Rockwall County Master Gardener

08/28/2026

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North Texas Giving Day starts today! There are so many deserving nonprofit organizations in North Texas. Explore them all on the NTGD website! As for us? Rockwall County Master Gardener has one mission and it’s focused on educating the community about all-things gardening! Read more here: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/Rockwall-County-Master-Gardener-Association

RCMGA has one mission and it's focused on educating the community about all-things gardening! We are a volunteer organization of 71 Rockwall County Extension Master Gardeners under the leadership of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Collectively, our organization volu...

08/27/2026

🌵 What a great turnout! 🌵

We had a full house for our Cacti & Succulents class at the Rockwall County Library with cactus enthusiast and Rockwall County Master Gardener Randy Culpepper!

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We had a great time learning about seasonal cactus care, landscaping with cacti, and even how to make our own soil mix. We also touched on converting popup sprinkler heads to drip irrigation for more precise watering, and explored the beautiful combination of Texas natives and cacti in the landscape.

08/23/2026

Something exciting is taking root—and we can’t wait to share the journey with you! Keep an eye out near the Rockwall County Library and Courthouse 👀. Something new is growing! Follow along! 🌱

08/20/2026

New Texas Superstar! ✨

Known by several common names — leopard plant, tractor seat plant, and by its former genus name, Ligularia — Farfugium stands out from many Texas Superstar selections because its main attraction isn’t a flower, said Andrew King, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Instead, it’s the plant’s thick, glossy, deep green foliage that gives it year-round appeal in the landscape. Read more

Farfugium was named a Texas Superstar plant for its bold, glossy foliage and ability to thrive in shady areas and a variety of soils.

08/17/2026

Your trees are feeling the heat too 🌳☀️

High temperatures and limited rainfall can put stress on trees, especially young or recently planted ones.

During hot, dry conditions, pay attention to your tree and the moisture in the soil before reaching for the hose. Both too little and too much water can stress a tree and overwatering can contribute to tree decline.

When watering is needed, water slowly and deeply around the root zone rather than directly at the trunk. A layer of mulch can also help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Watch for signs of stress, including wilting, leaf scorch, early leaf drop or canopy dieback.

08/17/2026

08/15/2026

What’s growing in our gardens this August . 🌿

This lovely backyards area is thriving with a beautiful mix of planned plantings and happy surprises!

New Gold lantana is climbing through the fan palm, while false aloe is making a strong comeback after being thinned. Volunteer ornamental grasses add movement and texture alongside the bold, tropical foliage of banana palms.

A quick plant note: New Gold lantana is especially well-suited for North Texas because it thrives in full sun, handles heat and drought exceptionally well once established, and blooms heavily from spring through frost—making it a reliable pollinator favorite all season long .
📸: Stacy White

08/14/2026

What’s growing in our gardens is not always native.
But the one thing in common “Can they thrive here in North Texas” We will be sharing personal backyard oasis of RCMG this weekend while wishing for cooler temperatures.

Today,we’re sharing this beautiful backyard retreat in Heath, Texas.

Lush Boston ferns set a tropical backdrop, with chartreuse sweet potato vine, bright pink pentas and trailing greenery spill beautifully around the pool’s edge.

Despite so many triple-digit days, this garden remains colorful, inviting and full of life.

Grown and enjoyed in the personal garden of one of our Rockwall County Master Gardeners.
📸: Sherry Gray

08/13/2026

Have you registered for our upcoming Cacti and Succulents class at the Rockwall County Library?

Registration helps us know how many materials to prepare, so grab your spot!

👉 https://bit.ly/RCLSignUpGenius

This FREE class is open to families with kids ages 10+, because we know there are a LOT of kids out there who think cacti are just about the coolest plants ever! 😎🌵

Join cactus expert Randy Culpepper, the proud owner of 300+ cacti and succulents, as he shares his secrets for growing these fascinating plants successfully—in containers OR right in the ground.

We’ll cover:
💧 Watering schedules
🌱 Soil preparation
🌿 Fertilizers
🐛 Pest management
☀️ Seasonal needs

HANDS-ON PLANTING! Everyone will get to plant their own selection of “kid-friendly” cacti that are sure to be cool—but won’t leave a mark! 😉

08/12/2026

Overwatering your lawn is costing you money. WaterMyYard, a free app from AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M University Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, uses local weather data to tell you exactly when and how much to water your yard. This app will save $14.2 million in annual water costs! The app is now available in 70+ Texas cities. 🌱💧

Check if it's in your area and download today: tx.ag/WaterMyYard