Tucson Weekly: Listings: Gardening (August 13

GARDENING
BOTANICAL GARDENS. The Tucson Botanical Gardens. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. A "Gardening for Newcomers" class meets Saturday, August 15. Regular garden attractions include the "Birds and Gardening" tour at 9 a.m. Thursday mornings; and "Exploring the Tucson Botanical Gardens," a docent-led tour highlighting TBG history and plant trivia, designed to familiarize visitors with native flora. Regular admission to the gardens is $4, $3 for seniors, free for members and children under age 12. Throughout August, the gardens open at 7:30 a.m., with admission only $1 between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. A tropical fruits cooking class is scheduled for 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $20 or $15 for TBG members. Call 326-9255 for information.
Listings CASA DEL AGUA. 4366 N. Stanley Place. The Casa del Agua is a demonstration and education project operated by Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona. It includes information about indoor water conservation, xeriscape, rainwater harvesting, and graywater systems. Free tours are offered on the hour from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, excluding holidays. Call 887-1185 to arrange for special student and group presentations.
DOCENT TRAINING. The Tucson Botanical Gardens. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Applications are currently being accepted for a 10-week fall docent training class beginning September 18. The course includes basic botany, low-water-use landscaping, desert ecology, and other programs designed to train guides to conduct tours of the grounds, nursery and gift shop, as well as provide information about the horticultural therapy and adult/youth education programs. A $35 fee covers cost of materials. Call
326-9686, ext. 17, for information.
GARDENING DEMONSTRATION. The Pima County Cooperative Extension offers free gardening workshops every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Extension Garden Center, 4210 N. Campbell Ave., and again at 1 p.m. at the Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road. Call 626-5161 for information on upcoming topics.
HYDROPONIC GARDENERS. Tucson High School Cafeteria. 400 N. Second Ave. The Hydroponic Gardeners of Tucson meet the third Wednesday of every month for a 6:30 p.m. social and a 7 p.m. meeting. Call Karen at 881-3248 for information.
PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE. The Permaculture Drylands Institute has a monthly, fun-filled discussion of sustainable living in drylands. They meet the second Tuesday of each month for a community breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Grill, 100 E. Congress St. Call 882-9443 for information.