Some like it hot: Easy-to-grow, heat-resistant plants for Central Texas gardeners

s the weather warms, pansies and other cool-weather spring flowers will struggle and fade away. This is a good time to replace those flowers with heat-loving annuals and perennials. There are many plants to choose from which can be planted now. Among them are eight hardy plants that thrive ...

Garden features

Earth-Kind Roses a low-maintenance way to brighten your yard

KnockOut roses, a variety of Earth-Kind, line the porch of a Waco house.

The easy care approach of Earth-Kind Roses appeals to a large range of people who don't have the time to spend in the garden every day.

Ten spring vegetables to plant now

Red potatoes grow in a raised bed. Potatoes are well-suited to grow in a Texas winter.

There is still time to plant some of your favorite cold season vegetables.

Now's the time to plant fruit trees

Fruit trees need adequate space and plenty of sun to be successful.

Fruit trees are best planted in mid-winter to allow time for root development prior to spring growth.

Now is the time to prepare soil for spring gardening

The right soil nutrients are important for plants to succeed in spring. A soil test is recommended every three years.

Spring gardening is just around the corner. But there is still  time for a very important task - preparing the soil in your planting beds.

Use of ornamental grasses can add beauty to your yard

Perennial Fountain Grass is an ornamental grass that grows well in Central Texas landscapes. Homeowners use the best ornamental grasses for their particular need.

This is the perfect time for a little insight about ornamental grasses and how to use them in the landscape.

Keeping the rot off wood

This New York arbor is built of locust, a tree whose wood is very rot resistant.

Here are ways to keep natural posts and fences in your garden lasting longer.

Amaryllis another popular holiday season plant

The amaryllis is a perennial flower that will bloom year after year with proper care.

These perennial bulbs will continue to bloom year after year with minimum care.

Plants popular as holiday gifts

Mary Castoreno works on poinsettia arraignment at her Flower Paradise shop in Bellmead.

Following a few guidelines can yield a long life to plants given as gifts at Christmas.

Container gardening attractive and practical during winter months

A container holds string bean peperomia, neoregelia carolinae bromeliad and giant black heart sweet potato trailing plant.

Container gardening is coming in from the cold, replacing the one-plant-to-a-pot displays that have been indoor decorating staples since the Victorian era.

Poinsettias make a perfect Christmas bloom

Poinsettias are a Christmas standard, but it takes a year’s worth of care to get them ready for the holidays.

Poinsettias and Christmas have been linked as long as one can remember. Since learning a little history, that fact is no surprise. 

Proper care can sustain Christmas cactus for years

The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesi) is a favorite holiday season house plant, but one which needs careful attention if it is to live and flower again the next year.

A Christmas cactus needs careful attention to allow it to flower

Prepare your garden for cold, wintry weather

Row covers can help keep plants safe from the elements in the winter, such as freezing weather, heavy thunderstorms and high winds.

Now that cold weather is moving in, many gardeners are hanging up their hats for the winter. But a number of things still need to be done in the garden during the next few months.

Cooler temperatures make it a good time to trim trees

Workers in Yardley, Pa., trim branches and leaves from a tree early in a fall morning.

As the temperatures fall and trees slow their growth, local landscaping experts say it's time to trim those trees.

Winter gardening: Pansies and violas thrive in cold weather

Tim and Denise Castiglia, owners of Tim’s Greenhouses, 6501 Airport Road, sit among their pansies.

Although the days are getting cooler and most summer flowers are long gone, gardeners are now entering pansy and viola season in Central Texas.

Make compost work for your garden with the natural plan

Instead of placing leaves and grass clippings in plastic bags for curbside garbage collection, let nature work its decompositional wonders and allow soil to gain necessary nutrients for future growth.

Households can do several things to relieve landfill congestion and help hold down waste management expense. And while we are at it, we can improve our soil and save ourselves money.

Fall planting allows trees to root and settle

Master Gardener Mark Barnett holds a Chinese Pistache tree, which is a good tree to plant this time of year.

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs.

Children's Garden Fair aims to inspire future gardeners

(From left) Ryan, Jeremy and Aiden Funai and Donovan and Riley Poole show off the flowers they planted.

The McLennan County Master Gardeners are hoping this weekend's Children's Garden Fair at the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway will draw out the littlest green thumbs in the area and inspire some future gardeners as well.

Easy-care roses beautify West Waco garden

Jan Serface, president of the McLennan County Master Gardeners, has at least 20 varieties of roses at her West Waco home.

