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June tips for a beautiful
Waterwise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
After enjoying this year’s Home and
Garden Tours, you may now have
some idea of how you want your
garden to appear. One way to plan your
landscape is to look at your plot plan, cut
out some shapes and try them out. Instead
of defaulting to turf and adjusting flower
beds to your remaining space, first ask
yourself why you want turf to begin with.
Consider how you might like your turf laid
out. Perhaps it could be shaped in a circle,
surrounded by interesting edging and
flowerbeds. Another possibility would be
to divide the turf with pathways to create
shapes embellished by selectively placed
flower beds. Remember that you’re just
brainstorming right now, so be sure to
consider every possibility without fear!
Evaluate your irrigation system. Is there
an area where water is being wasted
on hardscape? This area may do well if
converted into a planting bed or overlaid
with mulch and adorned with a bench or
garden ornament. Is there an area where
turf grows especially well with little water?
That would be the place to leave in turf
and convert problem areas to flower beds
with drought tolerant plants and/or a
drip system. I planned a landscape for
a home that had been vacant during the
2011 drought with all utilities turned off.
There was an area of front yard protected
from west sun by a neighbor’s tree where
well-established turf had survived. The
first decision I made was to save that turf!
Once you have decided what you want your
landscape to do for you and where you want
turf, you come to the fun part: how to get
from here to there and all around the yard!
Paths not only help navigate the yard, but
also provide a safe, comfortable feeling
while leading you through the experience.
One of their most important functions is
to give a “flow” to the design. You want
the eye to happily move from one area to
300 | SUNRAYS JUNE 2017
the next and on to other areas of interest.
Once you have a turf spot and paths in
mind, you can easily find places to tuck in
the planting beds. Be sure to look at the
yard from different angles, including the
vantage from your favorite chair looking
out the window, approaching from down
the street, coming in the driveway and as
a guest approaching the front door.
Last month, we considered location of trees
to screen from sun and stabilize the view
of the landscape. Bushes also anchor the
landscape while helping the eye view the
overall effect. Consider not only how they
frame a planting bed, but how they affect
the overall yard as well. Having considered
all this, how do you get started getting rid sprinkler system in case of problems.
of turf in that space you are converting
to planting beds? Along with interesting
edging and using garden art, next comes
the fun of looking for varying textures
and color to increase the pleasure of your
landscape! See you next month!
JUNE GARDENING TIPS
Keep a watchful eye on your landscape.
Replenish mulch as needed and remove
spent blossoms.
Keys to avoiding problems with pests and
diseases begin with good soil preparation,
air circulation and a variety of native/
adapted plants. Having water available
will invite beneficial insects to your
garden, as will planting herbs and plants
with daisy-like (such as zinnias and fall
aster) or umbrella-like blooms (like yarrow
and fennel).
Turf and Irrigation:
Turf prefers one inch of water per week,
but established grass can survive on one-
half inch of water every seven to ten days,
depending upon soil depth, wind and sun.
Do not aerate your lawn during a drought
as it will cause undue stress to the root
zone. Never spread compost in hot weather
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 available
to answer questions a half hour
before Sun City Garden Club
meetings each month. The Garden
Club meets the second Wednesday
of each month beginning with the
question and answer period at
12:30 p.m.
as it could burn turf. If you are away, be
sure to give a neighbor access to your
Trees:
Texas Forest Service advises avoiding
wounds on oak trees February through
June as the beetle that carries the oak
wilt fungus is most active at this time. If
trimming is necessary due to wounds from
natural causes or for fire prevention, paint
immediately.
Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
Service.
Horticulture Questions:
Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
Extension Office at
512-943-3300
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG