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16th Annual Spring Conference

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Thank you to all who attended our 16th Annual Spring Conference. It reminded us why this community is so special. The room was filled with curiosity, generosity, and the kind of good‑natured humor that makes all gardening topics feel friendly.

TX A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Truman Lamb’s presentation on trees gave us a wealth of practical guidance on caring for the species we treasure here in East Texas. If our trees could talk, they would have appreciated every minute of it — and probably taken notes.

Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Reuben Gay delivered a thrilling presentation on the American black bear in our area. He shared game‑camera photos of our wandering visitor, most recently spotted in early April near Hwy 241. This subadult male is the same bear last seen along the Neches River in Maydelle this past winter — clearly a young gentleman with a taste for travel. Now that spring is here, it’s anyone’s guess where he’ll head next. By mid‑summer he’ll reach full maturity, and he may decide to return to Louisiana’s breeding populations or wander back toward the Neches or Angelina River Corridors. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see where his paws take him.

Our two mini‑educational activities — Cooking with Herbs and Building a Victory Garden — were also big hits. Both sessions were well attended, and our speakers delivered practical, inspiring information with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you want to rush home and start a new project (or at least reorganize the herb bed).

A huge thank‑you to the TX A&M Forest Service for the donation of tree seedlings, and to the East Texas Iris Society, who brought iris bulbs and spent a great deal of time answering questions and sharing their expertise. And of course, a special nod to one of our frequently invited vendors — Babass Ranch. Every year they bring something new that we can’t wait to try out… or chow down on. Thanks to all for coming and making this year’s event truly special.

We learned, we laughed, we swapped stories, and we may have enabled each other’s plant‑collecting habits just a little. It was a day that fed both our minds and our roots — the kind of gathering that reminds us why we do what we do.

Save these dates for 2026:
• 26 September — Fall Plant Sale
• 17–31 October — Scarecrow Trail

And for 2027:
• 5 February — Seed Swap
• 20 March — 17th Annual Spring Conference

We hope to see you at all these fun events in the future.

CCMGA Gardens provide fresh veggies to H.O.P.E (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment)

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Last year was a transformative year for our community garden initiative. The Cherokee County Master Gardener Association has two gardens:  1) the Demonstration Garden located behind the Texas A&M Forest Service, and 2) the garden located directly behind the H.O.P.E building.  With a shared commitment to combating food insecurity, our master gardeners volunteer their time to come together to cultivate fresh produce for H.O. P. E. The effort proved to be more than just agricultural work; it became a testament to the power of dedicated volunteering and caring for those with food insecurities.

During the 2025 growing season, we managed to harvest an array of vegetables. Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, and bell peppers thrived in the warm, nurturing soil, while hearty greens like kale, cabbage and assorted greens provided a nutrient-packed addition to the food bank’s offerings. Additionally, root vegetables such as carrots and beets rounded out the bounty, ensuring a diverse array of produce for families in need.

Snapshot of last year’s bounty.

The garden didn’t just yield vegetables; it fostered community connections. This year we  provided “Lunch-n-Learn” workshops on various topics empowering individuals to extend sustainable practices into their own backyard gardens.

The impact of this initiative went beyond addressing hunger; it brought joy, hope, and dignity to those who received the food, reminding us of the importance of coming together for a common cause. It also, strengthens the comradery among the association’s members.  

Don’t forget to check back with us later in the year as I summarize this year’s gardening initiatives. As of 14 April all raised beds have been planted–happy planting!!

Thanks to all within the CCMGA for your enthusiasm and dedication to continue growing food for H.O.P.E. and strengthening our community.

How to treat Fire Ant Mounds

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HOW to ATTACK FIRE ANTS – 6 ways….from Mississippi State University entomologist Blake Layton.
1} Granular Baits: When properly applied, granular fire ant baits are low in cost; quick and easy to apply; safe to pets, children and wildlife and effective, giving about 80% control. Baits are “fire ant-edible” granules containing low doses of slow-acting insecticides or insect growth-disruptors that are applied by spreading them over the lawn. Foraging fire ant workers collect these granules and carry them back to the mound to feed to the young. Depending on the product, it can take two to six weeks to see the full benefit of a bait treatment, but patience and persistence pays. Broadcast a granular fire ant bait over your lawn three to four times a year: around Easter, around Independence Day and around Labor Day, and you won’t have many fire ants in your lawn.
 
2} Dry Mound Treatments: This is the most convenient way to kill individual fire ant mounds. Keep a can of one of the dry mound treatments on hand to spot-treat mounds you see while working in the yard. Just sprinkle the labeled amount of product over the mound and walk away. Treatments that contain acephate smell terrible but work great, killing most mounds in just a few days. Treatments containing deltamethrin or beta-cyfluthrin don’t smell so bad but tend to be less consistent. Use a combination of granular baits and dry mound treatments to knock fire ants out of your yard with a one-two punch.
 
3} Liquid Mound Drenches: This is the fastest way to kill individual fire ant mounds. Drench a mound with an appropriate rate of permethrin, bifenthrin or other labeled product and all ants contacted by the drench will die quickly. The key to success is to use enough drench to thoroughly soak the mound: about one gallon for medium mounds and two gallons for large mounds.
 
