1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:02,900 - Hi there, I'm Tom Spencer, this week on Central Texas 2 00:00:02,900 --> 00:00:05,766 Gardener, Certified Arborist, Andrew Angstrom, picks 3 00:00:05,766 --> 00:00:08,366 the biggest mistakes that topple our trees. 4 00:00:08,366 --> 00:00:10,000 See how to improve the lifespan 5 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,933 of these long-term investments. 6 00:00:11,933 --> 00:00:14,533 On tour, at the Warrior and Family Support Center 7 00:00:14,533 --> 00:00:17,466 in San Antonio, visit a healing garden for wounded 8 00:00:17,466 --> 00:00:19,466 warriors and their families. 9 00:00:19,466 --> 00:00:21,800 Daphne answers your Top Question and Trisha has 10 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:23,933 your Backyard Basics tip. 11 00:00:23,933 --> 00:00:26,500 So, let's get growing, right here, right now. 12 00:00:26,733 --> 00:00:28,266 - [Voiceover] Central Texas Gardener is sponsored 13 00:00:28,266 --> 00:00:30,533 by the Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical 14 00:00:30,533 --> 00:00:33,466 Garden, home of 31 local garden clubs and the Zilker 15 00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:36,266 Garden Festival, zilkergarden.org. 16 00:00:37,033 --> 00:00:38,900 (playful chime music and birds chirp) 17 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:53,766 - At the Warrior and Family Support Center, 18 00:00:53,766 --> 00:00:56,366 at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, 19 00:00:56,366 --> 00:00:59,366 see how community interaction developed a healing garden 20 00:00:59,366 --> 00:01:01,966 for wounded warriors and their families. 21 00:01:02,933 --> 00:01:04,366 - [Voiceover] At the Warrior and Family Support Center 22 00:01:04,366 --> 00:01:07,433 in San Antonio, another kind of healing is going on, 23 00:01:07,433 --> 00:01:10,433 at the San Antonio Military Medical Center. 24 00:01:10,433 --> 00:01:12,800 Along with it's home-like, hill country ranch-style 25 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,466 Activity Center and Dining Room, acres of gardens 26 00:01:15,466 --> 00:01:18,366 assist soldiers and their families to physical and 27 00:01:18,366 --> 00:01:20,533 emotional recovery. 28 00:01:20,533 --> 00:01:24,300 In 2015, the American Horticultural Therapy Association 29 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:27,900 presented them the Therapeutic Garden Design Award. 30 00:01:28,333 --> 00:01:29,866 - [Judith Merkelz] The Warrior and Family Support Center 31 00:01:29,866 --> 00:01:33,066 was originally begun 12 years ago, moved into this site 32 00:01:33,066 --> 00:01:36,933 seven years ago and the purpose of it is to encourage 33 00:01:37,533 --> 00:01:40,633 warriors and their families, help them interact back 34 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:45,500 into society, to a, overused expression but, 35 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:48,466 a whole new normal, because their lives are changed forever. 36 00:01:48,466 --> 00:01:51,533 We provide activities, classes, anything that will allow 37 00:01:51,533 --> 00:01:55,933 them to be back, part of the community that they live in. 38 00:01:56,433 --> 00:01:59,933 - My son was injured in Afghanistan and he came 39 00:01:59,933 --> 00:02:04,933 to the finest center for treatment, which is here. 40 00:02:05,066 --> 00:02:07,766 And, that's how I came here. 41 00:02:08,066 --> 00:02:10,900 I came to see him, obviously, they sent for me, 42 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:13,566 and I started walking around the track. 43 00:02:13,566 --> 00:02:16,333 I would notice a rose that needed pruning, 44 00:02:17,166 --> 00:02:20,633 or something that I thought could use a little bit of work. 45 00:02:20,633 --> 00:02:22,333 So I said, "Do you need volunteers?" 46 00:02:22,333 --> 00:02:24,800 And they said, "We sure do, in the garden." 47 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:26,400 That's how I started. 48 00:02:27,033 --> 00:02:29,333 - [Voiceover] To finance the building and the garden design, 49 00:02:29,333 --> 00:02:33,033 Steve Huffman founded the nonprofit Returning Heroes Home, 50 00:02:33,033 --> 00:02:36,433 raising startup funds from over 8,000 donors. 51 00:02:36,966 --> 00:02:41,100 - In 2007, we first met Judith Markelz, at the time she was 52 00:02:41,100 --> 00:02:43,966 in a room, in a hotel, and didn't have the space 53 00:02:43,966 --> 00:02:45,933 that she needed to really serve the wounded warriors 54 00:02:45,933 --> 00:02:47,400 and their families. 55 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,500 - [Judith] They raised all the monies and they did 56 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:52,066 all the work, and we moved in. 57 00:02:52,466 --> 00:02:55,666 - We have a lot of very severely injured and wounded 58 00:02:56,033 --> 00:02:59,533 soldiers here, burn patients, people with prosthetics, 59 00:02:59,533 --> 00:03:01,500 threatened amputations. 60 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:04,433 And, they tend to be here for a very long time. 61 00:03:04,433 --> 00:03:07,033 When we started looking into the idea of therapeutic 62 00:03:07,033 --> 00:03:10,400 gardens on site, we started doing some research 63 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,100 and found Brian Benson, with Quatrefoil, 64 00:03:13,100 --> 00:03:14,633 in Portland, Oregon. 65 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,433 Brian's main role was to layout the architechtural 66 00:03:17,433 --> 00:03:21,433 design, the raised planters, the walking surfaces, 67 00:03:21,433 --> 00:03:23,333 the berming activity. 68 00:03:23,333 --> 00:03:25,533 - [Voiceover] Dallas designer, Jennifer Golden, laid out 69 00:03:25,533 --> 00:03:28,200 the initial Texas stock plantings, financed by Returning 70 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,266 Heroes Home. 71 00:03:30,266 --> 00:03:32,966 Since then, local nurseries and gardeners jump in, 72 00:03:32,966 --> 00:03:35,066 to add plants and materials. 73 00:03:35,066 --> 00:03:37,533 - [Voiceover] The people in San Antonio have been phenomenal, 74 00:03:37,533 --> 00:03:41,233 you know, we get fertilizer donated, we get plants donated. 