A Growing Community Gardening Education Blooms in Liberty Hill

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy of Liberty Hill Gardening Club

For Jenn Chapman, the Liberty Hill Garden Club embodies everything she loves about her town. After moving here three years ago, she quickly found a close-knit community with many people eager to lend a hand to those in need. “There are many organizations that are trying to help the community, and the Liberty Hill Garden Club is just one of those organizations,” the club’s president says. “It’s part and parcel to what Liberty Hill is – folks helping other folks in Liberty Hill.”

Founded in 1975, the club started out as a small group of women coming together to share their love of plants. Today, it has grown into an organization dedicated to educating plant lovers as well as beautifying Liberty Hill.

Cultivating Knowledge, Cultivating Community

Education and community service have been at the heart of the Liberty Hill Garden Club since the beginning. The club regularly organizes gardening projects that support local initiatives, including maintaining a seed library and assisting with garden repair and replenishment at Operation Liberty Hill’s food bank. Members not only learn about gardening but also use that knowledge to enhance the beauty of the city and surrounding areas.

The club hosts monthly meetings and features expert speakers on topics like irrigation systems, pollinator-friendly planting, vegetable gardening, and flower arrangements. It also provides hands-on learning opportunities, like the recent Ask the Gardener forum at the library for seasoned gardeners to answer questions and donate seeds to the community. “With so many people moving into Liberty Hill, we’re seeing more folks who now have land and want to start gardening but don’t know where to begin,” Jenn says. “We want to help with that.”

Planting Seeds for the Future

One of the club’s biggest annual events is its annual plant sale, which serves as both a fundraiser and an opportunity to connect with the community. “We’re planting a variety of vegetables, herbs, houseplants, and native outdoor plants – all proven to thrive in our region,” Jenn says. “Whether it’s tomatoes, cucumbers, or other Texas-friendly plants, people can buy with confidence knowing they’ll do well here.”

Proceeds from the sale support the club’s scholarship program, which provides four $1,000 scholarships to Liberty Hill High School seniors pursuing higher education. “This is our main fundraiser for the scholarships, but it’s also a great way to share our love of plants, recruit new members, and raise awareness about what we do.”

Thriving Gardening Community

Currently 41 members strong, the Liberty Hill Garden Club welcomes newcomers who share a passion for gardening and community service. “It’s a great community of gardeners helping each other learn,” Jenn says. “We have members who are certified master naturalists, floral judges, and experienced nonprofit organizers, so there’s a wealth of knowledge to be shared.” Looking back, she remembers discovering the green-thumbed circle soon after moving to Liberty Hill; “I was a brand-new gardener when I moved here, and I immediately had access to incredibly talented, knowledgeable women. It’s a great way to learn, give back, and connect with others who share a love for gardening.”

To learn more about the Liberty Hill Garden Club, visit libertyhillgardenclub.org and come check out one of the monthly meetings held at the Williamson County Cowboy Church.

Spring Into Gardening Essential Prep For A Thriving Yard

As winter loosens its grip, it’s time to wake up your garden and get it ready for a new season of growth. From tackling winter weeds to fine-tuning your irrigation system, Pam Lovelace with Williamson County AgriLife Extension shares essential tips for creating a beautiful, flourishing garden this spring.

• Check Your Irrigation System: Cold weather can take a toll on hoses and sprinklers, so inspect your irrigation setup for leaks or damage. If you haven’t already, empty irrigation hoses to prevent cracking from hard freezes.

• Prepare Your Vegetable Beds: Give your veggie garden a boost by working compost into the top six inches of soil. Adding a layer of mulch will help lock in moisture and keep weeds at bay.

• Tackle Winter Weeds: Winter weeds are already growing, so stop them before they spread. Mow frequently or handweed to prevent them from forming flowers and seed heads. To keep summer weeds from taking over, apply a pre-emergent herbicide now.

• Test Your Soil Before Fertilizing: Spring is a great time to submit a soil sample to determine if your lawn needs fertilizing. If needed, plan to apply fertilizer in midApril—once your grass is actively growing.

• Prune Your Roses: February is prime time for pruning shrub roses. A good trim now will encourage healthier growth and more blooms once spring arrives.

• Stay Frost-Ready: While March 4 marks the average last freeze date for Williamson County, keep frost cloths handy to protect young plants from unexpected cold fronts.