Tag Archives: Dallas County Master Gardener

Who Doesn’t Love a Good Fairy Tale?

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

July 2, 2024

 Does the familiar phrase ‘once upon a time’ bring back memories of  your early childhood? Maybe it was when you heard the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood for the first time or were mesmerized when you saw Disney’s version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Throughout the years, fairy tales have given us wondrous characters in magical settings and left an indelible impression on young children throughout the world. But the fairy tale that has recently impressed me most is of a uniquely different variety. It is one that produces magically, ornamental plants for your garden. In this case, it is the adorable petite eggplant known as ‘Fairy Tale’. 

Fairy Tale Eggplant

As you can see from the photo, it is a lovely mini eggplant, only 4 inches long, with stunning streaks of lavender and white. The plant itself grows to only 24” but produces tender-sweet fruits that are as beautiful as they are delicious. This variety can be grown in ground but, with its compact, dwarf size, is a just as suitable for container growing.

When it was time to harvest and enjoy, a quesadilla recipe was the perfect choice. Honey crisp apples gave it a sweet, tart taste while the smaller slices of savory fairy tale eggplant fit nicely on the tortilla. A handful of roughly chopped spinach along with some creamy Monterrey Jack cheese completed the combination of amazing flavors. Freshly made tortillas from Central Market held everything together while the quesadillas were baking in the oven.

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A very unique feature of ‘Fairy Tale’ is the recognition it received in 2005 as an AAS* vegetable award winner. It was the first eggplant to win an AAS award since 1939. There is still time to grow ‘Fairy Tale’ in your garden so why not give it a try? 

For transplants:

Pick a sunny site with rich, organic, well-draining soil. Eggplants require at least 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day. (Some sources advise not planting it in a plot where you grew tomatoes, peppers, potatoes or other eggplants the year before). Set transplants about 3 feet apart.

Mulch after planting. 

Provide adequate water to produce the best-tasting eggplants. Fairy Tale eggplant enjoys deep, consistent watering throughout the growing season. Check often to be sure that Fairy Tale is receiving about 1-2 inches of water per week.

Harvest when fruits reach 2-4 inches in length for sweet, bitter-free enjoyment. Snip fruit with clean shears at their individual stems or in clusters. The skin should appear glossy (left side of photo), as dull skin can indicate overripe fruit (right side of photo). Harvest regularly to encourage new fruit production.

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*All-America Selections winners are tested at trial grounds across North America. Each winner has superior qualities that distinguish it from similar varieties. ‘Fairy Tale’ was granted the prestigious AAS award by a nationwide panel of experts.

Linda Alexander,Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Apple Eggplant Quesadillas

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Calabacita – SVB Resistant and Productive

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

July 1, 2024

Congratulations to the Raincatcher’s Garden Veggie Team, who has harvested and donated 634 pounds of squash so far this year. It’s quite an accomplishment when you consider the ubiquity of the destructive squash vine borer (SVB) in the area.

The team’s challenge was to find a squash variety that resists SVB. Over the past three years, gardeners have tried Zucchino Rampicante (Cucurbita moschata), Baby and Waltham Butternut (Cucurbita moschata) and Calabacita (Cucurbita pepo).  All overcame SVB damage, but the Calabacita production was much higher.

Calabacita is delicious, especially when harvested at tennis ball to softball size. It can also be eaten as a soccer ball size pumpkin and stores well at the larger size. It takes a little more effort to prepare the larger size, so the gardeners included cooking instructions with donations.

One difficulty, but a good problem to have, is finding the many fruits of this prolific plant before they reach a large size.

Another issue is the vines grow over 10 feet long and quickly sprawl throughout the garden. At Raincatcher’s they grew over large trellises and into the raised beds and grape arbor on the opposite side.

However, the trade off of space for productivity worked out well for the garden this year.

Well done Veggie Team, whose total production for 2024 has now surpassed 1200 pounds, providing fresh, nutritious food for the patrons of North Dallas Shared Ministries.

Cyntihia Jones and Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardeners

The Veggie Team works hard every Monday morning (and many Thursday mornings during harvest), weather permitting, so please feel free to stop by with any questions you may have about growing vegetables in Dallas or just to look around and be inspired. Our garden is located on the grounds of Midway Hills Christain Church at 11001 Midway Road, Dallas, TX, 75229.

