The Gill’s Guide to Fall Veggie Gardening
The slow, soaking rains this week followed by slightly cooler temps make for excellent planting weather. We dare say it’s feeling a little fall-ish! Even though it’s still warm out, right now is the time to plant your fall veggie garden to ensure you can get a good harvest. Here’s our guide to growing the best […]
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 […]
Greenhouse Discovery in the Wilds of New Mexico
There really is something to being a creature of habit. Oftentimes James and I are flying down the highway, pass a roadside nursery, look at each other, nod, make a U-turn and stop for a “quick” visit. Just as much as the plants, we enjoy meeting the nursery owners and hearing their stories, how they […]
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 […]
Happy Thanksgiving for Caterpillars?
Have you noticed lots of holes and chunks missing from the leaves of your fall veggies like cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower? These are delicacies for caterpillars! A little snacking is nothing to worry about, but here’s how to prevent a feast! First, decide for yourself how much caterpillar snacking you can tolerate. If it’s […]
Top 6 Gardening Must-Do’s in November 2023
November is one of our most beautiful months in South Texas – nice weather for spending time outdoors! Now’s the time for fall flowers and planting trees! And there’s still time for veggies, too. Good timing this month will keep us looking good through the fall and winter and set us up for showtime next […]
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, […]
Top 5 Gardening Must-Dos for October 2023
Fall is OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TIME for planting veggies, trees, flowers, and just about everything else! It just feels good! But time is of the essence! A lot of the things we do in the garden this month will set us up for success for seasons to come. Here are our top must-do’s for October. […]
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 […]
Kids Fall Seed Starting Workshop – This Saturday 9/9/23!
We are so excited to kick off our fall planting season with a workshop for kids of all ages! We think learning how to grow veggies from seed is an amazing life skill and SO rewarding when they make it to your dinner plate. Join us here at Gill’s for our Kids Fall Seed Starting […]
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 […]
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 […]
Top 5 Gardening Must Do’s for March 2023
Spring is here!! Look around and you’ll see lots of happy and healthy plants enjoying the sunshine and putting on fresh new growth. We hope you feel the same way! Here are our top must-do’s in the garden this month to help you have the best Spring season and beyond. Check out our March Garden Guide for […]
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, […]
Start Veggie Seeds Now for a Spring Harvest
Spring in South Texas starts around February 15th – only 33 days away! We may or may not have another cold snap ahead of us, but it’s time to start planning our Spring projects and starting veggie seeds. The first day for planting Spring seeds is January 15th give or take a few days – aka […]
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 […]
Garden Talk This Saturday – Maximizing Your Veggie Harvest with DeAnna and Wyatt
Join us this Saturday, September 17th at 10:00am for our first Fall ’22 garden talk! DeAnna Baumgartner and Wyatt Page, our garden center managers and expert veggie gardeners will share their tips for maximizing your Fall and Winter veggie harvest. Here’s a preview – see you Saturday! Soil, Sunlight, and Spacing are Key Soil nutrients […]
Time to Plant Your Fall Tomatoes and Peppers!
It may not feel like it yet, but Fall is coming! It’s already time to plant your tomatoes and peppers. We want to make sure you get a big harvest with plenty to share! Here are a few key tips. Tips for Tomatoes Start tomatoes in a bed enriched with Nature’s Blend Compost, about 1 bag […]
Garden Talk This Saturday – Organic Vegetable Gardening with Wyatt Page
Growing food organically promotes life – you get delicious and rewarding veggies by keeping it simple and working with nature, including the beneficial organisms in the soil. Join Wyatt Page this Saturday, March 5th at 10am at Gill’s for his talk on organic veggie gardening tips. Here’s a preview from Wyatt! Amend the soil. Great […]
Start Veggie Seeds Now for a Spring Harvest
Start Veggie Seeds Now for a Spring Harvest Spring in South Texas starts around February 15th – only 31 days away! We may have a couple more cold snaps ahead of us, but it’s time to start planning our Spring projects and planting veggie seeds. The first day for planting Spring seeds is January 15th give […]
All Green Salad with Mexican Mint Marigold Vinaigrette
Mexican Mint Marigold is one of my favorite plants – they’re tough, they bloom beautifully in the Fall, and they make an amazing salad dressing! Here’s a crunchy, all green salad that works great with the Texas Tarragon flavor. Let’s make the vinaigrette first so the flavors have a few minutes to marry while we […]
Grandpa Brown’s Multiplying Onions
Last week, local Skidmore farmer Allen Hudson brought in a batch of his very special onion sets. Those who have been around awhile haven’t seen a true multiplying onion here at Gill’s in years! It’s a tasty onion that you can plant year round, with a cool story that we wanted to share. Allen named […]
Don’t Miss Your Window to Plant Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, but you need to get the timing right. Typically, you’d want to get them in the ground in August, but since it’s been so warm, it’s ok to wait until early to mid-September. But don’t wait longer than that! Here are a few tips for getting […]
Plant Something Interesting – Rare Seeds from Baker Creek
We are so happy to welcome Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds back to Gill’s! Baker Creek offers one of the largest selections of 19th century heirloom seeds from Europe and Asia, and their 2021 catalog contains about 1,000 varieties. Founder Jere Gettle started Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. in 1998 as a hobby in Mansfield, Missouri. […]
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 […]
Grow Food Everywhere – James Gill’s Intro to Container Gardening
You can grow food just about anywhere in just about any container! Join James Gill as he discusses the benefits of container gardening and demonstrates how to get the best harvest. We’re very excited to present this video in collaboration with Grow Local South Texas.
