Sunday, June 23, 2013

Upcoming event reminder: Caring for Your Lawn



Caring for Your Lawn
Saturday, June 29, 2013, 10am-12pm
Zilker Botanical Garden, Garden Center
2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin TX 78746

With recent drought conditions in Central Texas, landscape plants are becoming water-stressed. With the drought predicted to persist in 2013, it’s important to look at how you are caring for your lawn to help it survive.  Lawn care during drought conditions can be tricky.  Learn how to care for your lawn, how to look for signs of stress, and the best way to water, fertilize, and mow your lawn. The content of your soil tells you how you should water your lawn, so the more you understand about the soil in Austin and surrounding areas, the better you can care for your lawn.

The event is free to the public. It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For information, call (512) 854-9600.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Learn about drought tolerant plants from the Travis County Master Gardeners



Drought Tolerant Plants in Your Landscape
Thursday, September 12, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

Bob Beyer, Travis County Master Gardener, will address the challenges of gardening in the extreme temperatures and drought conditions which frequent Central Texas.  Learn how low water use plants can make a big impact in your landscape.  Hear recommendations on native and adapted plants which embrace the local environment.  Must register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or by phone 979-845-2604. $10 fee, $15 at site.  Class is limited to 40 people.  This talk presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County.  www.tcmastergardeners.org.  Call (512) 854-9600 for more information.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Upcoming Program: STRONG STARTS

Strong Starts: Urban Farming 101

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County will again offer its Strong Starts program for small-scale agricultural producers wanting practical information and instruction on for-profit farming.  The program will be helpful for both home and small-plot producers, including producers who grow for farmers markets or are involved in sustainable foods efforts or community gardens.
 
The program will take place one day a week over five weeks in July and August. Scheduled program dates are July 9, 16 and 23, and August 6 and 13.

AgriLife Extension specialists join community experts and local growers to teach and advise Strong Starts participants during this program.  Each day of instruction over the five-week period will examine an important aspect of successful for-profit farming, and will offer a robust set of information, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities.

The weekly program educational topics will be:
· July 9: Business Planning & Management - Business planning, interactive financing panel, and “infrastructure and income streams” training at certified organic Tecolote Farm.
· July 16: Sustainable Ecosystem Management - Approaching your farm as an ecosystem – soil health, organic pest management and field demonstrations.
· July 23: Cultivation and Methods in Central Texas - Everything you need to know to start your vegetable operation or orchard.  Farm training at Boggy Creek Farm.
· Aug. 6: Local Food System and Farmers’ Resources Showcase - Will show participants how to become informed, inspired and connected through presentations by food system insiders. 
· Aug. 13: Sales and Marketing - Sell your harvest at local schools, grocers, and farmers markets. Explore Texas Market Maker and learn basic social media use for farmers.

Early bird pricing is available through June 28 at $60 per day for 1-3 program days, $210 for 4 days and $225 for all 5 days. Regular pricing June 29 and after will be $65 per day for 1 - 3 days, $220 for 4 days $240 for all 5 days.

To register, call 979-845-2604 or go to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Conference Services website at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “urban” or “farming” in the search field.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Seminar reminder: Composting and Soil Health



Composting and Soil Health
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 9:30am-3:40pm
Austin Community College, South Campus, Rm 1130
1820 Stassney Lane, Austin TX  78745

Learn about compost positive impact on soil health with an incredible program packed with information and how-to topics.  This is everything you need to know to treat your garden by embracing composting.  Topics include an overview of composting, equipment needed for success, an overview of the Ground to Ground program in Austin, vermicomposting, compost tea,  and Austin Resource Recovery.    

$35 registration fee includes box lunch, water, and snacks.  Attendees must register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu, keyword: soil or by phone at (979)845-2604.  This event is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For information, call (512)854-9600. It is not sponsored by Austin Community College.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Upcoming Seminar: What's Eating My Plants?



Green Thumb Series: What's Eating My Plants
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

Yikes!  What is eating my plant?  Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, will teach you detective skills needed for correctly identifying insects.  Knowing exactly who are the “good bugs” and the “bad bugs” is important because the majority of insects are not “bad”!

Armed with knowledge of insect mouthparts and biology, you can figure out what may be causing damage to plants even when there is not an insect in sight.  Think about what kind of mouth part could have done the damage?  Are there holes in the plant?  Are the holes small or are entire leaves eaten?  Does the plant have yellowing and curling on the foliage?   Knowing the types of damage insects can cause to plants can help reveal what pest you are dealing with and help to make management decision.  Identification of common insects will also be covered along with integrated pest management practices to help reduce pesticide use.  Integrated pest management programs start with non-chemical approaches first and while chemicals are included in the program, they are a last resort strategy.

This class is part of The Green Thumb series.  Must register at: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu or by phone 979-845-2604.  Keyword Search: Green Thumb.  Cost is $15.  This seminar is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas A&M AgrlLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For more information call (512) 854-9600.