If you're in need of a teacher for a gardening class, a speaker for a gardening program, or a yard audit I'm your man. Contact me at gardener@gvtc.com.
See course descriptions below the class listing.
2010 Schedule of Spring Classes
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, "Organic Gardening; Does It Make a Difference?" (NEW CLASS) O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, "There's Nothing Like the Taste of Home-grown Spring Tomatoes," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Monday, February 15, 2010, "Baby Steps in Landscaping--What You Can Do Before You Call the Landscaper," Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010, "Grow Anything, Anywhere, in a Container," O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, February 17, 2010, "Baby Steps in Landscaping--What You Can Do Before You Call the Landscaper," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Monday, February 22, 2010, "Drip Line Gardening and Drip Irrigation Hands-on Workshop," Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, "I Want the Same Kind of Grass THEY Have," O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, February 24, 2010, "Drip Line Gardening and Drip Irrigation Hands-on Workshop," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Monday, March 1, 2010, "I Want the Same Kind of Grass THEY Have," Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010, "Plant Propagation with Emphasis on Xeric and Native Species," O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, March 3, 2010, "I Want the Same Kind of Grass THEY Have," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Saturday, March 6, 2010, "There's Nothing Like the Taste of Home-grown Spring Tomatoes," San Antonio Botanical Garden, 9:30-11:30 am. For registration information, go to www.communityed.neisd.net.
Monday, March 8, 2010, "Not THAT Kind of Drip! This Kind of Drip (Irrigation)," Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, "Drip-Line Gardening,"(NEW CLASS), O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, "Not THAT Kind of Drip! This Kind of Drip (Irrigation)," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Saturday, March 13, 2010, "Drip Line Gardening," (NEW CLASS) San Antonio Botanical Garden, 9:30-11:30 am. For registration information, go to www.communityed.neisd.net.
Monday, March 22, 2010, "Plant Propagation with Emphasis on Xeric and Native Species" Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010, "Rainwater Harvesting,"(NEW CLASS) O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, "Plant Propagation with Emphasis on Xeric and Native Species"1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Monday, March 29, 2010, "Organic Gardening: Does It Really Make a Difference?" (NEW CLASS) Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, "ABC's of Gardening Here; It's Not Like It Was Back Home" O'Connor High School, Leslie Road and Bandera Road, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, For registration information, contact www.nisd.net/ace
Wednesday, March 31, 2010, "Organic Gardening: Does It Really Make a Difference?" (NEW CLASS) 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Monday, April 5, 2010, "Grow Anything Anywhere in a Pot - Container Gardening," Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010, "Grow Anything Anywhere in a Pot - Container Gardening," 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Saturday, April 10, 2010, "Rain Water Harvesting," (NEW CLASS) San Antonio Botanical Garden, 9:30-11:30 am. For registration information, go to www.communityed.neisd.net.
Monday, April 12, 2010, "Rain Water Harvesting," (NEW CLASS) Boerne Community Center, 820 East Adler Road, Boerne, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
Thursday, April 15, 2010, "Rain Water Harvesting," (NEW CLASS) 1121 Second Street, Auld Center, Kerrville, 1:30-3:30 pm. For registration information, contact www.clubed.net.
More classes will be forthcoming as the contracts become finalized.
Speaking engagements for local garden clubs or other organizations are not listed here as they generally are not open to the public.
___________________________________________________________ Course Descriptions (These classes are 2-hour classes unless otherwise stated. All of them can be modified for shorter presentations to groups other than classes; i.e., gardening clubs, home-owner associations, etc. All of them are PowerPoint presentations so we'll need a screen or blank wall to show them.)
