CREEKSIDE AT THE CIBOLO
When guests come to the Farmers Market at Herff Farm on Saturdays, I sit at the visitor’s booth and usually greet them by asking where they are from. A good majority say they moved to the area recently, or they have been living in Boerne for a while.
My next question is always, “Do you garden?” Nine times out of 10, the answer is some variation of, “I would love to have a garden, but I tried to grow (insert plant) and I couldn’t keep it alive,” or “I had a garden in (insert state), but growing here is so much harder.”
From there, we usually wander over to the Inspiration Garden and talk about challenges such as getting rid of squash bugs, watering too little or too much, or how much fertilizer to use. Whatever your gardening skillset, it is a lifetime of learning. I consider myself a decent gardener, but when I take a class or talk to like-minded plant lovers, I always learn something new.
After listening to similar challenges around gardening in Texas, specifically the Hill Country, we have put together workshops that answer just about everything you need to know to grow successfully.
All classes are taught by Inspiration Garden volunteers, long-time diggers in the dirt who have most likely dealt with all things Hill Country gardening.
Starting in February, we are excited to offer Organic Gardening Workshops at Herff Farm. These classes provide practical, hands-on advice for gardeners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. Here are some of the classes to look forward to: — Soil: The foundation of a thriving garden. Learn to build healthy soil through composting and amendments, making it the backbone of a successful garden.
— Planning your vegetable garden. Design garden beds, choose crops for our region and create a planting schedule to maximize your harvest.
— Pest management in the Hill Country. Ecofriendly tips for dealing with pests like squash bugs and aphids, plus strategies to attract beneficial insects. — Irrigation techniques for Texas heat. Efficient ways to water your garden and conserve water in our challenging climate.
Each workshop tackles a specific gardening topic, helping save time, money and frustration. Understanding soil health can prevent replanting struggles, while mastering irrigation keeps plants properly hydrated. Learning pest management also fosters a balanced, biodiverse garden. Our workshops offer more than skills; they’re a chance to connect with fellow gardeners. Many participants say the friendships they’ve made are as valuable as the knowledge they’ve gained. Sharing tips, stories, and even seeds makes the experience even more rewarding.
Classes will be held on Saturdays at Herff Farm, with time for questions- and- answers with our experienced instructors. Check out cibolo.link/gardenseries for the full schedule and registration details.
Gardening isn’t just a hobby — it connects us to the land, nourishes the body and adds beauty to the world. Let’s grow together this year at Herff Farm’s organic gardening workshops.
Sarah Berringer is the farm program director at Herff Farms, for the Cibolo Nature Center.
Comment
Comments