5 Reasons NOT to Buy Plants from Box Stores

1) Box Stores are where plants go to die, often because under trained staff have little horticulture knowledge. By “rescuing” sick, clearance plants, you can introduce unwanted pests to your landscape. Generally, buying a heathy plant at a reputable nursery is a better investment.

2) Some box stores now work strictly on consignment, meaning growers have to eat the costs if the plants don’t sell. (or if their staff kill them before folks can purchase them) 😉 This puts an unnecessary burden on the grower and is an unfair business practice. (imho)

3) Box stores buy plants regionally, meaning their inventories are NOT well tailored to thrive locally. Although there have been improvements in recent years, many of these “bread and butter” plants are often short lived in our climate. Other times they sell plants that have little chance of surviving even one season. There is zero comparison to the plant selection at local nurseries. Local plant shops sell species that are best adapted to our area.

4) Buying from local nurseries (and garden clubs) supports our local economy and ensures that they can stay in business, providing a resource for higher quality plants AND educational resources season after season. Plus they sell the RIGHT Plants, in the RIGHT Season, setting gardeners up for success.

5) It’s silly. Would you go to a local nursery to buy lumber? Would you ask someone with limited financial knowledge to do your taxes? Could you imagine going to your mechanic and asking for a physical? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this case the value added that you get from purchasing from a local nursery will pay dividends for seasons to come.

What Causes this Colorful Fall Foliage?

I’ve been getting this question quite a bit the past week. And with good reason! It’s hard for anyone not to notice the incredible colors of yellow, orange, red AND even purple hues when driving around the metroplex.  Typically, the most profound fall foliage is produced in years that have wet growing seasons, followed by less precipitation in fall. There are other factors to consider though.

Continue reading “What Causes this Colorful Fall Foliage?”

Easy Holiday Gifts for the Budding Gardener

One of the silver linings to spending more time at home is an increase in time spent taking care of our plants. In fact, gardening indoors and out is a hobby now more popular then ever.

If you’re searching for that perfect gift this holiday season or you just want to brighten someone’s day with the gift that keeps on growing, you might just dig one of @TXPlantguy’s favorite options.

Continue reading “Easy Holiday Gifts for the Budding Gardener”

Add Some Color to Your Garden this Winter

“As the leaves fall and the summer growth withers under first freeze, there is much dislike about the deep winter. It is as if the land goes monochromatic, with browns, grays and tans to match the short days, low sun angle and melancholy feel. Some turn to light-therapy to counteract the dreariness of the cold season. Or you can get planting.

There are options of color in the cold season that can help brighten your yard during winter. Perhaps the biggest player in this limited selection are pansies. They originated in a cold climate and have been bred to present an incredible range of color. Put these in the ground in tight groups in strategic places in your yard (like next to the front door). When temperatures threaten to get below 20 degrees you can cover them at night with a sheet. If they get cold damage you can trim away some of the dead leaves and flowers and let them start up again.”

To watch to whole segment, visit our friends at https://dfw.cbslocal.com/tag/gardening-101/.

Plant A Tree In Honor Of ‘Texas Arbor Day’

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – “Friday November 6th is Texas Arbor Day. Don’t confuse this with National Arbor Day that falls in April of every year. The reason for a different Arbor Day celebration in the Lone Star State? Timing.

You need to remember the next sentence if you are going to live in north Texas. Late Fall is the time to plant a tree. There are many reasons for this but it all has to do with how the tree prepares itself for the upcoming growing season.”

To watch to whole segment, visit our friends at: https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/11/04/gardening-101-plant-a-tree-in-honor-of-texas-arbor-day/

Edible: Dallas and Fort Worth

Heirlooms are named after people and places that may have long since faded away, but their history is carried on season after season.

There’s nothing like picking a fresh, vine-ripened tomato, warmed by the Texas sun, and taking a big bite of sweet and tangy flesh as you lean forward to prepare for the inevitable juice that drips down your chin.… continue reading at https://www.edibledfw.com/spring-2020/spring-into-heirloom-gardening/