Travis County Master Gardeners Association

Texas First Detector
2016-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
“See something, say something”…a program that gardeners can use to improve observation skills detecting invasive pest (insects) and diseases such as the brown marmorated stink bug and rose rosette (see picture) that may appear and cause problems in our gardens and landscapes. Susan Jung and Tommie Clayton, Travis County Master Gardeners, will introduce you to the National Plant Diagnostic Network program, review “wanted posters” so you’ll know what to look for, web based resources, and where to report sightings for confirmation.
Seminar is free
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over),
$3 for non-Austin Residents. Cash or check accepted.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County,512-854-9600

Compost for Beginners
2016-01-09 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
Compost isn’t just a pile of dead leaves! It’s a vital community of microorganisms that work to add vital nutrients, moisture, and structure to your soil. Travis County Master Gardener Sheryl Williams will explain the basic science of how compost is created, what materials you can use to make compost, types of compost containers and which to choose, plus what type of compost is best for your garden. Join the tour of the Zilker Botanical Garden Compost Demonstration area to compare different types of compost systems ‐ please dress appropriately.
Seminar is free
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over),
$3 for non-Austin Residents. Cash or check accepted.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County,512-854-9600

Beekeeping 101: What’s the Buzz?
2015-12-09 16:45 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
December 10, 2015
Travis County Extension Office

Cost: $15.00
Must RSVP by December 9, 2015 at 2 PM (Central time)

RSVP to sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu
you will receive a confirmation email once you are on the list.

Seating is limited, so register early
Pay at the door- CHECKS ONLY (NO CASH ACCEPTED!)

Location: 1600-B Smith Road, Austin, TX 78721

Program as follows:

4:45-5:30 Registration
5:30-5:35 Welcome
5:35-6:25 Honey Bee Biology & Behavior
6:25-7:10 How to Get Started: Beekeeping Equipment Essentials
7:10-7:15 Break
7:15-8:00 Buying Bees, Installation & Basic Set-up
Where Do I Get Bees?
8:00-8:45 Annual Management
8:45-8:55 Ag Land Tax Valuation for Honeybees
8:55-9:00 Evaluation & Wrap Up

The program will be co-presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Volunteers.

Questions? Call 512-854-9610 or 512-581-7186

Person with disabilities who plan to attend meetings or functions who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Travis County at (512) 854-9610 two days prior to the event so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U. S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

Backyard Basics – Bold and Beautiful Edibles
2015-11-12 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Come join us to learn about edible plants with ornamental potential for Central Texas landscapes. We’re talking artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, herbs and more. Some are perennials, some are annuals, but all will beautify your landscape and satisfy your appetite.
Master Gardener Patty Leander is a writer for Texas Gardener magazine and grows vegetables year round in her Oak Hill garden.
Cost: $10 thru 11/02, $15 starting 11/03 and onsite, NO cash accepted – checks and credit cards only.
Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu
Space is limited so register on-line early to reserve your seat!
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Backyard Basics series.

Inside Austin Gardens Tour
2015-10-17 | TX
The Travis County Master Gardeners Association has set Saturday, October 17, 2015 for their popular Inside Austin Gardens Tour (IAGT). The tour provides a rare look inside six private gardens and one public experimental garden that demonstrate realistic, sustainable gardening practices for Central Texas.
Tickets are $19 advance purchase, $20 purchased at the tour.
For details and to purchase advance tickets, go to insideaustingardens.org

Backyard Basics – Plant Propagation
2015-10-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Learn how to make new plants for your yard through propagation methods such as rooting slips and cuttings. In this workshop you will assemble a self-watering propagator and select cuttings to grow new plants. All supplies, instructions, and cuttings will be provided for each participant. Master Gardener Sue King, a Plant Propagation Specialist, is a retired school librarian, an avid soup-maker, and a life-long gardener. Master Gardener Carolyn Turman found propagating plants using cuttings as an easy and inexpensive way to add wonderful additions to her landscape.
Space is limited to 25 – register on-line. No on-site registration available.
Cost: $25 thru 9/28, $30 starting 9/29. No cash accepted-checks & credit cards only.
Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Contact: Sue Carrasco, 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu

Backyard Basics - Natural Pest Control
2015-09-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Come to learn how to tell pests from other insects found in your backyard. We will focus on integrated pest management to avoid many problem pests you may experience. Wizzie Brown serves as Program Specialist – IPM in the Austin metroplex encompassing Travis County and surrounding counties.
Visit her blog at http://urban-ipm.blogspot.com/

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Backyard Basics series.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600.
Cost: $10 thru 09/06, $15 starting 09/07and onsite
NO cash accepted – checks and credit cards only.

Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Space is limited so register on-line early to reserve your seat!

Photography in the Garden
2015-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
Learn how to take plant pictures with impact –namely composition and lighting. This seminar will begin with an overview of cameras (film & digital), lenses and composition. Course prerequisites: study the owner’s manual on your camera.
Sam is a long time photographer and Master Gardener specializing in presentations on Beneficial Insects and Plant Photography. In 2009, he was selected as “Photographer of the Year” in the Travis County Master Gardener photo contest.

