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Lunch-N-Learn Fayette County

August 27, 2024 by Mary Ellen Holub

Registration at 11:50 am – 12:05 pm

Program from 12:05 pm – 12:50 pm

Presentation:  Carol Daniels, Master Naturalist – Landscaping Natives

 

Tagged With: CEU, LandscapeDesign

Lunch-N-Learn Series 2023 – Colorado County

July 13, 2023 by Mary Ellen Holub

Registration: 11:50 AM – 12:05 PMTexas Master Gardener Logo
Presentation: 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM

Presentation:   Texas Superstar Plants/Native Plants for Texas Landscape

Registration at 11:50 AM to 12:05 PM

Program from 12:05 PM to 12:50 PM

Bring your own lunch

Light refreshments;  Coffee, tea & snacks will be provided

All programs are free to the public!

Tagged With: CEU, LandscapeDesign, Lunch N Learn, TexasSuperstars

Chapter Meeting – Austin County

March 12, 2023 by Mary Ellen Holub

Texas Master Gardener Logo

 

 

Board Meeting:  8:30 a.m – 10:00 a.m.
Social: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Program: 10:30 a.m.– 12:00 noon

 

 

Presentation:  Peggy d’Hemecourt – Earth-Kind Landscapes

 

Tagged With: Earth-Kind, LandscapeDesign

Chapter Meeting – Fayette County

March 12, 2023 by Mary Ellen Holub

Texas Master Gardener Logo

 

 

Board Meeting:  8:30 a.m – 10:00 a.m.
Social: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Program: 10:30 a.m.– 12:00 noon

 

 

Speaker:  Ashley Grubb – Enchanted Gardens

Ashley is a Conservation Biologist and Entomologist by degree and currently working for Enchanted Gardens in Richmond as a Texas Certified Nursery & Water Smart Professional.

Tagged With: LandscapeDesign

Lunch-N-Learn Colorado County

January 29, 2023 by cmschweikhardt

February 15: Soil Testing, Composting

March 15: Blooming Plants for Landscape

April 19: Controlling Garden Pests

May 17: Plant Propagation

Flier for Colorado County Lunch-N-Learn Series 2023

Tagged With: CEU, Compost, LandscapeDesign, Lunch N Learn, Pests, Propagation, Seminar

Plant Picturepages by Aggie Horticulture

February 28, 2021 by cmschweikhardt

LogoSometimes, the answer is just knowing where to look;  and someitimes, a picutre is just what you need to answer the question.   With the help of many collaborators, Aggie Horticulture assembled a few theme-oriented searchable databases for use in their classes and for the public to use and enjoy.  If you have not checked out Aggie Horticulture’s Plant Picturepages, the link is below.  Find the information you need in pictures or just enjoy the many horticulature related sites and photos.

Plant Picturepages

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Fruit, Greenhouses, LandscapeDesign, Pollinators, Vegetables, Wildflowers

Mexican Heather Named Texas Superstar

June 5, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

Mexican heather, an old-fashioned and reliable pollinator-friendly ornamental plant that adds big color to gardens and landscapes has been named the latest Texas Superstar.  David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist, San Antonio, said Mexican heather has been a favorite ornamental plant in Texas gardens for many years. Mexican heather plants are also a top attractor for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Mexican heather is best used in massing beddings, borders and containters.   It also is excellent in butterfly and pollinator gardens and hanging baskets.

Mexican heather photo

Allyson Mexican heather is one of the top performing varieties of this newly named Texas Superstar. (Photo by Brent Pemberton).

“There are other common selections of Mexican heather that are great plants, and I encourage gardeners to experiment with combinations, but we think Allyson is the best performing variety at this time,” he said. “It’s perfect for all sorts of plantings and works in all the criteria we look for in a Texas Superstar, including its role as an attractor of beneficial insects and pollinators.”

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must be beautiful and perform well for growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.
Texas Superstar® is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, a state agency that is part of the Texas A&M University System. Plants are designated Texas Superstars by the Texas Superstar executive board, made up of nine horticulturalists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University.

This post was summarized from and the photograph was taken from AgriLife TODAY.  For more information about Mexican heather, see the full AgriLife Today article about  Mexican heather.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, Pollinators, TexasSuperstars

A Walk on the Trail Around Levine Park

June 2, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

By Renee Kofman, Bluebonnet Master Gardener

Many people enjoy walking the trail around Levine Park in Sealy.

The park is one square city block with amenities on every side. From the splash pad for cooling off, white sands volleyball court and children’s playground on one side to a white gazebo surrounded by red roses in the center to a military memorial statue with a park bench adjacent to luscious gardens on the opposite side facing main street.

From one end (Atchison St) to the next block (Hardemen St) are the BMGA project gardens. You are immediately captivated on your left by gorgeous Rose Creek Abelias, Dusty Miller’s, John Fanick Phlox, and 3 different Circuma’s, and a Red October Camellia (blooms in October and November).

