Smith County Master Gardeners

08/30/2026

My Great White Oak

When searching for land in east Texas, our realtor took my husband and me to northeast Smith County and presented a property to us located along Harris creek containing a forest within an iron ore-based soil. The forest is a mix of mature evergreen, a deciduous canopy and lots of understory trees and shrubs with a steep elevation, large iron ore rock, and lots of fern. At the base of the property’s drive was a giant white oak tree – the largest I’ve ever seen. We immediately fell in love with the land and became the owners.

I believe it is important to be a good steward of land. Upon purchase of the property, my primary goal was to have the forest’s health evaluated so we hired a local arborist-botanist to observe our newly purchased land. Our property has many large white oaks that are 200-300 years old. During the observation, we found that our very large white oak at the base of our driveway, is roughly 400 years old. She is a beautiful specimen measuring nearly 13 feet in diameter at chest height. Due to the driveway location, her roots were being driven across, causing compaction of the soil in the root zone. The compaction was causing the tree to be in a state of stress, weakening her immune system and making her become very susceptible to borers that were attaching and showing damage. The arborist recommended a treatment and a local company to apply the treatment. He also recommended that we relocate the driveway 40 feet away outside of the specimen’s root zone area, and to apply 4 inches of mulch over the root zone where the current driveway was located. Lastly, as a measure to remove competition for nutrients, he recommended we remove most of the surrounding sapling trees within her rootzone. It was never a question as to if we would or would not follow the arborists recommendations to restore the tree’s health. This tree was a mere sapling when the Delaware Indian’s roamed our property and now serves as a host to so many species of wildlife. I could not bear, after 400 years, to be the person leading to her demise. Without a second thought, we followed the arborist’s recommendations. We immediately stopped using the driveway and relocated it just over 45 feet outside of the root zone. We called the company our arborist recommended and had the tree treated with the prescription ordered and then utilized organic matter from our own property to create a nice new bed of mulch where the old driveway was located.

It has been two years since the changes were implemented for the tree. We requested our arborist come back to follow up on how our “great white oak” is doing. We are happy to know that she no longer shows any sign of stress, no longer has a borer problem, and is seemingly a very happy 400-year-old tree (that is beloved by our family, who calls her our “Great White Oak”). With the ecological gardening measures we implemented, hopefully she’ll live on for another 100 years!

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Stacey Gates
Smith County Master Gardner

08/29/2026

For generations, we’ve forced non-native plants into Texas landscapes. Join Greg Grant in Part 2 of the series as he explains why we must break the cycle and learn to read the land before we plant.

For generations, well-intentioned gardeners have tried to shape Tex...

08/29/2026

For generations, we’ve forced non-native plants into Texas landscapes. Join Greg Grant as he explains why we must break the cycle and learn to read the land before we plant.

The Post Oak Savanna was once a thriving, vibrant mosaic of native ...

08/29/2026

For generations, we’ve forced non-native plants into Texas landscapes. Join Greg Grant as he explains why we must break the cycle and learn to read the land before we plant.
Discover how studying your local ecosystem's soil, sun, and moisture allows you to select native plants that naturally thrive—creating a resilient, water-wise garden that honors the Post Oak Savanna instead of working against it.

08/24/2026

The First County Agent
Greg Grant (8-23-26)

I’m proud to be the only county agent in America not only serving the county he was born in, but in the very county that hosted the first county agent in the nation.
When people think about national agricultural milestones, they often picture Washington, D.C., or one of America’s major land-grant universities. Few realize that one of the most important developments in agricultural education and outreach began right here in Smith County.

More than a century ago, East Texas farmers faced declining crop production, challenging economic conditions, and limited access to the latest agricultural research. Scientists at land-grant universities were discovering new farming methods, but there was no effective way to get that information into the hands of the farmers who needed it most.

That changed Nov. 12, 1906, when local leaders gathered in an opera house near Tyler’s downtown square with Dr. Seaman A. Knapp of the United States Department of Agriculture. Also attending were County Judge S. A. Lindsey and approximately 44 community leaders, many representing the Tyler Commercial Club. Their goal was simple but ambitious: improve agriculture and strengthen the local economy. The result of that meeting would make history.

