McLennan County Master Gardeners - MCMG

09/12/2026

Pollinators: The Tiny Heroes Behind Our Food!

Pollinators are some of the hardest-working creatures in nature. Do you like strawberries, watermelons, pumpkins, or almonds? Thank a pollinator! Bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even some bats help plants produce the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds we enjoy every day.

Not a big fruit-and-veggie fan? This is Texas, after all, and many of us love our barbecue! But here's something to chew on: the animals that become our hamburgers, steaks, and brisket eat plants. Without healthy plants and healthy pollinators, the entire food chain would be affected.

The good news is that you can help pollinators right at home! Here are a few simple ways to make your yard a pollinator-friendly habitat:

🌼 Plant flowers and native plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the year.

💧 Provide fresh water with a shallow dish, birdbath, or other safe water source.

🏡 Create nesting areas by leaving small patches of bare soil, brush piles, or natural spaces where pollinators can shelter.

🚫 Limit pesticide use whenever possible, since many chemicals can harm the insects and animals we depend on.

By creating a welcoming space for pollinators, you're helping support local wildlife, stronger ecosystems, and even the food on your table. Small actions can make a big difference for these tiny but mighty helpers!

Photos are from our booth at Waco Downtown Farmers Market today. We are there the second Saturday of each month. Come see us next time!

09/10/2026

08/23/2026

🔥 107°F temperatures aren't slowing down the McLennan County Master Gardeners! 🔥

To beat the heat, our dedicated volunteers have been rising early to work on improvements at the extension office as they prepare for an exciting new pollinator/memorial garden. 🐝🌼🦋

If you've driven by recently, you may have noticed a large sheet of clear plastic weighted down with bricks. No, it's not a strange science experiment! 😄 It's actually a gardening technique called soil solarization.

☀️ What is soil solarization? Soil solarization is an environmentally friendly method that uses the sun's energy and clear plastic to heat the soil. The trapped heat and moisture help reduce w**ds, w**d seeds, insects, bacteria, and other soil-borne pests, creating a healthier planting area without chemicals.

Quick Tips for Soil Solarization:
✅ 1. Choose the right location. Solarization works best in clay or deeper soils that hold moisture well. Avoid areas where you want to keep existing plants.
✅ 2. Clear the site. Remove plants and debris or at least cut vegetation to ground level. A smooth surface helps eliminate air pockets beneath the plastic.
✅ 3. Water deeply. Moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 inches before covering it.
✅ 4. Cover with clear plastic. Use clear polyethylene plastic, such as 1- to 4-mil painter's plastic. Pull it tight to help smooth it out in order to reduce air pockets.
✅ 5. Seal the edges. Bury the edges in soil and use boards, stakes, rocks, or bricks to keep the plastic secure and prevent moisture from escaping.
✅ 6. Let the sun do the work. Leave the plastic in place for 4 to 6 weeks during the hottest part of summer. Avoid walking on it to prevent tears that could release heat and moisture.

Nature and Texas sunshine make a pretty effective team! ☀️🌱

Want to learn more about soil solarization? Check out this helpful resource from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/soil-solarization/

08/08/2026

Summer heat and Waco traffic didn’t slow down the Master Gardeners this weekend—we were busy at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market sharing container gardening wisdom and big smiles. If you missed us, here’s what we talked about:

🌱 Container gardening = endless possibilities. With the right setup, you can grow herbs, tomatoes, flowers, succulents—almost anything.

🪴 Pick the right pot
Ceramic, clay, plastic, fabric… they all behave differently. Terracotta dries fast, fabric needs frequent watering, ceramic can crack in winter.

📏 Size matters
Pick a pot that allows room for your plant to grow

💧 Drainage is non‑negotiable
No holes? Drill some. Your roots will thank you.

🌿 Use a potting mix
Skip garden soil. Go for lightweight, well‑draining blends with peat, perlite, or compost.

🚿 Water wisely
Check soil moisture often. Larger pots need less frequent watering, and self‑watering containers can help.

🌼 Choose plants that thrive
Herbs, tomatoes, peppers, petunias, succulents—just match the plant to the pot and sunlight.

