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 […]
Texas Sage Eaten by Caterpillars?
Texas Sage eaten by caterpillars? Take a close look at your Texas sage and see if you find small black spiny caterpillars. They are the larvae of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly. Although they are small they have a huge appetite for sage leaves. They can devour the leaves of your plant in a matter of […]
It’s Grubworm Time Again!
When you begin seeing June bugs flying around the porch light, you wait 5-6 weeks and then treat with Bayer Season Long Grub Control Granules. If you have not fertilized the lawn yet, you can spread Gill Lawn and Garden Fertilizer, then the Bayer Grub Granules and water them both in at the same time. […]
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 […]
A Time To Remember
This coming week and weekend is a time many people from around the world remember their heritage and celebrate their faith. The Jewish Passover begins at sundown April 10th and Easter Sunday is April 16th. For many, it’s a time to gather with family and friends, sharing a meal and spending time together, telling stories […]
A Fascinating Field Trip to Los Ramaderos of South Texas
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Sally and I, as members of the South Texas Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, spent a very pleasant day touring Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery and RV Park in far South Texas, near Rio […]
Does Your Hackberry Have Wooly Aphids?
Hackberry is a wonderful tree for birds with their berries and it also is the host plant for the Snout butterfly. It’s a great tree but boy they can be a mess with the wooly aphid, which drops black sooty mold all over your plants, patio furniture, vehicles and more. Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic […]
Are Your Bougainvilleas Being Chewed?
Small little caterpillars are eating bougainvillea leaves as fast as they can sprout. Years ago nothing bothered a bougainvillea. Now it seems to be a constant battle. There are a couple of options you can do to help control them. Spray with organic Thuricide which only kills worms and caterpillars. You will need to reapply […]
Who’s Your Garden Friend?
My definition of a garden friend is someone who happily shares their garden knowledge and passion with you. Earlier this week, I took a break from my piles of paper for a walk around the garden center. I was reminded it’s caladium time when I walked in the greenhouse and saw boxes of caladium bulbs, front and center. […]
Time for Tomatoes!
Hopefully we have seen our last big cold snap of the season, so it’s time to get tomatoes in the ground. Tomatoes need full sun for their entire growing season. Once frost is done, put them in a bed enriched with compost. A couple tablespoons of Rocket Fuel under the roots will help your plants get […]
One Of Sally’s Favorites – Mystic Spires Salvia!
We have a grower that does an outstanding job growing Mystic Spires Saliva in “tubs”. Wow, they are gorgeous! They can be planted in containers or in the ground. I have mine right by my front door. They get morning sun until about 1 pm and are very happy, but also can get full sun. […]
How to Repair Dead Patches in Your Lawn
Dead patches in your grass? James shares tips on plugging damaged lawn areas with Floratam Sod.
Early Spring Pruning
Time for a little cleanup! James explains techniques to use for early spring pruning.
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 […]
Garden Tips Library
March 7, 2017/gillnursery/Comments Off on Garden Tips Library Posted in
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 […]
Fertilize Your Citrus Now!
January-February is prime time to fertilize your citrus plants. We recommend Espoma Citrus-tone for organic gardening. It is long lasting and it feeds the soil and the tree. Citrus-tone recommends to feed Jan-Feb as a pre-bloom application to enhance flowering and May-June as an after bloom application to encourage better fruit set. Apply at the rate of […]
A Few of My Favorite Things
You may recall Julie Andrew’s favorite things in The Sound of Music: “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, etc…” Her delightfully orchestrated breath of happiness made us all smile. Just envision those happy little children joyfully following her lead! And isn’t that how life really is? We all have our favorite things that […]
Growing Fresh Food – Part III
Growing Fresh Food Part I, Part II Photos from Debbie’s Last Fall Veggie Garden We talked about watering and fertilizing last week. Now the fun stuff – watching your garden grow! Each day as you walk the garden, keep an eye out for seedlings emerging and harmful insects and disease, especially as your veggies grow. […]
Growing Fresh Food – Part II
Growing Fresh Food – Part I So now that you’ve done all your decision making and soil prep, let’s talk about planting. Most spring veggies love warm days and cool nights. 70’s and 50’s are perfect for all spring veggies and herbs. South Texas spring starts early and ends early as the heat of summer […]
Growing Fresh Food – Pt. 1
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Food from a garden is one of life’s best experiences. You get to play in dirt, sweat with a purpose, and the payoff is just plain rewarding: nutritious, delicious foods for you and your family. Not only […]
Freeze Alert
We’re getting our first freeze tonight. It shouldn’t be too bad, but there will be some damage. Watch for info from James on what needs to be covered or brought inside, along with best practices for protecting your plants from freeze.
