BY BARBARA STORZ
The Master Gardeners are offering a Hypertufa Planter Workshop Saturday, June 17 at the South Texas Master Gardener Educational Garden in north San Juan. The workshop will run from 9 to 11 a.m., and each participant will make one of these unique flower pots for their own garden.
“There are a lot of different ways to make hypertufa pots, which are a mixture of several aggregates and Portland cement,” said Rick Leland, president of the Master Gardeners. “In this project, we re-cycle an old towel or blanket and turn it into a garden flower pot that can last for many years to come.”
This hands-on workshop will be held in an outdoor classroom, so participants should dress appropriately. Everyone is asked to bring a pair of heavy, cuff-style kitchen rubber gloves, scissors and an old towel or blanket (16 by 20 inches).
This size towel or blanket will make a one gallon size planter. All other materials to create a hypertufa planter will be provided by the Master Gardeners.
“And, for those who would like to make more pots, a take-home kit of cement, peat moss and vermiculite will be available for $10,” Leland said.
The kit provides enough material to make six small garden pots, or four medium pots.
The cost of the workshop is $5 per person and reservations are a must, as seating is limited. To register for the workshop, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office at (956) 383-1026. This workshop will be held in the Educational Garden located behind the Hidalgo County Community Center at 509 East Earling Road (Nolana Loop), just east of Raul Longoria in San Juan.
You can also pick up information today at the Growing Growers Farmer’s Market located in Firemen’s Park in McAllen. This market is at the northwest corner of 1st Street and Business 83 and is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Master Gardeners are on hand to provide gardening advice and information about the workshop.
The Growing Growers Farmers Market has a bounty of locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as artisan goat’s milk cheese, chocolate, Certified 100 percent grass-fed beef, spring lamb and Gulf caught shrimp, along with fresh baked goods, organic, fresh roasted coffee and natural skin care products.
Barbara Storz is a local horticulturist. You can listen to her at 7 a.m. Saturdays on 710 KURV Radio, or e-mail her with your garden questions at [email protected].
