“Many herbs are easily preserved by drying, and hold their flavor well when dry. Simply cut a handful of stems and rubber band them or tie them together with a piece of string, then hang them upside down in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with good air circulation…” Continue Reading
Oak Tree Caterpillars
Be on the look-out for oak tree caterpillars in your oak trees. They cluster together in large groups feeding on the leaves of your trees or you may notice poop under your tree (on your patio or walk.) They can be killed with Thuricide sprayed onto the leaves or with Spinosad. If your trees are too large to spray or you just don’t want to, they will not kill your trees. The tree will leaf back out in the Spring. I have had customers say that early in the mornings they could hear them chewing the hard oak leaves. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch!
-DeAnna
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Set the Table for Hummingbirds!
It’s almost that magical time of year again when ruby-throated hummingbirds make their way through the Coastal Bend on their way south for the winter! Expect to start seeing hummingbirds around town any day now, with peak numbers around mid-late September, right in time for the Rockport-Fulton Hummerbird Celebration. With our hungry guests arriving very […]
URGENT: Plant Your Tomatoes & Peppers Now!
It sure feels like summer outside, but in order for fall tomatoes and peppers to have time to produce lots of fruit, we gotta plant em now! Here are a few tips for growing the most and the tastiest tomatoes and peppers. 1. Count Your Days to Maturity The average tomato, like our beloved Celebrity […]
Top 6 Gardening Must Do’s for August 2024
Temperatures may not feel like it yet, but it’s time to start making the transition into an exciting new Fall planting season! There’s a lot to do in August to set yourself up for big garden success this Fall and beyond. Here are our top must-do’s! Check out our August Garden Guide for more tips and remember […]
Top 7 Gardening Must-Do’s for January 2024
Have you set your 2024 new year’s gardening resolution?! January is time to get moving and set yourself up for big success this spring and beyond. Beds need prepping, veggie seeds need starting, citrus trees need feeding, and YES you can get a head start on planting too! Here are our top must-do’s (and don’t […]
Houseplants that Bring Good Luck!
2024 is almost here! Will you be eating your black-eyed peas and cabbage for good luck on New Year’s Day? Did you know that many different houseplants are also said to bring good fortune and harmony? Here are a few of our favorites. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Golden Pothos is an important plant in Feng […]
12 Gift Ideas for the Gardeners on Your List
Gill’s is here to be your holiday stress antidote! Come take a stroll and pick out a few gifts for the green thumbs on your list. We’ll help you find the right plants, useful tools, nature gifts for kids, holiday cards, and all kinds of other unique and fun gifts to help connect your loved […]
Lawn Replacement Ideas for Texas Native Plant Week
In honor of Texas Native Plant Week, we’re celebrating at Gill’s with 20% off all Texas Natives up to 15gal! Our native section is stocked with native grasses, blooming perennials, shrubs, trees, and groundcovers. Speaking of, here are some ideas for replacing parts of your lawn with natives! In 2009 the Texas Legislature designated the […]
Garden Talk this Saturday 9/23/23 at 10am – Fall Veggie Gardening with Andy Chidester!
Garden Talks at Gill’s continue this Saturday at 10am with another very special guest! We’re excited to welcome Andy Chidester of Medina Agriculture Products , makers of our favorite organic fertilizers, Medina Growin Green and Hasta Gro! Andy is a seasoned speaker, Master Gardener, Master Composter, and an all-around awesome resource for veggie gardening. She’ll […]
Preview: September Garden Talks & Events!
After some much-needed rain this week, we are beyond excited for fall! We’ve got some awesome talks and events planned for September to kick off the best gardening season. Here’s a preview – mark your calendar! Kids’ Fall Seed Starting Workshop – September 9th We’re kicking off the fall season with a hands-on seed starting […]
Top 6 Gardening Must Do’s for August 2023
It may not feel like it yet, but it’s time to start making the transition into an exciting new Fall planting season! There’s a lot to do in August to set yourself up for big garden success this Fall and beyond. Here are our top must-do’s! Check out our August Garden Guide for more tips and remember […]
More Plants that Love 90 and Above
Summer is here for sure! Stay cool, stay hydrated, and get started gardening early! Some plants need more love during the Summer, but lots of others don’t even start thriving and looking their best until temps stay above 90. Here are a few standouts to plant right now. Firebush (Hamelia patens) Blooms all summer, top […]
Top 10 Summer-Tough Plants for Pollinators!
It’s National Pollinator Week and summer is officially here! Just like gardeners adapt to summer temps, so do pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and all kinds of insects. They need our help finding food, shade/shelter, and places to raise young. Good thing there are lots of plants that love our South Texas summer AND help […]
Cactus and Succulent Workshop – This Saturday, June 10th!
