PRESENTATION BY: BOB BEYER, TRAVIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER - On behalf of the Texas Clean Water Act - City of Kyle

PRESENTATION BY: BOB BEYER,
 TRAVIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
On behalf of the Texas Clean Water Act

HOA’S SHOULD SUPPORT
     XERISCAPING!
  IT’S THE LAW AND A
     RESPONSIBILITY,
   NOT AN OPTION.

Increasing demand + Drought and
 diminishing water reserves

Adapting to our environment rather than
trying to change it.

Redefining what is “acceptable” landscaping

Changing the “green lawn” paradigm

Will to act before water crisis gets worse

Biggest impact can be made by reducing
water use for landscape irrigation!!

Eliminate barriers and provide incentives to
Xeriscape

HOA INSISTANCE ON GREEN TURF LAWNS =
 WATER WASTING AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEMS =
RUNOFF INTO STORM SEWERS CARRYING POLLUTANTS,
          Especially on “nuisance strips”.
         SOLUTION: XERISCAPING

ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT XERISCAPING IN AVERY RANCH

Convinced HOA to endorse xeriscaping - eliminate restrictions

Developed Xeriscaping Guidelines that HOA approved

Have Annual Garden Tour to demo water-wise gardening

Periodic articles in HOA Newsletter on water-wise gardening

Conduct Landscape and Garden Clinics to offer help

Transitioned our own yard to xeriscaping to set example!

By example, xeriscaping has become a trend in Avery Ranch!5

How we got it done in Avery Ranch!

1. Get to know Board members and approach them in constructive,
   not hostile manner. Find your strongest supporters.
2. Show data and evidence that this is a beneficial thing for the local
   and extended community. Do homework first.
3. Talk about your community developing a reputation as a leader in
   promoting water-wise landscaping.
4. Propose guidelines for HOA Board approval of variances and related
   enforcement.
5. Be a proactive part of the process. Boards always will respond to
   submitted proposals before developing their own.
6. Told the Board that City of Austin (and/or other organizations) are
   actively promoting this (show specific programs). Why shouldn’t we
   follow suit?
7. Got publicity for Avery Ranch via resident TV appearances, media
   articles, and talks about specific xeriscaping efforts
8. Told Board that violation notices can be reduced by offering free
   sources of help and advice for corrective action i.e. xeriscaping!

Advantages of Water-wise Landscaping

            - Save Money
     - Conserve water resources
       - Prevent runoff pollution
     - Reduce yard maintenance
     - Provide durable landscape
     - Protect fragile environment
     - Inspire artistry and creativity
             - Helps wildlife

XERISCAPING: use native and adaptive
  plants that are self sustaining, have low
  water requirements. and are heat and
              drought tolerant.

        WHAT XERIXCAPING IS NOT:

 It is not Zeroscaping – no landscaping at all
It is not a desert/Arizona look, but can have
   a variety of appearances to match home
                  architecture.

- Central Texas is unique
- Bring the beautiful features of Hill Country
   into your landscape
- Avoid trying to grow plants from other regions

WATER WISE LANDSCAPING….
 1. Minimize or eliminate lawngrass area
 2. Select native and adaptive plants
 3. Embrace the local environment

Minimize Turf
There are NO lawn grasses ideal for Hill Country
    Buffalo grass (best BUT not perfect
                alternative)

                       New Habiturf (mix of 3 native grasses)
                        Developed by LBJ Wildflower Center

SUBSTITUTES FOR A LAWN

Decomposed                                   Hardwood
  Granite        Pea Gravel      Crushed       Mulch
                                Limestone

             Flagstone patios and walkways

        USE XERIPHYTIC GROUND COVERS IN LIEU
                   OF TURFGRASS

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FEATURED
 PLANTS
& OBJECTS

            CREATIVITY
            & ARTISTIC
              DESIGN

“Saving the   planet – one yard at a time”

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BEFORE REMOVAL OF WATER DEMANDING ST. AUGUSTINE LAWN
                                                       19

AFTER XERISCAPING – USING NATIVE BUFFALO GRASS   20

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DEAD ST. AUGUSTINE TURF AFTER
DROUGHT/HEAT OF 2011 SUMMER
                                22

The Starting Point – Initial Plan on Paper - Modified as Project Proceeded   23

NEW XERISCAPED
                 24
  BACKYARD

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BEST RESOURCE AVAILABLE…..
             & IT’S FREE!!!

              Updated Feb. 2009, 52 pages
Available at any garden place within the city of Austin.

Information provided

Recommendations:
1.   HOA’s become proactive
2.   Allow variances from covenants
3.   Establish reasonable guidelines
4.   Provide helpful resources
5.   Incentives?
6.   Publicity and Examples
7.   Long term planning needed

Additional Internet Resources
           Central Texas Gardening
        www.centraltexasgardening.info
        Central Texas Gardening Blog
   www.centraltexasgardening.wordpress.com

         City of Austin – Grow Green
        www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/
            Central Texas Gardener
              www.klru.org/ctg

               Aggie Horticulture
       http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu

      Waterwise Gardening Presentation
 www.centraltexasgardening.info/waterwise.html