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Sarah

Sep 22
0

Houseplants

By | Uncategorized

Plants provide an uplifting feeling, keep this vibe growing by transforming your living space and
bringing beautiful greenery into your home. Style your indoors with plants by selecting a statement piece.
Look for form, shape, and scale, then dress your plant with a pot and pot base that matches the color palette
you are going for. Style by using layers, grouping plants, or by creating levels.

Visit your local garden center to source from various indoor plants such as Ficus lyrate, Dracaena, Succulents,
Hedera Ivy, Ponytail Palm, Sansevieria, Bromeliads, Spathiphyllum, Orchids, ZZ Plant, plus more!

Tips to Selecting Houseplants:

LIGHTING – Place indoor plants in spots in your house that have good light (TIP: Best Indoor plants for low light
areas inside the home are Fern Arum, Rattlesnake Plant, Peace Lilly, and Snake Plant)

ASK FOR ADVICE – Talk to a TNLA Certified Professional at your Local Nursery, and they can provide you with
the answers you are looking for

TAKE A PIC – Take a picture of the label or sign of the plant you are purchasing, telling you the specifics about the plant

POTTERY – Select a pot for your plant this is at least 2” or larger in diameter, and make sure you also grab a base tray to
catch drainage (Tip: place the plant inside the new pot to assess height)

POTTING MIX – Fresh potting mix needs a soil structure that is moisture retentive and well-draining to give roots access to
air and water also need porosity and pH balance to help indoor plants thrive.

Watering Rule of Thumb:

  • Cacti and Succulents need periods of dry soil before watering again
  • Plants with thick, lush, and green leaves need to be watered more frequently
  • Plants with waxy leaves need less frequent watering

PRO TIP: Water Meters can measure the number of water houseplants needed. (Signs of improper watering include slow
leaf growth, brown and dried leaf edges, or curled yellow lower leaves on the plant.)

Sep 22
0

Water Gardens

By | Uncategorized

 

 

Surprisingly easy to build and maintain, water gardens can provide a

welcome, cooling, soothing addition to the Texas garden. Aquatic plants

may be grown in any container that will hold water. Size and shape are not

important. Pre-formed liners, plastic-lined half-barrels, or natural ponds

all make great homes for Water Lilies and other aquatic plants. The water

garden should be located where it receives at least six hours of sun daily.

Consider a location where there is room for a garden bench to sit and

enjoy the plants’ beauty and the water’s cooling effect.

 

Plants should be potted in a heavy clay loam in a container that is wider

than deep. Take care not to cover the growing tip or crown of the plant

with soil. Place one to two inches of pea gravel on top of the soil before

submerging in the pond.

 

Fertilization, removing spent flowers and yellowed foliage is about the

extent of maintenance during the growing season. Consult your Certified

Professional for tips on over-wintering aquatic plants in your area.

For a more interesting water garden, plant a variety of plants from the

following categories:

 

Tropical Water Lilies

Tropical Water Lilies are some more exotic plants to add to the

garden. Large leaves and spectacular blooms in a wide range of colors add

dramatic interest to the water garden. Depending on the variety, the bloom

color ranges from white to purple to yellow. Large fragrant blooms last

up to one month. These frost-tender plants should be treated as annuals.

 

Hardy Lilies

Frost-tolerant plants in a wide range of colors provide spectacular blooms

in summer. These floating plants help stabilize the water temperature by

reflecting heat during the day and holding it in at night. They also help

shade the pool, which helps to control algae. Beautiful blooms last up to

one month.

 

Marginals

These are plants that grow at the edge of the water garden. They can be

grown in water but do not need to be fully submerged. They add depth,

shape, and color to the garden. Popular marginals include Louisiana Iris,

Marsh Marigold, Chameleon Plant, and Cardinal Flower.

 

Reeds and Rushes

These tall specimen plants are for the larger water garden. They make

wonderful spring background plants and add height for vertical interest.

Many varieties are available with a wide range of foliage colors and sizes.

 

Other Floating Plants

These beautiful and beneficial plants provide shade for the pond to help

keep algae under control and provide good cover for any fish in

the pond. In addition to the lilies, floating plants include Water Mint,

Primrose Creeper and Hornwort.

 

Miniatures

These delightful beauties are just the right size for a water garden as small

as a half barrel but may also be added to the larger garden. Water

Poppy, Miniature Cattail, and White Snowflake are examples of miniature

aquatic plants.

Sep 22
0

Herbs

By | Herbs

 

Most garden herbs are used as flavorful additions in cooking, but other uses

include perfumes, sachets, potpourri, herbal medicinal remedies, cosmetics

and more.

 

Herbs can add texture, fragrance, color, and drama to the landscape. Some

are great as edging plants or trailing plants over rock walls, while others

make great topiaries in containers. Garden herbs are a great addition to any landscape.

 

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a tender, succulent perennial grown for

the juicy sap in its leaves. Apply the juice to minor burns, wounds or

sunburns as a soothing, cooling agent. Grow in well-drained soil in

containers in full sunlight. It may be grown in beds outdoors in tropical

areas. Avoid over-fertilization and over-watering for best growth.

