By Robert Taylor
The City of Boerne hosted a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training session by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on March 7, 2024.
The session was held at the Patrick Heath Public Library and more than 60 people attended the free event.
Attendees learned about the design and installation of residential rainwater harvesting systems as well as appropriate turf and landscape species based on local conditions and other practices. Topics included proper fertilization application, efficient water irrigation, and rainwater collections.
The training was part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Healthy Lawn and Healthy Waters Program, which aims to improve and protect surface water quality by promoting best practices for residential landscapes.
Participants had the opportunity to have their soil tested for free as part of the training program. Samples will be sent to the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab in College Station for routine analysis, including micronutrients, pH, conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, and other parameters.
Portions of the presentations were recorded and have been posted on the City’s YouTube page. Use the links below to watch.
- WATCH: Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program – Rainwater Harvesting
- WATCH: Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program – Turf Grass Management
Contact
Below are contacts for the event organizers.
John Smith, AgriLife Extension Specialist
- (979) 204-0573 | Email John Smith
Dean Minchillo, Texas Water Resources Institute Program Specialist
- (972) 231-5362 | Email Dean Minchillo
Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson
- (903) 834-6191 | Email Dr. Corriher-Olson
Ryan Bass, Environmental Program Manager, City of Boerne
- (830) 248-1501 | rbass@boerne-tx.gov
