By Karolyn Gephart
Galveston County Master Gardeners are offering a variety of public educational programs and two upcoming sales, all virtual and free for February and March.
Chile Peppers from A to Z will be presented by Master Gardener Gene Speller Friday February 12, 2021 from 10 to 11:30 am on Zoom. Speller will discuss chile pepper anatomy, classification, nutrition, Scoville units, starting from seed, pest management, and uses of chile peppers. His presentation will also include information and photos on over 40 different varieties of pepper plants he has grown – many of which will be for sale in the CGMG online plant sales February 19 – 20 and March 12 -13, 2021.
Growing Peaches in Galveston County will be presented by Master Gardener Herman Auer on Friday, February 26 from 10 am to noon on Zoom. Auer will discuss the better variety selection (both white and yellow flesh) for Galveston County, what to look for when buying your peach tree, and the best planting locations (think drainage). Topics discussed will include chill hours, rootstock, pruning to shape, and thinning methods that lead to larger fruit. Also viewers will learn how to judge ripening dates and the best time to harvest. Auer has been producing peaches in Galveston County for over 35 years.
Herbs for the Gulf Coast Garden will be presented Friday, March 5 from 10 to 11:30 am by Master Gardeners Briana Etie and Nancy Noh on Zoom. The program will be showcasing herbs that grow well in the Gulf Coast garden. They will also share growing tips, herb uses and preservation techniques.
Successful Spring Vegetable Gardening presentation will be given Monday, March 8 from 10 to 11:30 am by Auer on Zoom. He will address spring vegetable gardening for everyone, beginners to experienced gardeners. Topics will include how to plan and start a vegetable garden, location, and the best varieties for Galveston County. Also included will be pollination, mulching, the effects of full sun and shade on leafy and fruiting vegetables, and garden failures.
Year-Round Care of Landscape Trees and Shrubs will be offered by Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent for Horticulture Friday, March 19 from 10 to 11:30 am on Zoom. Johnson will give a program on the year round care of home landscapes trees and shrubs that will cover transplanting, pruning, fertilizing, and things to look for that might be the sign of a problem.
Tomato Stress Management – Growing Great Tomatoes Part 3 of 3 will be presented by Master Gardener Ira Gervais on Friday, March 26 from 10 to 11:30 am on Zoom. In the third in a series, this presentation will cover how to grow great tomatoes in Galveston County. The program will provide an overview on identifying various tomato diseases and insect stress factors and how to minimize them to increase yields.
Register for any or all of these events at https://galveston.agrilife.org/event.
Two of three spring sales will be offered at an online store during February and March.
The Spring Plant Sale will be February 19-20 running noon to noon. Choose from hundreds of plants adapted to the Texas Gulf Coast growing area. Citrus & avocado trees, blueberries & blackberries, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce & onions, sweet peppers and perennials will be available. Browse online starting February 12. Visit the Galveston County Master Gardeners’ online store for more details – https://store.galvestonmg.org
The March Madness Sale will be March 12-13 from noon to noon. The sale will have will have fruit trees, bulbs, Master Gardener grown items, herbs, hot peppers, eggplant, squash, melons, and cucumbers available for purchase. Visit the Galveston County Master Gardeners’ online store for more details – https://store.galvestonmg.org
