Gardening

Cathy Downs of Monarch Watch will present: Monarchs as a Model for Change. For thousands of years, Monarchs and other butterflies have been a symbol of spiritual transformation. In more recent times they have become the icon for physical transformation of the landscape. The Monarch decline amplified a host of much larger issues and has become a symbol of multinational cooperation in restoring and conserving native plant habitat for all pollinators.

Bruce Benz, professor at Texas Wesleyan University, and John Tandy, local prairie activist, will present a BioBlitz Double Feature combining nature, technology and citizen science. The presentation begins with the showing of a 20-minute video titled “2016 BioBlitz: The Tandy Hills Story,” followed by a discussion about the ongoing iNaturalist project for Tandy Hills Natural Area and the underlying science and conservation concepts behind it.

Come enjoy free popcorn and take advantage of our plant sale of a lifetime! The sale includes buy 2, get 1 free on all of our in stock 5 gallon and smaller plants (get 2 for the price of 3). RSVP to newsletter@westongardens.com or shoot us a Facebook message indicating how many will be in your party.

Lectures:

10:00 am "The Nature of Bees" with T'Lee Sollenberger

11:00 am "Landscaping with Native Plants" with Paris Leveall and Cheryl Beesley

12:30 pm Natures Edge Wildlife

2:00 pm Cold Blood Unlimited with Max Peterson

This popular annual event offers a wide range of native and North Texas-adapted plants, including hundreds of varieties of shrubs, ground covers and bedding plants. Shoppers can choose from herbs, tough perennials and colorful roses. Many pass-along plants from the homes of local Master Gardeners will be available. 

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their wagons and carts in order to transport their purchases. Early birds have the best selection since the plants go quickly.

This is our first official full-scale prairie assessment project! This will tie together the previous workshop & field training.

Come early to select from 130 species of organically grown native plants, including ground covers, perennials, shrubs, vines and trees – most below nursery prices.

• Grown from local seeds

• Better adapted to our climate 

• Minimal water needs once established

• No need for pesticides or fertilizers

• No NEONICOTINOIDS

• Benefit birds, butterflies and the ecosystem in general

A giant, weekend long, free series of seedbomb making workshops and seedbomb giveaways. Workshops are at 1pm and 4pm, Fri-Sun. Giveaways occur all weekend while supplies last.

We've got a full on seed ball making operation going on with several hundred pounds of organic compost, ranger red clay, Native American Blackland Prairie seed! Everyone is welcome to make seedbombs, snag a bag of'em, and learn how to wildscape a piece of their backyard into native pollinator habitat.

Info: jarrattwillis@gmail.com

Highlights for the day include 15 thirty-minute wildflower and prairie walks guided by local experts, a lecture series by naturalist experts, and 30 demonstrations/information/outreach booths, raptors, and snakes.  For the first time we will have local artists displaying their nature-inspired creations for purchase.  

Come help us construct our own Climate Ribbon tree during the event.  The Climate Ribbon project is an opportunity for us to share what each of us stands to lose to climate change and affirm our solidarity as we unite to fight against it. 

Tour eight private-home gardens, farms and area wineries, as well as the new Garden of Oz educational facility. Advance tickets are $20, and are available online at www.celinagardenclub.org for pickup on the day of the event in Celina’s historic downtown square, near Walnut and Ohio Streets.

Ruth Kinler, founder and owner of Redenta's Garden, is the speaker. Info: Bob Ressl at rressel@sbcglobal.net