Educational Programs

The Galveston County Master Gardeners and the Galveston County Extension Office sponsor numerous seminars, workshops, plant clinics and other educational programs throughout the year.

If special program accommodations by participants are needed, please contact the County Extension Agent at the Extension Office no later than five days before the program.

The following are brief announcements for upcoming programs that will be of value to area gardeners. For additional information contact the County Extension Office by phone or visit us. Check back regularly for additional announcements.

All programs are free to the public except when noted, however due to space limitations pre-registration is required. To register for a program, please call 281-534-3413, ext 1-8 or email galv3@wt.net

FALL PECAN FIELD DAY
	DATE:	Thursday, September 27, 2007
	TIME:	4:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Hall's Pecan Orchard, 11813 - 28th Street, Santa Fe Map to Hall's Pecan Orchard
EVENTS: Bill Ree, Extension pecan entomologist from Texas A&M University, will provide a presentation on insect pests of pecans. Members of the Galveston County Extension Fruit and Pecan Committee will also give presentations. There will be a tour of the orchard highlighting performance of pecan varieties in Galveston County and diagnosis of disease and insect problems, so bring your insects, disease or other pest problems in a plastic bag for free diagnosis. 1-1/2 CEUs will be given for recertification of your Private Applicators License, please bring it with you.
PROPAGATION OF ROSES WORKSHOP
	DATE:	Saturday, September 29, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Old garden roses can be readily increased by a variety of propagation techniques. Whether you’re a beginner at rose propagation or wish to expand your propagation skills, this workshop will be of value. This event is limited to 15 participants and is a hands-on activity. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Presented by the Master Gardener Propagation Specialists Team.
ORNAMENTAL & PERENNIAL SEMINAR AND SALE
	DATE:	Saturday, October 6, 2007
	TIME:	Seminar begins at 8:00 a.m.; plant sale will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Wayne Johnson Community Center, Carbide Park, La Marque Map
EVENTS: Annual sale focusing on landscape plants and perennials that perform well in Galveston County.
Visit back for additional updates.

2007 GALVESTON COUNTY PECAN SHOW
	DATE:	Thursday, November 8, 2007
	TIME:	7:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Walter Hall Pavilion at Walter Hall Park, 807 Highway 3, League City (about two-tenths mile north of the intersection of FM 518 and Highway 3)
EVENTS: This Annual Event invites area growers of improved and/or native varieties to enter samples of their pecans.
This is an early notification for pecan growers and local gardeners to place this event on their calendars! Visit back for additional updates.

HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN TOMATOES FROM SEED

DATE:

Saturday, November 17, 2007

TIME:

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

PLACE:

Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson

EVENTS: Learn about growing tomatoes from seed from Master Gardener Bert Janke. Discussion topics include how to pick the best varieties including heirlooms, where to obtain seeds, planting and growing techniques, and insect and disease control. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

UPPER GULF COAST CITRUS SHOW

	DATE:	Thursday, December 6, 2007
	TIME:	7:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Walter Hall Park Pavilion, 807 Highway 3, League City
EVENTS: All area growers are eligible to enter the Citrus Show. Fruits may be mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, kumquats, C. Ichangensis hybrids, trifoliata, orange, lime, tangerine, sour orange and tangelo. Open to the general public.

This is an early notification for gardeners to place this event on their calendars! Visit back for additional updates.

WORKSHOPS HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR

GROWING PEACHES & PLUMS WORKSHOP
	DATE:	Saturday, January 6, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 12:00 Noon
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Slide presentation on variety selection, establishment, insect pest & disease control, and general care of peaches and plums.

COMMON, EVERYDAY WEEDS - A HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE TO WEED CONTROL
	DATE:	Saturday, January 13, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Do you have a bumper crop of something growing in your yard this spring that you did not plant? Is your lawn more weeds than grass? What can you do about the problem weeds that are taking over your yard? Presentation by Master Gardener Anna Wygrys will include common species identification, Integrated Weed Management plus chemical options, and practical solutions for controlling weeds in the home landscape.

