Downsizing makes gardening easier
Published Friday, February 17, 2012
Container gardening is growing smaller. Suppliers are downsizing this season with easier-to-use trough planters, raised beds, pots or bags. It's an effective way to produce edibles or blooms in tight spaces. One of the leaders in this less-is-better ...
Repair damaged, dying grass this spring with sod
Published Friday, February 17, 2012
Weather extremes in Texas in recent months have left many lawns damaged by freezing temperatures, drought or pests. When spring arrives, many of us will be out restoring and patching turfgrass. Once turf is actively growing, patches of dead grass a ...
Garden calendar
Published Friday, February 17, 2012
Saturday * Brazos Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon. Texas Avenue and William Joel Bryan Parkway in Bryan. Locally grown fresh produce and other items. www.brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.com, wisefamilyfarm@gmail.com or 229-5503. * Brenham Farmers Mar ...
Don't fret over finding coffee grounds
Published Friday, February 17, 2012
Dear Neil: I understand that people use coffee grounds in their flowerpots and flowerbeds. What are the reasons? Are they good enough to warrant doing it? A: Coffee grounds are acidic, and that can help many Texas soils. They're also a source of o ...
Garden calendar
Published Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday * A&M Garden Club, 9:30 a.m. Peace Lutheran Church, 2201 Rio Grande. Program: "Conservation: Keeping Texas Natural/Native Plants" with Lynn Braswell. Guests are welcome. Saturday * Brazos Valley Farmers Market -- Valentine's at the Market ...
Move mullberry tree now
Published Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dear Neil: About two years ago, I planted a mulberry tree near my septic system. It's about seven feet tall now, and its trunk is as large as my wrist. It has grown much larger and faster than I expected, and I'd like to move it. How do I do that pro ...
Planting at the right time vital to gardeners
Published Thursday, February 09, 2012
If gardeners know the best planting time and more adaptable varieties for each vegetable crop, they can expect better production. The date that a vegetable crop is started will be a major factor toward success. * Corn, Sweet — March 5 to May ...
Don't chop the tops off crape myrtles
Published Friday, February 03, 2012
Chopping off the top of crape myrtles has become a common practice that destroys the natural beauty of these attractive landscape plants. Crape myrtles do not require pruning to bloom. With distinctive smooth bark and graceful limbs, crape myrtles re ...
Garden calendar
Published Friday, February 03, 2012
Friday * Arbor Day Celebration, 10:30 a.m. Veteran's Park. Hosted by A&M Garden Club. Two live oak trees will be planted to celebrate 75 years of Garden Club in District V of Texas Garden Clubs. Saturday * Brazos Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m. t ...
How to reshape Texas sage plants
Published Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Neil: Can I trim and reshape my Texas sage plants (see photo)? They're so leggy. When should I do it? A: Trim them now, before new growth commences. You can remove 30 to 40 percent of their top growth, but do so one branch at a time, so that you ...
Buffalograss not easy to maintain
Published Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Neil: How well is buffalograss suited for use as a lawn in Texas? The area where I'd like to use it is part sun/part shade. Can I get away with not watering it once it's established? A: Buffalograss is quite drought-tolerant (equal to, or slight ...
Start the last group of cool-season vegetables soon
Published Friday, January 27, 2012
If gardeners know the best planting time and best adapted variety with the best flavor that mature in less than 80 days for each vegetable crop, they could make wiser choices and expect better production. The date that a vegetable crop is started wil ...
Heath family great for gardens
Published Friday, January 27, 2012
Botanical kin sometimes make good garden companions, and such is the case for the heath family. You know these plants: rhododendron, azalea, pieris, mountain laurel and, of course, heather and heath. Add blueberry, huckleberry and lingonberry, and y ...
Garden calendar
Published Friday, January 27, 2012
Saturday * Brazos Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon. Texas Avenue and William Joel Bryan Parkway in Bryan. Locally grown fresh produce and other items. www.brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.com, wisefamilyfarm@gmail.com or 229-5503. * Brenham Farmers Mar ...
New planting zone map reflects effects of global warming
Published Thursday, January 26, 2012
WASHINGTON -- Global warming is hitting not just home, but garden. The color-coded map of planting zones often seen on the back of seed packets is being updated by the government, illustrating a hotter 21st century. It's the first time since 1990 th ...
