Austin Garden 🌿 Figbeard on Figs 🌿 the magic of Tillery Street 🌿 magnolia medicine

NURSERY NOTES: the appearance of Figbeard at the Herb Bar tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 9:30 a.m. is not to be missed! This sage of fruit trees, and much more, will focus on "the Fig Tree in Myth & Mysticism." The $10 registration fee goes directly into the coffers of TreeFolks. Register here: Herb Bar. 🌿 Join Leesalyn Koehler at the Natural Gardener tomorrow at 10 a.m. for a celebration of weeds. Learn how to make salads, teas and medicines from the many plants considered unwanted by gardeners. TNG 🌿

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GROWING CROPS IN PRISONS: meals are becoming more tasty and nutritious as people in some jails are starting to grow their own vegetables and fruit. Modern Farmer ❦

EDIBLE MAGNOLIA: used as medicines in native American and East Asian countries for centuries, this flowering tree can also be used for cooking and making drinks. Marie Viljoen reveals all in Gardenista ❦

THE AUSTIN GARDEN relies entirely on support from its readers. Please consider making a donation to support this bi-monthly publication. Whether an annual or monthly donation, all are welcomed. (At the moment only 5% of readers support this publication) Many thanks in advance. PayPal link ❦

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CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENER: A Lockhart couple called in permaculturist Taelor Monroe to design a garden that nourished their family and the local wildlife. CTG ❦

The Magic of Tillery Street

by Darrel Mayers

Nowhere else in town is there such a street with so much stuff of interest for gardeners. A guide to some of its magic.

TILLERY STREET PLANT COMPANY (801 Tillery Street)

This wonderful nursery opened its doors in 2009. It has a wide variety of plants, indoor and outdoor pottery, and rare tropicals. Design and delivery of plants can be arranged with staff there, and they have a working relationship with Garden Design Studio, which is also on Tillery. They are also allies with their direct neighbors, East Austin Succulents (below). website 🌿

EAST AUSTIN SUCCULENTS (801 Tillery Street)

This succulent treasure-house also opened in 2009. The number of succulents in their greenhouses creates a sense of infinity in the viewer, so vast is their collection. A fun wheel-of-fortune game is on-hand for customers to twirl if they spend more than $40. Tillandsia, gems and rocks also for sale. Pictured above: manager Julie Patton. Website 🌿

TED”S TREES (1118 Tillery Street)

If you need a tree for your garden, this is the place to go. The 33-year-old business has a sprawling lot, almost 4 acres, and within it a forest of trees for sale, mostly medium to large in size. No wonder it was voted "Best Inner City Paradise" by readers of The Austin Chronicle. “We have every oak you can imagine,” says co-owner Mary Lopez. They will deliver a tree within Austin for $50 - $75. To plant one, it's half of the cost of the tree. For this they will stake it, backfill it, and give you a one year warranty. website 🌿

641 TILLERY STREET (photo of Billy O'Leary, Earth Commons)

There's an interesting mix of places to visit at this address too.

Apothecary Earth Commons for example, with its huge collection of dried herbs. 🌿 Harvest Lumber Co., a sustainable sawmill and natural-edge wood retailer focussed on wood harvested from felled trees in Austin. 🌿 Kathie Severs's wild embroidery shop, Fort Lonesome, has been featured on Brene Brown's Creative Love series. 🌿 And maybe there's time for an iced mocha at Flitch Coffee, or a taco from the Pueblo Viejo food truck, as you sit back, and reflect, on the magic of Tillery. ❦