Too hot to garden?

September may have arrived with the promise of cooler temperatures, but you'd be forgiven if you didn't believe in that promise.  So far this "end of summer" month has delivered mostly more of the same.

That won't keep intrepid gardeners from getting out and getting busy in preparation for the post-heat pre-freeze growing season, but it does mean we'll all need to take a few more breaks to cool off and rehydrate.

During any breaks in the action, I have just the thing for you to watch for inspiration!  Earlier this year I was thrilled to spot the KLRU Central Texas Gardener's crew filming in the nearby Rollingwood Municipal Waterwise Gardens.  That tour segment is now online, part of the Butterfly Gardening by Color episode.

Woot!  Be sure to take a look.  Viewing online gives you the comfiest possible ringside seat as one of the garden's designers involved (and currently the Chief Maintenance Officer!) Scott Ogden, gives Linda Lehmusvirta the skinny on our local showplace.

If you'd prefer to watch on YouTube, here is that link. Scroll right down to the "Rollingwood Lawn to Garden" segment.

And if video doesn't appeal, here is the link to the Central Texas Gardener blog. As you enjoy the post, going down the page you'll be able to take a more leisurely look at photographs demonstrating some of the larger gestures made in this City Hall's movement from lawn, to lovely.

Video or photographs, the images are sure to inspire.  Thanks, CTG!  

Ladies (and Gentlemen) Provide a Meta Moment in the Garden

Not much makes me stop my car these days, but the recent sight of royalty strolling about the water conserving gardens in front of my neighborhood's City Hall had me abruptly executing a bat turn and pulling over to the curb without pause.

Rollingwood (Texas) City Hall, Zone 8b

The team from public television station KLRU's Central Texas Gardener were out and about, interviewing horticulturalist Scott Ogden.  Ogden designed the Rollingwood Waterwise Demonstration Gardens along with wife Lauren Springer Ogden and Patrick Kirwin (Kirwin Horticultural Services).  Ogden and his wife are the creative force behind Plant Driven Design.  Scott and Lauren currently provide ongoing advisory and maintenance services for the community garden.

Joining in the discussion was Rollingwood Parks Commission member Robert Patterson, who was key to moving the garden from concept towards completion.  Living less than a block away, Patterson is a direct beneficiary of the new and improved view provided as he walks his dogs daily and occasionally rides his recumbent bicycle past the park.  He also walks the talk, having removed his own lawn a couple of years ago in favor of more xeric, naturalized plantings.

The community garden design, utilizing natives and well adapted neighbors, is meant to be both inspirational and instructive, providing by direct example what good can come AG (After Grass).  Most of the plants are clearly labeled, giving you a glimpse of what grows well and as importantly, where, under some very typical central Texas conditions.  The plants chosen, once established, require little supplemental watering.  As the gardens are unfenced and our area is populated with freely roaming white tailed deer, the plants in play are also proving their browse resistance under combat conditions.

Director of Photography Ed Fuentes relocates a camera as Producer/Editor Linda Lehmusvirta chats on site with Mark Morrow, in charge of Audio Ops for the segment.

After parking my car and just (barely) managing to avoid squealing like an adolescent, I casually dashed over and breathlessly inserted myself into the group.  I blurted out my blog handle along with how excited I was over the gardens getting airtime on the popular Central Texas Gardener program.  I apologized for interrupting but stated I wanted to thank Ms. Lehmusvirta and crew personally for the hours of enjoyment and invaluable information I've picked up over the years as a KLRU subscriber and faithful CTG watcher.

You know, I'm not sure how the CTG crew ever gets any work done when they are filming in a public place.  I was not the only one to recognize them and casually enter what was actually their work space.  It didn't matter - everybody was as courteous and congenial as if they were simply enjoying the day and not trying to get a segment filmed. After mis-identifying a small tree (just to assure everybody it was really me!) I realized I had originally been on my way to run an errand, so I excused myself and did just that.

Then of course, I scooted back home and grabbed my own camera.  Wouldn't you? As I was attempting to surreptitiously snap a shot of CTG's queen bee at work, I could not help but notice a couple of other important garden ladies busily working the spaces.

Harmonia axyridis - Asian lady beetle 

My role models for gardening come in all shapes, sizes, and numbers of spots.

Coccinella septempunctata - Seven spot lady bug

The Rollingwood Waterwise Demonstration Garden segment on Central Texas Gardener is currently set to premiere on September 26th, 2015.  (If you aren't an Austinite, check your local PBS listings for dates and air times.)

But don't wait to see it on television! If you are ever in the neighborhood, do stop at Rollingwood's City Hall on Nixon Drive and take a leisurely live self-guided tour of the garden and grounds.  I can't promise I'll recognize you, stop my car and say hello, but I can promise that possibility is not at all the best reason to visit.

Rght now, things are lookin' very good in the hood.

Rollingwood Waterwise Demonstration Garden
203 Nixon Drive
Rollingwood, Texas
Admission:  free