May 2025

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.

Program: WINE 101

"Come and listen to Daniel Hillin,    

He was our recipient of last year's A&M Scholarship.

Program Specialist I, A&M University

Join us for our final meeting and learn about the basics of viticulture and the Texas Wine Industry.

Daniel Hillin is a Viticulture Program Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in College Station  where he provides educational programming and technical support to the grape growers and winemakers in the High Plains, West Texas and Gulf Coast viticulture regions of Texas. 

Hillin holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, both from Texas A&M University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. His research focuses on the various aspects of the relationship between the grapevine root system and components of the soil. 

His interests in the grape and wine field include aspects of both the viticulture and enological disciplines, and he possesses a strong desire to educate others. Hillin spends time educating both new and seasoned grape growers and winemakers. 

This meeting is a LUNCHEON and INSTALLATION of NEW OFFICERS

followed by a Presentation by our Scholarship Students.

The recipients of the SCGC horticultural scholarships will discuss their theses and graduate projects.

Thursday, April 18, 2025 at 9:30 AM.

Program: Garden Line Q & A

"Come and meet Skip Richter.   

He will be fielding all our gardening questions, in person!

Host, Garden Line on KTRH Radio

Skip Richter has cultivated gardens in the rugged brush country of south Texas, the acidic sands of the East Texas piney woods, the semi-arid conditions and high-pH soils of central Texas, as well as the hot, humid climate and rich black clays of southeast Texas. His expertise encompasses horticulture, garden education, garden writing, and a deep passion for horticultural photography.

Skip received his master’s degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University, “the source of all earthly knowledge”, and has served as a county horticulturist with Texas AgriLife Extension for 34 years in Montgomery, Travis, Harris, and Brazos County, advising home gardeners and the green industry on research-based horticultural practices. He has served as the National Gardening Association’s regional horticulturist for the southeastern U.S. and is a contributing editor to Texas Gardener magazine. 

He was selected as a Regents Service Fellow by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

He has trained hundreds of Master Gardeners across the state. He created educational content on mulching and composting for Extension’s Don’t Bag It yard waste recycling program, the Composting for Kids web page, and the Grow Green environmental education program which teaches residents landscape practices to prevent runoff from polluting surface and groundwater supplies.

Skip’s happy place is sitting in his garden observing and learning about the interactions of plants, insects, and the soil. Okra is the latest in a long list of horticultural obsessions.

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM.

Program: Saving the World with Herbal Bouquets

"Come and see how herbs can be used in floral designs"

Jay & Sally White

Owner & Publisher, Teas Gardener Magazine

Workshop- Bring your own vase to create a Herbal Bouquet

Jay White is the owner and publisher of Texas Gardener magazine. He is an avid gardener who grows vegetables, herbs, native and improved flowers, flowering shrubs, bulbs, fruit trees and native hardwoods on his two-acre Brenham property. He is huge supporter of local farmers who are growing ecologically responsible flowers for the cut flower market and the favorite things in his gardens are the heirloom and pass along plants that have been shared with him by the incredible gardeners he has been blessed to know.

Jay loves sharing the stories of the plants and the people that make Texans the greatest group of garden enthusiasts on the planet. While Jay is a hobby gardener, he has a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture. His time in graduate school at Texas A&M helped him develop a passion for the science of horticulture which he loves sharing in his fast paced and entertaining lectures. Whether you love growing fresh sprouts that only take a few days or mighty trees that take a lifetime, Jay’s talks will give you the encouragement and knowledge you need to be highly successful in your Texas garden

Saturday, February 08, 2025 at 10:30 AM.

Program:  Friendship, be my Valentine, Orchids

Wonderful World of Orchids

Learn about the history, cultivation and lore of orchids

Debbie Pings

Asst Mgr., Enchanted Forest Nursery

Debbie Pings, with Enchanted Forest, will speak on Orchids and how we can become successful and ease our worries on how to keep our orchids blooming and alive!

We will celebrate Valentiene's Day at our lovely Friendship Luncheon and our much loved Silent Auction.

This luncheon will serve as our February monthly meeting. Guests are welcome. Reservations are required.

NOTE:  

SCGC INVITES YOU TO OUR

Valentine Friendship Luncheon & Silent Auction

Friends, Family, Young & Old Welcome

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 08

10:30 am - 2:00 pm Children $18 Adults $40

Reservation/cancellation by January 30th.    For items purchased cash or check only

There will be no meeting on Thursday, February 13th.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

"Preparing for Spring Planting"

Director of Garden Education Urban Harvest

Join us for a class delving into all the important factors that go into caring for spring planting.

Get your garden ready for spring! 🌱 Our class Preparing for Spring Planting is your guide to what to plant now and how to prepare for Houston’s summer heat. Join Kim Perry, Urban Harvest’s Director of Garden Education, as she shares expert tips on soil, composting, and container gardening to keep your plants thriving.

The mission of Urban Harvest is to be a catalyst in transforming food accessibility in Greater Houston. We aim to achieve this by fostering strong partnerships with local farmers and gardeners, operating vibrant Farmers Markets, initiating mobile markets, and providing comprehensive garden education.  

Our goal is not just to improve, but to transform the way communities engage with and access fresh, locally sourced food. Through these efforts, Urban Harvest aspires to set a national example, showcasing how innovative community collaboration can lead to sustainable change in food systems across the country.

Founded in 1994, Urban Harvest has garnered a well-deserved reputation as a leader in the local food movement. We’ve earned this role by adhering to clear and simple values and a focused mission.

Over 30 years ago, two Fourth Ward activists, Deacon Malcolm McLemore and Deacon Jean Cameron, started a community garden in their neighborhood along with Dr. Bob Randall, one of the founders of Urban Harvest.

Their garden grew and grew. The simple act of growing food brought neighbors together to share recipes and seeds, to solve problems about crime and blight, and to eat and celebrate together.

The seed that was planted by the success of this garden led to the creation of Urban Harvest seven years later. Since 1994, Urban Harvest has cultivated communities of gardeners, educators, farmers and neighbors to launch thriving gardens and farmers markets.

Under the direction of an all-volunteer board, Urban Harvest has grown from humble beginnings to employ a full-time staff and literally thousands of volunteers.