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Bee Balm vs. Lemon Bee Balm vs. Lemon Balm

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

 Oh, I so enjoy the colors and flowers that bloom during the early summer and one that I’m enjoying of late is bee balm.  Its magenta flowers atop a tall stalk are a feast for pollinators. In the wildflower area of Raincatchers, a purple rocket-like plant is putting on a show – Bee balm?   It looks nothing like the other, but I recall it being bee balm too. Can it be?  And then there’s Lemon Balm with its bushy habit and ability to travel readily.  Looks like it’s time to clear up this mystery— 

Upon further investigation, these similar names create a climate for confusion Bee balm, Lemon Balm, and Lemon Bee Balm -the looks of the plants are distinctively different but all are related to the mint family.   

eBee balm, also called Wild bergamot, has several varieties – some perennial and others annual. Monarda is a genus of flowering, plants from the mint family. Lamiaceae didyma or fistulosa (zones 4-9) are perennials.   Its cheery pink flowers are located near the Edible landscape greenhouse and stands 24-48 inches tall, and can spread 24 -36 inches.  It blooms late spring into summer in full to part sun in well prepared beds with good drainage. Bee balm has magenta, pink, purple, red or white flowers that are 2-3-inch across with slender tubes looking flowers on a tall stalk. 

Bee Balm

If your garden needs a smaller specimen, pinch the stalks in early spring, or purchase a shorter variety. Deadheading and cutting makes way for more flower production.  Cut the stalks close to the ground in late fall and they will return in the spring. Powdery mildew might make an appearance if it’s a wet spring, but it won’t harm the plant.  

II was purchased at the DCMG Plant Sale at Fair Park and then a dear friend gifted some she started from seeds (Northaven Gardens).  It spreads some, but not difficult to control.  The bees, Butterflies and hummingbirds are delighted.  Mark and Cynthia Jones captured this picture of a moth (white lined sphinx moth I think) feasting on  the variety Peter’s Purple. 

Lemon BEE Balm (Monarda citriodora) is a herbaceous annual of the mint family, native to Central, southern America and Mexico and is commonly found in pastures and prairies.  It will thrive in full sun, and in poor, rocky, or sandy soils. Can you see where this gets confusing?  It Blooms in late Spring early summer about the same time as the Bee balm is blooming.   This was found in our wildflower area at the garden along with blanket flower, long after the bluebonnets, Indian paint brush, and Engelmann daisies have said their adieus (goodbyes) To confuse even more, Lemon Bee balm is also known as purple horsemint or lemon mint.  It has lemon scented spiky clusters of varying shades of lavender.  You can find this in seed packets and often in wildflower mixes.  

Lemon Bee Balm

Lastly there is Lemon Balm, another member of the mint family, (Melissa officinalis). Native to Europe, It can be found in many places, but most recently has been thinned from the Hügelkultur in the Edible landscape.  It grows in a clump, with wrinkled  leaves that have a scent of Lemon. The flower is an insignificant spiky pale-yellow cluster.  This herb is said to produce calming effects.   It seeds and spreads readily and can get 3 feet by 2 feet.   It consistently returns in the garden. It can be obtained in the herb section of  garden centers or possibly a garden friend would gift you a start.  

Lemon Balm

Now that that mystery is put to rest,  figure out a way to use one or all of  these beauties in your landscape.   

Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011

Video of sphinx moth, courtesy of Mark and Cynthia Jones, Dallas County Master Gardeners Class of 2013

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Sunflower Honey

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

June 14, 2024

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A recent Savannah Bee email was so inspiring to read that I immediately ordered three jars of what founder Ted Dennard described as “the happiest honey around”. Sourced from the beekeepers of Ukraine and Romania, it truly is “as sweet as a summer day.”

For more information about the women beekeepers who produce and distribute this remarkable sunflower honey, please follow the link to Savannah Bee. Their story is one of determination and perseverance in continuing the art of beekeeping for future generations. 

Also, please revisit a blog article posted by Master Gardener Starla Willis in August of 2022. It features her summer trip to Ukraine where she captured an amazing photo of sunflower fields from her train ride across the country. She has cherished memories of that special experience.

For a quick breakfast treat, spread this yummy, crystallized honey onto a toasted English muffin.

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Candied Sunflower Seed Snack

Only 5 ingredients from this to this!

And this might be the summer to grow your own sunflowers for some additional honeybee activity in the garden. I’ve decided to try the big one: Mammoth Sunflower Helianthus annuus
It’s only been in the ground for one month,
is already over 4 feet tall and filled with buds

*Note: For all products and references to Savannah Bee go to savannahbee.com

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardner Class of 2008

Candied Sunflower Seed Snack Recipe as pictured above

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Garden Love

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Many things connect us to our gardens. We have had a busy spring at The Raincatcher’s Garden.

