Gardening in North Austin

I just got home from South Austin - Bee Cave specifically looking at an Earth Brick/straw bale home for sale, and found that I now have a fabulous GREEN red oak tree in my front yard. I promise to take pictures later but my head is pounding so hard it's all I can do to blog. The nursery I have to thank is Round Rock Gardens on Sam Bass road in Round Rock. They came and planted it today while I was out beating the hot streets of Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park and Leander. It was like the GREEN fairies came and left leaving happy green plants in their wake! Round Rock Nursery is located just west of 35 and the old Chisolm Trail. They are very friendly and have a great nursery. Last year, I hired their Texas A & M College Station horticulturalist to do some consulting at my house. (My degree is from Texas A & M Corpus Christi). She was very helpful and gave me a lot of tips for my yard.

If you click on the website link below, Round Rock Gardens is running a great piece on companion planting entitled: Herbs As Companion Plants. The piece is located in their "In The Greenhouse" section on the website. Some plants, like some people, just don't like each other! On the other hand some love each other and want to live close. This is why it is good to know companion planting methods. It is part of a gardener's arsonal and especially an ORGANIC gardener's arsenal. Happy plants mean healthier plants so companion planting helps to prevent disease and insect infestation.

We are in a drought period right now in the Austin area. The heat combined with little water can stress plants, making them droop in sadness . Be sure and use mulch to help keep water in the ground and weeds at bay. I got some wood shavings (laced with manure and ammonia) from Open My World therapeutic riding center to use as mulch in my yard. A little watering in and they released some great stuff my plants just love. I kind of have that symbiotic relationship with stables- I love horses and help with therapeutic riding, in turn I get organic materials for my "therapeutic" gardens! We both benefit. Ecologists may call this "mutualism". Whatever the words you use- just get to know companion planting methods. Your plants will have a mutually satisfying relationship with each other, they and the Earth will thank-you!