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[Dallas Baxter]
On Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Alpine Public Library, the Big Bend chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) will introduce the second edition of the Big Bend Gardener’s Guide. And the gardening experts who created the guide will be on hand to answer question about every aspect of gardening in the Big Bend of Texas.
The original print edition of the guide was the first project of the Big Bend chapter when it formed in 2002. The idea came from notes compiled by Beth Francell of Fort Davis, a long time area landscape designer.
“We were building a membership that was very curious,” Francell said, “and that we realized had very little knowledge about, first of all, the conditions, which are rather formidable for gardeners, and then the variety of environments, from down south all the way to people who live up at the observatory, close to 8,000 feet.”
This edition of the guide is online only: npsto.org/wp/bigbend/gardeners-guide. It includes many plant lists for everything from fire-wise landscaping to attracting pollinators. And articles on planting and pruning trees, soil, xeriscaping, cactus, collecting and propagating local seed, pest management and rainwater harvesting speak to gardening issues specific to the Trans-Pecos.
“Because we are such a small population in such a diverse area, no one has written a gardening guide especially for the Big Bend until now, said Dallas Baxter, guide editor. When you come into the high desert from any other ecosystem, you’re in a whole new world. This guide is the welcome mat for every gardener.”
The program is free to NPSOT members; the public is welcome and asked to make a $5 donation which can be applied to a membership on the day of the meeting. Membership information is available at every meeting.
Reservations are necessary to assure seating and may be made by contacting Fonda Ghiardi. Reservations deadline is 3 p.m. September 13.
The Alpine Public Library is located on 13th St. between Ave. E and Sul Ross Ave. in Alpine.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: billarmstrong