75 00:03:41,233 --> 00:03:44,333 Everybody that I invite to come here and take a tour, 76 00:03:44,333 --> 00:03:47,433 they are just blown away with what has been done 77 00:03:47,433 --> 00:03:50,666 for wounded warriors, so they're just willing to help out. 78 00:03:50,666 --> 00:03:52,600 - [Voiceover] But, it's volunteers that keep the garden 79 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,766 at it's best in every season. 80 00:03:54,766 --> 00:03:57,866 Melody McMahon has nurtured it since day one. 81 00:03:57,866 --> 00:04:00,600 - It was my neighbors, the Huffman's, who built the place 82 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,933 and I was at their house, and they were talking 83 00:04:03,933 --> 00:04:07,033 about building a facility for the wounded warriors and 84 00:04:07,033 --> 00:04:08,833 I asked if they needed help. 85 00:04:08,833 --> 00:04:10,966 And, I came out here the next week and I've been here 86 00:04:10,966 --> 00:04:12,400 ever since. 87 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,466 - [Voiceover] Adair County Master Gardener, Melody 88 00:04:14,466 --> 00:04:17,000 eventually enlisted their help along with the Gardening 89 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,333 Volunteers of South Texas. 90 00:04:19,333 --> 00:04:21,633 - Almost every week, someone will stop and thank us 91 00:04:21,633 --> 00:04:22,966 for being here. 92 00:04:22,966 --> 00:04:27,166 Which is something that I am just so amazed by, 93 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:30,500 since I thank them for everything that they do, 94 00:04:30,500 --> 00:04:33,233 and, I just love being here. 95 00:04:33,233 --> 00:04:35,133 - [Voiceover] Some of the volunteers are actually moms, that 96 00:04:35,133 --> 00:04:37,533 are here with their sons. 97 00:04:37,533 --> 00:04:39,800 - I have absolutely nothing, but an injured child, 98 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:44,166 my one and only (laughter) and here I've watched 99 00:04:44,166 --> 00:04:47,500 the seasons, I've watched things growing and planting, 100 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:50,666 and cutting back and dying, and renewing. 101 00:04:50,666 --> 00:04:54,466 And, it's the best, the best remedy in the world 102 00:04:54,466 --> 00:04:55,800 for anybody. 103 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,866 - John Carter was hired as our Staff Gardener 104 00:04:57,866 --> 00:05:02,400 2.5 years ago, and what a blessing he has been. 105 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:04,333 - [Voiceover] They all want soldiers and families 106 00:05:04,333 --> 00:05:07,200 to experience Texas hospitality, through it's plants 107 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:08,666 and wildlife. 108 00:05:08,666 --> 00:05:10,933 They do avoid plants that remind soldiers where they 109 00:05:10,933 --> 00:05:12,666 received their injuries. 110 00:05:12,666 --> 00:05:14,400 - [Voiceove] The butterfly garden was one of my favorite 111 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,033 pieces, having understood the patient population. 112 00:05:18,033 --> 00:05:20,200 The symbol of the butterfly is very important 113 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,666 to the caregivers and the people in the burn unit, 114 00:05:23,666 --> 00:05:25,900 because they see it as a symbol of hope. 115 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:28,900 Just like a caterpillar is cocooned and then turns 116 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:30,800 into a butterfly, it's the same thing that happens 117 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:32,300 in the burn unit. 118 00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:34,200 These patients are cocooned in bandages and it takes them 119 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,266 months to even be able to go outdoors. 120 00:05:37,266 --> 00:05:40,166 And for them, once they get here, it's an amazing, 121 00:05:40,166 --> 00:05:45,000 therapeutic situation that we can't even comprehend. 122 00:05:45,500 --> 00:05:47,766 - [Voiceover] We plant things on purpose, to bring in, 123 00:05:47,766 --> 00:05:49,633 especially the monarchs. 124 00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:51,966 They wanted to have a variety and show what can 125 00:05:51,966 --> 00:05:55,866 grow in this area, but what was so cool, is the other day, 126 00:05:55,866 --> 00:06:00,833 a soldier was here and he was from Chicago, originally. 127 00:06:00,833 --> 00:06:03,666 And, he wanted a picture of him holding an apple, 128 00:06:03,666 --> 00:06:06,400 so he could send it to his mom, in Chicago. (laughter) 129 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,533 It was so cute. 130 00:06:08,533 --> 00:06:11,200 - [Voiceover] The variety of surfaces does more that create 131 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:14,266 unique journeys from one space to another. 132 00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:15,933 - [Voiceover] They want to be able to walk on some 133 00:06:15,933 --> 00:06:19,533 soft grass, and they want something that's not desert, 134 00:06:19,533 --> 00:06:21,533 especially if they've come back from war. 135 00:06:21,533 --> 00:06:24,033 They want something that's green 136 00:06:24,033 --> 00:06:27,900 and lush and soothing. 137 00:06:27,900 --> 00:06:30,766 When they are fitted with their prosthetic limb, sometimes 138 00:06:30,766 --> 00:06:33,066 they need to learn how to walk on them, on different 139 00:06:33,066 --> 00:06:36,833 surfaces, so they, on purpose, did concrete, 140 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,166 different bricks, the crushed granite. 141 00:06:40,166 --> 00:06:42,300 We even have a bridge in the back that they can 142 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:45,100 walk over and it's a little wobbly. 143 00:06:45,100 --> 00:06:48,166 So, it's just to help them learn on different surfaces 144 00:06:48,166 --> 00:06:49,766 how to walk again. 145 00:06:49,766 --> 00:06:52,666 - And, there's also an artificial turf field, that's 146 00:06:52,666 --> 00:06:54,433 used by the physical therapist. 147 00:06:54,433 --> 00:06:56,433 So, there's regularly scheduled group therapy 148 00:06:56,433 --> 00:06:58,966 sessions, out on the turf field. 