gardening

Pollinators on the Patio for the Small Space Gardener  

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Christian Anderson said, “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower”

Living in an apartment or a home with little to no outdoor space can be challenging, especially for those with a green thumb. Large suburban yards allow homeowners to create lush greenspace that invites birds, pollinators, and wildlife to visit them daily. However, abundant space is not required to grow native plants or welcome our pollinator friends. Whether you are an urban apartment dweller, are renting your home, or are limited on space, you can still plant natives in containers and enjoy all the benefits they provide.  

Follow these container gardening tips to create a pollinator habitat by adding greenery to your small spaces.  

Eco Friendly Containers  

When choosing your perfect pot, it is important to think about sustainable options that can be used for years to come or can be recycled for future use. A container must be the right size and have adequate drainage for the plant to flourish. If the plant is too crowded by a small pot or doesn’t have drainage, it will be hard to keep it alive. Cork containers are a fantastic option for native flowering plants because the material is natural and has built-in aeration and drainage capabilities. Other sustainable materials for plant containers include recycled plastic, clay, wood, bamboo, or tough fibers like Jute.  

Also, don’t forget to recycle the clean plastic planter pot once you have transferred it into its new eco-friendly container. These can be put in your recycling cart, or you can recycle them at Home Depot and Lowes.    

Texas Native Plants  

Native Texas plants thrive in our humid climate, storm-prone summers, and chilly winters making them the perfect candidate for container gardening. Local Texas plants require less maintenance than their non-native counterparts, which can save you time and money, allowing you to enjoy your garden.  

By including natives in your small space, you welcome native pollinators, like the monarch butterfly and mason bee to your oasis. Planting a variety of native grasses and flowers together will add texture and color to your pot, making it beneficial for pollinators and beautiful to look at. Think “thriller”, “filler”, “spiller”: tall plants in the back or center, lush texter in the middle, and trailing plants to soften the edge.  

Determine how much sun your small space receives, and choose from the following: 

Shade Container Plants  

Inland sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)  

Chilie Pequin (Capsicum annuum)   

Rose Pavonia (Pavonia lasiopetala) 

Texas Spiderwort (Tradescantia humilis) 

Part- Shade Container Plants

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)  

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)  

Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) 

Prairie Verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)  

Sun Container Plants  

Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)  

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)  

Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)  

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)  

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) 

Woolly Stemodia (Stemodia lantana) 

Event Spotlight

Don’t miss the Woodlands Landscaping Solutions on September 30th from 9 am – noon at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming.

This event will help you turn any space into a garden oasis. Stop by the small space gardening booth to get expert advice and design ideas. There will be native plant vendors, landscape designers, and many more standing by to assist you on your gardening journey. This is an event you won’t want to miss! 

Got Questions? Contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov  

Elegant and ephemeral, Texas rain lilies are a delight in the garden 

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NATIVE PLANT FOCUS| Texas Rain Lilies |Cooperia drummondii and Cooperia pedunculata  

Emerging suddenly after a rain, the fragrant Texas rain lily is a delicate, graceful native wildflower. Dark green, grassy foliage is almost invisible in the landscape, providing an element of surprise when the star-shaped flowers quickly appear.  Five to nine-inch-tall flowers begin to unfurl in the late evening and will be fully open by the next morning.  Blooms may be white or tinged with pink, with the rose tint increasing as the flowers age. Enjoy waves of blooms following substantial rains from May to September.  

Two species are native to Texas: giant rain lily (Cooperia pedunculata) and the smaller evening rain lily (Cooperia drummondii).  Rain lilies are perennial plants whose blooms generate numerous black seeds which grow into tiny bulbs.  As the bulbs mature more flowers are produced, spreading the plants over a larger area.  When left undisturbed, rain lilies will produce a carpet of flowers and are easily divided and moved to new locations. These diminutive plants can even be grown in pots. 

Rain lilies are an attractive border accent, used alone or combined with other small perennials.  The plants are drought tolerant and thrive in full sun to part shade in almost any soil – whether clay, sandy loam, or sand.  While they look delicate, rain lilies tolerate the extremes of Texas weather including our summer heat and unexpected winter freezes.    

Sources of rain lilies include local garden suppliers specializing in native plants as well as on-line nurseries.  Local Master Gardener or Native Plant Society plant sales frequently offer rain lily bulbs or plants for sale.  Once started in a home garden, rain lilies will multiply quickly.  This fascinating plant is worth searching for and adding and element of surprise to flower bed borders and containers.    

For more information, read this interesting article from Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.

https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2021/apr/scout6_flora/index.phtml

Find other beautiful Texas plants to add to the landscape with more Native Plant Resources. 

