Planning a garden and looking for tips on how to make it a bountiful one? Then don’t miss the Denton County Master Gardener Association spring series of lectures at the Flower Mound Public Library.
The program covers a variety of topics such as Earth Kind gardening, square foot gardening, garden art, caterpillar gardening and fire ant control during its five-week run.
“We’re really excited to have the program back,” said Beth Walter, Adult Services Librarian, Flower Mound Library. “We wanted to expand it this year based on positive input from patrons. The (lectures) are always fantastic. It makes it a pleasure. It is so well coordinated. There is a nice range of topics.”
Walter worked with Denton Country Master Gardener Mary Karish who coordinates programs for the organization to offer Denton county residents information in conjunction with “learn by doing” opportunities throughout the county.
Karish hopes the topics help educate everyone regarding sustainable gardening practices “using organics to become better stewards of the land.”
The lectures are geared toward the general public, she said, “for anybody that wants to start a garden.”
“This is a back to basic approach to gardening” said Lynda Harvey, a Denton County Master Gardener, who spoke to a nearly filled room of attendees about going green through Earth Kind landscaping, including water conservation and plant selection.
Earth Kind, a term coined by the Texas Cooperative Extension which is part of The Texas A&M University System – means using proven techniques to provide maximum enjoyment of garden and landscape.
Harvey spoke about multiple ways in which to adapt Earth Kind practices beginning with a reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use.
“Less is more – avoid synthetic fertilizers,” she said.
Blast bugs with water –and “wait for the good bugs,” Harvey said. Another tactic is to use another plant as a tempting distraction – for example Moonflowers to attract potato bugs.
Ward off fire ants with dry molasses. Spread it with fertilizer. “(It) sweetens the soil – literally, and fire ants run away from it” she said.
Earth Kind practices include using native and well adapted plants and avoiding invasive plants –those that can run amuck in your garden and overtake everything, Harvey said.
Last, don’t forget the importance of mulch. “Mulch is icing on the cake,” she said. “I don’t know how else to say it. It’s a temperature moderator. It keeps the weeds down.” She recommends using cedar or cypress mulch.
In addition to happy plants and soil – the benefit of Earth Kind practices will also show up in your wallet.
“You can save money by following these principles,” Harvey said.
The series is free and open to the public. Registration is requested so the library may anticipate attendance. To register, visit the Library’s Information Desk or call 972-874-6165. The Flower Mound Public Library is located at 3030 Broadmoor Lane in Flower Mound.
Upcoming schedule:
Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. – Garden Art by Carol Rowley
Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. – Caterpillar Gardening with Native Plants by Kathy Saucier
Wednesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. – Fire Ant Control by Joanne Fellows
For more information and resources on gardening, please visit:
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