Whether you’re growing your first tomato plant or have years of gardening experience, the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is inviting the community to sharpen their skills during its 2026 Fall Lunch N Learn Series.
The free educational series returns this fall with four lunchtime programs covering a variety of gardening topics, from growing strawberries and building a greenhouse to planting native wildflowers and cultivating mushrooms. Designed for homeowners, hobby gardeners and anyone with an interest in horticulture, each session offers practical, real-world advice that participants can take home and put to use in their own landscapes and gardens.
The programs will be held on the third Tuesday of each month from August through November at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 800 E. Wendt St. in Bellville. Doors open at 11:50 a.m. for registration, with presentations beginning promptly at noon and concluding by 12:55 p.m., making them an easy lunchtime activity for gardeners with busy schedules. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch, and light refreshments will be available. Following each presentation, speakers and Bluebonnet Master Gardeners will remain on hand to answer questions and offer additional gardening advice.
This fall’s schedule includes a diverse lineup of topics presented by local experts:
- Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Strawberries: An Overview of How to Grow Strawberries and When Is the Best Time to Plant Them, presented by Stacie Villarreal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Austin County.
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Greenhouse, presented by Rebecca Marek, Bluebonnet Master Gardener.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 – Native Fall Wildflower Planting Guide, presented by Alyssa Harmon of Sycamore Hill Nursery.
- Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Growing Your Own Mushrooms, presented by Renee Kofman, Bluebonnet Master Gardener.
The Lunch N Learn Series has become a popular opportunity for area residents to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts while learning from experienced professionals and Master Gardeners. Whether participants are looking to improve their vegetable gardens, add more native plants to their landscape, or simply discover a new gardening hobby, the series offers something for every skill level.
Admission is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required. Those wishing to attend may register by contacting the Austin County AgriLife Extension Office at 979-865-2072 or by visiting the Austin County AgriLife website for additional information.
