Monthly Archives: February 2024

How to Have an Endless Supply of Basil from Cuttings

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Do you love the irresistible taste of fresh basil in your dishes? Imagine having a never-ending supply of this flavorful herb right on your windowsill or patio! Well, you can make this herb-lovers dream a reality by propagating basil from cuttings. It’s easy, fun, and guarantees you basil galore all season long.

Basil, is typically supposed to be an annual herb. Although, I have successfully kept my parent basil plant alive for multiple seasons by following the steps below:

Taking Basil Cuttings

  • Start by taking a 3-6 inch stem cutting from a healthy basil plant, just below a leaf node. Strip off the lower leaves so just the top ones remain.
  • Place the cutting in a glass of water in a sunny window. Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent bacteria growth.
  • In 1-3 weeks, roots will sprout from the stem in the water. Once the roots are about an inch long, it’s time to plant the cutting.

Transplanting to Soil

  • Prepare a small pot with well-draining potting mix. Moisten it before planting.
  • Make a hole in the mix and gently place the rooted cutting with roots down. Pat soil around the stem.
  • Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked. Basil loves moisture!
  • Consider covering with a cloche or plastic bottle to reduce transplant shock.
  • Pinch off any flowers in the first weeks so the basil focuses energy on establishment.

Ongoing Care

  • Once planted, basil may eventually flower and bolt. Pinch or snip off flowers to encourage more leaf growth.
  • Harvest basil frequently by cutting stems above leaf nodes. More harvesting means more growth!
  • Take more cuttings from established plants to propagate even more.

With this easy process, you’ll have homegrown basil for salads, pasta, and more all season long. Get snipping and enjoy your continuous basil supply! Enjoy Life, Enjoy Family and Enjoy Your Garden!

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Green Thumbs, Get Ready – Container Gardening Kickstarts Spring!

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North Texas Growers!! Spring is just around the corner, stirring dreams of tomato vines, pepper plants, and fresh lettuce greens. But worried you lack the yard space for a garden? Not a problem! With container gardening, you can cultivate a bountiful harvest on porches, patios, and balconies of any size. Don’t let limited room stop you from sowing garden happiness.

Container vegetable gardening lets anyone with sunlight and a few pots savor homegrown produce. Picture tumbling cherry tomatoes, buttery lettuce, and snap peas picked fresh from your own patio farm. The seed catalogs are calling, so grab some containers and potting mix – it’s go time!

Leave the sprawling traditional gardens to the acreage farmers. With the right container, soil, and veggies suited to your climate, parsley and peppers can thrive on apartment fire escapes just as well as expansive plots. Maximize your space by going vertical with trellised beans or tomatoes. Succession plant cool weather greens and hot weather cabbages.

Don’t be intimidated by the process – starting is as easy as grabbing seeds and getting your hands dirty. Starting plants from seeds in containers is easy for beginner gardeners in North Texas. The seed packets provide valuable guidance on planting specifics.

Look for the recommended planting times and temperatures for your region. Many vegetables prefer the cooler conditions of late winter/early spring or fall. Follow instructions on when to start seeds indoors vs direct sow outside.

Check the packet for optimal soil temperatures, sowing depth, and days to germination so you know what to expect. For instance, tomatoes need warm soil so wait until after the last spring frost. Radishes and lettuces germinate quickly in cooler soils.

The packet also notes mature plant size, which is useful for ensuring your container depth and width allows adequate room for root development. Trellising plants like beans helps maximize vertical space.

Finally, the watering needs and sun requirements are usually listed. Most veggies need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Consistent watering is key, especially in hot North Texas summers. An inch of water per week is typical.

While each seed has unique preferences, the seed packet instructions make it easy for container gardeners to provide the proper growing conditions. Paying close attention to the details ensures you successfully cultivate a thriving nutrient-rich edible oasis.

Looking to get a jump on seed germination? Check out this cost effective method to maximize your yields!

So get ready to flex your green thumbs this spring – no massive garden required! Container vegetable gardening lets anyone tap into the homegrown garden rewards. Give your seed catalog a browse and awaken your edible oasis. Delicious times ahead!

