Garden Talks
Joys of the Garden

11: 30 am
Know Your Environment; Plant Accordingly
Bob Beyer has an AAS degree in Horticulture, and has been a Master Gardener since 2001. Now retired, he can enjoy his passion for horticulture to the fullest. He is the VP-Publications for the Austin Area Garden Council and produces their online E-newsletter, "Down the Garden Path". He is the author of a blog entitled Gardening in Central Texas, and the website Central Texas Gardening. Bob and his wife Lana developed a barren back yard into an organized mini-botanical garden with a collection of 350 cataloged plants. In 2010, their colorful and unusual display was designated an Award Winning Green Garden by the City of Austin.
www.centraltexasgardening.info or http://centraltexasgardening.blogspot.com

2:30 pm
Nature and Spirit of Japanese Gardens
Dr. Molly Conner Ogorzaly has a B.S. in Agriculture from Cornell University, an M.A. in Botany, and Ph.D. in Science Education from the UT. Paintings she executed for her Master's thesis grace the Natural Heritage Map of Texas. As a result of work done for her dissertation on the social and academic benefits of school gardens, Dr. Ogorzaly won the President's Environmental Youth Award in 1994. She is the co-author/illustrator of top-selling Economic Botany, now in its third edition. During her 7 years as Director of Education at Zilker Botanical Garden, Molly created lectures and workshops for both adults and children. She built a traveling science museum carrying programs to the schools, "The Plantmobile" won Keep Austin Beautiful's first prize for Education in 1999 and 2001. After being invited to Japan on a Gardening Internship, she served on the board of Austin-Oita Sister City Committee and presented lectures on the "Nature and Spirit of Japanese Gardens" across the community.

3:30 pm
Bromeliads
Dr. Steve Reynolds is a small animal veterinarian with 30 years in practice. He has been an active member of the Bromeliad Society of Austin for many years and is currently serving as their President. He is also an accredited judge of the Bromeliad Society International. The group is made up of growing enthusiasts sharing social events and educational opportunities, learning more about Bromeliads and how to grow them well. Bromeliads are available in a wide variety of species with some being able to survive outside here year round. Bromeliads provide a dazzling array of colors and textures, often with a showy display as the blossoms appear in a virtual rainbow of color. The Bromeliad Society of Austin is hosting the Southwest Bromeliad Guild Show & Sale on Sept 30, Oct 1 & 2. Details will be posted on the society's web site, http://www.main.org/abs.

11:30 am
Magickal Herbalism in the Western Tradition
Cedar Stevens has been a student of botany and the magickal arts for twenty years. A graduate of UT Austin, she followed her scientific studies into the realms of herb magick specializing in the area where science, magick, and aromatherapy intersect. She is owner and head Potioneer of Natural Magick Shop, an herbal apothecary in the western tradition, which is an introduction to the age-old systems that gave rise to modern medicine, the scientific method, the days of the week, and the elements of magick. The re-emerging field of plant magick is a continuous tradition that is very much alive in our modern world. www.naturalmagickshop.com

1:30 pm
Edible Yards
Amy Crowell has been studying and teaching about wild edible plants for over 15 years. She grew up in Hondo, Texas down the road from her Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Joe, who both harvested and ate wild foods regularly. She has written articles for Edible Austin and is working on a book that is a bit fieldguide, a touch of cookbook and a lot of inspiration for other foragers interested in truly delicious, nutritious wild food. Amy owns a garden design and installation business andenjoys helping fellow Austinites plant "edible yards" of their own. Newly harvested dry mesquite bean pods (top) can be ground into a crunchy, naturally sweet meal for fresh apple tart's crust (bottom). www.edibleyards.com

2:30 pm
Earth-Kind Roses
Holly Plotner has been a Master Gardener since 2002 and is a frequent speaker on a variety of gardening topics. Holly has worked on many Master Gardener outreach programs including the Speakers Bureau, Plant Clinic, Email Responder, UT Quest/Lifetime Learning Series and Passion for Plants East Austin Garden Fair. She has managed the Master Gardener Greenhouse at Zilker Botanical Garden for 3 years, has been on the Greenhouse Oversight Committee for 8 years, and managed many Master Gardener plant sales. Holly has taken advanced training in Earth-Kind Roses and Greenhouse Management.