Sow your love for pollinators! 

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National Pollinator Week is almost here! Celebrate the vital role bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles play in a healthy and resilient landscape. Pollinator Week is June 19th -25th, 2023!    

Pollinator week history 

In 2009 The U.S. Senate approved and designated a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”, marked as a necessary step toward addressing the declining populations of our pollinators. Pollinator Week is managed by Pollinator Partnership and has grown into an international celebration that promotes and celebrates our valuable pollinating species. Groups and individuals around the world have pledged to promote their health and well-being through education and events during this special week.   

A celebration of pollination  

Pollination occurs when an animal carries pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part (stigma) of the same or another flower. It is through this process that the plant is fertilized and go on to produce fruits and seeds.  While some plants can pollinate themselves, and others rely on the movement of wind or water, the vast majority of flowering plants need critters such as bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, flies, birds, and bats to move pollen between blooms. This includes 35% of the world’s food crops like almonds, coffee, avocados and so much more.   

Help fight pollinator population decline caused by habitat degradation, loss of nesting sites, and use of pesticides. It is time to raise awareness about the issues surrounding our pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them.

Here are ten things you can do in your yard to help save pollinators.

1. Plant a pollinator garden—provide nectar plants (flowers and herbs).  Visit our website for more information on planting a pollinator garden or how to register your existing garden.

2. Provide a water source—place shallow dishes of water in sunny areas or create a PolliPool.

3. Provide shelter and overwintering habitat – bee boxes, undisturbed soil, and small brush piles are used by native insects. Learn about Air BeeNBee boxes here.  

4. Stop or limit the use of pesticides. Use Natural Alternatives.

5. Provide a sheltered sunny area out of the wind – a sun-drenched stone near a shrub is the perfect place for bees and butterflies to rest and recharge.

6. Plant native species. Mimic local natural areas by selecting native plants. Bluebonnets and black-eyed Susans aren’t just roadside beauties. Make your pollinator garden a season-long showstopper with native plants and wildflowers for your neighbors and pollinators to enjoy. Get stared with these local stars. 

7. Grow flowers throughout the seasons. Provide a variety of colors and shapes.  

8. Plant in clumps and layers. There are 7 layers to a forest – which one(s) are missing from your yard? A mix of tall, canopy tress, smaller trees and shrubs, underplanted with low-growing perennials and vines makes for a rich habitat. Fill in bare spots with flowering annuals.  

9. Use compost instead of commercial fertilizers. The organic matter in compost fuels and promotes the interdependent relationship between roots, soil microbes, and fungi that pull nutrients in from a much wider area than plant roots can reach on their own. So, loading the soil with a diverse and abundant mix of organisms found in compost directly promotes plant health. Source great local compost or make your own. Learn how you can compost here.  

10. Look but do not touch. More than being mindful of a potential sting, pollinators are delicate insects easily harmed if handled. Take a photo instead! Keep track of your garden sightings with iNaturalist – learn how you can save pollinators with your phone Here!

Join the BioBlitz

In celebration of plants and animals of the Pineywoods, the Township is hosting a week-long “BioBlitz” – a community effort to identify as many local species as possible during National Pollinator Week, June 19 through June 25, 2023. This effort is a fun, informal opportunity to learn together and share enthusiasm for nature. You don’t need to be an expert! The iNaturalist app makes it easy discover new things right outside your back door. Click here to learn more.   

Join us for the in-person BioBooth, Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 8 to 11 a.m. at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive.  Marvel at the display of biological wonders and look through the microscope to see butterflies and their host plants up close. Experts will be on hand to help with iNaturalist observations and answer questions on local insects, frogs, plants, birds, mushrooms, and more. This is a free event for all ages! Click here to learn more.   

 For great resources on all things pollinators, visit the Plant for Pollinators page or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov  

The Butterfly Effect – How can you help the migratory monarch?  

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National “Start Seeing Monarchs Day” is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in May.  In 2023, May 6th is a day to educate and celebrate the Monarch Butterfly.  

The Importance  

The Monarch was adopted as the Texas state insect in 1995, for its beauty and spectacular migration patterns. Texas is an important state for Monarch migration because of its location on this arduous journey. Texas is situated between the Monarch’s breeding grounds in the northern US and Mexico, where they spend the winter.  

Here in Texas, we see monarchs on the flyway in the fall and the spring, but they are not the same individuals. To put it into perspective, a flight from Canada to Mexico would take people 8 hours; for the monarch that flight takes 2 months to complete. Monarchs have managed for millennia to navigate their way across the continent, drawn by an unseen force to migrate en masse. Nearly 500,00 monarch butterflies will undertake this journey every year – the longest repeat migration in the insect world.  

