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April 28, 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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Remember Arbor Day:
Texas Forest Service celebrates urban forestry during San Antonio tree
celebration
Texas Forest Service Forester Paul Johnson knows trees are
important. He knew that long before he started working for Texas Forest
Service.
Trees are the largest, longest-living,
most valuable part of the landscape. And yet, he said, people often
spend more on their lawns — sodding, mowing, fertilizing and the like —
than they do on their trees.
“Trees clean the air, they control
flooding, they clean the water,” Johnson said, easily listing a handful
of societal benefits they provide. “We really need to pay better
attention to the concept of trees so we can take better care of our
trees.”
Johnson is hoping he can help get the
word out on April 30 — Arbor Day. This year marks the state’s 121st
Arbor Day celebration. Festivities will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at the
Alamo in downtown San Antonio, the nation’s seventh-largest city. The
event is open to the public.
The celebration is planned for the Alamo
plaza, where tall buildings stand juxtaposed next to mighty tree trunks
covered in green leaves. As a result, Johnson said, the concept of urban
forestry will play a major role in the event.
“Everywhere there are people, people
plant trees,” Johnson said. “Those trees are, collectively, our urban
forest.”
Event organizers and attendees will spend
most of the morning replanting trees and emphasizing the connection
between trees and the community. Tom Boggus, state forester and director
of the Texas Forest Service, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and City
Manager Sheryl Scully will take part in the celebration, as will
dignitaries from various state and local organizations including the
Texas Forestry Association, Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep San Antonio
Beautiful, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, Alamo Forest
Partnership and the Texas Chapters of the International Society of
Arboriculture and Society of American Foresters.
Several awards and recognitions also will
be announced including the Urban and Community Forest Leadership Award,
Community Forest Volunteer of the Year and State Tree Planting Awards.
The celebration will conclude with a tour
of the trees on the Alamo grounds led by Alamo Horticulturist Mark
Nauschutz.
Roughly 100 trees will be given away
during the event. Another 250 will be given out the following day during
Solar Fest, an annual San Antonio festival designed to showcase solar
technologies and innovations.
“On Arbor Day, we really emphasize the
celebration of trees,” Johnson said. “It’s a tree-planting holiday and
it gives us a chance to really talk about that.” |
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The
lighter side of gardening By John
Hershey The
seasons change in the garden, but the debate over health care reform
still rages on in Washington. For all the complex proposals to "bend the
curve" of the unsustainable increases in medical costs, nearly everyone
seems to tacitly acknowledge that this is very difficult to do by
tinkering with the kind of incremental reforms you have to settle for to
get Joe Lieberman's vote. There is one thing that would probably make
huge difference: a massive nationwide shift toward healthy living, so we
would need less treatment for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer,
and other health problems in which lifestyle can be a factor. But there
is really not much the government can do to affect people's eating and
exercise choices. This conundrum probably makes our policymakers
frustrated and depressed enough to binge on a quart of Ben & Jerry's.
The
government has plenty of programs to promote wellness. One hopes they do
some good, but efforts like the confusing food pyramid ("Ooh, sweets and
fats are right at the top — they must be the most important things to
eat!") don't inspire much confidence. And of course the federal
government could change the system of subsidies that promote bad eating
by making processed food cheap, so we should keep pushing for that. But
Congress can't legislate healthy diets. The President isn't going to
issue an executive order mandating 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular
exercise. The best thing our leaders can do is probably just set a good
example, which is why Michelle Obama's White House vegetable garden has
been so effective in promoting healthy living.
Since
personal lifestyle choices cannot and should not be dictated by the
government, the success of efforts to provide better health care to more
people ultimately depends on a shift not in policy but in society. "You
have to change the whole culture around [food]," said Dr. Ezekiel
Emanuel, one of President Obama's top health care advisers, in a recent
interview with the Washington Post. "That's even more
complicated than how to change the health-care system, if you can
believe it."
If the
government can't improve the nation's health by changing its food
culture, who can accomplish this extremely complicated task? People.
Individuals growing and eating healthy food, especially when they do it
together in community gardens. Every garden and every gardener plays a
role in solving this key public health problem.
But the
garden is also the solution to the other part of the problem: exercise.
The physical activity you do in the process of growing your own
nutritious food will also keep you healthy. So if you're like me and
your new year's resolution to exercise more and eat better is still
gnawing at your conscience two months into the year, the garden is the
perfect place to accomplish both goals.
The normal
activities of planting and tending a garden involve some nice light
exercise. But you can get a more vigorous workout too. Here are some
garden fitness tips that can easily be adapted to any age or fitness
level. But first, the standard exercise disclaimer: Consult your
physician before beginning an exercise program. Stop if you feel short
of breath. And try not to drop the watering can on your head.
