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Programs

Flower Pot Recycling
Recycle your plastic and clay flower pots and keep them out of the landfill. The McLennan Co. Master Gardeners have placed a pot collection bin at the south rear area of the parking lot at the County Extension Office, 420 N. Sixth Street in Waco. Call 757-5180 for additional information.
Annual Plant Sale
The McLennan County Master Gardeners have held an annual plant sale since 2003. Plants are divided or propagated from those growing in the gardens/yards of the members and potted for resale to the community. This showcases the plants which thrive and do well in the local area. Houseplants, cacti and succulents, veggies, annuals, perennials and seeds are included in the many varieties available from local members.
Speakers Bureau
The McLennan County Master Gardeners has a group of members who are capable and willing to present programs on gardening and related horticulture topics when requested by garden clubs, civic and other organizations. Power point presentations, lectures and workshops on horticulture subjects are frequently requested of the members.
Habitat for Humanity
MCMG volunteers work with Habitat for Humanity to design, select, prepare beds, and plant foundation plantings for new homes they have completed. The new home owner receives plant care instructions along with a gift from MCMG consisting of a fifty (50') foot water hose, sprinkler, and either a garden hoe or leaf rake. These gifts are presented to the homeowner at the dedication of their new home.
HOT Urban Gardening Coalition
Heart of Texas Urban Gardening Coalition, formerly Back To Earth Gardening, was organized to encourage cooperation between different groups in the area that are interested in gardening and to encourage sustainable community development through gardening. UGC supports current gardening projects at schools, churches, and homes, and is developing new programs where they can make an impact. The Elm Avenue Garden is the new "community garden".
EarthKind Rose Demonstration Garden at Texas State Technical College
The EarthKind Rose Trial Garden was established on the campus of Texas State Technical College in 2005. Texas A&M Extension horticulturists started the research necessary to develop the first-ever National Collection of EarthKind Landscape Roses. This was a four-year research study ending January 20, 2009. The EarthKind System has truly provided "Easy-Care Roses for Busy People". A new EarthKind Demonstration Garden is being developed at a different location in Waco by the McLennan Co. Master Gardeners.
Texas Superstar Garden at the Carleen Bright Arboretum
Texas Superstars are tough, reliable, and showy plants, which have undergone years of extensive testing by Texas A&M University's Agriculture Program. So that local homeowners can see how these strong and stunning plants will grow in the Waco area, McLennan County Master Gardeners designed, developed, and maintain a Texas Superstar demonstration garden at the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway. Developed in 2005, the garden continues to evolve, inviting visitors to stroll through, linger, and gather ideas for their own gardens.
Trailside Gardens
The newest and largest addition to the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway is Trailside Gardens, developed by McLennan County Master Gardeners. MCMG member Anita Dawson and her husband, Jerry, made a significant financial contribution in memory of their fathers, James C. Webster and Aubrey T. Dawson, allowing development of the gardens to begin. To honor these gentlemen and the plants they loved, plantings include EarthKind roses and other water-wise and native plants.

Landscape architect Bernard Ott, who designed the original Arboretum Master Plan, came up with a schematic outline for the Trailside Gardens. MCMG members Jean Cunningham and Rachelle Kemp designed a planting plan. Other contributions have come from the MCMG budget and private donations. A 1.3 mile trail system will eventually wind through Arboretum grounds, and the Trailside Gardens will be a showy and welcoming part of the trail, with benches, arbors, shade, and fragrance.
McGregor Demonstration Garden
As you enter the town of McGregor, Texas, there is an existing welcome sign and rather large corner lot. Jene Hering, a Master Gardener and long time resident of the city, has long had a vision that this corner could not only be an attractive asset to the city, but a place to showcase Texas hardy plants for the area. The garden now symbolizes the very spirit of our state and demonstrates species of plants that work well for most people in their landscape. The bed shape of a star catches the eye of people passing by the busy intersection.

As in most stars, the bed has 5 legs and a large center area. Lower growing plants are placed at the tip of each leg with native grasses in the middle and working into quality varieties of roses in the center. It was important to keep the top leg with low growing plants so as to not block the view of the McGregor sign. A mixture of perennials was used so they will not need to be planted each year. The outside perimeter of the star is composed of pea gravel, which will provide an area where the public can walk right up to the garden to view the plants.
Cedar Ridge Elementary Green Classroom
Cedar Ridge Green Classroom was designed and constructed under the leadership of Sandy Back, MCMG and now retired teacher from Cedar Ridge Elementary School. The garden, started 5 years ago, is maintained by the faculty and MCMG volunteers. A Day in the Garden is enjoyed monthly by the children, staff, and volunteers. Over 600 children participated in each Day in the Garden this school year. In the Spring of 2008 students had "hands on" experience with learning stations about garden insects, vermin composting, the Sulcata tortoise, and planting spring seeds.

In the Fall of 2008 the children participated in propagating plants for their teachers, leaf printing, growing bean seeds in a plastic sandwich bag, planting a Three Sisters Garden, panting flower and herb seeds. All crops are harvested by the students, and shared with the faculty, students, resident goats, and bunny.
Woodway Elementary Outdoor Classroom and Gardens
What began as a small commitment to beautify the school's front entrance, grew into a multifaceted project. The parents, Master Gardeners, and community members, under the leadership of Sarah McCormick, created several outdoor classrooms. The focus now is in the Vegetable Classroom, under the leadership of Master Gardener, Kim Dougherty. The very enthusiastic children are in the garden weekly nurturing their garden, planting seeds, harvesting and eating their vegetables, composting, and learning all aspects of gardening.