Where do you find bluebonnet seeds?

As I was pulling nutgrass out  the other day, I noticed a new little bluebonnet plant.  That reminded me that this is the time of the year to get my bluebonnet seed planted.  If you want to know how to grow bluebonnets, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has some good info.    Here in Harlingen, I could always find bulk seed at Grimell's - but this year they had none and suggested I order from Wildseed Farms out of Fredericksburg.  (1/4 lb is $7.45 and contains about 450 seeds).    The perfect temps for germination is 55-70 degrees and that will be our temp range soon. 

I stopped by  Stuart Place Nursery and picked up some 6-packs.    If you haven't been there since they re-opened, it's worth your visit.   The staff is both knowledgable and helpful and the plants look terrific!

If anyone knows nurseries in the Rio Grande Valley that have bluebonnet seed in stock, please "comment" and let us know.    Here's hoping our drought is over and we have lots of beautiful Texas wildflowers next spring! 

Desert Willow 'Bubba'

This is a tree I think we're going to see alot more of -  Desert Willow 'Bubba'  Watch for it!

Got Pumpkins?

Journey Pre-school at First United Methodist Church in Harlingen does!   Any size, shape or color pumpkin  you could possibly want. Wonderful photo ops too!
They're located on Harrison Street between 3rd and 4th streets.  The Pumpkin Patch is open the rest of the week and they've alread slashed the prices.

Mexican Mint Marigold

Mexican Mint Marigold, Tagetes lucida, is quite the hardy herb.  Growing in heavy clay and receiving sporatic irrigations, this yellow flowering perennial catches your eye.  Planted as a 4" pot two years ago, it survived a 6 month construction project and a few winters.  This spot has such poor soil that we have reverted to using potted plants.  I love how it fills the area.   An equally hardy Lemongrass is growing behind the Mexican Mint Marigold.  Also known as Mexican Tarragon or Winter Tarragon, Tagetes lucida can be substituted for French Tarragon.   Personally, I think it has a stronger flavor so I use it sparingly.   Use it in soups or chicken dishes.   Mexican Mint Marigold blooms in the summer and fall - attracting lots of butterflies.  

If you are in the market for some herbs, drop by the Master Gardeners booth at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival.    The trade show is located at the Casa de Amistad in Harlingen, Texas and runs from November 12 -15

Nasturtiums

I struggled for years trying to grow nasturtiums, Tropaeolum spp. when a friend, Jean Anne shared her secret.  They must be planted before Halloween.  Now I can't think of fall without thinking of getting a little nasturtium seed into the ground. 

I do soak my seed for an hour or more before I put them in the ground.  I only plant them a 1/2 inch deep.  If I'm feeling lazy (and the soil in my bed is nice and loose), the seed gets sprinkled on top and then raked into the soil.   

A few things I love about nasturtiums are they are easily grown from seed (if you know when to plant them), they grow well in heavy soils, and they reseed themselves.    I'll be you have a spot for some vibrant spring color.

The Value of Trees

While the preferred trees and types of soils are different, Tom Spencer of Soul of the Garden says it so much better than I ever could.   Click here for his thoughts on slow-growing, long lived, hardwood trees.  

And remember, Fall is the perfect time to plant trees in Deep South Texas.  Which tree are you adding to your landscape this year?