161130 WM EB

Weather patterns continue to be favorable for leaving irrigation systems off. Rain events are semi-regular, and temperatures are staying cool enough that the soil is retaining the moisture longer. We should be good keep controllers off until next year.

If you need assistance with your landscape irrigation system, the Water Matters Team is available to help familiarize you with it. If you need help setting up your controller, or would like a complete and thorough evaluation of your irrigation system, send an email to WaterMatters@SCTexas.org , or contact your Neighborhood Representative. A Water Matters Ambassador will come to your home to assist you.

161130 L3 Update

Progress remains steady. Mowers should be in NH 46 beginning of next week.

Although the majority of this process can be handled by our mowers, there are some areas that are less accommodating and will need to be addressed with line trimmers. The Line Trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. All cuttings will be left where they fall. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 63, 60, 37, 36, 12, 8, 11, 33, 24, 25, 26, 15, 14, 34

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 40, 41, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

161117 L3 Update

Now that the rains have let up a little, we’re back on track.

Although the majority of this process can be handled by our mowers, there are some areas that are less accommodating and will need to be addressed with line trimmers. The Line Trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. All cuttings will be left where they fall. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods38, 27, 13, 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 63, 60, 37, 36, 12, 8, 11, 33, 24, 25, 26, 15, 14, 34

Phase 2 Neighborhoods16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 40

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 2 Neighborhoods41, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

161110 WM EB

With almost 2 inches of rain this past week, controllers should remain off. Barring a flash drought, it’s possible that we may be able to leave them off for the remainder of the year. I have turned off all common areas, and plan to irrigate manually only the new sod and plant areas on an as needed basis.

If you would like assistance with your landscape irrigation system, the Water Matters Team is available to help familiarize you with it. If you need help setting up your controller, or would like a complete and thorough evaluation of your irrigation system, send an email to WaterMatters@SCTexas.org , or contact your Neighborhood Representative. A Water Matters Ambassador will come to your home to assist you.

161110 L3 Update

As anticipated, the recent rains have stifled our progress. We have managed to complete Phase 1. We will begin Phase 2 in N16, and progress roughly in the order listed below.

Although the majority of this process can be handled by our mowers, there are some areas that are less accommodating and will need to be handled with line trimmers. The Line Trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. All cuttings will be left where they fall. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 63, 60, 37, 36, 12, 8, 11, 33, 24, 25, 26, 15, 14, 34

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

161103 WM EB

Well it wasn’t the typically wet October we usually get, and it was a bit on the warmer side. Rain and even cooler temperatures are in the forecast however. With the exception of the new sod and plant areas, which I will be running a 1 day per week program, I will begin turning off the irrigation to the common areas. Remember that overwatering the landscape this time of year is an invitation for molds and fungus to take hold and damage valuable plant material and turf.

This weekend is the time change. Don’t forget to adjust your clocks, including the irrigation controller, or be prepared for the imminent social awkwardness.

If you need help setting up your controller, or would like a complete and thorough evaluation of your irrigation system, send an email to WaterMatters@SCTexas.org , or contact your Neighborhood Representative. A Water Matters Ambassador will come to your home to assist you.

161103 L3 Update

Progress for our second round of maintenance continues to be steady, however, there is more rain in the forecast and that may slow us down.

Although the majority of this process can be handled by our mowers, there are some areas that are less accommodating and will need to be handled with line trimmers. The Line Trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. All cuttings will be left where they fall. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 63, 60, 37, 36, 12, 8, 11, 33, 24, 25, 26, 15, 14

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

34

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

161027 L3 Update

Progress for our second round of maintenance continues to be steady, and about what we expected for as tall as the grasses are from all the rain we received this summer.

Although the majority of this process can be handled by our mowers, there are some areas that are less accommodating and will need to be handled with line trimmers. The Line Trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. All cuttings will be left where they fall. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 63, 60, 37, 36, 12, 8, 11, 33

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

24, 25, 26, 15, 14, 34

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160812 L3 Update

The Native Maintenance is nearly at an end, with about 2 to 3 more weeks until we are finished. Mowing has been completed between 10 and 30 feet behind residential property lines in the below listed neighborhoods. The Line trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 4, 6, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 17, 19, 18, 46, 62, 47, 53, 54 , 56, 59, 58, 57, 55, 52

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

51, 48, 49, 50

160805 L3 Update

We are more than halfway through the Phase 2 maintenance for the Native Areas. Mowing has been completed between 10 and 30 feet behind residential property lines in the below listed neighborhoods. The Line trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

MOWING COMPLETED

Phase 1 Neighborhoods

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 4, 6, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 17, 19, 18, 46, 62, 47

MOWING REMAINING

Phase 2 Neighborhoods

53, 54, 56, 59, 58, 57, 55, 52, 51, 50, 48, 49, 50

160729 L3 Update

We are just about midway through the Phase 2 maintenance for the Native Areas. The Line trimmers can be up to 2 weeks behind the mowers, which are cutting a 10 to 30 foot swath behind residential lot lines. This is a Fire Wise exercise only, and not for aesthetic, or any other purpose.

COMPLETED

Phase 1

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 4, 6, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 17

REMAINING

Phase 2

19, 18, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160714 L3 Update

Phase 1 Has been completed.

Monday we will begin Phase 2 in neighborhood 16.

These are the remaining neighborhoods and their anticipated order of completion:

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160707 L3 Update

We’ve completed the following neighborhoods:

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 33, and 24

These are the remaining neighborhoods and their anticipated order of completion:

Phase 1

25, 26, 14, 15, 34

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160629 L3 Update

We’ve completed the following neighborhoods:

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, and 36

These are the remaining neighborhoods and their projected order of completion:

Phase 1

8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160615 L3 Update

Over the years the perceived purpose for the Native Area Maintenance has shifted away from its original design. The mowing of the native areas, or Level 3 commons, is solely a means to minimize potential damage to homes, immediately adjacent to these areas, in the event of a brush fire. There are other benefits associated with the process, but they are not motivating or causal factors.

Our mowing team is sent out first, and will mow up to 30 feet beyond the property lines wherever possible. Trees, rocks, and ledges, do not always cooperate with this primary objective. We have a line trimming team that follows the mowers, and focus on those places the mowers miss or cannot reach. They can be 2 to 3 days behind the mowers.

We’ve completed the following neighborhoods:

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2

These are the remaining neighborhoods and their projected order of completion:

Phase 1

35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160609 L3 Update

The Level 3 Maintenance is moving along and we’re starting to get into a groove. The team is mowing and line trimming a path up to 30 feet behind the resident property lines per Fire Wise guidelines.

We’ve completed the following neighborhoods:

38, 27, 13, 7, and 4

These are the remaining neighborhoods and their projected order of completion:

Phase 1

1, 6, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

160608 WM EB – June Watering

The weather has returned to an almost seasonally appropriate trend. My recommendation for watering would be 2 days per week, and between 80 – 100% water budget/seasonal adjust. Weather forecasters are suggesting the possible return of rain next week, so be ready to turn those controllers off.

The Water Matters Team is available to help familiarize you with your irrigation system. If you need help setting up your controller, or would like a complete and thorough evaluation of your irrigation system, send an email to WaterMatters@SCTexas.org , or contact your Neighborhood Representative. A Water Matters Ambassador will come to your home to assist you.

160520 L3 Maintenance Plan

Weather permiting, we are planning to beginning our bi-annual maintenance of the Native Common areas the first full week of June. After much discussion, it has been decided that we will no longer be alternating our maintenance path through the campus. It will be consistent going forward. The only changes made will be to accommodate newly developed areas acquired by the CA. Below is a list of our neighborhoods and the order we plan to follow.

Phase 1

38, 27, 13, 7, 1, 4, 6, 5, 3, 2, 35, 9, 10, 12, 60, 37, 36, 8, 11, 34, 15, 14, 33, 26, 25, 24

Phase 2

16, 28, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 41, 40, 43, 42, 44, 45, 21, 29, 20, 19, 18, 17, 46, 62, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59