Express-News Weekly Column

Saturday, January 27, 2001

Submitted by Calvin Finch, Ph.D., Director of Conservation, SAWS, and Horticulturist

 

THE TEXAS TRAIL TENT FEATURED AT STOCK SHOW & RODEO

FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH FEBRUARY 18

 

            Even when the theme does not relate directly to water conservation, The Texas Trail tent at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is a center of water conservation information—this year is no exception. The Stock Show & Rodeo runs from Saturday, February 3, through Sunday, February 18. The theme of The Texas Trail tent is “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” As part of that theme there will be an abundance of then and now photos of area agriculture, gardening, commerce and especially water resources. A special feature will be the old fashioned garden at the tent’s entrance.

            At the Bexar County Master Gardener booth the third edition of the Xeriscape Conversion Guide will be offered for the first time. The plant list in previous editions was great, but it is even better in this edition. The list includes dimensions of mature size of the plants, their light requirements, and whether they are deer resistant or attractive to butterflies. The publication offers a step-by-step description on how to plan your own water saver landscape. It is the best $5 bargain around. While you are picking up the new Xeriscape Conversion Guide you can get a free Monterey oak or other well-adapted shade tree seedling compliments of the Master Gardener volunteers and AACOG (Alamo Area Council of Governments).

            At the SAWS booth you can descend into the Edwards Aquifer by entering the cave simulation. There will also be a display on rain harvesting and all the information you desire on all the rebates and incentives SAWS offers on landscapes, toilets, rain sensors, washing machines, and other ways to save money and water.

            Do you have a question or opinion on the new water resources that are part of the 50-Year Plan? During most of the hours that The Texas Trail tent is open a SAWS Planner will be on hand to discuss your concerns. In fact, several of SAWS’ key water resource experts have scheduled themselves to be available for special question and answer sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays during the Rodeo. Chris Powers, Fred Arce and Susan Butler are at the forefront of all the most controversial negotiations for the Alcoa, Lower Colorado, Guadalupe, and Seawater desalinization efforts. Chat with them in person.

            For those of you who like The Texas Trail tent for its traditional features, you will not be disappointed. The bass tank and the fishing demonstrations are back. The Texas Zoo from Victoria will offer a collection of native Texas wildlife, and the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists will have gardening and wildlife activities for the kids.

            Jerry Parsons and the Master Gardeners will offer three different tomato varieties from his research program that are not available from any place else. One of the selections has shown a resistance to spotted wilt virus. The maroon bluebonnet, blue bluebonnet, Crawford reseeding lettuce, bunny larkspur, blue larkspur and two versions of the Laura Bush petunia (pink and violet) will also be available.

            The Bexar County 4-H Club, Texas Forest Service, Youth Gardening, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Texas Agricultural Extension Service Fire Ant Program will also have interesting displays.

            On Saturday, February 10, from noon to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, February 11, from 1 to 3 p.m., join Jerry Parsons and me at The Texas Trail tent for our questions and answer session on  KLUP radio (930 AM).

            All through the Rodeo, The Texas Trail tent will feature experts to answer your horticulture and conservation questions. To follow is the list of experts that will be speaking, their topics, and times they will be speaking:

 

