Grant: From Bulbs to Blooms sale is a fall tradition for East Texas gardeners

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 12, 2025

As summer fades and cooler weather returns, gardeners across East Texas begin to think about fall planting, and for many, that means bulbs. Once again, the Smith County Master Gardeners are celebrating this beloved gardening season with their annual, award-winning “From Bulbs to Blooms” Conference and Sale on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Road in Tyler.

The event begins with a free educational conference from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by onsite bulb shopping and online order pick-up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s lecture, “Growing On and On: A Bulb Sale Preview,” will be presented by yours truly, focusing on the proven bulbs available on conference day that thrive in East Texas landscapes without irrigation, fertilizer, or pesticides. These are the true survivors, plants that return and bloom reliably year after year, from amaryllids to Zephyranthes and everything in between.

The sale, open both online and in person, will feature heirloom, hardy, and hard-to-find bulbs, along with a selection of trees and shrubs ideal for fall planting. Gardeners can also browse garden art, books, educational displays, and the Smith County Master Gardeners’ annual garden guide calendar. Door prizes and raffle tickets will be available throughout the event.

The online webstore opens Oct. 13 and runs through Oct. 22, with orders available for pickup at Pollard United Methodist Church on the day of the event. Quantities are limited, so early shopping is encouraged.

The Smith County Master Gardeners’ annual bulb event has become one of East Texas’s most anticipated fall gardening traditions. It combines education, camaraderie, and access to regionally adapted plants, most of which cannot be found in retail stores. By sharing both time-tested heirlooms and modern trialed varieties, the sale continues to promote sustainable gardening practices that align with Texas A&M AgriLife’s Earth-Kind® principles.

While many unique bulbs will be available, daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils take center stage each fall at this event. These cheerful symbols of spring are by far the most popular and dependable of all bulbs for East Texas. They tolerate a wide variety of soils, drought, and even neglect while still putting on a brilliant show each spring. Unlike tulips and hyacinths, daffodils return year after year without the need for chilling or dividing. Their long life and carefree nature make them an ideal choice for home landscapes, naturalized areas, and even rural pastures and pocket prairies.

Whether you are new to bulbs or a seasoned gardener, the From Bulbs to Blooms Conference offers inspiration and practical advice for making your garden shine from season to season. As always, admission is free, and proceeds benefit local Master Gardener educational projects and horticulture scholarships at Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin state universities.

For more information, visit www.txmgsc.org/b2b, follow Smith County Master Gardeners on Facebook, or call (903) 590-2994 or (903) 590-2980.

— Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.