Educational Sessions
|
"Preserving the Past,
Growing the Future" |
To make this a true three day conference, we
will be holding educational sessions
on all three
days
of the conference.
This will give you the opportunity to learn in a relaxed setting.
|
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
|
| Session # |
|
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
|
101 |
CSI: My Garden by Dr. Travis Faske |
| |
Police use clues at crime scenes to identify victims, suspects and assault methods. Plant pathologists use similar strategies to identify disease-causing pathogens, know why disease occurs and learn how to prevent future diseases. This presentation covers a few of the most common diseases found in Texas vegetable gardens and landscapes. Topics include: identifiable characteristic of plant pathogens, conditions that favor disease and disease management.
|
102 |
Habitat Restoration and the Quality of Life by David Bamberger |
| |
Mr. Bamberger, founder of the Bamberger Ranch Preserve (BRP) in the Hill Country, will share his insights gained from spending 41 years restoring his ranch to health and productivity in what has been called the largest habitat restoration project on private land in Texas.
|
103 |
From Rooftops To Sewage Lagoons; Drought Tolerant Native Grasses for Ornamental and Practical Uses by John Snowden |
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From impossibly shaded areas to "bone dry" rooftops and from sewage sites to areas that require soil stabilization, there are drought-tolerant native grasses from the South and Southwest that fit the most difficult situations. Learn why native grasses are the solution to your landscaping and practical needs. .
|
104 |
Landscaping for Storm Water Management by David Dyke |
| |
This program presents fundamental landscape horticultural practices that enable gardeners to develop and install landscape systems that are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, environmentally friendly and effective. Mr. Dyke's holistic landscape stormwater management strategy employs rainfall capture, rain gardens, swales, permeable surfaces, contour plantings, turf, trees and other "green" systems.
|
105 |
Stop and Smell the Weeds by Curt Decker |
| |
"The What, Where, When, Why and WOW of Gardening".
Learn how to look at your garden with a broader set of aesthetics. Your only goal does not have to be attaining good visual aesthetics. Take time to notice! Try looking at your garden through different lenses in order to appreciate the different parts - and each part's relation to the whole. In addition, learn how the use of native plants play a role as a part of this non-traditional approach.
|
|
Wednesday, 1:45 pm- 2:45 pm
These informative presentations highlight outstanding annuals,
perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees for each region.
|
201 |
Plants for the Gulf Coast Region of Texas by Tom LeRoy
|
| 202 |
East Texas Plants by Steve Chaney
|
203 |
Outstanding Plants for North Central Texas by Steve Huddleston
|
204 |
West Texas Plants by Deborah Benge-Frost
|
205 |
Central Texas Plants by Bill Welch
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
|
9:00am - 10:00am
|
301 |
Plant Driven Design by Scott & Lauren Ogden, part 1 |
| |
Designing Gardens in a Changing Climate -
Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden believe that putting plants first makes a landscape worthy of the name "garden." In this presentation, they show how making plants the starting point of design creates enduringly beautiful, ecologically intelligent gardens. Their concepts, ideas and practices address changing climates while empowering gardeners to design and designers to plant.
|
302 |
Rainwater Harvesting for Children by Billy Kniffen |
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Mr. Kniffen uses a rainfall simulator, infiltration cylinders, rain drop splash and leaf evapotransporation to show where rain goes. He addresses watershed plots, rain gardens, rain barrels, designing landscapes, mulching, concrete watering devices, gallon jug drippers and drip irrigation systems. He includes rain droplet size and cloud-roof-gutter-water catcher demonstrations and a plastic sheet watershed activity.
|
303 |
*Session Full* Why is My Cilantro Dead? And Other Commonly Asked Herb Questions By Ann McCormick |
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Gardeners who are otherwise knowledgeable and confident regarding lawns, ornamentals, or vegetables become hesitant when the subject is herbs. In this talk, Ann McCormick shares some of the questions & answers she has fielded in her years of herb gardening. From dying cilantro to blooming basil, she'll help enrich your understanding of the world of herbs and improve your "seasoning savvy."
|
304 |
Sharing Texas Treasures..Time Tested Plants and Design Ideas for Today's Garden By Bill Welch |
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Time-tested design ideas, such as simple pattern gardens, arbors and picket fencing, are utilized in new gardens to provide timeless appeal. Heirloom bulbs, perennials, shrubs, roses and trees, with their fragrance, beauty and toughness, have proven themselves over many generations. During this session, you will learn about these plants and how they can be combined in your garden to provide year-round color and interest while being resource efficient.
|
305 |
***New Program*** Partial Cost Recovery Initiative By Jayla Fry |
| |
This will include a discussion of the Partial Cost Recovery initiative recently established by Texas AgriLife Extension to help sustain the agency's program delivery capacity. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about how this will impact your local Master Gardener program.
