Professor and Extension Horticulturist Emeritus
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Email: dougwelsh@tamu.edu
Educational Background:
Ph.D. in horticulture, Texas A&M University, 1989;
M.Agr. in horticulture and adult education, Texas A&M University, 1982;
B.S. in horticulture, Texas A&M University, 1979.
Career Experience:
Extension Horticulturist, campus-based, 1989 to present Extension Associate in Horticulture, campus-based, 1987 to 1989; County Extension Agent – Horticulture, Bexar County, 1982 to 1987; Extension Assistant in Horticulture, campus-based, 1981 to 1982; County Extension Agent – Agriculture, Van Zandt County, 1979 to 1981.
Area of Specialization:
In addition to working all aspects of consumer horticulture, Dr. Welsh gives special emphasis to landscape water management and Xeriscape. He is a co-author of the book, Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape (Macmillan, New York, 1992). His most recent book, the award winning Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac, was published in August 2007 (Texas A&M Press).
For over 21 years, Dr. Welsh served as coordinator for the Texas Master Gardener program with an active membership of 5,000 Master Gardener volunteers and is a co-editor of the Texas Master Gardener Handbook. He also serves as an advisor to the nation-wide Junior Master Gardener program.
Dr. Welsh has over 30 years of experience as a garden writer and broadcaster, having provided regular garden programming and columns for WOAI-AM1200 radio (San Antonio), KTKR AM760 radio (San Antonio), KSAT-TV (San Antonio) and the San Antonio Express-News. Currently, he is featured weekly on KBTX-TV (Bryan) and KAMU-FM (College Station).
Honors and Affiliations:
Dr. Welsh received a 1998 Superior Service Award from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. He was the 1992 recipient of the John E. Hutchison Extension Award for Young Professionals from the American Society for Horticultural Sciences. He was a Past President and board member of the National Xeriscape Council, Inc., and is currently a member of the Garden Writers Association.
Additional Information:
Dr. Welsh is a native of Houston and is married to the former Laura Holloway. They reside in College Station and have four children, Katherine, John, Tyler and Elena.