Basil: Fragrant foliage makes this a popular herb used in cooking.

Many varieties such as ‘Purple Ruffles’ and ‘Spicy Globe’ are great

additions to the mixed border and the herb garden. Plant in full to

part sun in moist, well-drained soil. Plants grow 12–32″ tall depending

on the variety. Pinch back flowers to promote fuller, bushier growth.

 

Catmint: Also known as catnip, this fragrant herb is used in herbal

teas, potpourri, and cat toys. Several varieties are available with

a wide range of growth habits. The flowers are a welcome, fragrant

addition to the landscape. All should be planted in a sunny to a partially

sunny location in any moist, well-drained soil.

 

Chamomile: Feathery foliage and dainty, daisy-like blooms add

textural interest to the garden. Plant between stepping stones to make

a fragrant informal path. Commonly used to make a soothing tea, this

herb is truly a multi-purpose plant. Provide full sun in moist, neutral

alkaline soil.

 

Chives: The common garden chive is an easy-to-grow, adaptable herb

that cooks enjoy for adding a mild onion flavor to foods. The

attractive globe-shaped pink to purple flowers are both ornamental and

useful as a garnish in salads or as a flavoring for vinegar or spreads.

Plant in full sun to part shade. It may be grown indoors in containers.

 

Cilantro/Coriander: This fast-growing annual grows to 20″ and

has feathery, divided leaves that are bright green. The leaves, seeds, and

roots are used for all culinary purposes. This herb likes it hot

so it is natural for Texas gardens. Provide well-drained soil in average

soil. Avoid over-fertilization. To harvest seeds, remove the whole plant,

place it upside down in a paper bag, and hang it in a cool, dry place. Ripened

seeds should fall into the bag.

 

Dill: This popular herb is often associated with pickles of the

same name but is also a favorite in fish dishes and other cooked

dishes. Airy, feathery foliage and yellowish flowers add textural interest

to the garden. Plant this 3′ annual herb in moist soil which has been

amended with organic matter. Prefers full sun. Space 12″ apart.

 

Lavender: Most often dried for potpourri, sachets or dried

arrangements, this delightful herb can also be used fresh to flavor

jellies and other sweet dishes. Several varieties are available. Grayish

foliage and colorful flower spikes make this a great landscaping plant.

All require well-drained soil and little supplemental water. Plant in full

sun 12-18″ apart. Dry by hanging in bunches in dry, airy locations.

 

Mint: This fast-growing, spreading perennial is available in many

varieties. It is adaptable to growing conditions and performs best in

partly shaded conditions in moist soil. Mulch to conserve moisture.

It may be grown in containers. Use fresh or dried in cooking. Plant 12″

apart.

 

Oregano: Italian cooking would not be the same without adding oregano.

This warm-weather plant also makes a great

ground cover. Several varieties are available, most growing to about

12″ tall. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Pick fresh as needed or

cut whole stems to dry before flowers develop. Plant 2–3′ apart.

 

Parsley: Fresh parsley is a favorite used as a fresh or dried garnish

to flavor cooked dishes. Easily grown from seed in full sun to

part shade. Provide moderately rich, well-drained soil for best

growth. Several varieties are available. Curly parsley makes an ideal

edging plant in the garden.

 

Rosemary: Perennial evergreen shrub has fragrant foliage,

stems, and flowers. A favorite herb used for cooking and in potpourri

and wreath making. This excellent landscape plant is used as edging,

topiaries or ground cover, depending on the variety. Heat and drought-tolerant,

this is a great choice for Texas gardens. Plant in full sun.

 

Sage: Velvety leaves and colorful flower spikes in spring make this a

beautiful plant in the garden. In addition to the aesthetic qualities of

this herb, it is a favorite in cooking, especially stuffings and marinades.

Plant in full sun in soil which has been amended with plenty of organic

matter. Plant in raised beds to ensure good drainage. Several varieties

are available.

 

Thyme: Grown for both their flavorful foliage used in cooking and

their landscaping uses. Thyme is one of the most popular garden

herbs. The spreading, low-growing habit makes this an ideal choice for

edging or trailing over walls. Delicate white flowers add to the value

of this herb. Grow in well-drained, average soils. It may be used fresh

or dried.

Jul 27
0

Foodscaping

By | Foodscaping

 

Foodscape Gardens

Transform a landscape into a stunning foodscape and reap the benefits of what you grow by adding edible vegetables and herbs.

DESIGN – Plan your design, look at the contrast color, height, and placement of the plants, select vegetables and combine them with ornamentals to cohabitate and grow together.

BED DESIGN – Raise the soil of the bed to at least 30 inches and amend the soil with a soil conditioner and loosen it before planting (Foodscaping can also be created by planting in raised beds or containers)

Inspirational Foodscaping Ideas:

  • Use Blueberry trees to line a pathway
  • Coneflowers can create a well-defined impact
  • Carrots, and onions, can be grown in the Fall and Winter Months
  • Basil and tomatoes like the warmer Summer season

Learn More Vegetable Growing Tips from the pros with Texas AgriLife Extension:

Raised Bed Fall Gardening

 

How to Make Things Grow

 

Ideas for a Fall Vegetable Garden