Earth-Kind landscapes combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips)
GEORGETOWN – An Earth-Kind Landscape Design School will be held Jan. 31- Feb. 1 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Williamson County, 3151 S.E. Inner Loop, Suite A in Georgetown.
The school will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Jan. 31 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 1. It will consist of an in-depth classroom program, plus a personalized 30-minute landscape design consultation with a landscape professional, said Fred Hall, AgriLife Extension agent for Williamson County.
Earth-Kind landscaping uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment, Hall said. The objective of Earth-Kind is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a horticultural system that emphasizes water conservation, energy conservation, reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use and a reduction of yard wastes.
“This program will be especially useful for homeowners in homeowner associations considering changing landscape requirements to be more water efficient,” he said.
Lunch for Feb. 1 and refreshments are included in the $125 per-household registration. Per household refers to either one or two people living at the same address.
“Dr. Steve George, professor and AgriLife Extension landscape specialist and creator of the Earth-Kind Environmental Landscape Management System, will be the program’s lead instructor,” Hall said. “When the course is complete, attendees will have been given a wealth of landscape knowledge and will leave with a labeled working landscape plan for either their front or backyard.”
Hall said potential attendees may wish to contact their local nursery or landscape professional to see if there are any tuition scholarships for this program.
“There will also be an opportunity for an extended consultation on Feb. 2 with Dr. George,” he said. “Anyone interested is encouraged to ask about the fee for this consultation and the availability for this opportunity when they register.”
Hall said each household will be required to bring a scale drawing of the landscape they wish to work with on the first evening of the school. Graph paper and an information packet will be provided when attendees register.
To register, go to http://williamson.agrilife.org/event and the click on Williamson County Earth-Kind Landscape Design School.
Seating is limited and registration ends when the class is filled. Payment must be made at the AgriLife Extension Office, with checks made payable to: Williamson County Demonstration Fund.
For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Williamson County at 512-943-3300.
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