Open to Public
Planting and Pruning Fruit Trees by H. Auer @ Texas Groundskeepers
Discovery Garden: Open Garden Days
The Discovery Garden is a 4-acre demonstration garden promoting best practices in home horticulture. Public Hours are weekly every Thursday from 9am to 11am; except holidays and severe weather events. We welcome all residents and visitors.
You can explore vegetables to ornamental gardens, Earth-Kind Garden to Pollinator Habitat Garden, seasonal vegetable research and ongoing aquaponics program, and Urban Orchard programs featuring citrus, peach, fig, pear and plum trees. We offer workshops and demonstrations through hands-on learning at our garden for the benefit of our community
Discovery Garden: Open Garden Days
The Discovery Garden is a 4-acre demonstration garden promoting best practices in home horticulture. Public Hours are weekly every Thursday from 9am to 11am; except holidays and severe weather events. We welcome all residents and visitors.
You can explore vegetables to ornamental gardens, Earth-Kind Garden to Pollinator Habitat Garden, seasonal vegetable research and ongoing aquaponics program, and Urban Orchard programs featuring citrus, peach, fig, pear and plum trees. We offer workshops and demonstrations through hands-on learning at our garden for the benefit of our community
Blackberries – Urban Orchard Series
Urban Orchard Series – Bramble On! Blackberries. Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Monica Martins and Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff, we will explore blackberry cultivation including varieties (thorned and thornless), growth habit and seasonal pruning, trellising systems and fertilization. You will learn about soil preparation and planting, as well as disease and pest management.
This program is sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardeners and Galveston County AgriLife Extension, part of our Urban Orchard series.
For additional questions on program call 281-309-5065. Registration is required for this free program.
To register and for more information: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/urban-orchard-series-blackberries/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Galveston County Home Orchard Tour
Explore fruit culture and visit Fruits ‘N Such Orchard and our Discovery Garden. The tour sites host a variety of fruiting plants, ranging from container blackberries, highbush blueberries and vegetables in Dickinson, and the Galveston County Master Gardener Discovery Garden Orchard in La Marque.
Orchard locations:
1. Wilson and Renee Hillman’s Fruits ‘n Such orchard at 6309 Ave. U, Dickinson, TX 77539; located off Bowerman Road and FM 517; ph. 832-443-6733
2. Galveston County Master Gardener Discovery Garden, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque, TX 77568
Each site will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
No pre-registration needed; visit sites in any desired order. There is no RAIN DATE for this event. It will occur, rain or shine. Wear appropriate shoes and bring other rain gear as needed.
Urban Orchard Series: Propagating Fig Trees
Explore best methods propagating and pruning fig trees with Galveston County Master Gardener Barbara Canetti. Canetti will cover fig growth habit and fruiting varieties, as well as maintenance. We will visit our Discovery Garden Orchard for hands-on experience with our fig collection.
Register online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/urban-orchard-series-propagating-fig-trees/, or call 281-309-5065.
- Registration deadline is January 19, 2023 at 1 p.m.
- Note: If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than two weeks before the program.
T-Bud Grafting – Gulf Coast Gardening Seminar
Galveston County Master Gardener Hazel Lampton will present a hands-on workshop for T-bud grafting. We will explore methods used on peach, plum, pear, apple and other fruit trees. ***NOTE: Workshop is limited to 20 participants. You must pre-register to participate***
To register and for more information: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/t-bud-grafting/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Fabulous Figs! – Gulf Coast Gardening seminar
Join Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff for a presentation exploring fig culture in Galveston County. We will cover the rich history of fig production in our county, discover growth habit, fruiting, varieties and maintenance. We will visit our Discovery Garden Orchard to check out our collection of figs, and if the fruit is willing we’ll sample varieties.
Registration is required.
To register and for more information: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/fabulous-figs/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Blackberry Culture – Gulf Coast Gardening seminar
Presented by Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff, we will explore blackberry cultivation including varieties (thorned and thornless), growth habit and seasonal pruning, trellising systems and fertilization. You will learn about soil preparation and planting, as well as disease and pest management.
Registration is required.
To register and for more information: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/blackberry-culture/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Summer Pruning Fruit Trees
Summer pruning fruit trees is a must to maintain tree health and promote next year’s production. Join Texas Master Gardener Robert Marshall and Extension Horticulture Agent Stephen Brueggerhoff to learn best methods for pruning peach, pear and plum. Included is a review of fruit tree species growth and habit, open center versus central leader pruning, and general maintenance tips. Half the program is presented indoors, remaining program will be hands-on pruning in the Discovery Garden orchard in Carbide Park. Bring your personal hand-pruning shears. Registration is required.
For more information and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/summer-pruning-fruit-trees/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Growing Strawberries 2022
Presented by Galveston County Master Gardener Robert Marshall, we will explore the history of strawberries in our area and give you expert advice to help you successfully grow strawberries in Galveston County. Marshall will include the correct time to plant, the best varieties for this area, and planting bare root vs plugs. He will also tell you how to prepare your strawberry beds, water and fertilizer needs, and disease and pest control.
Registration is required.
For more info and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/event/growing_strawberries_2022/
If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.
Galveston County Home Orchard Tour
Three fruit orchards are on the tour this year. Vegetable gardens at each site will also be open. The tour sites contain a wide variety of fruit trees, ranging from a peach orchard in Dickinson, the Galveston County Master Gardener Discovery Garden Orchard in La Marque, and a sizeable home orchard in Santa Fe.
Click Here for the flyer and detailed map & directions.
Orchard locations:
1. Wilson and Renee Hillman’s Fruits ‘n Such orchard at 6309 Ave. U, Dickinson, TX 77539; located off Bowerman Road and FM 517; ph. 832-443-6733
2. Galveston County Master Gardener Discovery Garden, 4102 Main Street (Hwy 519), La Marque, TX 77568
3. Galveston County Master Gardener homeowner at 5202 Highland Road, Santa Fe, TX 77517.
Each site will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon.
No pre-registration needed; visit sites in any desired order. There is no RAIN DATE for this event. It will occur, rain or shine. Wear appropriate shoes and bring other rain gear as needed.