Across the sidewalk you will find an evergreen Mambo Yellow Hibiscus Tree flanked by 2 large yellow Cuban Durantas surrounded by junipers, Borage and red Drift Roses.

As you continue down the path you can’t help to stop and smell the roses as”Miranda Lambert Rose” begs your attention.

Next to her are purplish -blues Mexican Sage and yellow golden Thyrallis standing erect with fushia trailing Winecup rambling about.

This bed continues into the butterfly garden with many Coneflowers, Yarrows, Sages, Butterfly Bush, Mimosa and crapemyrtle trees mixed with Gingers, Guaras, Phlox, Stokesia, Calendulas, Lantanas and Crinum Lilies for the butterfly’s enjoyment.

Across the sidewalk is a banquet of peach Drift Roses.

Keep going and you come to two huge gardens divided by the sidewalk that leads to the gazebo.  On each side in front are many dramatic yellow Florida Sunshine Ligustrums flanked with a beautiful multi-color Rising Sun Eastern Red Bud. Just behind the Ligustrums are 50 red Knockout Roses.

As you continue on your left are huge maroon Crinum Lilies, Hidden Ginger’s,yellow Cassia’s, Durantas, Cleodendrums, Vincas and Fireworks grass.

Keep walking and you’re at the gardens in front of the pavilion. You’re welcomed by aromatic Gardenias, Batface Cupheas, Mexican Bird of Paradise,red Drift Roses Fairy Duster, Vincas, Salvias, Circunums and Hummingbird Bush. Across the sidewalk are red Drift Roses.

On down on your right is a large bed of mixed color Pentas scattered with Dusty Miller’s.

Keep on and on your left at the end of the block is our Sensory garden filled with Rosemary, Kale, Dill Fennel, Curry, Borage, Kangaroo paw, red and yellow Roses, Lantana, Vincas, Bay leaf Tree, Firecracker, Penstemen and the most fragrant Almond Verbena bush.

Across the sidewalk is our last garden with Mexican Mint Marigold in the center surrounded by red and white Caladiums and dwarf Little John Bottlebrush.

Our walk has been a treat. Come visit us soon.

 

Filed Under: BMGA Gardens, Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign

Junk in the Garden, Part One

May 29, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

By Paula Trahan, Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association

There are many ways to add “junk” in your garden, hence, this being part one!

As an avid collector and recycler I have found an outlet for my collections.  Most items in the garden were free, dumpster dives and hand me downs.  Living in a 1911 Cat Spring farmhouse, new statuary and formal gates do not suit its history.  The double washer had been left here by the previous family.  A rusty birdcage is waiting to find its perfect location.

Rose Garden Sign

 

The signs throughout (Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden and The Potting Shed) were purchased at a garden center’s closing sale for less than $30.00 total.

 

The Potting Shed

 

There is purple potting bench made from an old horse farm fence with a small picket panel for the backing.  Plants get plenty of attention at this sunny spot. The awning was from a 1949 home in Seguin, painted purple to match the bench. This gate is one of three purchased at separate times from $10-50.00.

 

Picket Fence Corner of Yard

Another corner of the picket fenced back yard holds a washtub and watering can with an unusual turned spigot.  The post above has a curliecue portion of an iron bed which has been repurposed to hold hummingbird feeders.

 

 

Ceramic Mice in the Roses

 

Friendly little ceramic mice share the roses with a cypress stump which was used as the foundation for this home.

 

Wrought Iron Hanging Basket

 

 

 

 

A lovely wrought iron hanging basket holds a galvanized pan perfect for a respite for birds on our sunny days.  The bird’s hiding places are many within the climbing butterfly vine and confederate rose.

 

Kitchen Garden Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terracotta cherubim toss kisses to one another beneath an unknown variety of rose collected at Shiloh Battlefield Church. A small metal tiered shelf is a nice place to add small plants or these stained glass containers with a path light on top.  To the right of the “Kitchen Garden” sign is the entrance to the vegetable garden with raised beds.  The beds are constructed of 2×12” boards removed from the farmhouse exterior and they will be in place for many years.

 

Vintage Gate with Ceramic Butterflies

 

Another vintage gate, this one with an arbor above made from wood from the farmhouse.  Ceramic butterflies flit over the surface and the two iron candle lights have photocell lights within.

Lighting your garden for safety is very important. At the base of the steps is a pair of inexpensive path lights with stained glass covers among the irises and morning glories.

Stain Glass Path Lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

As most of us seasoned gardeners know it can be costly to enrich your outdoor spaces. Using found items not only is great for the environment but adds so much personality. Thank you for touring “junk in the garden”.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign

Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events!

May 20, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

LogoJoin Aggie Horticulture on Wednesdays & Fridays at 1 p.m. Central time on the Aggie Horticulture Facebook Page to watch Facebook Live events!

Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events

Upcoming Events:

  • 5/22/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – From Garden to Glass DIY Mocktails/Cocktails
  • 5/27/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – “Some Like it Hot” – Growing Vegetables in Summer
  • 5/29/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – TBD
  • 6/3/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – Check your crape (and other plants) for scale

Qualifies for Master Gardener CEU Credits.

Prior Live Event Videos Available on Aggie Horticulture’s  Facebook page:

  • Raised Garden Beds, Location, Soil Mixtures and more!
  • Starting vegetable seeds at home 
  • Planting vegetable transplants or direct seed into your garden!
  • Home Fruit Production – Tips for Success!
  • Small fruits for the backyard
  • Floral Designs from your backyard – Growing, Cutting, Using your flowers and shrubs!
  • Growing Herbs: Basil Bounty
  • Backyard Grapes/Vineyards
  • Pecan Grafting
  • How to Prune Your Trees
  • Lawn Care & Fertilization
  • Drip Irrigation Essentials
  • Grapevine Planting & Training Demo
  • Tidying up your Irrigation System
  • Keys to Successful Peach Production
  • Indoor Gardening
  • Growing Blueberries in Containers

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Advanced Training, CEU, Fruit, Irrigation, LandscapeDesign, Lawns, Seminar, Trees, Vegetables

Blue Daze Named Texas Superstar

May 15, 2020 by cmschweikhardt

Blue Daze Texas Superstar Photo

Blue Daze

The 4th Texas Superstar named in 2020 is sun-loving, low-spreading tropicl plant, Blue Daze.  Brent Pemberton, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist, Overton, said Blue Daze has been a long-time ornamental favorite of gardeners and landscapers and deserves the designation.  “It’s a true-blue flower and a long-established Texas gardening staple,” he said. “Blue Daze is very popular because its claim-to-fame blue color is a coveted color in the flower world.”

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must be beautiful and perform well for growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.

Texas Superstar® is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, a state agency that is part of the Texas A&M University System. Plants are designated Texas Superstars by the Texas Superstar executive board, made up of nine horticulturalists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University.

This post was summarized and the photograph taken from AgriLife TODAY.  For more information about this hardy heat-loving tropical, see the full AgriLife Today article about Blue Daze.

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, TexasSuperstars

Master Gardener Online Earth-Kind Training

October 23, 2019 by bluebonnet

Earth-Kind Logo

Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training videos are made available by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These videos are available to the public to learn more about Earth-Kind® gardening practices.  This program is designed to provide information on a variety of environmentally friendly (Earth-Kind®) practices for use in the home landscape and garden. As your interest and knowledge in this area grows you will have an increased awareness of the many programs, practices and activities that are Earth-Kind®.

All Texas Master Gardeners must recertify each year to remain in the Texas Master Gardener program.  In addition to the annual volunteer hour requirements, recertification requires Texas Master Gardeners to complete continuing education hours on topics of horticulture and gardening practices.  This continuing education helps Texas Master Gardeners sharpen their gardening skills and learn new fact-based and scientifically sound practices supported by Texas A&M AgriLife.

Texas Master Gardeners may select from any of these on-line modules to obtain up to 3 hours of re-certification education credits in a calendar year. Each module is worth 1 hour of credit.  Progress through the training program is tracked “on-line” and the results for each completed module are automatically forwarded to the Texas Master Gardener’s county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Gardener Coordinator.

Participation in the Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training will assist Texas AgriLife Extension Service to promote principles and practices that help conserve and protect our state’s valuable natural resources. Working together we can create a healthy and sustainable environment.

To go to the online modules, click the link below and following the instructions.

Link to: Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training videos

Available videos are:

  • Landscape Water Conservation Training
  • Low-Volume Irrigation Training
  • Irrigation System Auditing Training
  • Safe Use and Handling of Pesticides in the Landscape Training
  • Safe Use and Handling of Fertilizers in the Landscape Training
  • Reducing Landscape Waste – Composting Training
  • Designing an Earth–Kind® Landscape Training

Filed Under: Education, Other Tagged With: CEU, Earth-Kind, LandscapeDesign, Seminar

Yellow Butterfly Vine Named Texas Superstar

June 21, 2019 by bluebonnet

Source: AgriLife Today, June 13, 2019;

Yellow Butterfly

Yellow butterfly vine, also known as yellow orchid vine, a perennial, twining evergreen vine, has been named a Texas Superstar selection for its low maintenance requirements and beauty.

Texas Superstar® is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, a state agency that is part of the Texas A&M University System. Plants are designated Texas Superstars by the Texas Superstar executive board, made up of nine horticulturalists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University.

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must not only be beautiful but perform well for consumers and growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must be easy to propagate, which should ensure the plants are not only widely available but also reasonably priced, said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Bexar County.

Rodriguez said the clusters of dainty flowers on butterfly vine are a brilliant yellow in the summer sun. But it’s the seed pods that give the plant its most common name.

Read Full Article

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: LandscapeDesign, TexasSuperstars

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