Lynn McGinnis

There’s so many wonderful things to look forward to this fall. Even the colder weather and the rainy days have a beauty to them.

Fall officially begins on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, at 7:44 a.m. with the arrival of the fall equinox. But who’s counting…

After a scorching summer for many areas, cooler temperatures are always a welcome relief. I for one can’t wait for a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace! But first, I want to share all of the fun projects Smith County Master Gardeners has to offer this fall.

The Smith County Master Gardeners have been very busy this spring and summer keeping the Tyler Botanical Gardens as beautiful as ever. And while we continue to maintain the beauty of these gardens, we have several fall community projects.

Leading off our many fall activities this year, is “First Tuesdays in the Garden.” Join us at noon the first Tuesday of each month on the patio in the IDEA Garden located in the southeast corner of the Tyler Botanical Gardens for our Fall Gardening series of programs. Our first lecture is Sept. 3 with Smith County Master Gardener, Elizabeth Waldrop speaking on “The Other Season – Cool Weather Gardening.” Seating is limited, so you may want to bring a lawn chair. All programs begin at noon and run about 30 to 40 minutes. For additional “First Tuesdays in the Garden” dates and topics, follow us on Facebook or visit our website www.txmg.org/smith/events.

We are also partnering with several communities to offer our free gardening program, “The Other Season: Cool Weather Gardening in Texas.” Join us when we’re in your neighborhood, here is the schedule:

Sept. 18th, 10:30 a.m., East Texas Food Bank Nutrition Center, 3201 Robertson Rd., Tyler

Sept. 21, 10 a.m., Glass Recreation Center, 501 W 32nd St, Tyler

Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m., Cameron J. Jarvis Library, 102 S Georgia St., Troup

The East Texas Gardening Guide and Calendar is a yearly publication by the Smith County Master Gardeners offering gardening advice, tips, planting guides, lists of things to do – all written with the local East Texas gardening community in mind. The 2025 East Texas Gardening Guide and Calendar is about native plants that grow well in our area. Natives are very well adapted to our area and need less care (water, chemicals, fewer diseases) than many other plants. Each month will include a short description of 2 native plants that can be used in the garden. There are also articles on native grasses, vines and shrubs and many other relevant subjects for gardening. The guide contains a vegetable planting guide with an article about great tomato varieties for our area. It is a must for 2025 gardening! The Gardening Guide/Calendar price is $10 and can be purchased at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, the From Bulbs to Blooms sale in October and all other Smith County Master Gardener events.

And last but certainly not least, the award-winning Smith County Master Gardeners “From Bulbs to Blooms” sale and conference is back again this year. Mark your calendars for Oct. 19. This year’s conference, on-site shopping, and on-line order pickup venue is Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler, TX 75701.

If you’re looking for heritage, hardy and locally trialed bulbs, the best place to find them is at the Smith County Master Gardener “From Bulbs to Blooms” conference and sale. Quantities are limited, so order early online. This event is free to the public and seating is limited.

This year’s sale will start Oct. 7 with online shopping through Oct. 16 with pickup day Oct. 19 at Pollard United Methodist Church. Pick up your bulbs, and do a little more on site bulb shopping. We’ll have our fantastic Garden Guide/2025 calendars, more great bulbs, educational materials, garden art, door prizes, raffle tickets and a great lecture from Steve Wiesinger, “The Bulb Hunter” and owner of Southern Bulb Company.

For more information regarding “From Bulbs to Blooms” Sale and Conference, please visit our website at www.txmg.org/smith/events.

Please continue to check the Smith County website at https://txmg.org.smith or the Smith County Master Gardeners Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SmithCountyMasterGardeners for updates.

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated.