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March 17, 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. |
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Plants discover the
benefits of good neighbors in strategy against herbivores Life Science News Scandinavian Scientists have discovered
that a species of tree defends itself from herbivore attack by using
chemicals emitted by neighboring plants. The study, published in New Phytologist, reveals how a species of birch tree adsorbs chemical
compounds from neighboring marsh tea plants, Rhondodendron tomentosum,
in a unique “defense by neighbor strategy.”
The team from Finland, led by Prof. Jarmo
Holopainen from the University of Eastern Finland, were conducting
studies into emissions of forest and peat land plants when they
discovered previously unreported compounds for mountain birch from their
foliage emissions. The compounds were emitted by a species of
rhododendron growing nearby.
“It is well known that many plant species
start to emit chemical compounds after damage by herbivores,” said the
co-author Dr. Sari Himanen, from Agrifood Research Finland. “In an
earlier study we accessed the compounds emitted from mountain birch
following Moth feeding damage and we found that some of the trees
growing next to Rhondodendron tomentosum also emitted residual amounts
of the compounds ledene, ledol and palustrol. This resulted in the idea
to experimentally test whether these sticky semivolatiles could actually
protect neighboring birch trees from the attention of attacking
herbivores such as feeding moths. Based on experimentation in the field,
in a natural habitat and in the laboratory, we discovered that a novel,
potentially also ecologically meaningful effect for neighbor-emitted
foliage-adsorbed semi-volatiles might take place in a boreal
environment.”
Plant emissions can have several roles,
including the attraction or deterrence of herbivores. Some cause an
indirect defense by attracting a herbivorous natural enemy, but it is
extraordinary for one plant to benefit directly from another plant’s
emissions.
The study also seems to confirm
Scandinavian folklore which held that rhododendrons can be used to
protect clothes.
“In earlier times branches of R. tomentosum were collected and put together with woolly winter clothes
for summer storage in the attic,” said Professor Holopainen. “Clothes
and furs adopted the distinctive smell and were also protected against
damage from clothes moths and fur moths.”
“Our results show that interactions
between species through emissions are a good example of the ecological
effects that need to be considered more from a plant community than from
a individual plant point of view” concluded Himanen. “Passive adsorption
of compounds by a neighboring plant might be an important, but
understudied, way for these compounds to act in a natural environment
and could be an important factor in plant fitness and species
distribution.” |
 Electron microscopy enabled researchers to see for the first time how a bacteria that kills grape vines is able to move through the plants at the cell level. (Photos courtesy of Texas AgriLife Research) |
Microscopic
photography reveals bacteria destroying cell wall in wine grape vines
By Kathleen Phillips Like a band of detectives surveying the
movement of a criminal, researchers using photographic technology have
caught at least one culprit in the act. In this case, electron
microscopy was used to watch a deadly bacteria breakdown cell walls in
wine grape plants — an image that previously had not been witnessed. The
study will be published in Botany.
“Basically, we’ve been interested in
determining how the bacteria moves,” said Dr. B. Greg Cobb, Texas
AgriLife Research plant physiologist in College Station. “How do they go
from one part of the plant to another?”
The death of wine grape plants from
Pierce’s Disease is a serious threat to wineries from Texas to
California, Cobb noted, and no one has been able to stop or reverse the
effects of the bacteria that is injected into the vines by an insect
known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter.
The bacteria that causes Pierce’s
Disease, Xylella fastidiosa, colonizes a plant over a period of
time causing it to weaken and die.
“It can be a matter of a few years or
more quickly, but plants tend to stop producing before they die, so
growers will pull them out of a vineyard,” Cobb said.
Cobb and his team of researchers zeroed
in on the “matchstick” effect of Pierce’s Disease. Plants suffering from
the disease drop their leaves, but the petiole — or stem that connects a
leaf to the vine — remains, resembling a matchstick. This occurs over
the length of the vine no matter where the initial insect injection
occurred, Cobb explained.
“We’ve been looking at that area because
we think that is a very important indicator of Pierce’s Disease, but it
also indicates that something is going on there,” he explained.
The xylem of a plant is like a pipe with
a spring in it which transports nourishing water to various parts of the
plant. The bacteria that causes Pierce’s Disease, Xylella fastidiosa,
moves through the plant in this way.
