Blog
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Pruning: Desert Willow
I am very fond of my Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) tree. It has grown the fastest, tolerates — even thrives on — our poor quality soil and limited water, has a long blooming season, and is beloved by hummingbirds and other pollinators. It has a flexible structure that moves gracefully when the wind blows. However, Continue reading
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The Green Lynx Spider Family Has Gone
I first noticed a Green Lynx Spider with her egg sac in the Texas Mountain Laurel tree on November 14, 2025, and then I saw baby spiderlings just a week later (November 21). As I have observed the family since then, the babies have grown and become more active, but did not stray from the Continue reading
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Pruning: Mexican Plum
My time in Seguin, starting in 2023, has been the first experience for me to learn about choosing, planting, and managing trees. Thanks to some knowledgeable Master Naturalist colleagues, I have been receiving some good education in that department! Until now, any pruning of trees here has been minimal, usually addressing some immediate problem (e.g., Continue reading
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Bright Orange Mushrooms
As I was walking through the garden recently, I spotted a cluster of bright orange mushrooms on the wood pile. A dusting of orange spores have colored the surrounding wood, which gives the patch an overall orange glow. They were definitely eye-catching, so of course I took photos and tried to identify them. I think Continue reading
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Gathering Milkweed Seeds
The native milkweed plant that has been most successful here is Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides). I have volunteers popping up all over the place, including this one in the middle of a pathway (photo taken in November 2025). I’d like to try introducing Zizotes Milkweed to the pollinator garden at Park West in Seguin, so Continue reading
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Trees And Their Schedules
I have a small collection of trees here (I’m limited by space!). There is one evergreen tree (Texas Mountain Laurel), which will retain its leaves through the winter. The two Live Oaks are semi-evergreen, meaning that old leaves drop when they are pushed out by the new ones growing in spring. The transition only takes Continue reading
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Green Lynx Spider Mother Gets A Meal
I have been keeping an eye on a mother Green Lynx Spider and her spiderlings since they hatched just over a month ago. Any time now, I expect the spiderlings to lower themselves to the ground, where they will spend the winter (ref). However, for now they remain close together in the webbing shroud that Continue reading
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New Fungi In The Wildflower Meadow
I am used to seeing mushrooms occasionally pop up, especially in areas with mulch or after moist conditions. These are welcome, because fungal activity helps to recycle nutrients and my impoverished soil needs all the help it can get. There are three types of fungal growth in the wildflower meadow area in front of the Continue reading
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Agave Pup
I have a variegated version of an Agave Americana (Agave americana) that was a gifted pup from a friend’s plant. Mine was only planted here last year, but it has grown in that time and has already produced a pup of its own, so I can pay it forward and gift someone else! Agaves are Continue reading
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Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye
I have two Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba) shrubs that were planted last year — one in front of the house and one behind. The one in the back yard is doing particularly well and still has plentiful blooms in December. This is an extremely drought-tolerant plant that blooms in summer and fall. At the moment, Continue reading
About Me
Nature Lover.
Inquisitive Observer.
Student Gardener.
I invite you to join me on my journey to convert my sterile (from a nature point of view) new house lot to a healthy and diverse ecosystem, as I make discoveries, mistakes, and hopefully progress. I am not an expert or professional. The project started in February 2023 and the location is Seguin, Texas, USA.
Rewilding My Lot 