149 00:06:59,433 --> 00:07:02,266 - [Voiceover] Since families can spend months or years here, 150 00:07:02,266 --> 00:07:04,866 playgrounds let children run around and have fun, 151 00:07:04,866 --> 00:07:06,266 like they did at home. 152 00:07:06,266 --> 00:07:08,833 Important therapy for their parents, too. 153 00:07:08,833 --> 00:07:11,100 Families often gather in the covered pavilion, where 154 00:07:11,100 --> 00:07:14,433 sponsors provide barbecues, breakfasts, and other events. 155 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:17,800 - We have breakfasts here every Saturday morning for 200 156 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,300 and some odd people. 157 00:07:19,300 --> 00:07:20,833 Everything is free here, no money exchanges hands between 158 00:07:20,833 --> 00:07:25,000 warriors, staff, everything is free and everything is 159 00:07:26,066 --> 00:07:27,900 sponsored by donated money. 160 00:07:27,900 --> 00:07:30,100 - [Voiceover] It adjoins the Purple Heart Patio, enjoyed 161 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:33,200 not only on ceremonial occasions. 162 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,800 Its grapevine covered pergola, framed by fragrance 163 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:40,300 and color, invites daily reflection on service and honor. 164 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:43,366 Everywhere, there's soothing water to induce emotional 165 00:07:43,366 --> 00:07:46,133 calm and temper the Texas heat. 166 00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:48,333 There's also water from above. 167 00:07:48,333 --> 00:07:51,433 Misters, along porches, pathways, and the kitchen pavilion 168 00:07:51,433 --> 00:07:54,833 cool soldiers who can't regulate their body heat. 169 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:56,966 - [Voiceover] An additional consideration for the burn 170 00:07:56,966 --> 00:07:59,233 patients in particular, there's shade structures that are 171 00:07:59,233 --> 00:08:01,500 located relatively close to the building out 172 00:08:01,500 --> 00:08:03,133 in the garden areas. 173 00:08:03,133 --> 00:08:08,133 - You know, he has a light sensitivity, from his injury, 174 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,733 and so, it's hard for him to come out in sunlight, 175 00:08:11,733 --> 00:08:15,600 but he comes out, I bring him out. 176 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:17,800 - I talked to one of the burn patients and he said, 177 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,100 for a couple months he couldn't even see out a window, 178 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:22,266 couldn't sit in a wheelchair. 179 00:08:22,266 --> 00:08:24,000 He said, as soon as he could sit in the wheelchair, he said, 180 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,600 "Just push me to a window, I have to see outside." 181 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,600 And this place was the first place he came to, when they 182 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:30,033 let him out of the hospital. 183 00:08:30,033 --> 00:08:32,033 Because, he said, "I heard there was this great place, 184 00:08:32,033 --> 00:08:33,900 on campus." 185 00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:36,800 - I just feel like, if I can help the wounded warriors 186 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:40,066 and their families, you know, come back to life, 187 00:08:40,066 --> 00:08:43,633 then just feel better for one day, that's what I'm here for. 188 00:08:43,633 --> 00:08:47,733 - I have hundreds of friends here, they all stop to hug me. 189 00:08:47,733 --> 00:08:52,233 They're walking on one leg, or two legs, or you know, 190 00:08:52,233 --> 00:08:56,866 missing arms, burns, whatever it is, and they are walking 191 00:08:56,866 --> 00:09:00,200 the tracks and stopping to chat. 192 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,033 Oh, it is wonderful, smelling the flowers, 'cause I'll make 193 00:09:03,033 --> 00:09:06,600 sure they know which ones are perfumed. (laughter) 194 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:11,066 - For a moment in time, you're where you used to be, 195 00:09:11,066 --> 00:09:13,800 and you will never be again. 196 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,766 On the front door it says, 'Life is all about how you handle 197 00:09:16,766 --> 00:09:19,500 Plan B here, 'cause Plan A is gone'. 198 00:09:19,966 --> 00:09:22,733 So, part of our job, and all of the community's job 199 00:09:22,733 --> 00:09:25,966 is to help them find and succeed at Plan B. 200 00:09:26,533 --> 00:09:29,133 - What a beautiful and powerful place, that just 201 00:09:29,133 --> 00:09:33,100 lends testimony to the power of gardens to heal people 202 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:35,900 and we're really grateful for the creators of that garden 203 00:09:35,900 --> 00:09:37,500 in San Antonio. 204 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:39,866 We're now gonna be talking about caring for trees, and 205 00:09:39,866 --> 00:09:42,333 I'm joined by Andrew Angstrom. 206 00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:45,033 He is a Certified Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts 207 00:09:45,033 --> 00:09:46,300 here in Austin. 208 00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:47,800 Welcome to the program, great to have you here. 209 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:49,366 - Yeah, thank you, thanks for havin' me. 210 00:09:49,366 --> 00:09:51,333 - This is a great time of year to be thinking about trees, 211 00:09:51,333 --> 00:09:53,933 this is tree planting time, in Central Texas, and I love 212 00:09:53,933 --> 00:09:56,066 to plant trees in the Fall. 213 00:09:56,066 --> 00:09:58,833 And, this has been a particularly kind of tough year 214 00:09:58,833 --> 00:10:00,700 for trees, it seems like. 215 00:10:00,700 --> 00:10:04,200 - It really has, we had a lot of very strange weather, 216 00:10:04,633 --> 00:10:07,133 that has actually been catastrophic, especially to a lot 217 00:10:07,133 --> 00:10:10,300 of new trees, just because they weren't ready 218 00:10:10,300 --> 00:10:13,566 for the inundation and the low temperatures, followed 219 00:10:13,566 --> 00:10:16,866 by an immediate snap of hundred degree temperatures. 