of Harvested Water," AgriLife engineers will explain what kind of treatment is needed for collected water depending on its use, potable or non-potable use. The session titled "Maintenance" will cover maintenance of filtering and disinfection devices, as well as tanks, gutters and rooftops. The training will end with an opportunity for participants to review, evaluate and ask questions. To register, go to the AgriLife Extension conference services website at https://agrilifevents.tamu.edu and search for "rainwater." Alternately, participants may call 979-845-2604 to register. For more information, Mechell can be reached at 979-845-1395 or JKMechell@ag.tamu.edu. Jasper: Jasper County Farmers Market will hold a special holiday market November 20 with food, music, crafts and contests as the grand finale to the growing season. The market is open every Saturday 8 to 10 a.m. May-November on Hwy 96 N in Jasper one mile north of Hwy 190. The holiday market will have extended hours, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and have a pumpkin bake-off, kids pumpkin decorating contest, door prizes and live music. Homemade crafts, baked goods and group fundraisers are welcome at this event. Master gardeners who run the market are now taking applications for $5 booth space. Call 409-384-3721 for more information. Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 9, at the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor. There will be a silent auction and potluck dinner. Visitors welcome. For additional information, contact Susan Waitz at 512-948-5241 or visit http://www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm. Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, January 13, at the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd floor. Ginger Hudson will present her new book Landscape Maintenance for Central Texas Gardens. Visitors welcome. For additional information, contact Susan Waitz at 512-948-5241 or visit http://www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm. Houston: The Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale will be held 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until sold out, January 15, at Robertson Football Stadium on the University of Houston campus, Scott Street at Holman Street, Houston. This annual sale brings together far more types and varieties of fruit trees than can be found anywhere else in the greater Houston area. Fruit trees are easy to grow in metro Houston, with little care and big results. Learn more about growing fruit trees from Urban Harvest. For more information, visit www.urbanharvest.org. New Braunfels: Registration has begun for the Comal Master Gardener Training Class which will be held from January 19 to May 11, 2011. Applications for the class are currently on the Comal Master Gardener website at http://www.txmg.org/comal/ or contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office at 830-620-3440 for more information. Class size is limited and applications are accepted in the order they are received. The class will meet each Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Comal County Office, 325 Resource Dr., New Braunfels (behind the Comal County Recycling Center). McKinney: The Collin County Master Gardeners will present The Garden Show, March 26 and 27 at the Myers Park and Event Center near McKinney. The show is focused on providing research based horticulture information to area residents. For more information, contact thegardenshow@dfwair.net or visit www.ccmgatx.org/thegardenshow. MONTHLY MEETINGS Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet at noon the first Tuesday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension, 3033 Bear Creek Drive (near the intersection of Highway 6 and Patterson Road), Houston. For additional information visit http://hcmga.tamu.edu or call 281-855-5600. Rockport: The Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners meets at 9 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the AgriLife Extension Office - Aransas County, 611 E. Mimosa, Rockport. For additional information, e-mail aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103. Kilgore: Northeast Texas Organic Gardeners meets at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Wildwood Eco-Farm in Kilgore. For more information, call Carole Ramke at 903-986-9475. 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. Austin: Austin Organic Gardeners meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin. For more information, visit www.main.org/aog. Marion: The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of each month except July and August at The Library, 500 Bulldog, Marion. There is a plant exchange and meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information or an application to join NPSOT visit www.npsot.org/GuadalupeCounty/ or contact contact guadalupecounty@npsot.org. Pearland: The second Tuesday of each month the Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold a free evening educational program for the public, called the Green Thumb Series, at Bass Pro Shop, Highway 288 at Sam Houston Tollway, Pearland. For more information visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu or call 281-991-8437. Rockport: The Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group, founded in March 2003, meets the second Wednesday of each month, with the exceptions of June and July, to discuss all aspects of using and growing herbs, including historical uses and tips for successful propagation and cultivation, meets at 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport at 10 a.m. 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.com. Beaumont: The Jefferson County Master Gardeners meet at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1225 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Beaumont. For more information, call 409-835-8461. Brownwood: Brown County Master Gardeners Association meets the second Thursday of each month, from Noon to 1 p.m., at the Brown County AgriLife Extension Office, 605 Fisk, Brownwood. For additional information, call Freda Day 325-643-1077, or Mary Engle 325-784-8453. Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street. Georgetown. For additional information, contract Billye Adams at 512-863-9636 or visit http://www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm. Orange: The Orange County Master Gardeners meet at the Salvation Army in Orange on the second Thursday of each month. A covered-dish dinner at 6:30 p.m. is followed by a speaker and business meeting at 7 p.m. 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. 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. 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 the third Monday of each month at McGregor house on the corner of West Henderson and Colonial Dr. in Cleburne. A program starts at 6 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet with refreshments and a short business meeting. For information visit http://www.jcmga.org/. 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 Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way, Sugar Land. The club hosts a different speaker each month. For more information, visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org. Denton: The Denton Organic Society, a group devoted to sharing information and educating the public regarding organic principles, meets the third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Avenue. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a social at 6:30. For more information, call 940-382-8551. Glen Rose: The Somervell County Master Gardeners meet at 10 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month at the Somervell County AgriLife Extension office, 1405 Texas Drive, Glen Rose. