The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

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 duri... — 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 h... — 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, colder... — 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 f... — 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 if... — 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. I... — Updated 9/13/2022

Can you believe we are now more than halfway thru hurricane season 2022? Fortunately, there have been no tropical storm developments within the Gulf of Mexico so far and I'm going... — Updated 9/6/2022

Last week's article reviewed garlic (allium sativum) varieties which grow well in our climate. This week I want to share information on a wonderful companion plant to interplant... — Updated 8/30/2022

There are nearly 600 cultivars of garlic cultivated world-wide with Central Asia cultivating 120 varieties (Image courtesy Pinterest). Garlic offers several health benefits and is... — Updated 8/23/2022

Gardeners, hopefully most of you received rain the past week as forecast by local meteorologist. It certainly is a welcome respite and truly needed. And with the rain comes another... — Updated 8/16/2022

Gardeners, typically I refrain from being the harbinger of sad news but on July 21st, 2022, the IUCN classified one of our most majestic butterflies, as an endangered species and... — Updated 8/2/2022

So, you've noticed your spring flowers have endured as much of our Texas summer heat as they can stand and decided it's time to replace them with summer blooming annuals and... — Updated 7/26/2022

Gardeners, it's another beautiful summer morning here in Southeast Texas. Rather than moving from gardening task to task, as is typical most days, I took the time to slowly walk aro... — Updated 7/19/2022

How quickly time passes us by! Another week has come and gone. Summer is going to be with us for several months, providing us ample opportunity to continue with our seasonal... — Updated 7/12/2022

Happy Independence Day everyone! I'm hoping each of you were able to spend time with family, friends and loved ones to celebrate the holiday. I spoke with my sister recently, who li... — Updated 7/5/2022