As we gear up for Spring and get ready for planting, you might want to consider establishing a landscape that is water friendly.  Use native and adapted plants that are more suited to the climate of Bosque County.  Native plants use less water, fertilizer and pesticides.

For our region these plants include:  Turk’s Cap, Lantana, Asian Jasmine, Mexican Mint Marigold, Rosemary, Salvias or Sages, Quince, and there are many more.  For a full list of plants for Bosque County go to the TAMU Earth-Kind Landscaping website at http://ekps.tamu.edu/ or contact the Bosque County Extension Office at 254-435-2331 or email Bosque-tx@tamu.edu

While you’re planting your new landscape, consider installing a drip irrigation system and soaker hoses that apply water to the roots of plants where it does the most good.  One could also keep 3-4 inches of organic mulch on flowering beds, around trees, shrubs and ground covers as a way to hold in moisture and limit weed growth, a win-win scenario.