Potatoes Fresh From the Garden

You walk outside on a clear morning, reach you hand down into the soil and feel around until you find what you've been looking for.  Potatoes, fresh from the garden.  They'll taste delicious with dinner tonight.

Growing Your Own Potatoes
Saturday, Feb 13, 9-11am
Texas AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County
1600-B Smith Rd, Austin TX  78721

Grow your own potatoes?  Yes, you can! Potato planting time is upon us, so join us at the Texas Agrilife Extension office of Travis County in the demonstration garden for a detailed look at how to grow your own crop of potatoes.   This hands-on demonstration includes planting potatoes in the ground and in baskets, recommended varieties, and tips for success. 

This demonstration is free, open to the public and requires no reservations.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For information, see www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

Learn to Garden Successfully in Central Texas

Gardeners who move to Central Texas are often mystified by our gardening seasons, environment and successful plant selections.  New to gardening in Central Texas or looking to refresh your knowledge of the basics to successful gardening here?  This seminar is for you!

Central Texas Gardening 101
Saturday, January 30, 2010
10am-noon
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin TX, 78746

Austin offers a unique mixture of weather, soil, and environment and the rules of gardening here are likely different from other areas you might have gardened before.  This seminar is great for those establishing new roots in our area and trying to figure out how to encourage their plants to do the same or for those who need a refresher on the gardening basics of our area. 

Join Daphne Richards, Horticulture Agent at the Texas Agrilife Extension Service for Travis County, to cover what you need to know to be a successful central Texas gardener.  Included in the discussion will be our seasonal growing calendar, how to work with challenging soils, maintenance schedules for pruning and planting, tips on giving your plants the best start in your garden, and more. 

This seminar is free, open to the public and requires no reservations.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For information, see http://www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

Get Growing & Keep Going Conference for Educators

Get Growing & Keep Going (GGKG), a symposium that will provide teachers, administrators and parents with the tools to integrate gardens and nature areas into the school environment, will take place February 6th, 2010 from 8am-4pm at Gonzalo Garza Independence High School (located at 1600 Chicon St., Austin Texas, 78702). The symposium is themed "Greening Our Schools", and features keynote speaker Kevin Coyle, National Wildlife Federation Vice President of Education. Field experts will lead a variety of sectionals on topics including rainwater harvesting, vermiculture, double digging, schoolyard habitats, entomology, environmental stewardship, fundraising, and building a garden community. Teachers will receive seven continuing education credits (through Texas AgriLife Extension Service) for participating in this event.

Registration costs $25 before January 15th and $30 until January 29th. For more information, contact Lisa Anhaiser with Texas AgriLife Extension Service at LAAnhaiser@ag.tamu.edu or call 512-854-9600. To register for the Get Growing & Keep Going symposium, visit: http://online.nwf.org/GGKG.

Curious about composting?

Have you always wanted to start a compost pile but didn't know how to get started?  Want someone to teach you how to build and maintain a compost pile? 

Building and Maintaining a Compost Pile

January 6, 2010,  11 am - Noon

Demo Garden at Texas AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County

1600-B Smith Rd, Austin 78721

Join the Travis County Master Gardeners at the Extension office demonstration garden to learn about various types of compost bins and their merits.  This seminar will help you gain knowledge about the steps required to convert vegetable matter & other waste into compost, a desirable soil amendment.  Adding compost to your garden and vegetable beds will improve your soil and give your plants the organic matter they need to grow healthier.

This seminar is free, open to the public and requires no reservations.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For more details, see http://www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

Frost and Freezes Publication

A new publication - Frost & Freezes is available on the Central Texas Horticulture Website at
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/docs/FrostsandFreezes.pdf

This publication offers suggestions on ways to protect your plants from the threat of cold. Learn about the science of freezes, plant protection techniques, watering, covering plants, soil & mulch, adding heat and protecting container plants.

Planting Vegetables Gardens

Yes, you can plant winter vegetables now! Learn how to plant seeds, which seeds need soaking, and proper transplanting methods. Planting using the square foot method/square block and straight rows will be discussed. Come for the hands-on session or just watch. This free event is sponsored by the Travis County Master Gardeners Assoc., a volunteer arm of Texas AgriLife Extension Service. www.tcmastergardeners.org.

Friday, November 13

9 AM – 11 AM

Demonstration Garden,Texas AgriLife Extension Service

1600 “B” Smith Rd, Austin, 78721

512-854-9600

A garden tour not to be missed!

Need some inspiration for your gardening? Love to get a peek at other people's gardens? This weekend is the Inside Austin Gardens tour presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a wonderful tour showcasing 6 Austin gardens. All of these gardens are maintained by the homeowner, no professional gardening staffs in sight!

The theme this year is sustainable gardening for urban wildlife. All the gardens are National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitats attracting animals, hummingbirds and butterflies for the whole neighborhood to see and enjoy. The spaces are designed using native plants and sustainable gardening practices. The event includes garden tours and educational seminars at each location, including: Gardening to Attract Birds; Plant Magnets for Butterflies and Hummingbirds; and Adapted & Native Plants in Your Landscape. In addition, plant sales will be happening at tour sites.

Tickets are $10 for all 6 gardens (or $5 per garden if you visit just 1) and can be purchased at any home on the tour. You can visit this website to view the brochure and see a map of where the gardens are located.

The Travis County Master Gardeners are a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County.