Collin County Master Gardeners

Collin County Master Gardeners We are volunteers & Certified Master Gardeners who share research-based information on horticulture. All rights reserved.

Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who

become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their county Extension office to provide research-based horticultural information to their communities. Collin County Master Gardeners are the educational arm of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Notice: We don't provide recommendations of brands or products to the public. For gardening questions, please submit your question to: https://ccmgatx.org/forms/InfoCenterForm.aspx

📸 Images and graphics © CCMGA. Some images used with permission from partner organizations like Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and individuals and may not be copied, edited, or reused.

Celebrate National Peach Day with one of Texas’ favorite summer fruits!When selecting fresh peaches, look for fruit that...
08/27/2026

Celebrate National Peach Day with one of Texas’ favorite summer fruits!

When selecting fresh peaches, look for fruit that:
🍑 Has a sweet aroma.
🍑 Gives slightly when gently pressed.
🍑 Has vibrant color without bruises or soft spots.

Looking for recipe inspiration? Visit Dinner Tonight for delicious peach recipes and nutrition information perfect for late summer. https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/?s=peach

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
Peach and Blackberry Salad
Strawberry and Peach Fruit Salsa
Grilled Peach Sundae
Peachy Mint Iced Tea with Lemon
Peach Crumble
Chicken with Peachy Ginger Sauce Slow Cooker
Peachy Prosciutto Pizza

Fall gardening looks a little different across our big state! 🍂🌱 Check out these seasonal tips from Texas A&M AgriLife, ...
08/26/2026

Fall gardening looks a little different across our big state! 🍂🌱

Check out these seasonal tips from Texas A&M AgriLife, and remember to make sure recommendations and timing are right for North Texas and Zone 8 before putting them to work in your garden.

Welcome, Class of 2026! Collin County Master Gardeners welcomed our new 2026 student class with a full day of orientatio...
08/25/2026

Welcome, Class of 2026!
Collin County Master Gardeners welcomed our new 2026 student class with a full day of orientation, introductions, and a first look at what lies ahead.
Judy McGrath and Anne Campbell led the day, introducing the team, mentors, education staff, and the many people who will help guide this new group through their Master Gardener journey.
Brad Voss, our Extension Horticulture Agent, introduced the students to their pre-assessment, giving everyone a baseline of what they know today so they can see just how much they learn by the end of their training.
After a great potluck lunch provided by our Hospitality Team, the students learned how to log their class and volunteer hours, sign up for projects, and handle homework through our online systems. Brad then wrapped up the day with a presentation on Earth-Kind, one of the fundamentals of becoming a Master Gardener.
And yes, that "test" caught a few students by surprise! They weren't expecting it, which is exactly the point of a pre-assessment.
Welcome, Class of 2026! Your journey has officially begun.
Collin County Master Gardeners are part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, bringing research-based horticulture education and volunteer service to our community.
CCMGA – We Grow Gardeners!

Mulch does more than make your landscape look tidy.A 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch helps:✔ Reduce soil moisture loss✔ ...
08/25/2026

Mulch does more than make your landscape look tidy.

A 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch helps:

✔ Reduce soil moisture loss
✔ Keep roots cooler
✔ Suppress weeds
✔ Add organic matter over time

Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems to improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease.

A quick mulch refresh now can help your landscape through the hottest weeks of summer.

🌱 How do plants know it’s getting hot?Scientists recently discovered that plants have a built-in molecular “thermostat” ...
08/24/2026

🌱 How do plants know it’s getting hot?

Scientists recently discovered that plants have a built-in molecular “thermostat” that senses rising temperatures and signals roots to grow deeper in search of water and nutrients. Understanding this natural survival strategy could help develop future plants that are better equipped to handle heat and drought.

Read the latest installment in our Garden Science series:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4yZoiPx

🎤 Learn from professionals working in irrigation and water conservation.Jeff Hardgrave, a Licensed Irrigator and Vice Pr...
08/23/2026

🎤 Learn from professionals working in irrigation and water conservation.

Jeff Hardgrave, a Licensed Irrigator and Vice President of Denton County Master Gardener Association, will cover irrigation system design, basics, and maintenance.

Andrea Chick, Conservation Specialist with the North Texas Municipal Water District, will discuss water issues facing North Texas and practical conservation strategies for homeowners.

Bring your questions—there will be opportunities for Q&A throughout the workshop.
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𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽
Saturday, September 26 • 9 am to Noon
📍 The Landing @ Myers Park, McKinney
🎟 $15 per person

Check out the session topics and more event details: https://bit.ly/CCMGA-Workshops

Direct sowing is simple—but a few small details can improve germination.Before planting:• Plant at the recommended depth...
08/21/2026

Direct sowing is simple—but a few small details can improve germination.

Before planting:
• Plant at the recommended depth (most seeds are planted about 2–3 times as deep as the seed is wide).
• Water the soil before or immediately after planting.
• Keep the seedbed consistently moist until seedlings emerge.
• Label what you planted.
• Thin crowded seedlings so remaining plants have room to grow.

In North Texas, many fall vegetables are started by direct sowing in late summer, making now a great time to begin planning your next planting season.

🌳 August heat can be tough on young trees—but a little extra care goes a long way.Newly planted trees are still developi...
08/19/2026

🌳 August heat can be tough on young trees—but a little extra care goes a long way.

Newly planted trees are still developing the root systems they need to thrive, making them especially vulnerable to North Texas summer temperatures. Learn why proper watering, mulch placement, root flare visibility, and removing unnecessary stakes can make all the difference in helping young trees establish successfully.

Whether you planted this spring or last fall, now is the perfect time to give your trees a quick checkup.

🔗 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4vQXkXy

🤔 Ever wonder why some plants seem unfazed by August while others struggle?Many native and well-adapted plants have buil...
08/17/2026

🤔 Ever wonder why some plants seem unfazed by August while others struggle?

Many native and well-adapted plants have built-in strategies for handling heat and drought.

🌱 Deep root systems reach moisture farther underground.
🍃 Smaller leaves reduce water loss.
✨ Waxy or fuzzy leaf surfaces help conserve moisture.
💤 Some plants naturally slow their growth during extreme heat, conserving energy until conditions improve.

Choosing plants adapted to North Texas can mean less watering, less maintenance, and a more resilient landscape.

Learn more about native Texas plants at https://www.npsot.org/resources/native-plants/native-plants-database/

It may feel too hot to think about gardening, but August is the perfect time to start planning your fall vegetable garde...
08/15/2026

It may feel too hot to think about gardening, but August is the perfect time to start planning your fall vegetable garden.

Many cool-season crops need to be started now so they’re ready to grow as temperatures begin to cool.

🥬 Broccoli
🥦 Cauliflower
🥬 Brussel Sprouts & Cabbage
🥕 Carrots
🥬 Leafy greens
🫘 Beans & Peas

Need help deciding when to plant? Check out our North Texas planting calendar for recommended planting dates throughout the year. https://bit.ly/CCMGAVegPlantingCalendar

A little planning now leads to a productive fall harvest.

Address

825 N McDonald Street, Ste 150
McKinney, TX
75069

Telephone

(972) 548-4232

Website

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