1. Sell
the rototiller. Not only does it kill beneficial earthworms, it's like
driving a car when you could ride a bicycle. Muscle power is better for
you and the environment. Turn or loosen your soil gently with a
pitchfork for a good cardiovascular and whole body workout.
2. Weeding
squat. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back
straight, lower your hips so your thighs are parallel to the ground and
you can reach the weed with your hand. Grab it and stand back up to pull
it out. Repeat with the other 999 weeds in your garden.
3. A rake
or hoe is a barbell. hold it on your shoulders, behind your head, and do
abdominal twists, squats, and lunges, then lift it straight up over your
head a few times. In a gym with a cold metal bar, this is called the
military press. Out here in the garden, with a natural wooden rake, it's
the horticultural press. Doesn't that sound nicer?
4. My
watering can weighs 16 pounds when full. That's a dumbbell! Actually
it's more like a kettlebell, the trendy Russian exercise device that
looks like a cannonball with a handle. You can buy one for anywhere from
$25 to $100. Or you can get a plastic watering can with a comfortable
handle for about five bucks, and fill it up to any level you like,
precisely calibrating the perfect weight for you. Just using the can to
water your plants is good arm exercise, and by adding some watering can
curls, presses, squats, and lunges, you have a quick, whole-body
workout. Google
"kettlebell" and you'll find lots of workout routines you can do
with a watering can. My favorite is called the Turkish Get-up. To do it,
lay down on your back in the garden. Be careful not to squash the beets.
Or beat the squash, for that matter. Hold your full watering can by the
handle with one hand, and lift it straight up so your arm is vertical.
Keeping the can in that position, stand up however you can. Still
holding the can above your head, lay back down again. Switch arms and
repeat. Do as many repetitions as you can or until all the other
gardeners have gathered around your plot, staring at you with worried
expressions and wondering if they should call 911. The one downside of
this exercise is that you look completely ridiculous doing it, but just
explain what you're doing and get everyone involved. Now you have a
group of fitness partners to keep you motivated. The best part: unlike
an expensive kettlebell, the watering can features an automatic cooling
and self-adjusting weight system. Inevitably some water will slosh out
onto your head when you perform the move, which keeps you cool and
lightens the load a bit for your next repetition.
5.
Chopping compost material is a great way to work up a sweat and work the
upper body. Talk about motivation: the finer you chop your material, the
faster it will turn into beautiful compost for your garden.
These are
just some ideas to get started. There is no limit to the exercises you
can do while gardening. Unlike a snooty health club, it's free, you're
out in the fresh air, and no one is wearing spandex. And I prefer the
aroma of aged compost to aged sweatsock any day.
“The garden workout” originally appeared in The Underground News
and is reprinted with the author’s permission. To read more
garden-variety humor and commentary, visit John's website:
www.rakishwit.com. |
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The compost heap Nutgrass dilemma "I was wondering if
you had any information on an effective way to controlling nutgrass?"
writes Erin Klose. "It is driving me crazy in the garden coming up everywhere. I till and
hoe and pull it up, but it seems like I'm not making any headway. I
would prefer an organic approach, or least effective chemical approach
as possible as I have my veggies going good right now."
If you prefer an organic approach, then removing the nutgrass by
hand is the best option. The problem is that the tiny “nuts” that are
located along the plant’s root system will develop into new plants if
they not removed. Image is the best product for controlling nutgrass.
Treatment with this product can begin after May 15 and requires two
treatments. As with any pesticide, be sure to follow all label
directions. — Chris S. Corby, Publisher |
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Gardening tips
To promote healthy, fast growing trees this spring avoid building raised beds around your trees; remove any grass of other plant material in a circular pattern from the drip line to the trunk and mulch. Then water during periods of dry weather and fertilize every couple of weeks during the growing season. 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...
Organic gardening/farming has been a really popular and growing trend in our state and country in recent years. Follow this link to find some interesting information on the development of this important segment of agriculture: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Organic/. |
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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.
Atlanta: The Caddo Wildflower Chapter will hold its Native
Plant Sale Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Horne Enterprise Building parking lot, located at the intersection of Hwy 43
and Hwy 77, Atlanta.
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.
Highland Lakes: Join a discussion of “Texas Tough Plants” which
are suitable to Central Texas and view examples of Native and Native
adapted plants that grow well in Hill Country gardens. This free
Green Thumb program is presented by the Highland Lakes Master Gardeners
and the Lakeshore Library Speaker Series on Tuesday, May
11 at 2:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Library located at 7346 Hwy 261, 3.6 miles past the intersection with FM 1431 in
Buchanan Dam. Highland
Lakes Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis has a beautiful program showing and
discussing the plants that are recommended to grow vigorously in the
area. Get a preview of some recommended plants at
http://yantislakesidegardens.giving.officelive.com/sherylsgarden.aspx.This
is a free program but attendees must reserve their seats. Call the library at (325) 379-1174.
