Gardening

Network with backyard gardeners, community garden leaders and area farmers as well as participate in a variety of workshops.

"Learning as We Grow" is this year's theme and features three unique tracks: Community, Home, and Market. This conference will provide a unique opportunity for growers from different fields to share experiences, knowledge and resources. All topics are most suitable for beginner and intermediate level growers.

Howard Garrett, the Dirt Doctor, is the keynote speaker.

$25. Scholarships available.

Learn about the Elm Fork Chapter of Master Naturalists and enjoy a pot luck lunch.

Try a Pop Star Popsicle while supplies last and check out Trinity Haymarket's cool store.

Gardens can change lives. Children who appreciate nature will feel more connected to where their food comes from and to the world around them. It all starts with a seed. Join Seed Preschool and Matilda the Bus as we partner with The Better Block for our Summer Workshop Series: From Soil to Soup. We will explore the process of planting and growing, meet some friendly creatures, create beautiful things, and enjoy a good meal together at the end. For children ages 5 to 10. $30/workshop or $150/6 workshops.

Are you interested in home composting, but not sure where to start? Join us for an easy introduction to composting. This class covers worm composting and includes a bin, supplies and worms to get you started on easy, at-home composting. Preregistration required. $35 early registration. $40 late registration. Includes worms and compost bin.

Learn the basics of maintaining a hummingbird feeder and learn more about native plants you can add to your landscaping to attract hummers. You will receive handouts to take home. $5 per person (with paid admission).

The prickly pear cactus is one of most recognizable plants at the Nature Center. This intriguing plant, with protected pads and colorful blossoms, has many uses. Discover why this native plant is truly priceless to wildlife and as an edible plant for humans. Pre-registration required. $5 (with paid admission).

Sprinkler Demo Stations

Sprinkler System 101

Setting Your Controller

Drip Conversion

Simple Repairs

Efficiency Retrofits

Installing/Testing Rain and Freeze Sensors

SmartScape Talks With Master Gardeners

Landscape Design – 9:30 a.m.

Plant Selection – 10 a.m.

Improving Soil & Maintenance – 10:30 a.m.

Ask a Master Gardener – 11 a.m.

Demonstration garden tours & free water efficient toolkits

The speaker will be the Texas Historic Tree Coalition’s own Steve Houser, who is a certified arborist, master naturalist, master gardener and also a founding member and past president of the Texas Historic Tree Coalition. In addition, he is a co-author of Comanche Marker Trees of Texas, which was recently released by Texas A&M University Press. Steve will speak on the subject of Indian Marker Trees, which he has been studying for over 20 years. (TXHTC volunteers have played a significant role in some of this research.) We will learn what marker trees are an