Seminar Schedule
Check back closer to the show for the full schedule.
Fri. March 20th
Sat. March 21st
Sun. March 22nd
Fri. March 20th
| Location | 1:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Stage | 2:30pm Disappearing Rare Native Plants of the Rio Grande Valley Tx Master Naturalist – Eric Luebanos | 3:15pm Welcoming Wildlife to your yard Tx Master Naturalist – Laura Brush | 4:00pm Native Plants – The Shady Side Tx Master Naturalist – Anita Westervelt | 4:30pm Vines in the Landscape – Beauty or Beast? Tx Master Naturalist – Rachael Brown |
Disappearing Rare Native Plants of the Rio Grande Valley
2:30pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Eric Luebanos
The native plants of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are rapidly declining due to critical habitat loss, invasive species encroachment, urban development, and ongoing water shortages. Many species that were once common are now considered rare, uncommon, or on the brink of local extinction. This seminar will explore the causes of this decline, highlight threatened native plants, and discuss conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Valley’s unique botanical heritage.
Welcoming Wildlife to your yard
3:15pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Laura Brush
Love animals and gardening? Learn how to transform your yard into a thriving habitat for beneficial native wildlife. This seminar covers choosing native plants, providing clean water, creating shelter, and using eco-friendly practices to support birds, pollinators, and other helpful creatures — all while maintaining a beautiful home landscape.
Native Plants – The Shady Side
4:00pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Anita Westervelt
While many Rio Grande Valley native plants perform best in full sun, there are excellent choices that thrive in full shade and others that flourish in partial shade as understory plants. This seminar explores shade-loving native species that add beauty, texture, and habitat value to low-light areas of your landscape, helping you make the most of every corner of your yard.
Vines in the Landscape – Beauty or Beast?
4:30pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Rachael Brown
What vines will truly benefit your landscaping — and in what ways? In this seminar, we’ll explore several vines commonly grown in South Texas and how they can enhance your garden with shade, privacy, color, and wildlife value. We’ll also discuss potential challenges, from aggressive growth habits to maintenance concerns, so you can choose the right vine to support — not sabotage — your garden vision.
Sat. March 21st
| Location | 10:30 | 11:00 | 11:30 | 12:00 | 12:30 | 1:00 | 1:30 | 2:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 | 3:30 | 4:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Stage |
10:30am
Inviting Birds to your Backyard
Jesse Salazar, Erica Barrera, and Laura Brush – Wild Birds Unlimited
|
11:00am
Welcoming Wildlife to your yard
Tx Master Naturalist – Laura Brush
|
11:45am
Vines in the Landscape – Beauty or Beast?
Tx Master Naturalist – Rachael Brown
|
12:30pm
Grow Your Best Tomatoes Yet!
Justin Butts
|
1:45pm
Native Plants – The Shady Side
Tx Master Naturalist – Anita Westervelt
|
2:30pm
🌿 The Secrets of Natural Pest Control
Justin Butts
|
3:30pm
Native Plants – Seed Collection & Propagation
Tx Master Naturalist – Gabriel Montalvo
|
4:15pm
Native Plant Landscaping 101: Plants, Birds, Butterflies
Tx Master Naturalist – Roberto Gaitan
|
||||
| Garden to Table Showcase |
11:00am
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
Kayla Butts
|
1:00pm
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
Kayla Butts
|
||||||||||
Inviting Birds to your Backyard
10:30am
Jesse Salazar, Erica Barrera, and Laura Brush – Wild Birds Unlimited
This talk celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity of the Rio Grande
Valley and the urgent challenges it faces — from habitat loss and declining bird populations to
the cultural pull of the “perfect” lawn.We’ll explore how wildlife gardening can transform
ordinary yards into thriving sanctuaries for birds and pollinators, highlighting the simple yet
powerful elements that make habitat truly successful. Meaningful conservation doesn’t happen
somewhere else — it starts right in your own backyard.
Welcoming Wildlife to your yard
11:00am
Tx Master Naturalist – Laura Brush
Love animals and gardening? Learn how to transform your yard into a
thriving habitat for beneficial native wildlife. This seminar covers choosing native plants,
providing clean water, creating shelter, and using eco-friendly practices to support birds,
pollinators, and other helpful creatures — all while maintaining a beautiful home landscape.
Vines in the Landscape – Beauty or Beast?
11:45am
Tx Master Naturalist – Rachael Brown
What vines will truly benefit your landscaping — and in what ways? In this
seminar, we’ll explore several vines commonly grown in South Texas and how they can enhance your
garden with shade, privacy, color, and wildlife value. We’ll also discuss potential challenges,
from aggressive growth habits to maintenance concerns, so you can choose the right vine to
support — not sabotage — your garden vision.
Grow Your Best Tomatoes Yet!
12:30pm
Justin Butts
Ready to grow your best tomatoes ever? 🍅 Join Justin Butts for a
can’t-miss seminar on how to grow tomatoes packed with flavor and loaded with big yields! From
preparing the perfect soil and selecting the right varieties to trellising, irrigation, pest
control, and more — Justin will break it all down into simple, practical steps you can use right
away. Whether you’re planting your first tomato or looking to take your harvest to the next
level, you’ll walk away with the tips and tricks you need for a thriving, delicious crop this
season!
Native Plants – The Shady Side
1:45pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Anita Westervelt
While many Rio Grande Valley native plants perform best in full sun, there
are excellent choices that thrive in full shade and others that flourish in partial shade as
understory plants. This seminar explores shade-loving native species that add beauty, texture,
and habitat value to low-light areas of your landscape, helping you make the most of every
corner of your yard.
