David Wall/Contributing Writer You’ll recall (I hope!) that all oaks are either red oaks or white oaks. With only a very few exceptions, all red oaks have pointed lobed leaves, while white oaks have rounded lobes. With that introduction, the tree for discussion this week is one that few in ourContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer If you’re looking for a “different” large (as in huge!) tomato with great flavor, then perhaps the Mortgage Lifter is a plant you should consider. It’s an indeterminate, open-pollinated, heirloom tomato producing fruit weighing up to 2.5 pound that will produce until frost! The plant has a pinkish-red beefsteak-shapedContinue Reading
David Wall/ Contributing Writer WSs are a group of insects that are masters of camouflage. Resembling a small twig, they’re almost impossible to see in a forest unless you’re very observant, specifically looking for them, or they happen to be moving. If, however, you’re able to observe one you’re in forContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer An easy, safe, and effective ways to prevent garden pest outbreaks and prevent them from starting, is to use food grade diatomaceous earth (DE). It’s harmless to humans and safe for animals. The pest list that DE is effective on is long, while the time to controlContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer Zeolite comes from ancient volcanic eruptions. Later, materials (zeolite) leached out that can grab soil contaminants and odors, especially ammonia from synthetic fertilizers, which it grabs and slowly releases. If a Zeolite packet has been used for a while, put it out in direct sunlight for aContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer Those who started cucumber plants from seed or bought transplants from various stores have been getting great results. The problem with cucumbers, and similarly tomatoes, is that they have a definite production limit. Most regular cucumbers species such as marketmore, straight8 and numerous others will usually produceContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer Pepper production should be coming into full production now. How about your hot peppers? Are they not as hot as they should be, or are they much hotter than usual. It’s really a simple matter to adjust the heat level. If hot peppers are too hot forContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer I’ve seen a few fireflies his summer, which brought back childhood memories of seeing them by the thousands on summer nights, and we could catch them in our cupped hands to watch them flash. Though they have the name fireflies, they’re actually beetles, which is why mostContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer Mexican white oak (Quercus polymorpha) or its alias as Monterrey oak is incredible tree that remains to date relatively unknown. A primary reason is that until 1992 when a small stand was discovered in SW TX, it was not known to exist in the U.S. Normal rangeContinue Reading
David Wall Peanut plants are somewhat unique in that they flower like a traditional vegetable plant but instead of producing their “fruit” above ground, they send what are called pegs down into the dirt to produce their nuts below ground. The 4-5-month requirement is hard to squeeze in for manyContinue Reading
David Wall/Contributing Writer Once you’ve picked out what tomatoes you want in your garden, you’re ready to begin concentrating on support actions such as fertilizers, weeds, etc. You might even be looking at some companion plants to help grow more, healthier, and better tasting tomatoes. Marigolds, for example, have aContinue Reading
By David Wall Sweet potatoes come from South America, and while regular potatoes are tubers or underground stems, sweet potatoes are actually roots. For any recipe that calls for apples, white potatoes or squash, you can substitute sweet potatoes. They have a 5,000-year history. White potatoes also come from SouthContinue Reading
By David Wall Quite often we read or hear about critters causing havoc in the vegetable garden. Depending on the vegetable type any number of products are discussed based on their potential to reduce the problem. Well, as it turns out there is one product that tends to repel aContinue Reading
By David Wall Several years ago, I wrote an article on dandelions suggesting they probably weren’t anywhere near as bad as many would have us believe. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) have been valued since ancient times for their healing properties. Although this plant has a high overall value, it still canContinue Reading
By David Wall Almost every year about this time, people start asking whether they should try buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides). It’s a warm season grass that does well with little to no maintenance and has relatively little water requirements once established. Until then, it takes as much water as most other lawnContinue Reading
By David Wall This year many are reconsidering raised bed vegetable gardens. Reasoning is simple. They’re compact, easy to work, easy to water, maintain moisture better, fewer problems with weeds, and usually produce more than a regular garden the same size. They come in all lengths, although widths are usuallyContinue Reading
By David Wall Our spring/summers for several years have given us heavy spring rains followed by flash droughts starting in June or July, and many yards are now in drought stratus even though it’s winter. Current patterns indicate a similar drought can be expected in this summer. While we tryContinue Reading
By David Wall Most people looking for trees want something that will quickly grow very fast, get very big & wide, and provide a lot of shade. Yet there are those of us who might like something smaller but yet could provide shade on a smaller scale. Well, there isContinue Reading
By David Wall Garden stones allow butterflies to get warm so they can fly. A few copper pennies prevent algae from forming in your bird bath. Good old corn meal. Dump a small box into a bowl of water and let it soak. Then drain and spray the liquid onContinue Reading
By David Wall You all know of the arch at St Louis, Missouri. Have you ever considered such an arch or arbor, albeit, just a teensy bit smaller, for the entrance to your flower or vegetable garden? Well, a simple or fancy plant you can use is the climbing rose,Continue Reading