ALLISON WATKINS: Fall is a great season for vegetables
It’s been another challenging summer, but I hear that we’re in for a cold, wet winter. I sure hope that’s true! It’s still pretty hot right now though, so there’s not much to do outside in the yard...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Start spring wildflowers soon
Just like spring bulbs that have to be planted in late fall for spring blooming, wildflowers require planning ahead for a beautiful color show when the weather starts to warm back up next year.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Don't let useful leaves just fall into landfill
This summer wasn’t as rough as the past few years, but it is still a relief to be heading into fall.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Time to check irrigation systems
Even though the summer wasn’t as hot and dry as recent years, water quality and quantity is still on everyone’s mind. We have had a few rains this fall that soaked into the ground nicely and refreshed...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Texas poinsettias look wilder than their city cousins
ALLISON WATKINS: Horticulture advice fromAN expert at Texas A&M AgriLife county extension office in San Angelo. I love Texas autumns and winters; we have such beautiful weather that it makes up for...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Annual flowers can add warmth to wintertime chill
We’ve had some pretty cold weather, and it looks like winter is here to stay. Much of the landscape has started to go dormant for the season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still use plants to brighten...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Landscape work, transplanting best done in winter
While we certainly have our bad winter weather days here in West Texas, we also have a lot of really nice weather in the cold months.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Onions are ideal vegetable for growing in winter gardens
We’ve had a pretty cold, wet winter so far — perfect for growing cool season vegetables. Spring may be the most popular time to grow vegetables, but winter is best for planting many leafy greens,...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Fruit trees here can be challenge, but worth it
Winter is a great time to plant many woody plants, including bare-root fruit trees. Peach, apple, pear and other trees can be purchased or ordered from nurseries during the dormant season. It may take...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: It's time to consider pruning plants
Late winter is a good time to get major pruning done on most landscape plants, with a few exceptions.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Compost can be fix for soil issues
Anyone who has tried a vegetable garden or worked on a home landscape here knows that it’s not the easiest thing to do. Growing plants in the Concho Valley is a challenge, but I like to think it’s the...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Potted plants offer good drought alternative
The official first day of spring is next week (March 20), and we still haven’t had any real rain this year. I was told that we’re not predicted to get much until May or even June, which doesn’t sound...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Focus on drought-tolerant plants for West Texas yards
Living in West Texas, we often have to deal with harsh weather patterns, and this year is turning into a pretty difficult one. But it helps to find something good in every situation, and we can use the...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Even during drought, plant bulbs
I’ve always loved a good thunderstorm, but I think now more than ever the sound of rumbling, booming thunder is one of the most beautiful things to hear.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Deep roots help lawns survive droughts
It’s the time of year to talk about lawn care and weed control — but it seems that lawns are (understandably) a bit of a touchy subject nowadays.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Now is a good time to attack drought-hardy fire ants
Fire ants start making themselves known when it warms up in the spring. They usually are not as active when it’s extremely dry and hot, but the drought unfortunately hasn’t slowed them down as much as...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Drought requires good weed control
There is a good chance of rain this weekend, and I hope that by the time this article is out, it’s nice and wet outside. May and June are often our wetter months; maybe if I leave my car windows open...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Keep as much water as possible
What a blessing that rain was! It might not come as often as we want, but when it does rain it can really come down. That kind of drenching rain should be an encouragement for all of us to catch it and...
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Planting edible landscapes will make homeowners' yards...
Many homeowners are trying to use more food-producing plants in their landscape so that the yard can be both attractive and productive.
View ArticleALLISON WATKINS: Insects aren't all garden-variety pests
Next time you enjoy a good apple, cucumber, peach or watermelon, thank a bee. Insects play a major role in feeding us by pollinating many crops. In fact, about one-third of our diet comes from...
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