Friday, May 29, 2015

Saturday Summer Seminars at Zilker Botanical Garden

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, 78746


Seminars are free
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over),
$3 for non-Austin Residents. cash or check accepted.

June 20 - Best Culinary Herbs for Austin
Make meals more flavorful by growing your own herbs.  Mild or savory herbs are delicate while pungent herbs add zest. Master Gardener Judith Craft will talk about the best herbs to grow in the Austin area. If time allows, she will lead a walk through the herb garden at Zilker.

Judith became a Master Gardener after retiring and has been the primary volunteer in the herb garden at Zilker Botanical Garden for the past 10 years and a member of the Austin Herb Society for 25 years.


July 18 - Pond Basics - the Big, Bad and Beautiful
Come learn about the steps of building a pond in your backyard and the best tips for success.

Jeannie Farrier, Austin Pond Society Board Member and 2014 President, and also a retired teacher, has had ponds for over a decade. Her most recent pond holds 10,000 gallons.   



Aug 8 - Photography in the Garden
Learn how to take plant pictures with impact –namely composition and lighting. This seminar will begin with an overview of cameras (film & digital), lenses and composition. Course prerequisites: study the owner’s manual on your camera.

Sam is a long time photographer and Master Gardener specializing in presentations on Beneficial Insects and Plant Photography. In 2009, he was selected as “Photographer of the Year” in the Travis County Master Gardener photo contest.

For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Preparing for the Fall Garden


June 11, 2015 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd, Austin, 78721


Imagine gardening without sweat dripping from your brow or mosquitos buzzing in your ears or having to water every day. Those are just a few of the many benefits of the cool season vegetable garden. Join us as we discuss vegetable selection, soil preparation and the importance of timing for the fall and winter garden.

Master Gardener Patty Leander is a writer for Texas Gardener magazine and grows vegetables year round in her Oak Hill garden.
 
Space is limited, register to reserve your seat!
Cost: $10 thru 6/07, $15 starting 6/08 and onsite


Register by Phone: 
(979) 845-2604
Register Online: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600
Sue Carrasco, sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Information Sessions for 2015 Master Gardener Training Program-Travis County


Are you interested in becoming a Travis County Master Gardener?
If so, it’s time to apply!


In order to receive an application, you must attend one of our three (3) information sessions. Seating at each session is limited, so please arrive early to secure a seat.

All information sessions will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 1600-B Smith Rd, Austin, TX 78721

MG Information Session 1, Tuesday June 9, 2015, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
MG Information Session 2, Friday June 12, 2015, 12:00 to 1:00 PM
MG Information Session 3, Tuesday June 16, 2015, 10:00 to 11:00 AM


If you are unable to attend one of the 3 sessions offered, you will need to wait until the 2016 information sessions are offered, and thus you will not be able to apply for the 2015 program. No exceptions will be made.

At the information session, we will cover the details of the program, and answer any questions that you may have. You will receive a program application at your information session. Applications are not available elsewhere. No exceptions will be made.

After applications are received and reviewed, 50 applicants will be chosen for interviews. A maximum of 30 applicants will be accepted into the program. The fee for the 2015 Master Gardener program in Travis County is $250, payable upon acceptance into the program.

The course will meet every Tuesday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, from September 15 through November 17, at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Rd.

If you are accepted into the training program, complete the classroom training, and pass the final exam at the end of the course, you will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service by October 31 of the following year (2016 in this case). Your volunteer hours will be spent on various Extension-approved projects, which will be explained to you during the program.

A criminal background check is required of all Extension volunteers, including Master Gardeners. Therefore, as a matter of policy, criminal background checks will be run on all persons accepted into the Master Gardener training program.

The Master Gardener Program is conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service a maximum of once per year in Travis County, but not necessarily held every year. The limited number of spaces in the program will be filled based on assessment of the applications and personal interviews.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Dealing with Drought – Alternative Methods of Gardening

May 14, 2015 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd, Austin, 78721

If you have limited garden space or limited time yet still have a desire to nurture your green thumb, Master Gardener Pat Mokry will teach you how to raise carefree veggies, herbs and flowers using self-sufficient grow boxes. Then, for some ‘new’ gardening techniques, Master Gardener Marian Stasney will describe the ancient practices of both keyhole gardening and hugelkultur.


 
Cost: $10 through 5/10, $15 starting 5/11 and onsite 
NO cash accepted - checks and credit cards only.

Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Space is limited so register on-line early to reserve your seat!

Contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600