April 1, 2008
This will be my last pick of the month as it has just been taking too much of my time.
In case you haven’t noticed, the crop of wildflowers this Spring has been pretty slim. Many people don’t know this, but the Texas wildflowers like the Bluebonnet, Indian Paintbrust, Mexican Hat and Black-Eyed Susan germinate in December and January. If you recall those months, we had very little rain. As a result, viewing what should be fields of wildflowers is more like viewing a few flowers and a lot of grass.
Having said that, there is a place to look at fields and fields of Wildflowers. The pick of the month is the Wildflower Seed Farm about 7 miles east of Fredericksburg off Highway 290. This is a place that started out as a farm to cultivate flowers for their seeds as well as native grasses and has become a tourist destination in the Spring.
Wildflowers have already begun to bloom and that will continue for some time depending on the flower. If you go, you will see acres of bluebonnets as well as many other flowers. Although called Wildflower Seed Farm, the farm also raises more traditional flowers and native grasses.
In addition to being able to view fields after field of flowers, the farm also has special events. This coming Saturday, April 5, is free music from 2-6 with Almost Patsy Cline. In late July, there is a Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa festival. September 12-14 will offer free seminars on planting wildflowers. On October 18 and 19 there is a Monarch Butterfly Celebration. This is typically the time of year the Monarchs migrate through Texas on their way to Mexico.
The Butterfly Haus has already opened. This is a great place to explore the life cycle of the butterfly. You will see the word Haus spelled out as the German spelling because of the Wildflower Seed Farm’s proximity to Fredericksburg. The Farm is open seven days a week from 9:30-6:00. To get there, follow the directions on the map below.
If you do make the drive out west of Austin, don’t miss the town of Fredericksburg. This is a fun town that is filled with great antique shops, bed and breakfast inns, gift shops, restaurants and much more. Fredericksburg is also home to the Admiral Chester Nimitz museum. If this sounds strange, it shouldn’t as the Admiral was born in Fredericksburg.
If you’re in the mood for more history, the LBJ Ranch isn’t much of a drive as well. The Ranch is not far from the Wildflower Seed Farm just east of Stonewall on Hwy 290.
I hope you will find this month’s pick enjoyable. Look for another to come in next month. Also, if you know of someone who new to the area who may like to receive these, just send me the name and address.
Oh, did I say this was my last? This was supposed to go out in March, but is making out on April first – and everyone knows what that day is!
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