This is a great time of the year to take a hard look at your landscape. How’s it working for you?
There should be no doubt that our hot, dry summers are the hardest time of the year for yards, gardens, orchards, and fields. Unlike those places far to the north of us, our winters are mild with lots of moisture. Spring and fall seasons can be quite nice.
But our summers… oh my.
Take a good look at your back yard. Is it the family retreat, entertainment center, or kid-friendly play zone that you want it to be? What colors do you want to add (or remove)? Are the beds manageable? Do you need to add more structure such as walkways, arbors, or a deck?
Next time you drive up to your house, park at the curb with the air conditioner running and take a good look at what your neighbors and passersby see. Is it what you want to show? How’s the irrigation working? Are there bare spots or cluttered areas?
This Monday evening starting at 6:00 pm at the Angelina Extension office, we have the privilege to host Dr. Bill Welch, a renowned author, educator and professional in the landscape and gardening world.
Welch’s formal education began in with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University in the mid 1960’s. He then went to work for several years as a landscape contractor in Houston and later returned to LSU to obtain a masters and then a doctoral degree in horticulture.
Joining Texas A&M University in 1972, Welch has impacted decades of students and written numerous books and articles that reached countless gardeners beyond the university classroom. On my shelf, I especially enjoy his books Heirloom Gardening in the South and The Bulb Hunter the most. Sales of his books support two annual scholarships: one for an undergraduate and one for a graduate student.
Welch’s topic this Monday evening is “re-designing the landscape”. While his talk will formally begin at 6:30, he will be on hand starting at 6 pm to sell and autograph books (benefitting the scholarship fund).
Our hope for the evening is that you will be challenged to ways to re-design your landscape that you’ve studied and pondered by one of the most knowledgeable and talented horticultural minds that we have with us today.
Plant selection and care that will enable your landscape to look it’s best no matter what the season will be discussed. After studying and considering what more you want from the landscape, our goal is that you will have more direction and ideas that will be successful.
Cost is $10 (also going directly to the scholarship fund). The Angelina County Extension office is located on south loop 287 near the intersection of Hwy 69 south and next door to the Farmers Market. For more information, call 936.634.6414 or email me at cw-sims@tamu.edu .
