Solar bathroom project update

A few weeks ago we discussed the solar addition to the bathroom on near #13 green and what we needed to accomplish to get the power aspect up and running. You can read more about that here. Since then we have added plants to soften the landscape around the ground mounted solar panels.

Choosing plants for a project like this has two main requirements: 1. Low maintenance and 2. Deer resistant. First, we need plants that are low maintenance because we don’t have the time or labor to spend trimming, extra watering (after establishment), and dead heading spent blooms, etc. So we look for plants that are not fussy and can take care of themselves once we get them in the ground. Secondly, any plant on the property needs to be deer resistant. We have a good sized population of deer that frequent our grounds and will eat anything they find appetizing. Our goal is to make sure that anything we add is not appetizing to them or at least less appetizing then something else. The deer will eat the best combination of enticing and easy/safe that they can find. If we make our plants less edible or less accessible we are usually in the clear.

For the front/low side of the solar panel array we chose dwarf crepe myrtles. These are true dwarfs and will only grow 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. This was ideal for the front side of the array because we cannot block sunlight from reaching the panels. These crepe myrtles will provide nice blooms through the summer. For the two sides and the back we chose Orange Rocket barberries. Over time these will grow into a nice mass grouping that provides good screening for the solar panels.

Take a look at the new plants next time you are on the course. Hopefully they will distract you from the solar panels behind them!

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please don’t take any type of full swing on a putting green. Damage from spikes or divots may occur.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org