Monday, May 24, 2010

Learn how to diagnose common garden problems- May 29

Just when you think you've done everything right by your plants, one of them starts to go downhill.  One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is correctly diagnosing plant problems and finding effective, safe solutions.  Is your plant dying because of an insect, environmental or disease problem? Join us at this free seminar and develop your garden detective skills!

Become a Garden Detective
Saturday, May 29, 2010
10am-Noon


Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Rd.

Join us to learn the causes of plant problems, the process for diagnosing plant problems, and preventive garden management techniques. This seminar is free and open to the public.  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.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Learn about welcoming wildlife into your garden

You may have had an occasional run-in with wildlife in your garden where you feel they are a nuisance.  But countless species of wildlife can enhance your garden and improve your gardening results.  Learn how to attract butterflies, birds, insects, toads, and more by utilizing plants which create food, cover, water, and places to raise young.  A Master Naturalist volunteer will lead the discussion to show you how to take your garden to the next level and welcome these wildlife friends.

How to Create a Wildlife Habitat
Saturday, May 22
9:00-11:00am
Demonstration Garden at AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County, 1600 B Smith Rd, Austin TX 

This seminar is free and open to the public.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County.  Questions? Call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

New Texas Superstar: Helenium 'Dakota Gold'

Although Central Texas had a very wet fall and winter this year, the drought should still be on everyone's minds. Water restrictions just went into place for Austin (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/stage1.htm) and will very likely be a part of our future for many years to come, so we all need to find strategies to conserve water while maintaining attractive landscapes. The key is in knowing and working with both your environment (especially your soil) and your climate (as we learned this year, both heat and cold are issues for us). Once you are aware of these two pieces of information that are unique for your situation, you will be able to choose plants that work for you.

Choosing and finding these plants may be challenging, which is why the AgriLife branches of Texas A&M conduct research and disseminate information on just this topic. One particular research project, the Texas Superstar program, focuses on plants that may have been overlooked and trials them in various areas of the state. Once plants have been shown to perform well in most areas of Texas, they are designated as Texas Superstars. One such plant, with the slightly biased common name of "yellow bitter weed," was recently given the distinguished Texas Superstar designation. And then...it caught the eye of many researchers around the nation.

I thought that you might find this article of interest. It definitely reinforces the need to look at plants through a different lens and see beauty and potential where others may not. So also, a great lesson on life in general.

You may find the article, with photos of this beautiful plant, at:
http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1905

Monday, May 3, 2010

There's always room for more butterflies, right?

Our upcoming seminar at the demonstration garden at the Travis County Extension office is a great opportunity to learn how to attract more pollinators to your garden. 

Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds
May 7, 1-2:30pm
Demo Garden at Texas AgriLife Extension Office of Travis County
1600-B Smith Rd


This free talk about Gardening for Butterflies & Hummingbirds is appropriate for anyone wanting to incorporate the correct plants into the garden. Learn which plants offer foods sources, host plant, nesting places for the most common butterflies and hummingbirds in this area.


This seminar is free and open to the public.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.