220 00:10:16,866 --> 00:10:19,233 - It's like somebody turned the oven on, right? 221 00:10:19,566 --> 00:10:21,066 - Yeah, after being drowned. 222 00:10:21,066 --> 00:10:23,400 - And, what I've noticed is a tremendous amount 223 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:25,500 of leaf drop, early. 224 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:28,166 - Yes, and I think that was from the heat, not being 225 00:10:28,166 --> 00:10:30,833 as gradual as we usually get it, and I think it was also 226 00:10:30,833 --> 00:10:33,533 from a lot of trees actually losing portions of their 227 00:10:33,533 --> 00:10:37,833 root systems to root rot, from that heavy inundation, 228 00:10:37,833 --> 00:10:39,500 that we had early in the summer. 229 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:41,166 - Interesting, yeah, yeah, I was wondering maybe they 230 00:10:41,166 --> 00:10:43,133 just got too exuberant in the spring and put 231 00:10:43,133 --> 00:10:44,633 on too much foliage. 232 00:10:44,633 --> 00:10:47,100 - That's a possibility, I'm sure in some cases that was it, 233 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:49,566 but I've been seeing a lot, where I've come in and found 234 00:10:49,566 --> 00:10:53,433 rotten roots, below the trees that have lost their leaves. 235 00:10:53,433 --> 00:10:56,433 Interesting, so anything for those situations that people 236 00:10:56,433 --> 00:10:58,766 might want to consider doing? 237 00:10:58,766 --> 00:11:02,366 - If we have situations like that, where we have rain, 238 00:11:02,366 --> 00:11:07,333 nonstop for months, and you have trees that are sensitive 239 00:11:07,333 --> 00:11:10,866 to root rot, or in low areas, or if you find areas where 240 00:11:10,866 --> 00:11:12,200 there's pooling water,-- 241 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:13,733 - Pooling water is a sure sign, right? 242 00:11:13,733 --> 00:11:17,033 - Yes, we actually have a treatment, that is preventative, 243 00:11:17,033 --> 00:11:20,633 for root rot, and it'll actually paralyze the fungus before 244 00:11:20,633 --> 00:11:23,666 it can begin rotting out a lot of the roots. 245 00:11:23,666 --> 00:11:25,766 - Oh cool, so is that a chemical intervention or 246 00:11:25,766 --> 00:11:27,066 a physical intervention? 247 00:11:27,066 --> 00:11:29,033 - It is, it is chemical intervention. 248 00:11:29,033 --> 00:11:32,700 We do an application to the soil, but if the root rot's 249 00:11:32,700 --> 00:11:34,833 really bad and it's made it's way into the stem, 250 00:11:34,833 --> 00:11:36,633 we actually apply it to the stem as well. 251 00:11:36,633 --> 00:11:41,633 - Okay, okay, well, people can avoid this rotting situations 252 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,200 by planting trees at an appropriate height. 253 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,566 And this is something that people just don't get, and we 254 00:11:48,566 --> 00:11:50,833 need to repeat this every single year. 255 00:11:50,833 --> 00:11:53,600 But, always recommend planting just a little 256 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,000 bit high, right? 257 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,900 - Yes, there's an old saying, it's plant them high 258 00:11:57,900 --> 00:12:00,733 they won't die, plant them low they won't grow. 259 00:12:00,733 --> 00:12:04,400 And, it really is a good saying, especially because 260 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:07,200 when we get rain here, we get a lot of rain, and 261 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:09,533 if you have a low plant it's gonna make a bowl, 262 00:12:09,533 --> 00:12:12,633 it's gonna rot out that stem and the roots in there. 263 00:12:12,633 --> 00:12:14,866 - Right. - [Andrew] And, having it high 264 00:12:14,866 --> 00:12:17,200 has a lot of advantages, so you always want to plant high. 265 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:22,200 - Yeah, and I typically, just as a gauge, say 266 00:12:22,266 --> 00:12:24,966 if I'm planting a five gallon plant, I'll set it 267 00:12:24,966 --> 00:12:26,400 in the planting hole. 268 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,533 I want it to be about an inch or two above 269 00:12:28,533 --> 00:12:30,366 the surrounding area, is that appropriate height, 270 00:12:30,366 --> 00:12:31,700 or should I go even higher. 271 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:33,466 - Yeah, no an inch or two is pretty good. 272 00:12:33,466 --> 00:12:36,433 If you know you have some space and you think it's gonna 273 00:12:36,433 --> 00:12:38,666 settle, by your soil type, it might even be better 274 00:12:38,666 --> 00:12:40,600 to go higher. 275 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:42,900 If you ever, I would always say, put it in, and 276 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:45,166 then once you think you got it just right, move it up 277 00:12:45,166 --> 00:12:46,433 about an inch. 278 00:12:46,433 --> 00:12:48,333 - Okay, okay, that makes sense. 279 00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:51,200 You know, one of the tragedies for a lot of people, 280 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,733 and they bring a tree home from the nursery, 281 00:12:53,733 --> 00:12:56,200 they're very careful not to disturb the root system. 282 00:12:56,200 --> 00:13:00,700 They put the plant in the ground and then, five years 283 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:03,766 and the plant grows and seems to flourish, for two or three 284 00:13:03,766 --> 00:13:05,900 years, maybe something as long as five years, and then 285 00:13:05,900 --> 00:13:07,533 all of a sudden, it just dies. 286 00:13:07,533 --> 00:13:10,133 And, this is often caused by girdled roots, how does 287 00:13:10,133 --> 00:13:11,600 that occur? 288 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,166 - So, girdled roots are a phenomenon that most often 289 00:13:14,166 --> 00:13:17,733 occur because of the way they are in a nursery. 290 00:13:17,733 --> 00:13:19,700 The roots will grow out, they'll hit the edge of the pot 291 00:13:19,700 --> 00:13:21,233 or whatever container they're in and they they'll start 292 00:13:21,233 --> 00:13:22,800 to spiral. 