Turf Management and Rainwater Harvesting Training

by Eric

Source: AgriLife Today

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program will host a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training Feb. 7 in Wimberley.The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program will host a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training Feb. 7 in Wimberley.

The training is free and will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12. It is offered in collaboration with the Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership.

The Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program aims to improve and protect surface water quality by enhancing awareness and knowledge of best management practices for residential landscapes, Smith said.

Dr. Becky Grubbs, AgriLife Extension turfgrass specialist, College Station, said attendees will learn about the design and installation of residential rainwater harvesting systems, appropriate turf and landscape species based on local conditions and other practices.

Dr. Diane Boellstorff, AgriLife Extension water resource specialist in Texas A&M University’s soil and crop sciences department, College Station, said proper fertilizer application and efficient water irrigation can protect and improve water quality in area creeks, and collecting rainwater for lawn and landscape needs reduces stormwater runoff.

Participants can have their soil tested as part of the training. The soil sample bag and analysis are free to Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program participants. Residents can pick up a soil sample bag with sampling instructions at the AgriLife Extension office in Hays County, 200 Stillwater Road in Wimberley. Bags containing residents’ soil samples may be brought to the training.

The training will include information on how to understand soil test results and nutrient recommendations so residents can interpret results once the analysis is mailed to them. Also during the program, Nick Dornak, watershed coordinator for Cypress Creek Watershed, will discuss updates on watershed protection plan activities to improve and protect water quality in Cypress Creek.

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