ATTENTION CACTUS AND SUCCULENT LOVERS!! We’re hosting a cactus and succulent workshop this Saturday, June 10th starting at 10am and going all day! Drop by any time to check out our new CACTI & SUCCULENT BAR! We’ve got lots of special cacti and succulent cuttings to choose from. Come mix and match and build your […]
Update: Gabe’s Garden at Windsor Park Elementary School
Back in December 2022, the Gill’s crew planted a native pollinator garden at Windsor Park Elementary dedicated to Gabe Velasquez, longtime landscaper at Gill’s who passed away during the pandemic. We thought this would be a nice way to honor Gabe’s love of plants, provide some valuable nectar for pollinators, and add some beauty for […]
Creating Your Own Houseplant Soil Cocktail – Saturday, May 20th!
Join us this Saturday, 5/20 at 10am for a special houseplant event! Creating Your Own Houseplant Soil Cocktail with Ori! Different houseplants have different soil moisture and soil consistency requirements. Ori will demonstrate how to use potting soil amendments like perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay, coconut chips, and more to create the right soil blend for […]
Mother’s Day Pressed Flower Workshop – Saturday, May 13th!
Join us for our Mother’s Day pressed flower workshop this Saturday, May 13th at 10am! We’ll have plenty of flowers and cuttings available for you to press. Or bring your own! And we’ll provide the flower press for you to take home, while supplies last. This hands-on workshop is free and for all ages. Come […]
Garden Talk this Sat! Ideas for Using Tough Texas Natives in Your Landscape with James Gill
James is retired these days, but he loves talking plants! We’re excited to have him back for a garden talk this Saturday, May 6th to discuss ideas for using tough Texas native plants in your landscape. James has a passion for natives and recently received his Texas Master Naturalist certification, plus he’s been designing with […]
The Original Bird Feeders…PLANTS!
April is National Gardening Month, this Friday is National Gardening Day, and it’s also the time of year when a huge number of migrating birds are making their way through our area. Wooden and glass feeders are great, but birds will flock to the original bird feeders…the right plants! Gill’s has an abundance of plants […]
Top 5 Gardening Must Do’s for April 2023!
Spring is in full swing! Everyone’s busy planting, re-designing, fertilizing, and getting ready for holidays and weekends with family and friends. Here are our top tips in the garden this month. 1. Feed Your Lawn and Plants Fertilizing/feeding your plants this month is a must. This includes lawns, trees, and most plants. Everything is actively […]
Stop and Smell the Roses (and other plants too!)
We’ve been blown away by the amazing Spring blooms at Gill’s this week! We’re always on the go, but no plant person can resist stopping to smell fresh roses or to brush against a Copper Canyon Daisy to release the wonderful scent. If you want to bring some fragrance to your landscape, here’s what we’d […]
Good Bones for Your Landscape
We’ve been talking to lots of local gardeners who are totally rethinking their landscapes this year. After 2 cold winters in a row, you might be wanting more cold-tolerant plants. Understandable! We think that’s a great idea – start with some good bones, then add color and accents to suit your style. Here are some […]
Garden Talk this Sat! Planting to Support Our Local Ecosystem with Sara Jose
Our February garden talks wrap up this Saturday, 2/25/23 at 10am! Join us here at Gill’s for Planting to Support Our Local Ecosystem with Sara Jose, Preserve Manager at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Education Center. Sara is an avid gardener, birdwatcher, and environmental educator who encourages the community to think of nature as […]
Garden Talk this Sat! Organic Veggie Gardening: Promoting Life with Wyatt Page
The Gill’s Garden Talk series continues this Saturday, 2/18/23 at 10am! Join us for Organic Veggie Gardening: Promoting Life with Wyatt Page, Gill’s Assistant Manager and passionate veggie gardener! Wyatt has an impressive garden at home and spends his days talking veggies here at Gill’s. He’ll share all kinds of tips for better food production, […]
Garden Talk this Sat! Re-Thinking Your Landscape: Smart Choices for South Texas with Kathy Hubner
The Gill’s Garden Talk series continues this Saturday, 2/11/23 at 10am! Join us for Re-Thinking Your Landscape: Smart Choices for South Texas with Kathy Hubner, professional Landscape Designer here at Gill’s. Kathy has a reputation for landscapes that endure and she’ll share her ideas for plants that can withstand freezes and South Texas summers. This […]
Garden Talk this Sat! ‘Get Ready for Spring’ with James Gill
The Mesquite trees say Spring is coming! Join us here at Gill’s this Saturday, 1/28/23 at 10am for James Gill’s ‘Get Ready for Spring’ garden talk. James will go over proper pruning techniques, what to plant, how to fertilize, and lots more. Bring your gardening questions! Our talks are always free, fun, and open to […]
Gabe’s Garden at Windsor Park Elementary School
Back in late December, Gill’s had the pleasure of donating the planting of a new pollinator garden at Windsor Park Elementary School for kids, parents, and teachers to enjoy this Spring and for years to come. James Gill designed the garden in an empty parking median using mostly Texas native plants like Kidneywood, Texas Lantana, […]
Top 6 Gardening Must-Do’s for January 2023
Happy 2023! January is time to get started on garden resolutions. Planning a veggie garden? New landscape beds? More Texas native plants to support wildlife? So many possibilities, and we’re here to help. Here are our top must-do’s this month to set your projects up for success. Check out our January Garden Guide for more tips and […]
10 Gift Ideas for the Gardeners on Your List
Come take a stroll through our garden and do a little stress-free shopping. We can help you pick out the perfect gifts that grow and other useful gifts that the gardeners on your list will love. Here are 10 gift ideas for green thumbs. 1. Gifts That Grow Now is a great time to plant […]
Meet Your Garden Coach + Planting Team!
