tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42656642615129683222011-10-19T05:29:33.610-05:00Online News Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105743785002811339noreply@blogger.comBlogger2461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-55865256917249237392011-08-25T10:55:00.003-05:002011-08-25T11:03:58.734-05:00

One of the vegetables I've had the most success in growing is lettuce. This is an Asian baby leaf mesclun salad mix from Renee's Garden I planted in my herb garden this past Spring. As they got a little bigger, I thinned them, using some in salads but mostly eating straight from the bed! They provided me with salad greens for months, with an amazing variety of flavors. My favorites are arugula

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-63356395149711540362011-08-23T14:45:00.007-05:002011-08-23T15:00:21.218-05:00

After preparing the stock pond beds this spring, I planted my first seeds and starter plants. In one bed, I planted cucumbers and beans. The second was all strawberries. The third big one held Bradley County (Arkansas) tomatoes, eggplant, radishes, beets, and assorted peppers (red bell, orange bell, banana, and others). I marked each plant and checked every day to see how they were doing. It

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-4711885007321312142011-08-22T16:28:00.003-05:002011-08-22T16:42:52.995-05:00

Hello to all of you who have stuck with me through this looong dry spell. I am grateful you didn't dump me from the blogs you follow. THANKS! The reason I haven't been posting is I spent the last 18 months working on a book about Hurricane Rita. While everyone knows about Hurricane Katrina, few outside those who suffered through Rita know about her. I am proud of this project because it honors

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-72385214080317956832011-08-22T15:26:00.005-05:002011-08-22T15:39:50.877-05:00

For the next few posts, I will share my first spring garden project earlier this year. It was quite an undertaking. We decided the best way would be raised beds that would allow easier access for my aging bones. We began with galvanized metal stock ponds, which are easy to find here in ranch country. We put in several inches of wood mulch from the local dump. We topped that with a mixture of

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-1426752467316853702011-04-21T14:31:00.005-05:002011-04-21T14:48:13.902-05:00

Hey, everyone,I know, I know. Where the heck have I been?One word: Busy.About 9 months ago, I started working on my second book. This one is about the Heroes of Hurricane Rita (I haven't decided on the title yet). It is due to be published late this summer. The book has required tremendous research and extensive interviews (at least 50!) and I've done little else. I think it's a worthwhile book

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-79441450905116841202010-08-26T09:17:00.004-05:002010-08-26T09:36:44.833-05:00

If ever you are in Dublin, Ieland, be sure to take a long walk through St. Stephen's Green. It's a lovely 22-acre park (the second largest in Dublin) with lots of color and large green expanses. It's just across the street from the Shelbourne Dublin Hotel, a beautiful place to stay. It also borders the popular Grafton Street Shopping Centre.Here are a couple of shots I took when there this

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-31031510034984099242010-08-24T17:30:00.003-05:002010-08-24T17:46:03.667-05:00

When I was in Europe this past spring, I was impressed with the use of flowers in landscaping and as art.In the Shelbourne Dublin at St. Stephen's Green Hotel in Dublin, Ireland, the lobby was filled with a fantastic arrangement. Since the hotel is across the street from the famous St. Stephen's Green Park, which is magnificent, it seemed fitting. Here's what greeted us as we walked into the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-33770291208809445272010-08-18T14:31:00.006-05:002010-08-18T15:11:14.060-05:00

Yes, I know I am a bit behind talking about the birth flower for August. You would think a month planted right in the middle of the hottest time of the year, when the days last so long you think they never will end, would crawl by. Not so this month, at least for me.As a child, I loved glads. My grandmother always had a row of the tall, cheerful blooms along the side of the chicken house. I

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-70779511160941602682010-07-08T09:13:00.004-05:002010-07-08T09:29:02.438-05:00

Cool Fact of the DayWhen the grounds-keeping team that manages the grass field used for the World Cup in South Africa needed a fast-growing grass to rescue their soccer field, they chose a turfgrass bred and developed in East Texas. The Panterra turfgrass was developed by Texas AgriLife researcher Dr. Lloyd Nelson, who said Panterra is great for sports fields to keep them green during the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-12589995899884554422010-07-06T22:29:00.003-05:002010-07-06T22:38:42.790-05:00

All the recent rain left a new theme garden on our lawn - mushrooms. These big white 'shrooms are so pale in the afternoon sun they seem to glow. They are about 4-5 inches and stand on tall, strong stems.In a corner of the rose bed, small yellow mushrooms have popped through from the wet mulch. Although I love mushrooms, I know enough not to eat something I can't identify as edible - and safe.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-27234221848854302392010-06-29T10:34:00.004-05:002010-06-29T10:52:37.412-05:00

As part of our volunteer work, Jefferson County Master Gardeners record brief radio spots on gardening. Here's one we did on Fertilizer 101 - a basic tutorial for those new to gardening:Every plant requires nutrients to grow and thrive. Three of the primary nutrients – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – come from air and water. Gardeners will need to provide the other three – nitrogen, phosphorus and

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-13603522001508883732010-06-25T14:00:00.004-05:002010-06-25T14:11:56.153-05:00

It's raining! For the past two weeks, while my friends in Nederland, Port Arthur and Beaumont have been getting relief from the long period we've had without rain, it's been dancing all around us.Yesterday, we got a decent rain. Now, it's raining good and hard and the dusty field next to us that our neighbors just cleared to make way for planting hay looks like a lake. Of course, it's just a thin