“What is happening is that the bacteria
is actually able to degrade and move through these very thin parts of
the cell wall between the xylem elements,” Cobb said. “You can actually
see them in the 'pit membranes' that are the borders between adjacent
cell walls.”
The researchers focused the electron
microscope at 100,000th of a millimeter along the pit membrane. The
membrane normally blocks larger particles from passing through the pits
that are located in the xylem, but high-level photographs show the
bacteria breaking down the membrane in order to get through the plant.
Cobb said the study examined syrah and
cabernet sauvignon plants because they have been known to be impacted by
Pierce’s Disease. In the field, they selected leaves that were still
viable but had some “scorching” or water stress which indicated the
disease was present.
“Then we isolated that very small part at
the pit membrane and down the stem or petiole and looked at the xylem
there,” Cobb said. “To basically see the breakdown of the pit membranes
had not been seen before."
Water stress contributes to the death of
the Pierce’s Disease-infected plant, he added, but it may not be the
only factor.
With this information and the photographs
to illustrate the process, Cobb’s team continues to study the disease in
hopes of figuring out what could be done to help an infected plant live
longer.
The two-year research effort was
supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service. |
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The compost heap "Where can I get more info on 'Crimson Star' goji berries, that were mentioned in Seeds (''Crimson Star' goji berry,' March 10, 2010)?" writes Edwin Smith. Searching the Internet using Google or another search engine will lead you to several sources of information about goji berry. Unfortunately, many of the sources we discovered are unreliable and we don't feel confident that the many health benefits claimed for goji berries on these sites are entirely accurate. If you wish to purchase starter plants, one source is Logee's Tropical Plants at http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=R2127-4. — Michael Bracken, editor |
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Gardening tips
"I grow my own tomato and pepper plants," writes Edwin Smith. "When I pot them up and want to harden them off, I move them outside in a large, clear storage container. I have the lid raised with a small board. I can adjust it from slightly open to no cover. At night I may close the lid. If it is going to freeze I move it inside." Have a favorite gardening tip you’d like to share? Texas Gardener’s Seeds is seeking brief gardening tips from Texas gardeners to use in future issues. If we publish your tip in Seeds, we will send you a free copy of Texas Gardener's 2010 Planning Guide & Calendar. Please send your tips of 50 words or less to the editor at: Gardening Tips. |
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Did You Know...
The most common causes of pecan tree transplant failure include lack of soil drainage, failure to settle soil around roots, lack of water, failure to control weeds, placing fertilizer in the hole with newly planted tree, allowing roots to dry before transplanting and herbicide damages. (Courtesy Womack Nursery Co., Deleon, Texas) |
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Upcoming garden events.
If you would like your organization’s
events included in "Upcoming Garden Events," please contact us at
Garden Events. To ensure inclusion in
this column, please provide complete details at least three weeks
prior to the event.
Houston: Urban Harvest continues its Food For Thought series, a cycle of panel discussions on
today’s hot topics that support growing and eating locally. The
panels are lead by local and regional
experts, and are scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month. The fifth panel discussion — Growing
Gourmet Vegetables — will be Wednesday, March 17,
from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
in the Multipurpose Room of the
Oberholtzer Residence Hall. 108 Oberholtzer Hall, University of Houston,
Central Campus, Houston. Learn
about the latest, greatest vegetable varieties to plant this spring. The
panel will feature farmers and chefs who are passionate about their
favorite vegetable varieties to plant and eat. This panel discussion
will be interactive in nature, so attendees are encouraged to bring
questions. This event is free
and open to the public. For directions,
visit
www.urbanharvest.org. New Braunfels: Kent Rylander will speak about "Bird Song, Bird
Behavior, and Human Speech" at the monthly meeting of the Lindheimer
Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, Thursday, March 18,
beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AgriLife Building,
325 Resource Drive (behind the recycle center), New Braunfels. Now
retired, Rylander spent many years in the Department of Biological
Science at Texas Tech University, was the founding editor of the
Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society, and is the author of
The Behavior of Texas Birds (University of Texas Press, 2002).