293 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,133 And, as that spiraling continues and you up and up 'em 294 00:13:26,133 --> 00:13:28,266 into bigger pots, and the spiraling keeps happening as they 295 00:13:28,266 --> 00:13:31,100 hit the edge, because they haven't been sold yet. 296 00:13:31,100 --> 00:13:33,633 And, then they just put that in the soil, those roots 297 00:13:33,633 --> 00:13:36,166 continue to move in that spiral fashion. 298 00:13:36,166 --> 00:13:38,800 So, as the roots grow, the trees grow, they actually make 299 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:40,900 contact with each other and they'll start to choke, 300 00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:42,666 the tree. 301 00:13:42,666 --> 00:13:45,566 And, a lot of times, people won't know they're girdling 302 00:13:45,566 --> 00:13:48,400 roots at all until the tree's on it's way out, from being 303 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:49,733 choked to death. 304 00:13:49,733 --> 00:13:51,700 - All right well, I understand that you do have 305 00:13:51,700 --> 00:13:54,266 an intervention for girdled trees. 306 00:13:54,266 --> 00:13:57,433 That sounds real interesting, even years after the fact. 307 00:13:57,433 --> 00:14:00,333 - Yeah, ideally you want to get rid of those girdling roots 308 00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:01,800 at planting. 309 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,566 A lot of the research that we've done at our research lab 310 00:14:04,566 --> 00:14:08,466 actually shows that heavily cutting into the root system 311 00:14:08,466 --> 00:14:11,866 of a tree, at planting will save you a lot of headache 312 00:14:11,866 --> 00:14:13,866 down the road, in terms of girdling. 313 00:14:13,866 --> 00:14:16,700 - Yeah, I'll either use the edge of the spade and cut 314 00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:20,133 the root ball, or take a garden fork and just rip 315 00:14:20,133 --> 00:14:22,566 into it, until the roots are hangin' out like hairs. 316 00:14:22,566 --> 00:14:25,233 - Yeah, and it's even gotten more serious than that, 317 00:14:25,233 --> 00:14:26,866 what they're finding, they're goin' in with hatchets 318 00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:29,200 now, deep into the root ball, reaching in and yanking 319 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:31,800 the roots out to try and-- 320 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:33,233 - That's kinda traumatic! 321 00:14:33,233 --> 00:14:35,266 - It seems very traumatic, and when you're doin' it and 322 00:14:35,266 --> 00:14:37,800 you hear those roots gettin' chopped it feels painful, 323 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:41,166 but, it's just, compared to dealing with girdling roots 324 00:14:41,166 --> 00:14:43,700 problem down the road, it saves a lot. 325 00:14:43,700 --> 00:14:47,266 And, it shows that, after three or four years that tree will 326 00:14:47,266 --> 00:14:50,000 catch up to the one that didn't have it's roots cut. 327 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,933 - Right, and let's talk about, if you do have a tree 328 00:14:53,933 --> 00:14:57,033 that you suspect is girdled, you have a process 329 00:14:57,033 --> 00:15:01,166 that is pretty complicated, but it can save the tree. 330 00:15:01,166 --> 00:15:03,400 - Yeah, it's not super complicated. 331 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:05,566 What we do is, we come in with an air tool, called 332 00:15:05,566 --> 00:15:08,633 an air spade, and this tool basically just fires 333 00:15:08,633 --> 00:15:11,766 a powerful blast of air that we use to clean off the base 334 00:15:11,766 --> 00:15:13,233 of the tree. 335 00:15:13,233 --> 00:15:15,800 Because, usually if the roots are girdled, that means 336 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,900 the tree's been planted too low, and you can't even see 337 00:15:18,900 --> 00:15:20,433 the girdled roots. 338 00:15:20,433 --> 00:15:23,066 So, first we have to excavate what's called the root collar, 339 00:15:23,066 --> 00:15:26,000 or the root flare, where the roots flare out into the soil, 340 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,766 and that's where we find those girdling roots. 341 00:15:28,766 --> 00:15:31,466 So, once we get that all clean and we can see very detailed, 342 00:15:31,466 --> 00:15:33,800 you know, which roots we're looking at, which 343 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,700 are causing the damage, we go in with wood chisels 344 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:39,966 and mallets and actually surgically remove those roots. 345 00:15:39,966 --> 00:15:42,366 In the winter, we like to do this. 346 00:15:42,366 --> 00:15:44,100 - Yes, a good thing to do in the winter. 347 00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:46,533 - Yeah, because it's also a pretty traumatic experience, 348 00:15:46,533 --> 00:15:49,333 but compared to the damage those roots can cause, 349 00:15:49,333 --> 00:15:50,933 it's worth it to get it done. 350 00:15:50,933 --> 00:15:53,766 - Well, you know, a lot of people if their planting a tree 351 00:15:53,766 --> 00:15:56,700 they wonder how close they should plant it to a home, 352 00:15:56,700 --> 00:15:59,666 or can they build things over the roots? 353 00:15:59,666 --> 00:16:01,500 Let's talk about those issues. 354 00:16:01,500 --> 00:16:03,300 What are some of the recommendations you have 355 00:16:03,300 --> 00:16:07,266 for the placement of the tree in say, regards to a 356 00:16:07,266 --> 00:16:10,566 walkway or to a foundation? 357 00:16:11,666 --> 00:16:15,033 - There's a general rule, foundation they say 10 feet. 358 00:16:16,066 --> 00:16:18,200 You know, it really depends on the species. 359 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:19,600 - Of course. 360 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,533 - So, I like that general rule, I think it works 361 00:16:22,533 --> 00:16:25,266 pretty well, but everything else is kinda situational. 