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-33590429517376807402010-06-17T20:02:00.001-05:002010-06-17T20:05:39.927-05:00

It seems my recollections of shelling peas and my family’s recipe for cooking up a mess of purple hull peas was a hit (see comments below). I decided to write my column on it this week, with a slightly different approach. Look for it Sunday in The Enterprise.Now I have a question for all of you. What is your all-time favorite home-cooked meal using fresh veggies/fruit from the home garden?Here’s

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-33426023418495189102010-06-16T14:05:00.005-05:002010-06-16T14:20:28.136-05:00

If you enjoy seeing art that uses flowers as inspiration, check out the exhibit "Blooms: Floral Art in the Stark Collections" at the Stark Museum of Art, 712 Green Avenue in Orange. The exhibit was supposed to close earlier this month, but has been extended through much of the summer. No specific closing date has been given. If you visited the exhibit already, you have a chance to see new works,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-6565203676590754682010-06-15T11:14:00.000-05:002010-06-15T11:14:15.186-05:00

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-6829655829934705852010-06-15T10:45:00.005-05:002010-06-15T11:16:42.171-05:00

I was excited to spot four or five ladybugs on my dill this morning. I'm not sure if that's good - because the ladybugs are feeding - or bad - because the ladybugs have something to feed on. Either way, I'm happy to see them. I have plenty of pests in my wild-leaning, limited pesticide gardens, so I'm surprised that I don't see the sweet bugs with red and black bodies more often.Ladybugs eat

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-24113857081417747212010-06-14T09:15:00.004-05:002010-06-14T10:27:36.651-05:00

This past week, I sat down at the kitchen table to do something I haven't done in years. I shelled peas. I grew up with a grandmother who plowed with a mule and had corn, several kinds of pole beans and peas, turnips, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, greens, cucumbers, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries and more.I hated shelling peas and beans and snapping and destringing green beans, but I

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-77571695040191778242010-06-11T10:49:00.002-05:002010-06-11T10:52:49.182-05:00

We've always been blessed with an abundance of lizards at our house. I've posted before about how their favorite place used to be on the broad, tall leaves of the hardy amaryllises that once lined a bed beneath a bedroom wall. We eventually moved those plants to another bed, and the lizards followed.When I took the Jefferson County Master Gardener short course last July, I intensified my efforts

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-23443493201103200042010-06-08T09:42:00.004-05:002010-06-08T09:54:41.746-05:00

I'm not one of those people who scream and grab a broom when they see a spider. While I certainly don't want them crawling on me, when it comes to harmless spiders, I have a mostly live and let live policy. There are exception, of course. I kill poisonous spiders and any that are so big they intimidate me. I try to keep the house relatively spider-free, because they freak my grandson out. But a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-44233080878617321942010-06-03T10:32:00.002-05:002010-06-04T10:53:21.117-05:00

It's Friday - Yeah! Treat yourself by taking in the 12th Annual Lotus and Bamboo Festival at Buu Mon Buddhist Temple,2701 Procter St in Port Arthur. The festival is 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you've never been, you'll discover a peaceful place with beautiful bamboo and lotus gardens.The Texas Bamboo Society will be on hand to share information and sell plants, Artist Carole

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-86603700118299285292010-06-02T11:15:00.003-05:002010-06-02T11:31:59.272-05:00

Ah, June - the month for weddings. How fitting that the birth flower for June is the rose. Roses are considered by many to be the most perfect flower, with their delicate petals, sweet scent and long stems. What woman doesn't enjoy receiving a bouquet of roses?The color of the rose has its own symbolism: white stands for purity, red connotes passion, yellow indicates platonic friendship and pink

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-35939106837022449132010-06-01T09:01:00.006-05:002010-06-01T14:52:14.014-05:00

Gardening is a constant endeavor to find plants that are attractive, dependable and low-to-maintenance free. If ever a plant fit this description, it's the standard daylily (Hemerocallis) When we bought our now 100-plus-year-old house 28 years ago, it had a long line of established daylilies along the fence. They are the classic yellow-gold-dark brown varieties. They've been growing so long I

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-87790741216992978792010-05-27T08:57:00.008-05:002010-05-28T12:37:32.217-05:00

When it comes to vines, I've had my share of learning experiences. Flowering vines are a beautiful addition to a garden, but care should be given to choosing the right one for your needs. When we moved into our 100-plus-year-old home, the yard was rich with established plants. The first spring, we found the back fence line covered with wisteria. By year five, we were constantly fighting to keep

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-52329036287171799442010-05-26T16:07:00.003-05:002010-05-26T16:14:51.637-05:00

Oops. When I said Olive Barn was closing, I was wrong. What I should have said is that Olive Barn's Outlet & Warehouse in Houston is closing. Olive Barn still is very much alive and well online at www.olivebarn.com They have some unique and interesting items and are worth checking out.Thanks, Jacqueline, for calling that to my attention.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-50607097990175559222010-05-26T07:28:00.005-05:002010-05-26T16:18:48.285-05:00

For gardeners, the older you get, the more important it is to find the right tools. Gardening is physical labor. Digging, weeding, hoeing, planting - all can take a toll on the back, shoulders, arms, legs, hand and feet. While the exercise is good for the body, sore, painful joints and unnecessary callouses are not.A couple of years ago, I found a set of hand tools at the Olive Barn in Houston

