Tucson Weekly: Listings: Gardening (July 2

GARDENING
BOTANICAL GARDENS. The Tucson Botanical Gardens. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Gardening for newcomers classes are held on the first Thursday and third Saturday of August. 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 July and August, the gardens open at 7:30 a.m., with admission only $1 between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. 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 and desert ecology among other programs designed to train guides to conduct tours of the grounds, nursery, gift shop and as well as provide information about the horticultural therapy and adult/youth education programs. There is a fee of $35 to cover the 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.