The 2013 Northeast Texas Gardening Guide and Calendar, produced by the Smith County Master Gardeners, is now in print and ready for purchase. This publication is anxiously awaited each year by prudent gardeners in our area. Novice gardeners or those just moving into this locale find it an invaluable tool as they become more familiar with East Texas soils, unique climate, pests and diseases.

   The theme of the 2013 Calendar and Gardening Guide is East Texas Gardening, focusing on ways to make gardening more enjoyable in our region – working with conditions unique to East Texas and proven plant winners.  The calendar this year is printed with color photos throughout and features a “Garden of the Month” with pictures and comments about each garden.  A “Things To Do” section identifies plant care and bed preparation, when and what to fertilize, along with pests and diseases to be on the watch for. It also provides ideas of what you could be planting within that particular month.       

   Other articles of interest provide information on such topics as Earth-Kind Roses, Heat and Drought Tolerant Plants, Azaleas and Camelias, Rainwater Harvesting, and Treatment of Fire Ants.  There is also a list of the best web sites for all your questions on gardening, landscaping, and pest management.

   The 2013 Northeast Texas Gardening Guide and Calendars make great gifts and are available for $8.00 each.

   Calendars can be purchased at the following locations: Blue Moon Gardens; Breedlove Nursery; Center Chemical; Chamblee Rose Nursery; Cycle of Seasons, Lindale; Dory’s Garden; ETMC Gift Shop; Fleming Farm and Ranch, Lindale; Harris Nursery, Hwy 69; Horaneys; In the Wind; Joe Smith Plant Farm, Jacksonville; Kirkpatrick Hardware, Gresham; Neals Nursery, Lindale; Noonday Ace Hardware; Noonday Feed; Off the Wall; Pandoras Box, Frankston; Pettys Nursery; Potpourri House; Roquemor Hardware, Whitehouse; Rubicon; Senter Nursery, Whitehouse and Southland Feed

   Calendars will always be on hand at the Smith County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office located on the north side of the Cotton Belt Building on Front Street in Tyler. Calendars can also be ordered by mail at $10 each via check sent to: Calendars, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 1517 W. Front St, Suite 116, Tyler, TX 75702.