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Cameron County Master GardenerGardening practices in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Welcome

The Cameron County Master Gardener Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and charitable entity that trains individuals in the science and art of gardening in partnership with the AgriLife Extension Service.

Program objectives are primarily implemented through trained volunteers— valuable resources in the field— who educate adults and youth through demonstrations, speaking engagements, the media, and community events.

The Education Garden, our demonstration garden, located at the County Annex on the corner of Williams Road and Expressway 77 in San Benito, includes butterfly and vegetable gardens, composting options, rainwater harvesting, and trees that grow well in deep South Texas.

Membership meetings

For the months from November to May, Association Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Extension meeting room at the County Building.

  • 11:30 P.M. – 12:00 P.M. Brown Bag Social
  • 12:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Business meeting
  •  12:30 P.M. – 1:30P.M. CE Presentation

For the months of June to October, the Association Meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month in the Extension meeting room at the County Building.

  • 5:45 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Social
  • 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. Business Meeting
  •  6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. CE Presentation

Interested in volunteering?  Contact Jenn Herrera, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Director.  Call 956.361.8236 and/or visit us on facebook: home / upcoming events.

Education Committee activities

Although some master gardeners work on Tuesdays from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., volunteers are welcome anytime during the day.  Bring a buddy and/or plan ahead to work in bigger groups.  Remember, safety first! 

Essentials to keep in mind?  Gloves, sunscreen, water, high energy, and a smile!

  • Bring raw materials for the compost demonstration.
  • Turn the compost piles and water
  • Water the plants and trees.  If you think they may not be dry yet, check the soil six to twelve inches deep.
  • Weed the butterfly beds.

Let’s have all of the compost bins full by the end of August!!

Citrus Greening

Citrus greening disease, or Huanglongbing (HLB), is considered to be the most destructive disease of citrus.  It is endemic in large parts of Asia and Africa and has recently invaded the Americas.  It is caused by a bacterium which is transmitted by insects called psyllids.  There is no cure for greening, and the lengthy latent period after infection makes eradication almost impossible.  This disease has now been discovered in San Juan, Texas.

For more information please visit Cameron County AgriLife.

Gardening questions?

Contact Jenn Herrera and/or Ask a Master Gardener.