Seminar is free with park entry.
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over), $3 for non-Austin Residents. cash or check accepted.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600

Backyard Basics – Backyard Chickens
2015-08-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Are you ready for the fun and rewarding experience of keeping your own backyard chickens? Ally Stresing will help you get started with this informative talk on raising the home flock. Ally Stresing is an accomplished vegetable gardener who decided that no backyard garden is complete without chickens.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Backyard Basics Series.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600.
Cost: $10 thru 08/02, $15 starting 08/03 and onsite
NO cash accepted – checks and credit cards only.
Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Register by Phone: 979-845-2604
Space is limited so register on-line early to reserve your seat!

Pond Basics – the Big, Bad and Beautiful
2015-07-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
Come learn about the steps of building a pond in your backyard and the best tips for success.
Jeannie Farrier, Austin Pond Society Board Member and 2014 President, and also a retired teacher, has had ponds for over a decade. Her most recent pond holds 10,000 gallons.
Seminar is free with park entry
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over), $3 for non-Austin Residents. cash or check accepted.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600

Best Culinary Herbs for Austin
2015-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
Make meals more flavorful by growing your own herbs. Mild or savory herbs are delicate while pungent herbs add zest. Master Gardener Judith Craft will talk about the best herbs to grow in the Austin area. If time allows, she will lead a walk through the herb garden at Zilker.
Judith became a Master Gardener after retiring and has been the primary volunteer in the herb garden at Zilker Botanical Garden for the past 10 years and a member of the Austin Herb Society for 25 years.
Seminar is free with Zilker entry
Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child (ages 3-12) or seniors (age 62 & over), $3 for non-Austin Residents. cash or check accepted.

Master Gardener Training Information Session
2015-06-16 10:00 - 23:00, 2015-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Are you interested in becoming a Travis County Master Gardener? If so, it’s time to apply!
In order to receive an application, you must attend one of our information sessions. Seating at each session is limited, so please arrive early to secure a seat.
MG Information Session 1, Tuesday June 9, 2015, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
MG Information Session 2, Friday June 12, 2015, 12:00 to1:00 PM
MG Information Session 3, Tuesday June 16, 2015, 10:00 to 11:00 AM
All information sessions will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 1600-B Smith Rd, Austin, TX 78721
If you are unable to attend one of the sessions offered, you will need to wait until the 2016 information sessions are offered, and thus you will not be able to apply for the 2015 program. No exceptions will be made.

Master Gardener Training Information Session
2015-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Are you interested in becoming a Travis County Master Gardener? If so, it’s time to apply!
In order to receive an application, you must attend one of our information sessions. Seating at each session is limited, so please arrive early to secure a seat.
MG Information Session 1, Tuesday June 9, 2015, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
MG Information Session 2, Friday June 12, 2015, 12:00 to 1:00 PM
MG Information Session 3, Tuesday June 16, 2015, 10:00 to 11:00 AM
All information sessions will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 1600-B Smith Rd, Austin, TX 78721
If you are unable to attend one of the sessions offered, you will need to wait until the 2016 information sessions are offered, and thus you will not be able to apply for the 2015 program. No exceptions will be made.

Dealing with Drought - Preparing for the Fall Garden
2015-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Imagine gardening without sweat dripping from your brow or mosquitos buzzing in your ears or having to water every day. Those are just a few of the many benefits of the cool season vegetable garden. Join us as we discuss vegetable selection, soil preparation and the importance of timing for the fall and winter garden.
Master Gardener Patty Leander is a writer for Texas Gardener magazine and grows vegetables year round in her Oak Hill garden.

Registration: $10 through 6/07, $15 starting 6/08 and onsite
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Backyard Basics series.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600

Dealing with Drought - Alternative Methods of Gardening
2015-05-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Travis Co AgriLife Extension Service Office, 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
If you have limited garden space or time yet still have a desire to nurture your green thumb, Master Gardener Pat Mokry will teach you how to raise carefree veggies, herbs and flowers using self-sufficient grow boxes. Then, for some more ‘new’ gardening techniques, Master Gardener Marian Stasney will describe the ancient practices of both keyhole gardening and hugelkultur.
Registration: $10 through 5/10, $15 starting 5/11 and onsite
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Dealing with Drought series.
For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600.

Butterflies in the Garden
2015-05-09 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Austin Area Garden Center – Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United States
Butterflies in the Garden: Wanting to start a butterfly garden for you school or even your own backyard? Maybe, you have a small garden and just want to help encourage pollinators to pay you plants a visit. In this talk we will focus on butterflies and how you can invite them into your space. Kellyn Smith has been a Master Gardener since 2013. A lover of all insects she has a specialty in entomology and founded the butterfly garden at her school, a place she and her students treasure.
Presented by Travis County Master Gardeners. For more information contact: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Travis County, 512-854-9600
See the Workshops & Events Calendar for more information.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/local-extension-resources/calendar-2/