TONE Up Your Garden with Our Favorite Organic Plant Food
Plant fertilizers are much like food for us, the healthier the meal, the greater benefits. That’s why we love organic Espoma plant foods. We use them in our own gardens and recommend them to customers all the time – they work! Each “Tone” (Plant-Tone, Citrus-Tone, Bio-Tone) product is a complex blend of long-lasting natural ingredients […]
Don’t Forget to Feed Your Citrus Trees!
We’re lucky in South Texas to be able to add citrus trees to our gardens with great success. Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, kumquats, and more thrive here and produce lots of fruit with the right care – if you feed them, they feed you! Now’s the time. Here’s our recommended method. We love organic CitrusTone […]
Healthy Veggie Plants, but No Veggies – What’s the Problem?
This past week, one of our customers explained that her squash plant had great foliage and lots of blooms, but it was not producing any squash. This can often be attributed to a watering or fertilizer issue, but sometimes you might have a pollination problem. So, what’s the solution? Bees! Bees are the best pollinators, and […]
Plant and Use Fall Herbs and Flowers Together
There’s an abundant palette of garden herbs & flowers that thrive when planted in Fall. No need to keep them separated – pair them together for the perfect garden to table companions. The classic herbs for the Fall season align with those familiar flavors for soups and holiday meals. Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Oregano, Cilantro, […]
Wyatt’s Veggie Vlog Part 3: Transplanting Cool Weather Crops
It’s Wyatt again – welcome to part 3 of my Fall Veggie Vlog. I decided to start all my cool weather veggies this year from seed and share video tips along the way – take a look at Part 1 and Part 2 (ICYMI). After sprouting in peat pots, my seedlings are ready to transplant […]
Coastal Bend Veggie Gardening Guide
Grow Local South Texas and Gill’s share a passion for organic vegetable gardening and helping local gardeners be successful growing their own food. Here in South Texas we have 2 great seasons for growing food each year – Spring and Fall. Join Gill’s Wyatt Page as he demonstrates how to grow veggies using only organics.
Wyatt’s Fall Veggie Vlog: Part 2 – Starting Veggies from Seed
Beautiful Fall weather is ahead and it’s time to get started planting veggies! I’ve decided to expand my veggie garden at home and invite you all to follow me this season for some of my best tips, successes, and failures to overcome. I’ll be posting video updates here in the Garden News and on Gill […]
Wyatt’s Fall Veggie Vlog: Part 1 – Prepping a Veggie Garden Bed
Beautiful Fall weather is ahead and it’s time to get started planting veggies! I’ve decided to expand my veggie garden at home and invite you all to follow me this season for some of my best tips, successes, and failures to overcome. I’ll be posting video updates here in the Garden News and on Gill […]
Now’s the Time for Food, Flowers, and Fresh Air
As we continue to monitor public health guidance and talk to our friends at other garden centers across the country, we’re reminded how important gardening is right now, at a time when sunshine and fresh air are especially good for us all. While you’re spending more time at home, why not start a small food […]
Keith’s Swiss Chard Success Story
Last week Keith shared with me his Swiss Chard success story. Years ago, he remembers (I don’t) James and I gave Sandy & Keith a pot of Swiss Chard for Christmas. Knowing that Keith is a gardener extraordinaire, we knew it was the perfect gift for them. Keith grows it all – Brussel sprouts, cabbage, […]
Debbie’s Backyard Bounty
It’s harvest time around my house and I have to admit the bounty is big this winter. This past fall, I planted later than usual (Oct 13th) due to rainy days and a total kitchen remodel! Mother Nature was my advocate, though. Rain, sun, and many cool fronts did amazing work with little help from […]
Why Is There Mold On My Citrus?
It’s the time of year we are scurrying around the garden, picking delicious ripening citrus. Perfect gift giving for the holidays! A few days ago, I noticed that some of my lemons and their leaves have a black mold on them. Some of you have had the same issue and are concerned too. “What is […]
Secrets Under The Dark Side Of The Moon
Root veggies like carrots, beets, potatoes and onions make for a great fall and winter crop, but there are a few things to be said about them in order to get an excellent yield. First off, root veggies need a finely granulated and well drained soil. Our inland soil is too heavy; it will not […]
Now That’s Some Good Food!
