North Texas gardeners face a unique set of challenges. Heavy clay soils, unpredictable weather, extreme summer heat, water restrictions, persistent pests and improper plant selection can make even experienced gardeners second-guess their choices. Add in the sheer volume of online advice—much of it written for completely different climates—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
What many gardeners are really looking for isn’t another quick tip, but reliable guidance that explains why certain practices succeed here—and how to do them correctly. That need for practical, locally relevant solutions is exactly why The Garden Show, presented by the Collin County Master Gardeners Association, was created.
A show built around real solutions
The Garden Show is designed to help North Texas gardeners address common challenges using practical, research-based guidance they can trust. Education is delivered through interactive master gardener–led booths, live demonstrations and scheduled talks. Together, these elements create an experience where learning is hands-on, approachable and grounded in local conditions.
Throughout the event, trained Master Gardeners staff will be at education booths that feature displays, handouts, and hands-on learning opportunities to help you make your garden a reality. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, discuss what’s happening in their own gardens and leave with recommendations tailored to local soils, light conditions, water availability, seasonal timing and proper plant selection—helping turn long-imagined garden ideas into realistic plans that work in North Texas. The focus is not just on what to do, but why it works—drawing from research-based practices supported by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
The event’s education area covers a wide range of gardening needs, including container gardening, shade challenges, pollinators, native plants and soil amendment practices. Other education areas include vegetable gardening, herbs, long-term tree care, propagation and youth education.
Seeing techniques in action
In addition to the education booths, The Garden Show features a dedicated presentation area with scheduled talks and live demonstrations held throughout both days of the event. These sessions reinforce what visitors see on the show floor, giving gardeners the chance to watch techniques demonstrated correctly and hear the reasoning behind common recommendations directly from trusted local experts. Demonstrations typically include a Q&A session at the end of each presentation, giving attendees the opportunity to dig deeper into the topic.
Topics include responsible fertilizer use, plant propagation methods, tomato gardening for North Texas, container garden design, herbs to grow in North Texas and how to use them, paprika as a multi-use culinary herb and seasonal growing practices. Sessions are scheduled from late morning through mid-afternoon, making it easy to move between booths, demonstrations and the marketplace. A full education area schedule and session descriptions are available here.
From learning to action
The Garden Show also includes a curated marketplace designed to complement the education offered. More than 70 garden-related businesses and community organizations participate, helping visitors connect what they learn with products, services and local resources that support sustainable gardening practices. The marketplace also offers many opportunities to network with other gardeners and share the good, the bad and the hopeful moments of gardening in North Texas.
Marketplace categories include:
- Local farms and nurseries
- Garden tools and supplies
- Landscape experts
- Outdoor decor and garden art
- Home goods and artisan creations
- Nonprofit and city programs focused on conservation, water stewardship, wildlife and community gardening
Vendors include:
For the most current list of vendors, visit https://ccmgatx.org/events/the-garden-show.
The value of The Garden Show:
“Being a part of The Garden Show each year has been invaluable to our business,” said Dede Price, Bare Naked Bee Co. “We love connecting with and learning from fellow gardeners, entrepreneurs and lovers of the outdoors.”
“The show gives me a chance to talk face-to-face with local residents about tree-care needs and considerations.” Scott Keller from Heritage Tree Service said.
“I came with a list of questions and left with answers that actually made sense for my yard,” a garden show attendee said.
More than just education
The Garden Show is designed to be welcoming and engaging for all ages. Youth education activities introduce children to gardening through hands-on learning, interactive displays and scavenger hunts. Raffles and giveaways take place throughout the event, and a selfie photo-op area offers a fun way for attendees to commemorate their visit.
Food is available for purchase on-site throughout the event, featuring barbecue favorites such as brisket sandwiches, sausages, tacos, giant baked potatoes and turkey legs, along with kid-friendly and vegetarian options. With convenient grab-and-go meals available, visitors can comfortably spend the day exploring the education booths, demonstrations and marketplace.
An investment in the gardening community
There is a suggested $5 entry donation for The Garden Show, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the CCMGA Scholarship Fund. The fund supports graduating high school seniors and graduate students pursuing horticulture-related fields, helping foster the next generation of gardeners while supporting healthier ecosystems and responsible land stewardship.
2026 sponsors
The 2026 Garden Show is supported by the following sponsors: Gold sponsors include Daystar Landscapes, Inc., Sanctuary Structures and Texas Pure Products. Silver sponsors include Pucketts Lawn and Garden Center, Rooted In and Seed Project Foundation. Bronze sponsors include Hugs Greenhouse and Lavender Ridge Farms. North Texas Municipal Water District serves as the event’s education sponsor.
Plan your visit
The Garden Show takes place March 14–15 at the Show Barn at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney. The indoor event runs Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Parking is free, and the event is held rain or shine.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a wagon or cart to help carry purchased plants, other finds, and those helpful junior master gardeners assisting along the way. Gardeners may also bring garden tools or knives for paid sharpening services provided by an on-site vendor.
Gardens first
At its heart, The Garden Show is about gardens—and the people who grow them. It’s a place to learn, ask questions and leave better prepared for the growing season ahead.
Gardeners are also encouraged not to miss the CCMGA Spring Plant Sale on April 25 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Myers Park. More information is available at https://ccmgatx.org/events/spring-plant-sale.
Additional event details
No pets are allowed at the event due to local food service ordinances. Service animals specifically trained to aid persons with disabilities are permitted.
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation should contact the Collin County AgriLife Extension office at least one week in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.
This promotional article is funded in part through a grant from the McKinney Community Development Corporation. For the last few years, Collin County Master Gardeners has collaborated with McKinney Community Development Corporation as a recipient of an MCDC promotional grant. Working together, we’re building a closer community and elevating events like The Garden Show and our workshops. MCDC is able to fund projects by reinvesting local sales tax dollars.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.
The above story was produced by the Collin County Master Gardeners Association team with Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.