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-10091945770277410712010-05-25T09:53:00.004-05:002010-05-25T10:17:12.257-05:00

It seems I picked one of the driest months around to be out of town. While I was gone from mid-April to mid-May, my sweet husband tried to water all the plants, but not being the one who usually has water duty and unaware of how many plants we have and how potted plants need more water than those in the ground, well ... let's say I came home to some seriously damaged plants. When I saw the brown,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-45057798613087619422010-05-23T20:51:00.005-05:002010-05-23T21:02:24.364-05:00

One of the many plants I saw during my three weeks in Europe that I'm not familiar with include this colorful succulent. The yellow, orange and green combination is striking. It was always growing in full sun and though I didn't break a leaf off to check, it looks like other succulents I've seen.The plants in Tuscany all seemed somehow brighter, more vivid and color-drenched than most. Perhaps it

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-22257182023621046432010-05-21T20:55:00.004-05:002010-05-21T21:25:09.891-05:00

There's something about yellow roses. As a young woman, I fell in love with a beautiful climbing yellow rose that spilled along a neighbor's chain link fence. The color was vivid, yet restful. Even on cloudy days, it seemed to pull all the light onto its petals. When I moved, I missed that rose. As an adult, when my friends got a dozen red roses on Valentine's Day, I always secretly wished for a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-86916997194415132912010-05-16T17:48:00.008-05:002010-05-16T18:57:12.900-05:00

For the past four days, before hitting the gardening duties/pleasures, I've been getting up early and sitting on the deck to enjoy a few minutes of the few crisp, cool hours of the day May brings in Southeast Texas. I sip tea from this lovely cup (complete with a strainer and brewing lid) that Stephanie gave me for Mothers Day. It looks like you, she said when she gave it to me, along with a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-69928359059827140602010-05-13T14:28:00.004-05:002010-05-13T14:50:45.463-05:00

I've been getting that question a lot lately. If you're a regular reader, you've no doubt noticed a looong absence of posts. There's a good reason - I've been on the trip of a lifetime.My sister Gloria and I spent three weeks in Europe. Our travels took us to London, Paris, Rome, Tuscany, Edinburgh, Dublin and across south and west Ireland. It was fabulous. You'd think at least one thing would

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-46719177773023971912010-04-12T18:31:00.002-05:002010-04-12T18:34:37.483-05:00

For the next couple of weeks, postings will be slim, but don't give up on me. I'm not giving up the blog; I just will be busy with other things. I'll try to pop in once in a while so you don't forget me :-)Happy gardening!

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-49159867992678644112010-04-09T11:58:00.003-05:002010-04-09T12:05:44.370-05:00

In her Arkansas garden, my grandmother never was without several rows of strawberries. In the summer, Sunday dinner usually was topped off with strawberries and cream (her poor-man's version was cold Pet milk and sugar whipped together). I still can taste those plump, ripe berries, best when still warm from the sun.My little pot of strawberries is coming along nicely. I took this shot yesterday

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-83900818602510397222010-04-08T13:58:00.003-05:002010-04-08T14:09:16.173-05:00

OK - it's official. Spring truly is here - the pecan trees are budding. Pecans are the prudent sisters of the tree family. They don't want to take any chances in being trapped by a frost. If they are leafing out, they are pretty confident that no more cold (not cool - cold) snaps are coming. The pecan orchard across the highway from us is coming to life and our two old pecans are following suit,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-40074526916851020022010-03-30T11:20:00.004-05:002010-03-30T11:33:37.157-05:00

Dill is easy to grow. Even new gardeners know that. Look it up and you'll learn that all it needs is full sun and well drained soil and watering when dry.So why do I have so much trouble with it?I'm on my third attempt to grow dill. The first time around, it grew, but did not thrive. The second time, it turned brown and died. This time, as you can see by the photo, it's turning brown around the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-57729695845077207662010-03-29T07:34:00.003-05:002010-03-29T07:40:24.217-05:00

Although this isn't a good photo, you can at least see that the tulips I planted now are starting to bloom. I scattered them around the annual bed, so it's hard to get a photo showing more than one. Next time, I will plant them in mass for more impact. Yes, there will be a next time. I've decided the payoff is worth the investment.When I first saw the tulips fully open, I thought, boy, that was

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-43963887993148553432010-03-26T08:22:00.004-05:002010-03-26T08:49:52.879-05:00

These are the pink carnations I picked up last week. They are companions to the pot of African daisies and the pair bring a nice spot of color to the gray of the weathered deck and the blue/gray siding of our house. I've never grown carnations before and thought I'd try them in a pot and see if they appeal to me the way other dianthus do. They are not florists carnations. These small carnations

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-83048074968330842632010-03-25T11:07:00.005-05:002010-03-25T11:25:42.021-05:00

I found these pretty African Daisies at Home Depot this week and thought the shades of violet/pink would make a nice contrast to a yellow pot that needed a new plant. As a companion, I bought pink carnations (coreopsis) for the second pot. They add color to the gray deck near the side door.If you Google African daisies you'll find lots of references to the annual Dimorphotheca. These African

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-29598416975640222082010-03-22T11:59:00.006-05:002010-03-22T12:15:04.272-05:00

