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.

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.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Fort Bend County is cancelling all reservations for the use of County buildings through May.  Since the Grow Your Own series of classes is held in a County building, the local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Fort Bend Master Gardeners are cancelling the “Warm Season Vegetables” class on Saturday, March 21, and the “Vegetable Pests and Diseases” class on April 18.  We are considering rescheduling dates for these two classes and you can look on our website here for up-to-date information.    We hope the rest of the Grow Your Own scheduled classes can resume as planned in September.  May you and your family stay well.

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.

All classes will combine indoor and outdoor lessons, and be held from 9:00 am – 11:00 am, as follows:

Date	Class Topic
Saturday, February 15, 2020	Edible Garden Planning
Saturday, March 21, 2020 - Cancelled - New date to be determined	Warm Season Vegetables
Saturday, April 18, 2020 - Cancelled - New date to be determined	Vegetable Pests and Diseases
Saturday, September 19, 2020	Cool Season Vegetables
Saturday, October 17, 2020	Fruit Trees
Saturday, November 14, 2020	Composting

Class Location: Bud O’Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg, Texas 77471

For more details about the Grow Your Own program, registration information, and class fees, please 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!

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.