The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Don't be afraid to fill gaps in beds with plants, flowers, and objects – the most beautiful flower bed ideas, borders and pots are teaming with color and plants of multiple... — Updated 3/14/2023

There is no doubt in this gardener’s mind spring has arrived in SETX! Let me stop you before many of you nay-sayers begin your hoopla saying the thirty day weather outlook... — Updated 3/7/2023

Gardeners, our local weather forecasters are telling us to expect daytime temperatures to be ten degrees above-average for the next several days. What my brain is telling me, not... — Updated 2/28/2023

Gardeners, we have experienced what I would consider a fantastic week, leading this gardener to believe spring may have arrived a bit early this year. Be mindful if you choose to... — Updated 2/21/2023

The foundation of a hügelkultur raised bed begins by selecting a sunny location. Next dig into and remove several inches of garden soil, followed by digging a shallow trench. Add... — Updated 2/14/2023

Hey gardeners! Valentine’s day is close at hand…and so is spring! The weather has moderated a bit and become a little more spring-like and who knows, maybe our final round of co... — Updated 2/7/2023

Gardeners, spring is exactly 45 days away with March 20th being the vernal equinox (Northern hemisphere), translating into equal intervals of daylight and night hours. The number... — Updated 1/31/2023

Not everyone thinks armadillos are great. Armadillos often cause problems with homeowners, gardeners, farmers, or anyone else who feels perturbed to find one of these "digging machi... — Updated 1/24/2023

Gardeners, another cold snap has quickly come and gone, fortunately for us! How lucky we are to live in an area which doesn't remain severely cold for weeks or months at a time.... — Updated 1/17/2023

Fallen leaves provide needed landscape nutrients and habitat for over-wintering pollinators (image courtesy TAMU AgriLife). As most gardeners know, many trees lose their leaves... — Updated 1/10/2023

We have all now experienced an extended hard freeze which radiated throughout the entire country. For us the extremely cold temperatures left our landscapes looking grotesque,... — Updated 1/3/2023

Okay, winters here, and what a dramatic arrival! Gardeners let’s make good use of these bitterly cold weather days reviewing the litany of seed and gardening catalogues which... — Updated 12/27/2022

Christmas is near at hand, and in case you haven't noticed this week, winter is no longer "tippy toeing" into Southeast TX, she's showering us with her frigid, icy kisses and just... — Updated 12/20/2022

Our weather has been great the past couple of weeks! That is if you like balmy, spring-like days with temperatures in the mid-80's. It's a bit unusual and somewhat disappointing if... — Updated 12/13/2022

The needled branches of Norfolk Island Pine trees (Araucaria heterophylla), look right at home during the holidays! They can be decorated as Christmas trees and once the holidays... — Updated 12/6/2022

Gardeners, many of you hosted neighbors, friends, and family (as did we) during the Thanksgiving holiday. Some family members drove considerable distances and others traveled greate... — Updated 11/29/2022

Gardeners, we are once again experiencing brisk weather, though it’s cold to me and looks as though it’ll be “hanging around” for more than a week. In preparation of rainy,... — Updated 11/21/2022

Last week, I wrote about transitioning houseplants back indoors or other areas, such as a porch, greenhouse, or garage, allowing plants to be protected from cooler nighttime... — Updated 11/7/2022

While driving around different communities in SETX, you've probably noticed (I certainly have) Satsuma trees are displaying bright orange-yellow fruits which are ripening. Did you... — Updated 11/1/2022

It's been another fantastic week of cooler temperatures with perfect weather! We've experienced a few chilly mornings, but temperatures have warmed nicely by midday, making garden... — Updated 10/25/2022

Another week of fantastic weather has ended and fortunately many of us welcomed much needed rainfall, though the amount will hardly reduce our rainfall deficit! Our first true cold... — Updated 10/17/2022

What a fantastic week, the temperature is finally moderating as autumn-like weather is slowly sneaking into our area! Now, let’s hope we get increased rain chances in the weather... — Updated 10/4/2022

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, 2022 fall season has arrived (though it doesn’t feel like it to me), with a blistering start! Eventually, cooler temperatures will appear and... — Updated 9/27/2022

During a recent Orange County Master Gardener monthly meeting, fellow Master Gardener, Eddie Shaw, who counts himself a fan of the rain lily, surprised me with a gift of seeds. The... — Updated 9/20/2022

Fall is in the air…well almost! Autumn officially begins in a couple of weeks, on the 22nd of September to be exact. Soon lower humidity and cooler temperatures will be upon us.... — Updated 9/13/2022