☀️ Placement is everything
Sunlight and temperature make or break container gardens. No natural light? Grow lights can save the day.

🎥 Quick educational video: https://youtu.be/MhwrHHjX4ig?is=NzZivz40zRbRG6Y9

07/14/2026

📢 Lunch with the Masters Update
Unfortunately, we have to cancel this month's Lunch with the Masters event scheduled for Wednesday, July 15th.

We'll be back on schedule next month with Carissa McAtee of Remedy Designs, who will be sharing the art of Flower Preserving and Design. We can't wait to see you then!

Thank you for your continued support of Lunch with the Masters. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing everyone next month!

**Please share this post with your friends.

07/11/2026

Summer in Texas doesn’t tiptoe in—it struts in with sunshine blazing and farmers market baskets overflowing. While folks were scooping up juicy peaches and warm loaves of bread, the master gardeners were out there sprinkling wisdom like confetti, especially about one of our most precious resources: water.

Droughts are as Texan as bluebonnets and brisket, so being smart with water isn’t just budget‑friendly—it’s eco‑friendly too. And here’s the fun part: conserving water does not mean resigning yourself to a yard full of cacti and gravel. You can absolutely have a vibrant, colorful, downright gorgeous garden.

🌿 Quick & Playful Water‑Saving Tips for Texas Gardens:

Smart garden design — Think of your garden like a dance floor: every plant needs the right spotlight. Match plants to their sun exposure and pay attention to how water naturally moves across your yard. The right plant in the right place is a total game‑changer.

Soil analysis — Before you start planting, get to know your soil. It’s like reading the recipe before you start cooking.

Native & drought‑tolerant plants — These plants are the true Texans of the garden world—tough, low‑maintenance, and ready to thrive with less water.

Less turf, more personality — Grass is thirsty. Reducing turf areas frees up space for creative landscaping and cuts down on water use.

Wise irrigation — Drip irrigation delivers water right to the roots like room service. Water deeply, water early, and water slowly enough that your soil can actually soak it up.

Mulch magic — A cozy 3‑inch blanket of mulch keeps moisture from evaporating and helps your plants stay cool.

Rainwater collection — Rain barrels turn stormy days into free garden hydration. It’s like saving up sunshine in a jar.

Garden check‑ups — Keep an eye on your plants and irrigation system. Catching issues early saves water, money, and headaches.

07/11/2026

What a difference a morning makes! 🌿

Our Master Gardeners were hard at work this morning tackling w**ds and sprucing up the McGregor Demonstration Garden. Swipe through the photos to see some of the before-and-after results!

This garden showcases Texas native plants and Texas Superstar® perennials that have proven to perform well in our area—providing a great opportunity to see plants you might consider for your own landscape.

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped! 🌱

06/19/2026

🌿 A New Chapter Begins at Woodway Elementary! 🌿
Today, Master Gardeners, 2026 Interns, and family came together to kick off the next chapter of the Woodway Elementary Green Classroom.

Thanks to an incredible team of volunteers, we completed the demolition phase and are one step closer to creating a beautiful outdoor learning space for future generations of students.

This garden has a wonderful history of connecting children with nature, and we're excited to partner with Woodway Elementary to bring new life to this special place.

We're grateful for the partnership and support of Woodway Elementary's leadership and Midway ISD Facilities as we work together to reimagine this special space.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, pitched in, and helped make today a success! 💚🌱

06/19/2026

Learning in the Garden! 🐝🦋🐦

Despite the Texas heat and humidity, our 2026 Master Gardener Interns were all in as they spent Wednesday afternoon learning at Miss Nellie's Pollinator Garden.

They explored the history of this special garden, met longtime City of Waco employee Santiago "Jimmy" Chavez, and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the greenhouse. They also discovered what pollinators need to thrive and how the plants in the garden provide food and habitat for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

To round out the afternoon, Amy from Wild Birds Unlimited introduced us to some of our favorite feathered friends found right here in Central Texas and shared ways we can make our landscapes more bird-friendly.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their time and expertise with our interns. Even on a hot summer day, there's always something new to learn in the garden! 🌻💚