The Monarch butterflies have a complex lifecycle and individuals are in the San Antonio area seeking out nectar sources for food and milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs.  I have seen them obtaining nectar from peach and plum blooms, blue curl, rain lilies, sweet peas, stock and Mexican honeysuckle. My tropical and native …

The key to attracting butterflies to your landscape is to have both nectar producing and egg-laying plants available. Among the best nectar-producing plants are Gregg’s mistflower, milkweed, sunflower, and porterweed. Zinnias are the mainstay of a cutting flower garden in the summer and they also will be a great source of spectacular photos as they …

It is time to plant potatoes in the garden. Onion transplants and radish, carrot, lettuce, beets, English peas can also be planted by seed. Aerate and top dress the lawn with compost. Rent an aerator and have the compost delivered or hire a lawn care firm to do the work. It is too early to …

Plant the cole crops and other greens by transplants now. Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Swiss chard, collards, are among those available at area nurseries. If the birds are damaging your ripe tomatoes on the vine, try harvesting the fruit early, as soon as it shows a color change from green.  They will ripen in …

It is the beginning of the best time to plant shrubs, trees, and perennials. Dig the hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. There is not advantage adding fertilizer or compost to the planting hole. Mulch over the root area with 3-4 inches of organic material after a thorough soaking with …

In most gardens the tomato crop was spectacular this spring. All the recommended varieties and even some of the heirloom selections had high yields. Until the last two weeks most of us were not bothered by fungus or spider mites. Birds seemed to be the most challenging threat to the high yields. If you have …

There are a lot of reasons to choose to garden in containers. Containers can be decorative masonry with lacquered colors   or they can be the classic red clay flower pots. Other options include half whiskey barrels, black or colored plastic, hanging baskets, and even wooden and natural fiber troughs or trays.  All containers require drainage …

If you had grub damage in the lawn last year it is time to apply a soil insecticide to control this year’s grubs before they grow too large to control. The same soil insecticide will control chinch bugs. Some plantings of New Gold Lantana are attacked by lace bugs each year with the result that …

Laura Bush petunia was selected as a Superstar because it is a fast growing, spreading plant with attractive pink or violet blooms. Additionally it is more heat tolerant than most other petunias. If it is planted now it will bloom strongly until July, hang on through the summer and then renew itself for a long …

Tomato transplants are available at area nurseries. Use selections such as the new Rodeo tomato-Sunbright and other varieties that thrive in our area. Wait until late March to plant tomatoes in the garden, the soil is too cold for good growth. If you want to buy your transplants early when the selection is best, “pot …