Improving the quality of life through horticulture education.
Gardening on the Gulf Coast Class List
Would you like to learn about building flowerbeds, taking care of your lawn, growing herbs, or the different types of citrus trees that grow in our area? Learn from the experts! Texas Agrilife Extension Horticulture agents and specialists will present a FREE online series of classes on these topics in September. You can attend online for one class or all of them. To learn more about the classes visit:
September Gardening on the Gulf Program List
Save the dates for one or all of these great online gardening topics. Register in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Texas Fruit Virtual Conference
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 9th Annual Texas Fruit Virtual Conference will be held online, rather than in person on September 21st and 22nd. Our online web conference will be practical and educational for the diverse Texas fruit growing community’s needs. Topics to be covered include: starting a fruit orchard, crop and variety options, soil and water evaluation, orchard design, planting, irrigation, new growing practices, new crops and new marketing practices. Cost for Session 1 (Sept. 21) is $50, for Session 2 (Sept. 22) $35; for both sessions the cost is $70.
Register today at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/registerForEvent/3164.
From the USDA (updated info):
There have been nationwide reports of people receiving unordered seeds from China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to mail those seeds to the location location in your state that is closest to your residence.
Instructions for Mailing Seed Packets:
- Place the unopened seed packet and any packaging, including the mailing label, in a mailing envelope. If the seed packets are open, first place the seeds and their packaging into a zip-lock bag, seal it, and then place everything into a mailing envelope.
- Please include your name, address, and phone number so that a State or Federal agriculture official can contact you for additional information, if needed.
- In some cases, you may also submit your information online. Instructions are provided below if that is an option in your state.
If you are unable to mail the package to one of the locations below, please contact your APHIS State plant health director to arrange a no-contact pick up or to determine a convenient drop-off location.
Choose the closest location:
|
USDA-APHIS-PPQ Attn: Elias Gonzalez 100 Los Indios Blvd. Los Indios, Texas 78567
|
USDA-APHIS-PPQ Attn: Gerardo Gonzalez 120 San Francisco, Bridge II Complex Building 5, Room 505 Laredo, Texas 78045 |
USDA-APHIS-PPQ Houston PIS Attn: Alejandro Gammon, Officer in Charge 19581 Lee Road Humble, TX, 77338 |
| USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Dallas Ft Worth Work Unit 75261 Attn: Janet Ussery, Officer in Charge P.O. Box 610063. Dallas, Texas 75261 |
USDA APHIS PPQ Attn: Harald Grieb 3600 E. Paisano Dr. Room 147-1 El Paso, TX 79905 |
Their contact info is below or the website below:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/sa_sitc/ct_antismuggling
USDA, APHIS, PPQ
Plant Inspection Station
19581 Lee Road
Humble, TX 77338
Phone (281) 982-9540 – Fax (281) 982-9550
From Dr. Kevin Ong, Director – Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (TPDDL), Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
Howdy all:
Some of you may have heard of reports noting packages containing seeds from China was received that was labeled as jewelry or other items to individuals (who did not order such things) in the US. This morning, I have received information there have been numerous such incidents occurring in Texas.
All incidents should be reported to USDA-APHIS [512-916-5241]. However, their phones are very busy. So, an email is preferred. Emails should be sent to: Carol Motloch, USDA-APHIS-PPQ State Operations Coordinator (carol.m.motloch@usda.gov). The email should include client (your) contact (email and phone number) and a description of package information (a photo of the label and material would help).
Visit This Month’s Featured Garden.
- Ask a Master Gardener your garden related questions.
- Request a speaker from our Speaker’s Bureau for your meeting or event. (Adult events)
- Request a talk or demo through our Youth Activities Committee. (Youth/School events)
- Request an “Ask a Master Gardener” booth for your fair or event.
- Attend fun and educational gardening events.
- Find online garden information, specifically for Fort Bend County.
- Become a Master Gardener!
- Texas Master Gardener Association
Grow Your Own
The Texas A&M AgriLife® Extension Service in Fort Bend County, along with the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, present Grow Your Own, a six-class program on creating a productive edible garden in the home landscape. Participants will learn how to start a garden, the keys to success, what to plant and when, and how to reap the benefits of year-round food production in Fort Bend County.
| CLASSES ARE REOPENING ONLINE. |
Please register in advance – $15 per class. Advanced payments must be received two days prior to the start of each class to ensure enrollment confirmation. Once confirmed, you will receive a link allowing you to attend the online class.
All classes will combine indoor and outdoor lessons, and be held from 9:00 am – 10:30 am, as follows:
| Date | Class Topic |
|---|---|
| Saturday, September 19, 2020 | Cool Season Vegetables |
| Saturday, October 17, 2020 | Fruit Trees |
| Saturday, November 14, 2020 | Composting |
Class Location: ONLINE
For more details about the Grow Your Own program, registration information, and class fees, please click HERE.
To register online click HERE
Want to Water Your Landscape the Right Way?
Anita Maddox, Fort Bend County Master Gardener
Did you know the best time to water your landscape is early in the morning before 10 a.m. (best), or late in the evening after 6 p.m.? If you water during the heat of the day, some of your water is lost to evaporation. Learn more.
Fire Ants: Hitchhiking, Venomous Aggressors Invade Fort Bend County!
Fire Ant
Susan Whitacre, Fort Bend Associate Master Gardener
That could be a newspaper headline, and I have the scarred ankles to prove it! If you tend your home garden, hike through open fields, picnic in a park or mow your lawn, you have almost certainly experienced an attack of these ravenous aggressors. What are these invaders that can disrupt local ecology, impact local economies and, on rare occasions, take the life of vulnerable humans and wildlife? Learn more.