news and events

Seminar attendees will receive a coupon for 20% off one entire sale usable within 30 days

Gather up your supplies and divide fertilize and repot you aquatics, Clean winter dieback and check for parasites and More

Tired of Watering Your Garden So Much With Little to Show for It? Want to Extend Your Growing Season?

Gardeners in Europe and Australia have discovered the secret to growing bountiful produce. And you can build it yourself! A 'wicking bed' is a highly productive growing system which not only produces more food from limited water in a limited space, but also recycles waste organic material to provide plant nutrients. Essentially, you build an underground water reservoir inside a waterproof liner below the depth of the soil. The water wicks up from the bottom of the bed through two layers of wicking material, spreading evenly throughout the garden soil and allowing the roots to stay in a moist environment with a continuous supply of nutrients even in the hottest weather. This provides the perfect balance to promote very densely planted productive gardens, especially for green leafy vegetables. Expect to water once every 10 days to two weeks!

Rick Vandyke will give a presentation on the selection, design and planting of succulent and cactus dish gardens. Rick has many years experience with common and exotic cacti and succulents and will educate us what varieties work best and are compatible. He will discus proper lighting and watering and also show off some of his intricate and unusual ceramic planters and pottery.

Rick will be offering pottery and dish gardens for sale just before and after his talk. These one of a kind planters alone are worth the trip on Saturday.

Trey Wyatt of Cedar Creek Tree Farm will discuse shade tree location, pruning and planting techniques. Trey will go over the best trees for our area with comments on growth rates and eventual size. Learn why the origins of tree nursery stock can make a big impact on growth and success.

Learn the best practices for getting old tired or dead lawns to look their best with emphasis on better grass choices, soil amendments and the proper amount of sun, water and fertilizer for a lush lawn.

Learn what other options are out there for lawn replacement, both ground covers and alternative mulch materials will be discussed as well as costs for installation and any necessary maintenance.

Presented by our favorite horticultural expert Alexis Bearer. Alexis will discuss design aspects of shade gardening in Austin and will introduce you to many proven shade plants she has grown over the years. Alexis's landscape company Garden Witch is available for design and installation . Bring your note pads you wont want to forget a thing.

This year we are very proud to present the 41^st Annual Orchid Show here in Austin, TX. Orchids are Mother Nature at her best, so come join us and check out all the beautiful orchids that will be on display. There will also be hundreds of blooming orchids for sale, as well as helpful information for growing these beautiful plants from the 8 vendors and society members. Need flowers for that special person in your life...orchids are becoming one of the most popular flowers in the U.S., so why not get an orchid this year for that special someone or special occasion. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For a complete schedule of events, or for more information, please contact: Geoffrey Frost, 1011 Strickland Drive. Austin, TX 78748-4847 (Telephone (512) 413-3199; e-mailgeoffreylfrost@yahoo.com), or visit our web-site: http://www.hotos.org/