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 254-897-2809 or visit www.somervellmastergardeners.org. Granbury: The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners meet at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Hood County Annex 1, 1410 West Pearl Street, Granbury. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the business meeting. For information on topics call 817-579-3280 or visit http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/. Seabrook: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the Lakeside), 5001 NASA Road 1, Seabrook. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas — Houston (NPSOT-H) meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except for October (4th Thursday) and December (2nd Thursday). Location varies. For locations, for more information on programs, and for information about native plants for Houston, visit http://www.npsot.org/Houston. Rosenberg: The Fort Bend Master Gardeners meet at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except December at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center located at 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg. For more information, call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com. Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, except December, at the Texas AgriLife Extension Bldg. at 210 E. Live Oak, Seguin. An educational program precedes the business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For topic or other information, call 830-379-1972 or visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org. Atlanta: The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of Native Plants Society meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Horne Enterprise building in Atlanta at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Kay Lowery at frostkay268@aol.com. Brackenridge Park: The Native Plant Society San Antonio Chapter meets every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 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. 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. Fort Worth: The Organic Garden Club of Forth Worth meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July and December at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens main building. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 817-274-8460. San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, except August and December, at the Lions Field Adult & Senior Center, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio. Social and plant/seed exchange at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio or call Bea at 210-999-7292. Dallas: The Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at the North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas. For more information, call 214-824-2448 or visit www.dogc.org. Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month (except November and December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact David at 817) 483-7746. |
 |
In Greg's Garden: A Pineywoods Perspective on Gardening, Nature and Family An intimate and personal exploration of the life of
one of Texas’s most beloved gardeners, In Greg’s Garden: A Pineywoods
Perspective on Gardening, Nature and Family gathers in a single
volume the first nine years of Greg Grant’s columns from Texas
Gardener magazine.
Revised and updated from their original
publication, these 54 essays reveal the heart and soul of a seventh
generation native Texan who has devoted his entire life to gardening,
nature and family. With degrees in floriculture and horticulture from
Texas A&M University and extensive hands-on experience as a
horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Stephen F.
Austin State University, Mercer Arboretum and San Antonio Botanical
Gardens, Grant has successfully introduced dozens of plants to the Texas
nursery industry, all while maintaining long-held family property and
renovating the homes of his ancestors in Arcadia, Texas.
In Greg’s Garden: A Pineywoods Perspective on
Gardening, Nature and Family is a must-read for every Texas
gardener. Available only for Kindle.
Order directly from Amazon by clicking here. |
 |
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife By Kelly Conrad Bender
NEW EDITION of the popular Texas Parks & Wildlife book, now with
fully searchable DVD containing all the plant and animal information you
need to customizTexas
Wildscapes program provides the tools you need to make ahome for all
the animals that will thrive in the native habitat you create.
In Texas Wildscapes, Kelly Conrad Bender identifies the kinds of
animals you can expect when you give them their three basic needs: food,
water, and shelter. She then provides guidelines for designing and
planting your yard or garden to best provide these requirements for the
many birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates the
environment will attract. $31.88 includes tax and shipping
Order online with credit card at
www.texasgardener.com or call toll-free 1-800-727-9020.
Visa, MasterCard and Discover
accepted. |
 |
Wish you'd saved
them?
Are you missing an important issue of
Texas Gardener? Or, perhaps, just tired of thumbing through stacks
of back issues looking for the tips and techniques you need to make your
garden grow? These new CDs provide easy access to all six issues of $16.99 per CD includes tax and shipping
Order by calling 1-800-727-9020.
(Discover, MasterCard and Visa accepted.)
*Other volumes will be available soon. |
 |
Doug Welsh's Texas Garden Almanac
Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac is a giant monthly calendar for
the entire state — a practical, information-packed, month-by-month guide
for gardeners and "yardeners." This book provides everything you need to
know about flowers and garden design; trees, shrubs, and vines; lawns;
vegetable, herb, and fruit gardening; and soil, mulch, water, pests, and
plant care. It will help you to create beautiful, productive, healthy
gardens and have fun doing it.
$26.63 plus shipping*
Order by calling 1-800-727-9020 or
order on-line.
*Mention
Texas Gardener’s Seeds when ordering by phone and we’ll waive shipping charges. (Discover, MasterCard and Visa
accepted.) |
 |
Fiber row cover
valuable year-round
Grow-Web encourages plant growth and development, and also provides
protection from insects, birds, diseases and frosts. It is also air and
water permeable and allows for ventilation. Grow-Web provides excellent
protection to seedlings when applied directly to the seedbed.
$30.64 per 12.3’ x 32.8’ roll (includes shipping!)
Order by calling 1-800-727-9020 or
order on-line.
(Discover, MasterCard and Visa
accepted.) |
 |
Become a Texas
Gardener fan on Facebook Become a fan of Texas Gardener magazine on Facebook. See what we're up to at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Gardener-Magazine/301356291835?ref=nf. |
|
|
Texas Gardener’s Seeds
is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2010. All rights
reserved. You may forward this publication to your friends and
colleagues if it is sent in its entirety. No individual part of this
newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without prior written
permission from the publisher.
Missed an issue? Back issues of Texas Gardener’s Seeds
are available at
www.texasgardener.com/newsletters.
Publisher:
Chris S. Corby ●
Editor:
Michael Bracken
Texas Gardener’s Seeds,
P.O. Box 9005, Waco, Texas 76714 ●
www.TexasGardener.com
|