MARCH 201 4 SUNRAYS | 89
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
Finally, it’s almost spring! You can smell
that freshness in the air, and I bet you’re
“chomping at the bit” to get out there
and dig in the dirt. A little caution here:
remember to never dig when soil is too
wet. A handful of soil should crumble in
your hand or scatter when dropped. If it
stays in a big blob, wait for another day.
Do you need to tidy up a bit?
Those leaves packed in flower beds and
fallen limbs from trees and bushes are
hiding places for pests and diseases. Look
for weeds to be removed, and crowded
plants or plants that need regrouping for
watering needs. Make plans for aerating
your turf and for spreading compost and/
or mulch to build healthy soil in both
flower beds and turf.
BASIC XERISCAPE PRINCIPLES
Xeriscape does not mean rock! Xeriscape
is simply landscaping that limits water
use and protects the environment.
We can do that with basic responsible
gardening; i.e., using drought-tolerant
plants, keeping plants trimmed, using
mulch, grouping plants with similar
water needs, and providing efficient
irrigation.
Water early in the morning and deeply,
as infrequently as possible. Limit spring
planting. Spring plantings will need
more water this summer than perennials
planted last fall that had the benefit of
a cool, wet winter for root development.
Limit turf and choose native, drought-
tolerant plants and groundcovers for a
cool, beautiful, earth-friendly landscape.
CONTAINER PLANTING
While your heart longs for spring,
but the landscape still looks a bit
gloomy, you could brighten it with a
new container planting. How about a
unique container—an old cooking pan of
some sort, cookie jar, old golf bag, shoe
or boot—filled with varied plants" Try
combinations like:
• Stock / Pansies / Creeping Jenny
March Tips for a Beautiful
Water Wise Landscape
NEXT MONTH
:
Join me for ad-
ditional ideas for Water Wise gar-
dening and plant suggestions to
attract pollinators.
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.
By Winola VanArtsdalen
• Rosemary / Oregano / Thyme
• Artichoke / Mustard Greens / Lettuce
• Blackfoot Daisy / Chili Pequin / Four-
nerve Daisy
• Bi-color Iris or Giant Liriope / =innias
/ Sedum
Silver ponyfoot groundcover will cascade
dramatically over the side of a container
adding silver-grey shimmer to any plant
combination. Also, you can use a single
plant, like an agave, or ornamental
grasses, such as pine muhly or inland
sea oats.
Of course, you will need to group plants
by like water needs. Add drainage holes
in the bottom of the container, quality
potting soil, and a location where you
can hand-water easily. You do not want
to use your irrigation system just for this
one little bright spot of fun! Be prepared
to protect if we have a late freeze, as
the average last freeze for our area is
mid-March.
GARDENING EVENTS
Take advantage of the many garden
classes, sales and tours that will be
available this spring, and be sure to save
the date for the following dates right here
in Sun City Texas:
Saturday, March 22:
From 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., the Sun City Horticulture Club will
host their Spring Plant Sale. Vegetables,
herbs and a fabulous selection of drought-
tolerant, deer-resistant Texas native
plants will be available. For more
information, see page 16.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3- :
The Sun City Texas Garden Club hosts
their Sixth Annual Garden Tour, titled
“Butterflies, Birds and Blooms.” Enjoy
beautiful gardens, a silent auction, a
“coffee shop” and other surprises. Net
proceeds help support local charities.
For more details, see page 18.
MARCH GARDENING TIPS:
• Be sure tools are sharpened, then cut
back freeze-damaged foliage. Cut back
perennials including subshrubs like
salvia greggii. You can divide summer
and fall blooming perennials. Wait
until after bloom for trimming and
dividing spring bloomers. Do not trim
oak trees now.
• Continue watching temperatures and
be prepared to cover, if needed.
• You can add compost followed by mulch
to your flower beds, or just add mulch
and it will decompose into compost.
• Do not fertilize until after second
mowing of grass. Fertilize bermuda
in lateMarch to early April; buffalo and
zoysia in late April to earlyMay. Do not
fertilize if you spread top dressing this
spring.
Source: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Service
Horticulture Questions:
Contact Williamson County
AgriLIFE Extension Office at
512-943-3300.
