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!
·
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 (advanced biology and environmental science) supervised the project, including special needs students who assisted with feeding the fish. 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.
.
May
May 2nd this month is very busy (Please volunteer)
Our Spring Fish and Plant Swap Picnic will be held in Benita and Chris Ortiz's lovely garden and pond area. If you have too many koi or ones that have outgrown your pond space, and you would like a smaller one, please call us to pick them up so we can quarantine them to provide a healthy selection at the swap.
Call Tom Cooper for rescue at 830-303-5708, Keith Heise at 210-896-2910, or Deb Poloson at 210-288-8789
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
AUGUST 22nd, this SATURDAY, 10:00 to noon.
Laurie Wilson (new member) will be hosting our August meeting.
Address: Check email for exact address.
She has a lovely pond area and would love some input from members on how to keep it clear.
The topic will be Pond Products: Members' show-and-tell:
***There will be a gift certificate drawing for members who participate in today's learning experience. Raffle tickets will be sold for a portable aerator as this month’s club fundraiser
What should we have on hand as pond owners? Advice on items you find work, handy items you find useful.
Bring your tips, stories, successes, and warnings about what not to do.
Ray Rendon of Aquarium and Pond Solutions will be there to help address some of the key items to make our pond care routine easier. Also address summer pond concerns.
September
September 19th, Saturday, 10:00 to noon
Our WGC 2026 Mini Pond tour featuring 3 of our members
Lovely ponds and landscapes.
Thank you, Geneva Theisen, Steve Holt, and Lang Eng, for volunteering to showcase
your hard work and sharing ponds with our group! Exact times and addresses will be provided to members in an email.
September 26-27. Saturday and Sunday, 10 – 5
34th Annual Texas Koi and Fancy Goldfish Society Show
Our WGC will again sponsor 2 awards and have a booth
To promote our WGC and new membership drive.
We encourage anyone interested in showing their fish at this
fun competition event to contact Marvin Baker, President of the TKFS, at 210-269-1212 or
WGC President, Deb Poloson at 210-288-8789. dpoloson@gvtc.com
If we get enough new interest, our club will sponsor half of the show tank fee ($45) for first-time participants from our WGC membership. (Respond with intent to enter before Sept. 10th
October
Saturday, October 24th, 12:00 – 3:00
WGC 2026 Fall Fish and Plant Swap Picnic Event
Greg and Patsy Needham’s home. Details to come.
November
Saturday, November 21st, Humane Society, 10:00 -12:00
Annual Water Garden Club General Assembly meeting
2027-2029 WGC board member nominations and votes
All WGC Board positions are open except Treasurer.
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 5th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2026 Christmas Party Brunch and White Elephant Game
Hosted by our Queen and King of Holiday Decorations and
Keith and Katrina Heise
(second only to Sam and JoAnn Neal)
Comments, Questions, Thoughts, Advice, and Volunteers
Contact Deb Poloson, President, at 210-288-8789