One of Jan Serface's favorite rooms in her house isn't technically a room at all. It's her rambling, hidden garden largely dedicated to roses.

Take recycling into garden with compost

By recycling organic landscape materials as compost, you also improve your soil and plants by adding nutrients, insulating against temperature extremes, and retaining moisture.

Composting is a way to expand recycling to organic materials right in our own yards.

Growing citrus in Waco

Joe Frank Holder, of Waco, holds a lemon as big as his hand from one of the 14 citrus trees he and his wife, Jackie, grow in pots. The trees, about 6 years old, were bought when barely more than twigs. They are now as high as 6 feet. Lemons are still ripening on the Holders’ trees. The ...

Waco community gardens thrive on long-term support

More than a dozen community gardens have sprouted in Waco in recent years, spearheaded by churches, schools or other organizations. But it is sometimes difficult to retain volunteers who will continue to maintain and develop the gardens long-term.

Herb garden provides color, texture, fragrance

The pleasures from growing herbs include subtle color, texture, fragrance and taste, along with the delight of attracting birds, butterflies and insects.

While we are still waiting for cooler weather, it's a good time to think about tucking herbs among existing plants or placing them in a new garden area.

Raised bed gardens offer several advantages

The raised beds created by the McLennan County Master Gardeners at the Carleen Bright Arboretum compensate for the sloping terrain.

There is much to be gained from putting plants in beds raised above ground level.

Successful shade trees take planning

Roots growing around the tree should be removed at time of planting to prevent damage to the tree as it grows.

There’s nothing like a long, hot summer to get people thinking about planting a tree for shade in the future.

Herb gardens flourish in fall

Mexican mint marigold adds color to a garden.

Some people may not realize that fall is a great time to start an herb garden or expand an existing one.

A garden of wildflowers in spring starts in fall

Central Texas gardeners can create a wildflower display in spring by planning now.

Plant seeds this fall if you want to see the results next spring.

Mulch is the gardener's friend

Mulching your garden provides many benefits, particularly reducing the need for watering in hot Central Texas summers.

Mulch can reduce the need for watering, insulate the soil and cut down on weeds.

Spring, summer plants can add color to Central Texas fall

Mums are a traditional source for color in the fall gardens of Central Texas.

 
Fall color suggests chrysanthemums, pumpkins, autumn leaves and bundles of corn or grain, but it can be so much more than that.

Too much water riskier for lawns than too little

Each watering should get moisture 4-6 inches into the soil. Shallow watering makes the grass more susceptible to drought stress.

According to a Texas A&M University professor, overwatering can do more harm than underwatering. To conserve this precious resource and your pocketbook, you should establish how much water the lawn really needs.

Fall vegetable gardens provide bounty for months

Master Gardener Carol Wood harvests the summer’s crops in her garden as she gets ready to grow fall vegetables in cooler temperatures and with fewer insects.

One of the best seasons for gardening is right around the corner. Cooler weather, dwindling insect population and fall rains make for great gardens.

Agave blooms in Waco yard after 12 years

A Waco family's agave plant, also known as the century plant, bloomed for the first time this Easter after 12 years of growth.

Residents of Dustin Drive in Waco were surprised to see a tall, asparagus-like stalk sprout from their neighbor’s front-yard bush.

Create backyard habitat with homemade owl box

The justification for spending your Saturday building a backyard owl house may be obvious. But if you need a less cuddly reason, Fred Gehlbach can supply it.

Planting success: The woman behind Bonnie's Greenhouse

Bonnie said her guineas work at the greenhouse. She bought them at the suggestion of a fellow grower to control grasshoppers that were eating her plants. People who frequent Bonnie’s Greenhouse look f

Bonnie Murphy's greenhouse has been around for nearly three decades, giving serious gardeners a great community resource.

Growing food a lifetime habit for Waco gardener

Leon Brown walks through his okra plants at his garden at the corner of Waco Drive and Garrison Street.

The tall corn stalks seem an unlikely sight in the heart of East Waco. But for Leon Brown, it's a natural part of life.

Compost pile turns into pumpkin patch

Julia Khoury looks over her compost heap, which is now overrun with pumpkin vines and pumpkins.

Julia Khoury has been tossing plants into her compost pile for years. She had no idea that one day she'd grow a plant out of it.

Easy-growing plants: good news, bad news

Bamboo grows along a road near Cameron Park.

Some plants that do well in Central Texas with little water and care can become trouble in the backyard garden when fertilized and nurtured.

