I was planted on a warm East Texas morning, tucked into the soil with hope, compost, and a whispered promise that this would be the year for “perfect tomatoes.” I have heard that before. Still, I stretched my roots anyway, because that is what tomatoes do when given even a small reason to believe. Growing…
If you have been waiting for a sign that it is time to start your spring vegetable garden, this is it. Late January through February is when East Texas gardeners roll up their sleeves and get onions and potatoes in the ground. These two cool‑season staples are always the first act of the spring garden,…
During a visit to a friend’s garden, I noticed some vines on the fence that had the most beautiful yellow flowers. There were also long green pods, resembling zucchini, that measured about 18 inches in length. When I asked about them, my friend explained, “Oh, those are loofahs.” In the fall, the outer part of…
I always look forward to gardening in the spring because I know I will no longer have to rely on supermarkets for a tasteless, mushy tomato on my sandwich. The tomato plant is one of the most popular garden food plants in North America. Most tomatoes sold today are commercial hybrids of heirloom varieties. This…
November in East Texas is a season of change. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons are pleasant, and the leaves crunch underfoot as the landscape shifts into its autumn wardrobe. Many folks assume the garden is finished for the year, but the truth is this is the very best time to plant trees, shrubs, and…
When we think of Thanksgiving, we usually picture roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and family gatherings. But beneath all of that is a deeper truth: Thanksgiving is, in many ways, a celebration of plants – of harvest, seeds, foliage, color, and the natural rhythms of the earth, thus – Plantsgiving! Thanksgiving is more than just…
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and self-sufficiency, homeowners and landscape designers are rethinking the traditional garden. Gone are the days when ornamental plants were chosen solely for their looks. Today, edible plants are taking center stage not just in backyard vegetable plots, but as stunning features in ornamental landscapes. Edible plants like rainbow…
As the days shorten and the nights cool, East Texas gardeners get the gift of a new gardening season. Unlike the blazing heat of summer, fall offers the perfect conditions for cool-season vegetables. These crops thrive in lower temperatures, often taste sweeter, and give us a welcome harvest from now until winter. One of the…
“If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?” One peck is the correct answer, which is a quarter of a bushel or approximately 12 pounds and that would be perfect for a family of four to enjoy during the growing season. Peppers are one of my…
One of my favorite summer memories growing up in the Midwest, was eating delicious vine-ripened tomatoes! Absolutely delightful! I assumed everyone could easily enjoy this treat every summer. Then my husband and I moved to Oregon…ah! We would jokingly say summer never truly arrived until July. I would start my tomatoes from seed in February,…
If you are from Texas, you probably grew up eating squash casserole, still a favorite in our home. When I decided to start a small, raised vegetable garden a few years ago, I was determined to include yellow squash. What I did not take into account is the amount of space it requires, and the…