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Liz and Wayne
Kesterson, both Master Gardeners, have been very
busy in the three short years that they’ve
lived on Yaupon Drive, replacing much of the Bermuda
grass with perennial beds and pervious pathways. |
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Putting to
good use the often-forgotten theory of “trading
assets”, they exchanged two very large Wax
Myrtles for much of the manual labor needed for
the job. A few of the original Wax Myrtles remain
to fill in the corner of the property. |
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The backyard
has a new sitting area that overlooks a wide variety
of native perennials and herbs. The Kesterson’s
solarized (dampened and covered the turf with clear
plastic) the Bermuda grass while on an extended
trip out of town. When they returned, they tilled
the soil so that few herbicides were needed to kill
the invasive turf. |
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Yarrow |
St. John's Wort |
Coneflowers |
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The side
yard offers a combination of textures with native
grasses and structural plants. |
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The front
sidewalk strip of Bermuda was replaced with grasses
and Society Garlic. The plants should not need watering
and will help reduce irrigation runoff from the
property. |
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The
water feature and native plants attract a variety of wildlife
including this soon-to-be butterfly. |
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Liz’s
garden art includes her “Alice’s Looking Glass”
and friendly gargoyle nestled amongst the plants. |
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A favorite recent addition is the seating area they’ve
placed at the side yard. You will find Liz and Wayne there
most afternoons enjoying the fruits of their labor with
a glass of wine. They said that this new outdoor living
space has made them many new friends as neighbors stroll
by and stop to chat about their garden. |
| Update 11/08/07 |
If you think Green Gardening
doesn’t “pay”, the Kesterson’s can
prove otherwise. Although we did have a rainy period, compare
their water usage and cost savings for these two, May through
October periods.
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