JANUARY 2013
SUNRAYS | 83
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
It is a brand new year! If you have been
considering landscape changes, think
Water Wise!
Water wise landscaping, or xeriscape,
need not be sparse, but, according to your
taste, can be full with native, drought-
resistant plants. Success of xeriscape is
determined by design, soil preparation,
irrigation, mulch and maintenance.
Plan zones with similar water needs—
usually those needing the most water
(
turf and annuals) should be near the
house. Areas with succulents and stone
should be further out to keep radiant
heat from the entry and walkway. Na-
tive perennials can be used in a zone
further out, as they need little water
and can help soften rocky areas.
Rather than converting the whole land-
scape to a new idea, change just one
area to be sure the results are as ex-
pected. Some homeowners find areas
covered with gravel or large stones to be
high maintenance and dislike cleaning
up leaves and debris, fighting weeds and
roots coming through weed barrier, as
well as the radiant heat from stone cov-
ering. If you first try a small area, you
can learn what you like and where best
to use it. For example, choose an area
and convert it from turf to groundcover
and drip irrigation, possibly experiment-
ing with different ground covers. Add
some excitement with levels of land and
January Tips for a Beautiful
Water Wise Landscape
NEXT MONTH
:
Join me for sug-
gestions on trimming your land-
scape plants.
Winola is Williamson County Mas-
ter Gardener, a member of the Sun
City Garden Club, and a member of
the Sun City Water Wise Task Force.
Experienced gardeners like Winola
are available for Garden Club meet-
ings each month. See page 123 for
more information.
By Winola VanArtsdalen
a garden ornament or accent plants.
Remember that soil supports life. You can
add inorganics such as granite sand or
expanded shale for better drainage. Or-
ganic matter opens pores, making room
for water and air and helps soil retain
moisture. With these amendments, you
can create a healthy, drought-resistant
garden using less water, yet exciting with
explosions of color and with more resis-
tance to pests and disease.
To cut water use in an existing zone, take
a water hose with a soaker hose on the
end and loop it around bushes to water
bushes slowly, for a long period of time.
Soak the bushes and trees deeply with
soaker hose after three to four weeks
without rain. With drought-resistant
perennials in the rest of that bed, you
can cut the weekly water use from the
sprinkler system in that zone.
Use native/adapted plants and avoid
monoculture of plants, because, if dis-
eased, you lose them all! Diversity also
gives more opportunity to attract ben-
eficial insects.
Native hollies such as possumhaw and
yaupon bring color to your winter land-
scape and attract birds while brighten-
ing your garden, without supplemental
water. Possumhaws lose their leaves in
the winter, exposing the bright red or or-
ange fruit. Both yaupon and possumhaw
hollies set fruit only on female plants,
so be sure to purchase plants that have
berries on them.
JANUARY GARDENING TIPS:
•
Transplant trees and shrubs. The day
before the transplant, water thoroughly
both the planting site and the plant to
be moved.
•
This is the time of year to prune/trim
oaks, but remember to immediately paint
all wounds any size, any season! You can
also trim crepe myrtles now.
•
Time to prune perennials and shrubs?
Not yet! You can cut ornamental grass-
es, but wait until late winter; mid-late
February for other plants. Prune spring-
blooming plants after bloom.
•
For houseplants: watch for insect prob-
lems like scale, mites and mealy bugs.
Periodically, flush soil in pots with water
to get rid of salt build-up, and be sure to
empty water from drip tray. If not, the
salt will be pulled back up into soil again.
MAINTENANCE:
•
Do not dig wet soil, as it will dam-
age soil structure. Add soil amendments
when soil is moist, but not wet.
•
Water well before a freeze, but not too
much!
•
It is good to turn off your controller
and only water when needed, but do turn
your irrigation on once a month to check
the system.
TURF:
•
Weeds are easy to see this time of year,
so dig them now. Avoid walking on lawn
if it is wet, as you will compact the soil.
Source: Texas A&MAgriLIFE Extension
Service, 512-943-3300.
YAUPON HOLLY BY JIM VANARTSDALEN
