How did two Travis County Master Gardeners turn rough land into charming gardens, artistic fun, wildlife habitat and home to fluffy chickens and gregarious donkeys? Julie Nelson and Kay Angermann brought creative collaboration, muscle-wielding grit, and problem solving to rocky, flooding ground to sentimentally-dubbed Katie Bird Farm.

Creativity, art, outdoor living and inventive solutions unite gardeners on the Travis County Master Gardener 2024 Inside Austin Gardens tour. Master Gardener JoAnna Benko previews the four gardens and what you can learn in each one. 

Caterpillar Conundrum: Keep or Control?

Caterpillars come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. As larvae for beautiful butterflies and moths that pollinate our gardens, caterpillars feed on plants. Some feed on vegetable crops, like cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, and cabbage worms. So, should you manage them or not? Extension entomologist Wizzie Brown explores why to leave them alone as contributors to healthy gardens.

Bring spring and summer’s garden bounty inside to enjoy all year! Laura Brennand, cut flower grower at La Otra Flora, shows how to grow and dry flowers from your garden for beautiful indoor arrangements.