There are many species of lawn grasses out in the world. Some of the ones that don’t thrive in the Houston area are fescue and blue grass, just to name a couple. Our spring and fall humidity, our long hot summer, and our myriad of lawn pests keep most lawn types from working here. Oversimplified, […]
5 Best Trees For Your Texas Home
With so many new landscapes and fading health of some landscape trees in Houston (looking at you Japanese Blueberry). I present to you the 5 best trees for your Texas home. Then I will write a few of my favorite things about each tree. Tree #1: Cedar Bark Elm – a true area native, this […]
Are insects bad for your garden?
As spring gets closer and closer, the amount of insect activity we see will increase as more plants start growing. This may seem like a problem, but consider this reality; only 11-15 percent of insects are pests. Most are actually beneficial in one way or another. Which insects are good for your garden? Many common […]
Plumeria Care – Helpful Hints to Care For Your Plumerias
Plumerias are members of the Dogbane family and are native to Tropical America. A plumeria grows as a shrub or small tree and can be kept in a container on the patio or by the pool or in the garden, and brought indoors for the winter. How to Take Care of Your Plumeria Plumerias require […]
How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden – Butterfly Gardening
Butterflies–symbols of beauty, nature, freedom and hope–are universally adored. Unfortunately, urban expansion has caused a decline in many butterfly populations. You can attract butterflies to your garden, and have fun doing so, by planting a butterfly garden. What is Butterfly Gardening? Butterfly gardening is a concept designed to conserve the natural environment and attract butterflies […]
Deadheading Flowers – Should I Deadhead My Flowers?
When flowers have gone past and plants begin to form seeds, in some cases, deadheading – cutting off the spent flowers – can encourage more blooms. If you allow plants to form seeds, their energies will focus on that see growing process. Deadheading flowers that have faded often means you can get more flowers on […]
Healthy Soil, Healthy Roots, Healthy Plants
Often times when I get a day off, I will plan a small project to improve my gardens at my home. This can range from planting a new fruit tree in my edible forest, adding some color to a couple of annual spots I have in high visiblity areas, or like this week, replanting my […]
The Magic Hidden In Seeds
I like seeds. I think seeds are amazing, mysterious, tiny, and powerful. They hold life in them in a way that most of us truly do not understand. As a child I remember planting, waiting, and literally watching the small shoots shoot up out of the garden soil as if by miracle. Alas, many of […]
Organic Lawn Care: The Soil That Takes Care of It
I moved into my house in May 2009. Its a cute little house on a cul-de-sac in the Braeswood area of Houston, Tx. My wife and I bought this house for a few reasons, among which, adorableness, hardwood floors and a huge backyard were pre-imminent. Its a great house and we have really enjoyed living […]
A New Way to Eat Your Greens; Edible Shrubbery
Edible landscaping isn’t only a growing hobby; it is an emerging industry. The ability to grow more food doesn’t have to come at the expense of attractive outdoor spaces. Certainly the twain can meet! Evergreen shrubs are the backbone of excellent landscapes in Houston. They form a consistent presence all year long and allow for […]
Ready, Set, Garden!
Tips to make your efforts more productive—and pleasant Fall weather in Houston is usually beautiful, featuring many nights that allow for extended time outdoors and many days that still feel remarkably warm. It serves both as a welcome respite from the suffocating summer heat and as a pleasant preamble to chilly winter months. We have […]