These are the tulips Stephanie brought back from Amsterdam. She also brought back a box of pink ones for herself. She waited a week or so before planting hers, so we are anxiously awaiting their appearance. They should be lovely.If you plant tulips in Southeast Texas, understand that they are annuals here, even though they are bulbs. Instead of digging them up, storing and replanting next year,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-84266105640933347202010-03-22T11:40:00.003-05:002010-03-22T11:58:39.806-05:00

I've always loved tulips but never planted any. Why? I'm not sure. I guess it's because they are a one-shot thing. You plant them, they come up, then die and never are heard from again. Also, they are kind of expensive when compared to annuals.When my daughter, Stephanie, came back from a business trip to Amsterdam, she brought me a box of tulip bulbs. It wasn't easy, since she had to get tulips

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-7653324677635077892010-03-18T10:59:00.003-05:002010-03-18T11:07:42.820-05:00

If you ever doubt the inexplicable ways of plants, consider this. After I blogged about a gloxinia having one beautiful bloom season and being too difficult to get to bloom again, I went to water my gloxinia and found an ENTIRE new set of leaves coming from beneath all the droopy, damaged and dying leaves and brown buds Sure, it said. Diss me and I'll show you!Time will tell if that new growth

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-690133778864276962010-03-17T13:33:00.004-05:002010-03-17T13:52:57.783-05:00

Happy St. Pat's Day! Did you know that the shamrock - an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and the registered trademark of the Government of Ireland - is the old, three-leaved white clover? Yes, indeed - and that means I have little patches of my ancestral home in my back yard! Legend says the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because it has three leaves - and three is

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-40372519637823344462010-03-16T12:21:00.004-05:002010-03-16T12:31:32.319-05:00

Joel and I bought this Loropetalum (chinese var. rubrum 'Burgundy') a number of years back from a clearance sale at the garden shop Rhette Browning used to have on Calder in Old Town. It was on clearance because it was root bound and leggy.We planted it in one of the first beds we built in an "L" alcove of the house. I didn't prune it much because I liked the tree shape, rather than the squat

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-26835366210011104532010-03-15T20:04:00.003-05:002010-03-15T20:16:36.807-05:00

The really old chinaberry tree on the south side of our house has taken some serious hits in the last 25 years. It went from a sturdy trunk with a wide, airy canopy to a storm-damaged stick of a tree. As it aged, it began rotting on the inside, yet the outer ring of wood continued to send up new limbs each year that provided dappled shade for the bed beneath. When it became too unsteady, I

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-26182550716903287532010-03-15T09:14:00.003-05:002010-03-15T09:36:31.462-05:00

My camera is back! They shipped it to my husband's office since we have a P.O. Box so I won't have it until late this afternoon, but the moment is back in my hands, I'll be outside taking lots of photos of the latest changes in the garden. The past week has been a whirlwind of activity around here. We pulled out an old chain link fence that was an eyesore (and full of mature poison ivy vines),

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-27679397445937191492010-03-09T09:07:00.003-06:002010-03-09T09:24:37.359-06:00

I believe that part of being a gardener is knowing which plants to give up on - and when. For me, an obvious example is the gloxinia. It's such a beautiful plant, but trying to keep one alive and getting it to bloom again once it's lost its florist glow is futile - for me, at least. I recently spoke to a group about my book, "Grace, Gratitude & Generosity" and as a thank you, they gave me a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-29792219354453283682010-03-08T06:49:00.005-06:002010-03-08T07:14:39.921-06:00

March is a wonderful month for gardeners, and special to me for several reasons. In March, the first bulbs already have made an appearance in Southeast Texas. The paperwhite narcissus have bloomed and gone, but the March Birth Flower is bringing vivid color to yards and pastures. The cheery yellow trumpet and petals of the daffodil announce that spring truly is here. Daffodils symbolize hope,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-21261085837129835532010-03-07T21:55:00.002-06:002010-03-07T22:05:42.220-06:00

If you've noticed a slowdown in posts with photos, there's a reason. My camera has been acting up for a while. I did some online searching and found it was a known flaw in a component that should be able to be replaced. So I shipped it off and have been camera-less since. It's been miserable. Here we are when buds are forming, cold-hardy annuals are re-blooming and everywhere I look I see

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-62370358138290449882010-03-05T14:48:00.002-06:002010-03-05T14:52:08.426-06:00

This is the flyer for the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center beekeeping semiar on March 9. For more details, visit www.shangrilagardens.org

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-5467141312857247542010-03-03T07:55:00.003-06:002010-03-03T08:12:22.803-06:00

If you've got gardening questions, Master Gardeners have the answers. Master Gardener interns take an intensive course on everything from integrated pest management to lawn care and landscape design. After a year of volunteering in the community, they earn their Master Gardener Certification. Since the main focus of the MG program is education for the community through volunteers who assist

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-43949860175718083332010-02-25T09:37:00.003-06:002010-02-25T09:56:12.646-06:00

Southeast Texas vegetable gardeners have a passion - bordering on obsession for some - for home-grown tomatoes. They eagerly watch for news of new varieties that show promise that they can add to their tried-and-true favorites. Here's such news.One of the top varieties of tomatoes tested in field trials in spring, 2007 and spring 2008 by A&M for Texas gardeners is the Phoenix. It's a hot-set

