Sunday, September 29, 2013

October Maintenance Presentation at the Williamson County Native Plant Society Meeting


With a live showing of my ebook A Guide to Landscape Maintenance for Central Texas Gardens

Thursday October 10 at 7:30 pm I will be presenting “Maintenance for your Garden” at the Georgetown Public Library as a guest of the Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. NPSOT meetings are open to the public. My presentation will highlight maintenance tasks for this time of year. 

My goal is to give confidence to new landscape owners, as well as long time gardeners, in accomplishing basic maintenance tasks in the garden. I will discuss tools to make the clean-up and winter preparation easy. Myself and the long-time gardeners will give all assurances that it is ok to whack-back the stringy sages, and to let the ornamental grasses seed for wildlife. And while you are out there, go ahead and dig up those perennials that you have been babying through summer. If you had to water them twice a week, its time to let them go and try something new! And yes, we can plant now and in the winter. 

Here is a primer if you are starting your list (or cannot attend the meeting):

Cut back perennials that have completed blooming for the year. 



Use hand pruners for these: irises, wax myrtle, coneflowers, roses, yellow bells (be ready to cut this one way back after a freeze), pink pavonia, coral yucca stalks, turk’s cap if your flowers have expired-if there are buds hold on to them for traveling hummingbirds. Turk’s cap may need a good whacking back in the winter if your clump is getting un-wieldy or rangey.

Use shears for these: coral sage (be prepared to cut this one to the ground if it freezes in the winter), cenezio, rosemary, germander, inland sea oats, most summer wildflower stalks can be cut to the ground, retain the basal rosette closest to the ground. If you are developing a Wildscape, disperse the seeds from the summer flowers in your landscape.


Any shrubs that you want to shape should be done before a cold spell so new leaves under the sheared area do not freeze. October to November is the best time to shear these: boxwood, cenizo, germander, wax myrtle, yaupons- a note about yaupon shrubs and trees: if you have purposefully planted female yaupons for their berries, use caution when trimming so the berries remain through fall and winter for wildlife. You will have another chance to shear in late winter.

Allow these to complete their bloom cycle: copper canyon daisy, bunch grasses (the seeds provide food for migrating birds), salvia gregii

Plant winter herbs and vegetables such as chives, parsley, broccoli, onions, garlic, and cabbages.

Begin planting wildflower seeds for next spring and summer. You want these in contact with soil before fall rains so they can begin growing during the winter. 

For more information on the Williamson County Native Plant Society meeting, visit their website:


For information on the Native Plant Society of Texas Annual Symposium to be held in Corpus Christi this year, visit the state website:

24 comments:

Ummey Rezwana said...

Nice information! I am intimidated by the excellence of information. There are a lot of high-quality funds here. I am sure I will visit this site again soon. I know something information, to know you can click here
Privacy screens Brisbane
garden services Logan

cpricelandscapes said...

Fantastic blog.
You told about important topics in this blog.
I will be a frequent visitor here!

timber retaining wall brisbane

Unknown said...

I recently moved into a new home, and I now have a large yard! I love having the space, but I am not sure how to manage the upkeep. Right now, it is pretty dry, and spots of the yard are dead. I want my yard to look as nice as possible, and I am willing to put in my time to get that.

http://www.smith2.com/services/landscape-architecture/

Unknown said...

I have really inspired from your blog post, I truly never got this type of informative things which I got from there.
Novato landscape designs

Megnetpost said...

Artificial Grass Installers Coventry

We are a full-service providing all aspects of landscaping under one roof, including design, maintenance, construction, irrigation, Brick walls, Ponds, water features and lighting for residential and commercial clients.

Unknown said...

I am in no doubt that this blog has not only touched me good but also all the users, it’s really enjoyable article! Landscapers Coon Rapids MN

Unknown said...

I am in no doubt that this blog has not only touched me good but also all the users, it’s really enjoyable article! Landscapers Coon Rapids MN

Megnetpost said...

