BOERNE — Water expert Larry Sunn of Rain Bees will facilitate a 13-week series on water conservation beginning Aug. 13 at the Patrick Heath Public Library.
Scheduled are thirteen sessions, from noon to 1:30 p.m. through Nov. 19, with a variety of knowledgeable presenters on hand each week to share information. Topics cover such aspects as building your own rainwater catchment system, native plants and drip irrigation.
The following is a list of weeks, topics and specialists who will speak that week. Mark your calendar accordingly.
• Aug. 13 – Aquifers, with Drs. Larry Sunn and Steven Grainger
We’ll discuss aquifer types, current Comal County water table levels, our two types of aquifers, common misconceptions about aquifers, rates at which groundwater moves through an aquifer, depletion and replenishment rates and natural filtration.
• Aug. 20 – Rain Harvesting, Grainger and Sunn
Learn how to capture rain for potable or irrigation purposes. We’ll discuss understanding rainwater needs, storing rainwater, assessing a rainwater collection area, filtering leaves and debris, water filtration, monitoring the water level and caring for your system.
• Aug. 27 – Drip Irrigation, with Richard Vonder Embse
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.
• Sept. 3 – Rain Barrels and Wicking Gardens, Grainger and Sunn
The basics and benefits of rain barrels; we’ll build a rain barrel on site. We’ll give the barrel away to a lucky attendee and discuss how you can build your own rain barrel with basic supplies and some simple steps.
The session also includes a demonstration on how to build a wicking garden system. A wicking garden prototype will be built as part of the workshop and it, too, will be given to an attendee.
• Sept. 10 – Buzz of Beekeeping, with Charlie “Bee” Agar
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.
• Sept. 17 – Xeriscaping with Native Plants, with Craig Brusca
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.
• Sept. 24 – Lawns and Native Grasses, with Brittnay Meyer
Find out how much water your lawn and native plants need to thrive and how often to get water to them. We’ll cover the basics of proper lawn maintenance, fertilizing, mowing and watering a beautiful, water-efficient lawn.
• Oct. 1 – Pollinators: Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds, with Joanne Hall
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.
• Oct. 8 – Find and Fix Leaks at Home, Dr. Sunn
This workshop will guide you through the process of finding common household water leaks, as well as providing tips for optimizing indoor water efficiency. You’ll learn how to check your toilet for leaks, inspect common places you may find leaks, and how to find those “sneaky leaks.”
• Oct. 15 – Rain Gardens and Prairie Ponds, Dr. Grainger
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 and material selection, as well as installation.
• Oct. 22 – Composting, Dr. Grainger
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.
• Nov. 5 – Trees and Bushes: What to Know, with Adrian Valdez
This workshop is about trees and bushes, their differences and similarities; 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.
• Nov. 12 – Applied Planting and Pruning, with Valdez
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, pruning plants at the correct time.
• Nov. 19 – Rain Harvesting, Drs. Grainger and Sunn
Learn how to capture rain for potable or irrigation purposes. We’ll discuss understanding rainwater needs, storing rainwater, assessing a rainwater collection area, filtering leaves and debris, water filtration, monitoring the water level and caring for your system
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