News & Annoucements
The Nutcracker Shoppe Annual CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
The Nutcracker Shoppe, an El Lago arts and crafts guild, is pleased to announce its 46th Annual CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. The two day show will be held…. Friday, November 6th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday, November 7th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Taylor Lake Christian Church, 1730 Old Kirby Road, Seabrook, Texas (see map below); Look for and follow the “Nutcracker” signs.
Trowels & Tribulations in a Suburban Garden – October Issue
By: Donna J. Ward, Certified Texas Master Gardener (Note: This is a reprint of Donna’s article that appears in the La Ventana del Lago.). Gardeners attempting to follow the timelines set out herein are aware that this newspaper is not published in conjunction with those timelines. The first day of each month of publication, Trowels & Tribulations can be found on the City of El Lago web site: www.ellago-tx.gov.
Three cheers for October! Cooler weather and the plants that we can put in the ground now for next year’s performance are almost endless. Not to mention nurseries are putting out their ‘Sale’ signs. Think about your whole landscape plan, especially trees. For tips on which trees do well in our neighborhood go to the El Lago city site (address above) and type “gardening” in the search box. This will take you to GARDENING; from there you can find my list of Recommended Landscape Trees.
When you are ready to plant, dig the hole twice as wide as the container diameter, but no deeper than the soil level in the container. Place the top of the soil ball at a slightly higher level than the surrounding soil. The finished planting depth (after the soil settles) should be such that the plant is slightly higher after planting than it was when grown in the container.
Our soil tends to be very clay-like, and if it was damp when you dug the hole, you will notice that the wall of the hole is glazed and almost impermeable. Roots will have a difficult time penetrating the wall unless you rough it up a bit with a spading fork, hoe, or hand-held cultivator.
Loosen the root ball and once you have positioned it in the prepared hole, backfill with the soil taken from the hole. Do not add organic matter. By backfilling with native soil, the plant is immediately forced to establish new roots in the backfilled soil and beyond. Do not fertilize at the time of planting, as delicate root hairs are easily burned by fertilizer. A root stimulator would be beneficial when planting, but hold off on any fertilizer until the tree’s 2nd growing season, and then only feed lightly.
After planting, water deeply. It is essential that the soil settles around the tree roots and eliminates air pockets. Consistent moisture is critical, especially during your tree’s 1st growing season. Each leaf on your tree has its own personal root hair below the ground level. If this root hair is allowed to become dry, its corresponding leaf withers and dies. .
Fall is the ideal time to plant trees. Our mild winters allow them to spend those months establishing a healthy root system before spring makes any demands for top growth. Moisture is essential to accomplish this, so don’t put away the garden hose just because it’s winter.
If you have any energy left after the tree planting you might want to put in some bulbs. Daffodils, anemones, narcissus, jonquils, ranunculus can be planted now if the weather has cooled a bit. If not, wait until November. Those tulip bulbs need to be refrigerated for December planting. If your caladiums lived up to your standards this summer you might want to dig them when the brown leaves appear. Let dry for a few days and then store in a paper bag or box of vermiculite or sawdust. They are fairly inexpensive, so you may just want some new and prettier ones in spring. Not a show off like those mentioned above, garlic is one of the bulbs that grow well in our neighborhood. Soft neck bulbs thrive in our zone 9a if a few simple rules are followed. They need fertile, loose, well-draining soil and full sun. Separate the cloves and plant point up 5” deep and 6” apart. They are heavy feeders and enjoy an organic 6-2-4 about every 3 weeks. If patience is not one of your virtues, you will be sorely tested as it’s an 8 or 9 month wait……think June.
If you want to put in a new perennial bed or just wish to update your current bed, it’s time. Our winters are relatively mild here on the Gulf Coast and plants can spend that time establishing a strong root system. When spring arrives they are ready to perform and survive another sizzling summer.
I applaud those of you lucky enough to have your plumerias put on a show this past summer. I gave up on them several years ago as the moving in and out became too much of a chore. But those of you who have continued this routine are noticing leaves falling, have stopped watering and are preparing for the move. Although I’ve been told that those planted close to the house or in a sheltered location might manage to survive the winter and bloom again.
I know those smiley face pansies are calling your name, but ignore them until next month. It’s still too warm for these cool weather cuties.
If you have finished tilling the south forty, it’s ready for the planting of some veggies: spinach, turnips, radish, pumpkin (hurry), mustard, peas (English and snap), lettuce, beets and transplants of cabbage and broccoli.
