An important part of my work as an educator is the testing and trialing of different plants to assess their performance in our challenging (and unpredictable) North Texas climate. I’m grateful to have relationships with the world’s leading plant breeders, and they generously send me new plants to trial before they hit the market. So, I thought it would be fun to let you in on this “behind the scenes” work, and tell you about what I’m growing. Get to know Bonsai Basil and The Kitchen Miniscollection One of the most exciting plants to arrive on my doorstep this year is the newest addition to the ..read more

I’m settling in to my new digs. Now comes the hard work of transforming the landscape and establish ing new gardens, slowly but surely. Emphasis on the slowly part. Spring is pretty much here, my garage is full of seedlings, and I have yet to build the beds they need to go into. (Gulp.) Despite all this, I’ve planned it all out in my head and will formalize plant placement on paper soon. The front yard will eventually be a turf-free, mixed planting in the artistic and naturalistic style of Piet Oudolf using native and adapted perennials in combination with annuals that convey that this is, in ..read more

There is nothing better than fall in North Texas. Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp evenings are a welcome relief from the triple digit temperatures of late summer. Here are fives ideas for how to take full advantage of this glorious weather. Visit the Farmers Branch Rose Garden. Yes, as the name would suggest, this garden features a large number of rose plants, but it is also home to many beautiful perennials as well. When monarchs are passing through, this is a wonderful place to see them in large numbers. (The garden is open to public and completely free to visit.) Take a “garden research ..read more

It’s National Weed Your Garden Day! To celebrate, here are my best tips for keeping your garden free of weeds…. What exactly is a weed? A “weed” is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it is not wanted. Weeds are not just wild plants, but also cultivated plants that are growing where they shouldn’t be. Why are weeds a problem? Weeds are unsightly, but they also compete with your existing plants for light, nutrients, and water. They can even harbor damaging pests and diseases. Keeping your garden weed-free is one of the best ways to keep your plants happy and ..read more

Here is a complete listing of the spring plant sales taking place across North Texas for 2023. If you have a plant sale that you would like to add to the list, please leave a comment with website link below. 2023 Spring Plant Sales in North Texas Listed by date: April 6-8 – Fort Worth Botanic Garden Spring Plant Sale Plants available: Full plant list here. Location:  Lot D Parking Lot/Grove, 3408 W. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Website: https://fwbg.org/calendar-events/signature-events/plant-sales/ April 7-8 Johnson County Master Gardener Plant Sale Plants available: Plant list here. Loc ..read more

I love growing cucumbers, and my pantry is stacked floor to ceiling with pickle jars to prove it! If you’re eager to enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, crisp cucumbers from your own garden, I’ve got you covered. Here is a comprehensive guide to growing cucumbers in North Texas. 1. Select the Right Variety When it comes to growing cucumbers in North Texas, it’s essential to choose the right variety. Look for varieties that are small to medium in size and heat tolerant. My favorite varieties to grow include ‘Homemade Pickles’, ‘Green Fingers’, and ‘Marketmore’. I also like experimenting with di ..read more

Growing potatoes at home is easy and fun. In this guide, I’ll teach you the simple techniques for planting potatoes in your North Texas garden. When to plant potatoes in North Texas Mid-February through early March is the best time for planting potatoes in North Texas. This gives potato plants enough time to get established before the intense heat arrives. Where to find “seed” potatoes Seed potatoes are typically available at local independent nurseries at planting time, but call ahead before visiting to verify that they have them in stock. North Haven Gardens stocks a large selection of pota ..read more

Many beginner gardeners assume that anything available for purchase at the grocery can be easily grown at home. Strawberries and blueberries are readily available at the grocery year-round, but they are some of the most difficult fruits to grow in North Texas. If berries are on your “must grow” list, here are 7 things you need to know about growing berries successfully in your North Texas backyard. 1. Start with blackberries. Blackberries are the easiest berry to grow in North Texas. They are adapted to a wide range of soil types, and require minimal care other than periodic pruning. Recommend ..read more

Things are winding down in the garden this month, but you will also notice some plants looking better than ever. Many flowering and fruiting plants do best when days are warm and nights are cool. Peppers are off the charts this month! Vegetables by Seed Radish Spinach Turnips Mustard Greens Vegetables by Transplant Collard Greens Kale Mustard Greens Spinach Swiss Chard Ornamental Annuals/Bedding Plants Pansies Dianthus Ornamental Kale Cut Flowers by Seed Indoors Cold hardy annual flowers are typically started by seed indoors in August and transplanted out in October, but you have the opt ..read more

Ask any longtime North Texas gardener, and they’ll tell you the same thing: October is the best month to have a garden in North Texas. Warm days and cool nights are the perfect recipe for happy plants. Vegetables produce heavily, flowers bloom like crazy, and it’s finally cool enough to work in our gardens for extended periods of time. Here is what to plant in your North Texas garden in October: Vegetables by Seed Outdoors Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Collard Greens Garlic (cloves) Lettuce Kale Radish Spinach Turnips Vegetables by Seed Indoors Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabb ..read more