23 May Free Classes Resume at The Natural Gardener!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful and productive Spring! It is just about Summer time and that means that we have started the summer series of our very popular and informative free classes given by our area's gardening experts. 

8648 Old Bee Cave Road | Austin, Texas 78735 | Phone (512) 288-6113  www.naturalgardeneraustin.com

 All classes are about 1 hour long, except where noted. Classes are subject to change.  Please call first to confirm. Classes are held outdoors under an open air canopy (“The Revival Tent”) – please dress for the weather. Arrive early for best seating. You are welcome to bring your own chair. If possible, please park on Bell Drive, adjacent to the Tent.

 If you would like sign language interpretation, please contact rosina@naturalgardeneraustin.com at least one week in advance. Volunteer interpretation provided courtesy of ACC students and others.

May 25 at 9 am – Rosina Newton, Horticulturist and Education Coordinator at The Natural Gardener and owner of bioMUNDO, presents “Organic Vegetable Gardening 101.” Spring is officially just around the corner, even though we’ve been feeling it for a while. It’s time to garden! Beginning gardeners – or longtime gardeners from other regions of the country – often ask for this class. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to create successful vegetable, herb, and flower gardens in Central Texas.  Learn site selection, soil preparation and fertilization, planting methods, and more!  Rosina is a graduate of Texas A&M University in Horticulture, and has been assisting customers and serving as horticulturist at the Natural Gardener for over 15 years. This class may be slightly over one hour.

June 1 at 9 am – Jeff Ferris, Horticulturist at the Natural Gardener, ACC Instructor, and cofounder of Neighborhood Harvest Project (nhpnetwork.org), presents “Basic Rainwater Collection.” Do you know what the best kind of water is?  FREE WATER!  Even in hot, dry, hot (did we mention hot?) Texas, a quick shower can give you several hundred gallons of water.  But like any other crop, unless you are harvesting it, it's just being wasted.  Come have a listen as we talk about ways to capture that free, sweet water.  Find out how to use rain barrels, AND learn how to capture that precipitation without having a single rain barrel!

June 1 at 10:30 – Christopher Charles, Conservation Program Associate with Austin Water, tells us how we can participate in the “City of Austin WaterWise Landscape Rebate!” From the COA website: “Major water savings can be made by converting your healthy turf grass to native plant beds and permeable hardscape. Residential properties may receive $25 for every 100 sq.ft. converted from healthy turf grass to native plant bed and permeable hardscape with a maximum rebate amount of $1,250. Applications are accepted twice per year … June 1 – September 30 for fall installations. Only the first 100 eligible applicants will be allowed to participate in the program per application acceptance period. Participants may enter the program more than once if they have another eligible area of turf that can be converted to a WaterWise landscape. Only one application per acceptance period will be accepted. This program is available to residential customers of Austin Water or a qualifying water provider.” Come to The Natural Gardener to learn about this wonderful opportunity! http://austintexas.gov/department/waterwise-landscape-rebate

June 8 at 9 am – Pat Dillon, General Manager of Submatic Drip Systems, and David Becerra, Drip System Specialist, teach us how to “Water Efficiently Using Drip Irrigation.” Just in time for the summer season, here is drip irrigation to the rescue!  Rather than losing so much precious water to the air through evaporation, drip systems put the water right where we need it – into the soil. Learn the basic steps to setting up your own Submatic system. It’s relatively easy, versatile, and a real water- (and money-) saver. Learn from professionals how to design your own system – small or large. David Becerra has over 5 years experience in irrigation, over 4 years at Submatic. Pat Dillon has over 35 years of experience in the irrigation industry. He is a nationally-certified irrigation designer and a member of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. Pat has been with Submatic Drip Systems, a local Austin manufacturer, for over 20 years.

June 15 at 9 am – Ellen Zimmerman of Austin School of Herbal Studies and EZ Herbs presents “Be Water-Wise with Herbs!” More information to come…

July 13 at 9 am – Colleen Dieter of Red Wheelbarrow (redwheelbarrowplants.com) presents “Native Landscape Maintenance 101.” How often should I water my Yaupons? When do I prune my Salvias? Thanks to Ladybird Johnson’s legacy, many folks have learned correctly that choosing native plants is the way to go. Going native minimizes or eliminates the need for pesticides, shrinks our water bill, and creates a look that says “Home” in Texas. Whether you already have a native landscape, or you are thinking about planting one this fall, Colleen can help us. She founded Red Wheelbarrow Plant Care in 2003 to provide organic landscape and plant maintenance services to Austin area residents. Colleen will show us what we need to do to keep our great Texas native landscapes looking their best.

July 20 at 9 am – Pat Mercord, Executive Director of Native Prairies Association of Texas, teaches us about “Texas Prairies.” More information to come…

More classes to come…