Have You Tried Raised Bed Gardening?
By Jackie Sledge Big Country Master Gardener Association I shared with you recently some of my experiences with different ways to grow plants in my heavy clay soil because it is so difficult to dig holes to put any size plant in the ground. I dig a few inches, fill the hole with water, dig […]
Recipes shared from May Saturday Seminar
We have a few more recipes to add. Please check back tomorrow and Monday. We hope to have them added by the. Shortbread Cookies Lemon Basil Oven 325 F 24 cookies INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup + 2 TBSP sugar Zest 1 lemon 4-5 large fresh basil leaves 1+ 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 1/2 TSP +!/8 […]
Texas Grasshoppers and How to Get Rid of Them
By Kathy Feagan Across the globe, there are 11,000 species of grasshoppers. Grasshoppers and locusts have a row of pegs resembling a comb on their back legs. They scape the pegs against their front wings to make sounds. Last year, Texas had a huge population of grasshoppers due to our drought conditions, in which grasshopper […]
Have You Tried Grow Bag Gardening?
By Jackie Sledge Big Country Master Gardener Association I started experimenting recently with different ways to grow plants, and I thought I would share some of my experiences with you. My soil is clay, and it is difficult to dig holes to put any size plant in the ground. I can usually dig a few […]
The Shade-Loving Oakleaf Hydrangea
By Grace Broyles A Hydrangea that we can grow here in West Texas? And is able to withstand the cold and the heat? Yes, there is a Hydrangea that will thrive in this harsh part of Texas. It’s called Oakleaf Hydrangea. This Hydrangea is different from the ones we often see pictured or for sale […]
Identifying and Attracting Texas Butterflies – Part III
By Kathy Feagan Did you know that Texas is considered to be one of the most diverse states for butterflies with over 442 species recorded? Arizona is home to 325 and California only 250 species. And, more butterflies are recorded in Cameron, Starr and Hidalgo counties than in the entire eastern North American continent. Gray […]
Happy Volunteer Week, Big Country Master Gardeners!
Jackie Sledge Big Country Master Gardener Association National Volunteer Week is April 20-26, 2025, and it is a time to recognize the impact of volunteer service in communities. According to the National Volunteer Website, “since 1974National Volunteer Week has been an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest […]
Lo, an Iris Reblooming
By Grace Broyles For many of us, seeing the first Irises bloom in the spring is a thrill. We enjoy the exquisite blooms, often several to a flower stalk. We may even cut off one beautiful one and enjoy it in our dining room in a narrow vase. But alas, in a day or two, […]
Need Plants?
It’s Time for the BCMGA Spring Plant Sale! It is officially spring, and that means it’s time for the Big Country Master Gardener Association Spring Plant Sale! Last week was a busy, but exciting, time for Master Gardeners as we prepared for this annual event. We have come through days of record-breaking high temperatures, days […]
Keeping Up With My Landscape
By Jackie Sledge Big Country Master Gardener Association Today I’m confessing my gardening mistakes and starting fresh in 2025. Well, actually I had listed this as a New Year’s Resolution, but I’m just now working my way to it on my “to do this year” list. I admit that I buy a plant without a […]
