Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Learn how to plan and install an irrigation system

Now is the time to plan an irrigation system for your vegetable and/or flower beds. Learn how to install one type of drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation is a slow, steady, precise amount of water providing a soil-to-water-to-plant relationship which is conducive to plant growth. A drip system has very little evaporation so less water is required. The plant leaves stay dry reducing fungus and disease problems. Come for the hands-on experience or just watch. This free event is sponsored by the Travis County Master Gardeners Assoc., a volunteer arm of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.


Friday, October 16
9 AM – 11 AM am
Demonstration Garden, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
1600B Smith Rd

854-9600

Monday, October 5, 2009

Show Your Trees the Love!

Do you have questions on the right tree choices for Central Texas? Not sure how to plant a tree to give it the best possible start? Do trees need special care to thrive in our area?

The Travis County Master Gardeners present For the Love of Trees, a tree seminar for Central Texas.

For the Love of Trees
Saturday, October 10, 2009
1-3pm
Old Quarry Branch, Austin Public Library
7051 Village Center Dr. (off Far West Blvd. )
Austin TX 78731

Join Travis County Master Gardener and ISA Certified Arborist Jerry Naiser to learn all about how to do right by your trees. Learn the right trees to choose for your Central Texas landscape by choosing those that enjoy our native soils and tough climate. Understand how to select the right tree for the right location by considering mature height, longevity, light needs, and leaf coverage. Hear how to correctly plant a tree to give it a strong start and secure location for its lifespan. Finally, learn how to care for and prune your tree for long-term health and during times of stress such as construction or drought.

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. Call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600 with questions.