SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Water Star Program will present a Spring Grounds Maintenance Workshop from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. March 28 in San Antonio.
The instruction portion of the program will be in Room 190 of the Performing Arts Building at Palo Alto College, 1400 W. Villaret.

A Spring Grounds Maintenance Workshop for groundskeepers, landscape professionals and others will be held at Palo Alto College in San Antonio on March 28.
(Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)
“This workshop is designed for professional groundskeepers, turfgrass and landscape managers, landscaping service providers, grounds technicians and foremen, but members of the general public who are also interested in saving water and money through proper turfgrass care and irrigation are welcome,” said Jared Beaver, AgriLife Extension program coordinator for water and natural resources, Bexar County.
Registration is from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided.
The morning program will focus on turfgrass selection and use, turfgrass “cultural” practices, water use, and the benefits of soil and water testing.
Afternoon instruction will address primarily irrigation, including rules and regulations, scheduling, coupons and rebates, and system maintenance. There also will be instruction on soil and water management, as well as a tour of the Palo Alto grounds and demonstration plot.
Beaver said the program will offer seven Texas Nursery and Landscape Association continuing education credits. There are also six Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and six Texas Department of Agriculture credits pending approval.
The Texas Water Star Program is an AgriLife Extension umbrella program with the goal of increasing resources and knowledge about conserving water in urban landscapes through education and training, Beaver said.
“We want to help people develop practices that significantly enhance water conservation while reducing the risk of contamination in urban areas,” he said. “The Texas Water Star Program is seeking new ways to improve water conservation throughout the state by establishing collaborative partnerships with groundwater conservation districts, green industry professionals, regional water planning groups, water districts and utilities, river authorities and others.
Registration for the program is $40. Attendees should RSVP to Angel Torres at the AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County at 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu by March 25 to reserve a spot. Participation is limited to the first 50 registrants.
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