Plant Parenthood

Saginaw, Texas
Removal of grass from flowerbed, planted the plants that my client bought, added fresh mulch, then took some rocks from a road grading mess and created a border. Home in a new-build community where the main road is being widened. Graders have been smoothing out the lanes and pushing rocks to the side of her cul-de-sac. Seemed like a prime opportunity.
I didn't think to take pics before i started, but there's evidence of the mess in the time lapse video to come.

Those of you who ran out to the nurseries and bought up tons of plants.... you might want to consider protecting them or bringing them inside tonight.

Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds or lady beetles, are beneficial insects in the garden. Here are some interesting gardening facts about them:

1. **Natural Pest Control**: Ladybugs are voracious predators of aphids, scale insects, mites, and other garden pests, making them valuable allies in controlling pest populations without the need for chemical pesticides.

2. **Lifecycle**: Ladybugs undergo complete metamorphosis, starting as eggs laid on plants near colonies of aphids or other prey. They hatch into larvae, which resemble tiny alligators and also feed on pests. After several molts, they pupate and emerge as adult ladybugs.

3. **Color Variations**: While the classic red with black spots is the most well-known coloration, ladybugs can come in various colors and spot patterns, including yellow, orange, and even black with red spots.

4. **Longevity**: Adult ladybugs can live for several months, and during their lifespan, they can consume thousands of aphids and other pests, contributing significantly to garden health.

5. **Overwintering**: Ladybugs often gather in large numbers to overwinter in protected areas such as leaf litter, tree bark crevices, or inside buildings. Providing suitable overwintering sites can encourage these beneficial insects to stay in your garden.

6. **Attracting Ladybugs**: Planting a diverse array of flowers, herbs, and other plants can attract ladybugs by providing them with nectar and pollen as supplemental food sources when pest populations are low.

7. **Conservation**: While ladybugs are beneficial, their populations can be negatively impacted by habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Creating a garden environment that supports biodiversity and avoids chemical pesticides can help conserve these helpful insects.

8. **Cultural Significance**: Ladybugs are often seen as symbols of good luck and are cherished in many cultures around the world. In some traditions, it's believed that having a ladybug land on you is a sign of good fortune.

By understanding and promoting the presence of ladybugs in your garden, you can help maintain a healthy balance of pests and beneficial insects while minimizing the need for harmful chemicals.

*From fb group~Addicted to Gardening

Cleaned and prepped a gorgeous raised bed garden last week.
Grapevine, Texas

Now is the time to secure your spot for spring work. Flowerbed cleanup, mulching, planting... my schedule always fills quickly once the boom hits. Once the sun comes out, everyone gets an itch they need scratched, and I'll get booked up weeks out.
At this very moment I'm looking for work, too. The rain has made things pretty slow for me. I do pre-emergent applications for lawns, lawn/w**d mowing, gutter cleaning, landscape planning/planting, shrub trimming, lawn fertilization, tree trimming, etc.

Give me a call or text!

Reasons why you might hire a landscaper this time of year:

●we're bored
●get your freeze-damaged plants cleaned up
●get your gutters cleaned in preparation for all
the spring rain we'll hopefully get
●we're bored
●securing your spot on their schedule is a
must before the spring boom hits
●soon it will be time for pre-emergent w**d
prevention applications
●we're bored
●maybe you ignored all those leaves during
the fall, and it's time to clean them up
●you might want to start planning your spring
and summer landscape
●we're bored
●maybe the freeze has damaged some tree
branches, and you need those trimmed

Yeah, I'm bored. This rainy week has been a huge bummer for me! If you or anyone you know needs any of the above taken care of, please get in touch! This is just a small list of things to do at the moment, as well as things to start preparing for.

Today I was at a client's home collecting a couple bags of leaves for a friend's chicken coop. Yeah, I do a little bit of everything!
I glanced over into the backyard and noticed a galvanized vent cover on the ground. I hopped the fence (and ripped my pants, boo) to get a look at the roof. Sure enough, one of the hvac vent stacks was missing its hood. We've got lots of rain coming in tomorrow night, and our recent 60mph winds most likely shook this cover loose, so it was imperative to get it fixed asap.
My clients were concerned about the cost of having an hvac guy come repair it, as well as being able to get them over in a timely manner. I hopped on the roof to inspect, and it appeared as if repairs had been made previously to another stack cover up there. I offered to grab some JB Weld and fix it up for now.
Got them patched up for the time being, barring any more heavy winds or hail. Fingers crossed it holds through the rain. Luckily we have at least 24 hours for it to set before the rain arrives.
☆☆(I am not licensed to make repairs like these, and this was done on a friendly basis, with reimbursement for costs).☆☆

Also noticed a potential irrigation problem while out there, a very soaked and wet area of the yard where nothing else was wet in the vicinity. This prompted us to shut off the water supply to the irrigation, which ideally SHOULD have been done before the freeze. Their system is older, and does not have a freeze guard. Emergency visit by a licensed irrigation specialist would have cost them $200 or higher JUST TO COME SHUT THE WATER OFF! I'm just glad there were no spiders in the valve box! I'm thinking it might be time for me to look into irrigation repair training! 😉

Preparation is key! 🥶❄️

Before Saturday night, you'll need to check these things off your list to ensure your cherished landscape survives:

●Make sure the soil is well-watered around your plants
●Cover those plants that have been stressed since summer, those that are a little more sensitive to severe cold, and those that you want to give a better chance with either plankets or floating row covers (do NOT squish the foliage)
●Leaves help provide extra insulation and protection, so consider piling leaves around your plants (nature usually does this for us)
●bring potted plants inside or in the garage
●if your potted plants are too large to move, wrap the pot with insulation (Walmart sells these, and I've even seen people use old winter coats to wrap the pots)

●and don't forget to cover your faucets, open your cabinet doors, and drip faucets indoors!
●you may want to consider draining your rain barrels. Freezing water expands, and will crack the barrel

If you have tree damage from the wind, give me a call or text. I can help. 817-223-5494

Finally, something interesting about Cedar Elms lol.
Did you know Texas now has a state mushroom?

