I got a search hit from Google from someone looking for "bluebonnets in cal".
California has its own native variety of Lupinus, known here in Texas by the common name "bluebonnet". People call them "Lupines" out there. The California variety grows wild in many parts of the state. It has a mild, sweet scent, and if you find yourself in the immediate vicinity of a large field full of them, the experience will be very pleasant for your nose.
People living in California who want to grow them can easily find seeds at local nurseries. The more adventurous can try to collect the seeds from wild ones themselves (watch for rattlesnakes and wear plenty of deer tick repellent if you do).
The outdoor adventures of a California native putting down roots along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Garden Tools and Poetry
This poem makes me think William Carlos Williams must have tried to build raised flower beds at some point. :)
The Red Wheelbarrow
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.
-- William Carlos Williams
Crassula Gollum: A Plant for Hobbit Lovers
"Herself" posts about her own specimen of Hobbits Pipe Jade Plant.
This one is probably worth planting just for the name.
This one is probably worth planting just for the name.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Water, Water everywhere--almost
It's the winter rainy season on the west coast.
I often track the weather in places along the Pacific where I know people. Today, it would seem, rain is predicted for all of the locations I watch, with the exception of Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. Quite the opposite of what most would expect given the sunny reputation of California, and the damp, rainy reputation of the Pacific Northwest.
Speaking of rain, my lawn is super-soggy right now. I stepped outside yesterday, only for a couple of minutes to check on a few plants, and when I returned to the house, I had mud spatters up to my knees, and caked mud around the cuffs of my pants. It's amazing what that Gumbo can do.
I often track the weather in places along the Pacific where I know people. Today, it would seem, rain is predicted for all of the locations I watch, with the exception of Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. Quite the opposite of what most would expect given the sunny reputation of California, and the damp, rainy reputation of the Pacific Northwest.
Speaking of rain, my lawn is super-soggy right now. I stepped outside yesterday, only for a couple of minutes to check on a few plants, and when I returned to the house, I had mud spatters up to my knees, and caked mud around the cuffs of my pants. It's amazing what that Gumbo can do.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Fruity Madness
Yesterday was my first time at an Urban Harvest fruit tree sale. The stories are true. They have lots of trees, and LOTS of people. It was crowded, and the many people there were quite determined to get their trees, even to the point of pushing and shoving. I overheard at least two people saying that the plants they had picked up had been taken right out from under their noses.
I suppose when you get that many people in one place who are willing to stand outside in 40-something degree weather for over an hour just waiting for a tree sale to start, things are going to be pretty interesting.
It wasn't all rudeness though. Many of the customers took the madness in stride. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful, and I suspect that one of the ones that helped me out was Bob Randall himself, but I didn't want to ask him. The entire scene was surreal enough without me behaving like a garden groupie.
In any case, I am now the proud owner of a Saigo (Saijo?) persimmon, a Cloud Pomegranate, two muscadine vines, and a banana fig. Thanks to my husband, who assembled the wheelbarrow ahead of time, I was able to get that persimmon in the ground today. Now to get the others planted before the end of February! Woohoo!
I suppose when you get that many people in one place who are willing to stand outside in 40-something degree weather for over an hour just waiting for a tree sale to start, things are going to be pretty interesting.
It wasn't all rudeness though. Many of the customers took the madness in stride. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful, and I suspect that one of the ones that helped me out was Bob Randall himself, but I didn't want to ask him. The entire scene was surreal enough without me behaving like a garden groupie.
In any case, I am now the proud owner of a Saigo (Saijo?) persimmon, a Cloud Pomegranate, two muscadine vines, and a banana fig. Thanks to my husband, who assembled the wheelbarrow ahead of time, I was able to get that persimmon in the ground today. Now to get the others planted before the end of February! Woohoo!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
When you have a little lawn in your winter weeds...
Someone at the home improvement store recommended a liquid post-emergent broad-leaf herbicide for Southern lawns over a granular one for this time of year.