For additional information, contact Judy Brupbacher at
thebrups@hotmail.com. Tomball: Chef Chris Crowder & Ann Wheeler, Log House Herbs, host “An
Evening with Chef Chris and Ann," Friday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. at The
Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. From the garden to the kitchen, Ann
and Chris combine their talents preparing culinary treats. For
additional information, visit
www.arborgate.com or call
(281) 351-8851.
Conroe:
The Montgomery County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m.
until 1 p.m., Saturday,
March 20, at 9020 FM 1484, Conroe. Beginning at 8 a.m., County
Horticulturalist Tom LeRoy
will discuss sale items. Seating is limited. For additional information, call (936)
539-7824. San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas will
present "Native San Antonio" from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday,
March 20, at Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Drive, San Antonio.
Events include presentations by Judit Green, Howard Peak, Phil
Hardberger, and Dave Barrett; a tree giveaway; a native plant sale and
exchange; and much more. For additional information, contact D. J.
Edwards Jr. at
djedwardshomes@yahoo.com or (210) 824-3556. Tomball: Seth Knight, retire Professor of Horticulture, will discuss
“Bugs, The Good and The Bad,” Saturday, March 20, 10 a.m. at The Arbor
Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Learn to tell the good guys from the bad
guys as well as control options available. For additional information,
visit
www.arborgate.com or call
(281) 351-8851. San Antonio: The Native Plant Society San
Antonio Chapter will meet Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lions Field Adult &
Senior Center, 2809 Broadway at E. Mulberry, San Antonio. Guest
speaker Tom Castano will discuss harvesting fibers from Texas native
plant to make useful items and craft projects. This meeting is free and open to the
public. Social and seed/plant exchange at 6:30 p.m. For more information,
contact Bea at (210) 999-7292 or visit
www.npsot.org/sanantonio.
Tomball: Dr. David Creech, Regents Professor of Horticulture, Stephen F
Austin University, will discuss “Fifty Plants You Shouldn’t Live
Without,” Tuesday, March 23, 10 a.m. at The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920,
Tomball. Dr. Creech, respected horticulturalist, will share 50 rare and
unusual plants and then auction after the presentation. . For additional
information, visit
www.arborgate.com or call
(281) 351-8851.
Bonham: The 2010 Garden, Lawn and
Home Expo will be held Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
at the Multi-Purpose Complex, 700 FM 87 at Hwy 56 West, Bonham. Speakers
include Kimberlly Schofield, Beneficial Arthropods; Steve Upson, Home
orchard and small fruit production; Dr. Dotty Woodson, Plants that beat
the heat and keep blooming; and Dr. Greg Church, Dinner from the dirt.
Vendors, lunch and refreshments provided by the Fannin Co. 4-H,
children's activities, silent auction and door prizes throughout the
day. $4.00 admission. For more information, visit
http://grovesite.com/mg/fcmg.
Rockport: The Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners
will hold their spring plant sale from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday,
March 27, at Green Acres, 611 E. Mimosa, Rockport. In the event of
rain, the event will be postponed until April 3. For additional
information, call (361) 790-0103 or visit
http://aransas-tx.tamu.edu. Tyler: The East Texas Orchid Society will host "The Golden Age
of Orchids Show," 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Saturday, March 27, and
noon until 4 p.m., Sunday, March 28, at Discovery Science Place
Annex, 302 N. Broadway, Tyler. For additional information, visit
www.centraleasttexasorchidsociety.org.
Waxahachie: The Ellis County Master Gardeners will hold their 10th
Annual Lawn & Garden Expo on Saturday, March 27, from 9 a.m.
until 5 p.m. at the Waxahachie Civic Center, IH-35E and 287 Bypass. Neil
Sperry will be the keynote speaker. More than 100 exhibitors will be
selling and promoting lawn and garden-related products. Ellis Master
Gardeners will hold workshops throughout the day, and there will be a
children's workshop area and door prizes. For additional information,
visit
www.ecmga.com or call (972) 825-5175.
Houston: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature
Home, will speak in Hamman Hall, Rice University, on Wednesday,
March 31. The event begins with a social at 6:30 p.m. Tallamy's
lecture begins at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion from 8 until
8:30 p.m. For parking information, visit
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~hamman/parking.htm. For additional
information, call Houston Audubon, (713) 932-1693.