On that day, Smith County appointed William C. Stallings, a respected farmer from the Dixie Community west of Tyler, as the first county agricultural agent in Texas and the first in the United States assigned to serve a single county. The concept proved revolutionary. Instead of expecting farmers to travel to colleges for information, the knowledge would come directly to them through a local agricultural professional who understood their needs and challenges.

The county agent concept built upon the success of an earlier demonstration farm established in Kaufman County under Knapp’s leadership. Those demonstrations showed that research-based farming practices could significantly increase yields and profitability. Smith County took the next critical step by creating a dedicated local position to help farmers adopt those proven methods.

The success of Stallings and other early agricultural educators helped lay the foundation for what would eventually become the Cooperative Extension Service. In 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, formally creating a nationwide extension system that connected land-grant universities with local communities. The act established a partnership that continues today, bringing research-based education to citizens and businesses across America.

Although it has been removed (temporarily I hope) for construction purposes, a historical marker on the courthouse square in downtown Tyler once commemorated Smith County’s role as the birthplace of the county agricultural agent concept. The marker served as a reminder that a locally driven effort to improve farming practices eventually inspired a national system that continues to benefit agricultural industries, home gardeners, families, youth, and communities.

Today, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service continues that mission in Smith County. Local county extension agents provide educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, horticulture, family and community health, and 4-H youth development. While the programs have evolved, the purpose remains much the same as it was in 1906: to make Texas better by providing innovative solutions at the intersection of agriculture, natural resources, youth and health, thereby improving the well-being of individuals, families, businesses and communities through education and service.

It is a legacy that began right here in Smith County, making Tyler not only the Rose Capital of America, but also the Agricultural Education Capital of America.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, find his “In Greg’s Garden” column in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” and “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu or by contacting the Smith County Master Gardener Help Desk at [email protected].

Image caption: Smith County had the first county agent in America.



Greg Grant, Ph.D.
County Extension Agent-Horticulture
Smith County
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
1517 West Front St., Suite 116
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-590-2980
smith.agrilife.org
Facebook: "Greg Grant Gardens" & "Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies"
Blog: arborgate.com "Greg's Ramblings"

08/23/2026

Integrated Pest Management

Have you heard the term “Integrated Pest Management” or “IPM”? For those not familiar with IPM, it is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM starts with good cultural and sanitation practices to keep plants healthy and happy while denying pests their preferred habitats.
Before planting, prepare the soil to provide nutrients that may be lacking for the particular plants you want to grow. Next, be sure you select plants that are resistant to pests and have been shown to grow well in your area. Texas Superstars are plants that have been tested and proven to perform well in Texas. You can find a listing of the Texas Superstars by visiting https://texassuperstar.com/index.html. Adjust planting times to avoid when pests are most active, then be sure to apply appropriate water and nutrients to keep your plants healthy.

Once your garden has been planted, use good sanitation practices such as removing plant debris, pruning dead or diseased plant parts, and keeping weeds to a minimum. This may sound like a lot of work, but these practices will help rid your garden of the sites where pests like to set up their homes and allow your plants to flourish without overutilizing harmful chemicals. You may also need to use barriers or traps to keep the pests under control. Mulches and edging are examples of barriers that will keep weeds to a minimum.

One of the best practices on an ongoing basis is to monitor your plants for pests, so that you are aware of any new infestations before they become a big problem. It is much easier to take action quickly to control insect populations than it is to try to get rid of huge populations of the pests after they have established their new home! When you find pests, first consider using biological controls such as microorganisms, beneficial nematodes, spider mites or other insects that are natural predators for the pests you have found. To fend off pest invasion, your garden must maintain a viable population of predators. Many of these will already be around and just need your protection and nurturing to do their job. Consider adding plants that attract beneficial insects. Information about beneficial plants can be found at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/beneficial-insects-and-common-pests-in-the-garden/

But wait! Before we go any further, how do you know whether an insect is truly a pest. Not all insects are pests! Many are beneficial to your plants. Observe - what is the insect doing? How do you know that your plants are being harmed? Early, accurate diagnosis is a key component to IPM. Inspect your plants for signs and symptoms. Start by knowing what each plant looks like when healthy; then keep watch for any changes in its condition. Become familiar with factors that can compromise plant health and learn to recognize the signs of common problems in specific plants. Once you know that you have a pest, you will want to identify what it is. This will determine the action you take. The Field guide to Common Texas Insects, put out by Texas A&M University (https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/) includes descriptions, pictures, and information about the habitat and life cycle of insects found in Texas. And, most importantly, it includes whether or not that insect is considered a pest.