2007 MASTER GARDENER CLASS
	DATE:	Application deadline is January 19, 2007. Classes begin February 6, 2007
	TIME:	1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Classes are limited to 22 Master Gardener interns. Curriculum for the Master Gardener program is taught by Extension specialists from Texas A&M University and the Galveston County Extension Office. Interns must attend all 50 hours of classroom instruction and complete 50 hours of community service at the Galveston Extension Office for certification. Interns will write two research papers and take daily exams. Cost for the class is $150.00 ($50 refundable upon completion of volunteer hours) and includes all materials (and there is a lot!). Please call the Extension Office for your application packet. 281-534-3413, ext 12

EARTH-KIND ROSE SYMPOSIUM
	DATE:	Saturday, January 20, 2007
	TIME:	8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	South Main Baptist Church located at 4300 East Sam Houston Parkway South in Pasadena, Texas
EVENTS: Throw away your spray and chemical treatments. Forget about deadheading and pruning. Reduce your irrigation costs. The Earth-Kind Roses and Landscape Management concept provides the home gardener with roses that thrive with very little care in any soil type. To learn how Earth-Kind takes the work out of rose care and learn all about the most exciting developments in rose growing and to receive a potted Earth-Kind rose to start right away! Pre-registration is required by January 18th to attend. The registration fee of $59.00 includes one 2-gallon potted Earth-Kind rose, a rose care publication, other course materials, snacks and beverages. For more information visit the Houston Rose Society website at http:\\www.houstonrose.org/eksympos.htm You may download the registration form to mail in or bring it to the Galveston County Extension Office. If you have any questions, call 281-534-3413 ext 12

GARDENING BY THE SQUARE FOOT WORKSHOP
	DATE:	Saturday, January 27, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Presented by Master Gardener John Jons. Basic designs, soil preparation, plant selection and establishment, insect pest & disease control, and general care. Class size limited to 32 participants.

22nd ANNUAL GULF COAST VEGETABLE CONFERENCE
	DATE:	Thursday, February 1, 2007
	TIME:	8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building C, 4310 Highway 36 South, Rosenberg
EVENTS: Topics include: Fruits & Vegetable for the Gulf Coast by Bill Adams; Integrated Pest Management for Fruits & Vegetables by Dr. Noel Troxclair; Fertilization & Weed Management for Vegetables--Dr. Mary Ketchershid; and Pesticide Laws & Regulations by Dr. Mary Ketchershid. Pre-registration is required, $10 per person before January 31; after January 31, registration is $15.
PHONE: 281-342-3034 or 281-633-7029 for more information or on the web at http://www.co.fort-bend.tx.us/event.asp?id=13645

FRUIT TREE SEMINAR & SALE (Click here for more information)
	DATE:	Saturday, February 3, 2007
	TIME:	8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
	PLACE:	Wayne Johnson Community Center, Carbide Park, La Marque Map
EVENTS: Fruit Tree Sale & Seminar; Seminar presented by Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms on "Fruit Trees for the Upper Gulf Coast"; Master Gardener Demonstrations of pruning and grafting of fruit trees; "Ask a Master Gardener" with Master Gardeners answering the public's questions. Pre-registration is not necessary for this event.

THE SECRETS OF HOME-GROWN TOMATOES
	DATE:	Saturday, February 10, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Learn about the secrets of growing tomatoes from Master Gardener Sam Scarcella. This workshop will discuss variety selection, planting and growing techniques, and insect and disease control.

SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING SEMINAR
	DATE:	Saturday, February 17, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Luke Stripling will present a workshop on vegetables that do well in our area. Topics will include bed preparation, soil fertility, and disease and insect control.

AN INTRODUCTION TO GROWING ROSES
	DATE:	Saturday, February 24, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: A PowerPoint presented by Master Gardener John Jons covering the basics of growing hybrid tea roses, including variety selection, bed preparation, planting and culture, insect and disease control.

17TH ANNUAL GALVESTON HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
	DATE:	Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11, 2007
	TIME:	Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis, 56th & Seawall Boulevard
EVENTS: Master Gardeners will be available at the Galveston County Extension Service booth to answer gardeners' questions; bring plant and insect specimens for identification and control recommendations; wide variety of publications will be available also.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.galveston.com/homeandgardenshow/
BACKYARD PECANS
	DATE:	Saturday, March 24, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Master Gardener Herman Auer will provide a PowerPoint presentation on pecan trees in the home landscape. Topics include site selection, variety selection, how to plant and prune, insect pests and diseases of pecans and their control.