Loss of pollinating bees a mystery to experts

Some beekeepers are struggling to rebuild colonies after the disappearance of the pollinating insects caused by Colony Collapse Disorder.

Mother Nature’s pollinator, the bee, is creating a buzz without even being present.

Lush garden overlooking Brazos tells stories

Judy Schmeltekopf achieved a lush, natural-looking landscape with Texas native plants.

Plants, like children, are a constant source of beauty, amusement and joy for one gardener and retired teacher.

16 Waco-area backyard ponds open in tour

The Peterson pond features goldfish and koi, along with lilies and other aquatic plants.

The Heart of Texas Water Garden and Pond Society will sponsor a tour of 16 backyard ponds this weekend.

Earth-Kind: Easy roses for busy people

Earth-Kind roses offer an easier option for gardeners disheartened with conventional roses. They are heat tolerant, disease resistant and maintain bloom production from April until it freezes.

Waco gardeners' surplus fills Caritas food bank

James Leeper at Caritas in Waco pushes a cart full of produce to be prepared for clients.

One option for gardeners who end up with a bumper crop of fruits and vegetables is to donate some of the produce to a food bank.

Hungry insects in the garden aren't always a bad thing

Ladybugs are a gardener’s friend. They eat whiteflies, which feed on plants and can transmit diseases.

Bugs have long been considered as creepy-crawlies and bothersome at backyard barbecues. But don’t squish them until you have identified them.

Robinson man takes top honors at Waco iris show

Entries line the tables at the Iris Society’s annual show in Waco on April 17.

Michael Lowe (left), of Robinson, won top honors in the horticultural division of the Waco Iris Society’s annual show in Waco. Lowe’s entry, “Drama ...

Blooming Bountiful: Hewitt gardener enjoys 'God's nature'

Texas Superstar roses are among Sandy Back’s favorite plants.

Master Gardener Sandy Back has learned from her mistakes to enhance her yard even more.

Containers offer manageable gardening

Sandy Killough, owner of Bonnie’s Greenhouse, creates a “thrillers, spiller and fillers” container.

For those without the time or energy to care for large flower beds, container gardening can be the answer.

Crape myrtles a drought- tolerant favorite in South

Crape myrtles prefer full sun, thrive in the heat and are drought-tolerant once established, making them perfect plants for Waco and most of Texas.

It is easy to see why the crape myrtle is one of the favorite landscape plants in the South.

Snakes in your backyard: It's OK to leave them alone

The Eastern hognose snake (above) is often mistaken by Waco-area gardeners to be the venomous cottonmouth, which is known to possess a skunklike odor.

That smelly snake in your backyard? It's likely not what you think, and it can do lots of good in your yard.

Weekend gardeners can master propagation of plants

Ila Jean Carothers is considered among McLennan County’s foremost experts on propagation, practicing her art from several acres in Crawford.

Decades before "green" became a movement and "sustainability" a campaign, Ila Jean Carothers was busy tending her garden, propagating ornamentals and veggies alike with a passion few Waco hobbyists could match.

Irises a beautiful sign of spring in Central Texas

Irises are among the easiest of perennials to grow, and they give an abundance of beauty with a minimum of care.

The iris is one of the plants most associated with spring flowering in this part of Texas, and they give an abundance of beauty with a minimum of care.

Spring mowing brings injury risks

Joan Densman mows her lawn in Waco.

With spring comes the start of lawn mowing - and, if you're not careful, the start of lawn mowing injuries. Here are some safety tips.

Latest headlines

Some like it hot: Easy-to-grow, heat-resistant plants for Central Texas gardeners

McLennan County master gardeners 10th annual plant sale

Stargazer: Last chance to see transit of Venus

Fred Gehlbach: Amphibians in danger around the world

Watch out for snakes in plentiful wildflower patches

'Yellow peril' threatens Texas wildflowers

Rid your lawn of common weeds without breaking your back

Fred Gehlbach column: Our warmer spring changes nature

Herbs gain popularity in Texas gardens

Master Gardeners will hold orientation meeting in April

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Central Texas Lawns & Gardens 2010

March 2010

Lawns & Gardens

Make your garden grow!

Check out our tips to keep your garden beautiful, prosperous and colorful.

 

 

 

Tips from Master Gardeners


 

Ask a Master Gardener Help Line

 

Spring gardening brings many questions, such as when should I fertilize my lawn, or which are the best vegetables for Waco? Get answers to these and other questions by calling the Ask a Master Gardener Help Line at 254-757-5180, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

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