Now is the time to “Learn How to Prune a Peach Tree,” which will be the topic of David Byrd, Denton County Master Gardener, when he speaks at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 9 in the Denton County Historical Park, 317 W. Mulberry in Denton. Meet in front of the Bayless-Selby House at 9:45 a.m. to hear the presentation and watch David demonstrate proper trimming techniques. The no-cost event is sponsored by the Denton County Master Gardener Association and will last about an hour. 

The Denton County Master Gardener Associations' exclusive Science With Attitude (SWAt) Educational Outreach program has received a special award from Search for Excellence, a program that recognizes Master Gardeners' outstanding volunteer work throughout the United State, Canada and South Korea.

“I’m delighted that the work of Denton County Master Gardeners is being recognized internationally,” said Janet Laminack, Denton County horticulturist. “Ours is a passionate, dedicated, talented group of people. SWAt works to educate children and teachers so that the next generation will understand their natural world and where food comes from. Research shows that knowledge makes individuals better stewards of the environment and helps them make healthier choices in their diets.”

The fledgling program began in 2009 when the Denton Master Gardeners, Elm Fork Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists and the 4-H program partnered with Denton County School districts to offer a summer teacher training program based on the Junior Master Gardener curriculum. Each year, additional course material was added, and in 2013, participating teachers requested an outreach program to ensure year-round student education in horticulture, the impact of humans on the environment and other nature topics.

In 2014, the SWAt program established an educational outreach program for research-based gardening and environmental education through guided observation and demonstrations for schools and other youth groups. The SWAt educational outreach program was formally launched in 2015, offering 17 topics that teachers identified during their SWAt training.

Any educator in Denton County may request a SWAt presentation by registering and selecting a topic from the menu available at DCMGA.com. Available topics include vegetable gardening, honeybees, worm composting, wildlife observation and habitats, birds, wildflowers, saving water and understanding human impact on the environmental. Depending on the topic, volunteers from DCMGA, Master Naturalists or 4-H will conduct the presentation.

Janet Gershenfeld of Highland Village will be one of the featured speakers at the 2016 Fall Garden Festival, which is sponsored by the Denton County Master Gardener Association and runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Trietsch Memorial UMC Family Life Center, 6101 Morriss Rd. in Flower Mound. Admission is free.

 

Gershenfeld will speak at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the wide variety of edible plants that can be blended into an existing garden, large or small. “My goal is to incorporate permaculture design and stealth gardening so that edibles, fruit trees, culinary and medicinal herbs can be grown without losing the beautiful aesthetic of a peaceful garden retreat,” she said.

 

A lifelong gardener, Gershenfeld was born in Japan and moved every few years with her military family. Once she settled in Texas 28 years ago, she put down roots and began gardening. Her Highland Village home has been featured twice on the Denton County Master Gardener’s spring garden tour, and she has holds five wildlife certifications on the urban property. She is often called on to speak or answer questions about successful gardening in challenging North Texas conditions.

 

A Master Gardener since 2005, and a Master Naturalist since 2005, she volunteers her spare time to teach about wildlife habitats, designing gardens and outdoor classrooms and writing. She serves as a plant ID resource to the organization and is often called on to speak or answer questions about gardening in challenging North Texas conditions.

 

Professionally, Gershenfeld is a costumer and seamstress for movies, television, concerts and theater. Her resume includes sewing iconic jeweled items for celebrities, such as Michael Jackson’s famous glove and jackets, First Ladies inaugural ball gowns and lavish Tyler Rose Queen dresses. She heads the wardrobe department for the three largest concert venues in Dallas and works on many prime time TV series. Currently, her work is on display at the Dallas Arboretum's 12 days of Christmas exhibit. 

 

Other educational presenters at the Fall Garden Festival are chef Charles Youts of the Classic Café in Roanoke, who will speak at 9:30 a.m. on “Eating Fresh” as he prepares foods made from seasonal vegetables and herbs and Steven Chamblee, author and chief horticulturist at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, presenting “Garden Harmony 101” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

 

In addition, informational booths will address the following topics: bees, monarch butterflies, gourds, veggie gardening, herb growing, container gardening, Earthkind, landscape design, worm composting, hypertufa, growing grapes, water conservation, propagation, tree care and becoming an Urban Citizen Forester.

 

Children’s activities include Dianne’s face-painting booth, science lessons with Junior Master Gardeners, information on beekeeping, discussions with Denton County 4-H Club members, talking to an entomologist about bugs, planting daffodil bulbs to take home, learning about snakes and studying wild animals of North Texas with the Elm Fork Master Naturalists. Several dozen vendors will be on hand to offer unique and handmade gifts and gardening accessories.

