Free workshops to provide proper gardening techniques

Texas A&M University-Texarkana and the Bowie County Master Gardeners will hold several free gardening workshops to provide techniques and information about growing vegetables, lawn care, controlling insects and diseases, and more.

Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Mondays, June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14, in the TEXAR Room, University Center 116, at A&M-Texarkana, 7101 University Ave.

The June 12 topic will be “Keyhole Gardening and Victory Gardens.”

A keyhole garden is a raised-bed planter often built in the shape of a circle that measures approximately 6 feet in diameter, stands waist-high and is notched like a pie with a slice cut away. A hole in the center of the planter holds a composting basket that moistens and nourishes the soil. When viewed from above, the planter resembles a keyhole.

Victory gardens, prevalent during World War II, allowed individuals to contribute to the war effort by growing their own food. They were designed to allow a major portion of commercially-grown produce to be used to feed the troops.

The July 10 workshop will focus on “Spaceless and Small-Space Gardens” and “Trees and Tree Diseases.”

Anyone with a sunny windowsill, patio or balcony can cultivate plants and flowers that are nourishing, delicious and beautiful. Whether planting vegetables, flowers or an herb garden, this workshop will feature garden ideas for those at home in apartments and houses with little to no yard.

The workshop also will include information about some of the most common tree diseases in the region. Suggestions will be given to help maintain healthy trees.

“Putting Up the Harvest” is the Aug. 14 workshop, which will focus on canning basics, including water bath and pressure, pressure canning, jams and jellies, pickles and pickled vegetables, freezing and drying.

To register, call Shelley Caraway at 903334-6683 or email eecd@tamut.edu.