FOUNDATION OF OUR WORK
Collin County Master Gardeners follow the Earth-Kind® Environmental Landscape Management System. This easy-care low maintenance system was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to help people protect the environment and conserve natural resources as they create and care for their landscapes and gardens.
HISTORY OF MYERS PARK AND EVENT CENTER
In 1969, John and Winnie Myers donated the land that Collin County later developed into the Myers Park and Event Center. The 158-acre park features The Landing and Pole Barn event venues, a show barn, stall barn, gazebo, pond, the Collin County Farm Museum, an amphitheater, and our Earth-Kind Research and Demonstration Gardens.
HISTORY OF THE GARDENS
In 2008, the Collin County Commissioner’s Court approved a request by the Collin County AgriLife Extension Service, the Collin County Master Gardeners Association, along with Myers Park and Event Center to create the first-ever Earth-Kind perennial plant research center.
MYERS PARK TODAY
Our internationally recognized Earth-Kind Research and Demonstration Gardens serve as outdoor learning laboratories where Master Gardeners share research-based information about Earth-Kind principles and demonstrate effective Earth-Kind landscaping methods.
DISCOVER REAL-WORLD EARTH-KIND SCIENCE
Our research gardens operate according to a research protocol which excludes the use of synthetic, natural, organic fertilizers and pesticides, and limits the use of supplemental irrigation. Research-based information is important because the results from experiments give us great confidence that the results are true and repeatable. Since our Master Gardeners make recommendations based on science, the public can have confidence that they will see the same results when they follow our Earth-Kind principles and practices.
DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL GARDENS
Our demonstration areas showcase plants that will do well in your Collin County garden. Plants in our demonstration gardens do get a bit more attention than plants receive in our research beds. Master Gardeners give these display gardens the same routine care that an average homeowner would give them, such as irrigation when needed and light pruning. But, because successful Earth-Kind practices do not require the use of fertilizers and pesticides, these pleasure gardens can be beautiful and also environmentally friendly.
Our Top Performing Plants for Collin County
Plant Collections
Through research and observation over time at the CCMGA Gardens at Myers Park, Collin County Master Gardeners have developed a list of plants we recommend for our area. We hope that these lists will help you create beautiful and productive Earth-Kind gardens of your own.
2023 Favorite Plants From The CCMGA Gardens
2023 Favorite Annuals And Perennials From The Earth Kind Research Gardens At Myers Park
2023 Favorite Herbs From The Myers Park Herb And Potager Gardens
Top Performing Shade Plants
Garden Tours
Plan to come for a tour of the Earth-Kind Gardens at Myers Park and Event Center. There's a lot you can learn!
Visitors are welcome to walk through the gardens and use the park facilities Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Master Gardeners usually work Wednesday mornings and will be glad to talk to you about the gardens. We also offer group tours of the gardens. Master Gardeners will walk through the gardens with you and talk with you about Earth-Kind landscaping, the development of the gardens and the plants.