Get the shovel out of the garage and knock off the dirt from last year’s dig. Fall is one of our best times for planting, even more so than spring – and here’s plenty of suggestions to get you going.
Upcoming events in October
14th Annual El Lago Fishing Tourament
Ordinance 522 – Electric Rideable Devices
The City of El Lago
Harris County, Texas
ORDINANCE NO. 522
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL LAGO, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 12-38, PROHIBITED ACTS, OF CHAPTER 12, PARKS AND RECREATION OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF EL LAGO, TEXAS, TO ADD A PROHIBITION OF ELECTRIC RIDEABLE DEVICES ON PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS; ADD A NEW ARTICLE IV, “OPERATION OF ELECTRIC RIDEABLE DEVICES” to CHAPTER 15, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, THAT ESTABLISHES regulations FOR THE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, and ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDS WITHIN THE CITY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEATH AND WELFARE OF THE CITY’S RESIDENTS; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
* * * * * *
WHEREAS, Section 551.106 of the Texas Transportation Code gives the express authority for municipalities to prohibit the operation of a bicycle or electric bicycle from a sidewalk or roadway; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of El Lago, Texas, finds that the use of electric rideable devices on public sidewalks is a risk of injury for the operators and the other citizens using the sidewalks and desires to minimize public and private injury and losses due to the operation of electric rideable devices;
now therefore, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF EL LAGO, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The facts and matters set forth in the preamble to this Ordinance are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein for all intents and purposes.
Section 2. Section 12-38, Prohibited Acts, Chapter 12, Parks and Recreation, of the Code of Ordinances, City of El Lago, Texas is hereby amended by adding the underlined and removing the struck through below:
Ҥ12-38 Prohibited Acts.
It shall be unlawful for any person or group to:
(5) Permit any pet to be in any park unless such pet is caged or on a leash no more than six (6) feet long.;
(6) Operate an electric rideable device of any class on any pedestrian walkway or playground in any city park.”
Section 3. The Code of Ordinances of the City of El Lago, Texas, shall be amended by adding a new article, Article IV, Operation of Electric rideable devices, to Chapter 15, Streets and Sidewalks, as underlined below:
“Article IV Operation of Electric rideable devices
- 15-71. Definitions.
Electric bicycle, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 shall be defined as found in Chapter 664 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Electric scooter means a scooter assisted by an electrical source or battery that allows for self-propulsion of three (3) miles per hour (MPH) or greater.
Electric skateboard means a skateboard assisted by an electrical source or battery that allows for self-propulsion of three (3) miles per hour (MPH) or greater.
Electric rideable devicemeans any electric bike, electric skateboard, and / or electric scooter.
- 15-72. General Provisions related to Electric rideable devices
- All operators of Electric rideable devices under the age of eighteen (18) must wear a properly fitted safety helmet.
- No one under the age of sixteen (16) may operate a Class 3 electric bicycle on the public sidewalk or roadway system within the City.
- 15-73. Operation on Streets
- All electric rideable devices are allowed on public streets with posted speed limit signs of thirty (30) miles per hour or less within the city.
- All electric rideable device operators must comply with all applicable traffic laws and posted signs.
- 15-74. Prohibition on Sidewalks
- Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles are prohibited from operation on sidewalks except where properly posted signage indicates otherwise.
- Electric rideable devices must be dismounted and walked on sidewalks and streets adjacent to a school during school hours.
- Electric rideable devices are prohibited within park pedestrian cores and playground areas.
- Electric rideable devices are prohibited on authorized mapped or signed business-district sidewalks.
- 15-75. Penalty
(a) A first violation of this ordinance may result in the violators being required to complete an electric rideable device safety class conducted by the Police Department to be paid by the violator or parent or guardian.
(b) First violation of this ordinance may be subject to a fine not to exceed $50.
(c) Subsequent or repeat violations of this ordinance may be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000 and impoundment of the electric rideable device.
(d) A parent or guardian of a minor, who knowingly allowed said minor to violate this ordinance and said minor is found in violation of this ordinance, may be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000.”
Section 4. A violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed a misdemeanor punishable by fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) as provided in Sec. 1-5 of the Code of Ordinances, City of El Lago, Texas.
Section 5. Should any paragraph, section, sentence, phrase, clause, or word of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
Section 6. The City Secretary of the City of El Lago is hereby authorized and directed to cause publication of the descriptive caption of this Ordinance.
Section 7. This Ordinance shall become effective, except as may otherwise be provided herein, from and after its publication as provided by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ORDAINED this 18 day of March, 2026.
Moon Tree Project
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