Top 6 Gardening Must-Do’s in November 2024
Now it’s finally starting to feel like Fall! November in South Texas…one of our most beautiful months! Now’s the time for fall flowers and planting trees. And there’s still time […]
Top 5 Gardening Must-Dos for October 2024
Fall is OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TIME for planting veggies, trees, flowers, and just about everything else! Some rain in the forecast…and some cooler temps…fall is shaping up beautifully. But time […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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! […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Best Timing For Popular Fall Veggies
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 […]
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 […]
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! […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Fascinating Field Trip to Los Ramaderos of South Texas
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Growing Fresh Food – Pt. 1
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Garden Talks
Join us on Saturday mornings for Gill Garden Talks! Check out the season schedule and join us in the garden for expert advice from our awesome staff.
We design and install, you enjoy!
Gill Landscape Design and Installation
