Opening Session - (Thursday)

Crafting the Private Garden – Plants and a Lot More
Dr. Neil G. Odenwald

Timely Tips and Garden Myths
Neil Sperry

Opening Session - (Friday)

Gardening in the Deep South
Dr. William E. Barrick

Concurrent Sessions - (Friday)

The Southern Kitchen Garden
William D. (Bill) Adams

This centuries old concept of a relatively small garden, close to the kitchen has finally been adapted to our unique growing conditions in the South.  Bill will lead you through the basics of planning a kitchen garden—from layout to construction, irrigation and soil requirements.  Find out which plants grow best in Texas gardens and where to buy new and interesting varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers.

"Earth's Rich Bounties": The Shakers and Their Herbs
Susan Wittig Albert

The Shakers were the most important American 19th century herbalists. Their knowledge of native and garden plants, their meticulous record-keeping, and their honesty and workmanship helped them to produce herbal medicines that were accepted and trusted above all others. In this presentation, we will learn about the Shaker herbalists, their gardens and wild-gatherings, and the rise and decline of their herbal enterprises.

Herbs of the Zodiac: Nicholas Culpeper and the Rise of the "People's Medicine"
Susan Wittig Albert

The English apothecary Nicholas Culpeper wrote the most popular herbal of all time, The English Physician, which has never been out of print since its publication in 1651. Living in an age when people believed that the earth and everything that grew in it were part of one coherent whole, ruled by the heavens, Culpeper believed that the use of herbs, directed according to planetary principles, was all that people needed to ensure their own healing. In this presentation, we will learn the basic principles of astrological herbalism, why it was so popular in Culpeper's day and beyond, and what this knowledge can teach us today.

Gardens of Japan
Dr. William E. Barrick

Many of our widely used gardening plants are native to Japan and have had a strong influence on gardens in this country. Dr Barrick, who recently traveled to Japan, will share his experiences with the beauty and serenity of this unique style of gardening and demonstrate how these plants can be used artfully in our own gardens.

Ecological Approaches to Landscaping in Texas
Mark Bowen

We will explore exciting possibilities for creating landscape habitats that are both beautiful and ecologically sound. Native and "nearly native" plants are the most tried and true for Texas, and we will peruse some of most interesting candidates for your projects. We will also take a lighthearted look at some useful "tricks of the trade" techniques for restoring ecological balance that help keep projects fun over the long run.

Life on the Dry Side
Dr. David Creech

Dr Creech takes us on a casual stroll through the best of the best dry-loving plants from Mexico and west Texas.  Throw that garden hose away.  Besides an army of desert trees and shrubs, think about all the excitement with Agaves, Yuccas, Dasylirions, Nolinas, Hesperaloes and more!  How to find them, how to plant them, and general care and culture considerations will be described.

50 Plants You Shouldn't Live Without
Dr. David Creech

An exciting arsenal of trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers that will set you apart from all the other folks in the neighborhood.  New plants drive the nursery and landscape industry and there are few places better poised to study them all than the SFA Mast Arboretum.  Here are the Texas tough and durable landscape plants for the 21st century.

It's Global Warming - Put Those Houseplants in the Ground!
Linda B. Gay

Recent milder weather cycles have created an environment that is allowing gardeners the chance to grow those more tender house plants as perennials in the landscape. Hardy tropicals are considered by many to be the fast growing market in the horticulture industry. Learn what it takes to get more bang for the buck, more flash for the cash, with tropicals that flourish in the heat and, with a little protection, survive our milder winters.

The Shady Side of the Garden
Linda B. Gay

A little shady spot in the landscape is sometimes the only refuge from the long hot Texas summers. Many gardeners struggle to find the right plants to create an inviting and attractive shade garden. By combining the soft and delicate foliage of ferns and woodland plants with splashes of color for highlights you can create your own shaded oasis in the landscape.

Gardening for Butterflies
Eddie Holik

Gardening for butterflies is one of the most popular trends in gardening today. Who better than the director of Cockrell Butterfly Center to teach us how to attract these beauties to our garden? This program will include information on host plants for caterpillars, the best nectar plants for butterflies, puddling and much more.

The Interesting World of Carnivorous Plants
Michael Howlett

Virtually everyone is familiar with the carnivorous Venus Flytrap. However, there are literally hundreds of other carnivorous plant species in the world! Live specimens and a PowerPoint program will be used to teach participants about many types of 'ferocious flora,' how each type attracts, captures and digests prey, and which ones can easily be grown in our climate.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Tomatoes ­ and Some You Didn’t
Tom LeRoy
 
Tomatoes have long been thought of as the “Queen” of the garden.
The tomato's long and varied history of cultivation finds its beginnings with the Mayans and Aztecs.  Follow its journey across the Atlantic to Mediterranean regions, through Europe and back to the Americas.  Learn what it takes to produce a bumper crop of this highly prized vegetable – or is it a fruit?
To find out for sure you must join speaker Tom LeRoy for this informative and entertaining talk.

