Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Fabulous New Peach Varieties Just Released!

It's the perfect time to plant fruit trees!  Check out these new varieties, extensively researched and just released by our amazing TAMU AgriLife Research specialists.  More information in this AgriLife Today press release.  If you don't subscribe to AgriLife Today, you really should.  It's the best way to find out all the fabulous things going on in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and our sister agency, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. 

For local fruit tree information, check out our recently redesigned and updated Central Texas Horticulture website

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Fabulous Fruit Workshop with Extension Specialist Monte Nesbitt

Although we offer basic fruit tree seminars occasionally, once a year we try to snag an Extension fruit specialist to join us for an intensive workshop.  And this year we are honored to be joined by Monte Nesbitt, who serves our entire state regarding fruit crop issues.  His specialty is citrus crops, but he'll be covering the gamut, so you won't want to miss it!  Of course he'll give you a list of great fruit crop choices for you to choose from, but he'll also discuss fruit crops that may not be the best suited for our area.  Along with site selection and cultural practices for various crops.

Please join us for this fabulous workshop.  I hope to see you there (and you might just meet the amazing Augie, too!).

WHEN:         Saturday, October 19, 2013
TIME:           10am-1pm
LOCATION:  Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
                    1600 Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721
COST:          $35

REGISTRATION:  AgriLife Register or call 979.845.2604
MORE INFO:        Daphne Richards, CEA-Horticulture, Travis County

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Texas Watershed Workshop

 
You're invited to a free Texas Watershed Steward Workshop focusing on water quality issues related to Austin and the Colorado River. The training is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the Austin area and will be held from 8am-4pm, October 11 at the LCRA Redbud Center at 3601 Lake Austin Blvd. in Austin, TX 

For a map to the workshop location please visit http://www.lcra.org/about/maps/redbud.html.  

This workshop is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board as part of the Texas Watershed Steward Program in order to educate local residents about the hazards of impaired water quality and inform them of the current state of water bodies in the area. The workshop will also highlight ongoing efforts to address water quality in the Colorado River and its tributaries. 

The training will include a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management. 

We are also offering continuing education credit through this training for TDA pesticide license holders and professional engineers as well as certified planners, teachers, crop advisors, landscape architects, and nutrient managers. More information on the continuing education provided through this workshop can be found at http://tws.tamu.edu/workshops/information/
 
Sorry for the short notice!
 

 

Monday, September 30, 2013

Tree Seminar-October 10



Selecting and Planting the Best Trees for Austin
Thursday, October 10, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

There are many factors that help insure the health of your landscape trees.  Come hear about how to select the right tree and location to get the most from your landscape trees.  Jerry Naiser,  ISA Certified Arborist, Texas Forest Service – Certified Oak Wilt Specialist, and Travis County Master Gardener, will walk you through how to evaluate for all the right criteria including soil, purpose of the planting, fit in landscape, selection of good specimen and planting.  He will also address ongoing tree care to keep your new tree in top shape. Registration is required:  https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or call 979-845-2604.  $10 early registration, same day registration $15.

This talk 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.  Call (512) 854-9600 for more information.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Reminder: Texas Water Star Open House and Field Day October 5, 2013

I can't believe it's autumn already!  But since it is, and since now is the perfect time to think about gardening, please join us for an an open house and result demonstration field day on Saturday, October 5th.  Augie and I, and lots of Master Gardener volunteers, will be on-hand to answer all your plant questions.  Highlights of the day will include:  tours of the garden, compost demonstrations, drip irrigation, and an overal focus on water conservation principles. 
We'll also have packets of poppy seed, saved by fabulous Travis County Master Gardeners, available for free.  And since it is the perfect time to plant other wildflowers, the wonderful folks from Native American Seed have graciously volunteered to be on hand from 10 to 11:30 AM to answer wildflower questions and pass out free wildflower seed packets!
And perhaps the most important part of the day: we'll also have tons of gardening activities for the kids.  So please bring the whole family, and spend a little bit of your weekend with us.  It should be a fabulous fall day.  I certainly hope to see you there!

What:     Water Star open house and field day
Where:   Texas AgriLife Extension
               1600 Smith Rd
Date:      Saturday, October 5, 2013
Time:     9 AM to 1 PM

Monday, September 9, 2013

Drought Tolerant Plants seminar



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 fee for late/onsite.  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.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Learn to grow your own fruit!