The Issue  

Unfortunately, since the 1990s the population of Monarchs has declined by more than 85%, landing them on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species. The number one reason – habitat loss. Breeding grounds throughout the US and Canada have been lost to urbanization, shrinking their habitat by 20% to 70% in the past decade. The situation is just as dire in their overwintering grounds, where deforestation to make space for urban development has destroyed vital areas of shelter. Throughout the monarch’s extensive range, pesticides and herbicides have killed butterflies and their host plant, milkweed.  

The Solution 

Protecting the monarch isn’t just about conserving a species, it’s about conserving a unique migratory phenomenon and ourselves. The term “butterfly effect” refers to the notion that small actions can have larger effects.  Even the smallest changes to your yard can help preserve this threatened species. Here are some ways that YOU can help save the monarch.  

1. Plant native milkweed 

Population decline for the monarch is inextricably linked to a decline in milkweed, the monarch’s only host plant. If monarchs don’t have milkweed they can’t complete their life cycle, forcing populations to plummet. Fortunately, there are over 100 species of milkweed in the US and over 30 species native to Texas. Some species native to our area include Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Planting native milkweed is the best option to help the monarch as it is adapted to our climate. By going dormant in the winter, it preserves the natural cycle for monarch migration.  

One species to avoid is tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), which is native to Mexico. While this species has risen in popularity to fill demand for milkweed, the downfall of tropical milkweed is that due to its hardiness, it doesn’t readily die back in the winter. This can confuse monarchs, signaling they have reached their destination and don’t continue to migrate to Mexico for winter. This becomes problematic if we have a hard freeze because the monarch and its caterpillars won’t survive the winter.  

The other issue with tropical milkweed is Ophryocytis elektroscirrha (OE) which is a parasite whose primary host is the monarch. If tropical milkweed is not cut back in the winter, monarchs infected with OE can leave behind spores of the parasite on the plant. Then concentrations of OE can build, infecting monarchs that subsequently visit the plant. For these reasons, the Xerces Society has named tropical milkweed a “no-grow” species. The best way to support monarchs is to find native milkweed species to plant in your landscape.  

2. Plant native plants 

While monarchs will need milkweed to lay their eggs on, during migration, they require an abundance of nectar plants to provide energy for adults as they continue their journey. While picking up your milkweed, be sure to add native nectar plants into your landscape design too. Loss of nectar-rich habitats and widespread insecticide use are also contributing to the decline of the monarch. Adult monarchs depend on diverse nectar sources for food and energy through all seasons of the year. Be sure to have a range of bloom times to ensure native nectar plants a providing a 3-season buffet for visiting monarchs. 

3. Avoid using pesticides  

Broad-spectrum insecticides and herbicides harm not only target pests, but pollinators and other beneficial insects as well. Systemic pesticides are particularly toxic as plants absorb these chemicals, toxifying their leaves and nectar which will poison visiting pollinators. If using pesticides is unavoidable for your landscape, choose the least toxic option that targets the specific problem pest and follow the label to put out no more than the recommended rate. To avoid unnecessary exposure to pollinators, avoid spraying plants in bloom, apply pesticides in the evening or at night when pollinators are not actively foraging, and don’t apply on windy days to minimize drift.

There are many alternatives to chemical pest control that can be just as effective in your landscape without harming these beneficial pollinators. Many insects are the “good guys” providing biological pest control for free! Find out how to encourage them in your own yard to reap the rewards of lady beetles, lacewings, spiders and more. Even the U.S Capital Grounds are maintained through the addition of beneficial insects to fight pests like scale. Learn to recognize these garden heroes and help prevent pests by designing your garden to work with nature.  

By planting native milkweeds, a variety of nectar plants, and avoiding the use of pesticides, you can join the growing movement of those making small changes to protect migrating monarchs and the local ecosystem. Like Doug Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope has stated: “Chances are you never thought of your garden–indeed, all of your property–as a wildlife preserve that presents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role our suburban landscapes are playing.” 

For great resources on how to create a pollinator garden, visit the Plant for Pollinators page or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Happy Earth Day!

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Earth Day is an annual celebration on April 22nd to promote environmental awareness. The first Earth Day was in 1970 which started the modern environmental movement. A long-lasting tradition of The Woodlands Township is the annual celebration of Earth Day. This celebration includes the GreenUp litter cleanup event back this past March. This year 611 community volunteers removed over 1,100 lbs of litter!  

