News and Events

GARDEN PATCH by Phyllis Webster
Select Blooming Trees   

While annuals and perennials get the lion’s share of credit for spring and summer flowers, many small trees and tree-form shrubs also boast colorful blooms. Perhaps best-known for its floral display is crepe myrtle, but rose of Sharon (Althea) wins the hearts of traditionalists with its old-fashioned hibiscus-like flowers. Another southern favorite is magnolia due to its large saucer-shaped white blooms, but it can be tricky to keep alive in highly alkaline, dry soils. Learn about small tree selections in Phyllis Webster’s column Select Blooming Trees.

JULY PROGRAM
Topic: Don’t BEE scared – HONEY BEES ARE BENEFICIAL!
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Location: Hood County Annex I, 1410 W. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048

Program: Our July program features Master Gardener LaVonda Becker who is buzzing with knowledge about honey bees! LaVonda has had her own apiary for 15 years and previously provided bee removal and rehoming services in Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Tarrant and Parker counties. She will speak about honey bees and their colonies, detailing the variety of roles and activities in the hive, and how bees and bee byproducts are used. She does not sell honey from her apiary, but does harvest it for her own use, due to its beneficial and therapeutic properties. Attendees will get to sample a variety of foods and some wild honey tastings to test your tastebuds for the flowers from which the bees foraged.

GARDEN PATCH by Phyllis Webster
The Sky Is the Limit  

Enjoy the benefits of vines which add privacy, shade and colorful blooms, while taking up less garden real estate than shrubs. They provide vertical greenery to break up the starkness of walls and fences and can cate a sound buffer.  Read more in the Garden Patch article The Sky Is the Limit by Master Gardener Phyllis Webster.

	GARDEN PATCH by Phyllis Webster It’s All About Annuals    Planting perennials is a long-term investment, but experienced gardeners know that growing annuals helps to bridge the seasons and provide long-lasting beauty in the landscape. Read more in the Garden Patch article It’s All About Annuals by Master Gardener Phyllis Webster.
JUNE PROGRAM Topic: GARDENS OF LAKE GRANBURY MASTER GARDENERS Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Time: 1-2 p.m. Location: Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury Program: Take a photographic peek into beautiful spaces cared for by master gardeners, full of wonderful ideas and plants that you can use in  your own garden.
GARDEN PATCH by Phyllis Webster Plant Recommended Perennials   This year, select the most dependable, eye-catching perennials for your landscape. Find out which bedding plants are recommended by The Texas Cooperative Extension for north central Texas.

See the back story about the metal art LIFE CYCLE in this week’s issue of Hood County News, which is free to access: https://www.hcnews.com/stories/monarch-life-cycle-sculpture-to-debut-may-3,73233

MAY PROGRAM
GARDENING for HEALTH – Satisfying Food Needs in Our Communities

Topic: Gardening for Health — Satisfying Food Needs In Our Communities, presented by Tarrant Area Food Bank, Fort Worth When: Wednesday, May 21, 1- 2 p.m. Who:  Lauren Hickman, Horticultural Therapist-Registered, former Master Gardener, and the Garden & Farm Programs Manager at Tarrant Area Food Bank. Where: Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury What:   Learn about the Tarrant Area Food Bank’s Community Garden Network, garden education programs and Farmers Market Nutrition programs. Take part in TAFB’s train-the-trainer program regarding their newest gardening series, Gardening for Health. Learn more about Gardening for Health, TAFB’s newest garden education series and how you can get involved at http://tafb.org/community-garden/

Learn more about identification of drought tolerant plants and waterwise features in the latest Garden Patch column by Lake Granbury Master Gardener Phyllis Webster. Read the April 5, 2025 column on Buy Drought Tolerant Plants.  APRIL PROGRAM GROWING HERBS: Beneficial Herbal Teas from Your Garden Topic: Growing Beneficial Herbs Date: April 16, 2025 Time: 1-2 p.m. Location: Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury Program:  Lake Granbury Master Gardener LaVonda Becker, B4 Hobby Farms, will speak about Growing Beneficial Herbs, including teas that can be made from your garden. She keeps bees and grows her own herbs that she uses medicinally when needed. The season of Lent is marked in gardens by the appearance of early blooming Lenten roses (Helleborus orientalis).  Read more in the March 23, 2025 Garden Patch column on Growing Lenten Roses. Date: Saturday, April 12 Time: 8 a.m. until sold out Location: Demonstration Garden located behind Hood County Annex I, 1410 W. Pearl St., Granbury 3/11/25 – Press Release: Scholarships available  – Deadline to apply is April 14

Prepare for Spring – See the latest Garden Patch article on our Gardening Knowledge page

02/17/25 – Press Release: Plant Sale announced MARCH PROGRAM:  BASICS of SEED COLLECTION

Topic: Basics of Seed Collection [Trees] Date: March 19, 2025          Time: 1-2 p.m.Location: Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., GranburyProgram:  Hear Texas A&M Forest Service experts speak about two programs that can be used to purchase seedlings to reforest your property after a natural disturbance, forest health issue such as oak wilt, or to increase diversity of tree species.  Learn how to collect seed and supplies.

Topic: Finding Inspiration from the Garden Date: Feb. 26, 2025 Time: 1-2  P.M. Location: Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury Presenter: Sandra Bradshaw, Lake Granbury Master Gardener

01/13/25 – Master Gardeners of 2024 named; New officers introduced

12/16/24- Annual Report of Lake Granbury Master Gardeners of Hood County presented at the Hood County Commissioner’s Luncheon

2025 Master Gardener Class Announced

The Hood County Extension office and Lake Granbury Master Gardeners of Hood County are accepting registrations for the 2025 class of applicants to become Master Gardeners.

Click here to help you decide if you would like to become a Master Gardener.

REGISTRATION CLOSED for the 2025 class to become a Lake Granbury Master Gardener of Hood County. Call 817-579-3280 for more info.  [Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/242555517513052]