362 00:16:25,266 --> 00:16:27,466 Whenever you're planting a tree, there's a lot 363 00:16:27,466 --> 00:16:29,666 of certified arborists who will come to your property 364 00:16:29,666 --> 00:16:32,966 at no cost and can help you find a good spot for it. 365 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,200 And that's usually the best, because there's far 366 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,033 too many variables to just give you a general rule. 367 00:16:39,033 --> 00:16:40,933 - So, let's talk about that root zone and protecting 368 00:16:40,933 --> 00:16:44,733 the root zone from say, major infrastructure investment, 369 00:16:44,733 --> 00:16:46,866 like expanding a home, for example. 370 00:16:46,866 --> 00:16:50,400 - Yeah, again it depends on the species, but protecting 371 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,400 the root zone, when you are building is extremely 372 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,500 important and the city actually has a lot of rules 373 00:16:56,500 --> 00:17:00,733 put in place to sort of facilitate that protection. 374 00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:04,666 And, what they essentially recommend, is you take 375 00:17:04,666 --> 00:17:09,666 the diameter of the tree at 4.5 feet above the ground, 376 00:17:09,766 --> 00:17:13,666 and you take it in inches, convert that to feet. 377 00:17:13,666 --> 00:17:17,200 So, if you have a 10 inch tree, you take 10 feet, cut that 378 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,533 in half, that's five feet, and you want to stay out 379 00:17:19,533 --> 00:17:21,233 of that five feet. 380 00:17:21,233 --> 00:17:24,066 Any impacts further into that five foot zone, and you're 381 00:17:24,066 --> 00:17:26,900 gonna be damaging a severe portion of that root system, 382 00:17:26,900 --> 00:17:28,733 and most species can't take that. 383 00:17:28,733 --> 00:17:31,866 - Well, that's a pretty good rule of thumb, so four feet up, 384 00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:37,166 measure in inches and then equate in feet, and cut in half. 385 00:17:37,166 --> 00:17:39,166 - Yes. - [Tom] Okay, got it. 386 00:17:39,166 --> 00:17:41,566 (laughter) Math, on Central Texas Gardener, I like that. 387 00:17:41,566 --> 00:17:45,100 All right, so the city has some pretty strict rules, though, 388 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:46,900 about trees. 389 00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:49,666 And, that's another service that arborists provide, now. 390 00:17:49,666 --> 00:17:53,566 And, I applaud the city for trying to protect these, what 391 00:17:53,566 --> 00:17:56,500 they call 'Heritage Trees' I believe. 392 00:17:56,500 --> 00:17:59,700 But again, there're rules that apply, that people need 393 00:17:59,700 --> 00:18:01,233 to be aware of. 394 00:18:01,233 --> 00:18:03,533 - Actually, I'm a huge fan of the rules the city has put 395 00:18:03,533 --> 00:18:07,033 in place, 'cause it helps Austin maintain the green vibrance 396 00:18:07,033 --> 00:18:11,200 that we have, instead of turning into a concrete wasteland. 397 00:18:12,066 --> 00:18:13,933 Of course, it makes things more challenging, 398 00:18:13,933 --> 00:18:17,433 but the challenge is well worth it, in my opinion. 399 00:18:17,433 --> 00:18:20,266 And yeah, the general rule for most homeowners is, 400 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,866 protected trees start at 19 inches. 401 00:18:22,866 --> 00:18:25,300 So, that's a pretty decent sized tree-- 402 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:26,600 - That's a big tree, yeah. 403 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:28,033 - that you start having to worry about, 404 00:18:28,033 --> 00:18:31,066 but at that 19 inches you start needing permits 405 00:18:31,066 --> 00:18:33,233 to do a lot of work. 406 00:18:33,233 --> 00:18:35,233 So, if you wanna remove that tree, you have 407 00:18:35,233 --> 00:18:37,533 to have justification to remove that tree. 408 00:18:37,533 --> 00:18:39,966 If you want to impact that half critical root zone, 409 00:18:39,966 --> 00:18:42,966 like I was talking about, you need a permit to do that. 410 00:18:42,966 --> 00:18:44,400 - Okay. - [Andrew] And luckily 411 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,300 there's a lot of arborists in Austin, that will be more 412 00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:49,900 than happy to help you navigate that process. 413 00:18:49,900 --> 00:18:52,133 Okay, we only have enough time for a real brief 414 00:18:52,133 --> 00:18:54,233 response here, but I wanna ask. 415 00:18:55,166 --> 00:18:57,433 What do you tell customers about watering trees, 416 00:18:57,433 --> 00:18:58,866 young trees? 417 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:01,966 - First, you need to do it. (laughter) 418 00:19:01,966 --> 00:19:04,233 You absolutely have to water young trees. 419 00:19:04,233 --> 00:19:06,966 I would say the first two years, you know, you wanna 420 00:19:06,966 --> 00:19:10,933 be getting water on those trees twice a week, especially 421 00:19:10,933 --> 00:19:12,933 in the summer, or maybe even three times a week. 422 00:19:12,933 --> 00:19:14,666 - Okay, in the summer. 423 00:19:14,666 --> 00:19:17,933 - But, water is essential to growth and it's one 424 00:19:17,933 --> 00:19:21,366 of the major limiting factors here in Texas, is our water. 425 00:19:21,366 --> 00:19:23,133 So, that's my big tip. 426 00:19:23,133 --> 00:19:25,100 - Okay, well Andrew, it's been a pleasure, thank you 427 00:19:25,100 --> 00:19:26,500 for coming on. 428 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:29,100 We've hit some great topics, so I'm glad to meet you. 429 00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:30,566 - Yeah, thanks for havin' me. 430 00:19:30,566 --> 00:19:32,366 - Coming up next is our friend Daphne. 431 00:19:36,033 --> 00:19:38,733 Hi, I'm Daphne Richards and this is Augie. 432 00:19:38,733 --> 00:19:40,866 Our question this week comes from Jane, 433 00:19:40,866 --> 00:19:42,966 who wrote to report these odd obtrusions 434 00:19:42,966 --> 00:19:45,400 she noticed on a tree in the open area park 435 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,833 by the water treatment plant out 35th. 436 00:19:47,833 --> 00:19:50,466 Well Jane, these are definitely odd, and I think 437 00:19:50,466 --> 00:19:53,233 most people would even say they're kind of cool looking. 