Pesticides do have their place in IPM – they can be an effective way of suppressing pests after all other approaches have been tried unsuccessfully. Pesticides should be the smallest component of IPM and only used when nothing else works. Pesticides are regulated for safety, so be sure to read the labels carefully and follow the directions for use. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has resources that help determine what insecticide to use - https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/managing-insect-and-mite-pests-in-vegetable-gardens/

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Maggie Taliaferro
Smith County Master Gardener

Texas Superstar plants, descriptions and details

08/21/2026

We are hosting a FREE program at the Rose Center on September 10th.

It'll be an information packed half day followed by a tour of our Heritage Rose Garden.

Click the link below to register:
https://form.jotform.com/262084505255152

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

Do you have an area in your yard where rain causes washout in your landscape beds? Katy Barone, Master Gardener, explains how they tackled that problem by adding a dry creek bed in the Shade Garden at the Tyler Botanical Gardens.

Hillside runoff and severe soil erosion were significantly impactin...

08/17/2026

Earth-Kind Lecture to Feature Using Native Plants
Greg Grant (8-16-26)

Native plants continue to gain attention across East Texas, and for good reason. They provide food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while often requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides once established. Yet many homeowners remain hesitant to embrace native plants because of a common misconception that native gardens look wild, unruly, or poorly planned. An upcoming educational program in Tyler aims to challenge that myth and show gardeners how native plants can create landscapes that are both ecologically beneficial and visually appealing.

As part of the Summer Garden Series, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Earth-Kind Committee, the Smith County Master Gardeners, City of Tyler Water Utilities, and The Nectar Connector will present “Right Plant, Right Place: Designing Native Plant Gardens with More Intention and Less Chaos” on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cotton Belt Building classroom, located at 1517 W. Front Street in Tyler.

The featured speaker will be Dawn Stover, horticulturist, conservationist, and consultant with The Nectar Connector. Stover is known for helping gardeners create landscapes that support pollinators and wildlife while maintaining beauty, order, and functionality. Her presentation will explore strategies for selecting native plants that work well together from both ecological and design perspectives.

One of the most valuable lessons gardeners can learn is that successful landscapes are not created simply by choosing attractive plants. Thoughtful garden design considers plant size, growth habits, bloom periods, soil conditions, sunlight requirements, and the way individual species interact with one another. The result is a landscape that not only looks better but also performs better over time.

Native plants can provide season-long interest with flowers, seed heads, foliage textures, and wildlife activity. However, placing the right plant in the right location, next to the right partners, is essential. A well-designed native garden can offer vibrant color, structure, and organization while supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and countless other beneficial species.

Anyone who has spent time browsing social media has likely seen examples of native landscapes that appear chaotic or unplanned. While such plantings may provide ecological value, other homeowners prefer a more intentional look that complements their homes and neighborhoods. This program will address how to balance ecological function with aesthetic appeal.

For East Texas gardeners facing challenges such as summer heat, drought, and increasing interest in water conservation, native plants can be a practical solution. Learning how to combine species effectively and create attractive garden spaces can help gardeners feel more confident about incorporating natives into existing landscapes or starting progressive new projects.

Whether you are a home gardener, a Master Gardener, or a Master Naturalist interested in attracting more pollinators to your landscape, this educational event offers an opportunity to gain valuable insights from an expert in the field.

Registration is encouraged, and interested participants can reserve a spot through the event registration link provided on the program flyer found on my Greg Grant Gardens page or by calling the Smith County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office at 903-590-2980.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, find his “In Greg’s Garden” column in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu or by contacting the Smith County Master Gardener Help Desk at [email protected].
Image caption: Native plants in the landscape can be both beautiful and ecological functional.



Greg Grant, Ph.D.
County Extension Agent-Horticulture
Smith County
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
1517 West Front St., Suite 116
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-590-2980
smith.agrilife.org
Facebook: "Greg Grant Gardens" & "Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies"
Blog: arborgate.com "Greg's Ramblings"