Events Cancelled 

Due to health  concerns regarding COVID-19, we have cancelled our upcoming public educational events. This includes the following:

Library Series
Summer Series
Information Booth at Athens Farmers Market
Grand Opening of Harvest Garden
Plant Sale at Senior Center
Fall Fundraiser

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates via this website and our Facebook page.

In the meantime, we will continue to publish gardening articles each week in local newspapers. You can visit our Newspaper Articles page (under the RESOURCES tab) to find past articles on a wide variety of gardening related topics pertinent to Henderson County. We will constantly share up-to-date gardening info with you on our Facebook page. We will also continue to publish our free e-newsletter loaded with lots of gardening info. If you are not signed up to receive it, please contact us and we will be happy to get you on our email list.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!

A Message from the President
of Henderson County Master Gardeners Association

As president of Henderson County Master Gardeners Association, I’ve been amazed to see how many people are turning to their gardens and nature to find solace. Green spaces, it seems, are healing spaces. My fellow Master Gardeners and I are thankful that despite the challenges of social distancing, which caused the cancellation of beloved events like the Spring Plant Sale and the monthly Library Series, we can still help you and your garden grow and thrive. If you have a gardening problem or question, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Henderson County Extension Office: (903) 675-6130, email us at hendersoncmga@gmail.com. Our Master Gardeners will respond to inquiries from the safety of our homes.

Also, I want to reassure you that although our Master Gardeners cannot be out working together in our public garden projects, our volunteer garden project leadership continues to monitor what is happening in the gardens you know and love. Because gardens constantly grow and develop, we will continue to look after them, while also paying strict attention to the guidance of public health directives. While you are out walking through area parks, we ask you to please be diligent about following social distancing guidelines and please understand if our gardeners are not as engaging as they would like to be. The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society (1601 Patterson Rd. Athens) remains open, so you can visit the beautiful grounds including our DREAM Garden. We are also planning a grand opening of our new Harvest Garden (located at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex in Athens) when restrictions on group gatherings are lifted. If you have a question about plants in the gardens we care for, please take a picture and contact us.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 updates and we hope to be back in business serving the public and providing horticultural information thru events as soon as possible.

As we walk together down this challenging path, one step at a time and six feet apart, I hope you can find comfort from time spent in your garden or in a garden in your neighborhood. I continue to be reminded of how resilient plants and people can be. Your Henderson County Master Gardeners Association is a community of passionate, dedicated volunteers who care deeply about helping neighbors in need with science-based gardening help. Our enthusiastic Master Gardeners are standing by to help.

Take care and be well.
Sincerely,
David Bickerstaff
President, Henderson County Master Gardeners Association

Henderson County Master Gardener Association  is an educational and volunteer organization offered by the AgriLife Extension of the Texas A&M University System. The program is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and extend horticultural projects throughout the community. These goals are implemented through the training and employment of local volunteers known as Master Gardeners.

Henderson County Master Gardener Association provides invaluable training and educational opportunities. Professional and amateur horticulturists, as well as persons simply seeking up-to-date horticultural information, can advance their gardening expertise, and gain self-satisfaction through volunteer efforts. The volunteer aspect of the Master Gardener program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to enhancing the quality of life for citizens in their community using the science and art of horticulture.

Gardening Guide

Henderson County Master Gardener Association (HCMGA) is pleased to offer a month-by-month gardening guide to the public for only $15.  This guide is specific to East Texas and is available now.  The guide lists vegetable planting dates and gardening chores for flowers; shrubs and trees; and lawn and ground cover each month. 

Specific tips and tricks relating to the chores listed are included.  For example, pruning information for roses, hydrangeas, and clematis is given. Additionally, the four different types of hydrangeas commonly grown in East Texas are listed, along with the correct pruning method and timing for each type.  A breakdown of clematis types and the proper pruning of each one is also included.   

Twelve different articles on subjects pertaining to gardening in East Texas has been added throughout the book.  Soils; watering; butterfly and bee gardens; Texas Superstar® plants; bulbs; wildflowers; herbs; and several other topics are explained in detail.  

This book should become a treasure to every gardener in East Texas for two reasons.  First, this guide can be used year after year, unlike a calendar which loses its usefulness.  Secondly, the guide has additional pages each month for notes.  This allows each gardener to personalize it to their own specific garden. 

Covered with plastic, this spiral-bound book is approximately 5.5 x 8.5 inches, just the perfect size to pop into your tote or wagon and take out in the garden with you.  You may want to purchase several for friends and family, and some for gifts. 

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward funding horticultural educational projects and programs designed to meet the needs of Henderson County gardeners.  HCMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

The guides are available for pick up at the Henderson County Extension Office, 3rd floor, Courthouse, Athens.

For more information, call 903-675-6130 or email hendersonCMGA@gmail.com.