Rockport-Fulton: Presented by the Rockport Herb & Rose Study
Group, the Sixth Rockport Herb Festival will be held Saturday, April 3,
from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with programs starting at 9 a.m., at the
Paws & Taws Fulton Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road,
Rockport-Fulton. For more information, visit
www.rockportherbs.org. Kemah: Paula Kennedy will present "Migrating Birds" at the
Kemah-Bay Area Garden Club meeting Wednesday, April 7 at 9:30
a.m. at the Jimmie Walker Community Center, 800 Harris Ave., Kemah.
Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited. For more
information, contact Mary Ellen Chapman, at (281) 559-1912. Austin: Cool Plants for the Shade Garden is a free,
in-the-garden discussion to be held Friday, April 9, from 9 a.m. until
11 a.m. in the Demonstration Garden at AgriLife Extension Office of
Travis County, 1600B Smith Rd., Austin. See some of the shade loving
plants growing and learn about other perennials and annuals which
require limited sun. This seminar is free and open to the public. It is
presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer
arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For
information, visit
http://www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master
Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.
Quitman: The Governor Hogg Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. 100 Gov. Hogg Parkway. Quitman, will host a Plant Sale and Dogwood Fiesta Saturday,
April 10, at 9 a.m. and is over when the plants are gone. Find new, uncommon and Texas-tough perennials, ornamental grasses, hanging baskets, exotic plants and natives. For more information, visit
www.woodcountyarboretum.com or call Pam Riley (903) 466-4327.
Pearland: The Harris County Master Gardener Association will
present a program on WaterSmart Landscapes, Tuesday, April 13,
from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., at Bass Pro Shops, Highway 288 at the Sam
Houston Tollway, Pearland. For more information, visit,
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu .
San Antonio: Sandy Ross and Kathy Carroll will discuss plant
propagation and give demonstrations on semi-hardwood and root cuttings
at the The Guadalupe County (Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant
Society of Texas meeting 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, at the
Antique Rose Emporium, 7561 E. Evans Road, San Antonio. For additional
information, contact
quadalupecounty@npsot.org. Hermann Park: The Houston Urban Gardeners will meet at 6:30
p.m., Wednesday, April 14, at the Houston Garden Center in
Hermann Park. Dianne Norman with Wabash Antiques and Feed Store will
talk about "What to Plant NOW." For additional information, visit
www.houstonurbangardeners.org. Beaumont: The
Jefferson County Master Gardeners will host their annual spring plant
sale and Market Day April 17, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Southeast
Texas Regional Airport, Hangar #4, Jerry Ware Drive, Beaumont. This
event is the largest of its kind in the Golden Triangle, complete with
vendors of all kinds and, of course, a huge plant sale. Gardening
seminars are offered free of charge and Master Gardeners are on hand to
answer questions and to help you choose the right plants for your
landscape. For more information, call (490) 835-8461.
Georgetown: Spring Garden Fair, sponsored by the Williamson
County Master Gardeners, will be held Saturday, April 17, from 9
a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Extension Office, 3151 Inner Loop Road,
Georgetown. Granbury: Lake Granbury
Master Gardener's Annual Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 17,
from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Hewlett Park Pavilion, Granbury, across from
the Conference Center. All of your favorite plants will be offered as
well as some new items. Mini seminars will be presented by Master
Gardeners and will include drawings for prizes. For more information,
contact the Hood County AgriLife Extension office at (817) 579-3280.
Austin: The AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County, 1600 B
Smith Road, Austin, will host "Plant Propagation" from 1 a.m. until 11
a.m., April 17. Learning how to propagate from existing plants is a
great way to populate your garden or pass along your favorites to
friends. This seminar covers various propagation methods including
cuttings, layering, and division, and help you overcome that fear of
starting plants from seeds. The seminar will be part presentation, part
participation so class size is limited to 30 participants. Please
call the Master Gardener Help Desk at (512) 854-9600 to reserve your
place. Participants must also bring scissors and an empty, clear
plastic, 2-liter soda bottle with lid for the hands-on project. This seminar is free and open to the public.
For additional information, visit
www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master
Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.
