by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 29, 2010 | gardening101
When deciding what plants to purchase for your property, it is important to understand what the USDA plant zone is, and is not. Usually referred to as “what zone do you live in?” this number is very helpful. It can also be deceptive. The USDA Zone...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 28, 2010 | travel
In September of 2002, I went to Guyla, Hungary, on the Hungarian/Romanian border. I flew into Budapest and drove to Guyla. It was only about a 100 miles, but took three hours because they have no interstates, just farm to market roads. Hungary is at a latitude...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 27, 2010 | trees
This is a huge old Bois D’arc tree at the Dallas Arboretum. These trees are also referred to as Osage orange trees. They were used by Indians to make bows out of. Early settlers used them as living fences. There are trees all over the East Texas landscape...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 26, 2010 | trees
Magnolia Trees are intricately linked to visions of the South. The movie Steel Magnolias is an excellent example of this linkage. Magnolia trees are usually trimmed into the familiar Christmas tree shape, but they grow straight and true when left alone. They can...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 25, 2010 | trees
December and January are traditionally the months when bare rooted trees are planted. Recent research indicates bare root trees actually do best when planted in January and February. A bare root tree is a tree that is sold with no dirt or other materials around the...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 24, 2010 | gardening101
What is an heirloom plant? That seemingly innocent question can start more fights among garden enthusiasts than anything but the “hybrid vs. open pollination” controversy. This article will discuss some definitions, the pros and cons of heirloom plants,...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 23, 2010 | gardening101
The terms “hybrid” and “open pollinated” plants are used as if every gardener knows what they mean. Further, people seem to engage in passionate debate about which type of plant is better and the shortcomings of the other type. I will not...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 21, 2010 | gardening101
You may be asking yourself why do I need a soil test? I always put the same fertilizer down at this time of year, so why waste the money? Well, by not spending $15 for a soil test, you may be wasting a lot of money on the wrong fertilizer. Worse, you may be...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 20, 2010 | gardening101
It is 103 degrees outside my window in Texas. We have another two months of close to 100 degree temperatures to go. It doesn’t get very bearable outside until October. It seems an odd time, then, to talk about planning a landscape. What plants work? Now,...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 19, 2010 | cucumbers
Growing cucumbers is not hard. Like most plants, cucumbers have preferences for what type of soil they grow in, how they are watered, and how much room they have. However, they can grow in most areas even if those preferences are not met when given some...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 18, 2010 | melons
Watermelons and cantaloupe are planted in either the spring or fall in Texas. Watermelons are originally from Africa, while cantaloupes are originally from Persia (modern day Iran). Actually, what most of us refer to as cantaloupes are really muskmelons. A...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 17, 2010 | tomatoes
Tomatoes can be grown almost anywhere. They grow in garden plots, in pots, and in those upside down hanging baskets. Because they are so common, more questions come up about them than almost any vegetable. No Fruit. The most common question is about tomatoes that...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 16, 2010 | pumpkins
Pumpkins are a fall staple for many people. However, they have a long growing season and need to be planted in the middle of the summer so that they will be ready for your Halloween and Thanksgiving pleasure. For Texans, that means mid June to mid July, even though...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 15, 2010 | peppers
Growing peppers is easy if you pick the peppers that are adapted to your area and follow a few simple steps. First, you have to decide if you want hot peppers or sweet peppers. Many people grow some of each. Care must be taken to separate the plants enough to avoid...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 14, 2010 | contest
The neighbor’s dog has used your yard as a bathroom yet again. Everywhere that dog goes, your grass and other plants suffer. What is the problem and how can you fix it without damaging the dog or the neighbor? Dog-on-it problems are very vexing. What happens is...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 13, 2010 | gardening101
Starting a new garden can be daunting. It needn’t be, though. Take a few simple steps, do them correctly, and you are ready to plant your seeds. What steps, you ask? These steps: Chose a site Plan your garden Prepare the Soil Add Organic Matter Irrigation and...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 12, 2010 | flowers
Did you know that some flowers can be eaten? People plant some varieties of vegetables in ornamental beds for extra color. Why not plant some flowers in your vegetable garden for extra color on your plate? First, the obligatory cautions. Some flowers are...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 11, 2010 | compost
Worms are wonderful! As people have rediscovered the usefulness of composting, growing their own vegetables and herbs, growing chickens, and other things that our ancestors did without thinking about it, they have also rediscovered vermiculture, or growing worms. ...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 8, 2010 | squash
Are your squash growing 2-3 inches, then getting a rotten spot on the tip and rotting out? Or do they just shrivel up and fall off? The Problem: If so, you probably have a pollination problem. It is not uncommon to have problems with pollination in squash,...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 7, 2010 | Farm safety, gardening101
Pesticides always seem to be in the news, and they are never portrayed favorably. While it is certainly true that reducing the amount of pesticides used benefits the environment, some use is necessary if we wish to have food, safe homes, and healthy families. It is...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 5, 2010 | tomatoes
Blossom end rot can ruin your tomatoes. Nothing is more frustrating than to have a big, beautiful tomato that is just about ripe develop a rotting spot on the bottom, where the blossom was. This is what blossom end rot does. It can take out half the tomato...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jul 3, 2010 | entomology
I am looking out my study window and see a weed with grasshoppers stacked on it loafing. When I walk outside, it is like the parting of the Red Sea as they get out of my way. This is a bad year for them. We had a lot of moisture early, then it was very dry. ...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jun 29, 2010 | birdwatching
Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) range from Canada to South America. They sing a varied song that often mimics the noises in their surroundings. These may even include songs on the radio or musical instruments. The song is a way of both attracting a mate and marking...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jun 27, 2010 | Farm safety
Last week the son of a neighbor was riding his ATV down the road in front of the house at a very high rate of speed. He had two friends on the back and one friend on the right fender and they all seemed to be enjoying the speed. I, on the other hand, almost had a...
by Stephanie Suesan Smith | Jun 27, 2010 | gardening101
Weed Executioner. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Gardeners have fought weeds as long as gardeners have planted gardens. All weeds are not created equal, however, and all weed killing products are not created equal. The first choice you must make is whether to use a...