A star is born: Rare mushroom sparks excitement in Austin and beyond A star-shaped fungus found only in Texas, Oklahoma and Japan is popping up in the Austin area this winter to the delight of mushroom enthusiasts.

Busted! Guy steals plants and pots to landscape his own yard.

Hidden Air Tags Nab Alleged Plant Store Thief Cops say an alleged thief repeatedly stole plants, expensive pots and a 150-pound garden fountain from a California plant nursery. Manager Michael Sullivan t...

Just cleaning off the roof and trimming branches away.
Hurst, Texas

North Richland Hills, Texas

Holy Wow, you guys!
My client and good friend told me a little over a week ago that she wanted to fill a bare spot in her yard with some perennial rye. I sent her a link to order some through Amazon. As soon as it was delivered, I went over to sow the seeds.
I lightly prepped the bare area by loosening the soil and raking it even. I then spread the seed by hand and covered lightly with soil she had on hand. I then mixed some root stimulator into a hose-end sprayer and watered it. I asked her to water twice daily to keep the area moist.
I went over to take pictures today, and this is how it looks! It has grown exceptionally fast, and it's incredibly healthy and thick!

Who said leaf cleanup can't be fun and games? Bear and I had a blast yesterday.

If you're looking for a great additive for your garden soil, consider having me clean the leaves from your yard and mulching them up to mix with your soil! It helps prevent compaction in the soil, and also add nutrients!

Crimes against horticulture

Seasonal color in Southlake
Dianthus
Dusty Miller
Kale
Lemon Cypress

I've noticed more and more that any time I ask a nursery employee about the hardiness of a plant, nobody can answer anymore. Our last 2 winters and summers have definitely changed our confidence when it comes to planting long term. That truly saddens me, and it complicates my work. At least with annual plants and tender perennials it'll be a nice surprise if something lasts longer than expected. 😉

Shallow roots and tender perennials need extra protection during winter! These last two winters in North Texas have been a little colder than previous years, and according to El Niño patterns, we're predicted to have another cold and snowy one.
This last summer was absolutely dry, hot and brutal. Think about the existing mulch you may have had, and how dried up and robbed of nutrients it may have become. This condition is leaving your surviving plants at an extra risk this winter.
It's time to give your plants some love, and provide them with fresh nutrients and an extra layer of armor!

●Seasonal color is becoming available as
well. Let's get you scheduled for planting!
Pansies, Stock, ornamental cabbages,
Swiss Chard, Cyclamen, Snapdragons,
Dianthus, Mums, etc. 🌿💐

●Have damaged, stressed, and dead plants or
trees? Let's clean those up! 🧹

●Have shrubs that didn't survive the
🔥hellish🔥summer? Let's replace them!

●Contact me today to get your beds in
fighting shape for winter! 🥊☃️

Apparently we women don't do hard work that requires tough gloves. Shame on you, Home Depot. This ENTIRE glove selection is catered to men, with only ONE option for women. I can, however, go into the garden section where I will find a small cabinet with non-functional gloves for women that are more "cute" than they are worthy of protection.

Southlake, Texas

HOA was complaining about my new client's rental property. Brutal Texas summers have destroyed much of the landscape.
I decided to take out a couple of Texas Sage that were planted way too close to the Holly and Juniper. I relocated one to the side bed, and the other to the lone bed next to the porch. That second one is only a temporary location. Removed a Sinensis that was also planted underneath the Juniper. Relocated an azalea to give it more light and room to grow. Removed w**ds and dead plants, brought in fresh black mulch. New plants and seasonal color coming in soon. Treated the yard with pre and post emergent to take care of the aster w**ds that were taking over. Pruned up the pear trees in the backyard. Will cut back that leggy Salvia when the time is right.
This will be a fun, ongoing maintenance.

I've been growing this Love Lies Bleeding from seed for Nancy Watkins. I started the seeds months ago, and we were concerned that the seeds might be bunk because they took FOREVER to grow. These should have bloomed before now, and they aren't going to last beyond this year unless i bring them in and put a light on them when it gets cold. I sure hope we get to see some big blooms before then! This poor plant almost died during the super hot, miserable, no good, rotten summer. Third photo is grabbed from Google to show what it should look like in full bloom.

I'm sorry this isn't very nice, but Xander and I stopped at Bluebonnet Hills to visit my grandparent's graves earlier. We decided to check out the mausoleum, and right there on the ground I found a dead hummingbird! Unfortunately and weirdly, it was decapitated. Its head was about 5 feet away from the body. It was so strange because there were zero bugs or ants on it.

DID YOU KNOW that according to Google the hummingbird's number one predator is the Praying Mantis?!