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…
One of the best ways to control weeds in the home garden is by mulching—covering the soil surface around plants so that no bare soil shows. The major benefits of mulching are 1) It greatly reduces the soil moisture that is lost through evaporation and 2) It suppresses the growth of weeds in your garden….
When my husband and I bought an orange brick house many years ago we started to re-landscape. I quickly realized my favorite Hino Crimson azaleas were NOT going to be an option against that orange brick. After some research, I found Fashion azaleas, a corally-orange bloom that worked well with the orange brick. Problem solved!…
If you enjoy seeing how new flowers and vegetables perform in real-life East Texas conditions, mark your calendar for the 2025 East Texas Horticulture Field Day in Overton. Held Thursday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., this free event offers something for every gardener, whether you are a professional landscaper, Master Gardener, or…
I recently got a new rat terrier, and he reminds me of Rosie, one of my favorite dogs from the past. Rosie, also a rat terrier, used to chew her squeaky toy on my foot. After she passed away, I remember hearing a bird up in my pine trees that made the exact same sound….
Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the significant role fathers play in the emotional, social and psychological development of their children. The involvement of fathers in a child’s life has been shown to improve self-esteem, academic performance, and overall well-being. Father provide essential guidance and support, often serving as role models and mentors….
There was a storied fig tree planted at the Goodman Legrand house, that was celebrated not only by the house’s residents but by visitors for a century. The tree was one of the first horticultural improvements made to the property when Gallatin Smith purchased the land in 1859 and built the dog trot cabin that…
All across this country we are seeing fewer and fewer of the beautiful Eastern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). The same is happening with the Western Monarch. Both the World Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list them as being close to being an Endangered Species. Here in East Texas we especially notice…
East Texans who have dreamed of attracting flocks of fluttering butterflies to their backyard or helping save the iconic monarch will have a prime opportunity to learn how this week. As part of their “Nature in the Garden Series,” the Smith County Master Gardeners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are hosting a free public…
Tyler is known far and wide for its beautiful azaleas, and it’s important we treat these East Texas icons with the notoriety that they’ve earned. If you haven’t already fertilized yours this spring, there’s still time. When fertilizing azaleas, remember that less is more. Small amounts applied correctly are far better than heavy-handed applications. Choose…
I thought growing a lawn was easy. When we moved to Tyler eight years ago, I dreamed of gorgeous expanses of green grass on our 2 acres. Turns out most of our property was bare dirt in heavy shade and what turf we did have in the sun was a variety I had never heard…
Fire and forests might sound like a dangerous combination, but in East Texas, the two have evolved together. Fire has long played a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems in our Pineywoods and Post Oak Savanna regions, where regular low-intensity burns once shaped open woodlands, fueled wildflower displays, and supported native wildlife. Now, after a…
Is it possible to have a beautiful garden in the shade? A beautiful garden is usually visualized as brightly colored flowers gently dancing atop long graceful stems swaying in summer breezes. However, there can be beautiful shade gardens as well. What does it take to make a shade garden as appealing as a garden that…
This annual, broadleaf weed is often mis-identified as harmless “mimosa seedlings”, but Chamberbitter (Phyllanthus urinaria), also known as gripeweed, is an invasive warm-season, annual broadleaf weed that can be difficult to control. Reports are that it is becoming more prevalent in our area — I know we have been battling it at our home. Regular…
As a child, few things rivaled the simple joy of running barefoot through our backyard. My brothers and I spent many afternoons lying in the grass, watching clouds, and turning a garden hose into our very own water park. That soft, green lawn was the heart of so many memories—but looking back, it was only…
Planting the right plant in the right place is a gardening tenant. But it is easy to get swayed by a pretty plant and forget its importance. I have a wet corner of my garden where I ignored this important rule. A leaky sprinkler head was exacerbating the problem, but even with that repaired, this…