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-30635815940653975172010-02-24T12:33:00.003-06:002010-02-24T13:04:49.824-06:00

Every time I see a field of bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush and other wildflowers, I think of Lady Bird Johnson. Her passion for wildflowers and for her home state created a legacy that will be enjoyed for generations to come. How fitting that a new variety of bluebonnet has been named after her - and was chosen as the "Rodeo Flower" for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Lady Bird Royal

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-16976156946730409982010-02-23T17:07:00.005-06:002010-02-23T17:33:20.529-06:00

The Texas AgriLife folks are presenting a gardening seminar this Saturday that you won't want to miss if you love tomatoes, wildflowers or both. Dr. Jerry Parsons, whom I've heard is a great speaker, will present the program. Parsons is a vegetable specialist from Texas A&M, and you can be sure the seminar will be applicable to Southeast Texas gardeners. Among his topics will be two new

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-4628697500863477022010-02-19T15:57:00.003-06:002010-02-19T16:00:47.700-06:00

Spring is soooo close.Here's the first iris to bloom so far. Lots more to come, I hope...

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-80445168880559168352010-02-18T13:19:00.004-06:002010-02-18T13:27:20.842-06:00

Here's a shot I took a couple of days ago when the Master Gardeners went down to KVLU at Lamar University to record some public service spots in conjunction with the Texas AgriLife folks. That's Master Gardener Intern Kathy Attaway on the left and Master Gardener (and past president) Micah Shanks on the right. Intern Cecil Hightower didn't make it into the shot. Sorry, Cecil - I'll catch you

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-58188414400123804442010-02-17T11:43:00.003-06:002010-02-17T12:02:22.400-06:00

John Cooper sent an email asking if I would pass along information on his new blog, Southeast Texas Ponders, which is geared toward water gardens. Here's the message:Hello, I live in Beaumont, Tx and have started a forum for Water gardening and Koi/Goldfish Ponds. I'm trying to create a place for people of setx to share pics of their ponds, water gardens, container gardens and to ask for help,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-37568938925071882192010-02-16T10:23:00.004-06:002010-02-16T10:37:22.235-06:00

To become a full-fledged Master Gardener, we intern newbies are required to volunteer a certain number of hours to the community. As part of my volunteer hours, I, along with others, write and record "Out in the Yard with the Master Gardeners," brief radio spots broadcast on KVLU Public Radio. When I do those spots, I share them with you on the blog. Here's one on plumerias.If you are charmed by

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-10964499525154345052010-02-15T09:44:00.004-06:002010-02-15T09:57:50.780-06:00

Want to support a good cause and enjoy some tasty pancakes?Feb 23 is National Pancake Day and IHOP restaurants are serving free short stacks of pancakes (7-10 a.m.) to help raise awareness (and money) for Shriners Hospitals for Children. IHOP has set as their goal donations of $1.75 million. They've already raised $3.25 million over the past 5 years through the National Pancake Day fundraiser.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-23339014495903823452010-02-10T08:22:00.003-06:002010-02-10T08:29:39.898-06:00

Shangri La Botanical Gardens in Orange continues to have innovative and relevant events for Southeast Texans. This Saturday, they will offer a double chance to help the environment; get rid of leaves that would go to a landfill and get a free tree. Here's the announcement, taken from their website:On Feb.13, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will swap trees for leaves. Participants

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-58866265511300189012010-02-09T07:27:00.002-06:002010-02-09T07:35:53.465-06:00

The sticky weed that clings to clothes, skin, fur, or anything else that brushes against it is cleaver (also known as stickyweed or gooseweed). Cleavers (Galium aparine) are wildlfowers that are reported to have some medicinal uses as a tea or poultice.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-76742829553784900212010-02-08T13:05:00.002-06:002010-02-08T13:11:47.174-06:00

This weed can take over quickly if not contained persistently before it makes seeds. It starts with a base of broad leaves, then sends up tough stems with little yellow flower clusters at the base of the leaves. Those flowers turn into sticky balls that cling like Velcro to everything, spreading voraciously. The stems aren't strong enough to support the leaves and seeds, so they cling to other

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-92181127202014015502010-02-05T14:34:00.005-06:002010-02-05T15:19:37.112-06:00

Rose fanciers traditionally prune roses on Valentine's Day, so if you need help knowing how to properly prune your roses, now is the time to learn. Fortunately, each year the Golden Triangle Rose Society performs the honors for the beautiful rose gardens at the historic McFaddin-Ward House in Beaumont - and they invite the public out for a free demonstration. This year, the event is Saturday, Feb

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-83661333526884423102010-02-02T16:33:00.002-06:002010-02-02T16:41:47.980-06:00

Master Gardener Paul Eyre will present a seminar "Vegetable Gardening 101" this Thursday (Feb. 4) at 10:00 AM at Heritage Hall on the grounds of the John Jay French Museum (2985 French Road, Beaumont TX 77706). The seminar is free. For more information, visit (http://www.beaumontheritage.org). Paul is a dynamic, entertaining speaker with a passion for growing vegetables.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-41296807100814387442010-02-01T14:32:00.004-06:002010-02-01T14:58:59.407-06:00

