Monthly Archives: May 2019

Rose Rosette and Mites

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Dallas Garden Buzz

For the past several years North Texas has been dealing with Rose rosette disease that affects roses.  It is caused by an araphid mite that causes deformation of the plant.

Maddi Shires, a doctoral student at Texas A & M university is conducting research on Rose Rosette and is educating the public and organizations concerning this disease.

In May, Maddie came to Farmers Branch Rose Garden to demonstrate  how  to locate the mites. Members from Dallas and Denton County Master Gardeners as well as those from the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and the Dallas Rose Society were present.  Pam Smith, the Landscape Manager from Farmers Branch gathered the supplies to test a sampling of  roses at the garden.

Starla Willis

Rose Rosette Information here.

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Herbs of the Mediterranean, A Grow and Graze Event

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Herbs of the Mediterranean

Herbs activate our senses. Join us for a culinary trip to the Mediterranean where we’ll explore some of the world’s best tasting food. Be inspired by this delightfully aromatic way of using fresh and dried herbs in your cooking.

Tuesday, June 25th

A “Grow and Graze” Event Hosted by

 The Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills

Time:  10:00 – 11:00

Location:  11001 Midway Road Church Sanctuary

Instructor: Marian Buchanan, Dallas County Master Gardener, Herb Specialist

(Master Gardeners earn two CEU’s)

Immediately following the program, please join us at our Mediterranean Table

Lunch: 11:15 – 12:30

$15 per person, Reserved seating for 60 available starting May 20th. Deadline June 18th

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herbs-of-the-mediterranean-tickets-60462949309

Menu

Iced Herb Gazpacho and Toasted Baguette Slices spread with Every Herb Pesto

Black Olive & Swiss Chard Tart

Green Herbs & Butterhead Lettuce Salad with Herb-Seasoned Croutons

Salad of New Potatoes with Sweet Cicely, Lovage and Green Peppercorns

Mediterranean Summer Roasted Vegetable Ratatouille

Honey-Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Whipped Crème Fraiche and Fresh Berries

Lavender Honey Ice Cream

All members of the public invited for the free lecture. To make a reservation for the lunch use the eventbrite link above.

Linda Alexander

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Lucinda Hutson’s Austin Garden

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Starla and I visited Austin gardens last year in May as participants in the Garden Bloggers Fling.

The color of this purple house and the merriment in its surrounding gardens have remained in my mind.

Lucinda Hutson’s home and garden in Austin

‘La Morada” or the little purple house is a perfect backdrop for the enchanting gardens.

Lucinda Huston welcoming us from her front door. Note the boots adorned with purple foliage.

The narrow lot was made into a series of colorful garden rooms each with a theme.

The fish atop the wall gives a hint of the mermaid grotto you are about to enter.

Fish chairs fish pots, a shell arch and a pond planted with papyrus and ferns. The shape of the plants suggest the ocean floor.

I first learned of Lucinda through her book the The Herb Garden Cookbook.  Garden herbs from around the world meld with edible flowers and other colorful flowers. Take a long look at the pots, the edge of the roof, the tiles on the door, and the zest she has built into this garden room.

Love the fern silhouette!

You knew there would be a bar and ourtdoor dining.  This is a high-spirited place!

Viva Tequila! Cocktails, Cooking, and Other Agave Adventures, Lucinda’s latest cookbook must have been written while sitting in this part of her garden.

Lucinda’s cantina!

Th mosaic stepping stones in the garden suggest making the most of broken pieces-a reminder to enjoy life.

 

 

 

 

 

And that’s what gardens do, they remind us to enjoy life. Thank you Lucinda Hutson for sharing yours.

Ann Lamb

 

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Edible Landscape Spring and Summer Planting 2019

Posted on May 4, 2019 by Dallas Garden Buzz

May 4, 2019

Ana and Linda enthusiastically took center stage last week to proclaim the spring and summer plans for the Raincatcher’s Edible Landscape. The purpose of our edible landscape is to create a stylish and appealing outdoor space using vegetable, fruit, and herb plant materials. On top of that, think partial shade and an area formerly used as a children’s playground. Add in budget constraints and the lack of an irrigation system..

Without the fervor of Ana and Linda and their band of Master Gardeners, I doubt this garden would have flourished. But with its second birthday round the corner, the edible landscape is ready to take off its training pants and mature into a beautiful and thoughtful garden full of edible delights.

In the next few weeks, look for articles giving more detail about the 2019 design plan. The basil bed has just been planted with many different colors of basil. Hint: research the ombré look and we’ll explain later how it’s being used in the edible landscape.

South Sidewalk Raised Beds – Basil varieties/cultivars: Piccolino (Greek), Napoletano (Genovese), Eloenora (Genovese), Persian (Thai), Cardinal (Thai), Balsamic Blooms (Genovese), Red Freddy (Genovese), Amethyst Black (Genovese)

Ann Lamb

PIctures by Linda Alexander

Open this link for a list of the all the plants  and a plot plan of The Edible Landscape at The Raincatcher’s Garden.

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The Edible Landscape Adds a Food Guild

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Dallas Garden Buzz

April 30, 2019

The idea of a food guild or food forest is interesting because it is a less labor intensive way to grow food and more sustainable. Everyone likes the idea of low maintenance and more crops, so watch this video to see the food guild we are creating to in our Edible Landscape at The Raincatcher’s Garden.

The food guild utilizes layers of different types of plants. We are fortunate to have towering oak trees for our tall tree layer and also fortunate to have tasted acorn muffins made from acorn flour. So yes, our tall tree layer, the live oak tree is a food source. Next we will have a short tree, a vine will grow up that tree, then a shrub layer, an herb layer, ground cover and a root crop like horseradish or carrots.  As you read this, you should be getting the idea of plants growing together and utilizing each other’s strengths to create this sustainable food guild.

It’s a fascinating concept and you will get to hear of it’s successes and trials, as we watch it over the next few years.

Ana has given us a list of the plants we will be considering for The Raincatcher’s Food Guild. I’m excited about the mandarin orange tree.

Ann Lamb

video by Starla Willis

For more information about planting a food guild click here.

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