The Boerne community is invited to take part in an educational 12-week series on water conservation, led by water expert Larry Sunn of Rain Bees.
The workshops will be held each Wednesday from Aug. 19 to Nov. 4 at the Patrick Heath Public Library, 451 N. Main Street in Boerne. Each session will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public with no registration required, these engaging sessions will feature a wide range of topics from aquifer systems and rainwater harvesting to native plants and leak detection.
The series brings together a variety of knowledgeable presenters to help our community better understand and protect this vital resource.
Workshops descriptions and dates are listed below.
Aug. 19 – Drip Irrigation
We’ll show you how to install a system from the spigot out to the garden. You do not need special, dedicated water pipes. Bit by bit, fitting by fitting, we’ll discuss installing the system components as you watch and learn.
Presented by: Dr. Larry Sunn
Aug. 26 – Rain Barrels and Wicking Gardens
You’ll learn the basics and benefits of rain barrels and discuss how you can build your own rain barrel with basic supplies and some simple steps. We’ll build a rain barrel on site and give it away to a lucky attendee. The session also includes a demonstration on building wicking containers. Two units will be built in the workshop and will be given to an attendee.
Presented by: Dr. Steven Grainger and Dr. Larry Sunn
Sept. 2 – Lawns and Native Grasses
Find out how much water your lawn and native plants need to thrive and how often to water them. We’ll cover the basics of proper lawn maintenance, fertilizing, mowing, and watering a beautiful, water-efficient lawn.
Presented by: Brittnay Meyer
Sept. 9 – Find and Fix Leaks at Home
This workshop will guide you through the process of finding common household water leaks, as well as provide tips for optimizing indoor water efficiency. You’ll learn how to check your toilet for leaks, inspect common places you may find leaks, and find “sneaky leaks.”
Presented by: Dr. Larry Sunn
Sept. 16 – Buzz of Beekeeping
If you are curious about what’s involved for those folks who keep bees, then this is a great introductory class for you. The class is designed for beginners, so no prerequisite knowledge is required. You can walk in knowing absolutely nothing about bees and walk out “bee-aware” or ready to get started with your own backyard beehive. No bee suit is needed!
Presented by: Charlie “Bee” Agar
Sept. 23 – Pollinators: Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds
Discover the best native plants to attract butterflies and beneficial wildlife to your yard. This session is presented from an artistic and scientific point of view and is designed to appeal to all levels of pollinator gardening.
Presented by: Joanne Hall
Sept. 30 – Rain Gardens and Prairie Ponds
In this session we’ll discover design techniques used for planning, building, and maintaining a rain garden. This session will cover some background science, site investigation, design, plant/material selection, and installation.
Presented by: Dr. Steven Grainger
Oct. 7 – Xeriscaping with Native Plants
Xeriscaping in the Texas Hill Country, focusing on native plants, can be challenging, yet it offers a unique opportunity to cultivate a stunning landscape while markedly reducing water use. This session delves into planning, soil, plant selection, irrigation needs, mulch, and maintenance so you can experience a successful and rewarding water-conserving landscape.
Presented by: Craig Brusca
Oct. 14 – Composting
Compost is a natural, dark brown, humus-rich material formed from the decomposition or breakdown of organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable food scraps. Procedures for composting are discussed, along with options for establishing a compost container, bin, or pile.
Presented by: Dr. Steven Grainger
Oct. 21 – Trees and Bushes: What to Know
This workshop is about the differences and similarities of trees and bushes, as well as structural nuances that require different care techniques. Our introduction to pruning strategies sets us up for applying the techniques in class in next week’s session.
Presented by: Adrian Valdez
Oct. 28 – Applied Planting and Pruning
This applied workshop will focus on the essentials of when and how to prune trees and shrubs. We’ll cover – and you’ll make – proper pruning cuts; we’ll discuss different forms of pruning; and most importantly, we’ll prune plants at the correct time.
Presented by: Adrian Valdez
Nov. 4 – Wildfire Home Protections
Creating a defensible space in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) is a critical, proactive measure to protect homes from wildfires by creating a buffer that slows fire spread and reduces radiant heat. Learn this process for managing vegetation and materials adjacent to your home and nearby structures.
Presented by: Dayziah Petruska, Texas Forest Service