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 […]
Meyer Lemons For Friends & Neighbors!
(Citrus × meyeri, the Meyer lemon, is a citrus fruit native to China thought to be a cross between a true lemon and either a mandarin or common orange, from Wikipedia) What do you do when Sally Gill gives you lemons from her Meyer lemon tree? You make Ina Garten’s yogurt lemon cake, of course! And, since Meyer lemons are so big and juicy you’ll have plenty […]
Gill Holiday Guide
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_slider animation=”slide” slide_time=”7000″ slide_speed=”1000″ slideshow=”false” random=”false” control_nav=”false” prev_next_nav=”true” no_container=”false” ][x_slide] Succulent Bowl [/x_slide][x_slide] Bromeliads [/x_slide][x_slide] Holiday Decor [/x_slide][x_slide] Fruit Trees [/x_slide][x_slide] Garden Art [/x_slide][/x_slider][cs_text] GREEN GIFTS [/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row id=”succulent-bowl” inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto 20px;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” […]
Winter Weather Freeze Protection
We’re having a cold spell tonight, but it’s not too much of a cause for panic for plant lovers. A customer called checking on their Mountain Laurel, but it, along with the majority of other hardy plants will be fine. Some plants may suffer some damage. Some tropicals and succulents, such as Crotons, Matagascar palm, and Desert […]
Yucky Whitefly
Not flies, not moths, whitefly are about the size of gnats. If you see these little clusters of flies when you brush through your foliage, you need to control them. Whitefly sucks the sap out of the plants – resist damage organically with Neem Oil. Mix your Neem oil in a sprayer, and spray all […]
Thank You to My Families – Personal & Business!
This is my favorite holiday because like many, I have so much to be thankful for. First and most importantly, I am thankful to James, my husband of 39 years (crazy long, right?) of partnership, family & business. By sharing himself, he has made me a better person. Secondly, I am thankful for our families […]
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 […]
DIY Mounted Staghorn Fern
This is a project I have been wanting to do for a while now, and it was a lot easier than I was expecting. So naturally, I want to share the project idea with our customers! Staghorn ferns are eye-catching plants that make for a beautiful indoor addition to any home! This fern is naturally […]
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.
Nasturtiums: Edible Beauties
With cooler months finally upon us, now is the time for planting some of my favorite winter annuals, one being the ever vibrant, versatile and easy to grow Nasturtium. Here are some things you may or may not know about this lovely little flower: Nasturtiums are edible, flowers and leaves. The flowers make a beautiful […]
How to Trim Your Mums for a Second Bloom
Don’t give up on your mums before they’ve had a chance to live out their season! Sally explains how to trim your mums for new growth throughout the fall: 1. Use a sharp pair of head shears to remove the bulk of the blooms.2. Spot trim with pruning clippers as needed.3. Mix up some Hastagro […]
Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya, Oh My!
