REQUEST A SPEAKER
Thank you for choosing the Rockwall County Master Gardener Speakers Bureau which provides scientifically research-based and of-interest topics to groups and organizations throughout Rockwall County.
GUIDELINES
- Complete the Speaker Request Form.
- Speakers only present in Rockwall County.
- If you do not receive a confirmation within 72 hours, contact the RCMG Help Desk by phone at 972-204-7660 or email: [email protected].
- Allow at least 3 weeks to schedule a speaker.
- Speaker Bureau volunteers are not available during December.
- There is no charge for speakers. However, donations are accepted in the form of Honorariums, which support our RCMG community projects.
- Honorarium checks should be made out to RCMGA and mailed to: RCMGA Treasurer; 915 Whitmore Drive Suite B, Rockwall, TX 75087
- Honorariums are also accepted via online donation.
SPEAKER TOPICS
BEE KEEPING: Start your own backyard beehive or re-vamp your gardening with a focus on what’s best for the bees.
CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: Elevate your landscape or patio with striking cacti and succulents. Learn to make your own cactus and succulent mix, master care and propagation tips, and explore bold design ideas for your garden or patio.
COMPOSTING: Learn how to effectively recycle organic matter from your garden to produce a valuable fertilizer that will enrich your soil and plants.
CUT FLOWER GARDENING: Grow your own cool season and warm season cut flower garden using the best varieties of flowers for our local climate. Enjoy fresh flower bouquets harvested from your own garden.
DAYLILIES: Make daylilies a permanent feature in your landscape! With varying heights, bloom times, textures, and vibrant colors, they add dramatic flair. Our expert field tester will show you how to incorporate these drought-tolerant perennials into your garden.
FAIRY GARDENS: Create enchanting miniature Fairy Gardens! Discover fairy folklore, fairy garden design, and learn essential care tips for succulents including soil, watering, and lighting. This class is for adults only. For youth, please select our Youth Programming.
HERBS: Learn how to successfully grow herbs by understanding the best growing seasons for each type, which herbs grow well together, and easy ways to incorporate herbs into your landscape.
NATIVE BEES: Move over, honeybees—Texas is home to 1,000+ native bee species! Discover their vital role in supporting wildflowers and crops, and learn how to create year-round habitats to protect them
ORCHIDS THAT THRIVE: Have you ever been gifted a grocery store orchid? Discover the secrets to keep your orchids thriving and re-blooming year after year.
POLLINATORS IN THE GARDEN: Explore the top plants for attracting pollinators throughout the entire growing season, and learn how to support pollinators by creating safe winter habitats and environments that promote year-round well-being.
SEED STARTING AND SOIL BLOCKING: Ready to grow your own plants from seed? Soil blocking is an excellent method for starting seeds. Discover helpful tips and tricks for successful seed starting, including seed starting mix recipes, watering techniques, lighting requirements, and troubleshooting common issues.
SOIL BIOLOGY: The study of the living organisms in the soil and their roles in supporting plant growth and overall ecosystem balance. Even with the right location, sunlight, and water, poor soil can limit your gardening success. Soil health is the foundation of successful vegetable and landscape gardening. Learn simple ways to improve your soil and help your plants thrive.
TEXAS NATIVE PLANTS: Native plants are those that grow naturally in a particular region. Plants native to our North Texas ecoregion thrive in our soil conditions, are more tolerant of heat and drought, and tend to be more resistant to native insects and diseases. Discover the ultimate guide to plants that truly thrive in our Texas climate.
TEXAS SUPERSTARS®: Plants earning the Texas Superstar® designation undergo several years of extensive field trials by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. They must be super-performing plants under Texas growing conditions. Plants may be native or adapted to our area and include annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Find a Texas Superstar® for every spot in your landscape.
VEGETABLE GARDENING: A beginners guide to starting your own vegetable garden and troubleshooting common vegetable garden problems.
VERMICULTURE: Create nutrient rich vermicompost (worm castings) in a small indoor space using kitchen scraps and Red Wiggler worms.
YOUTH PROGRAMMING: Engage children in hands-on learning fun with gardening topics such as soil, worms, good bugs bad bugs, growing food, insect and plant lifecycles, and backyard critters. Programs are designed for Pre-K to 6th grade.