Georgetown: Spring Garden Fair, sponsored by Williamson County
Master Gardeners, will be held April 17, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
at the WilCo AgriLife Extension Office, 3151 Inner Loop Rd., Georgetown.
The fair will include gardening classes, a country store, demonstrations
on rainwater harvesting, identifying oak wilt, a huge plant sale and so
much more! A Plant Preview class is offered at 8 a.m. highlighting the
plants available; attendees will get early admission to the sale. Nocogdoches: The SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches will host its annual Garden Gala Day on
April 17 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the lower arboretum parking lot on Wilson Drive. Stephen F. Austin State University Outdoor Pursuits will host an Earth Day Celebration in conjunction with this year’s sale. The event features the annual spring plant sale fundraiser benefiting the SFA Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, and educational programs hosted at the gardens. All the plants are produced at SFA by the staff, students and volunteers. A wide variety of hard to find, “Texas tough” plants will be available. The public is encouraged to arrive early and bring a wagon. For more information, call (936) 468-4404, or visit
http://arboretum.sfasu.edu and click on “upcoming events.”
Stephenville: The annual Native & Heirloom Plant
Fair will be held Saturday, April 17 on the grounds of the beautiful
Stephenville Museum in Stephenville. A wide variety of vendors offer
native & adapted plants, herbs, garden supplies, concessions, books,
produce, yard art, seeds, and arts & crafts. Informative speakers will
share gardening ideas. Vendor space is free; contact Russell for details
at
pfau@tarleton.edu or (254) 968-9761. For additional information,
visit
http://www.stephenville.com/museum/.
Rockport:
David Ilfrey, Landscape Designer, will present "Deigning with
Native Plants" from noon until 1 p.m., Tuesday,
April 20, at the Aransas County Library, 701 E. Mimosa, Rockport.
For additional information, call (361) 790-0103 or visit
http://aransas-tx.tamu.edu.
Seabrook: Diana Foss from Texas Parks & Wildlife will present
"Backyard Pollinators" beginning at 10 a.m., April 21, at The
Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the lakeside), 5001 NASA Road 1,
Seabrook. For more information, visit
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu . Austin: The Travis County Master Gardeners
Association will present DIY Pond Building, Wednesday, April 28, from 7
p.m. until 9 p.m., at Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd.,
Austin. Always dreamed of a little pond in your yard? Not only can you
have one but you can build it yourself. Attend this free seminar and
learn step-by-step lessons on the basics of building a pond yourself.
This seminar will help you determine the supplies and equipment needed
for the job, gather information about pond plants, and determine which
fish will do well in your pond. In addition, hear instructions on
general pond maintenance, installing pond lighting and how to prevent
unwanted critters in your pond. This seminar is free and open to the
public. For more details, visit
http://www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master
Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600. Austin: "Gardening for Butterflies & Hummingbirds" will be
held at the Demonstration Garden at the AgriLife Extension Office of
Travis County, 1600 B Smith Road, Austin, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.,
Friday, May 7. This seminar is appropriate for anyone wanting to
incorporate the correct plants into the garden to attract these
beauties. Learn plant food sources, host plants and nesting places for
the most common butterflies and hummingbirds in Central Texas. This
seminar is free and open to the public. For additional information,
visit
www.tcmastergardeners.org
or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600. Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener 2010 Spring Garden
Tour and Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday,
May 8. Tickets $8 in advance; $10 at the gate; $5 single garden.
Children under 14 free. For additional information, including locations
of the gardens, visit www.dcmga.com
or call (940) 349-2883. Rockport: The 10th Annual Hidden Gardens Tour by Aransas/San
Patricio Master Gardeners will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,
Saturday, May 8. Tickets are $10 and are available from the
Aransas County Texas AgriLife Extension office, 611 E. Mimosa. In the
event of rain, the tour will be rescheduled for May 15. For additional
information, call (361) 790-0103.
San Antonio: The San Antonio Antique Rose Emporium and the Comal
Master Gardener Association will present their annual Herb Affair at the
Antique Rose Emporium, 7561 E. Evans Road, San Antonio, Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Dill, the 2010 Herb of the Year, will be featured. Demonstrations will
include the many ways to use herbs throughout the home and garden,
including herbs for pest control, cleansers, nature printing and other
crafts. For additional information, visit
www.antiqueroseemporium.com,
http://grovesite.com/mg/comal,
or call (210) 651-4565.
