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Preparing Texas Mountain Laurel Seeds For Germination
UPDATE: The effort described in this post had zero success. See this more recent post for a different approach and better outcome: https://rewildingmylot.blog/2024/08/01/germinating-texas-mountain-laurel-seeds/ Seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel tree are remarkably robust. Once they fall from the tree, it can take up to ten years until germination, but I didn’t want to wait that… Continue reading
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Checkered White Butterfly
The Sunflower plants here now have flowers in various stages of development. There are still new flowers, but also old ones that have seeded. I have seen House Finches and Mockingbirds on the branches pecking seeds out of the flowers, and Mourning Doves on the ground picking up seeds that have fallen. And of course… Continue reading
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More Treatment Of The Texas Mountain Laurel
I have previously reported that my new Texas Mountain Laurel is sickly in that half of the tree has very pale leaves and is not thriving like the dark green other half. See earlier post: What Is Wrong With My Texas Mountain Laurel Tree? Several gardeners who also own this tree have suggested that there might… Continue reading
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Peat Moss
In the process of discussing my sick Texas Mountain Laurel tree (see earlier post about this: What Is Wrong With My Texas Mountain Laurel Tree?), one gardener suggested that I make liberal use of peat moss to introduce more organic matter to the soil here. The idea was to use it in the same way as… Continue reading
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Huisache Tree
Vachellia farnesiana Height in July 2023: 1.5 ft tall, 3ft spread Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database entry The Huisache tree was chosen for this garden because of its moderate height (15-25 feet) and extreme drought tolerance. It’s also a very hardy tree, and in fact many ranchers here consider it a weed because it’s… Continue reading
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What Is Wrong With My Texas Mountain Laurel Tree?
Sophora secundiflora Height in July 2023: 2.5 ft Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database entry Texas Mountain Laurel was another easy choice as a tree to plant here. It has low water needs and the blooms are very showy and fragrant. I had not encountered it before, but it was recommended by several local gardeners… Continue reading
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I Welcome Decay
…in the garden, that is. A nature ecosystem needs to include opportunities for organic matter to break down, and to encourage and support the organisms which do that. My approach here is to have a log pile, and behind that, an area to collect bits and pieces of plants that have been chopped up —… Continue reading
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I Don’t Know What I’m Looking At
I try to have my phone within reach when I’m gardening, because I never know when I might see something interesting. If I can get a photograph, then that will often help with identification (usually with the help of the iNaturalist app). One day I needed extra help from my phone. I am near-sighted and… Continue reading
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Desert Willow Tree
Chilopsis linearis Height in July 2023: 6ft Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database entry There are only a handful of plants that I have installed here so far and I shouldn’t have a favorite, but I do have a soft spot for this particular tree. I knew early on that I wanted a Desert Willow… 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 