34 | SUNRAYS
SEPTEMBER 2013
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
We are approaching fall, the best time of
year to plant in Central Texas. In colder
climates, it’s better to plant in the fall,
so the plant will be strong before winter.
In Central Texas, we plant in the fall,
so plants will be strong to withstand
the stress of our hot summers. When
considering what to plant, try making
the landscape more water wise.
THINK GREEN: XERISCAPE
Xeriscape, or water wise landscaping, is
not a cactus and rock type of landscape!
Xeriscape is thinking green, looking for
ways to use less water while protecting
the environment. An important part
of Xeriscape thinking is hydrozoning,
or grouping plants with similar water
needs. You need moisture around your
foundation, so place plants needing
more water near the house where you
can water them while also keeping the
foundation soil moist. Whatever you do,
water deeply but less frequently and
mulch, mulch, mulch!
UTILIZE NATIVE PLANTS
Look for a part of your landscape to
convert to extremely drought tolerant
native plants (crepe myrtles, columbines,
poppies, coreopsis, sages, artemesias)
that―once established in soil amended
with organics―rarely, if ever, need
supplemental water. Consider using a
drought tolerant groundcover in place
of turf to water less and, remember,
changing an existing flowerbed to drip
irrigation uses 60-80 percent less water!
GROUNDCOVER: ROCK V. MULCH
September Tips for a Beautiful
Water Wise Landscape
NEXT MONTH
:
Join me for
planting suggestions/instruc-
tions for beauty next spring.
Winola is a Williamson County
Master Gardener, a member of
the Sun City Garden Club and
a member of the Sun City Water
Wise Task Force.
Master Gardeners and other
experienced gardeners are avail-
able to answer questions a half
hour before Sun City Garden
Club meetings each month. The
Garden Club meets the second
Wednesday of each month begin-
ning with the question/answer
period at 12:30 p.m.
By Winola VanArtsdalen
Try different tactics and avoid just
thinking rock, because rock coverings
blast radiant heat and limit wildlife
habitat! (Even worse, rock beds fill with
weeds in time, in spite of weed barrier.
That makes it difficult to avoid using
large amounts of herbicide.) You can
even use bark mulch in small and large
areas to avoid radiant heat while saving
water. Mulch is a soft, safe surface for
a play area, and a small mulched area
can be attractive with a few stones for
accent, a garden ornament, and a few
select plants.
WATER WISELY
Remember that your sprinkler system
does not provide watering deep enough for
your trees and bushes. They must have
slow watering with hose drip or soaker
hose. Be sure to take a screwdriver out
there the next day after watering and
check depth of moisture.
Check your watering system monthly,
and be sure someone has access to your
watering system when you are away for
an extended time to adjust, if necessary.
GARDENING TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER:
• Dig weeds; control Java/nut grass.
• Cover any bare areas with compost,
then mulch. If you have a turf area you
are planning to convert to groundcover
and/or plants, cover with cardboard to
smother the grass, then compost, then
mulch. A third to a half organics is
best for moisture retention, so I cover
soil with two to three inches compost,
then dig in or till. Organics are best
in soil several weeks before planting.
• Divide oxalis, bearded iris, daylilies,
and daisies.
• Basil needs temperatures 50 degrees
or above, so harvest now. Mix with
butter or cream cheese, shape into
rolls and freeze for later use.
TURF REMINDERS
• Apply pre-emergent September 1 to
prevent annual winter weeds.
• Keep mower height raised until
weather cools.
• Use sharpened blades, never cutting
more than one third (1/3) height of
grass in one cutting.
Coreopsis
Purple Sage
