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Look What We Let Grow at the Pollinator Garden
Look What We Let Grow at the Pollinator Garden
August 16, 2026. Earlier this summer, a volunteer vine appeared at The Pollinator Garden at the Poor Farm. We weren’t quite sure what it was, so we decided to leave it alone and see what happened.
Well...it grew. And grew. And grew.Our mystery volunteer appears to be smellmelon, a Dudaim-type muskmelon (Cucumis melo). Dudaim melons are part of the remarkably diverse Cucumis melo species—the same species that includes many of our familiar cultivated melons.
The immature fruits were green and lightly striped, eventually ripening to smooth, bright-yellow little melons about 2½–3 inches across. When cut open, they had pale flesh, lots of seeds and a wonderfully sweet, fresh melon fragrance.
The taste?
Not nearly as impressive as the fragrance.
That actually fits the history of Dudaim-type melons. These small aromatic melons have long been valued more for their fragrance than their eating quality, and some have historically been known as “pocket melons.”
And that enormous mass of vines covering our fence? ONE PLANT.
It produced at least two dozen fruits. Texas A&M researchers have studied smellmelon (Cucumis melo var. dudaim) as an agricultural weed in Texas cotton, and Texas A&M reports that a single plant can produce as many as 40 melons.
So, did we discover a wonderful new addition to the Pollinator Garden?
Nope.
It was fun to watch, identify and investigate—but it was vigorous, surprisingly heavy on our new fence, and ripe fruits were already dropping. We decided we really didn't need to find out how many smellmelon volunteers we could grow next year.
✂️ So OUT it came.
Sometimes gardening is simply: “Huh. Wonder what that is?” followed a few months later by “Well...now we know.”
Not All Pollinators Are Big and Flashy
Not All Pollinators Are Big and Flashy
August 12, 2026. Sometimes the smallest visitors are doing important work.
This little Clouded Skipper stopped by the Mealy Blue Sage at The Pollinator Garden at the Poor Farm for a quick meal.
Proof that a pollinator garden isn’t just for the showy butterflies — it provides food for pollinators of all shapes and sizes.
Next time you’re in the garden, take a closer look. You never know who might be visiting!
Look Who's Visiting the Pollinator Garden at the Poor Farm
Look Who's Visiting the Pollinator Garden at the Poor Farm
August 5, 2026. A beautiful Gulf Fritillary stopped by the lantana while an American Bumble Bee was busy gathering nectar from the Russian sage.
Our pollinator garden is doing exactly what we hoped—providing food and habitat for the butterflies, bees, and other wildlife that call Kaufman County home.
Come visit the garden and see who you can spot! Every visit is a little different.
Hands-on Cactus Class at Casey's Place
Hands-on Cactus Class at Casey's Place
July 28, 2026. Master Gardener Robert Castro gaves a hands on class at Casey’s Place and was featured the Kaufman Herald. Subscribers can read the story at https://www.kaufmanherald.com/news/caseys-place-inspiring-hope-one-child-time.
Exciting progress at the Kaufman County Master Gardener Pollinator Garden!
Exciting progress at the Kaufman County Master Gardener Pollinator Garden!
July 26, 2026. Just two months ago, our Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) was a tiny 2-inch seedling. Today it's already forming flower buds!
Green Milkweed is one of the native host plants for Monarch butterflies. Soon these buds will open, providing nectar for pollinators while the leaves become food for Monarch caterpillars.
Every pollinator garden starts small. Watching these native plants establish and thrive is one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
We can't wait to share the first blooms!
TVEC Features Poor Farm Pollinator Garden
TVEC Features Poor Farm Pollinator Garden
July 22, 2026. A heartfelt thank you to TVEC and the Operation Round Up program for supporting Phase II of our Pollinator Garden at the Kaufman County Poor Farm with a $2,500 grant.
Their July podcast, "Consider it Hot," highlights the work of our Master Gardener volunteers, our mission to educate the community, and the importance of creating habitat for pollinators right here in Kaufman County. You can find it at https://www.tvec.net/podcast/. We hope you'll take a few minutes to listen.
A special thank you to our Poor Farm Committee, whose vision, dedication, and countless volunteer hours have made this project possible.
June 24, 2026
Poor Farm Pollinator Garden Phase II Underway
Poor Farm Pollinator Garden Phase II Underway
June 7, 2026
How to Collect Bluebonnet Seed
How to Collect Bluebonnet Seed
June 1, 2026
We are an official monarch waystation!
We are an official monarch waystation!
May 6, 2026 The Kaufman County Master Gardeners Pollinator Garden at the Poor Farm has officially opened and has been recognized as a certified Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch (#55556).
Designed to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators, the garden features native host and nectar plants selected to provide habitat, food sources, and seasonal interest while serving as an educational resource for the community. Visitors are encouraged to explore the garden, learn about pollinator-friendly gardening practices, and enjoy this growing community space.
2026 Recipients Announced for KCMGA Scholarship
2026 Recipients Announced for KCMGA Scholarship
April 23, 2026. The Kaufman County Master Gardeners are proud to announce that we awarded two $1,000 scholarships this year to two outstanding students. Congratulations to our recipients, Alexa Escajeda and Ana Gallegos!
Alexa Escajeda
Alexa, a senior at Forney High School, will attend the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in Biochemistry as she pursues her dream of becoming a scientist and researcher.
Ana Gallegos
Ana, a senior at Mabank High School, plans to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she will major in Biochemistry with the goal of becoming an orthodontist.
We are honored to support these bright young women as they take the next step toward their futures!
Congratulations to our recipients, Alexa Escajeda and Ana Gallegos!
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