Before we get to the meat of this week's e-mail tip, I just wanted to remind you that the fruit tree sale season begins in earnest Sat., Jan. 15. You'll find the entire schedule HERE.

A lot of free classes and information sessions precede some of the sales. I mention that, because there are many other free gardening classes presented by Master Gardener and Extension Horticultural groups all over Texas. This week, on want to focus on those in Harris County. With one exception, they are all free and open to the public. Some are on weekdays during lunch, some are on weekday evenings, and some are on weekends.

I came across the Harris County schedule for the first two months of the year as I was compiling the information for the 2011 county fruit tree sales, and I thought it was worth relaying to you. Interestingly, they had a cool one all about palms last Tuesday, and it's a class I hope they do again throughout the year.

So, here is the list of free classes by Harris County's AgriLife Extension, their horticultural agent Dr. Carol Brower, and the Master Gardeners. Check with Fort Bend, Galveston and other nearby counties about their schedules.

Tues., Jan. 11 - Green Thumb Lecture Series (Harris Co. Precinct 2) "Fruits and Nuts for the Gulf Coast"
Herman Auer, Galveston County master gardener
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook

Tues., Jan. 18 - Master Gardener Evening Lecture Series: Honey Bees
Jeff McMullen, Fort Bend County master gardener
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Texas AgriLife Extension Bear Creek Offices, 3033 Bear Creek Drive

Wed. Jan. 19 - Master Gardener Lecture Series: Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Dr. Carol Brower, Harris County horticultural agent
10:00 a.m.-noon - Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook

Thurs. Jan. 20 - Green Thumb Lecture Series: Vegetable Gardening
Dr. Jean, Harris County master gardener
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road

Tues. Feb. 1 - Master Gardener Lecture Series: Introduction to Permaculture
Dave Whitinger, founder of Dave's Garden website
Noon-2 p.m - Texas AgriLife Extension Bear Creek Office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive

Tues., Feb. 8 - Green Thumb Lecture Series (Precinct 2) "All About Vegetable Gardening"
Dr. Carol Brower, county extension horticulture agent
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook

Sat. Feb. 12 - Citrus Grafting Workshop
Herman Auer, Galveston County master gardener
8:30 a.m.-noon - Environmental Institute of Houston, North Office Annex at UH Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd.
NOTE: This class is not free. A $15 fee includes a grafting knife and supplies to graft a one-gallon citrus plant. Registration deadline is Feb. 4.

Tues. Feb. 15 - Master Gardener Evening Lecture Series "Tomato & Pepper Preview"
David Parish, Harris County master gardener
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Texas AgriLife Extension Bear Creek Office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive
(Includes a preview of tomatoes and peppers that will be for sale at the combined fruit tree sale March 5)

Wed., Feb. 16 - Master Gardener Lecture Series: Fruit Tree and Citrus Sale Preview
Heidi Sheesley, owner of Treesearch Farms
10 a.m.-noon - Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook
(Get a preview of fruit trees to be sold at the Pct. 2 Fruit Tree Sale Feb. 26.)

Thurs., Feb. 17 - Green Thumb Lecture Series: Fruit Trees for Harris County
David Parish, Harris County master gardener
6:30-8:30 p.m. - Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road

Sat., Feb. 26 - Master Gardener Fruit Tree Sale at Precinct 2
Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms
Preview Class 8-9 a.m.; educational workshop 10-11 a.m. - Campbell Hall at Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7600 Red Bluff, Pasadena
(This is the class before the Precinct 2 Plant Sale)

Tues., March 1 - Master Gardener Lecture Series: Fruit Tree Sale Preview
Doug McLeod, Harris County master gardener
Noon-2 p.m - Texas AgriLife Extension Bear Creek Office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive
(This is a chance to preview fruit trees that will be for sale at combined Tomato and Pepper & Fruit Tree Sale March 5.)

Sat., March 5 - Combined Tomato & Pepper Sale with Fruit Tree Sale for Harris County
Preview Class 8-9 a.m.; Educational Program 10-11 a.m. - Texas AgriLife Extension Bear Creek Office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive

If you have questions about any of these Harris County-affiliated classes, please contact Sheronda Bryant at 281-855-5600

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