Meet Frances, the Garden Coach here at Gill’s! Frances, along with Josh and Larry (the planting dream team), is ready to help you with small landscape projects like designing and planting a new bed or two, creating a butterfly garden, or planting new trees and shrubs. Here’s how the process works. Frances is an avid […]
Local Gardener Spotlight – Mark Scott’s Exotic Zinnia Garden
Why does Mark Scott, community leader and eight-term city councilman, grow zinnias? So he can keep fresh flowers on his wife Carol’s bathroom counter for a big portion of the year! They were college sweethearts and have been married for 38 years. I think there’s a lesson for us all! Mark and Carol welcomed me […]
Houseplant Care Tips with Ori Roldan
Join us this Saturday, 5/14 at 10:00 am for our first May talk – Houseplant Care Tips! Ori Roldan, houseplant collector/researcher here at Gill’s, will share and demonstrate her best indoor jungle care tips. One attendee will win a $100 Gill’s gift card AND all houseplants are 15% off! Here’s a preview from Ori of […]
Bring on the Butterflies!
One of my favorite pastimes, in between planting, fertilizing, trimming, and mulching, is sitting in my backyard and watching the butterflies dance around my garden. Here’s a few tips to entice these beauties to YOUR GARDEN! Locate a sunny area. Butterflies and most butterfly attracting plants require bright sunshine. Plant nectar producing flowers. Butterflies visit […]
Panama Garden with Personality
Fun! Welcoming! Whimsical! And most of all, Positive! Eco-Jardin Tematico “El Explorador”, in Boquete, Panama was a wonderful discovery last summer. Sally and I went up and down trails, through arbors and under bowers and out into the sunshine again. Lovely tropical plants, cute and quirky scenarios made from “found materials”, many with uplifting phrases […]
B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Container) Party at Gill’s This Saturday
B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Container) Party Do you have an empty pot begging to be planted? Or an interesting container you’d like to repurpose as a planter?? Bring it to Gill’s this Saturday for our B.Y.O.C. party! Bring your container, choose your plants, and plant it up! Use our potting shed and potting stations – […]
It’s Time to Get Started on Your Fall Garden
Right now is a very exciting time for us South Texas Gardeners. It doesn’t feel like it yet, but our Summer season is coming to a close, and our best growing season is right around the corner. That’s means it’s time to decide what you’re growing and get going! Here are our tips for getting […]
Still Scratching Your Head 4 Months Post-Freeze?
Still scratching your head 4 months post-freeze? Still trying to decide which direction to go with your landscape? You can visit Gill’s anytime and get guidance with your DIY landscape projects – here’s how. Our garden center team, rather than designers, are plant geeks: they know how particular plants grow, what plants like (sun/shade, wet/dry […]
Did the Freeze Open Doors for Change in Your Garden?
It’s been five weeks since the big freeze. As my yoga instructor, Gretchen Weber, said so well last night, the first few weeks was about mourning. Mourning the loss of big, beautiful, tropical plants that have abounded in our warmer-than-normal winters. Now we’re all in the recovery mode. Some have been quicker on the draw […]
From Garden Passion to Community Giving
I’ve admired BJ and Michael’s home for years. It’s a beautiful Santa Fe style stucco home with a clay tile roof and old dark stained wood front doors. The landscape follows the theme with brightly colored benches and ceramic containers mixed with artistically placed specimen agaves, yuccas, and palms. This past week a group of […]
Collaborative, Holistic Landscape Design
Akasha Yoga is a great example of a collaborative design between property owners and Gill’s landscape designer Harry Villarreal. The owners’ vision for Akasha was to harmonize and integrate the indoor and outdoor spaces. To compliment the modern interior design, the owners used earthy, grounding updates to the exterior including the wooden sign, steel planter […]
Gills’ Soil Recipe for Raised Garden Beds
Raised beds are great for veggie, herb, and flower gardening. Benefits include reducing weeds, help with drainage, easy maintenance, and easier on your back. We’ve seen really cool raised beds made from cinder block, rocks, wood, sheet metal, or a combination of materials. What’s most important is what goes in them… that starts with the […]
Best Tips for Planting Trees this Fall
Trees, shrubs, and perennials get a great bonus when planted in Fall. South Texas enjoys relatively warm soil temperatures through Fall and Winter, and cooler air temperatures direct the new plant to grow roots all through this time. So, a plant put into the ground in Fall will grow twice as fast the following Spring […]
How to Fuel Your Hungry Hummingbirds
If you spend any time outdoors and have anything blooming red, there’s a good chance you’ve got hummingbirds buzzing around. It’s that time of year when hummers begin their migratory flight heading south for the winter. We are so lucky to be a fueling stop along their journey. Coastal areas see the first masses arrive. […]
Weird and Wild Conversation Plants at Gill’s!
