by Greg Grant | Nov 15, 2023 | Greg's Ramblings
Texas is home to up to 1,000 species of native bees. Unfortunately, most gardeners are only familiar with the non-native European honeybee. Bees are vital for the environment, and they need our help. Native bees, our unsung heroes, are struggling to find the food...
by The Arbor Gate | Nov 9, 2023 | How To Videos
Join Angela Chandler as she teams up with Beverly Welch to explore the fascinating world of Fruit Tree Guilds. But wait, we’re not talking about the kind of guid you’re probably thinking of! It’s not a club! This discussion delves into the realm of...
by Greg Grant | Nov 9, 2023 | Greg's Ramblings
I’ve been a maple fan since I saw my first burgundy leafed Japanese maple in Marie Daly’s front yard in Longview. She called it a red maple, so I soon ordered two red maples from an advertisement I saw in a newspaper or magazine. They arrived bare root and I planted...
by Greg Grant | Nov 8, 2023 | Greg's Ramblings, Uncategorized
As our blistering, dry summer says goodbye and the air takes on a crisp, invigorating quality, we look forward to the gradual transformation of our trees in East Texas. Each year can be very different in the quality and the timing, but the transition from the lush...
by Greg Grant | Oct 24, 2023 | Greg's Ramblings
As fall arrives each year, we look forward to the annual spectacle of migrating monarch butterflies passing through our region. These remarkable creatures, with their distinctive orange and black wings, are on an incredible journey. Gardeners in East Texas have a...
by The Arbor Gate | Oct 11, 2023 | How To Videos
Join us for a delightful chat with Ann Wheeler from Log House Herbs as she teams up with Beverly Welch to spill the beans on the art of growing rosemary from cuttings. In this friendly chat, they’ll help you separate fact from fiction and dish out some...
by Greg Grant | Oct 9, 2023 | Greg's Ramblings
Recently Dr. Jerry Parsons and I were contacted by Texas A&M University to share the story of the development of the maroon bluebonnet. I related the following details with them: In 1985-86 I was in graduate school at Texas A&M University studying...
by Greg Grant | Oct 9, 2023 | Events, Greg's Ramblings
For their 25th anniversary, the Smith County Master Gardeners will once again host their Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale. This year’s conference will feature “The Bulb Hunter,” Chris Wiesinger, of The Southern Bulb Company and myself. In addition to owning The...
by The Arbor Gate | Oct 9, 2023 | Events, Garden
If your organic gardening practices are not working to keep unwanted visitors from your lawn and garden, then you will want to listen to our November speaker, John Klipsch. John is a territory sales manager representing Bonide, which has been in business since 1926...
by The Arbor Gate | Oct 5, 2023 | Events, Uncategorized
Tyler, Texas. For their 25th anniversary, the Smith County Master Gardeners will present well-known speakers and authors, Chris Weisinger of The Southern Bulb Company and Greg Grant, Smith County’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturist. The lectures begin at...