Zika – slight fever and joint pain, but causing serious birth defects. Dengue – fever, headache, back and joint pain, some fatalities. Chikungunya – fever, back and joint pain, headache, vomiting. All these bad characters are on our doorstep, it is highly likely that we will be dealing with them here in South Texas soon. […]
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 […]
Mona Lavender…Not the True Lavender
When most people think of Lavender, they are thinking of true Lavender from the Lavendula genus, which is known for its wonderful fragrance. Mona Lavender is an annual plant from the Plectranthus genus that thrives during fall into spring. Though it does not have that wonderful smell, it would be safe to say that it […]
Oh, the Wonders of Coral Vine!
I suspect most of you have noticed the hot pink flowers cascading over fences all over town. It’s what we fondly call Coral Vine-Antigonon leptopus. It is the prettiest vine I have ever seen and surely the easiest vine to grow. I have wanted one for many years and last year finally planted one near […]
What’s Bugging You Now?
There are so many different problems that homeowners may face in their yard. Most recently, chinch bugs, followed by armyworms, in lawns, and now caterpillars chewing the leaves off live oak trees. And by the time this is published later this week, it will be on to something new! My first point would be, since […]
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), […]
Success With Fall Flowers
The fall season brings a whole new garden of flowers to enjoy. Plus it is great fun to get your hands dirty! So here’s a few tips to help you transition to the new cool weather annuals coming in now! Decide “sun or shade?” All flowers have their best growing conditions, if you have sun […]
We miss Alameda too!
I hear customers daily say how much they miss the Alameda Store. We all miss it! What started out to be a temporary three month spring location turned out to last almost 30 years. We all loved the beauty of the store, the convenience of the location and the ambiance and feel of our quaint […]
Time To Fertilize for Fall
Anytime between mid-September to mid-November 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 as likely to […]
Planting by the Moon
Since prehistoric times, man has been planting and harvesting crops according to the phases of the moon. In a nutshell, it means that various plants do best when planted or harvested at certain phases. All crops that produce their yield above ground should be planted during the Waxing (New to Full) Moon. The first week […]
Time To Fertilize For Fall
Anytime between mid-September to mid-November 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 as likely to […]
Where to begin? How much can I fit? What will get left out? I love this stuff!!! What a story!!!
All from a shiny reddish ball. Or a fuzzy white ball. Or a corky brown ball. I’m talking oak galls, which commonly strike terror into the hearts of live oak tree owners this time of year. They are all caused by various species of small, stingless, solitary wasps. These wasps insert an egg (or several) […]
September: Get Your Tomatoes & Peppers Planted Now!
Believe it or not, we do have seasons in South Texas. As they come and go, so does our selection of vegetables. It’s end of season for hot weather veggies like tomatoes & peppers. So here’s your heads up….We have beautiful tomatoes and peppers now so get em’ while you can. We’ve got celebrity, sweet cherry, […]
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 […]
Crape Myrtle Scorch + Grass on Rootball
Crape Myrtles will always have some leaf scorch the first summer, despite adequate watering, and we should inform customers of that. Also, that watering needs to be frequent – apply enough water to replace what is lost from the rootball every day, twice a day the first two weeks if planted March thru September, then […]
Mystic Spires Salvia In The Garden!
This is one of my favorites. It has the most beautiful blue blooms all fall, winter and spring. They love the sun. I fertilize mine periodically with Medina Hasta-Gro Fertilizer and top dress with Nature’s Blend a couple of times a year. I planted mine in a cluster of three in the front yard near a […]
Darn Those Summer Bugs!
Chinch Bugs Chinch bugs in the lawn are still active and can be all summer as long as the weather stays hot and dry. Treat as needed with hose-end Bayer Complete, Cyonara, Natural Guard Spinosad or Diatomaceous Earth. Mealybugs Mealybugs on tropicals like Hibiscus , Jatropha and Mystic Spires Salvia can still be found. Look […]
Benefits Of Marigolds In Your Veggie Garden!
You may have heard that marigolds are a great companion plant for tomatoes or other veggies, but why? Marigolds actually have a compound in their root system called alpha-terthienyl, which naturally repels nematodes in your soil. Not only do they repel the bad bugs, but because of their bright blossoms they also help to attract […]
Fall’s around the corner; it’s GARDEN TIME!
