by Cheryl Huckabee
Are you new to North Texas or just need gardening information? Ample information is available to you from the extension services here in Texas. Every state in the United States and the District of Columbia has at least one land-grant university offering cooperative extension services.
Texas has two land-grant universities with cooperative extension services: Prairie View A&M University, a historically black college in Prairie View and part of the Texas A&M University System, and Texas A&M University, located in College Station. Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension has extension offices supporting 35 counties. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has 250 extension offices and supports all 254 counties.
Nearly 100,000 volunteers provide education and other services, including the Master Gardener and Texas Master Naturalist volunteer programs. Master Gardener volunteers receive in-depth horticultural training and provide volunteer service by delivering horticultural and environmental education and projects to their communities. Texas Master Naturalists also receive training and provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.
The Denton County Master Gardener Association’s mission: “educates and engages county residents in the implementation of research-based horticultural and environmental practices that create sustainable gardens, landscapes, and communities.” The information in the North Texas Gardening section is beneficial. The Help Desk is another outstanding resource for answering questions about gardening (email: master.gardener@dentoncounty.gov)
Aggie-Horticulture, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
This site offers fact sheets on a variety of horticultural areas ranging from fruits and nuts to ornamentals, viticulture, and wine, as well as online courses.
Insects in the City, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
This site provides science-based pest management solutions for the yard and garden, household, and other insect topics.
Insect ID, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
This is a service to assist in the identification of pest insects in the home, yard, garden, or farm. Complete the online form and provide photographs. An AgriLife entomologist will respond in a few days.
Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
This laboratory offers a soil testing service for a nominal fee. The results of the soil test are mailed or emailed to you with recommendations for the nutrients needed, and how much should be applied.
Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
The diagnostic lab “can assist with any type of plant disease problem for field crops, trees, turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, flowers, shrubs, houseplants, or any other type of plant”. This service can take up to 21 days to return results. We recommend checking with the DCMGA Help Desk or County Extension office first.
Urban and Community Forests
Texas A&M Forest Service
This site includes information on the selection, planting, and long-term care of trees in Texas communities. Online information for residents and homeowners includes tree identification, forest health, tree planting guide, big tree registry, and urban forestry fact sheets.
Water My Yard
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Water My Yard is a free tool to assist residents in determining the amount of supplemental water needed to maintain a healthy lawn.
Join us for these fantastic gardening educational events:
April 13th - “Gardening as a Therapeutic Resource”
April 23rd - Annual Plant Sale
May 7th - Garden Tour
For more information visit dcmga.comor click the QR Code below.
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