Education
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Gardening in the Hill Country: Ask Us Anything!
Gardening in the Texas Hill Country is rewarding, but between the rocky soil and our local “landscaping critics” (the deer), it definitely has its own set of rules. “I have two inches of dirt, a million rocks, and ten deer staring at my porch. What do I do?” If you’ve lived in Lakeway for more than a week, you know the struggle is real. Between the limestone “soil,” the scorching July heat, and our local four-legged landscaping critics, gardening here is a unique adventure. We are putting together a Q&A resource to help us all get those thumb-sized tomatoes and keep our Mountain Laurels thriving. Whether you’re a newcomer trying…
- Education, Gardens, Lawn Care, Native Plants, News, Showcase, Tips, Trees & Shrubs, Vegetables, Wildlife
Earth Day: Healing the Earth from Your Own Backyard
Every year on April 22nd, we see the same headlines about global shifts and industrial changes. But for Earth Day , remember that the most immediate power we have isn’t in a boardroom—it’s right outside our back door. We often think of “saving the planet” as a monumental task involving oceans and rainforests. While those matter, the ecosystem in your own backyard is the front line of environmental stewardship. Here is how you can turn your patch of grass into a powerhouse for the planet. 1. Ditch the “Perfection” of the Great American Lawn The traditional, manicured green lawn is often a “green desert.” It requires massive amounts of water…
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Save the Bees: Simple Steps to Make a Big Difference
The plight of the bees has become a global concern. Bees are critical to our ecosystem, but their populations are declining. These industrious insects are vital pollinators, ensuring the diversity of our food supply and the health of our ecosystems. But facing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, bee populations are dwindling at an alarming rate. Fear not, fellow humans! We can all play a part in their survival. Here are a few simple yet impactful ways to lend a helping hand: Plant Bee-Friendly Gardens: Ditch the manicured lawn and embrace a wildflower haven! Native plants provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen throughout the season, unlike…
- Education, Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Native Plants, News, Plants, Showcase, Texas Superstar, Tips, Trees & Shrubs, Vegetables
Embrace the Beauty of Texas Superstars this Fall
Do you need help choosing plants for your landscaping needs? Are you looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives in our Texas climate? Consider incorporating Texas Superstar plants into your landscape! These plants have been rigorously tested by Texas A&M AgriLife Research to ensure their superior performance in our challenging conditions. Fall is an ideal time for planting in Texas since the cooler temperatures reduce stress on the plant’s root system leading to more rapid root growth and ultimately a healthier plant. We suggest that gardeners follow the Earth-Kind® principles when planting a Texas Superstar® or any other desirable plant. These principles provide recommendations for plant placement, soil, spacing,…
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Grow Green with Free Garden Educational Resources
Looking to create a beautiful yard that’s easy on your wallet and kind to the environment? Look no further than the Grow Green program in Travis County! This fantastic initiative by the Austin Watershed Protection Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers a wealth of resources to help you achieve a sustainable landscape. What is Grow Green? Grow Green is your one-stop shop for transforming your yard into a central Texas oasis. They promote practices that benefit both your garden and the environment, including: Water Conservation: Learn how to use water wisely with rainwater harvesting techniques and efficient irrigation methods. Smart Plant Choices: Discover the “right plant, right place” philosophy…
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Understanding Climate Zones
The climate is the reoccurring average weather found in any particular place, measured over 30 year intervals. The Earth’s tilt, rotation and land/sea distribution affect these global weather patterns, resulting in variations between different locations. Travis County Climate Zone is Cfa C – Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climate f – Wet year-round a – Hot Summer German climatologist and amateur botanist Wladimir Köppen (1846-1940) divided the world’s climates into categories based upon general temperature profile related to latitude. He worked with Rudolf Geiger to modify these categories into what is known today as the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system The major categories are as follows: A – Tropical Climates Moist tropical climates…
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Grow Big in a Small Space: The Magic of Square Foot Gardening
Dreaming of a bountiful harvest but limited on space? Look no further than square foot gardening (SFG)! This revolutionary method, developed by Mel Bartholomew, allows you to maximize your yield in even the tiniest of balconies or patios. What is Square Foot Gardening? Imagine your garden bed divided into a grid of 1-foot by 1-foot squares. Each square becomes its own mini-ecosystem, planted with specific vegetables, herbs, or flowers according to their spacing needs. This eliminates wasted space and allows for intensive planting. Benefits of Square Foot Gardening: High Yields: SFG utilizes a special, lightweight soil mix that promotes healthy growth, leading to impressive harvests from a compact area. Low…
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Cultivate Longevity: Your Guide to Blue Zone Gardening
After our Lakeway Garden Club Spring mixer last week, we had many requests to share more information about Blue Zone gardening. Enjoy! Have you ever wondered what the secret is to a long and healthy life? Look no further than the Blue Zones! These five regions around the world – Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Loma Linda (California), and Okinawa (Japan) – boast populations with exceptional longevity. And one key element they all share? A deep connection to gardening. Here’s why you should consider incorporating Blue Zone gardening into your life: Move Naturally: Gardening isn’t just about planting seeds. It involves weeding, watering, harvesting – all activities that…
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Pick Plants that Survive in our Extreme Texas Weather
What are the best native and adapted plants to use in central Texas that can tolerate extremes of heat and cold, drought and deluge? Find out when the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Travis County kicks off the 2024 Texas Tough Plants webinar series with Native and Adapted Plants for Central Texas and Wild About Plants, February 21st, 10 am to noon. Texas Tough Plants Webinar Series: FEB 21: Native and Adapted Plants for Central Texas and Wild About Plants MAR 20: Native Landscapes for Wildlife APR 10: Trees Your Landscape Legacy MAY 8: 6 D’s of Container Gardening Success Those interested must register in advance to receive a link to the…
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Texas A&M AgriLife hosts Monthly Open Houses in 2024
Join Us in the Texas A&M AgriLife Demo Garden for our monthly Open House! The first Friday morning of every month is designated as a FREE open house for the Texas A&M AgriLife Earth-Kind Demonstration Garden at 1600 Smith Road, Austin. You’ll be able to visit the garden and speak with the Travis County Master Gardener volunteers who maintain it as well as get your gardening questions answered by the Plant Clinic staff. Each month will also feature some sort of demonstration or workshop that deep dive into subject areas. See monthly topics below. Monthly Topics January 5th – Tree Trimming February 2nd – Houseplant University March 1st – Rose…