When it comes to selecting plants that are hardy, easy to maintain and consistent performers, I am a big fan of plants that have received the Earth Kind designation from Texas A&M. The Earth Kind Landscaping program recently revamped its website and it's a pleasure to visit. On the home page (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind), they post this information, which helps explain the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-90707560603435573702010-01-28T10:29:00.003-06:002010-01-28T16:11:08.211-06:00

If you’re reading this blog, you almost certainly have an interest in gardening, nature or the outdoors. There was a time when that was included just about everyone. Just two generations before mine, millions of Americans living outside urban areas depended on a vegetable garden to provide food. My grandmother plowed her garden with a hand plow pulled by a mule, just as her father had. She was

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-68672829879355169722010-01-25T13:43:00.002-06:002010-01-25T13:46:36.764-06:00

First it's freezing. Then it's hot. Then it gets cold again. Next thing you know, I've got a cold. Sore throat, fatigue, swollen glands in the neck. Could there be a connection?I'm just saying...

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-67684712813396089462010-01-21T16:14:00.006-06:002010-01-22T06:48:36.464-06:00

If email is any indication, there are a lot of cara cara orange lovers out there.The sweet, juicy oranges are not easy to find in stores, but I received an email from Central Market in Houston today with the happy news that they have them in stock - and at a good price. The sale runs out this weekend. Check it out.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-73441918709109394042010-01-21T08:57:00.005-06:002010-01-21T09:51:15.408-06:00

The cold, rainy days of winter are the perfect time for gardeners to grab a cup of hot cocoa and spend pleasant hours searching through seed catalogs as they plan their spring garden. The biggest challenge is trying to narrow down the many choices to the best bets for your taste, skill and zone.I ran into a friend at Rao's last week who told me I should check out an Italian Seed company catalog.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-86462200023664337142010-01-20T20:29:00.004-06:002010-01-20T21:09:51.217-06:00

Winter might drive us indoors, but our feathered friends still have to fend for themselves out in the elements. A bird's food supply is lower in winter - and they need more fuel than usual. Both are good reasons to venture outdoors and fill the feeders.Place food at several levels. Mourning doves, sparrows, towhees and juncos are ground feeders; cardinals, finches, and jays like table feeding

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-9050778497456457552010-01-20T10:38:00.005-06:002010-01-20T10:56:49.135-06:00

The City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Texas Department of Transportation and some generous private landowners have joined together in a wildflower project for Southeast Texas, according to an article in the Beaumont Business Journal. The city and county prepared the area and the city planted a mix of 12 wildflower seeds. The plantings are along Interstate

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-71617178623078710512010-01-19T07:56:00.005-06:002010-01-19T08:19:20.061-06:00

One of the features of blogging is the ability to see what search phrases readers are using to find answers to questions. Lately, a lot of readers have been asking what to do about pruning back frost-damaged ginger plants. There are many types of ginger, like standard, variegated and dwarf gingers. Dwarf ginger does not bloom, but produces beautiful, full clumps of green leaves that provide

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-77910850344126941652010-01-17T13:12:00.005-06:002010-01-17T14:10:41.310-06:00

This gardening blog celebrates the joy of the earth and its bounty - but Mother Nature can be as cruel as she is generous. For the people of Haiti, there is little to feel joyous about after the earth shook beneath their feet and their homes, workplaces, grocery stores, hospitals and public places collapsed. The numbers are almost impossible to comprehend - possibly more than 100,000 people dead,

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-51134829381658738562010-01-14T11:57:00.004-06:002010-01-14T12:18:53.953-06:00

The frigid temperatures are gone now, but they left behind a lot of damaged plants. While it might be tempting to get the pruners out and cut off all that sad-looking, brown plant material, you'd do better to wait until late winter or very early spring.Don't prune until the last danger of frost has passed and you can get a better idea what is damaged and what is healthy. You can check by making a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-26755187385068760802010-01-12T08:58:00.005-06:002010-01-12T09:19:11.427-06:00

An email making the rounds right now offers hope to those plagued by fire ant mounds. Opening a bottle of club soda and pouring it down the mound will kill the entire colony, it says. How? The carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen and depletes the mound of air, asphyxiating the ants.Oh, that it were true. According to the Aggies over at Prairie View A&M, the chance of killing the ants by

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-69851643955959500372010-01-10T07:56:00.007-06:002010-01-10T08:37:09.756-06:00

My grandmother was a firm believer in planting by the moon - and her favorites source of weather-related gardening information was the Old Farmer's Almanac. There are two farmers almanac, by the way. The first is the Old Farmer's Almanac, which is the original, dating back to 1792, and 26 years older than The Farmers' Almanac.Both the almanacs predicted a colder-than-normal winter. In fact, they

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-42178991127907675442010-01-09T14:09:00.003-06:002010-01-09T14:19:00.713-06:00

The Thyme for Herbs Society will host its January meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at the garden center of Beaumont Botanical Gardens in Tyrrell Park.Ann Wheeler of Arbor Gate nursery in Tomball will present a program on landscaping with herbs.The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janis Prestridge, 866-2503.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-68469010187239200972010-01-08T13:00:00.003-06:002010-01-10T08:38:52.241-06:00

If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a beekeeper, you can get all the basic information at an Introduction To Beekeeping seminar on Saturday, January 23 from 9:30 am until noon at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 1225 Pearl Street, Suite 200, (corner of Franklin and Pearl) in downtown Beaumont.For a $10 fee, you will hear talks on: Why keep bees, skills and equipment needed to get