The best-among-the-breeds professionals have been penciled for our wooden decking Coventry service to carry out the work of planning, curving and installation”.
Artificial grass Tamworth

Unknown said...

This is such an in fact cool blog; the piece of writing is truly precious for all of us. http://www.yardcaregurus.com/

Megnetpost said...

DTML Landscaping goes through a refined process and skilled project management that helps them in completing the project within stipulated time schedule. They discuss every bit with their client to keep them updated about the status of the project.
Garden Services Coventry

Rikimilton said...


Fantastic articles is post by you in this blog. You give a nice thing. Thank you for such a nice article. Every word og this blog helps me to give detail to me.
Visit:Artificial grass suppliers

Unknown said...

This information is superbly attractive that I couldn’t resist commenting landscaping

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megnetpost said...

DTML is provided for the discussion of the technical and aesthetic issues involved in landscape and garden design
Artificial Grass Warwick

Unknown said...

Landscape gardener Coventry Lanscape Gardner in Coventry. Landscaping Patio Astro Turf in Coventry Tamworth. Free quotations Call 07795432923

Fakingitgrass said...

Artificial Grass Tamworth - We are providing Artificial grass from GBP 9.99 Coventry Artificial Grass Suppliers Fitters Astro Turf Artificial Grass Samples more at fakingitgrass.co.uk

Richard Martin said...

Artificial Grass Installers Coventry - Lanscape Gardner in Coventry. Landscaping Patio Astro Turf in Coventry Tamworth. Free quotations Call 07795432923

Richard Martin said...

Artificial Grass Installers Coventry - Lanscape Gardner in Coventry. Landscaping Patio Astro Turf in Coventry Tamworth. Free quotations Call 07795432923

Fakingitgrass said...

We are providing Artificial grass from GBP 9.99 Coventry Artificial Grass Suppliers Fitters Astro Turf Artificial Grass Samples more at fakingitgrass.co.uk

Artificial Grass said...

Wholesale Artificial Grass - We have a large range of different types of Artificial grass to meet your needs and budget. We have lush green grass, Tri colour and various colors.

Artificial Grass said...

We have a large range of different types of Artificial grass to meet your needs and budget. We have lush green grass, Tri colour (looks very real) and various colours. All our grass is uv resistant, flame retardant, waterproof, colourfast, pet and child friendly and all has a full manufacturers guarantee.
Please take a look at our shop and give us a call if you require and further advice.

Trade Artificial Grass , Cheap Artificial Grass , Artificial Grass Supliers , Artificial Grass Coventry , Artificial Grass Birmingham , Artificial Grass Nuneaton , Artificial Grass Warwick , Wholesale Artificial Grass

Richard Martin said...

The Landscape gardener Coventry is overwhelming the business sector as there is a solid growth in the quantity of individuals who are swinging to artificial grass. As a result of this, the manufactured grass industry get to be more grounded.

There are absolutely various components that persuaded people to turn their common yard to synthetic grass and this includes amazing climate conditions, elevated water limitations that abandon it hard for a characteristic grass to develop and persevere. Other than those variables, money related reasons are likewise being checked why people swing to Decking Coventry.

brand care digital said...

Cand DESIGN STUDIO's approach is grounded in the search for contextually appropriate solutions. Special emphasis is given to the response to climate
<a href="https://candcdesignstudio.com/landscape-design-company-in-dubai/>landscape design consultants in Dubai</a>

ACT House and Landscaping Maintenance said...

Are you looking for top-notch landscape maintenance Services Canberra? Then, count on Act House and Landscaping Maintenance! We offer a comprehensive range of services to help you keep your outdoor space looking its best. From lawn care and garden maintenance to irrigation and hardscape installations, we have the skills, experience, and equipment needed to get the job done right. Whether you're a residential or commercial property owner, we can help you create and maintain a beautiful outdoor space that reflects your unique style and preferences. Contact us for a free quote!