Join us for fun and educational events, featuring Master Gardeners, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulture Agents, and other experts.

For events at the Denton County offices of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at 401 W. Hickory Street in Denton (Joseph A. Carroll Building), driving directions are available.

Become a Master Gardener

Want to be a Master Gardener? We are now accepting applications for the Denton County Master Gardener Association Class of 2020. See our Become a Master Gardener page for details about the program and an application.

Make plans now to join us on Tuesday, October 15, 10 A.M. – noon, for the Class of 2020 Informational Meeting. You can meet current Master Gardeners and interns, learn about our projects and the Master Gardener training program, and ask any questions. Light refreshments will be served. The event will be held at the Joseph A. Carroll Building, 401 W. Hickory St. in Denton. (See driving directions above. Park in the lot on Mulberry St.) View or print the flyer.

Monarch Butterfly Release

On Saturday, Sept. 28, 800 tagged Monarch butterflies will be released at the Bob Jones Nature Center, located at 355 Bob Jones Road, in Southlake. The festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. and the butterfly release at 10:00. The monarch release is sponsored by Tarrant and Denton County Master Gardener Associations, Southlake Perennial Garden Club and Southlake Parks and Recreation. The event is free of charge and the public is invited to attend.

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most recognized, researched and loved of North America’s insects and one of the most endangered. Children study monarchs in school. Researchers and citizen scientists track their migration and breeding. Beyond the beauty of their flight, monarchs serve the many ecosystems along their migration path as pollinators for flowering plants.

According to Monarch Watch, the tagging program began in 1992 and is conducted each year. “Tagging helps answer questions about the origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, the timing and pace of the migration, mortality during the migration, and changes in geographic distribution. In order to be able to associate the geographic “mark” location with that of any subsequent recapture, each butterfly tagged must be uniquely coded. A new series of unique codes is generated for each tagging season and printed using permanent inks on all-weather tags with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. These lightweight, circular tags were designed by Monarch Watch specifically for tagging monarchs. When applied as directed, the tags do not interfere with flight or otherwise harm the butterflies.”

Volunteers from the sponsoring organizations will be available to answer questions.

2019 DCMGA Fall Garden Fest

Mark your calendar for the 2019 DCMGA Fall Garden Fest on Saturday, October 12, at a new location. The Fest will feature 2 great speakers–Jay White, editor and owner of Texas Gardener Magazine, texasgardener.com, and Dee Nash, garden writer, photographer, garden traveler, and podcaster, reddirtramblings.com –along with many vendors, educational booths and kid’s activities. See the Fall Garden Fest page for more information.

Design Your Yard with Earth-Kind Landscaping class

DCMGA will present its popular Design Your Yard with Earth-Kind Landscaping class again in the fall on October 18 and 19 in Flower Mound. See the Design Your Yard with Earth-Kind landscaping page for more information and registration. Check back here for more information and registration. View or print the flyer.

DCMGA Presentations

DCMGA Speakers Bureau
September 18, 1:30 p.m.—3:00p.m. Preserving the Harvest, Flower Mound Senior Center, 2701 W Windsor Dr, FLOWER MOUND.

Flower Mound Library Series
September 23, 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m., Rainwater Harvesting, Flower Mound Public Library 3030 Broadmoor Lane Flower Mound, TX 75022. Presenter Daniel Cunningham will discuss how to calculate rainwater capture, and how to design and maintain an above-ground collection system for your home, ranch or business’s outdoor water needs. To register for this event, please call 972.874.6165 or email fmpl@flower-mound.com.

October 14, 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m., Made for the Shade: Shade Gardening, Flower Mound Public Library 3030 Broadmoor Lane Flower Mound, TX 75022. Learn about the many native and adapted plants that not only survive but thrive in shadier spots along with tips and tricks to create beautiful shade gardens that beat the Texas heat. We’ll also cover gardening under mature trees as well as turf alternatives and hardscape options for low light areas. To register for this event, please call 972.874.6165 or email fmpl@flower-mound.com.

FYI: 2019 Area Plant Sales

Click here for a list of area plant sales.

DCMGA “Herbal Branch” Special Interest Meetings

Join the Master Gardeners one Monday each month, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M., at meetings of the Herbal Branch Special Interest Group. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Each meeting will feature a presentation related to herbs.

The meetings are held at the Denton County offices of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at 401 W. Hickory Street, Suite 115, Denton TX 76201-9026, unless otherwise specified.

September 23: “Thai Basil, the Sassier Basil” by Master Gardener Chris Weinberg

Questions? Contact the Denton County Master Gardener Help Desk at 940-349-2892.

DCMGA General Membership Meetings

Everyone is invited to join the Master Gardeners, the second Wednesday of the month (except January, February, August, and December), 9:30 – 11:00 A.M. (unless otherwise noted), at their general membership meetings.

Meetings feature speakers on a variety of topics. The meetings are held at the Denton County offices of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at 401 W. Hickory Street, Suite 112, Denton TX 76201-9026, unless otherwise noted.

The following programs are scheduled:

September 11: “Perennials” by Jackson Weston, Weston Gardens (7:00 P.M. meeting)
October 9: “Veggie Gardening: Getting Ready for Spring” by Master Gardener Barbara Brown and other DCMGA members
November 13: “Holly, Jolly Christmas” by Joe Prevatil, Owner and Floral Designer, Holly’s Garden & Florist

Questions? Contact the Denton County Master Gardener Help Desk at 940-349-2892.