Composting enriches soil, reduces landfill waste, and stores carbon, benefiting every household. Achieve success with a balanced mix of brown and green materials, maintain moisture, and address common problems, such as heating your pile, to create nutrient-rich compost—your garden’s “black gold.” Join our upcoming class for hands-on experience!
Learn how to care for your trees and ensure they thrive with these resources! Discover tips for planting bare-root trees, mulching, pruning, and choosing the right tree for the right place. Explore this year’s 12 tree varieties from the 49th Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway on January 25, 2025.
As we enter 2025, Environmental Services invites community members to volunteer and get involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing local ecological health. In 2024, volunteers contributed 4,500 hours, achieving significant waste reduction and habitat restoration. Opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing commitments, supporting cleanups, recycling, and pollinator programs.
We want to say thank you to our readers as this year draws to a close! Take a walk down memory lane with us as we explore our most read resources in 2024. See if your favorite is among our top posts and let us know what content you’d like to see in 2025!
Holiday plants like poinsettias, amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, and Christmas cacti can enhance seasonal cheer. To keep them thriving in Texas, provide appropriate light, temperature, and watering conditions. These plants, each with unique characteristics and care needs, can be enjoyed year-round with proper attention, enhancing your home’s festive ambiance.
As the holidays nears, many seek the perfect tree for their homes. The Witch Hazel tree, often overlooked, offers winter blooms with its unique yellow-orange flowers. This deciduous shrub thrives in woodland areas and brings color during colder months. Incorporating Witch Hazel into holiday decor can enhance festive arrangements, adding creative flair to centerpieces and outdoor spaces.
Learn about our beloved native plants! Shrubby boneset, or white mistflower, blooms in late fall, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Native to Texas, this perennial thrives in various soils and light conditions, reaching heights of four to six feet. It’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent addition to gardens for visual interest and wildlife.
Let’s tackle a recycling dilemma! With the increasing prevalence of mail packages, understanding the recyclability of envelopes is vital. Different materials impact whether envelopes can be recycled curbside, at stores, or must be discarded. Evaluate both outer and inner envelope materials, and always check for recycling symbols to guide decision-making.
Composting transformed kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost can be fun! Start by choosing a suitable bin or an open pile, considering factors like sunlight and accessibility. Engage family or friends for teamwork and fun. Attend monthly composting classes and participate in events like Pumpkin Smash to embrace this eco-friendly practice creatively.
Verbesina virginica, known as frostweed, is a native Texas plant that serves as an essential nectar source for pollinators like butterflies and bees. This hardy, low-maintenance perennial thrives in various soil types and partly shaded areas. Its unique “frost flowers” appear in freezing conditions and add an enchanting element to your garden. Frostweed can be grown via seeds or transplants, enhancing gardens and supporting beneficial insects.