How to Grow Your Own Fruit
Saturday, October 19, 2013, 10am-1pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

Learn the basics of sustainable fruit production:  site selection; site preparation; variety selection, and the specific needs of various fruit crops including citrus, olives, pomegranates and jujubes.  Mr. Monte Nesbitt, Program Specialist –Pecans/Fruit/Citrus at Texas A&M University, will help you understand how fruit crops respond to our ever-changing weather conditions in Central Texas.  Tips will be given on how to enhance sustainable production using Earth Kind principles with conventional crops such as peaches and berries.  Explore newly emerging fruit choices that can be grown with minimal inputs.  Registration is required  $25 per attendee for early registration, $35 after 10/5. Register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or call (979)845-2604.

This talk 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.  Call (512) 854-9600 for more information.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Upcoming event: Rainwater Harvesting seminar

Rainwater Harvesting
Saturday, August 10, 2013, 10am-12pm
Zilker Botanical Garden, Garden Center
2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin TX 78746


Take advantage of a rainwater collection system to help your vegetables, landscape beds, trees and lawn survive Central Texas’ drought conditions.  Master Gardener Ed Parken will discuss how to plan, design, and set up a sustainable water-harvesting system for your home and landscape.  New filtration and treatment technologies make rainwater harvesting relatively easy, which is why it has been growing in popularity. It’s an old practice that Central Texas gardeners can take advantage of with improved and more modern materials and systems.

The event is free to the public. Please be aware that a parking fee may be charged by Zilker Botanical Garden.  The seminar 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.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Upcoming seminar: Fall-Winter Vegetable Gardening

Fall-Winter Vegetable Gardening
Thursday, August 8, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

It may be hotter than blazes right now but it’s time for a second round of warm season veggies and to plan for those wonderful cool season veggies we can grow from late summer through winter.  There’s nothing like “home grown”. Master Gardener Vegetable Garden Specialist Tommie Clayton will teach which vegetables we can grow, how to get them off to a good start and how to care for them right up to harvest!  Session is excellent for new and experienced gardeners.  Register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or by phone 979-845-2604.  Class is limited to 40 people. $10 preregister or $15 on site.

This seminar 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.  Call (512) 854-9600 for more information.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Reminder: You Can Still Participate in STRONG STARTS: Urban Farming 101

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County offers 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.
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.

Classes Remaining Include:

· July 23: Cultivation and Methods in Central Texas - Everything you need to know to start your vegetable operation or orchard - learn from Extension Specialists.  Includes on-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. Presentations by the USDA's NRCS, FARFA, Web Soil Survey, City of Austin, and much more!

· Aug. 13: Sales and Marketing - Sell your harvest at local schools, grocers, and farmers markets - this day will be full of useful tools and information! Explore Texas Market Maker and learn basic social media use for farmers.

Pricing is $65 per day for 1 - 3 days.

To register, call 979-845-2604 or see the full agenda and register online at to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Conference Services website:  https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/index.cfm/productDetails/productid/1299/.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

New event announcement: Water Wise Practices and Demonstration Garden Open House

Want to do better at being water wise in your landscape? 



Water Wise Open House
Saturday, October 5, 2013, 9am-1pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

Come learn water wise practices for your home landscape at the Texas A&M Travis County AgriLife Extension Office Open House!  Travis County Master Gardeners are available for one-on-one discussion on installing drip irrigation, composting, vegetable gardening, raising chickens, and identifying good/bad bugs.   Free event for the entire family with hands-on kid’s activities.  Stroll the demonstration garden and ask questions.  Great gardening publications available.   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.  Call (512) 854-9600 for more information.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Gardening in the Drought--Drip Irrigation seminar this Saturday

Setting Up and Using Drip Irrigation
Saturday, July 13, 2013, 10am-12pm
Zilker Botanical Garden, Garden Center
2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin TX 78746

Did you know that drip irrigation is one of the most effective and efficient ways to water your garden and landscape beds, trees, vines and bushes?  Drip irrigation is exempt from Austin’s stage one, two and three water restriction schedules, due to its increased efficiency. The City of Austin has been under Stage Two Water Restrictions since September 2012, so take advantage of drip irrigation to help your landscape survive Central Texas’ current and forecast drought conditions.  This class will show you how to plan a system, where to buy supplies, and how to maintain your drip irrigation system to get the most out of it.  Find out how a traditional water sprinkler system can be converted into a drip irrigation system to reduce consumption – and lower your water bill.

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.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Upcoming seminar: Learn about adding daylilies to your garden!



Loveable Daylilies
Thursday, July 11, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office
1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX  78721

Daylilies are rugged, adaptable, vigorous perennials that endure in a garden for many years with little or no care.  They can add soft or powerful splashes of color to the garden.  Velia Sanchez-Ruiz will cover daylily planting topics including  planting, fertilizer, controlling pest, and propagation.  Learn about evergreen and dormant varieties and repeat bloomers.  This talk is free to the public and 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.