This session will be repeated at 4:45 p.m.
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Thursday, 10:30am - 11:30 am
|
401 |
Plant Driven Design, Part 2 by Scott and Lauren Ogden - See Thursday, 9 a.m. |
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|
402 |
FUNdamentals of Lawn Care by Dr. Hennen Cummings |
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Learn the secret to a weed-free yard - a dense aggressive turf! This presentation will offer you tips on choosing an adapted turfgrass species for your microclimates (shade/full sun, traffic- dogs, kids etc.), the management that you prefer (mowing, irrigation and fertilization frequency, weed control, etc.) and your budget (sod, plug, springs, seed). Planting, fertilizing and mowing will be covered.
|
403 |
New Program A Better Backyard Birding Experience by Steve Woodward |
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Learn about one of the most popular hobbies in North American and why one out of five Americans feeds the birds. From food and feeder selection to deterring squirrels and raccoons, you will learn how to attract the widest variety of Texas songbirds and have fun doing it.
|
404 |
*Session Full* Musings About Future Gardening Trends by Doug Welsh |
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Based on his 30-plus years of experience as a garden educator, Dr. Welsh will look to the future to share his vision of the upcoming trends in home landscapes and gardens. He will also include comments on our collective role as Master Gardeners in providing education and resources for the gardening public.
|
405 |
Garden Harmony 101 by Steven Chamblee |
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All too often, the garden master becomes a slave to the demands of her or his own creation. By properly honoring time, space, place, form, and function, gardens can be developed that evolve naturally with our lives. By studying 20 examples of beautiful, harmonious gardens, session attendees will learn how to re-establish priorities, alter traditional views of garden composition, utilize alternative resources and ultimately, physically create the vision that was once just a dream.
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Thursday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
|
501 |
Urban Backyard Mini-Farms by Leslie Halleck, part 1 of 2 |
| |
Want to get more out of your backyard? Growing vegetables, composting and keeping backyard chickens as a "close-looped" system allows even city-dwellers to take control of their food. During these sessions, learn the basics for starting your vegetable garden and hear about in-season crops. Also, learn the basics of composting and hear an introduction to keeping backyard chickens.
|
502 |
Landscaping for Stormwater Management by David Dyke |
| |
This program presents fundamental landscape horticultural practices that enable gardeners to develop and install landscape systems that are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, environmentally friendly and effective. Mr. Dyke's holistic landscape stormwater management strategy employs rainfall capture, rain gardens, swales, permeable surfaces, contour plantings, turf, trees and other "green" systems.
|
503 |
*Session Full* Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes for Increased Production by Tom LeRoy |
| |
This educational workshop is limited to 35 participants.
During this workshop, you will learn the advantages of grafting a tomato plant, what materials are needed for the grafting process, how to choose the right plants to use and the grafting procedure. You will also gain a better understanding of how to care for the plant after the completion of the grafting process and also once the graft is established.
|
504 |
Landscaping Smart by Deborah Benge-Frost |
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Have your physical, financial and mental resources been stretched by the overwhelming demands of your garden? Reduce your work, preserve your body and get great results by landscaping smart. Learn how planning, timely maintenance, plant selection, tricks and tips can make the difference between a landscape nightmare and an outdoor retreat.
|
505 |
*Session Full* The Organic Arsenal: Products for Natural Pest Control by Trisha Shirey |
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When pests or diseases strike, many gardeners seek a quick fix - a spray or dust to kill the problem. Good gardeners know that building a healthy soil leads to healthy plants, which will have an assortment of both good and bad insects. Ms. Shirey will share her list of techniques and products she relies on to keep pests and diseases under control - her "organic arsenal".
