For Texas gardeners who want to know how to grow better tomatoes and other edibles, a mid-February seminar in Austin, Texas, comes to the rescue.

And it's FREE.

"Planning and Planting the Spring Vegetable Garden" will be from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 12 at Sunshine Community Gardens , 4814 Sunshine Drive, near the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and 45th Street. Park on the street.

The seminar is described as a "hands-on" session covering plant and seed selection, tips for increased germination, spacing and other practices that help ensure gardening success.

A nurseryman tells me that although his business has been down the last few years, he is seeing an increase in vegetable-growing customers and has planted his grounds to accommodate them. People are buying seeds, onions and potatoes, he said. The practice of growing your own food will likely increase as more people plant fruits and vegetables to save money and to  provide their family with safe foods that have not been contaminated in the growing, handling or shipping process.

Sunshine Community Gardens, a nonprofit, occupies about 3 acres in north central Austin. Look for its spring plant sale of tomatoes, peppers and eggplant from 9-5 on March 5.