The Travis County Master Gardeners Association and the Travis County AgriLife Extension sponsor free public seminars on gardening topics throughout the year at different locations in the county. Our goal is to help the public learn easy-to-follow tips they can do on their own that will help them get more joy from their gardens, and to learn from research-based Extension and other sources what can go wrong in the garden and what to do about it in environmentally sensitive ways.

Lectures include such common themes as rainwater harvesting, vegetable gardening, lawn care, tree maintenance, native and adapted plants, propagating plants, and much more. Join us for some really great free learning opportunities and bring your questions!

These seminars are free, open to the public and require no reservations (unless otherwise noted).

How to Manage Garden Insects
Saturday, August 21, 2010 10am-Noon
LCRA Redbud Center, Rm 108N, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin TX 78703

Insects can be one of the biggest challenges for gardeners. But you can deal with pests effectively without spraying general insecticides all over your plants. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can teach you how to protect your garden without harming the environment or your plants. Learn to distinguish beneficial insects in your backyard from harmful insects. Basic IPM strategies will be described that can help manage insect pests throughout the landscape, in vegetable gardens, even in the home.

Sep 11, 9am-Noon
Farmer’s Market Garden Talks
Republic Square Farmer’s Market, Guadalupe between 4th and 5th Streets

Take a moment out of shopping for fresh vegetables and dynamic local foods to learn about your garden. With fall weather comes the perfect season to get your vegetables and perennial plants in top shape. Join us for short talks on timely garden topics, including fall vegetable gardening, herb gardening, best fall bloomers for the Austin area, and how to build your own grow box container. After the talk, buy some of the very same plant varieties that you heard about at our plant sale.

Growing a Great Lawn
Saturday, September 18, 2010 10am-Noon
Zilker Botanical Garden

Knowing how to grow a great lawn can help you save money, water and have a wonderful area to complement your house. Come learn the best information on the care and feeding of your lawn. Topics will include choosing the right turf for your site, irrigation, fertilization, proper mowing technique, and disease diagnosis and treatment. This class is free and does not require reservations.

How to Make Compost
Saturday, October 23, 2010 10am-Noon
Travis County East Facility 6011 Blue Bluff Rd., Austin TX 78724

Turn trash into treasure!! Take what Mother Nature gives you and make the best soil amendment available -- without additional cost! Learn the basics of composting; the great number of items in your trash that can be used; and the steps needed to make excellent compost.

Growing Culinary Herbs in Texas
Saturday, November 13, 10am-noon
American Botanical Council 6200 Manor Rd., Austin TX 78723

Herbs are a delight to the senses and an easy way to add beauty to your landscape! This class will cover the basics of growing both seasonal and perennial culinary herbs in central Texas, and will offer some suggestions for their use. Class size is limited, so sign up early by calling the Master Gardener Help Desk at (512)854-9600.