It was just as difficult for peopleâs plants.
Vegetation was especially vulnerable during a nearly weeklong stretch in which temperatures dropped below freezing on a nightly basis. So there was little that could have been done to salvage decorative outdoor plants and residential gardens at a time when many Houstonians had recently planted fruits and vegetables in anticipation of the upcoming spring.
âI have friends I know who have huge yards with extensive landscaping,â said Pam Parks, the beautification chair for the Garden Oaks Civic Club. âTheyâve lost thousands of dollarsâ worth of plants.â
The frigid weather was equally problematic for the businesses that help area residents with their gardening needs. Buchananâs Native Plants at 611 E. 11th St. lost about $50,000 worth of plants, or roughly 10 percent of its inventory, according to operations manager David Alvarado.
Columnist
Choose a bare-root tree that has a hearty trunk with a diameter from half and inch to five/eight-inch. Roots of the bare-root plant should be strong, unbroken and relatively straight. Avoid plants with roots that are kinked or twisted.
Photo courtesy UC Davis
Photo courtesy UC Davis
After some much-needed rain, the ground has had a nice soaking which makes preparing spaces for planting much easier. Keeping in mind that new plants and trees require additional water the first years of growth, this is a good time to plant bare root fruit trees and vining berries. The local nurseries have a nice variety of trees and vines from which to choose. Here are some tips for selecting and planting bare root trees, from my go-to fruit tree book, “The Home Orchard Growing Your Own Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees” by Chuck A Ingels, Pam M. Geisel, and M.V, Norton.
10th Annual “Plant Natives 2021” Programs To Be Held March 19-21 and March 27 Friday, February 19, 2021
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones is holding its 10th annual event, “Plant Natives 2021.” This year, there are big changes – an exciting and expanded lineup of speakers AND a new way to obtain a great variety of native plants for spring planting. “Plant Natives 2021!” will consist of three components:
- Virtual Special Seminar | Friday, March 19 | 9 a.m.-noon - Virtual Symposium & Expo | Friday-Sunday, March 19-21 - Outdoor Native Plant Marketplace | Saturday, March 27 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
This annual event brings gardeners, conservationists, landscape professionals and policy makers together for inspiration and education and focuses on the importance of native plants as the foundation for preserving and promoting biodiversity. The symposium schedule features seven recognized speakers in the field of native plant gardening and respons
• Dec 9, 2020
Sure, they may be unsightly during the winter months, but that s no reason to clean up the native plants around your house. Native plant specialist NADIA NAVARRETE-TINDALL says leaving them alone will benefit the birds and insects that are still making their home in your backyard. We take a closer look at dittany, aster and goldenrod. December 9, 2020