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More Mulch On The Pathways
Apart from the walkway of Thunder Turf around the perimeter of the back yard, my pathways are made from free city mulch, originally placed on a layer of cardboard. Over time they compact down and so periodically they get an inch or two of fresh mulch on the top. I had intended the pathway “refreshing”… Continue reading
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More Plants Waking Up For Spring
More new growth in the garden! Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora). This is one of the plants that started to make new growth in February only to have those tender shoots freeze back a couple of weeks later. This time it’s taking off for real, although it looks like there might not be any blooms… Continue reading
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People Who Inspire Me
Before moving to Seguin, I lived in Houston, Texas. It was there, about seven years ago, that I became aware of native plants and their importance for a healthy environment. There was one particular friend (Stephanie Harp) who inspired and guided me in my early days as a native plant gardener before I had even… Continue reading
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Red Buckeye Making A Fresh Start
I planted a tiny Red Buckeye tree in April 2024. It had leaves when I planted it, but those leaves had all gone by July 2024. That did concern me, but then I learned that these trees tend to drop their leaves early, by mid to late summer. That made me hopeful that it would… Continue reading
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Mexican Plum Tree — Good News After A Winter Scare
My Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) tree has been here almost two years. Last year it only produced leaves; this year I hoped for blooms as well. Spoiler alert: yes, there are blooms. That alone would make me happy, but given that this tree was sick during the winter I am even more thrilled to see… Continue reading
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Building Berms
From the time I arrived here two years ago, I have known that excess rainwater drains from neighbor properties behind us into our garden on the back right side and exits from the front left (looking at the back garden from the house). From there it runs beside the house and into the street. Ideally,… Continue reading
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Transplanting Lyreleaf Sage
Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) is a hardy low-growing plant that can tolerate a variety of conditions (wet, dry, sun, shade!), and it spreads gently by clumping or self seeding. It’s evergreen and I like the interesting pattern of its leaves with the red veining. Purple blooms appear in the spring. I introduced this plant here… Continue reading
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Mushroom Blocks As Compost
The Central Texas Mycological Society is a group dedicated to working with fungi, which are so important for the health, stability, and abundance of soil, plants, and fresh water. One of the things that this group does is to divert used compost blocks from mushroom farmers into the community so that people can grow their… Continue reading
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Signs Of Spring
Spring is my favorite time of year. Almost on a daily basis I can see new life forming, either for the first time or emerging from its winter rest. This year, just when we thought we were finished with freezing nights, we had another round in February. So a few things that had already sprouted… Continue reading
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Thunder Turf Spring Mowing
Thunder Turf is a blend of three short prairie grasses (Buffalograss, Blue Grama, Curly Mesquite). Clearing Bermudagrass away from an area around the perimeter of the back garden and seeding these native grasses was an early months-long project here. This grassy area is now quite well established. It’s not pure, in that I know Bermudagrass… 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 