South Plains Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist

06/13/2026

Visit the Landmark during our Archaeology Days, July 16, 17, and 18. Tours of the excavation site and laboratory are at 9:30 and 11 a.m. daily.

06/12/2026

The mosquitoes are back two weeks after the yard was sprayed. They breed fast enough to replace a generation in a week. The dragonflies and native bees that were keeping them in check take months to recover — if they come back at all.

There's a different approach that targets the larvae in standing water and leaves everything else in the yard alone.

Bti — a naturally occurring soil bacterium — produces a protein that's toxic to mosquito larvae and nothing else. Bees, butterflies, fish, frogs, birds, pets, children — none of them are affected. It's been registered and studied for decades.

🌿 Where to use it:

- Drop a Bti dunk in any standing water — rain barrel, birdbath, water feature, old tire, clogged gutter. Lasts about 30 days.
- Sprinkle Bti granules in plant saucers, low spots, anything that holds water after rain.

The wheelbarrow you left out, the tarp over the firewood, the saucer under the pot — every one of those is a mosquito nursery right now.

Kill them in the water before they fly. Everything else in the yard stays 🌿

06/12/2026

Did you know it is NOT ILLEGAL to collect rainwater in Texas? In fact, we have several great examples of rainwater collection sites around Lubbock County. We'll be highlighting some of these public examples to show you how creative West Texans conserve every last drop of this invaluable resource.

First up is the Star Garden at Smith Elementary School. This system is completely self contained, using solar panels to power the pumps needed to fill the 1,100 gallon collection tank. It also serves as a water conservation conversation started with all the young star students and families. Thanks to the High Plains Water District for funding this project through their community grants!

06/12/2026

The Lubbock Lake Landmark will host its annual Dawn of Time Fun Run at 6:30 a.m. July 18th. To register, go to https://www.runreg.com/dawn-of-time-fun-run Registration deadline is 5 p.m. July 1st. No late entries will be allowed. Please share.

06/12/2026

Come enjoy the gardens of Lubbock and then visit with us at our table at the LMGA Demonstration Garden in the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum💚 https://maps.apple/p/Cb3LYIqetrzRGj

06/09/2026

We are excited to be a sponsor again this year so please come visit our table out at the Lubbock Master Gardeners demo garden💚

The Lubbock Master Gardener Association’s Hub City Garden Tour is just two weeks away. We hope to see you Saturday, June 20, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, for our annual home garden tour.
The 2026 Tour again offers a glimpse into five stunning residential gardens in the Lubbock area ranging from newly designed spaces to mature landscapes. These gardens are filled with creative planting design ideas and garden décor that you can apply in your own backyards. We hope the gardens will offer inspiration for gardeners of all levels and interests.
Back by popular demand, the 2026 Tour will also feature one of the more popular gardens from the 2025 Tour as a sixth residential garden to revisit or see for the first time.
The tour will again highlight LMGA's ever-expanding efforts at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum to include our Demonstration Garden, new Shade House addition to the Greenhouse and the new perennials planted in the Cermin Memorial Butterfly Garden
Scan the QR code below to purchase tickets or visit us at Explore Lubbock’s Best Gardens: LMGA Hub City Garden Tour

06/07/2026

Happy World Environment Day! Our Texas Master Naturalist volunteers help protect and preserve the environment daily, and have provided stewardship and management to 260,488 acres across the state of Texas since 1998!

To learn more about the positive impact of our volunteers on Texas' environment, visit: https://txmn.tamu.edu/blog/texas-master-naturalist-2025-annual-report

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

🚨2nd chance FREE TICKET ALERT 🚨
Each week leading up to the Garden Tour, we will be giving away 2 FREE tickets! 🌿 To be entered into the drawing, simply like and share this post, then tag your friend or friends you would bring with you to the tour. Winner will be announced on Saturday.

The 2026 Hub City Garden Tour is happening on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. This self-guided tour features a beautiful collection of gardens across the Lubbock area, offering inspiration for gardeners of every skill, level and style.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore five unique residential gardens, ranging from newly created landscapes to well-established outdoor spaces. Each garden showcases creative planting ideas, landscape inspiration, and decorative touches that you can incorporate into your own home garden.
The tour also includes the continually growing LMGA Demonstration Garden, featuring the new greenhouse and Shade House, as well as the Jo Ann Reinhard Cermin Memorial Butterfly Garden. The Butterfly garden was introduced last year and has had a full year to mature and flourish with newly added perennials this year.

Also, back by popular demand, this year’s tour will feature one of the most popular gardens from the 2025 Garden Tour as a sixth residential stop — giving guests the chance to revisit a beloved garden or experience it for the first time.

Scan the QR code or purchase tickets here:
https://lmga.ticketspice.com/2026-hub-city-garden-tour

Tickets are $20 for adults; children under age 13 are free. On June 19, garden locations will be emailed to all ticket holders and publicized for those who wish to purchase tickets at one of the locations on the day of the event.

Please help us spread the word by liking and sharing this post. Thank you for your continued support