Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Daphne Richards, 512-854-9600, drichards@ag.tamu.edu
AUSTIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Travis County will have its annual Demonstration Garden Open House and Plant Sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 20.
The open house and plant sale will be at the AgriLife Extension office at 1600-B Smith Road in Austin. The event is free and open to the public
Daphne Richards, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, will be on hand to answer gardening questions, and Travis County Master Gardener specialists will host informal discussions on a variety of topics, such as rainwater harvesting, composting, herbs, vegetables, native and adapted plants, and roses.
In addition, the Travis County Master Gardener Association will hold a plant sale featuring pollinator-friendly perennials such as duranta, mistflower and Mexican mint marigold — all propagated by Travis County Master Gardeners.
“The Demonstration Garden is full of plants that fill many different needs, including drought tolerance, brilliant color, plants for full sun or shade and plants of varying heights,” Richards said. “There are ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, perennial and annual flowers, roses, vines, herbs, ground covers and vegetables, all watered by a drip irrigation system and harvested rainwater.”
She said the best organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles are combined to create an effective and environmentally responsible garden that encourages water conservation, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use, energy conservation and reduce waste in landfills.
“The garden was designed and is maintained by the volunteer efforts of the Travis County Master Gardeners,” Richards said. “It serves as a test area for plants, including a newly planted rose garden, and as a demonstration tool for the citizens of Travis County.”
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