Mid August is the time to make plans for what’s happening in and around your fall garden. Now when I say garden, I’m talking about ALL gardens, not just food gardening. If you’re new to South Texas, let me just say fall gardening in South Texas is the finest in my world. Cooler, shorter days, […]
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 […]
Big Changes at Gill’s!
[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][image src=”2617″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=”width:100%;”][text_output]We believe by blending our two nursery staffs and increasing the inventory selection at our Airline store, we can do an even better job for you in our garden center and in your home with our landscape design & installation division. First […]
The Coastal Bend Beekeepers and Gill’s Landscape Nursery presents the Texas Honey Queen!
[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” bg_video=”” class=”” style=””][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output] Hope Pettibon, the 2016 Texas Honey Queen, will speak with local gardeners on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 4 PM at Gill Nursery 2810 Airline Rd. She will talk about best practices to help support local honeybee populations and steps ordinary gardeners can take to benefit […]
Does your Ficus Tree have curled leaves?
Cuban Ficus Thrips have been attacking these trees for several years now. The new growth is curled with small white and black insects inside. Since the leaves are curled the thrips can be hard to kill with contact insecticides. Neem Oil, Spinosad and Pyrethrins are organic recommendations to help control. If possible I would also […]
A Life Well Lived, Remembering Our Friend & Co-worker Mary Coffman
Mary was a bright smiling face of down home goodness. She had a twinkle in her baby blues and gently bent hands that only come from using them, working them in the dirt. She was kind and funny, and with a twang in her voice, made us laugh, cry, and listen to her wisdom about […]
Time to Prep Your Fall Garden
The Fall Season is getting closer every day and that means thinking about your fall gardening plans. If you’ve kept your garden tended; pulling weeds, keeping the ground well-watered and past-prime spring veggies culled, you’re well on your way to your fall planting. Keep up the good work, add your Nature’s Blend Compost in early-August, […]
Check For Chinch Bugs If Your Lawn Looks Dry Even Though You Know It’s Not!
Now that the temperatures have soared and the rain has stopped, be on the lookout for Chinch bugs in the lawn. The areas of the lawn near the sidewalk and driveway will be the first to look dry and in need of water. Take a shovel width scoop of the lawn, (grass and soil in […]
How-To For A Fun Garden Art Project
Be a garden artist and paint your own fun and colorful garden art! Supplies: Cement block, single hole, 7 1/2″ square (McCoy’s) Drylock Masonry Waterproofer – color white (McCoy’s) FolkArt Acrylic Paint, 2 oz. size, your favorite colors (Hobby Lobby) Inexpensive nylon paint brushes various widths (Hobby Lobby) Water in a container to clean brushes […]
A Child’s Spaceship
Crape Myrtles always hold a special place in my heart, not just because they’re outrageously pretty when they bloom in the early summer, but because of the memories I have of them. There were three things I loved to play with when I was a kid: Polly Pockets, Fairy Winkle dolls, and my “space ship”. […]
Wooly Aphids on Hackberry Trees
Over the past few weeks there have been numerous inquiries about whiteflies on trees. However, these insects are not whiteflies. They are actually a large infestation of Asian wooly aphids. Wooly aphids are small white insects that fall off hackberry trees and appear to float in the air. They suck the sap out of the leaves and secrete […]
Water Only Once A Week, Pick Your Day!
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ class=”cs-ta-center” style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-left”]This new flyer from the City Of Corpus Christi explains our current landscape water guidelines. We’re happy we are able to pick the one day of the week that works best for us to water! […]
“This American Life” Comes To Corpus Christi
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text] In 2009 our youngest son Trevor was driving around Houston, working his first job after college. Many days he listened to “This American Life” on public radio. Trevor commented to me how much he enjoyed it, […]
My Ugly Tomato Plant
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text] My sister-in-law asked me this week-end if there was anything to do to make her tomato plant healthier. She said it was looking bad, but it was still producing good tomatoes. My comment…that’s what tomato plants […]
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.