Alvin: The Lone Star Daylily Society will hold a daylily and
plant sat, May 15, from 9 a.m. until sold out, at the Alvin
Senior Center, Alvin. Judging of flowers begins at 10:30 a.m. and the
show opens to the public at 2 p.m., For additional information, visit
www.lonestardaylilysociety.org or call Michael Mayfield at (281)
996-9310. San Antonio: The San Antonio Daylily Society
Show and Sale will be held Saturday, May 15, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at
the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. For
additional information, call (210) 824-9981. Austin: "How to Create a Wildlife Habitat" will be presented
from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., Saturday, May 22, at the Demonstration
Garden at AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County, 1660 B Smith Road,
Austin. Learn how to attract butterflies, birds, insects, toads, and
other creatures by utilizing plants which create food, cover, water and
places to raise young. A Master Naturalist volunteer will lead the
discussion. This seminar is free and open to the public. For more
information, visit
www.tcmastergardeners.org
or call the Travis Country Master Gardener's help desk at (512)
854-9600.
Brenham: The Barrington Living History Farm's gardens will be
open Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Learn about the foods pioneers grew to feed their families in the Brazos
Valley in the 1850s. See the heirloom varieties Republic of Texas
President Anson Jones may well have been growing on his farm. Barrington
Living History Farm is located at Washington-on-the-Brazos State
Historic Site off Highway 105 on FM 1155 between Navasota and Brenham.
Admission: adults $5; students, $3; children 6 and under free. For
additional information, call (936) 878-2214, ext. 246, and ask for
Kellie, or visit
www.birthplaceoftexas.com. Nacogdoches: The Stephen F. Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant Center will host the 5th Lone Star Regional
Native Plant Conference June 2-5 in Nacogdoches. The conference will be
held on the SFA campus, home to the Mast Arboretum, the Ruby Mize Azalea
Garden, and the 40-acre Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Join a unique
blend of naturalists, horticulturists, nurserymen, landscapers, and
gardeners and for talks ranging from green roofs to landscape design and
native azaleas, guided tours featuring unique local flora, and
educational workshops. Registration begins February 1. For more
information, visit
http://arboretum.sfasu.edu or contact Dawn Stover at (936) 468-4404
or
dparish@sfasu.edu. Weatherford: The 26th annual Parker County Peach Festival will
be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, July 10, in downtown
Weatherford. More than 200 arts/crafts, produce and food vendors will
line the historic streets. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and
under are free. For additional information, visit
www.peachfestivaltx.com or
contact
info@weatherford-chamber.com or (888) 594-3801. MONTHLY MEETINGS
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.
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.
Schertz: The Guadalupe County
(Schertz/Seguin) Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT)
meets the second Tuesday of each month except July and August at
the library, 798 Schertz Parkway, Shertz. A plant exchange and meet-and-greet
begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by a program at 7 p.m. For additional
information or an application to join NPSOT, contact
guadalupecounty@npsot.org.
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.
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 the Senior Circle Rooms, College Station Professional Building
II, 1651 Rock Prairie Road, College Station. Expert
speakers, plant sharing, and federated club projects help members learn
about gardening in the Brazos Valley, floral design, conservation
topics, and more. For more information, visit
www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Clubs/GardenClub.htm.
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.
Cleburne: The Johnson County Master Gardener Association meets
at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The public is invited to
attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the
business meeting. For information on topics call (817) 556-6370 or visit
http://www.jcmga.org/.
Arlington: The Arlington Men's Garden Club meets from 7 p.m.
until 9 p.m. on the third Tuesday 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.
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.somervellmastergardener.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 7:15 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 preceeds the
business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For topic or other information,
call (830) 379-1972 or
visit
www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.
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.
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. 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.
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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 customize your backyard habitat.
Whether you have an apartment balcony or a multi-acre ranch, the Texas
Wildscapes program provides the tools you need to make a home 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. |
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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 Order by calling 1-800-727-9020.
(Discover, MasterCard and Visa accepted.)
*Other volumes will be available soon. |
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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.) |
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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.) |
|
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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 |