Seminar Schedule

Do I plant broccoli now? How about tomatoes? Get a handle on the fall planting schedule. Learn about varieties appropriate for our short fall season. Help decide how much effort you’re going to invest: learn which crops ripen in weeks, and what takes time and TLC, so you can choose what you really want to plant

Plants make all kinds of smells, tastes, and even antibiotics! These chemicals attract predators, attract pollinators, repel pests, or kill off the competition. Some plants even eavesdrop on what the other plants are doing, and we as gardeners can take advantage of all of this to let the plants better defend themselves. These techniques use fewer pesticides while increasing our yield.

Different rainwater collection systems will be discussed. How to build or buy a rain barrel.

Spruce up your yard while providing materials for the compost pile. Learn some tricks to turn your yard litter into black gold.

Free hands-on activities with Master Gardener Friends

Our gardens will always have “critters,” and most are harmless. Learn who to watch out for and best practices to manage them safely for your family and pets.

Did you lose palms in the February freeze this year? Learn which palms are best for our climate, easiest for beginners, and some exotic species for the experienced grower.

Passionate about urban forestry, Carlos will help you pick the right tree for your needs by offering a wide selection of trees appropriate for our region, and describe proper planting techniques.

On a tight budget? Save seeds but they never grow? Never have enough plants? Learn the secrets to unlocking seed dormancy! Learn what plants come easily from cuttings. Go home with free stuff!

Turn yardwork back into the joy of gardening by making it easier on yourself by having the right implements for every challenge.

Within 20 miles of your front door, we have Chaparral, Beaches, Mudflats, Oak Forests, Dunes, Estuaries, Ponds, Ditches, River, Salt Marsh, and more. The soil and climate determine the plant life, which in turn hosts a symphony of animals tiny to majestic, each unique to that group of plants. See the beauty and significance that every type of creature in this area we are privileged to enjoy.r

Lantanas are famous for their aroma and appeal to butterflies. Pick the right variety for you based on color, bloom season, watering needs, and heat tolerance. Talk is brand-new and based on a study conducted by Nueces Master Gardeners in their EarthKind™ gardens at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in collaboration with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.

The deep roots of native grasses help with water penetration and retention in our arid environment. Grasses are hosts to beneficial insects and microbes that diversify our gardens and aid in their protection from pests and diseases. Butterflies also host on grasses, including the gray hairstreak, 2 types of satyrs, and over a dozen species of skippers. Learn how native grasses can add interest as well as these benefits to your landscape.

Growing flowers, herbs and vegetables in containers is the way to go if you have limited garden space. Learn some of the basics here.

Learn the possible goals of an at-home hydroponic garden and their advantages. See where hydroponics have taken us in the scope of food production on an industrial level, and what role hemp farming may play in the future.

This is a dilemma, especially for the novice gardener. Learn which tools are best for each garden task and save money and aggravation.

February is prime planting time for your spring/early summer garden. Learn about the best varieties for our area.

There are fewer pests to gnaw on and topple our plants in the spring. However, the ones that are out there can do harm. Learn to ID the culprits.

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to naturally reduce and eliminate those garden bad guys.

LearN how to renew, refresh, reorganize and style your home from a lifestyle curator’s perspective!

A fun, interactive talk on easy DIY updates anyone can do as well as how-to instruction on basic tasks that everyone can learn from. Plus a fun trivia game and Q&A about tools and tips!

This presentation will show how to grow the most flavorful, delicious, and prolific tomatoes in your own garden, and without the use of chemicals! Why do some tomatoes taste better than others? Why is it difficult to grow tomatoes in pots? Why do pests destroy some gardens but leave others alone? We will answer these questions and many more. The class will cover: preparing the soil; companion planting with tomatoes; choosing varieties; stakes and trellises; fertilizing; soil amendments; mulching; fighting pests; container plants; and managing heat stress. Questions are welcome!

A short seminar on landscaping for the do-it-yourself folks out there! Learn how to plan, have materials ready, and know the correct way to save time and money! JDM Landscapes and Designs design center can help make this a reality.

Learn about what therapy dogs are, what they do, and the process of becoming a therapy dog!

Free hands-on activities with Master Gardener Friends