SPRING PECAN FIELD DAY
	DATE:	Thursday, April 19, 2007
	TIME:	4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
	PLACE:	Carbide Park Pecan Orchard, La Marque Map to Carbide Park
EVENTS: There will be ongoing grafting demonstrations provided. Several varieties of pecan graftwood will be available, as well as a limited supply of pear, jujube, and persimmon graftwood. $1 per stick donation. Bring your insects, disease or other pest problems in a plastic bag for free diagnosis and control recommendations. Pre-registration is not necessary for this event.

GALVESTON COUNTY PLANT SWAP
	DATE:	Saturday, May 12, 2007
	TIME:	10:00 a.m. - until everyone leaves
	PLACE:	Walter Hall Park on Texas 3 in League City.
COST: FREE. Leave your money in the car!
EVENTS: This is a free gathering for gardeners to bring plants, seeds, cuttings, books, pots, questions, advice and smiling faces to exchange with other green thumbs. Register with Mary Ellen Beaupre at 713-724-7213. Galveston County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Selling is strictly prohibited.

FRUIT ORCHARD & GARDEN TOUR
	DATE:	Saturday, May 19, 2007 Note: There is NO RAIN DATE for this event.
	TIME:	Each tour site will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You will have the option of touring either or both sites, in the order you prefer.
	PLACE:	Site #1 - MASTER GARDENER'S DEMONSTRATION ORCHARD located in Carbide Park in La Marque Site #2 - FRUITS N SUCH, a commercial orchard located in the Texas City/ Dickinson area near Hwy. 146 and FM 517.
EVENTS: Tour sites contain a wide variety of fruit trees ranging from 84 mature and 100+ sapling peach trees in the FRUITS N SUCH commercial orchard to citrus trees and a variety of tropical fruits in the MASTER GARDENER'S DEMONSTRATION ORCHARD. Pre-registration is not necessary for this event.
MAPS: Master Gardener Demonstration Orchard ♣ Fruits N Such

TOMATO TASTE TESTING
	DATE:	Saturday, June 2, 2007
	TIME:	10:00 a.m. to Noon
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Gardeners are invited to view a diverse collection of locally-grown heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. You will be able to sample any or all of the tomatoes available. We also invite you to provide us with your feedback through a brief taste evaluation form. Availability of varieties will be dependent upon day-of-harvest conditions. The tomatoes are grown by MG Terry Cuclis and other Texas Master Gardeners. They will be available during the program to answer gardeners’ questions on growing tomatoes. Map to Extension Office

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES & HUMMINGBIRDS
	DATE:	Saturday, June 9, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Educational seminar presented by Master Gardener Deborah Repasz will cover how to create a garden for hummingbirds and butterflies, including plant selection and other items needed in the habitat. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

SNAKE SENSE SEMINAR
	DATE:	Saturday, June 30, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Seminar topics include identification of area snakes, measures to deter snakes in your yard, snakebite prevention/first aid, snake handling techniques/equipment, snake conservation, venom research/medical advances, and snakes as pets. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

BONSAI FOR BEGINNERS
	DATE:	Saturday, July 14, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: MG Clyde Holt will introduce the novice to the art of bonsai. Topics will include growing and training bonsai plants. Demonstrations on material required to make potting mixes, potting procedure and pruning techniques. Variety of established bonsai trees available for viewing. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING WORKSHOP
	DATE:	Saturday, July 21, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Luke Stripling will present a workshop on growing cool weather vegetables. Topics will include bed preparation, soil fertility, starting seeds, setting transplants, and disease and insect control. There will be a round-table discussion of what methods work in Galveston County. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION SEMINAR
	DATE:	Saturday, August 18, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Seminar on the basics of how to design and install an irrigation system. Presented by Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardener Louis Mickler. There will be a hands-on demonstration. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

GARDENING BY THE SQUARE FOOT WORKSHOP
	DATE:	Saturday, August 25, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Presented by Master Gardener John Jons. Basic designs, soil preparation, plant selection and establishment, insect pest & disease control, and general care. Class size limited to 32 participants. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

KITCHEN GARDENING SEMINAR
	DATE:	Saturday, September 15, 2007
	TIME:	9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
	PLACE:	Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson
EVENTS: Presented by Master Gardener Mary Demeny. Discussion on vegetable gardening in your own backyard. Gardening on a smaller scale and making use of vegetables interplanted in your flower beds and in pots will be emphasized. Mary has grown “kitchen gardens” for many years and she has the information you need to garden successfully in our area. Vegetables for discussion include: onions, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, okra, beets, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, kale, leeks and more. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

2006 Educational Programs