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Aren’t a few caterpillars
and a little leaf damage worth the end results? |
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Patricia
Raine, her husband, Woody, and son, Chance chose primarily
native plants to turn their north Austin home into a butterfly
haven. |
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The ambitious project
started when they tried to dig out the large, immovable
rock in the backyard. Chance happened to turn on the hose
nearby and they discovered that they had their own direct
conduit to the Northern Edwards Aquifer. Noticing many springs
in the nearby park, they realized their actions could truly
impact pollutants into our waterways. |
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The discovery made them aware of their
role as cliff dwellers perched on an outcrop of karst limestone.
As a result they built raised beds and used Dillo Dirt to
enhance their soil. |
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Avid
birders, Patricia and Woody attract wildlife with their
feeders, birdbaths and native plants. They have planted
Crossvine to feed the hummers in March when they head north
and then Cypress Vine to nourish them as they head back
south in August. |
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Wanting to combat
the impression our children have that we are destroying
the earth, the Raine’s recycle, both plants, food,
and water through composting and rainwater harvesting. |
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They enjoy the subtle color
of the Black Dalea and watch as the mockingbirds fight over
the colorful Chile Pequin. |
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| Just in case the wildlife is a little scarce
in the garden, Raine’s permanent collection of critters
crawling through their captivating yard are always enjoyable.. |