The Youngest Of Gardeners
Meet Elliott, my grandson from Denver, Colorado. Last year, at the ripe old age of 10 months his favorite thing was digging in the dirt. He’d happily dig in a plastic box of planting soil for an hour, using child sized garden tools from Gills. Now, at almost 2 years he’s advanced to planting and […]
Mealy Bugs Are Showing Up On Hibiscus
Mealybugs are here! Look on the tips, stems, and undersides of the leaves for these white insects clustered together. If they go unnoticed for a short period of time , they will produce a protective cottony barrier over their bodies to protect themselves. Many times we hear “I have a white fungus on my plants.” Safer’s […]
Dreams Do Come True, June 2016
One of James’ dreams for Gill’s was to build a business where enthusiastic, energetic people would want to work. He wanted to build a business where folks would line up at the door, anxious to get in and learn about the world of plants and people. I think we’re there! For some, Gill’s becomes their […]
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 […]
One of My Favorite Plants: Firespike
One of my favorite plants: Firespike, aka Firespike Odontonema strictum. This is one the easiest plants to grow whether in the ground or in a pot. Break off a piece, stick it in the dirt and water. It roots super easy. It grows in sun or shade. I find, though, it is happiest where there […]
“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 […]
Wait… You Want What?
Working here always brings its share of surprises. On Sunday I had a customer come in and ask if we had any tomato hornworms on our plants in the garden. I said, “No! Thank goodness”. Much to my surprise, she said “Well darn it! Neither do mine!”. Wait…what?! She then explained that she grows tomatoes […]
My Veggie Garden!
May 25th Its Memorial Day weekend and summer’s around the corner. Our spring garden is wrapping up its abundance. The beans have been harvested, the peppers are producing, and the eggplant does love all the rain but our squash not so much so. The cantaloupe is running over the garden with lots of blooms. We’re […]
Bobby & Grandpa, The Story Of Two Memorable Characters!
Many years ago, we had a lovable character working for us, Bobby. He was a grizzled old country boy from round about Uvalde, Texas. He loved trees, he loved people, he loved selling his trees to people he loved, and he loved beer! He knew all the trees in his area of the sales yard, […]
Vinca- a favorite summer flower!
Vinca a.k.a. Periwinkle is one the best summer flowers you can grow when planted at the right time and with a few extra steps to insure success. First, wait for longer & drier days to plant. They do not like wet conditions which leads to Phytophthora Stem Blight and Root Rot Fungus. Water management is […]
Mike Haby: Retired Professor & Extension Economist, Texas A&M, Husband-Gardener-Nature-Lover
This spring, I talked with Mike Haby several times at our Airline store, and could tell he was very excited and proud of his garden. One day, I asked if I could come see it myself! We met on April 21st, a beautifully clear and breezy day. How I loved sitting and visiting with him […]
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 […]
Yes, The Mosquitoes Are Back!
We love the rain, but so do the skeeters. We have everything you need to repel and kill them. Mosquito Beater Liquid Hose-end can be sprayed across the lawn, shrubs and anywhere else they may hide. We also have Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits for standing water in birdbaths, saucers, puddles or even old tires […]
Not All Caterpillars are Bad!
We all hate to see our plants being eaten, but did you know that some of our favorite plants are the food source for many caterpillars. The most common example is Milkweed. It is the only food source for Monarch caterpillars. They will eat all the leaves in one day and want more. They do […]
Lynn’s Amaryllis: A Gift From Mom For a Lifetime
Lynn Fernand has been working with us at Gill’s since 1991, that’s 25 years! She has as much love and energy for plants as anyone I know; her passion is contagious! For years, around this time of year, she brings me a beautiful bouquet of “lipstick red” amaryllis blooms. Recently, I asked her if she […]
Girl Scout Troop 9638 Visits Gills!
