Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes pop up all along Texas 29 in Llano County. Photo by Karla Held
The hummers are back!
We saw our first hummingbird on March 13. When did you see yours? For the first week or two, mix a 3-to-1 ratio of water to sugar. (No artificial sweetener, please.) Then, switch to a 4:1 ratio. These little guys and gals have flown a LONG distance and need a little boost at the beginning of the season.
[image id="23316" title="Luedecke" linkto="file" ] Bill Luedecke and daughter Martelle offer advice to Highland Lakes gardeners.We have saved our Ovaltine containers for this purpose. Since we go through so much hummingbird food, we mix in huge batches. The Ovaltine containers are 32 ounces (the same as our bird feeders), have lids, and stack well in the refrigerator. Share your hummingbird season tips with us.
WORDS OF CAUTION
The wildflowers are beginning to bloom. In another week, we will see God’s wondrous bouquet across our counties. Several things to remember when you stop to take photos. Be respectful of property; don’t just drive onto someone’s flowers. Be wary of snakes and other critters that are asleep in the wildflower patch. If you are stopping on Texas 29 (or another highway with beautiful flowers), make sure your car is completely on the shoulder and off the road. We have so many visitors this time of year; it can be a circus. Keep your eyes open for clowns. MOST important: enjoy the beauty! We are blessed!
NATIVE PLANTS
Sammye Childers, a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, wrote this about monoculture lawns:
“Today, suburban lawns have replaced prairies, where even clover and bees are no longer welcome. Unlike our native grasslands, which are home to a diversity of plant and animal life, turf grass lawns provide less habitat value for wildlife than a desert. Expansive lawns are a fairly recent practice in our landscape culture, and clover hasn’t always been considered a ‘weed.’
Clover was traditionally included in grass seed mixtures because it is green all year, fixes nitrogen to improve the soil, co-exists well with grasses, and takes mowing. Clovers are a larval host to some butterflies, provide nectar to others and seeds for some game and songbirds — and is attractive to bees and other pollinators! Also, please note that they were grass seed mixtures. Our monoculture lawns are very recent in our garden history. But can you imagine trying to sell a grass seed mixture containing clover to the average homeowner today?”
Native plants are an integral piece of our gardens, lawns, fields, and prairies. Why should we plant native plants?
Audubon answers: “Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water. In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well.”
For native grass seed, visit Bamert Seed at bamertseed.com or Native American Seed at seedsource.com. Both companies are highly recommended by fellow soil diggers.
Keep your souls and soles in your garden!
Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1 Contact Bill at The Luedecke Group Realtors at (512) 577-1463 or bill@texasland.net. Contact Martelle Luedecke at (512) 769-3179 or luedeckephotography@gmail.com.