Are you looking for a conversation plant? Something out of the ordinary? Well check out these weird and wild plants to spark a conversation with all your plant friends! Dwarf Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia Stricta). This beautiful Heliconia is a dwarf variety. It does great in the shade and produces a small orange bloom that resembles the […]
Unique Port A History: The Farley Boat Planters
On Mother’s Day, James and I got up before the sun to head to the beach to catch some early morning waves at Packery. After an hour or so, as more youngster surfers paddled out, James paddled in. We then headed over to Port Aransas for a quiet Mother’s Day breakfast at a local diner […]
It’s Arbor Day – Find the Right Trees and Start Planting!
The saying goes “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.” Well we say it is always time to plant a tree! You only need to decide what trees best fit your landscape, plan to keep them watered, and keep the weed eater far from their trunks. […]
Landscape Designer Kathy Hubner’s National Recognition
We are excited to share that Kathy Hubner, one of our landscape designers here at Gill Landscape Nursery, has become only the second Texan and first from Corpus Christi to be named a fellow of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)! Kathy is one of only 83 APLD Fellows in the United States. She […]
Plants, The Perfect Rx For Clean Air!
There are a wide variety of pollutants released in your home by furniture, paint, carpet, household cleansers, even gas cooktops and hot water in the shower, that can trigger illnesses, asthmatic attacks, and allergic reactions. Plants have been found to be very effective in purifying the air in a safe, clean way. The NASA Clean Air […]
Fall Is Wildflower Planting Time
That first cool front in fall sure does feel good, and with the new season comes new flowers and time to get back outside and garden. In South Texas September and October are the best months to spread wildflower seeds. With the prediction of a wetter and cooler fall, this is a perfect time to start […]
Planning Your Perfect Landscape
What can a well-planned landscape do for you? First it gives you a place to retreat from hectic daily schedules. Studies confirm the benefits of getting outside at least fifteen minutes daily. Second, it gives you additional space to cook, dine, entertain, exercise, listen to music, play games, or watch a movie. Third it adds […]
Looking For New Plants, New Ideas, New Solutions At Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Show!
As gardeners, we know you want the most up to date solutions and newest plant varieties that will thrive in our part of South Texas. That’s why we make a point to attend the Texas Nursery Landscape Association Expo held every August. We have attended for 40 years; since we opened! James Gill served on […]
What A Stark Contrast!
What a stark contrast! The owners of these three homes in Denver, one next to the other, each have a very different look. The home on the bottom has grass, but it is dead due to a faulty irrigation system. The home on top has grass with irrigation. Kind of boring, and getting to be […]
A Little Gem & Generous Gift!
We were walking with our family in West Seattle on Harbor Avenue, looking across Puget Sound to downtown Seattle. The esplanade opposite the water was lined with multi-level, concrete condominiums, I’m sure stacked as high as ordinances would allow. And then we came upon this little gem in the middle of all that concrete! What […]
Tips for Indoor Gardening
We had a great garden talk last Saturday about plants for the indoors from Margaret Hicks, owner of Charlie Cook Associates in Dallas. Below are some of her top tips and picks. Margaret recommends talking to them, not loving them to death with too much water and fertilizer. Most indoor plants can go 2 to […]
Hummer Update!
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a local gardener shared these words regarding the hummingbird migration that is beginning now. We are passing them along to you. Good advice….thank you Trisha! “Howdy y’all! Just wanted to ask y’all to remind your gardeners that the hummingbirds are already arriving down here (we gained several the […]
Help For Your Storm-Damaged Landscape
Plants have thrived through hurricanes and worse for around 500 million years. Most of your plants will come back fine, and for those you lose, something new will grow, with a little help from you. Don’t worry too much about wind-damaged foliage, it will be replaced by pretty and efficient new leaves. Some plants that […]
Bee Food!
Dennis Gray with the Coastal Bend Beekeeper’s Association reminded us this week that Texas Sage plants are one of our local bees main source of food this time of year. Some of the cultivars we carry are Greencloud Texas Sage, Desperado Sage, Silverado Sage & Rio Bravo Sage. Debbie just ordered some more in the […]
Not Too Hot For Poinciana!
