Autumn Has Arrived

Autumn Has Arrived

Autumn is a second spring in Texas and coincides with the leaving of the delicate ruby-throated hummingbirds and the arrival of the tough-as-nails oxblood lilies. Oxblood lilies (Rhodophiala bifida), also known as schoolhouse lilies, have the same growth cycle as red...
A New Day

A New Day

A new day is dawning (literally) in Arcadia. After almost 30 years of waiting and 20 years of thinning and annual controlled burns, I recently had my eight-acre loblolly pine forest behind the house logged from thousands of trees to around 200. But WHY (says you, my...
Watering Shade Trees During a Drought

Watering Shade Trees During a Drought

During the scorching heat and arid conditions that often accompany East Texas summers, our beloved shade trees face a significant challenge in maintaining their health and vigor. As guardians of beauty and cooler temperatures, these trees need our thoughtful care to...
Low Volume Irrigation

Low Volume Irrigation

Efficient irrigation is one of the key Earth-Kind practices for conserving water in the landscape. Low-volume irrigation systems (sometimes referred to as drip or trickle irrigation) are among the most effective means of achieving significant water savings. Despite...
Landscaping for Energy Conservation

Landscaping for Energy Conservation

Folks, it has been hot and miserable. Especially in and around my old farmhouse. Energy conservation and environmental quality are among the most critically important issues of our time. Global warming and the greenhouse effect are becoming familiar terms used to...