Pearland: The Harris County Master Gardener Association will
present a program on growing plants from seeds and cuttings Tuesday, May
11, 6:30-9 pm at Bass Pro Shops,
Highway 288 at the Sam Houston Tollway, Pearland. This lecture is free and open
to the public. For more information visit
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Rocksprings: The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Edwards County will
conduct a free General Horticulture Workshop from 5-7:25 p.m. May 11 in
the Edwards County Annex, 400 West Main, Rocksprings. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will
be offered in the general and integrated pest management categories for
participants completing the workshop. Dr. Noel Troxclair, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Uvalde, will
speak on the life cycles of common insect pests found in and around the
home and the control methods available for them. Dr. Mark Black,
AgriLife Extension plant pathologist at Uvalde, will discuss common lawn
and garden plant diseases and their treatment procedures. For more information, call Silvers at
(830) 683-4310 or (830) 234-7021.
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. Rockwall: Tickets are on sale now for the 2010 Tour of Gardens sponsored by the
Rockwall County Master Gardener Association. The
tour is May 15 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on
the day of the tour. For more information visit
http://grovesite.com/page.asp?o=mg&s=rc&p=313468 or call
(972) 204-7660.
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. Pearland:
Daylilies will be in peak bloom when Payne's in the Grass Daylily Farm —
2137 Melanie Lane, Pearland — hosts an open garden Sunday, May 16,
from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free and daylily plants will be
for sale. For additional information, call (281) 485-3821 or
lp-payne@comcast.net or visit
www.paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm.com. Seabrook: Catherine Hubbard, Director of the Albuquerque
Biopark's Botanic Garden will discuss "Rose Gardening in the Arid
Landscape" at 10 a.m., May 19 at The Meeting Room at
Clear Lake Park (on the lakeside), 5001 NASA Road
1, Seabrook. Hubbard will discuss the construction of a one-acre
rose garden in Biopark's Garden and the role roses can play in an arid
landscape. For more information, visit
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.
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.
Bryan: "Good Garden Therapy — Earth Kind Methods for
Gardening" will be presented Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m. to noon at
the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. Get answers to your
spring-summer vegetable gardening questions and prepare now for a
successful fall garden with Tom LeRoy, Montgomery County Horticulture
Extension Agent and author of The Southern Kitchen Garden. In
session 2 learn about “The Soil Food Web,” a new model of soil fertility
and management, from John Ferguson, owner of Nature’s Way Resources in
Conroe. This model explains how biological methods work to save time and
money-producing better gardening results. Hosted by the Brazos County
Office of Texas AgriLife Extension Master Gardeners. Seminar fee: $20.
Pre-registration preferred. For registration,
http://www.brazosmg.com. For additional information, contact Brazos
County Master Gardeners at
brazosmg@ag.tamu.edu or (979) 823-0129.
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.
Cameron: Nature Festival, June 11-12. Explore
historical Wilson-Ledbetter Park in Cameron. Friday evening activities –
discovery walks, outdoor nature movie, keynote speakers, dedication of
bird sanctuary. Saturday – hands-on fun and educational family
activities, tour exhibits, sample foods. Discover El Camino Real de los Tejas National Heritage Trail. For additional information, visit
www.cameron-tx.com, call (254) 697-4979, visit
www.rockdalechamber.com, or call (512) 446-2030.
Austin: Enjoy
a free seminar concentrating on capturing rainwater and lowering water
usage in your landscape from 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, June 26, at
Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin. This session
will teach you all the basics on building a non-potable rainwater
harvesting system. In addition, lower your water usage by learning about
rain gardens which capture valuable rainwater in your landscape. Vendors
representing tank and gutter companies will be available to answer
specific questions. City of Austin representatives will be available to
answer permit and rebate questions. 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 additional information, visit
www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master
Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.
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.
Fredericksburg: 5th Annual Wildscapes Workshop — Better
Basics: Backyards, Birds & Butterflies. September 11,
Registration & Plant Sale open at 8 a.m., Seminars 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Garden Tours 3:30 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. United Methodist Church, 1800 North Llano Street,
Fredericksburg. Take a comprehensive look at using native plants to
provide a sustainable environment that will attract the local wildlife
to your landscape. Speakers will show how to expand your living space by
creating outdoor retreats using native plants and hardscape. The cost of
$35.00 includes morning snack and lunch, along with afternoon tours of
gardens that exemplify the information taught during the seminars.
Raffles, a big door prize and a silent auction will be ongoing
throughout the day. Several local nurseries will be selling hard-to-find
native plants and volunteers from the Fredericksburg Chapter will be
selling even harder-to-find books about native plants. For more
information visit
www.npsot.org/Fredericksburg or contact Lynn Sample at (830)
889-1331. 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, Schertz. 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 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/.
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 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. 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 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. |
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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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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. |
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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 |