Austin Bonsai Society Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesBonsai is a living art form, with each plant constantly changing under the hand of the artist. It is a painting never quite finished. Bonsai also change with the seasons, with each plant having its own unique attractiveness during each season. Miniature maples, tiny elms, delicate pines, and junipers reflect both the seasons and the climates where they grow. Under our eyes, and in miniature form, we are privileged to watch the budding and leafing out of spring, followed by the flowers and fruit of summer, and the stark, yet beautiful, effect of bare branches against the winter sky. Bonsai is an exciting adventure that cannot be adequately described to those who have not experienced it personally. Miniature trees and landscapes, carefully nurtured in the seemingly too small containers, return to us much more than they exact in the cost of creating and maintaining these plants, which soon become our “children.” Bonsai is an adventure in which you can participate with us. You can find the Austin Bonsai Society on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Native Landscapes for Wildlife – Texas Tough Plants Series
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, United StatesTexas A&M AgriLife Extension-Travis County continues their 2024 Texas Tough Plants educational series with Native Landscapes for Wildlife, March 20th, 10 am to noon. John Davis, Conservation Program Coordinator for Austin Parks and Recreation, will cover the aspects of wildlife habitat and how to create them in your own garden. A special focus will be placed on the value of native plants to provide food and shelter. The program will be presented utilizing a webinar format. Those interested must register in advance to receive a link. More information on the entire webinar series can be found here.
Austin Herb Society Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesSince 1983, the Austin Herb Society has been educating members and the community about herbs, including propagation, landscaping, history, folklore, and culinary, medicinal, and decorative uses of herbs. While our members are united by an interest in herbs, they are also a diverse group of individuals: from gardeners and herbalists to cooks and business owners. AHS members design and maintain the Zilker Herb Garden-a dazzling landscape of color and fragrance that has become a centerpiece of Zilker Botanical Garden. Here, visitors can touch, taste, and smell they way through nearly 200 varieties of herbs, depending on the season. Bees and butterflies dot the beds of basil, lavender, and calendula. There are classic culinary herbs like rosemary, mint, and thyme alongside herbs revered for their health attributes, including aloe and echinacea. In addition to hands-on learning in the Zilker Herb Garden, members enjoy: Monthly meetings with expert speakers on diverse topics (currently via zoom) Educational workshops and seminars throughout the year Study groups focused on culinary herbs and herbal products Field trips to unique gardens and herb-loving businesses Delicious herbal refreshments at our in-person meetings Fellowship with interesting and informed herb lovers Please join us in exploring the wonderful world of herbs! You can also find us on Facebook
Texas A&M AgriLife Open House – Spring Vegetable Gardening
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, United StatesJoin 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 Pruning April 5th - Spring Vegetable Gardening May 3rd - Mulch 101 June 7th - IPM Insect Management July 5th - Shade Cloth August 2nd - Solarization August 16th - Light Requirements September 6th - Soil Texture and Composting September 20th - Landscape Design Site Analysis October 4th –Entomology and Plant Pathology Scavenger Hunt November 1st – Vegetable Garden layout and rotation December 6th – Tool Care
Austin Ikebana Group Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesThe Austin Ikebana Group was founded by Isamu Taniguchi (circa 1902-1992), who started building the Taniguchi Japanese Garden when he was 70 years old. Ikebana is more than simply arranging flowers-its Japanese characters mean “giving life to flowers.” This art form has spiritual and philosophical roots, where the relationship between every flower, stem, branch, leaf, and even container expresses a balanced and harmonious nature. The feelings of the arranger play a key role as well. Members rotate leading demonstrations and workshops. Because members have trained in various schools of Ikebana, including Ohara, Sogetsu, Ikenobo, and Ichiyo, they bring a rich atmosphere of learning and growth to the meetings. This becomes a contemplative practice of expressing gentleness and elegance through the art of flower arrangement. Meetings are monthly on the first Friday at 10am.
Trees: Your Landscape Legacy – Texas Tough Plants Series
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, United StatesTexas A&M AgriLife Extension-Travis County continues their 2024 Texas Tough Plants educational series with Trees: Your Landscape Legacy, April 10th, 10 am to noon. Yvonne Schneider, Travis County Master Gardener Tree Specialist, will explore the many benefits that trees provide for your personal property as well as the general environment. A special focus will be placed on choosing the right tree that is well-suited to Austin’s climate and soil conditions. The program will be presented utilizing a webinar format. Those interested must register in advance to receive a link. More information on the entire webinar series can be found here.
