Page 47 - May Sun Rays flipbook

May tiFs for a beautiful
Water:wise landscaFe

By Winola VanArtsdalen

This Cibolo Creek home was on the 2015 Sun City Garden Club Tour. Winola is a Williamson County
If you have been watching trends in Master Gardener, a member of
landscaping, you have likely noticed contemplative? Would this be a way the Sun City Garden Club and a
that an expanse of grass with bushes to have a place for entertaining large/ member of the Sun City Water Wise
small groups? Is there a way to express Task Force.

lined up around the house is no longer my interests and personality? How can I Master Gardeners and other
experienced gardeners are available
“in.” Today, especially with unreliable display keepsakes from trips, experiences to answer questions a half hour
water supplies, trends are moving toward and hobbies? before Sun City Garden Club
less turf. An attractive, contemporary meetings each month. The Garden
landscape today might feature sitting, Consider logistics: How are plants Club meets the second Wednesday
entertaining and activity areas, or include irrigated? Could drip irrigation or rain of each month beginning with the
walkways connecting beds of vibrant barrels be included in my landscape? question and answer period at
native and adapted plants. These plants 12:30 p.m.
not only add beauty but invite birds, bees The Sun City Garden Club tour especially
DQGEXWWHUÁLHVLQWR\RXUZRUOGIRU\RXU helps you by offering two days of touring, as it will cause undue stress to the
enjoyment and better health for your rather than just one. Be sure to attend root zone. Never spread compost in
plants. this tour for an exceptional opportunity to hot weather, as it is high in nitrogen
learn from beautiful, water-wise gardens and could burn turf.
If you are considering changes to your of Sun City Texas on Saturday, May 14 – Bermuda should be fertilized in late
landscape or planning a new installation, and Sunday, May 15. Advance tickets are 0DUFK WR HDUO\ $SULO %XIIDOR DQG
garden tours offer you a great opportunity available online at www.sctexas.org. Zoysia in late April to early May.
to discover what you like before investing If you used top dressing, skip this
your money and/or sweat. You will see MAY GARDENING TIPS fertilization, as it would be too much
ODQGVFDSHVWKDWKDYHEHHQVSHFLÀFDOO\ nitrogen.
planned to include gardens of varied size, SOIL:
style, expense and interests. In addition TREES:
to seeing many designs, tours offer the – Three to four inches of compost should – Do not trim trees susceptible to oak
RSSRUWXQLW\WRVHHÀUVWKDQGZKDWJURZV be mixed in new beds, with one inch
well in various environments, including added each season and/or between wilt February through June. If they
full sun, full shade, sloped, wind protected plantings. Three inches mulch on top are wounded for any reason, spray any
areas and more. holds moisture, keeps temperatures even size wound immediately.
and encourages deeper root growth.
Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
– Never allow heavy equipment on soil, Service.
especially when wet.
Horticulture Questions:
When touring a garden, view it with TURF: Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE

an artist’s eye. Ask yourself: Does this – Be sure to irrigate before aerating your Extension Office at
make me feel comfortable, relaxed or lawn. Do not aerate during a drought, 512-943-3300

ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG MMAAYY 22001166 SSUNRAYS | 45