My Gardener Says…
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Hi! I'm Tina Huckabee. I've gardened in Austin, Texas (zone 8b) since 1985. I garden with low maintenance, native and well-adapted non-native plants to conserve water and reduce workload. Here, you can read about my philosophy of gardening: why I believe it's important and responsible to incorporate native plants and water-wise practices in a wildlife attracting and regionally..
My Gardener Says…
4d ago
Just about a week ago the trees woke up. I noticed teeny, tiny green leaves (truly, just nubs) appearing on my Rough-leaf Dogwood, Cornus drummondii. My attention was then turned to the larger bits of green sparkling in my Possumhaw ..read more
My Gardener Says…
2w ago
I continue to observe our local Eastern Screech owl couple when I spend time looking for them at sundown, but I’m now convinced they’ve chosen another spot to raise their family. I’m bummed about that as I was privileged last ..read more
My Gardener Says…
3w ago
Sometimes, she’s thinking outside the box, too. This photo was taking in early January, before the oak lost its leaves. She wasn’t pleased with my cooing and taking her photo for all to admire. An Eastern Screech Owl couple have ..read more
My Gardener Says…
1M ago
In viewing the videos and photos capturing the night antics of various critters who visit my garden I noticed that each of the species use the same pathway as they arrive at, and then exit, the pond area. The fox(es ..read more
My Gardener Says…
1M ago
noun: skulk; plural noun: skulks I don’t know if two foxes are enough to equal a skulk, but there has been, on two occasions that my wildlife camera will testify to, a pair of foxes visiting my back garden. For ..read more
My Gardener Says…
1M ago
This winter has seen plenty of overnight light freezes in my garden, but only in the last few days were the conditions ripe for the formation of Frostweed, Verbesina virginica, ice sculptures. Two mornings ago, the day dawned cold, bright ..read more
My Gardener Says…
2M ago
On roughly an every-other-year-schedule, Cedar Waxwings show up in droves during January, remaining in Central Texas through March. On a daily basis they visit my pond by the dozens, even hundreds. Gregarious birds, it’s rare to see a waxwing alone ..read more
My Gardener Says…
2M ago
Bee Daddy and I have been honeybee keeping for 10 years, hiving our first bees in April 2014, which you can read about here. As 2024 winds down and another year of beekeeping is under our veil, a review of ..read more
My Gardener Says…
3M ago
During this time of year with shorter days, clouds impeding sunshine, and regular rain, the Forsythia Sage, Salvia madrensis, reigns supreme–and yellow–over the garden. This native plant to the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in Mexico is right at home in ..read more
My Gardener Says…
3M ago
Seemingly relaxed, I can only guess that this adult Cooper’s Hawk, Astur cooperii, was content after a morning breakfast. Its presence rendered the other birds quiet for a time. The hawk perched for some time on the fence, occasionally preening ..read more