Saving Tomato Seed
Saving Tomato Seed

In reproductive terms, tomatoes have perfect flowers (containing both male and female reproductive parts) and are predominantly self-pollinated. In most open-pollinated varieties the stigma that receives pollen is enclosed by a cone of fused anthers so that plant crossing is rare, making isolation unnecessary. Potato-leaf…

Winning the War Against Nutsedge
Winning the War Against Nutsedge

Nutsedge (aka “nutgrass”) is not a grass, but rather a member of the sedge family. Listed as the #1 most-troublesome weed in the vegetable, turf and the ornamental categories by the Weed Science Society of America, to know nutsedge is to hate it. Before we…

Ginkgo - A Tree with Lots of History and Beauty
Ginkgo - A Tree with Lots of History and Beauty

Tyler, famous for the Tyler Rose Garden and miles of colorful azaleas lining the streets in spring, has another plant with fan-shaped leaves that attracts attention from Texas tree fans (pun intended). On the grounds of the Tyler City Hall stands a living monument to…

Celebrate Color with Showy Edibles
Celebrate Color with Showy Edibles

Growing your own food has numerous advantages: physical exercise, flavors that sing and colorful phytonutrients that contribute to well-being. I love to grow a wide range of edibles, and while I look forward to familiar favorites, I am also drawn to vegetables and herbs that…