Unless otherwise stated below,
our meetings are every third Saturday
of the month
at 10:00 AM
at the locations listed below
· There will be additional activities added for special interest trips updated as they pop up during the year!
· The Spring Water Garden Gems Spring Japanese Koi Sale date and the Fall Texas Koi & Fancy Goldfish Society Fish Show dates have not been published yet. We will need 4 members to volunteer at each event both days. We work in a.m. and p.m. 4-hour time slots both Saturday and Sunday. Set up on Saturday 8:00 a.m. – Sunday breakdown 4: 00 p.m.
2026 Meeting and Events Schedule
We will start a more informal WGC calendar of events in 2026.
It’s amazing how busy everyone is, with little time for volunteering and involvement in so many projects. So, below are our thoughts
January
I met with the owner of Bandera Rainbow Gardens on Jan 30th, along with Carlos Flannery. Owner of Aquatic Escapes and WGC business sponsor. Brandon’s father, Frank, built several ponds at this location many years ago and loved water gardening. Now Brandon is looking for ideas to restore and update their on-property water gardens, pond landscapes, décor, and is looking for our WGC’s input on what our members are interested in seeing offered in their water plants, marginals, water lilies, or bog plants selections.
THIS IS A MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN NEW SPECIES OF PLANTS AND VARIETIES FOR OUR POND BEAUTIFICATION AND ENJOYMENT.
Please send me your ideas, specific names of lilies, I’m interested in the pompom and new hybrids Willian is going to speak to us about. What else? Please respond before February 20th.
February
The February 21st meeting will take place at the Rainbow Gardens Bandera location. William Rudder of Rudder Tropical will present information on new hybrid lilies, highlighting varieties with pompom petals and brilliant colors, and discuss post-winter preparation for water gardens.
March
Small sessions, members helping beginners and older members needing a hand with maintenance, dividing plants like their lilies, and bog plant care for our Fish and Plant Swap.
To get on a helping hand group or form your own, please contact me, and we can start a list for people needing help and make a schedule
April
the April 18th meeting will be held at The Humane Society at 10:00 a.m.
Earl Warren High School has invited the Water Garden Club to co-sponsor an eco-hydroponics project. Kandi Guerra donated twelve koi for this initiative, and Bruce Macmaster has been overseeing the harvesting process. Professor Gregory Combs supervised the project, including special needs students who assisted with advanced biology and environmental science. The club values sharing its love of ponds with young people through projects like this.
Patti Kruse will be hosting the hospitality at this event. If you wish to help, don't hesitate to get in touch with her for ideas and prep.
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May
May 16th’s meeting will be held at Rainbow Gardens Bandera in celebration of their 50th Anniversary, alongside a special local Clubs Society Meeting. Attendees can expect special sales, giveaways, raffles, and opportunities to recruit new members at the Water Garden Club booth. Set up booth aid and volunteers to greet, grin, and explain the WGC to attendees.
E-mail me for all volunteer opportunities you can support the club by participating. Even a few hours will make a huge difference, dplolson@gvtc.com text or call me at 210-288-8789, Deb Poloson
On May 29th and 30th, the “Last Festival of Flowers” will serve as a BIG farewell event. (They are taking down that shrine building) We need any donations, start propagating ASAP, look for plants you think would sell, look for sales on Amazon Haul, FB marketplace deals, and garage sale finds you would be willing to buy, and donations for our only fundraising event of the year. We need volunteers for setup, sales, and membership recruitment.
June
The Austin Pond Society’s Fabulous 2-day Pond Tour is planned as a road trip. We have reserved a 15-passenger van for both days to make this a fun social event. The cost is $15 per person. We will stop for a group lunch; those driving themselves, please plan on coming, so we can share our day's adventures. We will also visit the Hill Country Water Garden each day and may have to hook up a U-haul for all the awesome water gardening and fish stuff! If you have never been on this tour, put it on your calendar.
June
This month is traditionally reserved for the WCG mini pond tour event, but this year, we need a new person to help organize it.
Please consider taking this on; it's one of the best ways to see different ponds in person and ask questions. Geneva Thiesen’s beautiful re-vamped pond will be on the tour; we need two more members who want to share and show off their hard work and love of their water garden to make up a 2026 tour.
Larry Hudak has stepped down from coordinating Special Events to focus on obligations in California and a new waterfront property project in Olympia, WA. The club expresses heartfelt gratitude to Larry and Sue for four years of generous service, adventurous spirit, assistance, fish rescue efforts, valuable PR, innovative ideas, and for hosting many successful events at their Spring Branch property.
And given the summer heat and the timing of the water lily blooms, I am considering moving this event to September. Thoughts?
July
Members are encouraged to enjoy a fun summer vacation.
August
Projects, road trips, or ideas welcome
September
Details for the September 21st meeting are to be announced. The club is considering rescheduling the mini pond tour this month to coincide with peak water lily blooms.
October
On October 19th, Greg and Patsy Needham will host the annual Fall Fish and Plant Swap BBQ. This event offers members a chance to exchange fish, aquatic plants, and gardening tips while enjoying a delicious barbecue in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It is a great opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share pond successes, and acquire new additions for your collection. All members are invited to attend.
November
The November 16th, 2026, Annual Membership meeting; location to be announced.
December
The club’s Christmas Party will take place between December 2nd and December 9th this year. Keith may have already asked a Water Garden Club member to host, but members interested in showcasing their Christmas-decorated home are encouraged to speak with him.