DATE/TIME	SPEAKER	TOPIC
Saturday, February 3
9:00—11:00 am	Dana Nichols, SAWS	Xeriscape/Wildscape
11:00 am—1:00 pm	Nathan Riggs, TAEX	Bugs Q & A
1:00—3:00 pm	Mike Mecke, SAWS	Agricultural Water
3:00—5:00 pm	Billy McKenzie, Master Gardener	Drip Irrigation & How to Get a SAWS Rebate
5:00—7:00 pm	Fred Arce, SAWS	Water Resources
7:00—9:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Sunday, February 4
11:00—1:00 pm	Nathan Riggs, TAEX	Bugs Q & A
1:00—3:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
1:30—5:30 pm	Tom Harris, Master Gardener,	General Gardening
3:00—5:00 pm	Paul Cox, Botanical Gardens	Trees & Native Plants
5:00—7:00 pm	Mary Frances Uptain & Dr. Harvey Kendall	Bromeliads
7:00—9:00 pm	Mark Fanick, Fanicks Garden Center	Variety
Monday, February 5
9:00—11:00 am	Anita Hill, Master Gardener	Butterfly Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Joe Taylor, TAEX	Water Conservation & Evapotranspiration
5:00—7:00 pm	Charles Bartlett, Master Gardener and Landscaper	Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance
Tuesday, February 6
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Rufus Stephens, Texas Parks & Wildlife	Wildlife
5:00—7:00 pm	Malcolm Beck, Garden-Ville	Compost & Mulch
Wednesday, February 7
9:00—11:00 am	Anita Hill, Master Gardener	Butterfly Gardening
1:30—5:30 pm	Tom Harris, Master Gardener	General Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Jerry Parsons, TAEX	Vegetables
5:00—7:00 pm	Charles Bartlett, Master Gardener and Landscaper	Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance
Thursday,February 8
9:00—11:00 am	Dana Nichols, SAWS	Xeriscape/Wildscape
2:00—4:00 pm	Joe Taylor, TAEX	Water Conservation & ET
5:00—7:00 pm	Debbie Reid, City Arborist	Herbs
Friday, February 9
9:00—11:00 am	Anita Hill, Master Gardener	Butterfly Gardening
1:30—5:30 pm	Tom Harris, Master Gardener	General Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Jerry Parsons, TAEX	Vegetables
5:00—7:00 pm	Richard Haemmerle & Janet Miller	Organic Gardening & Herbs
7:00—9:00 pm	Mark Fanick, Fanicks Garden Center	Variety
Saturday, February 10
9:00—11:00 am	Calvin Finch, SAWS	Xeriscape/Wildscape
12:00—2:00 pm	Calvin Finch & Jerry Parsons	Gardening South Texas Q & A
1:00—3:00 pm	Mike Mecke, SAWS	Agriculture Water
3:00—5:00 pm	Mary Frances Uptain & Dr. Harvey Kendall	Bromeliads
5:00—7:00 pm	SAWS	Water Resource
7:00—9:00 pm	TBA	Gardening
Sunday, February 11
11:00 am—1:00 pm	Nathan Riggs, TAEX	Bugs & Q & A
1:00—3:00 pm	Calvin Finch & Jerry Parsons	Gardening South Texas Q & A
3:00—5:00 pm	Rufus Stephens, Texas Parks & Wildlife	Wildlife
5:00—7:00 pm	TBA	Gardening
7:00—9:00 pm	TBA	Gardening
Monday, February 12
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
1:30—5:30 pm	Tom Harris, Master Gardener	General Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Larry Stein, TAEX	Fruits & Nuts
5:00—7:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Tuesday, February 13
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Dr. Al Cheng, Master Gardener	Bees, Snakes & Oriental Vegetables
5:00—7:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Wednesday, February 14
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Jerry Parsons, TAEX	Vegetables
5:00—7:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Thursday, February 15
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Billy McKenzie, Master Gardener	Drip Irrigation & How to Get a SAWS Rebate
5:00—7:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Friday, February 16
9:00—11:00 am	TBA	Gardening
2:00—4:00 pm	Jerry Parsons, TAEX	Vegetables
5:00—7:00 pm	Richard Haemmerle & Janet Miller	Organic Gardening & Vegetables
7:00—9:00 pm	Malcolm Beck, Garden-Ville	Compost & Mulch
Saturday, February 17
9:00—11:00 am	Calvin Finch, SAWS	Xeriscape/Wildscape
11:00—1:00 pm	Nathan Riggs, TAEX	Bugs Q & A
1:00—3:00 pm	Mike Mecke, SAWS	Agriculture Water
3:00—5:00 pm	Mary Frances Uptain & Dr. Harvey Kendall	Bromeliads
5:00—7:00 pm	Chris Powers, SAWS	Water Resources
7:00—9:00 pm	Kenny Weir, Fertile Garden Supply	Landscape Materials
Sunday, February 18
11:00—1:00 pm	TBA	Gardening
1:00—3:00 pm	Nathan Riggs, TAEX	Bugs  Q & A
3:00—5:00 pm	TBA	Gardening
5:00—7:00 pm	TBA	Gardening