It can be challenging to find the right plants for a hot, dry, summer in South Texas. One of my favorites is known by most of us as Poinciana (Caesalpinia). That’s a common name for a large group of blooming shrubs and trees found throughout most tropical, subtropical, and desert regions around the world. Some […]
Journey to The Caribbean
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto -60px;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_gap size=”50px”][cs_text]Monday night I had the pleasure of viewing the newly completed Caribbean Journey Exhibit. I am proud of what the Texas State Aquarium brings to our community and to be […]
Easy Gardening With Garden Troughs!
Garden Troughs are a great way to grow vegetables in a raised bed. They are bigger than most pots but easier than working in the dirt and can be placed anywhere in your garden, preferably with half a day of sun or more for food crops. Our troughs are galvanized, originally designed for storing water […]
Katrina Iris
I love my Katrina Iris! It’s always in bloom…always! I planted it about 4 years ago and it has quadrupled in size or more. It gets full hot west sun all year long in a sometimes wet, sometimes dry flower bed. The flowers are creamy white with hints of gold and glow at night like […]
Another Favorite Fall Vine!
Mexican Flame Vine is a wonderful vine with a long blooming period until the first good frost. It has deep green leaves back-dropping beautiful orange daisy flowers. Very easy to grow in full sun to part shade with little to no serious pest issues. It is considered the best nectar vine for Monarch butterflies. It […]
Cut Flower Gardening
Starting your first cutting garden may be much easier than you would think. Planning your garden is the best way to start: a 3 foot x 10 foot garden bed will produce more than enough flowers to make a bouquet for yourself and a friend each week. Your garden plot must be in a place […]
Plumeria, Frangipanis, Hawaiian Lei Flower
Plumeria, Frangipanis, Hawaiian Lei Flower, no matter what you call them they are beautiful and one of the easiest plants to grow in South Texas! Native to Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, Plumeria have now naturalized throughout most tropical areas around the world. It was on my 1st trip to the Florida […]
Success With Backyard Chickens
Having backyard chickens in urban neighborhoods is becoming more of a trend with each changing of (gardening) seasons. While many may think that having some hens running amuck in their gardens sounds like a lot of work or perhaps that they may not have enough room to keep them happy, the truth is that having […]
10 Tips For A Beautiful Summer South Texas Landscape
1. Proper Watering – This is the most important of all. Water slow and deep to make sure at least one inch of water is applied to all established lawn and landscape plants for our long hot summers. Smaller bedding plants such as annual color and perennial beds will require a second supplemental watering since they have a smaller root system.
Creative Container Gardens
This past Saturday we had our Creative Container Gardens talk. I enjoy giving this talk because making potted plant combinations is a treat – so easy & fun. Contrast and repeat for plant selection is key for creating combinations with good visual impact. Choosing the proper container, potting mix, careful planting and using pot feet […]
“Bring Home the Butterflies”
This weekend I gave a “Bring Home the Butterflies” talk at the Airline store. Here’s a recap for those who missed it! We are lucky enough to have almost 400 butterfly species who come through Texas, such as the Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Swallowtail, Sulphur and Red Admiral butterflies. Each has its own host plant, which […]
Unmistakably Beautiful Antique Roses
If you want an old fashioned rose, come in and get them while they’re here! Unlike shrub roses, antique roses have a full rich fragrance, and often have a much higher petal count, making for a fuller, more complex bloom. They’re also less disease prone than hybrid roses. Our antique rose selection includes colors like […]
To Win In The Plant World, Grab The Sunlight Before Your Neighbors
In the plant world, the most common way to win the game of life is “grab the sunlight before your neighbors.” The tips of the branches produce a hormone that suppresses sprouting of side buds further down the stem, so plant resources are directed to make the tips grow up taller and faster. That may […]
Best For Bees!
A lot of folks are asking how to get their tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers to put on more fruit. The answer might be as simple as you need more bees! Pollinators like bees and butterflies are a critical part of any successful garden, so make some space for bee attracting plants. Some of our […]
Recap: Hummingbird Garden Talk
This past Saturday, I gave a quick talk about attracting Hummingbirds into your garden, so I figured I’d give a quick recap of hummingbird gardens in case you missed it! We are lucky enough to have 18 different kinds of hummingbirds in our area when they migrate, so make sure you add these plants to […]
Fall Is Wildflower Time
That first cool front in September sure does feel good. And with the new season comes new flowers and time to get back outside and garden. In south Texas September and October is the best time to spread wildflower seeds. With the prediction of a wetter and cooler fall, this is a perfect time to […]
The Importance of Crop Rotation
Last week we talked about preparing the vegetable garden by pulling the leftover plants and weeds and turning in plenty of new compost. Next we need to think about what we are going to plant this fall and where in the garden we are going to plant it. Each season is a challenge to grow everything you want […]
Not Quite Ready to Plant?
