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March 10 Chapter Meeting (In Person and Virtual), ”Landscaping with Native Plants Series: #1 Solving Landscape Problems with Native Plants” moderated by Beth Erwin

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Join NPSOT-Williamson County on Thursday, March 10, 2022, when our featured topic will be Landscaping with Native Plants Series: #1 Solving Landscape Problems with Native Plants, moderated by Beth Erwin.   Free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

About our topic:  This month’s topic is #1 Solving Landscape Problems with Native Plants, moderated by Beth Erwin with input from homeowners and other members.  The presentation is first in a series called Landscaping with Native Plants which the chapter will lead over the coming months. Other topics in the series will be announced at a future date.

  • #1 Solving Landscape Problems with Native Plants will examine two cases:
    • We will look at an established home landscape in western Georgetown (Edwards Plateau). The landscape contains a mix of native and non-native species. The owner wishes to replace some undesirable trees he had removed and to replace some flowering shrubs that aged out.
    • One of our chapter members has embarked on a multi-year project to, in his words, “have a nicer view from the kitchen window.” This home is in Round Rock, east of I-35, in Blackland Prairie soils.

About our moderator:  Beth Erwin is a professional horticulturist and naturalist who has spent her life promoting the use of native plants in the landscape. Beth is currently serving as president of the Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Planting bed. Mainly fall aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Photo provided by Gary Bowers. Fall asters, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium. Mexican Buckeye, Ungnadia speciosa. Greggs Dalea, Dalea greggii. Cup grass. Live oak.

At every meeting, we give away a book — about native plants or the meeting topic — to one randomly chosen meeting attendee!

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NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend!  Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook.

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Community Rain Barrel Sale in Round Rock, open to the general public

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Round Rock’s Water Conservation Department is selling rain barrels from February 1 through March 27  at a discounted price.  You order ahead online for pickup in Round Rock in April.

image of raindrops

You do not have to be a City of Round Rock water customer to purchase barrels.  (Direct City of Round Rock water customers may qualify for a rebate on the purchase of barrels from the water conservation program. ) Find details in this Round Rock announcement.

The deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 27.  Order online at this link. 

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If you know of another utility or city rain barrel program currently underway in Williamson County, please submit a comment to this article to share the news!

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Field Trip: Saturday, March 19, 2022, Gault Archeological Site Plant Survey, 9:30am

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Gault Archeological Site Field Trip & Plant Survey
  • When:  Saturday, March 19, 2022, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  3439 FM2843, Florence, TX 76527  on the Williamson/Bell County line. (NOTE: The entrance gate may be open for a limited time. See details below.)

We are returning to the Gault Archeological Site — the location of discoveries related to the earliest peoples of the Americas — for the first time since November of 2017 to update plant survey work from 2009.

Be prepared for extensive walking on uneven, open terrain.  Wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water, field guides, and something to take notes on and with.  Solar toilets and porta-potties are available.

Please plan on arriving by 9:15 AM – the front automatic gate may be closed shortly after 9:30 AM.  Stay for a burger lunch in Andice afterwards.

The field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are NOT required.  If you have questions, please contact Sue Wiseman using this form.

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips — a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with others.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

Directions:

  • Take IH-35 north to Exit # 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
  • Turn left and follow SH 195 for 15 miles to Florence.
  • Take the Florence/FM 487 exit, then turn right off the access road onto FM 487, and go a little less than 4 miles.
  • Turn left onto FM 2843 and go about 3 miles.
  • Just past the microwave tower on the left, there is a house on the left with a red tile roof (Gault School fieldhouse, # 3433); pull next to (if you’re early) or into the next driveway on the left with two black mailboxes (# 3439 and # 3451), stop sign, and automatic gate (Gault Site).
  • Drive through the front automatic gate, down the gravel road, through the latched gate (re-latching it behind you in order to keep the friendly cows in), and meet at the barn.

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