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-90595148911590878622010-01-07T23:31:00.002-06:002010-01-07T23:39:30.217-06:00

Right now, it's 28 degrees outside. Tonight is supposed to be worst - as in lowest - temperature of the four days of cold that threaten plants and pipes.We did what we could for our plants, taking some inside the game room and covering others. We also did what we could for the pipes, but when you live in an old wood-frame farmhouse on piers, you face the almost certainty of frozen pipes.So

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-88327412862931234632010-01-06T07:55:00.004-06:002010-01-06T08:18:00.353-06:00

If you haven't yet covered your plants, this morning is the time to do it. The coldest weather yet is headed our way - and the danger to plants come from the length of time we're expecting the hard freeze to last. Just 3 hours at 28 degrees can damage plants - and we're expecting weather in the teens to low 20s for 3 days.The most important thing to remember about covering plants is to use a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-68249874607149964062010-01-05T08:55:00.002-06:002010-01-05T09:00:00.057-06:00

The spicy, clove-like fragrance of the carnation is distinctive, as is ithe multi-petal blossom. The carnation is the birth flower for those born in January.Botanical name:Dainthus caryophyllusType:Herbaceous perennialLight:Full sunFlowers:Pink/purple, red, white and othersBlooms:Spring through summerHeight:16-18”Soil Requirements:Rich, well-drainedChristian legend says the first carnations

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-75960089554615765182010-01-01T17:26:00.003-06:002010-01-01T17:30:20.296-06:00

A Gardener's BlessingMay God grant theeEnough sun to warm the earth,Enough rain to make things grow,A good strong back,A wide brimmed hat,And a good sharp goose-neck hoe,Strength for a day of toilAnd some quiet evening hours,With a sip of teaAnd a gentle breeze,And may all your weeds be wildflowers.Ralph Emerson PurkhiserHappy New Year from Dig-It!

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-62651690729538762792009-12-29T15:44:00.005-06:002009-12-29T16:16:04.111-06:00

Gardeners usually are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. If you have a neighbor with a garden, you've probably been the recipient of some of his or her produce during harvest. Sharing with others is one of the most basic tenants of society - and sharing food is "eat local" at its best.A new group in Southeast Texas is helping facilitate the sharing through the SETX Green Exchange. A

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-75529997856389266792009-12-28T14:27:00.003-06:002009-12-28T15:18:45.703-06:00

Christmas is over. The decorations have been carefully packed away, the wrapping paper and bows are stored for next year and everything is back in its place. Only one thing still says "Christmas." The poinsettia that was so pretty for a couple of weeks now sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyone who loves plants faces the same dilemma every year. Do I try to keep the poinsettia alive or let it die

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-15466782290771128382009-12-21T09:58:00.006-06:002009-12-21T10:07:24.817-06:00

The arugula I planted a few weeks ago isn't yet big enough to harvest, so I am spending time looking for recipes to use when it does. I can't wait.If you've never had arugula, the slightly peppery green, you're missing out. I can eat it by itself, it's so good.This salad (from about.com) uses lemon juice to balance the sharp flavor of the greens. The sweet, nutty cheese adds depth.Arugula Salad

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-47601709999180580492009-12-19T15:24:00.006-06:002009-12-19T15:34:28.898-06:00

OK, so we're not New England - by a long shot - but if you look around, you can find beautiful fall color in Southeast Texas. Usually, it's a small island of red and yellow from a stand of ornamental pears, or a row of mature Chinese tallow trees. Standing beneath such a canopy of trees, you can be reminded of the glory of nature's changing seasons. Enjoy these photos taken on Dowlen Road near

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-48554251401097394402009-12-18T08:13:00.004-06:002009-12-18T08:32:40.933-06:00

Kay wrote in to say she was driving in Beaumont when she saw this tree. I've never seen anything like it before, she said. Do you know what it is?I didn't at first. I've never seen one, either. So I drove to the neighborhood she told me about until I spotted the tree. The family who lives there told me it is a papaya. They planted the tree more than a year ago, so it weathered our winter just

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-66723709740822565172009-12-17T09:01:00.006-06:002009-12-17T09:14:06.865-06:00

Last week, I shared photos of how beautiful something as potentially damaging as frost can be in a garden. This week, I'm sharing the ugly. These photos are of a hibiscus, dwarf ginger and hummingbird bush. The good news is each of these will return as lush and green as ever this spring. The ginger will need a good shearing, the hibiscus will get gentle but firm pruning - and we will cut the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-20605805455890146842009-12-15T08:30:00.003-06:002009-12-15T08:43:33.998-06:00

Hey...It's been much too long since I've posted. But...sometimes, life gets in the way of the best intentions. The main reason I've been absent is the release of my book, "Grace, Gratitude & Generosity," a collection of columns taken from the 800 or so I've written during the past 17 years for the Beaumont Enterprise. That's a good thing, a very good thing, but it has meant book signings, which

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-28605277481302062002009-12-07T07:03:00.002-06:002009-12-07T07:17:08.987-06:00

To make the most of a purchase of a poinsettia for the holidays , begin by choosing a healthy plant. Look for a plant with strong stems and no signs of wilting. The freshest plants will have a tight cluster of yellow flowers in the center of the bract. Protect the plant from temperatures below 50 degrees while transporting home. If necessary, place it in a large shopping bag.At home, place the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-80210818655687140812009-12-05T10:55:00.010-06:002009-12-05T11:08:20.204-06:00

The light freeze we had last night left the yard a garden a study in frosty beauty. Here are some photos of snapdragons, pansies, hibiscus, lettuce and citrus with an icy coating. After the quick thaw already underway, I'll see how well everything fared.

