Plant a clump or two to feed birds in a pinch.

 

A clump or two of native grass is an ideal back-up food source for when you go on vacation, or any other time when your feeder might be empty.  (I’m talking about prairie grasses, not lawns)  There are many kinds of ornamental native prairie grasses to choose from such as little bluestem, sideoats grama, Lindheimer muhly, Indian grass, eastern gamagrass - heights from 4 inches to 7 feet.  Texas has more than 100 species. These native prairie grasses are almost maintenance free, and all kinds of birds will magically flock to them. 

 

In north Texas, between late September and early February is the best time to plant them. There’s no fertilizer or special soil amendments necessary- just plant them in our miserable native Texas soil, and water thoroughly once. After that, there's no need to water the native varieties ever again (unless we have a really severe, extended drought). There's no need to prune, mow, or divide ever again either, unless you do so to reduce fire danger, or share the grass with friends (although cutting the clump back to 3-4 inches every January helps it green up faster).

 

 

A typical bird has between 2000 and 4000 feathers. The feathers all start out as living tissue, complete with a blood supply. After they’re formed, however, the blood shuts off and the feathers remain, sort of like our hair or fingernails – basically dead structures.

Feathers are crucial to two very important attributes of birds; warm-bloodedness and flight. To a scientist, a bird’s feathers have all sorts of names such as “flight feathers”, “primary feathers” and things called “filoplumes”. Basically, however, all feathers fit into just two categories: “down feathers” and “contour feathers”.

Loosely arranged down feathers trap large amounts of air, which insulate the bird’s body well. This enables keeps the bird’s body warm and allows warm-bloodedness. Contour feathers help promote flight by smoothing the bird’s body, and making it aerodynamic, allowing flight.

That’s all good to know. But all most of us really care about is that birds’ feathers make them pretty and colorful. (There’s a science-based reason for that too!)

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

 

Homeowners Associations powers have to be exercised more realistically

 Starting Sept. 1, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in Texas can no longer prevent residents from installing native plants or drought-tolerant ones – a recognition of the severe drought that continues, and of common sense. 

Although homeowners may still need to submit design plans for approval, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature specifies that a design cannot be denied simply because it uses native plants, which help conserve water. This would include many varieties of native prairie grass, which are extremely drought-tolerant and don't require cutting. Also, there are hundreds of other native Texas plants and wildflowers which often offended HOAs because they aren't "customary" or "typical'.

"Water resources are going to get more and more stressed. It's good to get used to conserving resources by using native plants well adapted to the climate, says Andrea Delong-Amaya, horticulture director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Most plants, especially lawns, on the market require a lot of water and may be native to places like Japan, Argentina, Italy, England etc.

Estimates suggest about one third of the water used byTexas homeowners goes to landscaping. And much of that just evaporates in our heat or runs off, instead of watering the plant. Nationally, landscape irrigation accounts for more than 7 billion gallons of potable (drinking) water used daily. 

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.