Gardening

This program will discuss the basics of rainwater harvesting, related irrigation techniques and the benefits it can provide to a residential property. A demonstration on building a 50-gallon rain barrel and material parts list to build your own barrel will be provided. No barrels will be sold at this event. You will also learn the basics of planning, planting and maintaining a vegetable garden. Hands-on vegetable plantings will occur. Presented by Arlington Water Utilities and Arlington Men’s Garden Club. Free.

Info: Dustan Compton at 817-459-6628 or dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov.

Learn proper soil preparation, native and adaptive plant selection and how to design and plan a small or large project. A recommended plant list will be provided. Dotty Woodson, water resources extension program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be the speaker. Free. 

Info: Dustan Compton at 817-459-6628 or dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov.

Why water and mow what you can’t eat. Utilizing areas in your landscape to grow edibles is a way to add food on your table and reduce your grocery bill. This program teaches you how to incorporate edible plants into your home garden and landscape. You will learn how herbs, fruits and vegetables can add to the colors and textures of your permanent landscape combining both aesthetics’ and functionality. Patrick Dickinson, urban water program coordinator with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, will be the speaker. Free. 

Info: Dustan Compton at 817-459-6628 or dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov.

Volunteers needed to participate in beautification projects at neighborhood parks. Activities include: litter/debris pickup, weeding, mulching. Sign up by March 16 at website or call 214-670-8483.

Annual spring plant sale, featuring native and adapted flowers, shrubs and trees. Parking is behind Montgomery Street Antique Mall along the I-30 access road. This lot is adjacent to the Plant Sale Grove area.

Presenter Barney Lipscomb, from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, will speak on Discovering Texas Botanical Heritage.

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday evening each month, except for November and December.

 Social and snacks @ 6:30 pm, educational lecture @ 7 pm.

Volunteers needed the third Saturday of each month (except June, July, August & December) to help plant, mulch and weed nursery trees. Wear closed toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Water, safety glasses tools provided. 

Info: Tyler Wright, tyler@texastreesfoundation.org

Learn to identify wild plants of Texas. Gain and use valuable survival skills from Mark Suter, wilderness survivalist. $50. 

Info: Mark Suter, 979-777-3902, MarkSuter@PrimitiveTexas.com.

The city of Irving hosts its annual green film fest, featuring environmental films, including Bat City USA, a documentary about the Austin bats.

Friday, April 11
West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road

• The Carbon Rush - 10:30 a.m. - duration: 84 min.
• Bat City USA - noon - duration: 36 min. 
• Cafeteria Man - 1 p.m. - duration: 65 min.   
• Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home - 2:15 p.m. - duration: 76 min.

Saturday, April 12
West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road

Brought to you by the Trinity River Audubon Center: These birds are common in cities around the world, but these urban dwellers are anything but common. They have amazing bird super-powers you won’t believe. Learn the secret life of pigeons and meet a live one. Write a message for the homing pigeon release. Free.