If you are looking for Texas heat tested veggies, check out Texastestedseed.com They only sell seeds that have proven to produce in hot climates. Heat/ Wind tested!

Here are 5 easy vegetables that are great options for beginning container gardening in North Texas Growing Zone 8b:

  1. Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes and bush varieties thrive in pots. Ensure the container is at least 5 gallons. Provide sturdy support with a tomato cage or trellis.
  2. Peppers – Grow bell peppers or chili peppers in containers at least 3-5 gallons in size. Place in full sun.
  3. Green beans – Bush bean varieties like ‘Provider’ do well in containers. Use at least a 5 gallon pot. Provide a trellis for climbing.
  4. Leafy greens – Lettuce, kale, spinach, and chard grow well in shallow containers. Succession plant for continual harvests.
  5. Radishes – Perfect for growing in containers as small as 1 gallon. Fast-growing and great for kids. Plant seeds every 2 weeks for steady supply.

Other productive and relatively easy veggie options include cucumbers, zucchini, peas, beets, carrots, and onions. Make sure to use a quality potting mix, fertilize regularly, and water as needed for thriving container vegetables!

Enjoy Life, Enjoy Family and Enjoy Your Garden!

Strawberry Fields Forever

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A Bounty of Berries for North Texas Gardeners

Growing your own strawberries in North Texas is a delightful endeavor that adds sweet flavor to your garden and your table. Plucking ruby-red, sun-ripened strawberries straight from the vine is a luxury that you can afford yourself with a bit of gardening savvy and the right timing.

An Easy an fun way to bring berries to your home.

The prime time to plant strawberries is during fall. It is during this season that the warm North Texas sun gently transitions into milder temperatures, creating the perfect climate for your strawberries to establish themselves. To ensure the luscious taste of summer in your berries, look for a sunny patch in your backyard. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, the key is to mix in plenty of compost to create that light, loamy soil that strawberries relish.

Choose robust varieties such as Chandler and Camarosa to plant. These varieties are well-suited for North Texas climates and should be set several weeks before the anticipated first frost, which typically occurs in late October or November. This timing allows your plants to settle in before they enter winter dormancy. Come summer, and your anticipation will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of juicy strawberries.

However, if you missed the fall planting window, don’t dismay! North Texas garders have a second chance in spring to enjoy the berry bounty. When the tail end of winter has passed, usually between late February and early March, it’s time to think about strawberries again. If this is your plan, look for heat-tolerant strawberry varieties like Sweet Charlie and Alpine, which thrive in the warmth.

No matter the season, soil preparation remains a constant. To ready your spring beds, break up the soil and enhance it with riches from compost. Remember to give each plant room to breathe; spacing is crucial for preventing crowding, making your strawberry plants less vulnerable during the sweltering summer months.

There’s an art to nurturing strawberries that involves more than just planting. Both fall and spring cultivators need to be vigilant about the weather, shielding their young plants from late freezes or scorching heatwaves. Watering is also a meticulous task—strawberries need moisture, but their roots despise being waterlogged. And consider opting for organic care, avoiding harsh chemicals to keep your garden both bountiful and healthy.

In North Texas, your strawberry patch is a labor of love that requires TLC, but rest assured, the hard work pays off. As you care for your strawberries, envision the reward: a summertime filled with the quintessential taste of fresh, juicy berries that encapsulate the essence of sweet sunshine.

Sink your teeth into the fruits of your own labor and let the flavor inspire you. Imagine your homegrown strawberries turned into homemade shortcake, spread over freshly baked scones, or reduced down into a rich, flavorful jam. Not only will you have the pleasure of enjoying these treats, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing they came from your own garden.

The possibilities are endless with a strawberry patch in your backyard. So why hesitate? Embrace the gardening challenge and turn your North Texas home into a haven for strawberry delight. Let your dreams of gardening glory flourish, and savor the joy of homegrown berries with each berry-laden plant.

Enjoy life, Enjoy Family and Enjoy your garden!

-Gray