4} Broadcast Insecticide Sprays: Primarily used on golf courses and other commercial turf, broadcast sprays contain ingredients such as bifenthrin, permethrin or cyfluthrin. Sprays kill exposed ants on contact and then move into the soil to provide residual control of foraging workers and newly settled queens.
 
5} Broadcast Insecticide Granules: This includes granular insecticides containing active ingredients such as bifenthrin, gamma-cyhalothrin or cyfluthrin that are applied by spreading the granules over the yard. Fire ants don’t eat these granules. Instead, the insecticide they contain leaches into the soil where it provides residual contact kill of foraging workers and newly settled queens. Some products give up to 4 months control.
 
6} Broadcast Fipronil Granules: Strictly speaking, fipronil is another broadcast insecticide, but fipronil (Top Choice, Fipronil 0.0143G and similar products) is placed in a class by itself for several reasons. First, a single application can give season-long control (the label indicates up to 1 year); second, it can only be applied by licensed commercial applicators, and third is the hefty cost. If you want season-long fire ant control with a single treatment, this is the way to go, but expect to pay for it. Also expect it to take a few weeks to begin working; mounds won’t die out overnight

Controling Feral Hogs

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A male feral hog stand in a woodland environment with mud on his snout

Feral Hogs in Texas: An Invasive Animal

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/feral-hog-management/

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are a non-native animal found across the state of Texas. They rely on rooting in the soil to find food, which can cause significant damage to natural resources. They are resilient animals who often compete with native wildlife for resources. Additionally, feral hog ranges overlap with agricultural operations, livestock, and human populations. In the areas where overlap occurs, feral hogs cause millions of dollars worth of damage and run the risk of spreading disease. Texas has no native predators capable of regulating feral hog populations, so land managers must implement control techniques to keep populations in check.

In recent decades, feral hog populations have grown dramatically in Texas leading to corresponding increases in the damage they cause. The resources provided here are intended to increase the understanding of feral hog biology and natural history so that management efforts can be more successful. The management techniques discussed here provide a variety of options so that land managers can select the tools that will work best for them.

“How to Create a Container Garden”

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10 Steps to Container Garde

A step-by-step guide for creating a container garden, including choosing the right containers and soil, selecting the right plants, and caring for the plants over time. 

1. Choose a container

There are many container options available, so choose one that fits your style. Choose from glazed clay pottery, natural looking stone pots, brightly colored plastic, rustic metal containers or find a truly unique container. Make sure that your container has good drainage because soggy roots will kill your garden. No drainage? No problem. Either drill your own or line the bottom of the container with several inches of broken terracotta and small stones. Keep in mind that your plants will grow better in a larger container rather than a small one. More soil means more space for roots to grow. More roots mean prettier flowers!

2. Prepare your container

If your container is large and you are worried about the cost (or the weight) of filling the entire pot, simply turn sturdy recycled plastic pots upside down in the bottom of the container or use packing peanuts. If you don’t already have pots to use, we carry a selection of cheap insert options available in-store. Make sure not to choose a flimsy pot to use or the weight of the watered-in soil can collapse your garden

3. Fill your container with soil

Choosing the right soil for your container garden is essential. The better the soil is, the better your plants’ roots, foliage and flowers will grow. We recommend Eko Organic All Purpose Potting Mix. Made locally here in Colorado, this potting mix has more nutrients than what you would find in other bagged mixes. Fill your container until the soil reaches couple of inches from the top. Make sure not to mound your soil, it should be about one inch beneath the top once finished. This will act as a water reservoir, giving your plants more time to hydrate themselves.

4. Add a good starter food

We love to use Bio Tone Plant Starter on what we plant both in the ground and in containers. This microbe-enhanced all natural plant food includes both endo & ecto mycorrhizae. You’ll grow a larger root mass to help plants establish quickly and promote bigger blooms, and Bio Tone reduces transplant loss.

5. Pick your plants

Choose plants that go together, not only by color but also those that need the same growing conditions. Planting sun-loving plants in a shaded area container, or visa versa, will be a disappointment after all your work. 

6. Prepare your plants

Get your planting project off to a healthy start by “cleaning” your plants first. Pick off any spent blooms or yellowing leaves. If any of your plants are root bound, score or carefully cut the roots which allows new roots to grow from the cuts. Pinch back any plants that are too tall or leggy. To trim your plants, cut directly above the node of leaves that sits at the height you desire. This will encourage side, instead of vertical, growth.

7. Plant!

Position your tallest plants in the center of the pot, and the trailers around the edge. As you plant, make sure not to compress the soil. Instead of pressing the soil down, move it to the side to make room for your plants. Fill the soil back into the remaining space so that the plants are tucked securely in place.

8. Water

Give your new plants a nice long drink. You want the water to run out of the drainage holes of the pot. If you don’t have drainage holes then you’ll want to water less you so don’t turn the soil into a bog.

9. Fertilize

Quite honestly, the simplest trick to great containers is to routinely fertilize them. Choose a fertilizer high in phosphate, which encourages blooming. We recommend Fertilome Rooting & Blooming.

10. Maintain

As the season progresses, be mindful to keep up on the maintenance of your container garden. Deadheading flowers will not only help your garden stay disease free, it will also encourage new flowers to form. Cut back the plants in your container garden if they get too wild so you can keep the desired shape and form. Or… let them go crazy and see just how big they will g