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Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
|
601 |
Urban Backyard Mini-Farms by Leslie Halleck, part 2 - see Thursday, 2:00 pm |
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|
602 |
*Session Full* Square Foot Gardening by Julie Whitis |
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In short order, you will learn about one of the simplest, yet most productive ways to garden. This presentation, which is based on the bestselling book, All New Square Foot Gardening , will guide you through the steps necessary to adopt this innovative gardening method. Regardless of existing soil or space limitations, you can grow more food with less work and enjoy homegrown vegetables.
|
603 |
How to be Your Own Plant Doctor by Marty Vahlenkamp |
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As a County Extension Agent, Mr. Vahlenkamp diagnoses a lot of plant problems. He has learned a great deal from this "on the job training." This presentation will lead you through his common sense approach to diagnosing plant diseases and disorders. He will discuss common problems and tips to help you obtain the right diagnosis.
|
604 |
Texas Viticulture by Evan McKibben |
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During this presentation, you will be given step-by-step information on how to plant, grow, maintain and harvest grapes. You will hear an overview of the history of viticulture in Texas and learn what the present industry offers.
|
605 |
*Session Full* The 21 st Century Vegetable Garden - The Ultimate in Fresh, Natural & Local By Patty Leander |
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The 21st century vegetable garden is hip, retro, old-fashioned yet in-style. It is no longer relegated to a small backyard corner. Fresh, natural and local produce is grown by Texans across the state in mini-gardens, community gardens, school gardens and edible landscapes. This presentation will explore the benefits of vegetable gardening with a focus on new varieties, organic techniques and creative design.
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Friday, April 29, 2011
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9:00am - 10:00am
|
701 |
*Session Full* Back to the Future With Natural Gardening by Skip Richter |
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In years past gardeners managed plant diseases and insect pests without the aid of modern sprays. Despite the availability of spray products today, there is a renewed interest in gardening naturally. Now, we have the advantage of many years of research, as well as some new natural products and techniques, to add to age-old-wisdom, which makes gardening naturally more successful than ever. This lecture will provide an overview of basic concepts and techniques used in a natural, less spray oriented, approach to gardening.
|
702 |
Biological Control of Urban Insect Pests by David Kattes |
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This program will discuss the use of predators, parasitoids and naturally occurring pathogens to control insect pests of the home, turf and garden. Special attention will be given to the identification, biology and ecology for these beneficial organisms.
|
703 |
Botanical Research Institute of Texas by Cleve Lancaster |
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In this session you will learn why and how the Botanical Research Institute of Texas made a commitment to sustainable design. Learn more about North Texas' latest architectural and botanical wonder — the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT). BRIT is a global institute for the conservation and preservation of botanical heritage through education, research, scientific publications and collections.
BRIT directed the design team to aim for LEED Gold certification or better and to include a vegetated roof. Sustainable design strategies include stormwater management, green roof and green walls, reduced site disturbance, bio-based materials and energy conservation.
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Friday, 10:30am - 11:30am
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801 |
Sustainable Horticulture Using Native & Adpted Plant Materials by Manon Shockey |
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Ms. Shockey's premise is that in an ever-increasing urban environment, we must consider not only the best landscape aesthetically, but also its sustainability. She asks, "How can I plan a landscape that is easily sustainable with as little environmental impact as possible?" Often this includes using conservation practices and plant materials that are adapted an area's unique climatic conditions.
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802 |
BRIT: It Looks Good & It's Useful, Too! by Dr. Brooke Byerley |
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The new home of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas boasts clever designs and smart landscaping, which includes a living roof that mimics a type of endangered native prairie. This presentation will review the plants included in the new BRIT landscape, highlighting their relevance to the design and the organization's mission. BRIT's role as a botanical resource will be discussed; including all the things that BRIT can do for you!
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803 |
Organic Matter - The Spice of Soil Life by John Begnaud |
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Soil is dynamic and alive! Soil life, nutrients, air and water are all greatly influenced by the presence or lack of organic matter in soil. The science of composting and the natural improvement of soil is key to great gardens and landscapes.
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| Printable Ed Session Descriptions (PDF) |