If you are not going to plant into your newly prepped vegetable gardens right away, please be sure to keep them moist and mulched. By doing this, you will prevent the heat from removing all that great organic material you’ve just mixed into your beds. Water is a staple of life, for both plants and the little microorganisms […]
A Blank Slate: Starting A New Landscape
I recently moved into a new house, and after living in apartments for years, I was so excited to have a real garden! Our new home had green plants, but only of the weed variety. I figured since I help people plan their gardens all day here at the nursery that it would be a snap […]
Backyard Drainage Problems + Solutions
I’ve had quite a few calls recently about back yard drainage problems. The first two solutions people tend to ask about are “French drains” or filling the low spots. These might end up being part of the solution, but are not the best place to start. The best solution is usually a swale, which is […]
Create Your Own Garden Paradise
Sights, sounds, and smells of nature are all relaxing. For sights, think about plants to attract birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They are so fun to watch as they move from plant to plant gathering nectar. Hamelia, Firecracker Plant, Hummingbird Bush, Shrimp Plant, Cape Honeysuckle, Lantana and many more are available to bring nature to your […]
Oak Leaves Will Fall + Companion Plants For Your Veggies
Oak Leaves Will Fall If you haven’t noticed before, this is the time that live oak leaves turn and fall. They are fine when used as a mulch in shrub beds, but should not be allowed to sit on the lawn, as they can inhibit soil warming and healthy new growth of grass. –James Companion Plants For […]
Time to Fertilize + Medina Day at Gill’s!
Fall is here and it’s time to fertilize lawns, trees, and blooming perennials, plus continue to feed veggie gardens and fall flowers. We carry several different fertilizers with various different formulations, but Medina products are our fav. Read more below about how to fertilize this fall and be sure to join us for Medina Day […]
Top 6 Gardening Must Do’s for August 2024
Temperatures may not feel like it yet, but it’s time to start making the transition into an exciting new Fall planting season! There’s a lot to do in August to set yourself up for big garden success this Fall and beyond. Here are our top must-do’s! Check out our August Garden Guide for more tips and remember […]
Time to Fertilize Lawns and Landscapes! Here’s How…
After a long summer, the recent rains and cooler temps have worked wonders for our lawns and landscapes. Everything is bursting with new growth, which means everything is using a lot of energy, which means…we need to fertilize!! Use our simple fertilizing tips and you’ll see a big difference: healthier, stronger, more disease and pest-resistant, […]
How Long Should You Water Your Lawn?
Most people (and I’m most people too) just guess how long to leave their sprinkler in one place, or how many minutes to set their automatic sprinkler zones for. 10 minutes per zone? 45 minutes? You don’t really know, and neither did I, I had just set them for 12 minutes per zone and 3 […]
Last Chance to Feed Lawns and Treat Weeds + Slow Down Watering!
Fertilizing lawns now (before November 15th!) helps develop strong roots for healthy growth next Spring and Summer. And, if you’re concerned about weeds, now’s the time to take care of them. Here’s how! Step 1: Fertilize Now! Fertilizing while it is still warm is best because lawns are still in their active growing season and taking up […]
3 Steps to Great Grass
Spring is in full swing and everyone is ready to get their lawn and landscape in shape for the season. Take these 3 steps to healthy grass that looks and feels great. Remember – a healthy lawn keeps weeds and disease away. If you are having a problem with either, we can help! Bring us […]
Protect Your Lawn – Recent Take-All Root Rot Sightings
Take-All Root Rot (TARR), or Take-All Patch, is a serious fungal disease affecting St. Augustine and Bermuda grass lawns in the Coastal Bend. I have diagnosed 4 cases in the last 7 days, with lawn damage ranging from a few small dead spots up to an 80% dead lawn overrun by weeds, which last year […]
You Gotta Do It… Fertilize Now… For A Beautiful Lawn & Garden!
Feeding your lawn and garden during Fall (mid-September thru early November) provides the nutrients needed for Fall & Winter; AND a healthy start for next Spring. While the soil is still warm, plants and lawns are actively growing. They take up and store food, but not so much as it gets colder. Fall fertilizing […]
Fall Lawn Care
Lawn’s green, no weeds, so why do anything? Our lawns are so green after all this rain! You’re probably thinking “Well shoot, do I have to fertilize or worry about weeds?” The answer is “Yes you do!” Mother Nature gave us a boost with beneficial rains; with a few easy steps your lawn can be […]
Two Sprinklers, One Water Faucet!
Water! It’s a vital part of having a healthy lawn and landscape. Rain is always our best source of water but since summer is here and rain is scarce, I want to show you a little trick I learned. Personally, I love to hand water with a hose, watering pots and flowerbeds, playing with […]
Is Your Lawn and Landscape Prepared for Summer?
Watering slow and deep but not too often is the key to a strong and deep root system. By contrast, frequent, short watering encourages roots to stay shallow, in a zone that dries out faster. Texas A&M recommends applying one inch of water once a week or less, on your chosen watering day. You can […]
St. Augustine Turf Grass: Varieties We Sell & Their Characteristics
Floratam Pro- Good drought tolerance, better disease tolerance, vigorous growth quick to heal damage and resist weeds Con- Less shade tolerant than some varieties, less tolerant of some weed killers, less resistant to severe freeze (not a factor this far south), most coarse in texture TamStar Pro- Said to have good drought, disease, cold, and […]
Does Your Lawn Look as Bad as Mine?
