News and Tid-Bits
County and State News Items

EL Paso Master Gardeners - Award Winning Cactus Garden

A wonderful new Cactus Garden constructed by the TCE El Paso County Master Gardeners at the TAES El Paso Research Center will be officially dedicated Saturday April 21. The Cactus Garden was featured today on the front page of House & Homes in the El Paso Times newspaper.

The quarter acre Garden has 88 species of cactus and has already been recognized with two awards from the Texas State Master Gardeners, one for the project itself and another for publications on cactus (brochures). The Garden was developed over the past year with over 70% participation of the Master Gardeners and in partnership with the TAES El Paso Research Center. Most of the cactus in the garden were salvaged (rescued) from land in the area being developed for new homes. The new Cactus Garden and existing demonstration garden are helping to educate the public, promote low water use landscapes and native plants, and increase awareness and the visibility of TCE and TAES programs and contributions in the region. Submitted 04/20/07
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Bell County Master Gardener WINNERS

in the photo: Two masters from Bell County: Deb Martin winner of the second place award for Master Gardener of the Year 2005 and Mary Ann Everett, winner of Master Gardener of the Year 2006. They are pictured at the State Convention banquet in Kerrville. submitted by Mary Lew Quesinberry BCMGA Corresponding Secretary 04/18/07

Washington County Fairgrounds Landscape Project

Texas Super Star Plants were recently planted by the Bluebonnet Master Gardeners at a new project in Brenham, Texas located at the County's Events Center and Agricultural Extension/Fair Management Office buildings. Eight Super Star plants have been used in the landscape around the buildings that have full sun all day. The long range plan is for the public to view the flower gardens and learn about Super Star plants and the growing conditions they will tolerate. This will help Washington County Extension Agent, Larry Pierce with recommendations to citizens new to the area. The Master Gardeners and County Officials are shown below at the completion of the initial planting.
Submitted by Judy Manning, Bluebonnet MG President 04/01/07

Bell County Master Gardeners - Garden Tour - Belton, TX
April 21, 2007

in the photo: Rare Traveler Redbud tree in the garden of Bell County Master Gardener Mary Lew Quesinberry. Her garden is one of 8 gardens in Temple and Belton that will be open for the 10th Anniversary Garden Tour April 21, 9-4. Brochures available with directions to gardens at area nurseries in Belton, Temple and Killeen. submitted by Mary Lew Quesinberry BCMGA Corresponding Secretary 04/07/07

Bell County Master Gardener Class - Dr. James McAfee

Dr. James McAfee, Turfgrass Specialist and Associate Professor with the Texas Cooperative Extension explains grasses, turf diseases and weed control to the Bell County Master Gardener Class of 2007. submitted by: Mary Lew Quesinberry BCMGA Corresponding Secretary 04/07/07