Thursday, July 28, 2016

Growing Green in Austin

Saturday, August 6, 2016
10:00 am-12:00 pm
2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, 78746


Grow Green is an education program that promotes sustainable landscaping practices. It addresses water quality and conservation, recycling, and an Integrated Pest Management philosophy, which encourages the least‐toxic way to address pest issues.

Attend this class to discover tips and all of the FREE resources available to help you create and maintain a beautiful Central Texas landscape that is good for your pocket book and the environment. Denise Delaney coordinates the Grow Green program for the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department.

Seminar is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required.

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

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

Friday, July 22, 2016

Garden to Kitchen - Tips for a Fresh and Tasty Harvest

Thursday, August 11th, 10 am - 12:00 noon
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County
1600-B Smith Rd, Austin 78721

The best part of vegetable gardening is the harvest! Give your home‐grown vegetables the attention they deserve with proper harvesting and handling techniques.
Master Gardener Patty Leander shares tips on when to harvest produce at its prime along with proper storage conditions for peak quality and flavor.

Cost: $10 thru 8/1, $15 starting 8/2 and onsite
NO cash accepted - checks and credit cards only.
Space is limited, register early to reserve your seat!

Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu

Monday, July 11, 2016

Easy Composting with Worms!


Saturday - July 16, 2016, 10:00 am–12:00 pm
2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, 78746


Let these “little composters” save landfill space while turning your kitchen vegetable and fruit waste into black gold! Even if you live in an apartment you can host a small bin under the kitchen sink. Worm castings are useful in many ways: compost tea, potting soils, top dressing for house plants and seedlings, to name a few. Tommie Clayton, Master Gardener Compost Specialist, will show you how worm bins work, demonstrate how to construct your own worm bin, methods for harvesting castings plus brewing your own compost tea.

Seminar is free and open to the public.
No RSVP is required.

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

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






Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Backyard Basics Educational Series

Backyard Basics, offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County, will provide consumers, backyard gardeners, homemakers, educators and farmers a “do-it-yourself” learning opportunity on tips for harvesting and preserving your garden produce, caring for bees and raising chickens for home egg production.

When: Second Thursday, August – November, 10 am to noon
Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin, 78721
Cost: $10/seminar for early registration; $15/seminar for late or on-site
NO cash accepted - checks and credit cards only.
Space is limited so register on-line early to reserve your seat!
Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu

August 11
Garden to Kitchen - Tips for a Fresh and Tasty Harvest
The best part of vegetable gardening is the harvest! Give your home‐grown vegetables the attention they deserve with proper harvesting and handling techniques. Master Gardener Patty Leander shares tips on when to harvest produce at its prime along with proper storage conditions for peak quality and flavor.
Cost: $10 thru 8/1, $15 starting 8/2 and onsite


 

September 8
To Bee, or Not to Bee
Come learn all about bees: anatomy, society & communication. Gather information on establishing your first hive, beekeeping equipment and integrated pest management. Master Gardener Ginny Stubblefield has been a beekeeper for 3 years and is a member of the Austin Area Beekeepers Association.
Cost: $10 thru 8/29, $15 starting 8/30 and onsite


 


October 13 
Chickens in Your Backyard
Are you ready for the fun and rewarding experience of keeping your own backyard chickens? Learn about planning your coop, breed selection, caring for chicks, ideas to beat boredom, diets for delicious eggs and keeping the coop clean. Master Gardener Ally Stresing will help you get started on raising the home flock.
Cost: $10 thru 10/3, $15 starting 10/4 and onsite

 
November 10
Preserving the Harvest
Learn about the key food preservation processes; freezing, dehydration and canning. Factors related to food spoilage and the science involved in prevention will be covered along with a basic review of the tools and techniques involved. Master Gardener Jeff Peters will provide a step‐by step illustration of the hot water bath canning process.
Cost: $10 thru 10/31, $15 starting 11/1 and onsite