The Quail Valley Garden Club is sowing a wildflower seed demonstration project at Oyster Creek and FM 1092 in a 1/2 acre meadow pictured below on the far side of Oyster Creek.
The project is not only for beautification, but also to demonstrate that sowing wildflowers can reduce mowing and the use of herbicides. If the project works and done properly, it could potentially save taxpayer money.
Because of the drought last year, seed prices increased four-fold, so that decreased our area for sowing Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes and some Indian Blankets and Magenta Globe plants that bloom June to frost. We can expect Bluebonnets and Paintbrushes blooms in late March, April and May.
The County was super to work with. Gretchen Cockerill had contacted Katie Herrington, Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator to Commissioner Grady Prestage more than a year ago to get permission for the project. When I called her to update her on our progress, you would have thought she had talked with Gretchen just minutes before.
Katie came, all pretty in pink and dressed for work and a breast cancer awareness event, but that didn't stop her from helping us plant.
Mark Vogler with county drainage and in charge or mowing, etc was also a pleasure. Commissioner Prestage was in Lufkin, but called in to get a project update.
I had never fully appreciated how my Dad timed and worried when to sow seeds - - - and if a big rain would "wash them out" or we'd have to "dust them in" and hope for the best. To help the seeds germinate faster and to help plant the tiny seeds of the Indian Paintbrushes, John Scanlan and I mixed the seed in moist sand the day before in bags that coincided with the size of the marked-off planting areas within the 1/2 acre site.
New member Renee Brown's brother Steve had already brought in a heavy mower and configured the site for us.
The good news is that the seeds are germinating and coming in nicely spaced.
The area is across from Mosley Park and the Oyster Creek Trail. Pictured are Gretchen Cockerill, Nancy Lindsay, Katie Herrington, Donna Hogan and Anthony Maroulis. Anthony is a Missouri City Parks Board Member who champions Mosley Park so he came to assist.
And sowing seed went well . . . especially after you get the hang of the dispersing them to cover your area. It was a fun community thing that we've learned how to do to involve kids and families next time we plant.
We've been lucky to have cooperation from Mother Nature . . . and beautiful weather. Bluebonnets and Paintbrushes germinate best in temperature between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. And Oyster Creek has not exceeded it's banks so the seeds have a foot hold.
Gardeners are always investing in the future . . . and seeing what might be. The photo below shows how beautiful Mosley Park is. Now think of how our wildflowers will look to park, trail goers and motorists as they look across the creek.
Our Quail Valley Garden Club "Budding Lady Birds" along with the men who helped with the heavy lifting and work are already visualizing it.
The last photo pictures new member Renee Brown (on right) who also furnished a roller to gently mash in the seeds. She's with Anthony and John who were loading her truck. We missed getting pictures of Steve, Frank, and Mary Chan, who helped select the location!
Click on pictures to enlarge them.
This project is slightly bittersweet.
Gretchen Cockerill lost her husband Bob during this time. While Bob would rather be sailing, he loved nature and was a long time community volunteer.
View Wild Flower Seeding Demonstration in a larger map
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