 

 

Learn more about gardening and cooking healthy or keep your youngsters learning and playing at the 2016 Fall Garden Fest, held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Trietsch Memorial UMC Family Life Center, 6101 Morriss Rd. in Flower Mound. Admission is free to the event, which is sponsored by the Denton County Master Gardener Association and features dozens of vendors and a fund-raising silent auction.

Educational presentations begin at 9:30 a.m., with chef Charles Youts of the Classic Café in Roanoke, who will discuss “Eating Fresh” as he prepares foods made from seasonal vegetables and herbs. Two additional one-hour programs will be presented twice that day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. They feature Janet Gershenfeld, Master Gardener, discussing “Edibles in your Landscape” and Steven Chamblee, chief horticulturist at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, presenting “Garden Harmony 101.” Informational booths will address the following topics: bees, monarch butterflies, gourds, veggie gardening, herb growing, container gardening, Earthkind, landscape design, worm composting, hypertufa, growing grapes, water conservation, propagation, tree care and becoming an Urban Citizen Forester. 

Attractions for All Ages 

Dozens of vendors and craftspeople will be on hand, including Unique Yard Art outdoor decorations, SkyHome Texas bird houses, Juice Plus Tower Garden hydroponics, La Bella Vita Boutique clothing and décor, Busia’s Balm handmade lotions, Basket Jacket for hanging plants, Expressive Creations in glass, Adirondack outdoor wooden furniture, Angee and Teresa’s Gardening Stones, Earth Kind Services organic compost, R&E Plants for butterfly gardens, Land O’ Lakes Quilt Guild, Painted Flower Farm’s Texas natives, Chromatic Ecstatic watercolor art, Laguna Madre Traders’ pottery and yard décor, Garden Gems garden accessories, Designed by Us handmade jewelry and dog collars, Clay for Home and Garden pottery, and Elemental Candela Organics’ clean-burning candles.   

Activities for children include Dianne’s face-painting booth, learning about science with Junior Master Gardeners, information on beekeeping, meeting with Denton County 4-H Club members, talking to an entomologist about bugs, planting daffodil bulbs to take home, learning about snakes and studying wild animals of North Texas with the Elm Fork Master Naturalists. 

A silent auction will offer a variety of treasure. Refreshments will be available from the 4-H club concession. For details, visit dcmga.com or look for the Denton County Master Gardener Association on Facebook.  

Become a Master Gardener 

Denton County residents who are interested in becoming a Master Gardener are invited to the organization’s Round Up meeting from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Joseph A. Carroll Building, 401 W. Hickory St. in Denton. County residents wishing to apply for the 2017 Master Gardener training program must do so no later than Oct. 14. Attending the Roundup is not required for new class members, but everyone must complete and submit an application form, which is available online. For complete details, including all requirements for new members, visit www.dcmga.com.

The DCMGA is an educational initiative affiliated with the Texas Master Gardener Association and Texas AgriLife Extension Service within Texas A&M University. The program aims to increase horticultural education and projects in Denton County through training and volunteer efforts. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Whether you prefer gardening, shopping, cooking demos or silent auctions, there will be plenty of activities at the 2016 Fall Garden Fest, held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Trietsch Memorial UMC Family Life Center, 6101 Morriss Rd. in Flower Mound. Admission is free, and includes a variety of activities for youngsters. 

Educational presentations begin at 9:30 a.m., starting with chef Charles Youts of the Classic Café in Roanoke, who will prepare dishes made from fresh, seasonal vegetables and herbs. Two additional one-hour programs will be presented twice that day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The feature Janet Gershenfeld, Master Gardener, discussing “Edibles in your Landscape” and Steven Chamblee, chief horticulturist at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, presenting “Garden Harmony 101.” Informational booths will address the following topics: bees, monarch butterflies, gourds, veggie gardening, herb growing, container gardening, Earthkind, landscape design, worm composting, water conservation, tree care and more.

Dozens of craftspeople will be on hand to sell plants, yard arts, gifts and more. A silent auction will offer a variety of treasures. Refreshments will be available from the 4H club concession. For complete details, visit dcmga.com or look for the Denton County Master Gardener Association on Facebook.  

All Denton County residents who are interested in becoming a Master Gardener are invited to the organization’s Round Up meeting from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Joseph A. Carroll Building, 401 W. Hickory St. in Denton. County residents wishing to apply for the 2017 Master Gardener training program must do so no later thanOct. 14. Attending the Roundup is not required for new class members, but everyone must complete and submit an application form, which is available online. For complete details, including all requirements for new members, visit www.dcmga.com.

The DCMGA is an educational initiative affiliated with the Texas Master Gardener Association and Texas AgriLife Extension Service within Texas A&M University. The program aims to increase horticultural education and projects in Denton County through training and volunteer efforts. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.