438 00:19:53,233 --> 00:19:55,900 But, they're not a good sign, they are what are commonly 439 00:19:55,900 --> 00:19:57,700 known as shelf fungi. 440 00:19:57,700 --> 00:20:00,666 And, as with many fungal organisms, they feed on decaying 441 00:20:00,666 --> 00:20:02,200 organic matter. 442 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,233 That's normally a good thing, since it means that you can 443 00:20:04,233 --> 00:20:07,200 control them by making cultural changes in your garden 444 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,033 to make it less friendly for them to grow and thrive. 445 00:20:10,033 --> 00:20:13,100 But, since these are growing out of a live tree, that's not 446 00:20:13,100 --> 00:20:15,366 exactly an environment that you can change. 447 00:20:15,366 --> 00:20:18,600 As you probably know, wood is dead, and many different 448 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,233 fungi love to feed on rotting wood. 449 00:20:21,233 --> 00:20:24,400 These particular fungi, if conditions are right, move 450 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,233 into a tree, in an opening due to some sort of wound 451 00:20:27,233 --> 00:20:28,733 near the base. 452 00:20:28,733 --> 00:20:31,566 And, they start chomping down on that dead wood, which 453 00:20:31,566 --> 00:20:34,100 causes it to rot from the inside. 454 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:37,833 Shelf fungi don't kill the tree overnight, but it will start 455 00:20:37,833 --> 00:20:41,166 to decline over time, and will eventually succumb. 456 00:20:41,166 --> 00:20:43,800 They're not contagious, so there's no reason to cut the tree 457 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:46,933 down if it's otherwise healthy, just watch for signs 458 00:20:46,933 --> 00:20:49,166 that it's starting to decline more quickly. 459 00:20:49,166 --> 00:20:52,033 And, cut it down once it becomes too unsightly or turns 460 00:20:52,033 --> 00:20:54,100 into a potential hazard. 461 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:58,866 Our plant this week is Mexican Buckeye, Ungnadia speciosa. 462 00:20:58,866 --> 00:21:01,500 This wonderful, little Texas native tree is a real 463 00:21:01,500 --> 00:21:05,266 showstopper in late winter and early spring. 464 00:21:05,266 --> 00:21:08,100 It's deciduous and like many spring-flowering trees, 465 00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:11,166 it puts on a beautiful floral display for a few short weeks 466 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:13,966 just as it's putting on new leaves for the year. 467 00:21:13,966 --> 00:21:17,066 The pink flowers are similar to Mexican Red Bud, 468 00:21:17,066 --> 00:21:19,100 another great small tree. 469 00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:21,533 But, the special thing about Mexican Buckeye, is that it's 470 00:21:21,533 --> 00:21:24,300 an understory tree, meaning that it grows great 471 00:21:24,300 --> 00:21:26,166 in bright shade. 472 00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:28,733 We don't have a lot of choices for shady yards, and that 473 00:21:28,733 --> 00:21:31,433 list is even shorter for plants with bloom as beautiful 474 00:21:31,433 --> 00:21:32,866 as these. 475 00:21:32,866 --> 00:21:35,300 It can also take a sunny spot in your garden, where it 476 00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:38,866 will get a little bit bigger, up to 30 feet tall. 477 00:21:38,866 --> 00:21:41,600 It has a shrubby, multi-trunked habit, but you can 478 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,300 easily tame that to a single trunk if you want it 479 00:21:44,300 --> 00:21:46,200 to be more tree-like. 480 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:48,666 Mexican Buckeye doesn't need too much water, 481 00:21:48,666 --> 00:21:50,933 but it needs a little, about as much as other 482 00:21:50,933 --> 00:21:52,766 shade-loving plants. 483 00:21:52,766 --> 00:21:55,300 It can take slightly heavy soil, but it prefers good 484 00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:58,733 drainage or even soil that's a little on the porous side. 485 00:21:58,733 --> 00:22:01,366 And, it doesn't need much pruning, except to give it 486 00:22:01,366 --> 00:22:03,533 a little shape, if you want to. 487 00:22:03,533 --> 00:22:06,533 It's not susceptible to cold and even has very attractive 488 00:22:06,533 --> 00:22:09,333 fruit, so all in all, you just can't beat it. 489 00:22:09,333 --> 00:22:12,000 Our viewer picture this week comes from Jean Warner, 490 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,933 of her lovely, summer-blooming crepe myrtle. 491 00:22:14,933 --> 00:22:19,933 We love to hear from you, so please visit us at klru.org/ctg 492 00:22:20,300 --> 00:22:24,033 to send us your questions and plants from your garden. 493 00:22:24,033 --> 00:22:26,900 - Thanks Daphne, now let's check in with Trisha Shirey 494 00:22:26,900 --> 00:22:28,566 for Backyard Basics. 495 00:22:28,966 --> 00:22:31,000 (chime and guitar music) 496 00:22:32,666 --> 00:22:34,700 - Many gardeners hang up their shovels once the spring 497 00:22:34,700 --> 00:22:38,100 and summer gardening seasons wind down, but fall can be 498 00:22:38,100 --> 00:22:40,166 our busiest garden season. 499 00:22:40,166 --> 00:22:43,133 Temperatures are more forgiving, we get more rainfall 500 00:22:43,133 --> 00:22:45,100 and there are fewer insects to deal with. 501 00:22:45,100 --> 00:22:47,500 So, it's an ideal time to garden. 502 00:22:47,500 --> 00:22:49,633 There are many things that we can grow, only in the 503 00:22:49,633 --> 00:22:53,600 winter season, like greens, cilantro, and lettuce, kohlrabi, 504 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,666 turnips, onions, and garlic, and don't forget kale. 505 00:22:56,666 --> 00:22:58,633 Next spring, you'll be wishing that you'd added some 506 00:22:58,633 --> 00:23:02,400 daffodils, tulips, dutch iris or fragrant hyacinths 507 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:03,900 to your garden. 508 00:23:03,900 --> 00:23:07,266 The time to buy them and plant the bulbs is in the fall. 509 00:23:07,266 --> 00:23:09,866 They'll be building strong roots all winter to support 510 00:23:09,866 --> 00:23:12,366 those showy blooms in the spring. 