Boerne Chapter

Fall Native Plant Sale, Boerne Chapter, October 19, 2024

Although the local temperatures give no indication of it, Fall is really upon us, according to the calendar. And our Fall Native Plant Sale will be here soon.  If you dig up and pot native plants mid to late September, they should be fairly well rooted by Oct 19. Kathy Webster has black plastic pots of various sizes available if you need some. You can email her at katweb59@gmail.com.

If you are growing plants for the sale, please email your plant list by October 7, so we can get all the labels printed. Send your email to: Kathy Webster (katweb59@gmail.com), Gary Fest (garyafest@gmail.com) and Theresa Butler (theresabutler722@gmail.com).

Your plant labels will be ready for pickup at the CNC office by 9:00 a.m. on October 14.

Growers will need to deliver their donated plants (with labels attached) to Herff Farm on Friday, October 18 between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. so we will have time to get the plants organized and ready for the sale. The “Members Only” pre-sale will take place from 8:00-9:00am on the 19th. The sale will be open to the public from 9:00-1:00.

Gary Fest will organize and schedule volunteers to work on Friday and Saturday. LOTS of volunteers are needed! Please email Gary and let him know if you can work 9-12 on Friday for setup, or on Saturday for the public sale.

If you need help with picking up labels or delivering your plants to Herff Farm, call or email Kathy Webster to make arrangements (210-867-4656 or katweb59@gmail.com). THANK YOU TO ALL THE GROWERS AND VOLUNTEERS!! 

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason