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We have had a rough winter here in Spring TX.  The picture above says it all.  This story is repeated at home after home in our area.  It is so sad to see all these dead palm trees.  We are now starting to see trucks filled with dead trees.  Look below and you will see this same home in a winter picture just a few years ago.

You can see that the palm trees were smaller but very green.  We have heard so much about global warming in the last number of years and now that it is no longer warming we are hearing climate change.  I decided to go back in history and found that in 1940 it actually got down to 5 degrees here in Spring TX.  This is my personal opinion but I think it is just cyclical changes.  So what do you think?

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas or Tomball TX and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring-Tomball TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring-Tomball TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

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Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*The Ravages of Winter in Spring TX!!*

The Houston Chronicle had a great article today about plant survival in freezing temperatures.  We are supposed to have several days of frigid temperatures starting tomorrow (lows in the mid 20's).  Here in Houston we rarely have frigid temperatures and for sure not several days in a row.  I am going to share the highlights for those of you that missed the article. (Which would have been me had a friend not told me so I stopped and bought a paper). I love all the tropical plants that I'm able to grow in Spring and I for one don't want to have to start over.

After reading the article I realized that I've not been going at this correctly.  According to the article you want to mulch, water and cover.  They recommend watering if it has not rained.  Water and mulch should be enough for certain plants.  Those plants would be abelia, azalea, boxwood, eleagnus, Hawthorne, holly, ligustrum, loropetalum, mahonia, nandina, roses, wax myrtle and yaupon.  According to the article after an extended freeze these shrubs will probably show foliage damage without cover but should put on new leaves in the spring.  Since we have not had rain I ran our sprinkler system this afternoon before covering our plants.

If you want to go the extra step they recommend covering plants with fiber row covers, sheets or blankets.  This will raise the temperature a few degrees depending on the cover.  For even extra protection add a layer of heavy plastic over the cloth covers and secure it with bricks and stones.  The article said not to place plastic directly on the plants. (This is where I have been going astray).  My plants are all now double wrapped so we shall see how they do.  Of course move any potted plants inside.

Do not wash frost or ice off the plants the morning after the freeze.  If you wash the frost off it raises the temperature too fast and can damage the plant's cell tissue.  After the frigid temperatures are over it says to assess the damage but NOT to prune.  It says that freeze damaged wood will protect live wood farther down the branch (should we have more frigid temperatures). 

In the spring prune to green at your normal pruning time.  I have always heard mid February for pruning. 

I hope this is it for our frigid weather.  We have lived here 14 years and I don't ever remember covering plants this much.  I remember a radio commentator years ago saying we have two seasons in Houston summer and January.  The scary part is that the month of January just started.

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

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Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX plants!!*

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year from Spring TX.  Having moved here from the north I still find it weird when I see the fireworks stands opening before Christmas.  I'm thinking the fireworks stands must be doing a GREAT business this evening as our dog is cowering at my feet as we hear fireworks in all directions. 

2009 has been a wonderful year; of course capped by our son getting out of the Army in June and becoming a college student here locally. What a blessing it has been having him here this holiday season. My heart goes out to those whose loved ones are serving far away; many in harms way.  Please remember to keep our troops in your prayers. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

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Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Happy New Year - Fireworks in Spring TX!!*  Picture taken by Tarina Peterson all rights reserved

Shortly after moving to Spring TX we were introduced to the book Gulf Coast Gardening by Randy Lemmon.  We have lived in 4 different states and one of the things we have learned along the way is to plant according to what plants are native to the area.  We started listening to Randy Lemmon's garden-line Saturday mornings on 740AM and ended up purchasing his book Gulf Coast Gardening.  His book is now tattered and dog eared but has helped us to find plants that are native to our area.

We have heard Randy Lemmon talk about raised bed gardening for years but kept putting it off.  For our fall garden we finally started our raised beds.  We intend to make 5 raised beds but to start off we made two.  (We probably would have done all 5 but I wasn't ready to give up my okra).  I figured two beds were enough for my winter garden. 

We decided on a very simple process.  We bought untreated wood and my husband put them together.  On Randy Lemmon's advice we put layers of newspaper before we put our soil in the beds.  I can attest to this helping with the weed problem. Randy recommended using two parts Rose soil and one part organic compost but we found that to be a bit expensive so we decided to use a garden mix.

 

I am AMAZED at the difference I am seeing between the plants in the raised beds and the plants that are not in raised beds.  I found that I had more plants than I had room in the raised beds so I planted the same plants in the beds that were not raised.  You can look and see the difference for yourself.  We are already eating bib lettuce from the raised bed gardens but the bib lettuce in the regular garden isn't ready yet.  I thinks sometimes a picture speaks louder than a thousand words and I'm now a big proponent of raised bed gardening.

Randy Lemmon was recently at our local Ace Hardware to answer questions and sign books.  I wrote a post about it at The Woodlands Ace Hardware - Customer appreciation Day!! I had thought about thanking him for his raised bed gardening advice but the line to talk to him was long so this post will have to suffice as my thank you.  

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

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Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Spring TX raised bed gardening - Thanks Randy Lemmon! *

The Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their 2009 Toyota Corolla car raffle!!  Buy a raffle ticket NOW for a chance to win a new car for your Valentine!!

I became involved with the Sprin-Klein Chamber almost from its inception less than one year ago.  I have seen this new Chamber of Commerce grow substantially and really give back to the community.  In that short time they have done back to school supply drives, Thanksgiving food drives and a Christmas Toy drive. 

As a new chamber the one thing that is of course lacking is money.  With that in mind as a fundraiser the Chamber is raffling off a 2009 Toyota Corolla LE.   Tickets are a $20 donation and with just a limited number of tickets being sold, the odds of winning are excellent at 1 in 3000.  Proceeds will directly benefit the Chamber, which reinvests donations right back into the Spring-Klein community.

There are multiple ways to submit a raffle entry:            

1. Participants encourage friends and business associates to purchase tickets.  Anyone who sells 75 tickets or more is eligible to win one year's free paid membership to the Chamber and an entry into the drawing.
2. Bring a new member to the chamber - When your business peers become members of the chamber, you are automatically entered into the drawing for an additional chance to win.  Be sure to tell them to mention your name as a sponsor of their membership.
3.  Simply support the Chamber - Each $20 donation automatically enters your name into the drawing for a chance to win.          

This could be your Valentine's perfect gift.  The drawing for the Toyota Corolla LE will take place Friday, February 13^th at 5:00 pm at , 20400 I-45 North.  It is located on the north bound feeder between  the Cypresswood and Louetta exits.   The event will include live music and refreshments.  

Tickets are available now you can contact me at marchel@agentwithresults.com  for a ticket or any other Spring Klein Chamber member.  They will also be sold at all Spring Klein Chamber functions until February 13 or while supplies last.   Visit http://www.springkleinchamber.org/ for more details or you may also call the Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce Secretary at 281-257-4431.

Spring has shown incredible growth in the last few years and it is only logical that there should be a Spring-Klein Chamber.  The Chamber was founded in May 2008.  It is dedicated to being the primary resource for area economic development, business expansion and overall quality of life in Spring-Klein. For more information, visit www.springkleinchamber.org or call 281-257-4431.

For all your Spring TX Real Estate needs, contact me today!
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty
Cell: 832-721-8332

We have lived in the Spring Texas area for 11 years and we LOVE living here. I have to be honest we had reservations about moving here. My husband's job transferred us out of Denver and Houston was one of our options but we wanted no part of Houston. In our mind it was a big dirty city with lots of oil refineries. Instead we went to North Carolina which is a beautiful state but far away from all our friends and family who were in Kansas, Colorado and Texas. 2 ½ years later we were transferred again. This time we bit the dust and came to the Houston area. God knew what he was doing because I don't know that we would have been as happy here had we not traveled so far from family to begin with. We love living in Spring! We have a Spring mailing but are very close to Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.

I think one of the things I love most about the Spring area are the friendly people. Even though Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States the communities still have a sense of a small community. I go to the grocery store, post office, the mall and see people that I know from my Spring/Tomball area and everyone is so friendly. I think friendly and Texas just goes hand in hand. It is nothing for people to wave as they go by. I have a friend who moved here and she said to begin with she kept looking over her shoulder to see who they were waving at.

The other thing that I love is the foliage. I had no idea it was such a pretty area. I love the mixture of trees and wide open spaces. North Carolina was beautiful but growing up in the plains of Kansas I felt a little claustrophobic with all the trees. The beauty of this area is that you still have all the trees but you also have the plains. We have towering pine trees, oak trees, sweet gums, dogwoods and all kinds of native bushes. It stays green here almost all year. The leaves come off the trees in December and on Valentines Day it is already time to prune the crepe myrtles because the leaves are getting ready to come back on. We have plants that grow in the ground that I thought were only house plants, split leaf philodendron and ferns to name a few. I just had no idea how pretty the area is, it is almost subtropical.

I heard a radio commentator once say we have two seasons here summer and January. That is really not far from the truth. I have to admit it gets a little steamy here in the summer time but air conditioning is a way of life. Personally I find that I can stay cool easier in the summer time than I used to try and stay warm up north in the winter. We rarely have a day over 100 degrees but it does almost become a broken record in July and August of 95 degrees, 95 degrees, 95 degrees and we do have high humidity. The good news on that is that it keeps our skin soft.

I couldn't mention all the things I love without mentioning the school districts. We moved here when our children were in 5th and 9th grade. Since that time they both graduated out of the Klein school district. They were well prepared for college. Our daughter went on to get a degree from the University of North Texas in Communication Design. Our son decided to join the Army as an Intelligence Analyst. He had that option because he scored so high on the military test. I think all the school districts around here must be as good because whether my clients live in Conroe ISD, Spring ISD, Tomball ISD or Magnolia ISD they all want to stay in the same district because they are so happy with the schools.

Missy brought up another reason that I love Spring in the comments. I’m surprised that I forgot to mention housing affordability when I wrote this post but I am rectifying that right now. In Spring we were able to buy a new home with more square footage than the houses we left in North Carolina and Colorado; plus the homes we left were built in 1960 and 1979. Additionally our houses are pretty I love the wide variety of architecture you find in our area. Most homes are mainly brick with either masonery or hardy plank along the back. If you aren’t familiar with hardy plank it is cement board and works great in our area with our pest problems. The home we had built in 1996 was one of the first homes to have Hardy Plank but it is now the common siding that is used.

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subcribe in a reader

Mercer Arboretum is located very close to Spring TX. In all honesty the mailing is Humble but it is on the border of Spring. After living in Spring TX for 11 years we finally decided to visit the Mercer Arboretum.  I don't have a clue why we waited so long.  Actually I take that back all this time I thought there was a charge and I guess I didn't want to pay.  Well guess what it is FREE!!!  With the price of gas I know we are all looking for ways to save money and it doesn't get much better than free.  Free and you can enjoy nature at its best it doesn't get much better than that. 

The history of Mercer Arboretum goes back to 1949 when Charles and Thelma Mercer bought 14.5 acres of piney woods along Cypress Creek.  They cleared the land and created a beautiful garden oasis.  Prior to the purchase of this land in Thelma's words it was "a wild, wooded, burned out area."  They built their first home in what is now today's Volunteer Cottage.  They began clearing the land to make room for more trees such as dogwoods and hawthorns.  Thelma planted large camellias that still bloom throughout the garden.  She also introduced several exotic trees and plants that are still growing; including gingko and bauhinia. 

Charles was a decorated World War II soldier, recognized engineer and dedicated civic worker.  Thelma kept him busy in their garden.  When she decided that they needed a pond Charles had her lay out the design with a garden hose.   Charles then used his engineering skills to build it for her.  It is still there and is known as Thelma's pond.  It is one of the favorite places at Mercer Arboretum for photographers and children.  It still has Koi and large goldfish.  Considering how long Koi can live who knows some of the original Koi may be in there; if only they could talk.

When the Mercers decided to retire back in 1973 Thelma wrote to the Harris County officials asking the county to purchase their site.  She could have sold it to a developer for a larger profit but the Mercers chose to offer the property to Harris County at a price far below market value.  The stipulation was that it must be used as a garden and horticultural education facility.  This was a grass roots effort and with the help of many garden clubs and community leaders Harris County bought the property and it became Mercer Arboretum.

The vision of Thelma a Charles Mercer became a reality.  Mercer Arboretum has become a nationally recognized Botanic Garden.  It is an oasis of serenity with over 250 acres of East Texas Piney Woods.  We went there on a hot Sunday afternoon and it was actually quite refreshing walking through the trees.  We passed a couple on a swing who told us this was the ultimate in laziness. 

Mercer Arboretum is a living museum.  From the ferns to the majestic oaks all the plants have a story.  After living in several different states we have learned that it is important to use plants that are local to the area when you are landscaping.  We love working in the yard and this would have made our gardening so much easier as the plants are labeled.  There is an abundance of animal life sometimes slithering through the garden.  We saw a beautiful snake.  I really have not thought of snakes as being pretty but this one had some gorgeous coloring. 

The funds for the Mercer Arboretum come from Precinct 4 and the Mercer Society.  If you would like information about becoming a member to the Mercer Society click here.  Friend's memberships range from $25 to $50.  Friends of the society enjoy discount coupons to plant sales, discounts for classes, invitation to special event etc.  The funds from Precinct 4 and the Mercer Society provide for educational programs, plant collections, capital improvements and conservation efforts.  You don't have to join the Society to enjoy the Arboretum; did I mention it is FREE!!!

Since opening to the public in 1974 the Arboretum has thrived using a base of volunteers.  Volunteers work with the staff in the gardens and greenhouses, lead educational tours, improve the Mercer library and catalogue plant specimens for the herbarium.  Volunteers might be doing such things as building benches, propagating plants and organizing special events.  The volunteers include plant and nature enthusiast of all ages and skill levels. 

This just goes to show what a local citizen can do with a little ingenuity.  Charles and Thelma were not wealthy but Thelma did not like the idea of a bulldozer coming in and destroying the work of nature they had preserved.  In a letter to Harris County back in 1973 she wrote:

"The idea of bulldozers coming in here and destroying the work of nature that we had tried to preserve and learn about and learn to love and enjoy is hard to take."

Thelma was a conservationist before her time and her vision still lives at Mercer Arboretum.  Don't wait 11 years to visit.  All ages can enjoy the arboretum.  I saw retired couples and families with young children out for a Sunday stroll.  It doesn't get much better than FREE either!

Mercer Arboretum is located on Aldine Westfield just to the north of FM 1960 (on the east side of the road).  Their summer hours are from 8:00AM to 7:00 PM and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sunday.  Winter hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

In actuality Mercer has a Humble address but it is so close to Spring I am including it in my Spring TX information. 

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Mercer Arboretum -  Spring TX! FREE admittance!!*

Spring Texas is an area located along I-45, about 20 miles north of Houston.  Most of Spring is in unincorporated Northwest Harris County but part of Spring extends in to unincorporated Montgomery County.  Spring TX does not have official boundaries since it is not incorporated; there is not an actual town of Spring TX. The area is close enough to Houston to be able to enjoy the amenities but far enough away to still feel like you are in the country.  It is very accessible to the amenities of the Woodlands.

Spring was settled by German immigrants in 1840. The Wunsche family settled in the area and began farming the land. The area had a tremendous growth after the railroad was built through the town in 1871. The town served as a railroad center in the early 1900's.  You can visit the Spring Texas Historical Museum to find out a more complete history of the area.

 Many locals remember that one of the three Goodyear blimps, the airship America was based here from 1969 to 1992.

Parts of Spring TX are located in three different school districts; Spring ISD, Klein ISD and Conroe ISD.    Spring ISD boundaries are mainly to the east of I-45 in Northwest Harris County.  Klein ISD boundaries are mainly to the west of I-45 in Northwest Harris County and Conroe ISD boundaries are mainly to the east of I-45 in Southeast Montgomery County.

Old Town Spring is a restored railroad village of the early 1900s with some 150 shops featuring antiques, arts, crafts, clothing, and restaurants. It is open Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon- 5 p.m. I-45 at Spring Cypress Road, Exit 70A, and one mile east.

                      You can stroll along and find all kinds of restaurants and shops.  You can even stop along the side and buy yourself a snow cone.

Or you can stop to eat at one of the numerous Cafe's.  You won't want to miss Wunsche Brothers.  You can get a some of the local history about the Wunsche family.

So does your doll need to go to the Doctor.  Look no farther Old Town Spring has a Doll hospital!

Splash Town is an exceptional  46-acre water park in Spring. You can catch a wave in enormous wave pools and experience the waterfall on Shot Gun Falls or splash into the Blue Lagoon, a two-level activity pool. There's something for everyone at the 46-acre park. Open daily June-Aug.; weekends in May and Sept. On northbound I-45 at Holzwarth Road., exit 68.

The area is booming with many new shopping facilities opening up. A new Wal-mart has been built at the corner of 2920 and Kuykendahl which has made shopping much more accessible for the rural areas of Spring.

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Spring Texas*