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Spotlight on . . . Laura Van Poppel, Master Gardener

Laura says, “I became a Master Gardener in 2015. My children were getting older and I had some time to give to a volunteer organization. I love plants and gardening, so Master Gardener was a good fit that matched my time and passion.”

What is a "mast year" & why do I have a bumper crop of acorns?

May Question of the Month: Every few years my neighbors and I ask each other the same question. Where are all of the acorns coming from? Some years, my yard is covered in acorns. Can you help us understand what is going on?

Plant Nerd to Master Gardener — It is Finally Happening!

I love gardening. I am 100% a plant and landscaping nerd. I know I am preaching to the choir here. I come by it honestly. 

Spotlight on . . . SuEllen Mooney, Master Gardener

A gifted teacher and natural leader, SuEllen Mooney was the 2021 Master Gardener of the Year. She is known to the Master Gardener training class leaders, students, and mentors, but not by most of the general membership. You’ll want to get to know this dynamic lady!

Hellebores — Champions of the Shade Garden

If you had asked me 20 years ago what a hellebore is, I couldn’t have told you. But now that I’ve gardened under lovely mature trees here in North Texas for two decades, I can describe hellebores in the blink of an eye. 

Spotlight on . . . Greg Rockhold, Collin County Master Gardener

Master Gardener Greg Rockhold may be a man of few words, but he’s a man of action . . . a doer who gets things done. Those who know him admire his tenacity, curiosity, creativity and passion.

Growing Potatoes in North Texas

Question of the month: I would like to grow potatoes this spring. Can you give me pointers on how to grow them in north Texas?

Chasing Away the Winter Blues

For years, I found myself longing for my garden time and had an unfulfilled desire to provide nutritious homegrown food for my family through the winter months. Fortunately, I discovered a remedy to my winter veggie blues — homegrown microgreens!  

Why Do You Garden?

Greg Grant has authored and co-authored several gardening books, taught college horticulture classes, writes a column for Texas Gardener magazine, introduced plants into the Southern nursery industry including Gold Star Esperanza, John Fanick phlox and Henry Duelberg sage. He is currently the Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler.

I recently read Greg Grant’s blog post Natural by Nature in which he wrote about why people garden.

Taking Care of Three Popular Holiday Plants

We are nearing that time of year of gift giving!  If you are lucky, you might receive one of these popular holiday plants as a gift - the beautiful and delicate poinsettia, the dainty Christmas cactus or the bold and beautiful Amaryllis.

Spotlight on . . . Joyce Cleary, Collin County Master Gardener

An article about Collin County Master Gardener, Joyce Cleary

HOW PROTECT PLANTS BEFORE A FREEZE

HOW PROTECT PLANTS BEFORE A FREEZE

When the weather forecast predicts freezing weather, it is important to protect your plants. How do you know what to do and when?