Yard of the Month

After February’s freezing weather, San Marcos yards remain in recovery mode until warmer temperatures encourage new growth. So instead of a featured yard for March, here’s a selection of March winners from recent years. Most homeowners face challenges with water management (drought or deluge) and/or browsing deer, but native plants in local landscapes usually survive cold weather, even if cut back near the ground.

March 2020 - Mike and Diane Brucato on Summit Ridge at Stagecoach Trail

Rainwater runoff control and sustainable landscaping are key elements in this yard sloping downhill from the street. Stone foundation planters of boxwood and nandina border rock mulch which directs water to flow around the house. The mulch comes in two sizes, with smaller gravel easier to walk on and larger rocks surrounding oak trees. Hardy Texas native plants in a gravel strip at curbside slow the flow of street runoff so water can soak into turf grass in mid yard on its way to the house. This creative mix of rocks and plants shows that xeriscaping — not “xero-scaping” — can provide an attractive landscape with minimal maintenance.

March 2019 - Rene and Silvia Dominguez on Patricia Drive in Sunset Acres subdivision

Hardy Knockout roses join older garden varieties in this open area neighborhood, which discourages deer browsing on precious blooms. Roses thrive with addition of compost to the soil and thick mulch around their roots to keep them moist and cool in hot weather, plus ample hand watering when rain is scarce. Removing spent blossoms or “deadheading” also encourages roses to produce new blooms instead of putting energy into seed production, and cutting back stems opens up plants for better air circulation and sunlight.

March 2018 - Susan and John McGee on Summit Ridge Drive.

A dry creek, outlined with heavy limestone boulders and filled with large multi-colored rocks deflects heavy rainwater runoff and showcases bordering native plants at the McGee home. A mix of Texas plants and shrubs, plus decorative grasses and native trees (live oaks and mountain laurels) thrive with little or no additional water. The landscape survived flooding, drought and deer, only to face a new challenge: feral hogs dug into organic mulch around plants. When heavy rains washed out the mulch, the McGees replaced it with rocks and erected fencing in back to discourage hog visitors.

March 2017 - Ben and Juanita Gonzales on Park Drive off Centerpoint Road

Unlike many homes on large country lots, the Gonzales landscape is more than lots of grass and a few trees. Curved planting beds between house and street are edged with the same white stones used for the house exterior. A row of fan palms border the street, and smaller palms fill in planting areas waiting for perennials to bloom. Deer are not a problem in this mostly open area, and a variety of potted plants amplify interest in a landscape of evergreens, cacti, and seasonal plants, making a garden for all seasons.

March 2016 - Doug and Jessica Mallard home on Cheatham Street in Rio Vista

Finding new uses for existing material guided landscaping at the Mallard home, where wooden pallets have become front porch garden seats painted to match the wooden pergola constructed from an old deck. A climbing rose and jasmine climb pergola supports, and semishade underneath favors tender green ferns and purple tradescantia, while more sun-loving plants thrive in a bed surrounded by a walkway made from the remains of a broken-up sidewalk.

March 2015 - Ken and Wilma Long home on West Sierra Circle

Water where and when needed is a feature of the landscape developed by Ken and Wilma Long, who also rely on fences to exclude deer from select areas of the yard. Curbside beds edged with railroad ties and large rocks include deer-resistant plants such as iris, agarita, cenizo, mountain laurel, rosemary, sages and yuccas. The back yard is protected from deer by a six-foot fence extended two feet higher with wooden lattice. A total of eight rainwater tanks ensures that all plantings have sufficient water.