Austin Bonsai Society Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesBonsai is a living art form, with each plant constantly changing under the hand of the artist. It is a painting never quite finished. Bonsai also change with the seasons, with each plant having its own unique attractiveness during each season. Miniature maples, tiny elms, delicate pines, and junipers reflect both the seasons and the climates where they grow. Under our eyes, and in miniature form, we are privileged to watch the budding and leafing out of spring, followed by the flowers and fruit of summer, and the stark, yet beautiful, effect of bare branches against the winter sky. Bonsai is an exciting adventure that cannot be adequately described to those who have not experienced it personally. Miniature trees and landscapes, carefully nurtured in the seemingly too small containers, return to us much more than they exact in the cost of creating and maintaining these plants, which soon become our “children.” Bonsai is an adventure in which you can participate with us. You can find the Austin Bonsai Society on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Free Day at Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesOn select dates throughout the year, Zilker Botanical Garden offers free days where no admission is charged. Free Days for 2024: January 15, February 19, March 12, April 28, July 14, September 7, November 11, December 26 No advance registration is necessary. Final entry to the Garden is 4:30pm. Parking is always free and available via our main parking lot, which can be accessed through the front entrance of the garden. If overflow parking is needed, our overflow lot at 2300 Stratford Drive will be open. If you park in the overflow lot, you can enter directly across the street through the Hartman Gate at the back entrance. This is a highly ornamental gate and is easily recognizable.
Texas A&M AgriLife Open House – Mulch 101
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, United StatesJoin 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 Pruning April 5th - Spring Vegetable Gardening May 3rd - Mulch 101 June 7th - IPM Insect Management July 5th - Shade Cloth August 2nd - Solarization August 16th - Light Requirements September 6th - Soil Texture and Composting September 20th - Landscape Design Site Analysis October 4th –Entomology and Plant Pathology Scavenger Hunt November 1st – Vegetable Garden layout and rotation December 6th – Tool Care
Austin Ikebana Group Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesThe Austin Ikebana Group was founded by Isamu Taniguchi (circa 1902-1992), who started building the Taniguchi Japanese Garden when he was 70 years old. Ikebana is more than simply arranging flowers-its Japanese characters mean “giving life to flowers.” This art form has spiritual and philosophical roots, where the relationship between every flower, stem, branch, leaf, and even container expresses a balanced and harmonious nature. The feelings of the arranger play a key role as well. Members rotate leading demonstrations and workshops. Because members have trained in various schools of Ikebana, including Ohara, Sogetsu, Ikenobo, and Ichiyo, they bring a rich atmosphere of learning and growth to the meetings. This becomes a contemplative practice of expressing gentleness and elegance through the art of flower arrangement. Meetings are monthly on the first Friday at 10am.
Austin Herb Society Monthly Meeting
Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, United StatesSince 1983, the Austin Herb Society has been educating members and the community about herbs, including propagation, landscaping, history, folklore, and culinary, medicinal, and decorative uses of herbs. While our members are united by an interest in herbs, they are also a diverse group of individuals: from gardeners and herbalists to cooks and business owners. AHS members design and maintain the Zilker Herb Garden-a dazzling landscape of color and fragrance that has become a centerpiece of Zilker Botanical Garden. Here, visitors can touch, taste, and smell they way through nearly 200 varieties of herbs, depending on the season. Bees and butterflies dot the beds of basil, lavender, and calendula. There are classic culinary herbs like rosemary, mint, and thyme alongside herbs revered for their health attributes, including aloe and echinacea. In addition to hands-on learning in the Zilker Herb Garden, members enjoy: Monthly meetings with expert speakers on diverse topics (currently via zoom) Educational workshops and seminars throughout the year Study groups focused on culinary herbs and herbal products Field trips to unique gardens and herb-loving businesses Delicious herbal refreshments at our in-person meetings Fellowship with interesting and informed herb lovers Please join us in exploring the wonderful world of herbs! You can also find us on Facebook
6 D’s of Container Gardening Success – Texas Tough Plants Series
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX, United StatesTexas A&M AgriLife Extension-Travis County continues their 2024 Texas Tough Plants educational series with 6 D’s of Container Gardening Success, May 8th, 10 am to noon. Not everyone has a yard or plot to garden in. Plant selection is just as important if you grow plants in containers. Kirk Walden, Travis County Master Gardener, will be our final session May 8th at 10 am. Kirk will cover the major considerations and decisions that lead to gardening success – from design and soil to irrigation and sunlight. Participants will come away with a list of recommended plants and resources suitable for Central Texas Those interested must register in advance to receive a link. More information on the entire webinar series can be found here.