Protecting North Texas Landscapes

from Community Contact | Fall 2021

Expansive Soils

FROM FROSTS AND FREEZES

Steven Milks, Account Manager - BrightView Landscape Services

With cold season fast approaching, it is a good idea to start thinking about how to protect your landscape over the winter season and ensure its success for next spring.

STEVEN’S TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Know Your Plants

• Basic knowledge (variety, age, location in the landscape) will help guide your actions • Consult with your local nursery professional with questions • Several free apps are available which work with the camera on your phone. Snap a pic of the plant in question and the app will provide a lot of valuable information Covering Your Plants

• Certain evergreen varieties including hawthorn, holly and boxwood are vulnerable to freezing temperatures and frost • Knowing the variety and age of the plant will help you know if they need to be covered • Older, established plants will typically handle a freeze better than newly planted material • Frost cloth can be purchased at your local nursery or you can use an old sheet or blanket • Cover the plant completely, all the way to the ground • Stake or tie down the cover to avoid it blowing away • Remove the coverings as soon as temps rise above freezing. Remember your plants still need sun to maintain health The Benefits of Mulch

• Mulch isn’t just for aesthetics; it protects your plant material • Mulch protects against frost on the root system and retains moisture • Moist soil stays warmer than soil that dries out. You won’t be running your irrigation in freezing temperatures, so the mulch will help retain the moisture in the soil • Remove old mulch every several seasons, and re-mulch with a high-quality hardwood blend Potted Plant Care

• Cover the entire plant and the container • The roots of containerized plants are especially vulnerable • Keep the soil moist and water as the soil dries out • Purchase a soil probe at your garden center so that you can check the moisture level at the roots and not just the topsoil Tropical Plant Considerations

• Tropicals including Rubber Trees, Bird of Paradise and Hibiscus are especially sensitive • Covering plants may not be sufficient; brining them in the house or garage may be necessary • If bringing inside is not an option, cover the plant and pot and move them close the house for extra protection from the wind

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/ • AgriLife article concerning freeze protection: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/protecting-landscapes-and-horticultural-crops-from-frosts-and-feezes/

UPCOMING HOLIDAY COMMUNITY EVENTS

Nov. 9 – Dec. 31 Holiday at the Arboretum, Dallas, TX Dallas Arboretum - Admission

Nov. 18 – Jan. 2 Six Flags Over Texas– Holiday In the Park, Arlington, TX – Holiday in the Park 2021 Nov. 25 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot - Turkey Trot | YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas ymcadallas.org Nov. 26 – Jan. 2 Enchant Christmas, Dallas, TX www.visitdallas.com

Nov. 26-28th McKinney – Home for the Holidays www..mckinneytexas.org Nov – Dec Vitruvian Park Events – Vitruvian Lights, Addison, TX - Vitruvian Park Eventsudr.com Nov – Dec Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas, Grapevine, TX - Christmas at Gaylord Texan A Holiday Season Tradition in Grapevine marriott.com Dec 2. Parade of Lights, Grapevine, TX - Christmas Lights Events grapevinetexasusa.com Dec. 4th Dallas Holliday Parade www.dallasholidayparade.com Dec. 4 – 18 Santa’s Village, Richardson, Tx - Richardson, TX | City of Richardson Home cor.net Dec. 10th-12th BMW Dallas Marathon Festival www.rundallas.com

Dec. 11 - 12 KwanzaaFest, Dallas – John Wiley Price - Our Man Downtown

2415 Avenue J, Suite 100 | Arlington, TX 76006-6119 P: 817.640.2064 x 1217 | F: 817.640.6028

www.classicpm.com

Personal Attention. Proven Results for HOAs.

For over two decades, Henry, Oddo, Austin & Fletcher, P.C. has provided clients throughout Texas with trusted counsel. Their experience related to homeowners associations is unmatched – providing guidance, leadership and oversight to community associations. Their attorneys have experience resolving disputes and advising homeowners associations on legal issues.

Assist developers with drafting governing documents Advise boards on governance and collection issues Assist boards in enforcing bylaws and covenants Attend association meetings to provide explanations of the association’s rights and responsibilities, to help maintain rules of order, and to address issues of concern to members and directors Assist boards in interpreting governing documents Draft revisions to association governing documents to clarify issues of governance Work with boards and management companies in dealing with property owners Cost effective and creative debt collection methods leading to revenue recovery Active participation and support of Texas Community Association Advocates (TCAA) and Community Associations Institute (CAI)

Judd A. Austin, Jr. - Shareholder

jaamex@hoaf.com

Vinay B. Patel - Shareholder

vpatel@hoaf.com

1700 Paci c Avenue, Suite 2700, Dallas, Texas 75201 | (214) 658-1900 | www.hoaf.com

Loot 4 Boots | SUPPORTING HOMELESS VETERANS

On September 29th, we had a great turn out to fill care packages for homeless veterans in Dallas. From the generous support of our members, we collected various hygiene items to create 300 care packages to be given to homeless veterans in the DFW Metroplex, Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas, Inc.

Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas, Inc. (HVSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. HSVD is to provide assistance in the area of housing and self-sufficiency by way of donations, fund raising and grant efforts for homeless or at-risk veterans and their families.

We wanted to say, “Thank You” to everyone who donated or filled care packages for this great cause and event!