Gardening Articles from Local Master Gardeners
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Marigolds and the Day of the Dead
I grew up in the Catholic church and with a November 1st birthday always knew about All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. But it wasn’t until I lived in San Antonio that I knew about the connection between certain flowers and the Day of the Dead. As the first days of November arrive, marigolds glow…
Spiders: Nature’s Insecticide
As autumn rolls in and Halloween decorations begin to creep across our neighborhoods, spiders suddenly take center stage. From fake cobwebs stretched across porches to real orb weaver webs along my woodland trails, the season celebrates these eight-legged creatures as symbols of mystery and fright. But behind their spooky reputation lies one of nature’s most…
Mums On The Porch Means Fall Is In The Air
As the sweltering heat of summer fades and the crisp air of fall begins to settle in, porches across America — especially in the South and places like East Texas — undergo a vibrant transformation. Out go the tropical plants and bright summer annuals; in come pumpkins, hay bales, rustic wreaths, and above all: mums….
Narcissus ‘Smiling Twin’ – A Springtime Star
My husband and I have 2 sets of “grandtwins” and my mother and aunt are twins, so twins are special in our family. I guess that’s why the Narcissus ‘Smiling Twin’ Daffodil is special to me. Although I can’t grow them in my very shady yard, I have planted them in other family yards and…
Triteleia ‘Queen Fabiola’: A Springtime Showstopper
If you’re looking to brighten up your garden this spring, Triteleia ‘Queen Fabiola’ is a top pick. These cheerful bulbs grow in sunny clumps, sending up stems loaded with blue-violet, star-shaped flowers that pop against their grassy leaves. Native to California, they’re tough enough to handle a range of weather and pretty forgiving if you’re…
So Pretty, They’ll Make You Cry!
In times past, the Byzantine Gladiolus was a favorite in the Old South. It can still be found growing in old cemeteries, abandoned home sites, and along ditches. I saw one last year for the first time. It was love at first sight and I knew I just had to have one but they are…
Functional Front Yards
Something quietly magical is happening in neighborhoods across the country. The front yard is coming back to life. No longer just a manicured patch of lawn or a decorative buffer between sidewalk and home, today’s front yards are evolving into vibrant, welcoming spaces that invite connection. They are becoming the heart of neighborhood life where…
Sweet Olives
I don’t see them regularly, but I often smell them. The flowers of the sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), which appear in fall, early spring, and even during mild winters, are small and creamy white, but their fragrance is among the most powerful and distinctive of any garden plant. It also happens to be one of…
Smith County Master Gardener “Fabulous Fall Favorites”
Yay for Fall! Yep, September 22nd is officially the first day of fall! But with all the pumpkin spice products being sold in August you’d think it was earlier than that! (laughing out loud!) If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to crisp cool days, chilly nights and the changing colors of the leaves. The…
Red Headed Woodpeckers
Lately, my home in the country has been all a whirl with the sights and sounds of one of my favorite birds. Few birds can rival the striking beauty of the red-headed woodpecker. With a brilliant crimson head, contrasting jet-black back, and gleaming white belly and wing patches, this medium-sized woodpecker is unmistakable. In good…
Cool Season Vegetables
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…
Native East Texas Pineywoods
East Texas is a region known for our lush pine forests. The combination of suitable climate, soil and historical ecological conditions has created a welcoming environment for our beloved pine trees. The presence of these trees has not only shaped the landscape but also contributed to the economic and ecological well-being of the region. However,…