Remove First Buds and Spent Blooms for Bushier Flower Plants with more Blossoms
How to grow bushier flower plants with more blossoms by removing the first flower bud or couple of buds and spent blooms. This works well for flowers that tend to grow long and lanky such as zinnias and chrysanthemums.
Growing Transplants from Seeds
A method for increasing the success rate of growing transplants of plants that have very small seeds that are not as easy to grow in the open garden. This method increases the chance of more plants germinating, gives the plants a good start away from pests on the ground, and provides a back-stock for replacement plants and extras for gifts.
How to Grow New Roots on Damaged Seedlings
Re-rooting or Growing a New Set of Roots As soon as you find the damaged plant give it a second chance at life by trying this simple gardening tip. Just place the plant in a clear glass of tap water and set it in a location that receives bright, indirect light. It does not matter […]
Growing Armenian Cucumbers in Texas
Armenian cucumbers (Cucumis melo Var. flexuosus), are easy to grow and very prolific producers. They grow very well in Texas and are more heat tolerant than regular cucumbers.
Growing Cucumbers in Texas
Cucumbers are super easy to grow and very prolific producers. Cucumbers are a low-calorie food with small amounts of potassium, vitamin C, magnesium and fiber. Cucumber Varieties: There are many varieties of cucumbers. Two varieties that I like to grow are Persian and English cucumbers. Both have hardly any seeds and a thin skin that […]
The Texas Spiny Lizard: a Gardener’s Friend
Habitat The Texas Spiny Lizard lives mostly in trees. Other habitats include logs, stumps, old buildings, fences, prickly pear clumps, and rock walls that have a crevice in them. They are fast climbers that have specialized toe claws that enable them to easily climb and hang onto tree bark. Nearly all sunning, some feeding, and […]
Growing Kale in Texas
Kale Varieties Kale is a very popular green that is very versatile and used in a lot of vegetable dishes. Kale is a great source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. Dwarf Blue Curled Kale Planting Kale really grows best when planted in September or early October for a cool season crop here […]
Growing and Cooking Collard Greens in Texas
Collards are a tasty green that has had a long history in the South. We love our collard greens. Collard leaves look somewhat similar to cabbage and they are a great source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, calcium, and magnesium. They do contain oxalic acid like spinach and Swiss chard. Collard Varieties […]
Swiss Chard: a Beautiful Tasty Green that Grows Well in Texas
Swiss Chard is a great green to grow in Texas because it is much more cold hardy and heat resistant to bolting or going to seed than lettuce. It is also high in vitamins C and A, calcium, potassium, and iron and tastes somewhat like asparagus. It does contain a little oxalic acid like spinach […]
Growing Parsnips in Texas
Parsnips are a wonderful crop to grow through the winter in Texas. In fact, cold weather imparts the parsnip root with a sweeter flavor! Parsnips can be planted in the fall and harvested in early March so that the bed is available again to grow spring vegetables. Parsnips prefer full sun and rock-free soil that […]
