Friday, August 31, 2012

Dang! Registration Site Not Cooperating for Soil Fertility Series

Hopefully this will be my last update on our upcoming soil fertility series.  It seems that registration was increased for each session (which are open for registration), but not for the entire series (which is listed as full).
So if you would like to attend the entire series, or even just more than one session, please register onsite at the Extension office, when you arrive for your first session.  We will make room for you.  See the original post here.

Number of Spots For Soil Fertility Seminar Series Just Increased

If you tried to register for the soil fertility seminar series that starts next week (more information in the post directly below this one) but found that it was full, try again.  I just increased the maximum number of registrants to 40.  We'll be squeezed in a little tightly, but we can make it work!  As a reminder, here is the registration information:


Keyword Search:  Soil
(Or register by phone:   979.845.2604)         
Seating is limited, so please register ASAP.
This program is being offered in more than one county, so please be sure to register for the program that is being held here in Austin, not one of the others around the state.  

Monday, August 27, 2012

Soil Fertility Seminar Series


The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is offering a series of four seminars on soil fertility and mineral nutrition.  Dr. Sam Feagley, Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences at TAMU, will be our presenter at all four sessions.  Dr. Feagley is very knowledgeable and well respected in his field, and this is a rare opportunity to hear him speak.  Dr. Feagley will be joining us, and many other counties across the state, via computer link.  I expect that this will be a very worthwhile program, not only for backyard gardeners, but also for farmers and landowners, both urban and rural.  The details are below.

WHAT:                 Soil Fertility and Mineral Nutrition Series
WHEN:                 September 4, 11, 18, and 25
WHERE:               Extension office, 1600 B Smith Rd
TIME:                   10 am to 12 PM
COST:                  $10 per session or $25 for all 4
Pesticide Applicators will receive 2 CEUs towards licensing requirements (category: general)

Keyword Search:  Soil
(Or register by phone:   979.845.2604)         
Seating is limited, so please register ASAP.
This program is being offered in more than one county, so please be sure to register for the program that is being held here in Austin, not one of the others around the state.  

TOPICS:
9/4         Nitrogen
9/11       Phosphorus and Potassium
9/18       Magnesium and Sulfur
9/25       Micronutrients

Each week will cover the following for the element (s) of the day:
The role of the element(s) in the plant and in the soil
Leaching potential
Best method of application
Rates and timing of application
Deficiency and/or toxicity symptoms 
Commercial inorganic and organic sources of nutrients and "snake oils" will also will discussed.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Daphne Richards:  drichards@ag.tamu.edu, or 512.854.9600.



Announcing upcoming Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2012


Inside Austin Gardens Tour
Saturday, October 20, 2012, 9am-4pm

Join us for the 2012 Inside Austin Gardens tour, showcasing 7 gardens where vegetables and ornamentals not only get along but elevate each other to new heights of design.   Presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners in cooperation with the Texas Agrlife Extension Service in Travis County, the tour takes place Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 9:00am until 4:00pm.  Tour includes gardens to explore, educational talks, and plant and book sales. Tour information can be found at http://www.insideaustingardens.org.   

With water-wise gardening techniques in mind, seven gardens will showcase ways to incorporate food and water for all the visitors to the garden:  bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds - as well as people and pets.   The gardens feature herbs, vegetables, citrus and fruit trees, as well as heirloom roses mixed with Texas-tough, drought-tolerant native and adapted plants.  All gardens will feature water conservation in a variety of methods including rainwater collection systems, drip irrigation, mulches and soil composition.
As always, the tour will include educational seminars and other fun activities at each stop.   Learn what vegetables to grow and why, let the children eat rainbows, or hear the thought-provoking story of the American Indian medicine wheel.  Learn practical methods to add edibles to your landscape, how to eat the fruits of your labors, and recipes to spice things up with herbs!  Books, plants and t-shirts will be available at each garden.  

Purchase advance tickets online at a discounted price, or at regular price at each garden on tour day.  Further information – including seminar topics and schedules, maps and ticket prices-- can be found at http://www.insideaustingardens.org.   So join us on the tour and help keep Austin edible and blooming.   

Monday, August 13, 2012

Are your trees "raining" an annoying sticky substance?

Here in the Extension office, our phone has been ringing off the hook about trees "raining" a sticky substance.  If you don't have this problem in your own landscape, I'm sure that at least one person in your life has complained about it.  All of the local nurseries also report that their phones are ringing off the hook about this topic. 

The bad news is that this problem is extremely annoying, but the good news is that it will soon pass.  My fabulous Integrated Pest Management colleague, Wizzie Brown, recently wrote a post about it, which you can find here:  Urban IPM.

Also, I'll be addressing this question on an upcoming episode of Central Texas Gardener that is set to air on September 8th (at noon on KLRU), so be sure and watch.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Upcoming Seminar: Planting the Fall Vegetable Garden

Planting the Fall Vegetable Garden
Thursday, August 16, 2012, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721
When summer is almost over, it is time to prepare for the fall vegetable garden.  Discover which warm season vegetables can be replanted now and which vegetables thrive in our mild winter temperatures.   Learn the basics of soil preparation, how to plant seeds and transplants.  Learn the varieties recommended for this area and the ideal times for planting.  Novice and experienced gardeners will learn valuable information.  This seminar is free and open to the public.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For information, call (512)854-9600.

Upcoming seminar: Rainwater Harvesting in a Thirsty World

Don't miss this informative seminar that will help you plan an effective rainwater harvesting system for your home!


Rainwater Harvesting in a Thirsty World
Saturday, August 11, 2012, 10am-12pm
Zilker Botanical Garden, Garden Center
2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin TX  78746
Turn water scarcity into water abundance! New filtration and treatment technologies make rainwater harvesting relatively easy. Rainwater harvesting systems can be installed in existing buildings or incorporated into new construction. Master Gardener Ed Parken will discuss how to conceptualize, design, and implement sustainable water-harvesting systems for your home and landscape.
Parking and seating are limited so please register online to reserve your seat at http://travis-tx.tamu.edu/horticulture and click on “Public Seminar Registration”.  This seminar is free; Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child or senior.  The seminar is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For information, call (512)854-9600.