Randy Lemmon, host of GardenLine, strenuously recommends against those very tempting weed-and-feed treatments, as in the long run they can damage other plants, including trees. Click here to see his lawn care schedule. The herbicide tips are toward the bottom. Or, if you prefer, he has an alternate Organic lawn care schedule. In both the organic and synthetic schedules, he recommends that a pre-emergent herbicide be applied in November, to prevent the rather astonishing weed growth that takes place in December and January if nothing is done. Ooops. I guess we'll do better next year. :)
Randy Lemmon, host of GardenLine, strenuously recommends against those very tempting weed-and-feed treatments, as in the long run they can damage other plants, including trees. Click here to see his lawn care schedule. The herbicide tips are toward the bottom. Or, if you prefer, he has an alternate Organic lawn care schedule. In both the organic and synthetic schedules, he recommends that a pre-emergent herbicide be applied in November, to prevent the rather astonishing weed growth that takes place in December and January if nothing is done. Ooops. I guess we'll do better next year. :)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Search: Tomato Varieties for Houston
Someone dropped by while Googling (I can't believe that's actually a verb now) for "Tomato varieties Houston Texas"
Your county Extension service or local Master Gardener should have some good information on tomato varieties. Also check with your nurseryman.
In her Lazy Gardener's Guide, Brenda Beust Smith recommends the following:
In Year Round Fruits and Vegetables, Bob Randall recommends these (In order from large to small, with some repeats from Smith's list):
For better information on growing tomatoes here in the Houston Metro Area, I strongly recommend getting copies of the books by Smith and Randall. These are most easily obtained by going to Urban Harvest.
Your county Extension service or local Master Gardener should have some good information on tomato varieties. Also check with your nurseryman.
In her Lazy Gardener's Guide, Brenda Beust Smith recommends the following:
- Champion
- Celebrity
- Dona
- Early Goliath
- German Johnson
- Hawaiian
- Sweet Chelsea
- Texas Wild
In Year Round Fruits and Vegetables, Bob Randall recommends these (In order from large to small, with some repeats from Smith's list):
- Super Marmande (early)
- Dona (early)
- Carmello
- Big Beef
- Arkansas Traveler (late)
- Sweet Chelsea
- Sweet 100
- Texas wild (Produces in summer)
- Viva Italia (cooking)
- Sunmaster (Produces in summer)
- Patio
- Pixie
- Tiny tim
- Saladette
- Stakeless
- Atom
For better information on growing tomatoes here in the Houston Metro Area, I strongly recommend getting copies of the books by Smith and Randall. These are most easily obtained by going to Urban Harvest.
Basil in the Greenhouse
Apparently, basil can survive the winter (or at least, what winter we have had so far this year) if kept in a greenhouse or indoors.
The only trouble with the greenhouse strategy, it would appear, is that pests become more of a problem. Something has been nibbling at mine quite enthusiastically. When I had it outside in the summer and fall, it has almost no pest problems at all. There is still plenty left for us to eat, however.
The only trouble with the greenhouse strategy, it would appear, is that pests become more of a problem. Something has been nibbling at mine quite enthusiastically. When I had it outside in the summer and fall, it has almost no pest problems at all. There is still plenty left for us to eat, however.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Companion herbs for tomatoes
While you are getting your seeds spouted and considering where to put your tomatoes once they are ready to be transplanted, here is some interesting information:
According to the Houston Garden Book, tomatoes like to be planted with onions, parsley, carrots, chives, asparagus, marigolds, and nasturtiums. avoid planting them next to cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, potatoes, fennel, and corn.
According to the Houston Garden Book, tomatoes like to be planted with onions, parsley, carrots, chives, asparagus, marigolds, and nasturtiums. avoid planting them next to cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, potatoes, fennel, and corn.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
January is for tomato seeds!
This is the month to start your tomato seeds indoors or in a greenhouse to get the earliest possible jump on the tomato season!
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