Last week I had the pleasure and absolute delight of giving a tour of our Nursery to Girl Scout Troop 9638. As I lead the girls and one boy (younger brother) around, it gave me a chance to see what our Nursery looks like from someone else’s eyes. We talked about how fruit develops from […]
It’s Grubworm Time Again!
With our mild winter, grub beetles emerged from the soil early this year. When you begin seeing June bugs flying around the porch light, you wait 5-6 weeks and then treat with Bayer Season Long Grub Control Granules. This year that is the middle of April versus our usual early May with colder winters. If […]
Snails and Beer!
Do you have plants toppling over? Are the stems of your begonias being eaten at the base? Do you have uneven holes in your veggies along the bottom of the plant? If so, then you may have snails or slugs. These guys love fleshy leaves or stems, and can cause serious problems if left unchecked. […]
Meet Gillian, our “Junior Gill Gardener”!
Gillian is my neighbor and her older brother, Michael, works at Gill’s. The other day her mom, Ann, sent me a photo of a fairy garden in a hanging basket Jillian designed and built with help from Whitney at our Alameda store. Just had to share it with everyone! I asked Jillian if I could […]
Temperatures are perfect for applying weed control products!
For weed control in your lawn, use Weed B Gon For St. Augustine. We have a new formulation that is safe to use on Floratam St. Augustine Grass. Treats up to 2500 sq. ft. and comes in a ready to spray hose-end bottle. Image will kill some broadleaf weeds (dollarweed) as well as a few grassy weeds (grassburrs) […]
Don’t Panic, Just Run Like H&##!
In South Texas, bees swarm to form new colonies April through July. Two of my landscapers were attacked yesterday, and stung over 200 times. But they are back at work today, with just a small residual amount of pain. So let’s talk about bees, and hopefully avoid that pain. This is the time of year […]
All About Orchids!
Emily, a Landscape Design Assistant here at Gill’s, loves orchids. Before joining us, she worked at the Naples Botanical Gardens in Naples, Florida, growing orchids. Emily, pictured here, shares her knowledge – enjoy! Orchidacaea is the largest flowering plant family in the world. This family has more than 25,000 documented species which is about four […]
Be a Good Bug Scout
With the flush of tender new growth on plants comes the first hatching of Spring insects. Aphids are usually the first we see and then lots of caterpillars eating the tender leaves. Mother Nature has set out the buffet for all insects to feast on. Pulling out the poison should never be the first line […]
Got Fleas?
Fleas are a huge a problem here in South Texas because they love warm temperatures and high humidity. That describes our weather almost year around. You don’t even have to own a pet to have a flea problem. But if you do, you should treat in 3 ways. Treat the pet, treat the house, treat […]
Gro Local STX
Last fall I received a phone call from Emily Dodd with GROW Local South Texas asking if Gill’s would sponsor BAWKtoberfest 2015, their annual backyard chicken coop tour. Her energy was contagious and we said yes! We were pleased to continue our support of GROW Local South Texas when we agreed to sponsor their 4th […]
Prevent Those Pesky Bugs!
If you have a Hackberry tree or a sago palm you know what I am talking about. Hackberry trees get wooly aphids every June that drip black sooty mold all over everything below the tree. Use Bayer Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed as a soil drench for 9 month insect protection. Since I have […]
Fun Facts About Ladybugs
Ladybugs aren’t true bugs at all, they’re beetles. There are almost 400 different kinds of ladybugs in North America. Female ladybugs can eat as many as 75 aphids in one day, they also like to eat scale, mealybugs and spider mites. Ladybugs smell with their feet and antennae. A ladybug’s jaws chew from side to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Watch Nature’s Magic In Your Own Garden
Last year I planted my hummingbird and butterfly garden with over 30 milkweed, Turks cap, passion vine and native lantana. It grew beautifully in the back corner of my yard, and I pretty much just left it alone. Since now is the time to prune, I rolled up my sleeves, got out my pruners and […]