Summer in Texas

Thank You Shari Breese for these wonderful reminders of how beautiful our part of the world is! Spring is such a great time for rebirth - the earth wakes up and puts on her finest outfits. Its later in the summer, after days in the 90's+, that she calms down some. I'd hate to think anyone would take this time for granted.

In recent travels we drove to Cleveland and the "wild flowers" along the road were daffodils. It was so pretty - but nothing like the colors we have here. I've since learned that Round Rock is the Daffodil capital of Texas and had a daffodil festival in March. I'll have to catch that one next year. I never though of Texas being very daffodil friendly. Those bulbs need cold weather.

Just in Time for Easter??

Sandy Lenhart shared this story with us. Good information - and cute pictures!!

When her son started to cut their front lawn a baby bunny ran out away from the mower. Her husband moved the mower and found a second bunny. Not wanting to hurt the bunnies, or deep them from their mom, Sandy was not sure how to proceed. Deanie Dart suggested they call Austin Wildlife Rescue where they learned that baby bunnies leave the nest when they are a little bigger than a tennis ball. Since these were bigger than a tennis ball they were safe to pick up and move out of harms way. So if anyone else finds baby bunnies in the way of the lawn mower, not we know how to judge their age and tell if it is safe to relocate them.

Thanks Sandy, for the information and the CUTE pictures. I especially love the "angry" bunny that is yelling at the camera.

Moth Visit

Last night the dog was barking at the window to the back yard. I thought it was a little freaky but when I checked it out I saw this giant moth on the wall. This thing is as big as my hand - wide open. It was beautiful and fuzzy looking. Not sure what kind of moth it is. I chased it around with an open grocery bag until it rested long enough for me to catch it and release it outside. I hope it survived. One wing looks a little damaged - I promise I didn't do it.

What to Plant in March

March 1-15 is a great time to plant: Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Chard ,Collards, Endive, Leaf Lettuce, Mustard, Parsley, Garden Peas, and Radishes

March 15-31 plant: Lima Beans Snap Beans, Beets, Cantaloupe, Chard, Collards Sweet Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peas (for greens), Leaf Lettuce, Black-eye Peas, Pepper Plants, Pumpkin, Radishes, New Zealand Spinach (heat tolerant), Summer Squash, Tomato Plants, and Watermelon

plant tomato and pepper plants - not seeds. Seeds can be started indoors in December and put out in March. The best way to get the most from your seeds is to plant them in warm soil, keep them semi-dry and transplant them every now and then. When the second set of leaves (originally they sprout with only 2 leaves) come on then transplant into pots 2" bigger than the started pots. After they grow an inch or so - depending on the plant - transplant into pots another 2" bigger. This trains the roots. Now they are ready for the garden, or you can transplant up to two more times.

Remember - when planting tomato plants, 80-85% of the plant goes underground. Tomatoes develop roots all along the stock. Planting deep gives them a bigger, stronger root base. This is especially good for plants that produce heavier fruit. Also, tomatoes that are staked or caged vertically produce more, and bigger fruit than those that grow along the ground.

for more info on growing in Austin, visit here

Snow and Axis Deer in the Neighborhood

This great picture comes to us from Deanie Dart. I've seen these deer around and never got a good picture. Thanks Deanie!

Any Snow Pictures out there?

Here's proof that it actually snowed enough to stick to the ground.

Any other great pictures out there?

Snow dogs? Snow men? White dusted children?

Email me your photos and I'll post them.

Gardening Anyone?

I know the snow makes it hard to picture, but Spring is right around the corner. February is the month to plant. Seeds planted indoors can stay out of the ground for a bit - until this crazy weather settles down a bit - but planting seeds in the ground now is a good idea - a few more weeks and we'll lose the cool weather some plants need to develop. This month plant Asparagus Crowns, beets from seed, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, Swiss chard, collard greens, lettuce, English peas, Irish potatoes, radish, and turnip seeds. Onions can go into the ground now and will last a long time - pull them when the tops start to fall over. (A few years ago I planted Brussles Sprouts in January and they grew for 2 years - non stop. )

In march plant beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, cantaloupe, mustard, okra, Southern peas, peppers, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons. I planted "personal melons" last year and they were so cute. Very small and sweet. Just the right size for two to share - about the size of a cantaloupe.

A few warnings: be sure not to over water. New little roots drown easy. Too much water and they can't get oxygen. Don't over mulch either - it changes the soil chemicals. Compost is good. Even better - mix a little sand into the soil for good drainage.

Container gardens are great if you don't have room for a big bed. These are especially good for herbs and for tomatoes that grow vertically. I haven't tried the planters that hand up-side down. They look interesting.

This year I'm planting these really hot peppers. They didn't produce until late in the fall - but then they gave some intense heat. Danny, who enjoys habenaros raw, ate two small bites and got sick. I'll be making jelly - it will be done in time for the Christmas party I'm sure.

We also got our trees in the ground - hope the rain didn't get to the roots. We will need lots of help when they finally produce fruit - probably in two years. Between the olives and the fruit we planted 124 trees. (I know - overkill - but I can't wait to harvest)

Anyone have garden advice? Stories? Pictures? Send them to me and I'll post them on the blog.