Which native plants held up well for you through this year’s 100-degree heat? I have a spot that gets intense afternoon sun, and my zexmenia and rockrose got crisped this year. Planning to add some native plants to that spot.

Friends! What happened to this baby? I have a 2 year old Asclepias texana that is host to 4 cats currently. I check this morning to find one of them black and shriveled. Never use pesticides! I planted more milkweed but haven’t transferred them yet.

I started pulling the silver leaf nightshades from my lawn over the last 6 months or so, mostly because I like to walk outside barefoot. Recently, I’ve started pulling out more things, like Carolina Snailseed and a shallow grass (not sure of the variety) in the walking areas to let more of the horseherb grow (my favorite to walk on). I’m doing my best to plant natives around the edge, but I’m wondering if I’m doing more damage to my little yard’s ecosystem by getting rid of these things in large portions?

We’ve had orbweavers visit this year, and have regular skink, Texas spiny lizards, and anole visitors. I don’t want to push friends away! Should I just focus on adding, instead of taking away?

So here’s what happened…. I was mowing my lawn this weekend. First time since the beginning of summer.

When I got to the back corner of my yard, I must have agitated a bee hive of some sort. The bees stung me a couple of times.

What kind of bee are they? Is this a honey bee or a yellow jacket? (Apologies for the potato quality photo)

The bees seem to have made a hive inside of the Austin Energy Electrical gear that is on my property.

Whose responsibility is it to move the bees? Me the property owner? Or Austin Energy the equipment owner?

So I want to do a revamp of the area between the city sidewalk and the entrance to my parking lot. But I know there is a lot going on in the ground up there. On one side is probably a water line. On the other side there are some buried cables. I just don’t want to damage anything.

Do I need to reach out to the city for them to mark what is under the ground? Someone told me they do that. I also want to plant natives bc I don’t have a fancy irrigation system up there.

My commercial neighbor has things planted in that area and also has things planted between the curb and the sidewalk, but I am sure it was all a part of their site plan and they used professional landscape architects and landscape companies to do the work. I don’t have that kind of budget. But obviously you can plant there.

I have been thinking of maybe hiring someone to do the logistics and to lay the beds for me and then do the actual planting myself.

Any insights, thoughts and ideas welcome.

I am in Austin TX, and I have 3 Mulberry trees in my yard. 2 are fruiting (black small, and black long), and 1 is non-fruiting. All are mature trees(and almost 30 feet away from the foundation of the house).

This winter I plan to prune them just like every year, but I was wondering if I can graft the fruiting tree branches on the non-fruiting one?
Is yes, what is the best time to do that, and is there a specific technique I need to follow?

Thanks in advance!

I'd like to get into this, but there's a LOT of different options and most of them apparently don't work. The worm one looks like it might be an option, but again -- analysis paralysis. Anyone have opinions here?

This little cabbage seedlings was beautiful yesterday! I found it like this today. I had a cover over the bed, so I don't think it was an animal. Any insight fellow gardeners?

Hello all. I planted two Texas sage a month ago. Clearly some transplant shock. The soil is moderately moist still after watering around a week ago. Do we think it needs more water or is she overwatered??? I’ve been holding out for the rain. I also have a history of overwatering and not sure if I am overcorrecting by leaving them alone. Plz tell me what to do :)