Barefoot in the Bog - The Joys and Benefits of Bog Gardening
Paula Mabrey

Bog gardens are simple, easy and addictive! Use that low spot in your yard and turn a liability into a beautiful asset and focal point. Paula will show you how to construct an easy and inexpensive bog garden using commonly available materials. You will learn which plants will thrive and even benefit butterflies and bees. This program has everything you need to know to create your own oasis.

Landscape Design in Small Spaces
Dr. Neil G. Odenwald

Join one of the South's premier Landscape Architects for a discussion on how to make a big visual impact in small spaces. Combine the use of hardscapes, textures, light and color to paint a living picture. Maximize the value of small spaces and make those larger spaces more intimate and personal.

Enhancing Your Garden AKA Yard Art
Gudrun Opperman

Want to make your garden more interesting and more personal? This program will jump start your creative juices by giving you glimpses into gardens of yard artists and other ordinary folks who have personalized their outdoor spaces with their own creativity. Learn how to make your own garden art from recycled materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. This will be a fun session that will start you thinking about enhancing your little corner of the world with your own unique art.

Gardening Au Naturel: The Naked Truth about Organic Gardening
Robert “Skip” Richter

Have you ever wondered what is hype and what really works when it comes to natural products and gardening techniques? Skip separates the truth from the fiction while remaining true to the concept of organic gardening - growing beautiful, productive gardens and landscapes while maintaining a healthy environment, and having fun along the way!

ROSY IDEAS....Putting Roses to Work in Your Landscape
Dr. William C. Welch

Choose some of these time tested plants to create beautiful pictures in your garden.  Their color, fragrance and forms combine beautifully with perennials, bulbs, flowering trees and shrubs.  This can be done with a minimum of maintenance and provide interest for every season while conserving water and other resources.  It is also a great way to celebrate our Texas gardening heritage. 

The Top 10 Mistakes Made By Texas Yardeners
Dr. Douglas Welsh

Those who simply have a yard to manage are "yardeners", not gardeners, and they represent the primary clientele of Master Gardeners. Doug Welsh will impart wit and wisdom while empowering you to respond to, and even prevent, the top 10 mistakes made by yardeners.

Herbs:  The Simple Truth
Ann Wheeler

Join Ann Wheeler as she takes you into her world of herbs. Explore the simple truths of choosing, growing and using herbs successfully in your area - creating a garden filled with delightful flavors and fragrances.

The Many Levels of Herbal Delight
Ann Wheeler

Through the eons herbs have found their way into the lore and mystery of long forgotten civilizations.  Travel with Ann Wheeler down the winding path of personal experience, memory and discovery to explore for yourself the many levels of joy that herbs can provide.

Using the Internet to Dramatically Improve Your Gardening Skills
Dave Whitinger

This is the information age and there's a whole world of gardening information out there that you can tap into.  There's nothing gardening related that you can't learn online, and Dave is going to show you the best tools to use.  If you are interested in expanding your gardening horizons, don't miss this exciting presentation given by the founder of Dave's Garden, the largest gardening community on the web.

Saving Seeds from Open Pollinated Varieties
Dave Whitinger

Many of the modern vegetable and flower varieties we grow today are hybrids. Seed saved from these hybrids will not yield the same results. Join Dave for a frank and open discussion of the differences between hybrids and open pollinated varieties and how you can begin to select, save and maintain seed from your own garden.

Southern Heirloom Bulbs and Their Impact on the World of Horticulture
Chris Wiesinger

Explore the world of horticulture and how it translates into a movement to capture gardening heritage through bulbs, world class artwork, and pottery. Chris will share his adventures from the farm and tips on successfully growing and propagating bulbs in the landscape. Learn which bulbs are adapted to the unique climates of Texas.

Grant Availability & Writing Workshop
Cindy Blaylock-Walker County Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners!  Got a “wish list?”  You can make your wish a reality through grants.  If you lack the funds to accomplish these wishes, let the Walker County Master Gardener Association help you discover the secrets to successful grant writing.  You will be introduced to the world of available grants and how to apply.  You will receive first-hand information and suggestions from a qualified and accomplished grant-writing team.  Grants can help develop your program and provide funds to expand and enhance your organization.