Delicious Pickled Beet RecipeThat stores for years.

Damping-Off DiseaseDamping off disease is a common term for deadly soil-borne fungi that attack seeds, stems, and roots of seedlings.   Phytophthorathat, pythium, fusarium, and rhizoctonia fungi live in the soil and water and thrive in humid conditions, with cold wet soil. Pythium is the most common culprit. The fungi spores … Read More

Coneflower Echinacea Information:Botanical Name: Echinacea Plant Type: Perennial flower Height: 2-4′ Width: 2-3′ Germination: 90-120 days from seed to flower Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Loamy Hardiness Zones: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Flower colors: Pink Purple Red White Bloom Time: Summer Fall Special … Read More

Composting with eggshells!What is in eggshells that help your garden? Calcium! Calcium is a building block for cell walls in plants. Having plenty of calcium helps prevent blossom end rot on fruit. Tomatoes and squash are susceptible to this, so many gardeners put eggshells directly in the hole before they … Read More

Cilantro is an herb used in cooking which comes from the plant Coriandrum sativum and is commonly called Chinese Parsley. It is commonly seen in Mexican, Latin, and Asian dishes.The roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of Cilantro can be used for cooking.  Leaves are the most commonly used and go well in … Read More

Creeping Myrtle is also known as Vinca Minor.  Used as an evergreen ground cover with lush green leaves and beautiful bluish-purple flowers. I love this stuff.  My mom had some growing wild at her house so I stole a bag of cuttings.I am trying to get it to grow in … Read More

I have dedicated a small 3×3 box to a hummingbird garden right outside my living room window. Every year I grow morning glories up two small metal towers and hang a feeder off a Shepherd hook. My solution is 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. Not an expensive hummingbird … Read More

The Black Soldier Fly is an amazing creature.  It is not the pesky fly that you are always swatting away from your body or food.  It does not bite or sting. As an actual fly, it only lives a 5-8 days.  It does not eat anything during that short time so you … Read More

 The Eastern redbud tree is usually one of the first trees to bloom in the spring. Flowers occur on old growth from March to May attracting hummingbirds and honeybees!It is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens and street-scapes. The leaves are beautifully heart shaped turning yellow in the fall.New … Read More

Growing garlic may be one of the easiest things I have ever done.  Here is a step by step guide of how to grow garlic that worked for me. When should you plant Garlic?In Texas you can plant garlic anytime from late October to February.  If it undergoes a couple of … Read More

The Texas Mountain Laurel, an amazing bush.  While resilient to hot dry weather, I have one bush that has far exceeded the normal growth rate.  Why?  It gets much more water than the ones out in my field.  The flowers that happen twice a year are stunning and so sweet smelling.  The … Read More

Hummingbird nectar is easy to make! No need to throw away money at the store for nectar when you can make your own for just a few cents! Simple Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: 1 Part Sugar 4 Parts Water Combine and boil for just a few minutes. Let cool, then add … Read More

Growing watermelons is fun!!!I tried growing watermelons in 2011, doing the “raised hill” thing.  They all sprouted and then shortly later…died.  My theory was they were planted too far away from the house.  Watering them was a pain, and in 100+ degree weather, did not happen as often as needed.For my … Read More

Per 2 Quart jars:1/2 gallon unwaxed pickling cucumbers 1/4 cup minced onions 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 tablespoon mustard seeds 2 heads fresh dill 3 cups water 1 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup canning salt Per 4 Quart Jars:1 gallon unwaxed pickling cucumbers 1/2 cup minced onions 6 garlic cloves, … Read More

The Columbine flower is one of the easier perennial flowers I have planted from seed. The pictured plant is on its 2nd year.  They live 2-3 years but they self seed. With that said, I did not see any new plants happen this year. I am hoping to see some … Read More

Argiope aurantia commonly known as the black and yellow garden spider, writing spider, or corn spider can be found in any location where it can stretch its web across a wide span, such as eaves of houses or among tall plants.  The circular part of webs can be 2 feet across. … Read More

My addiction…. Jalapeno Peppers!!  Preferred raw I eat them with almost every meal.  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner do not seem complete without them! Growing Jalapeno plants from seed is very easy. To grow jalapenos from seed just remove the seeds from your pepper and plant them in peat pots.   Keep the … Read More