Growing food is all the trend as farmers markets, farm to table restaurants, and the phrase “locally grown” gives credit that the food will be the freshest available! But to grow your own? Even better! Fall is about the best time to grow food and especially true if you are new to South Texas gardening. […]
Is it time to start your veggies? You bet!
It’s the best time to plant your early fall veggies and herbs! Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and zucchini have plenty of time to produce a nice harvest. Fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, mint and cilantro will love the upcoming weather. Don’t forget to help your plants thrive! Mix Nature’s Blend Compost with your soil. […]
Ready, Set, Get Your Garden Going!
Yes, it is time to begin preparing the vegetable gardens for your tomatoes and peppers! Work in Cotton Burr compost or Natures Blend to enrich your garden for the new season. A good dose of Espoma Bio Tone containing mycorrhizae worked into the soil before planting will help to develop a strong deep root system […]
Time For Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are by far the most sought-after fruit in the country, and we are lucky to have two growing seasons to enjoy their goodness! It’s time to get your spring tomatoes planted and we’ve got a great selection from cherry to beefsteak slicers. The list below describes our varieties available. Tomatoes need good sun for […]
Myer Lemons: Best Lemon Yogurt Cake Recipe
This year for Christmas we mailed 9 boxes of Myer lemons to family & friends around the country with our favorite lemon yogurt cake recipe. The Myer lemon is native to China and is a cross between a true lemon and mandarin orange. We have 2 Myer lemon trees growing at my family’s home, producing […]
Tips for Preserving Herbs
“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 […]
Best Timing For Popular Fall Veggies
[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: 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] September It’s not too late to get your squash, cucumber and beans seeds in the ground for a fall crop. It’s important to get them up and going before a […]
Nasturtiums – Super Pretty & Easy! (Yummy too!)
It’s always fun and rewarding to find those plants that take care of themselves with just a little help from your hands. Say hello to nasturtiums! This simple edible is one of my all time favorites to sow from seed. The foliage is vibrant green and reminds me of small living Frisbees rambling around a […]
Garden Guide: Tomato Varieties
This guide describes the tomatoes we carry, number of days to harvest (yum!), whether they produce all at once or over a period of time and what disease resistances they have. Hopefully this will help you select the best tomato variety for you! (click to expand/download!) -Debbie
New! Grape Tomato ‘Ruby Crush’
We are excited about a new tomato variety arriving at our store this week….check it out! “This new grape tomato variety is blazing a new trail in the tomato world! It works well in a container, shines in the field, and the sweetly, acidic fruit resists cracking. Unlike other determinate grape varieties, Ruby Crush offer […]
Why Botanical Interests is Our Favorite Seed Company
Over the years we have tried different seed companies and have found Botanical Interests to be our favorite. Being family owned and operated, we share a common goal of inspiring and educating gardeners. Botanical Interests carry the highest quality seed available and their seed packets are designed to give you the information you need to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fruit Trees & Citrus In Your Own Backyard!
Fruit trees such as peaches, plums and avocados are easy to grow in South Texas. Peaches and plums require colder weather for fruit production and with our mild winters we have to look for low chilling hour varieties. Somewhere between 100-250 hours is best. We make sure the varieties we sell are self pollinating so you […]
Fertilize Your Citrus in February!
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 […]
Growing Veggies In Containers
Not everyone has a large area in the backyard to garden, but did you know that most vegetables can be grown in containers. Clay pots, plastic pots, hanging baskets or even the new trendy Grow Bagz. Burpee Seed packets show a small pot on the label to show which varieties are easily grown in containers. […]
Christmas Wreath Chandelier
We’ve all seen Christmas wreath vertically, but how about horizontally? Hanging multiple layers together can have a great ‘chandelier’ like effect. Just get at least two sizes and hang them from the ceiling with gorgeous thick ribbon. Then hang ornaments, lights, and sprigs of berries or mistletoe and Voila! But make sure you don’t use […]
Growing Onions!
“What smells so good in the kitchen?” my family asks. “Just sautéing the onions.” I reply. Funny how the pungent tear evoking root awakens our noses and our stomachs that something incredibly good is bound to come from of it. Its onion planting time and the first ones are here and ready to plant…just in […]
Artichokes
Artichokes are gorgeous plants. They’re just pretty! They have large arching silver spiked leaves, and add drama to any landscape. If you want a good crop of artichokes, try these tips to improve your harvest. Artichokes are deep rooted, so prep your soil at least 8 inches deep with Cattle Manure or Cotton Burr Compost […]
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 […]
My Veggie Garden, Week # 3
The weather was warm & dry last week and I have been watering a little each morning and evening. It is keeping our plants perky. I did our first Hastagro feeding on October 17th, after fixing my cutoff hose with a new end and invested in a new hand sprinkler. My old one was used as […]
Debbie’s Veggie Garden Pt. 2 – Plant, Mulched, Fertilized!
Last week, I shared my before & after soil prep of our veggie garden at home. I tried to plant before last Friday’s rain but did not make it. Good thing, as I realized I had a few areas holding too much water. So after some shoveling to correct the problem, we planted our hearts […]
A Goddess In The Garden
Golden Goddess Bamboo is one of our favorites! This clumping style bamboo doesn’t put out runners, so it stays where you put it. Great for screening out nosey neighbors, it grows to about 10-12’ tall, but can be kept to about 3 feet wide. It naturally grows in the sun, but can do very well […]
Malabar Spinach
This beautiful vine is our climbing spinach we planted this past April. It’s not really spinach but the leaves look like and taste a lot like spinach. It is delicious fresh or steamed. Basella rubra aka Malabar spinach is a fast growing edible vine found in temperate climates around the world. It loves spring summer […]
How to Keep Your Vegetable Garden Healthy this Fall
Remember to rotate your crops from last season if possible. Also do not crowd your plants. Insects and disease love places that are overcrowded with no air circulation. Spacing your plants will limit the areas for the bugs to hide. There are many organic options to keep insects and disease under control. For insects, use […]
Grow-Web
GROW-WEB also known as row cover acts like a greenhouse producing a micro-climate which encourages plant growth and development and also provides protection from insects, birds, diseases and frosts. Grow-web is air and water permeable and allows for ventilation. Because of its exceptional air flow and light penetration , it can be left on a […]
September: Time is Running Out for Fall Tomatoes and Peppers!!
Yes, I know. We just got our first shot of cooler weather so you’re just now ready to get out and garden. Timing is everything when it comes to success with vegetables. The growers are running out of tomatoes and peppers already also. We do still have some 4 inch and 1 gal. available so […]
Homegrown Tastes Best!
We’ve talked about weeding and prepping the soil. You should also have a plan on where to plant since we discussed crop rotation. So now the fun begins. Time to get those tomatoes and peppers in the ground or into pots. Add Bio-Tone to the soil when planting. It helps promote strong, healthy plants with larger […]
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 […]
Time to Prepare Vegetable Gardens!
Fall vegetable gardening is right around the corner. It seems too hot to even think about gardening, but you should start now to ensure a successful crop this fall. It is recommended to begin planting tomatoes and peppers mid- August. Many seeds begin the first week of September. I usually plant my tomatoes in September, […]
Heat Wilt
As our days get hotter, your plants might start drooping during the middle of the day. Now, this could be caused by one of two things. Either it’s very dry, and needs to be watered immediately, OR it is in heat wilt, and needs to be left alone! Some plants wilt during the middle of […]
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 For Tomatoes: Our Best Tips & Tricks
Time To Get Tomatoes In The Ground! Hopefully we have seen our last big cold snap of the season. And I did say “BIG” cold snap. 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 Fuelunder the roots will […]
Step One: Good, Fertile Soil…
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 […]
It’s Time To Start Veggie Gardening!
BUTTERFLY HOST PLANTS With spring around the corner, now’s the time to start planning out your butterfly garden! And we are ready with plants that not only attract butterflies, but feed their caterpillars. You’ve probably heard of Milkweed for monarch caterpillars, but did you know that Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Rue and Passion vine also attract butterflies? […]
Wait To Trim These Plants + Time To Feed Citrus & Plant Seed Potatoes
Don’t Trim These Plants Until After They Bloom: Indian Hawthorn, Mountain Laurel, Carolina Jessamine, Azaleas, and Spirea all bloom in early spring and should be trimmed after they bloom in February and March. Time To Feed Citrus Newly planted or young citrus trees need to be fed ¼ pound of Fertilome Fruit, Citrus, & Pecan Food after […]
James’ Chiltepin
James’ Chiltepin: “This lovely little pepper is either Heaven or Hell, depending on how much you use. Three to five adds great flavor to a stir-fry or roast or pot of soup or beans. Easy to grow in a pot or in the ground, in sun or part shade. If you don’t eat them, the mockingbird […]
Tips for Leafcutter Bees, Cabbage Loopers and Fall Veggie Feeding
Don’t Worry About Leafcutter Bees! Leaf cutters always cut extremely neat semi-circles and ovals, unlike caterpillars which leave irregular holes in leaves. They prefer soft tissue plants such as roses, plumbago, hibiscus and crape myrtles. There is no chemical control since they do not eat the leaves they cut. Nesting season is very short, so […]