The Nitty-gritty of Gardening; i.e., Soils and Composting Soil is the starting point for gardening. Fertilizing is what we have to do to help the plants grow and prosper. Composting is nature's way of recycling the leaves, grass clippings, and other vegetative materials that nourish the soil and bring it back to life. In this class we cover all three topics, plus when, where and why you use compost as a natural supplement. Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist Dr. Tom Harris, will show you how to make your own compost and explain the details of how soils, fertilizers, and compost all work together. Grow Anything Anywhere in a Pot
Container gardening: If your gardening space is limited but you still want to grow veggies, flowers, herbs or fruit trees, you can still do it...just on a smaller scale. Portable gardening beds are called containers and you can grow anything in a container that you can grow in the ground. In this class, we will discuss containers, soil, fertilizing, watering and harvesting. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Picky, Picky, Picky...There ARE Some Plants Deer Won't Eat Deer Resistant Plants: It has been shown in the San Antonio/Hill Country area that deer in different neighborhoods eat different things. When the rain stops and the deer don't have their usual haunts to browse in, they eat just about anything- -even plants that are poisonous. In this course, we see photographs and brief descriptions of plants that deer don't eat in the Hill Country area. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Sleeping in the Fall Garden Veggie Bed??? No!!!
Fall Veggie Beds: As Dr. Jerry Parsons says, "Spring gardening is just practice for fall gardening." Whether or not you're ready, fall gardening is well underway by September. Flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, and veggies will all do well with fall planting. We'll talk about bed preparation, selecting the right varieties of plants, planting them, watering them, and fertilizing them. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Could I Actually Build a Greenhouse?
Greenhouse: Sure you can. This class shows you how Tom Harris built his 3-sided greenhouse several years ago and attached it to the side of his shop building. The building is very simple construction, double-walled for dead-air-space- insulation, has an automatic watering system (home-made, of course), lights and a heater. 6 windows swing out for cross-ventilation. Dr. Tom Harris, a fixer-upper kinda guy, Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Not That Kind of Drip! This Kind of Drip Irrigation (This course could be made into a half-day, hands-on workshop.)
Irrigation: It isn't "rocket science" as they say and it's not all that expensive. All you need is a pair of scissors, some tubing and a few small parts and you're all set. You can build enough in one morning to do all your beds. The neat thing about drip irrigation is that it ALWAYS puts the water where it's needed and, if you purchase a battery-powered timer, WHEN it's needed.Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist, Dr. Tom Harris, will show you how to design, build, and nstall your own drip system. I Want the Same Kind of Grass THEY Have
Lawn grasses in our area can be a beauty or a beast. Some require lots of water while others don't. All require at least some TLC in order to be lush and carpet-like. In this class we discuss the four major varieties of grass that do well here, fertilizer for them, watering, and pest/disease problems. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Organic Gardening; Does It Really Make A Difference? (NEW CLASS)
Organic Gardening is an often-heard term but what does it really mean? It's the science and art of growing things "...that sustain the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved." —International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements This course includes information on soils, compost, watering, fertilizers and pest control. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
What's Wrong with My Freakin' Plant? Plant diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses and environmental conditions. Many of these problems we cause ourselves, many are caused by pests. In this class, we discuss the causes and treatments of all these diseases with emphasis on identification before treatment. Students are encouraged to bring a diseased plant or two with them for identification by the class. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Exactly What is Plant Propagation? (This course could be made into a half-day, hands-on workshop.) Plant Propagation: Ever wonder how some people just seem to get plants started?Magic?Nah.Just some good old-fashioned gardening sense about how plants do what they do.This class covers seeds, cuttings, planting media, and two methods of grafting.Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
Baby Steps in Landscaping(What You Can Do BEFORE You Call the Landscaper)
Pre-Landscaping: Before you go out and spend the big bucks to hire a landscape designer or architect, there are many things you can do concerning the design of beds around your house and yard. Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist, Dr. Tom Harris, will show you how to do most of the basic design process yourself and give you some hands-on experience on how you can do some of the basics yourself. He'll help you get started drafting your plan and offer tips on selecting and planting the right varieties. Dr. Harris is NOT a landscape designer or a landscape architect.
Haircuts for Your Plants (This topic makes a good half-day, hands-on workshop.)
