Smith County – Salsa 101: Growing Tomatoes and Peppers in East Texas

Tyler, Texas — The Smith County Master Gardeners invite the public to attend Salsa 101: Growing Tomatoes and Peppers in East Texas on Friday, March 20, 2026, as part of their ongoing 2026 Library Series focused on Edible Gardening. This free community program will take place at the Tyler Public Library Taylor Auditorium, 201 S. College Avenue, Tyler, Texas.

Seating opens at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation will run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m..
This event is free and open to the public.

The featured speaker is Dr. Greg Grant, Smith County Horticulturist and Master Gardener Coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Dr. Grant is widely recognized for his expertise in Texas fruit and vegetable gardening and is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening as well as numerous publications for Texas gardeners.

During this presentation, Dr. Grant will share:

• Best tomato and pepper varieties for the East Texas climate
• Proven planting and care techniques for maximizing productivity
• Recommendations for disease-resistant and heat-tolerant cultivars
• Practical tips for gardeners of all experience levels

As East Texas gardeners prepare for spring planting, this session offers timely guidance for anyone looking to grow flavorful salsa ingredients right in their backyard.

This program is part of the Smith County Master Gardeners 2026 Library Series, which highlights edible gardening topics throughout the year.