What to watch: If you’ve ever wondered how to grow tomatoes in West Texas without frying them by July, the Permian Basin Master Gardeners are offering a hands-on class this Saturday, Feb. 28. The morning session covers how to plant, care for, and harvest tomatoes in Midland’s dry, heat-heavy climate. The class wraps with a cooking demonstration featuring fresh pasta and homemade tomato sauce.

Why it matters: Tomatoes are one of the most popular backyard crops in Midland, and one of the easiest to lose to heat, wind, and poor soil. With the spring planting season around the corner, the class offers practical guidance tailored to local conditions.

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The big picture: “Growing & Preserving Tomatoes” runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Permian Basin Master Gardeners building at 2445 E. Hwy 80. Participants will learn how to choose varieties suited to the Permian Basin, prepare soil, manage watering in arid conditions, and time harvests before peak summer heat.

After the gardening portion, instructors will demonstrate how to turn fresh tomatoes into sauce during a spaghetti-making workshop. The Master Gardeners host similar classes once or twice a month, focusing on sustainable gardening practices adapted to West Texas.

Go deeper: Permian Basin Master Gardeners are trained volunteers through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, providing research-based education on horticultural topics such as soil improvement, landscaping, water conservation, and other West Texas expertise. For deeper involvement, consider Midland College’s Master Gardener certification courses, which include training and volunteer service to become a certified educator and contribute to local projects.

What’s next: This event requires registration and a $25 materials fee. Register online here. Look for future classes from the Permian Basin Master Gardeners, including sessions on spring landscaping, integrated pest management, and water-wise gardening. Keep posted on their website for upcoming schedules and events.