— by Nancy Pumphrey
Under threatening skies on Sunday November 19, 2023, eight volunteers from Master Naturalists and NPSOT tidied up the pollinator garden at the Williamson County Landfill. Louis, from Waste Management, had the place mowed and weed-whacked and it was ready for some sprucing up. We added Texas Cupgrass (Eriochloa sericea), Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridius), Zexmenia (Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispid), Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides), Crucita a.k.a. Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium odorata), Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), and Rayless Grindelia (Grindelia squarrosa) to replace plants that had expired.
The mulch did not materialize as expected but that was ok considering the bluebonnets were already showing. We were able to get some weeding done and the rain barrel Gary fixed seemed to be holding water. So all together, it was a successful day! Thanks to all who came and it is looking like it will be a great spring out there. For those who were not able to join us, we will have another workday in the spring, date not yet determined.
If you have never been to this garden it is open to the public. Sunday is the best time to go as the landfill is closed so there is no traffic and it’s safe to park along the road.
About the garden: The Pollinator Garden is a collaboration of the NPSOT-Wilco chapter, Good Water Master Naturalists, and Williamson County Waste Management, located at the entrance to the Williamson County Landfill, at the corner of FM 1660 and Landfill Road in Hutto, TX, across from the Recycling Center. The garden includes a Monarch Waystation and is a Certified Texas Wildscape. Volunteers help maintain the garden when the collaborating organizations announce a maintenance work day. Anyone interested is invited to help!
