Gardening Articles from Local Master Gardeners
Gardening Articles
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Life of the Loofah
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…
Sasanquas are Fall Treasures
When the days shorten and summer’s riot of color fades, East Texas gardeners are rewarded with one of the most elegant shrubs we can grow: the sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). These graceful evergreens step into the spotlight just as many plants are winding down, offering blooms from October into December. Their timing alone makes them…
Heirloom Tomatoes
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…
Fall is for Planting
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…
Get Ready for Winter!
As the weather gets cooler we know that winter will be just around the corner. Now is the time to start making plans for the winter months ahead. Here are some suggestions: Pine straw helps provide favorable growing conditions and stimulates healthy plant development by insulating tender roots, conserving soil moisture, eliminating erosion and protecting…
Keeping Mrs. Lee’s Daffodils Blooming
When I first visited Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden around forty years ago, I left a note in their suggestion box letting them know that they needed to cut or thin some trees in order to keep the daffodils blooming. I was teaching horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University at the time and had my…
Plantsgiving
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…
Falling for Color
As summer’s grip finally loosens, and crisp, cooler air settles over East Texas, our forests and neighborhoods begin their quiet transformation. Fall color is one of nature’s most noticeable gifts, and even though it can vary greatly from year to year, it always manages to lift our spirits after the long, exhausting heat. The turning…
Look, it’s a Ladybug! (Or Is It?)
I was looking at one of my citrus trees a few days ago and was so excited to see something I had not seen in quite a while – a ladybug! Then I noticed it didn’t quite look like what I think of as a ladybug. It was orange in color and had a lot…
Mums the Word
Mums the Word. As a child, when I heard this phrase, it usually meant you had been given some information, couldn’t share with anyone, and was often accompanied with a threat of sorts. In this case, I hope this topic reaches as many people as possible. What I’m referring to is the common garden mum…
Pansies and Violas
When the nights begin to cool and the first whiff of fall drifts through the air, I know it’s time for one of the most popular cool seasons flower combos: pansies and violas. These cheerful, cold-hardy flowers have been brightening up Texas winters for generations, offering a welcome splash of color when most other blooms…
From Garden to Table: Edible Plants Redefine Ornamental Landscaping
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…