Monday, August 24, 2009

Pond Building Seminar-Sign up now!

On September 19, the Travis County Master Gardeners are presenting a seminar on building your own backyard pond and sign up is now open. This is a free seminar, but space is limited so we are asking those interested to call the Extension office at 854-9600 and ask for the Master Gardeners desk to reserve a space at the seminar. The seminar will be held at the beautiful grounds of the American Botanical Council, loaded with beds of culinary and medicinal plants. So if you have been thinking of adding a water feature to your garden, sign up now and learn what supplies you'll need, how to build , and how to maintain a backyard pond. In addition, get help on selecting the right plants and fish.

Do-It-Yourself Pond Building
Saturday, Sept 19, 2009
10am-noon
American Botanical Council
6200 Manor Rd.

We hope to see you there!


Monday, August 17, 2009

Improve Your Fall Vegetable Gardening

With the new watering restrictions just announced and temperatures in the 100s for what seems like forever, it may seem like summer will never end. But fall will be here before you know it and now is the time to prepare your vegetable garden to make the most of the cooler temperatures.

This Saturday, the Travis County Master Gardeners will be presenting a free seminar on Fall Vegetable Gardening taught by Master Gardener Vegetable Specialist Patty Leander.

Fall Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, August 22, 2009, 10am-Noon
River Place Country Club
4207 River Place Blvd
Austin TX

Patty will review basics of vegetable gardening and specifically discuss varieties that flourish in the fall and winter months. Perfect your vegetable gardening by hearing more about how to prepare soil, what varieties do the best in Central Texas, and how to avoid common problems. Broccoli, lettuce, swiss chard, radishes and spinach all grow well in our cooler season. And crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash can flourish when planted in late summer to take advantage of the cooler fall temperatures.

This seminar is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. Call (512) 854-9600 with questions.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Cook up the weeds and bugs !

Learn about using the power of the sun to cook (technically solarize) vegetable garden soil. The benefits of high heat in vegetable garden soil are numerous. Bermuda grass eradication will also be discussed. See how to take a soil sample. This is a free hands-on demonstration so you may watch or help make it happen! Entire experience is outside so bring water and something to sit on. A shady area is near the work area.

Cook up the weeds, bugs and rot!
Friday, August 7
9 AM – 11 AM
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
Demonstration Garden
1600B Smith Rd, 512-854-9600

This seminar 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.