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October tips for a beautiful
Water-wise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
October is the month we give Agaves are fire resistant and do not Winola is a Williamson County
special attention to fire safety. require much water, making them a Master Gardener, a member of
Brushfires are a real threat smart choice for landscapes. the Sun City Garden Club and a
to Sun City Texas because we are sur- member of the Sun City Water Wise
rounded by wooded areas, particularly six to 10 feet from the ground. We can Task Force.
areas filled with the highly flammable choose stone patios and walkways to
ashe juniper, sometimes called mountain act as a firebreak, as well as choosing Master Gardeners and other
cedar (though it is not a cedar). A flash of firewise plants for a buffer zone. Plants experienced gardeners are available
lightning, a spark from machinery or a like agaves, euphorbias and cactus give to answer questions a half hour
carelessly dropped cigarette could cause beautiful possibilities while also being before Sun City Garden Club
disaster. This environmental danger is fire resistant. We see those being used meetings each month. The Garden
multiplied by drought. So how can we more in our landscape now, and with good Club meets the second Wednesday
reduce the risk? reason as they both save water and aid of each month beginning with the
fire resistance. question and answer period at
We are most fortunate that foresighted, 12:30 p.m.
dedicated members of our community For further information, log in to www.
formed the Firewise Group. This group sctexas.org. On your Resident Home page, but increase moisture retention of soil.
has spent countless hours with CA staff click on Community Association Info >
removing volatile bushes from much of click on EMC/Firewise Subcommittee. – Be prepared: Our first frost can be as
our area. When clearing brush on our OCTOBER GARDENING TIPS early Oct. 15 or even earlier, so buy
family ranch in my younger days, I always supplies for frost covers now while
gathered a few cedars when needing to – Plant wildflowers now. See September available in stores.
set a burn pile ablaze. Recalling how they Waterwise Gardening tips in last
would flare up immediately, I feel much month’s Sun Rays for instructions. – Now is the time to get plants in the
safer with those bushes/trees removed! ground and covered with mulch
– Save those fall leaves! Shred them to be ready to snuggle in and have
What can we do in our own landscape several times and leave on grass to roots growing for strong plants to
to help make our community safer from return the nutrients to the soil. If air withstand next summer’s stress. Fall
fire? We can clean outside our homes on can get through, fine leaves can stay is the best planting season of the year,
a regular basis. Be vigilant on remov- in beds. especially for groundcovers and woody
ing leaves and other debris from gutters, ornamental plants.
eaves, porches and decks. Mulch should – Oct. 1-15: Fertilize Bermuda and
never be piled more than six inches high zoysia. – Some fall rains and cooling
(two to three inches is adequate), and pine temperatures will usually allow us to
bark cannot be used in Sun City Texas. – When weather has cooled, apply one- cut back on watering, but do watch that
fourth to one-half inch top dressing, new plantings have moisture in soil.
Remove anything stored underneath compost or mix of soil and organics to
decks or porches. If there is a boxed-in lawn. Organics not only add nutrients, Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
area below a patio or deck, it should be Service.
screened with wire mesh to prevent de-
bris and combustible materials from ac- Horticulture Questions:
cumulating. Exterior attic vents should Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
be covered as well with metal wire mesh
no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks Extension Office at
from entering the home. This will also 512-943-3300
keep out unwelcome varmints.
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It is best to use low growing plants near
the house, as tall shrubs and trees are
fuel carriers. Wildfire can spread to tree
tops, so we should prune lowest branches
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