511 00:23:12,366 --> 00:23:15,733 Bulbs like tulips and hyacinths need weeks of refrigeration 512 00:23:15,733 --> 00:23:18,666 to bloom well, so you need to buy them early enough 513 00:23:18,666 --> 00:23:21,566 to give them the cold storage that they need. 514 00:23:21,566 --> 00:23:24,033 Wild flowers are planted in the fall, too. 515 00:23:24,033 --> 00:23:27,200 Add more blooms to keep bees, butterflies and other 516 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,466 insects happy and for your own enjoyment, too. 517 00:23:30,466 --> 00:23:32,966 Many of the spring blooming perennials are divided 518 00:23:32,966 --> 00:23:34,500 in the fall. 519 00:23:34,500 --> 00:23:37,666 So, day lilies and iris that're too crowded, will fail 520 00:23:37,666 --> 00:23:41,566 to bloom as will crowded spring blooming bulbs like 521 00:23:41,566 --> 00:23:43,433 daffodils and dutch iris. 522 00:23:43,433 --> 00:23:45,966 So, lift them out, prepare the soil with compost and 523 00:23:45,966 --> 00:23:48,933 amendments and give them some room to bloom again. 524 00:23:48,933 --> 00:23:52,800 Fall is also an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs, and 525 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:54,433 hearty perennials. 526 00:23:54,433 --> 00:23:57,600 Milder fall temperatures and more rainfall, let new plants 527 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:00,800 get a good root system established so that they're ready 528 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,000 to handle the soaring heat of summer after about a six month 529 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,100 head start. 530 00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:08,866 You can choose your red oaks and maple trees and other showy 531 00:24:08,866 --> 00:24:12,166 fall color plants in fall, when you get to see their color 532 00:24:12,166 --> 00:24:14,933 as they're changing in their nursery container. 533 00:24:14,933 --> 00:24:17,500 Some red oaks are brilliant reds and oranges, while others 534 00:24:17,500 --> 00:24:19,133 are just a ruddy brown. 535 00:24:19,133 --> 00:24:22,300 So, you get to find out what it's going to have. 536 00:24:22,300 --> 00:24:25,033 Getting spring flowering shrubs and vines planted 537 00:24:25,033 --> 00:24:27,833 in the fall allows them to get the roots established 538 00:24:27,833 --> 00:24:31,233 before they're stressed by their bloom cycle in spring. 539 00:24:31,233 --> 00:24:34,433 Wisteria, trumpet creeper, mountain laurels and spirea 540 00:24:34,433 --> 00:24:37,366 are all good candidates for fall planting. 541 00:24:37,366 --> 00:24:40,800 That head start will give them time to shine in spring. 542 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,566 Tender perennials that can be somewhat iffy here 543 00:24:43,566 --> 00:24:46,433 in winter, are best left for spring planting. 544 00:24:46,433 --> 00:24:48,766 When these plants are dormant in winter, it's very 545 00:24:48,766 --> 00:24:51,966 easy for their roots to rot in the soil, with a prolonged 546 00:24:51,966 --> 00:24:53,866 cold and wet spell. 547 00:24:53,866 --> 00:24:57,833 So, wait until spring to add lantana, firebush, plumbago, 548 00:24:57,833 --> 00:25:01,100 bird of paradise and tender salvias. 549 00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:03,933 Once they're well established, after spring planting, they 550 00:25:03,933 --> 00:25:06,300 can handle the stress of winter. 551 00:25:06,300 --> 00:25:08,800 You want to make sure all your plantings are well mulched 552 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:12,000 with compost and with wood mulch to keep them warmer 553 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,133 and more moist in winter. 554 00:25:14,133 --> 00:25:16,400 Mulching while the soil is warm gives plants 555 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:17,900 more protection. 556 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:20,800 Consider planting cover crops like eldon rye, vetch, 557 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:24,200 or other winter peas to improve your garden beds. 558 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:26,533 If you're not going to grow as many vegetables during 559 00:25:26,533 --> 00:25:29,966 the fall and are scaling back your planting areas, 560 00:25:29,966 --> 00:25:32,800 perennial rye seeds can be overseeded over lawns 561 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,766 that are sparse to keep winter weeds from taking over. 562 00:25:35,766 --> 00:25:38,266 Mowing the grass all winter will add organic material 563 00:25:38,266 --> 00:25:41,766 to improve water retention and soil health all winter, 564 00:25:41,766 --> 00:25:44,400 and you can collect the grass clippings on some of your 565 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:46,833 mowings to make a nitrogen rich compost with your 566 00:25:46,833 --> 00:25:48,233 fall leaves. 567 00:25:48,233 --> 00:25:50,533 Annual rye is much cheaper, but it grows much faster 568 00:25:50,533 --> 00:25:53,133 and requires more mowing that perennial rye, and 569 00:25:53,133 --> 00:25:56,500 I like having a little down time from weekly mowing chores. 570 00:25:56,500 --> 00:25:59,133 Fall is no time to put away your garden tools, I find it's 571 00:25:59,133 --> 00:26:01,466 the busiest time of year for me. 572 00:26:01,466 --> 00:26:03,166 For Backyard Basics, I'm Trisha Shirey, 573 00:26:03,166 --> 00:26:04,633 thanks for watching. 574 00:26:04,633 --> 00:26:07,533 - Check out our website to watch past episodes, get plant 575 00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:09,733 lists and monthly garden chores. 576 00:26:09,733 --> 00:26:12,166 And find us on Face Book and Instagram, too. 577 00:26:12,166 --> 00:26:14,600 Until next time, I'll see you in the garden. 578 00:26:14,966 --> 00:26:16,966 (peppy electronic music) 579 00:26:33,233 --> 00:26:34,900 - [Voiceover] Central Texas Gardener is sponsored 580 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:37,100 by the Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical 581 00:26:37,100 --> 00:26:40,033 Garden, home of 31 local garden clubs and the Zilker 582 00:26:40,033 --> 00:26:42,866 Garden festival, zilkergarden.org.