Coming up on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, from 10 am – 1 pm is the Woodlands Township Earth Day Festival at Northshore Park. Bring your family and friends to celebrate mother earth with fun and educational activities. Enjoy live entertainment, face painting, games, educational displays, and meet organizations that celebrate earth day every day.  

Whether you’re outside participating in the Iron Man this weekend or prefer to stay home, The Woodlands Township has many programs and resources to help you celebrate Earth Day. Here are 8 ways to celebrate Earth Day year-round!

1. Conserve Water

Conserving water saves energy, and using less water keeps more in our ecosystems. There are many ways to conserve water from taking shorter showers, turning off the water while you brush your teeth or installing drip irrigation in your garden. Drip irrigation delivers water to your plants right where they need it most- the roots. Learn how to install a simple system yourself at this free workshop Saturday, May 20 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Register Today to save your place. 

2. Plant a Tree

Planting trees has many environmental benefits and can improve the quality of life of the community. Every February, the Woodlands Township hosts an annual community tree planting event. Learn more about the Community Tree Planting Event on the Woodlands Township website. The Woodlands Township hosts an Annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway to encourage residents to help reforest our community. If you don’t want to wait until Arbor Day, read the Environmental Services Department Native Trees article to learn the best way to plant a tree and ensure it thrives. 

3. Recycle  

Reducing waste is one of the many things you can do to help lessen your carbon footprint. Read the Recycle-More-Guide to see what and where to recycle beyond the curbside cart! Or save your hard-to-recycle items for the 3R Drive Thru. This special collections day in November gives you the opportunity to drop off items you’re not able to put in your curbside cart.  

4. Compost

One way to reduce the amount of waste in landfills is to compost. The Woodlands Township offers free backyard composting classes every year in the spring and fall. If you are interested in trying this at home, you can buy a compost bin from Environmental Services anytime. Learn more about The Woodlands Township Composting Resources here. Last October, The Woodlands Township had its first Pumpkin Smash Event. It was a Smashing success and a great way for residents to dispose of their pumpkins in an environmentally friendly manner. Find out details on the Woodlands Township Calendar. 

5. Support Wildlife

You can make a difference starting in your own backyard. The Woodlands Township has many programs, workshops, seminars, and volunteer opportunities available to help support your local wildlife. National Pollinator Week is right around the corner, with spring in full bloom there are many ways you can support our native pollinators. Planting native milkweed or nectar-producing plants is a great way to support habitats and encourage pollinators to stop by!  Additional resources are in the Environmental Services Blog. Invasive species take over the environment and cause harm to the stability of ecosystems. Join the Woodlands Township Invasive Species Task Force to help.  

6. Pick Up Litter

Keep the community clean by picking up litter in our public spaces. The Woodlands Township has trash grabbers, gloves, and trash bags available to be picked up by appointment. Also, the Earth Day GreenUp, a community clean-up event takes place every March, and again in September. Both the GreenUp and GreenUp Fall Sweep information can be found on the Woodlands Township website If you’re interested in keeping the Woodlands free of litter Adopt-A-Path is a year-round program that you can apply to join. Additional information can be found on the Adopt-A-Path webpage. 

7. Immerse Yourself in Nature

Going outdoors and educating yourself about the wonders of nature is a wonderful way to appreciate the earth. The Woodlands Township has two upcoming events that are great opportunities to learn about nature. The Great Texas Birding Classic will be held on April 29th, at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve. This event is a bird-watching competition across Texas, and the Woodlands Township has a registered team. More information about this event is on the calendar listing. If you can’t attend the Great Texas Birding Classic, we have birding backpacks available to rent year-round for those interested in birding! Make a reservation here   

Another event coming up is the Bioblitz during Pollinator Week. It is a two-part event, starting June 19 through June 25 is the week-long community effort to identify as many species as possible through the iNaturalist App. Then join the in-person event on Saturday, June 24th at Rob Flemming to continue the search in person and visit the BioBooth. Read about BioBlitz on The Woodlands Township website.  

8. Garden

There are many benefits to gardening, it improves the quality of air in the soil, provides habitat and cover for pollinators, and adds to the aesthetic of the environment. The Woodlands Township provides two home gardening classes, one in the spring and one in the fall which is coming up on August 21st, you can register here. The Woodlands Township administers community gardens, if you’re interested in a garden plot call the Environmental Services department and ask to be connected to the community garden coordinator.

There are many ways to celebrate earth day year-round. Some of those include finding ways to conserve water, planting trees, recycling and composting to reduce waste, supporting local wildlife, picking up litter, and gardening. The Woodlands Township has multiple resources to help you on your journey to becoming more environmentally friendly and connecting with your community. If you have any questions, visit The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Website or search the online library for your favorite topics.