Wow! Snow and 2 hard freezes has really hurt my lawn. The only thing growing are the weeds. The weather is now warm enough, but not quite sunny enough to spray your Weed b Gon Spray. Weed killer sprays will work their best with sunshine and no rain. Be sure to check the forecast to […]
Got Lawn Weeds?
Now is the time of year to attack those unwanted weeds in the lawn. First, fertilize the lawn in October to mid-November while the grass is still actively growing. Water in well. Next spread your pre-emergent. The pre-emergent is a granule that prevents weed seeds from germinating. We carry two different ones depending on the […]
Top Five Tips for a Beautiful Fall Lawn
1. Fertilize in Fall. It’s great to fertilize in spring, and again early summer, but fall fertilization is probably the most important of all, and the most neglected. September 15 to November 15 application makes the nutrients available while the roots are still active. This will result in better turf density (and so fewer weeds), stronger […]
Current Lawn Irrigation Guidelines From The City
Update: The city’s current irrigation guidelines limit watering to once a week, between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 am, using a sprinkler or sprinkler system. Hand watering can still be done at anytime. On the heavy clay soil that most of us “enjoy” in the Coastal Bend, a long and slow watering once […]
Early Spring: Time to Fertilize and Get Rid of the Weeds!
Days are staying warm and our lawns are growing. Now’s the time, sometime in the next few weeks, to get your lawn, trees and shrubs fertilized. Great for the spring application is our Gill 13-1-3 Lawn & Garden Fertilizer for all your trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Also feeds the vegetable garden. One bag covers […]
How Do I Revive My March Lawn?
The 2 days of freezing weather did not help our lawns at all, but I think there may be more happening than just the cold weather. I am hearing customers finding grub worms in the lawns, flowerbeds and potted plants. I have also seen chinch bugs in lawn samples brought in for diagnosis. I would […]
Why Won’t My Weed Killer Work?
One day you look outside at your lawn and BAM, you notice there are weeds everywhere! Before you start spraying with an herbicide, make sure you read the label. Some weed killers have temperature restrictions and either take longer to work or don’t work at all! A better option for this time of year is […]
Post-Summer Lawn Recovery
How to heal your lawn from a long summer: identify and treat damage from Chinch Bugs and Sod Webworms; apply pre-emergent to prevent weeds; fertilize in fall for healthy roots come spring. Also, keep an eye out for the fungus among us. Watch James’ video on Brown Patch Fungus for more info. If you are […]
Watch: Brown Patch Fungus
Watch this video from James to help you identify & prevent Brown Patch Fungus. With shorter days and cooler, damp nights, your lawn is susceptible to this disease.
Top Five Tips for a Beautiful Lawn
1. Fertilize in Fall. It’s great to fertilize in spring, and again early summer, but fall fertilization is probably the most important of all, and the most neglected. September 15 to November 15 application makes the nutrients available while the roots are still active. This will result in better turf density (and so fewer weeds), […]
Is Your Grass Stressed?
In the past week or two lawns all over town are looking like they are drying up from the heat of summer. Well, this could be true if you are not watering slow and deep enough. Make sure you are applying a least an inch of water when you do water. Use a cat food can or tuna […]
Got weeds in your lawn?
Now is the time to kill any weeds that have popped up in the lawn. The weather needs to be warm and sunny for 3-5 days with no rain or water on the lawn for Weed B Gon to work the best. It comes with a hose-end applicator on the bottle and enough to spray […]
Dead Areas In Your Lawn?
Have you been working the soil in the flowerbeds or vegetable gardens and found small grubworms? I have seen lots of cases this past week from customers who are finding them in the beds and also in the lawn. If you are seeing dead areas in the lawn, dig down with a shovel width size […]
Nature’s Blend: Our Secret Ingredient for a Happy Lawn
This time of year your lawn might not be looking so great. It might be patchy, or pale yellow, or just unhappy. Since St. Augustine grass goes dormant in the winter, fertilizer might not be the best choice. Instead try using Nature’s Blend compost. It’s an alfalfa humate blend that helps your lawn against fungus […]
Clover Imposter!
Growing up on a farm, I learned that Clover is a good thing. It adds nitrogen back into your soil, has adorable ball-like flowers, and covers your field in gorgeous green. However, there’s also a weed called Oxalis that has Clover-like leaves, and is deep dark green. Oxalis is a weed through and through, and […]
New Product Alert! Burn Out Weed Killer
This stuff works! We tried it out last week on a patch of weeds here in the nursery in a side by side comparison with 20% Vinegar. Within about 5 minutes (I kid you not!) the weeds started drooping. They were dead within an hour. It was amazing! I was floored by its effects. Not only did […]
Fall And Winter Lawn Care
October is the month to do your fall lawn fertilizing and weed prevention. After that it is getting late to have maximum effect. If weeds are a problem every winter and spring, use a pre-emergent to prevent the weeds from sprouting. Amaze granules or Weed and Grass Stopper with Dimension are the best to use […]
October is Time To Fertilize For Fall!