🌿 The Secrets of Natural Pest Control
2:30pm
Justin Butts
Want a thriving garden without harsh chemicals? Learn how to grow healthy
vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in a natural, balanced environment. Discover a farmer’s
proven secrets to managing pests using beneficial insects and eco-friendly techniques that
protect your plants while keeping your garden flourishing — the natural way!
Native Plants – Seed Collection & Propagation
3:30pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Gabriel Montalvo
Whether you’re just beginning your native garden or looking to expand an
established one, understanding the various methods of plant propagation is essential. This
seminar will introduce practical, easy-to-use techniques — from seeds to cuttings and division —
that help every home gardener grow more plants successfully and affordable.
Native Plant Landscaping 101: Plants, Birds, Butterflies
4:15pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Roberto Gaitan
Make a difference in your yard by creating a landscape that looks good and
does good. Gain practical insights into selecting, installing, and maintaining a native
landscape that supports wildlife, conserves water, and remains beautiful and easy to care for
year-round.
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
11:00am
Kayla Butts
Join Kayla Butts, author of the Garden to Table Cookbook, as she shares
simple ways to turn fresh spring ingredients into easy, nourishing meals for the week ahead.
Perfect for busy home cooks and garden lovers alike, this seminar will inspire you to make the
most of what’s growing right in your own backyard!
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
1:00pm
Kayla Butts
Join Kayla Butts, author of the Garden to Table Cookbook, as she shares
simple ways to turn fresh spring ingredients into easy, nourishing meals for the week ahead.
Perfect for busy home cooks and garden lovers alike, this seminar will inspire you to make the
most of what’s growing right in your own backyard!
Sun. March 22nd
| Location | 11:30 | 12:00 | 1:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | 3:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Stage | 11:30am Native Plants – Seed Collection & Propagation Tx Master Naturalist – Gabriel Montalvo | 12:00pm Grow Your Best Tomatoes Yet! Justin Butts | 1:00pm Inviting Birds to your Backyard Jesse Salazar, Erica Barrera, and Laura Brush – Wild Birds Unlimited | 2:00pm 🌿 The Secrets of Natural Pest Control Justin Butts | 3:00pm 🌿 The Secrets of Natural Pest Control Tx Master Naturalist – Roberto Gaitan | 3:45pm Better Lights for Safer Nights Tx Master Naturalist – Jennifer Rektorik |
| Garden to Table Showcase | 12:00pm 🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep Kayla Butts | 2:00pm 🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep Kayla Butts |
Native Plants – Seed Collection & Propagation
11:30am
Tx Master Naturalist – Gabriel Montalvo
Whether you’re just beginning your native garden or looking to expand an established one, understanding the various methods of plant propagation is essential. This seminar will introduce practical, easy-to-use techniques — from seeds to cuttings and division — that help every home gardener grow more plants successfully and affordable.
Grow Your Best Tomatoes Yet!
12:00pm
Justin Butts
Ready to grow your best tomatoes ever? 🍅 Join Justin Butts for a can’t-miss seminar on how to grow tomatoes packed with flavor and loaded with big yields! From preparing the perfect soil and selecting the right varieties to trellising, irrigation, pest control, and more — Justin will break it all down into simple, practical steps you can use right away. Whether you’re planting your first tomato or looking to take your harvest to the next level, you’ll walk away with the tips and tricks you need for a thriving, delicious crop this season!
Inviting Birds to your Backyard
1:00pm
Jesse Salazar, Erica Barrera, and Laura Brush – Wild Birds Unlimited
This talk celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity of the Rio Grande Valley and the urgent challenges it faces — from habitat loss and declining bird populations to the cultural pull of the “perfect” lawn.We’ll explore how wildlife gardening can transform ordinary yards into thriving sanctuaries for birds and pollinators, highlighting the simple yet powerful elements that make habitat truly successful. Meaningful conservation doesn’t happen somewhere else — it starts right in your own backyard.
🌿 The Secrets of Natural Pest Control
2:00pm
Justin Butts
Want a thriving garden without harsh chemicals? Learn how to grow healthy vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in a natural, balanced environment. Discover a farmer’s proven secrets to managing pests using beneficial insects and eco-friendly techniques that protect your plants while keeping your garden flourishing — the natural way!
Water Conservation: The Role of Riparian Vegetation
3:00pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Roberto Gaitan
Vegetation along our waterways plays a vital role in protecting stream banks, stabilizing channels, increasing water storage capacity, enhancing groundwater recharge, and absorbing floodwaters. Join us to learn how healthy riparian environments support water conservation — and how you can help protect and strengthen these critical natural systems.
Better Lights for Safer Nights
3:45pm
Tx Master Naturalist – Jennifer Rektorik
Outdoor lighting plays a vital role in both home safety and garden health. Join us at our Home & Garden Show to learn the five key principles of responsible outdoor lighting and how thoughtful illumination can create a safer, healthier environment for your home, your landscape, and the wildlife around it.
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
12:00pm
Kayla Butts
Join Kayla Butts, author of the Garden to Table Cookbook, as she shares simple ways to turn fresh spring ingredients into easy, nourishing meals for the week ahead. Perfect for busy home cooks and garden lovers alike, this seminar will inspire you to make the most of what’s growing right in your own backyard!
🌿 Easy Spring Garden Meal Prep
2:00pm
Kayla Butts
Join Kayla Butts, author of the Garden to Table Cookbook, as she shares simple ways to turn fresh spring ingredients into easy, nourishing meals for the week ahead. Perfect for busy home cooks and garden lovers alike, this seminar will inspire you to make the most of what’s growing right in your own backyard!