If you would like you garage sale listed on the website and twitter, please send an message to webmaster@westcreekna.org with your sale address and give an example of some of the items you will be selling (e.g. toys, books, coffee table, etc.).

Meet our August 2011 Westcreek Yard of the Month Winners… Karen and John Sperry on 6505 Fair Valley Trail. The Sperrys, who are both in the education field, have lived here since the early 80s when Westcreek was first developed. They consider Westcreek as one of the best places you could live in Austin and they have done so much to maintain and beautifully update their home over the years. The gorgeous yard you see pictured is a result of carefully planned and well managed research and work that took 2½ years to finish. The Sperrys completed the hardscaping prior to finishing out the landscaping and irrigation portions. This welcoming yard is full of many drought tolerant native and adapted plants such as Imperial Blue Plumbago, Purslane, Silver Castle Artemesia, Double Knock Out Roses, red/orange Lantana, Liriope, Sego Palms, Agave, Blue Daze, Spring Bouquet Viburnum, Pride of Barbados, Pink Skullcap, Crape Myrtles, Coral Bean, native grasses, and delightful surprises such as a Meyer Lemon tree, a Big Tooth Maple, and potato vines.
As you approach the Sperry’s front walkway, you’ll be drawn to their bright front beds and led towards their front door as you follow a natural, winding path of rich stained concrete sidewalks. The lush green grass all around you is Zorro Zoysia – a drought tolerant grass that shows off an emerald green hue (be sure to plant it where it gets a little shade). But wait…you must see the rock and granite path that leads to the back yard. A dry creek garden area leads to a path with a few subtle curves and takes you back through an intriguing iron gate. Once you walk through, you realize the true beauty of Westcreeks’ greenbelt

The Sperry’s back yard is a mix of the soft Zoysia grass and beds of unique and native plants, including a cozy seating area further down the lawn.

The Sperrys were presented with a $50 Emerald Gardens gift certificate and a $25 Mandola Italian Market certificate to recognize their efforts in keeping Westcreek looking great. Stay tuned for next month’s winner.

Jimmy and Sylvia have owned thir home since 1989 and have done extensive remodeling of the house in addition to their new landscaping. Last summer killed off the mix of burmuda and St. Augustine, so this spring Jimmy put in Zoysia turf named “Zorro” as it is drought tolerant and this particular variety grows well in the sun and shade. Wanting to reduce the amount of grass he had to mow, Jimmy covered the side yard with crushed pink granite. A large bed at the corner is filled with river rock and plants such as Agave, Sage, Crepe Myrtle, and Rosemary that require less water. Sago Palms accent the entry and other beds in the yard.

Neighbors: We had several National Night Out parties last year and they were really successful. Let’s do it again this year and I invite even more people to host one. It does not take a lot of effort. You can make it as simple as inviting a few people over and having lemonade or grilling with a big group. Even better, team up with a neighbor and co-host one. Easier and the more the merrier.If you are planning a “party”, would you email me your name and address?

We can circulate the location & times of the parties to get the neighbors out and meet one another. If you can’t host a party, please drop by one being held & say hello. Westcreek needs you!

Thanks,
Jennifer Voss
Sun Vista Drive

p.s. The more people know their neighbors, the lower the crime statistics in their area…Free crime prevention!

Contact Jennifer by email for more information: jen4reel@hotmail.com.

For more information contact Chris Schexnayder at chrisschexnayder@sbcglobal.net.

Ernest Vasquez, Waterloo Pest Control, (512) 450-3728.

Use them for all my clients:  wood-destroying insects, rats, etc.  Haven’t failed me yet.

Yard of the month for June goes to Sharon and Joe Clontz at 4701 Summerset.  Joe claimed the Mandola’s gift certificate and Sharon will make good use of the Emerald Garden gift certificate.  They have lived in their home for 30+ years.   Their 5-year-old grandson, Travis, lives with them.  Anyone who walked his or her dog past the house knows Travis.  He is the very energetic 5 year old that chases you down the street to ask if he can pet your dog.  Joe and Sharon are both retired and are remodeling the interior of their home and Travis helps Sharon with the gardening in the yard.  When Sharon learned they won the YOM award, she prepared the following article for the WNA newsletter and website:

“Many people have asked me about my roses.  I have 45 antique rose bushes in the yard.  My advice is simple:

1. Plant only antique roses.  These buses survive around Texas in cemeteries and abandoned homes.

2. Amend the soil before you plant.  I use The Natural Gardener’s Rose Dirt.  It is actually not so much amending as it is putting soil in your yard, since this area is 1-inch dirt and 3 feet of limestone rock.

3. Water at night and water deeply.

4. Use mulch but keep it off the trunk of the roses.

5. Fertilize with liquid seaweed.  This keeps the plant healthy and helps them fend off insects, disease, and stress from the heat.  (Use only after 7pm as it will burn the leaves in the hot sun.)

6. Your best friend is a breaker bar!  I don’t care if I am only planting a sprig of mint, when I try to dig a hole; the shovel gives off that now familiar “chink” which means “rock below”!  My beds are all lined with rocks that have been extracted from my yard!  I have now mastered the art of boulder removal.  When you hit the “chink”, dig around and find the edges of that sucker.  Remove as much dirt as you can from around the rock and use your breaker bar for leverage.  Get it under the rock and put all your weight on the bar.  If it won’t budge, get some additional manpower and put all your weight on the bar and the rock will roll out.  If it is a large rock, toss the sprig of mint and plant a rose bush!  How do you think I ended up with 45 rose bushes?

My “bibles” as far as gardening are Central Texas Gardner by Cheryl Hazeltine who is a local Austinite.  Texas Organic Gardening by Howard Garrett.  The Guide to Antique Roses by Mike Shoup and The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas.”

Sharon is interested in starting a Westcreek garden club and welcomes interested neighbors to call her at (512) 892-1102.

Flea busters of Oak Hill. They have an organic treatment plan.

Miles pest control, he is a local lifetime Austin resident, that lived in Westcreek. 894-0495- Chet Miles.