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-31870979259831512722009-12-03T17:11:00.003-06:002009-12-03T17:24:54.474-06:00

Contrary to what you've probably always heard, the beautiful plant seen around Christmas is not poisonous. While the milky sap can be irritating, it poses no threat to children or pets.10 other things you might not know about poinsettias:1. In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that sometimes attain 10 feet in height.2. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.3. Poinsettias make up

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-36809273965773814622009-12-01T10:23:00.004-06:002009-12-01T10:42:36.536-06:00

It's no wonder the narcissus was chosen as the birth flower for those born in December. The beautiful, almost iridescent blooms are reminiscent of a winter snowfall, and begin poking through the soil here as November wanes. Right now, the narcissus in my yard are bursting into bloom, putting on a display of delicate white flowers atop a pedestal of thick green leaves that provide a beautiful

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-90638816153567843712009-11-30T15:45:00.003-06:002009-11-30T15:54:20.067-06:00

Another lesson learned: just because a bag of cow manure says "composted" doesn't mean it really is - composted properly, that is. I knew fresh cow - and horse - manure had weed seeds in it, but when properly composted, the heat means most of the seeds won't be viable.When I cleaned out my small flower bed a couple of months ago, I used some bags of soil I had stacked beneath the carport. One of

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-88924922427777908072009-11-27T10:14:00.004-06:002009-11-27T10:37:55.821-06:00

I'm so proud of my niece, Jennifer, who lives near Tulsa, Okla. Jennifer is artistic and creative in every aspect of her life, and recently decided to take on a huge project to beautify a big open field and ditch along the highway in front of her Dad's Sonic, which her husband Eric manages. Jennifer took on a bulb naturalization project from scratch - and I'm positing an email from her (with her

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-74043144506097325022009-11-23T09:51:00.007-06:002009-11-23T10:36:47.234-06:00

Every year, I spend weeks thinking about Thanksgiving food. We do a pot luck in our family, with everyone bringing a dish. This year, so far we've lined up ham, turkey, cornbread dressing, fresh green beans, candied yams, corn casserole, broccoli rice, cranberries with pecans, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and an as-yet-undecided dessert.I might also make kugel from a recipe provided to me by one of

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-56605959541665757222009-11-22T09:44:00.005-06:002009-11-22T09:52:54.166-06:00

The Golden Triangle Citrus Show Thursday was a success by all measures. More entries than ever before, big attendance and new people - all good things.The variety of fruit was impressive. I tasted kumquats, round oranges, satsumas, and a tasty little mandarin that seemed to be everyone's favorite. It was great way to see and taste varieties to see which one you might want to start growing. The

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-35862367824995341692009-11-19T09:15:00.005-06:002009-11-19T09:33:20.339-06:00

I read a great story yesterday about a group of Boy Scouts in Amarillo who partnered with Texas AgriLife Research scientists for a project that helped feed the hungry. Dr. Charlie Rush, an AgriLife plant pathologist, planted three acres of potatoes as part of a study. The potatoes, which had no pesticides on them, grew well. When the project was over, the potatoes "were just laying there," Rush

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-60462279011190347112009-11-18T15:53:00.004-06:002009-11-18T19:13:07.067-06:00

Don't forget the Golden Triangle Citrus Show is tomorrow evening at the AgriLife Extension Auditorium downtown next to the courthouse. If you've ever wanted to taste different varieties of citrus that grow well here (like these kumquats), here's your chance. In addition to watching the judging and awarding of prizes for the best three examples of each variety, attendees get to taste the

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-49675000100287310262009-11-17T06:36:00.002-06:002009-11-17T07:32:38.506-06:00

Petunias can provide a big punch of color in any garden. An old favorite, petunias can maximize impact in a border, container or hanging garden - while provide constant fragrance to boot. Petunias come in four forms: grandiflora, multiflora, spreading and milliflora. The grandifloras produce trumpet-shaped flowers up to 3-4 inches across. Multiflora blooms are smaller but more profuse, providing

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-2044618692266580492009-11-16T14:55:00.004-06:002009-11-16T15:03:42.991-06:00

I glanced out the kitchen window this afternoon to find three mourning doves making themselves at home in a patch of sand beneath three hackberry trees and a yaupon. The sand was used to fill in a low spot where we once had dug a big hole to build a water garden. The rains came, the hole became a mud pit and we eventually decided we didn't want to tackle a water garden when so much else needed

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265664261512968322.post-47152261712223855672009-11-16T06:42:00.007-06:002009-11-16T07:04:10.243-06:00

Thursday night, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Jefferson County Master Gardeners group about blogging. Before the talk, I asked the group three questions: How many of you have ever read a blog, even once? How many of you read a blog regularly? and How many of you have ever blogged, either on your own blog or as a guest blogger? The answers surprised me a bit. Very few people had read a

Jane McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343717561319445286noreply@blogger.com1