Pruning is one of those gardening tasks that most people just can't or won't do.The truth of the matter is, however, that plants actually need some pruning to help them bloom, set fruit, and/or generally prosper...believe it or not. And, they will respond according to how they are pruned.Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions. He will also teach you what not to do and will show you how to sharpen your pruning shears. Bring a pair to class and see how to keep them razor sharp.
Rain Water Harvesting(NEW CLASS)
Ever think about what you're going to do if your water stops running? How did people survive before indoor plumbing? Simple, really. People just stored water and saved it for use later. You can do this. It doesn't cost a fortune and it's fairly easy to do. In addition, rain water is just about the purist water you can have. Your plants love it, you can drink it with the right filtering system, plus IT'S FREE. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
You Don't Have to be Carpenter to Build a Raised Bed (This class could be made into a half-day, hands-on workshop.)
Raised Beds: If you live on rocks or caliche, then raised beds are the only way to garden successfully. It's not hard to do, just takes a little patience and a few tools. In this class we'll discuss types of edging, tools and materials to use, and types of soil used to fill them. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions. Dr. Harris has built close to a hundred raised beds of all shapes and sizes. You're in Texas now. Gardening is Different Here
Regional Gardening: If you recently moved to our area, you're very quickly going to find that all those plants you brought from "back home" aren't going to grow here. Gardening in this area is gardening in the desert. If you don't believe that, just drive down to the coast or the valley and look on both sides of the highway as you go. THAT's what it was like here originally. In this class, we cover soils, plants, fertilizers, plant problems, composting, pruning, turf grass and xeriscape. It's a lot of material to cover in a couple of hours, but it's vital to successful gardening here. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions. Blooms in My Shady Yard??? You're Kidding Me!
Shade Plants: Yes, you can have plants blooming in the shade. You just have to know which ones to choose. There are a number of them that thrive in the shade. In fact, many of those shown and discussed in this class will die very quickly in the sunshine of South Texas. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions. Sharpening to a Razor-like Edge (This topic works well for a half-day, hands-on workshop.) Sharpening a knife or chisel or pruning shears looks really easy when you see someone who is skilled do it.But there really is a science to it; and, with the proper instruction, you can learn to do an acceptable job in this short 2-hour, hands-on, class. With practice, you can get that razor-edge that people talk about.Instructor Dr. Tom Harris has 40+ years experience sharpening all kinds of things.Plus, he answers gardening as well as sharpening questions. You're encouraged to bring a pair of pruners or a knife to sharpen (one or two only, please) -- under supervision, of course. Drip Line Gardening(NEW CLASS) (This class can be made into an half-day, hands-on workshop.)
Less work. Few weeds. No digging. With this system of gardening, everything you grow in a raised bed is spaced according to its growing needs combined with the spacing of drippers in a drip line.If that sounds like your kind of gardening, join Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist Dr. Tom Harris as he shows this very simple yet revolutionary system perfect for beginning and expert gardeners alike. He will discuss location, bed construction, soil, and plant spacing, and harvesting.
There's Nothing Like the Taste of Home-grown Tomatoes in the Spring
Vegetable gardening: Do you long for the taste of home-grown tomatoes? Did you know that they're the number one home-grown vegetable in the USA? That's right. Learn about veggie varieties, planting dates, beds, containers, soils, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting to get the best possible veggies for yourself and your family. Eat healthy to stay healthy. This is another class that shows that gardening can be easy and fun. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions. Like the old C/W song said, "There's only two things that money can't buy; one's true love and the other's home-grown tomatoes."
Worm Poo? Yuck!!! (Worm Composting -- Vermicomposting) (this is a 1-hour class)
Worm composting: Composting is a natural process where kitchen and yard wastes decomopose into a dark, nutrient-rich, earth-smelling soil conditioner. Perhaps you've considered backyard composting but live in an apartment or don't have the room to do "big" composting. Perhaps you want to compost indoors. This class covers all that and more. Dr. Tom Harris, a Texas certified Master Gardener, Master Pruner, and gardening columnist teaches the class and answers questions.
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