Anytime between mid-September and mid-October is prime time to fertilize the lawn, trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Fertilizing while it is still warm is best because plants are still in their active growing season and taking up the nutrients provided. Here’s a repost of DeAnna’s fertilizing guide from earlier this year: “Anytime between mid-September and mid-October is […]
Lawn Looking Tired and Worn?
After all the spring rains giving us lush green lawns, it sure didn’t take long for the dog days of summer to take its toll on some. We are diagnosing lots of chinch bugs and grub worm damage. James has a couple of videos on our website and You Tube about lawns. Be sure to […]
Time to fertilize for the Fall
Anytime between mid-September and mid-October is prime time to fertilize the lawn, trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Fertilizing while it is still warm is best because plants are still in their active growing season and taking up the nutrients provided. Once the weather starts cooling down plants begin going into dormancy and therefore are not […]
If You Have a Lawn Irrigation System…
It likely is not working properly! Just like your mower needs the sparkplug adjusted, oil changed, blade sharpened, and maybe a wheel or starter rope replaced, things will go wrong with your irrigation system. But since it operates while you are in bed, you don’t know what needs fixing. I had not operated my sprinkler […]
Organic Gardening 101: Got Weeds?
Here is a couple of natural products to kill those weeds without using pesticides. Try Vinegar to kill those unwanted weeds in flowerbeds and cracks of the sidewalk or driveway. The vinegar at the grocery store is usually 5%. You will need 20% vinegar (acetic acid ) to kill weeds effectively. We carry Natures Guide […]
Backyard Drainage Problems + Solutions
I’ve had quite a few calls recently about back yard drainage problems. The first two solutions people tend to ask about are “French drains” or filling the low spots. These might end up being part of the solution, but are not the best place to start. The best solution is usually a swale, which is […]
Tips For Fighting Fleas + Pesky Lawn Weeds
Last chance to kill those pesky lawn weeds. The new formulation of Weed B Gon is totally safe on all lawn grasses including Floratam St. Augustine. The past few weeks of rainy weather has made it difficult to treat, but you must do it soon before our daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees. It comes with […]
Weed & Insect Control: What To Use On Your Lawn Now
Time to fertilize your lawn, trees & shrubs! Hopefully by the time you get this, the sunshine will have warmed and dried the soil enough to fertilize. Use Gill Lawn and Garden for all your trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Also feeds the vegetable garden. Covers 6000 sq. ft. per bag. -DeAnna For weed control in your lawn, […]
Tips For Mowing
Dull Mower Blades Damage Lawns Take the time now to sharpen mower blades, pruners, hedge shears and loppers.In the next few weeks it will be time to prune and a sharp tool will make for a better trim. If your mower blades are dull the grass tips will appear shredded and have a threadlike appearance. […]
How to Knock Out Brown Patch & Fire Ants
Brown Patch Fungus In Lawns With all the recent rains, cool nights and shorter days, lawns are prone to get fungus. Circular brown patches appear with some green blades in center of the patch, and a thin band of subtle rusty red at the outer edge. If you tug on the rusty red blades at […]
Now is the time of year to attack those unwanted weeds in the lawn.
First, fertilize the lawn in October to mid-November while the grass is still actively growing.
Water in well.
Next spread your pre-emergent.
The pre-emergent is a granule that prevents weed seeds from germinating. We carry two different ones depending on the weed problem you may have. Gallery can be used in the lawn to prevent most all broadleaf weeds and some grassy weeds, but cannot be used in the flowerbeds. Dimension is the other one that will control broadleaf weeds as well as crabgrass and sand burrs. Dimension can be used in the flower beds around established plants listed.
Third, kill any existing weeds that are up and growing with a post emergent.
Weed B Gon spray can be used now since our temperatures are in the mid 80’s. It will kill the broadleaf weeds without hurting your St. Augustine, including Floratam. We also carry a new product Roundup Weed Control for Lawns that will kill many broadleaf weeds as well as wild carrot and wild onion and other grassy weeds. If Dollarweed or sand burrs are your main problem, use Image. Weed killers need to be used soon since they cannot be used as a winter weed control!
Fourth, remember to alter your sprinkler systems to only once a week until mid- November, then turn to the off position and only turn on as needed every 10 days to 2 weeks if we get no rain.
With the shorter days and the dormant season upon us the lawn does not require as much water. You also do not want to encourage fungus due to excessive moisture. Come see us with any questions you may have about your lawn!
We know it’s still early November, but we couldn’t resist! You have to see all the cute cute cute holiday decor we have coming in… happy (almost) holidays!!!