Garden chores become pleasure when we work together. Spring has consisted of weeding, seed collecting, watering and learning from each other and then sharing the fruit of that knowledge with all ages and also agencies that assist others

North Dallas Shared ministries received over 200 lbs of fresh vegetables to distribute from the Raincatcher’s Garden.
Our compost crew hard at work.

Combining efforts and resources for common goals. Here we are at our annual plant sale
Combining efforts and resources for common goals. Here we are at our annual plant sale
Jackie, Sue and Deborah at the Raincatcher’s Plant Sale

Nature unfolds before our very eyes. This honeybee is about to forage for nectar on a beautiful cactus flower at the Raincatcher’s Garden.

Garden love also includes sharing life, having fun, and learning through our garden work experiences.  

Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011

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DCMGA Garden Tour Preview: The Garden of Suzy Renz

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

May 17, 2024

 By Alan Rister

The upcoming DCMGA Garden Tour on May 18 will feature eight beautiful gardens, including the garden of Suzy Renz, as one of the stops on this year’s tour.

Once upon a time, a very conventional house in northeast Dallas had an acre of lawn and very little more than a couple of live oak trees, some unremarkable foundation shrubs, and a tired looking wooden deck in the back to make up what passed for a “yard.”  Then along came Suzy Renz, on a house-hunt, who instantly saw the potential for garden greatness at this unique site, and the rest, as they say, has been five-going-on-six years of creating everything you can see at this exceptional property located on Park Branch creek.

Among Dallas Master Gardeners, Suzy is known for her singular originality and creativity in garden and home design as well as her very “green” thumbs.  She is known in particular for her “Farmhouse Eclectic” style, influenced by many trips to the Round Top Antiques Fair, where one-of-a-kind objects abound and can become the stars of design vignettes when carted back home.  So, unsurprisingly her yard stands out in her neighborhood as a glorious testament to both her distinctive plantswomanship and its marriage to inventive garden design.

At the front of the property the “North Forty” garden, which extends along the street from the driveway to the corner of the block in an ever-narrowing strip, is a fine collection of native and adapted plants that thrive in the full sun exposure.  Suzy’s prowess

at choosing the “right plant for the right place” is on full view here, as these sun-hardy specimens—the purple of Coneflowers, the blue of Russian Sage, the azure of Vitex, the yellow of Lantana, the red of Texas Yucca, and so many more—appear completely at home together in this garden space.  Large slabs of Oklahoma flagstone form a lazy river pathway that invites strolling and exploring this excellent collection of well chosen plants.

When entering Suzy’s back yard through the custom-made “GARDEN” gate sign, one immediately has the sense of having arrived in a wonderland of personal horticultural and artistic expression, for this is an intensely personal space.  The first steps into this special place always evoke a gasp of surprise, because this garden and indeed this house are all about the appreciation of a hidden fifteen-foot deep ravine and the creek that carved it, which are essentially invisible from the street level.  A split rail fence of native cedar defines the edge of the wild from the tended garden within and demarcates the fringe of the native woods beyond.  The first view of this completely unexpected terrain demands a long pause for wonderment.

Meanwhile, discovery of Suzy’s creative design talents begins with a survey of the top terrace adjoining the back of the house, which she and husband Rob extensively remodeled.   Any old galvanized bucket or unusual flower pot can, in Suzy’s hands, become a container for spotlighting annual plantings of various colorful flowers.  A whimsical found-object sculpture by local artist Janice Sommerville stands as a sentinel at the back door, part of Suzy’s collection of several pieces by this artist.  Other mostly unidentifiable but interesting mechanical objects randomly punctuate the scene here and there.  Still other smile-provoking figures, such as the trio of little concrete fisherboys and a welded iron cat whose spine is an old industrial spring, hang out around the swimming pool and exemplify the un-fussiness of this garden.

From the patio just outside the back door a series of switchback steps lead dramatically down the back yard slope to a firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs in a rainbow of happy colors. Arriving at this convivial destination one has the feeling of having descended into an immersion in green, as the lush foliage of this remarkable site envelops the seating area and indeed the entire back yard.

A blue glass bottle tree nestles among a grove of Abelia ‘Canyon Creek’ on the lower terrace level along with smaller blue bottle “bush.”  The Abelias along with a dense planting of Junipers on the middle level function as screens of green to conceal the concrete landscape blocks that form retaining walls.  These walls serve primarily to hold the house and garden in their proper places, but they also create dramatic changes of elevation as the back yard drops precipitously towards the creekbed below.

While this garden shows evidence of constant attention and hard work on the horticulture, it also manages to look effortless because of the abundance of fanciful, unpretentious decorative elements.  Little wonder, then, that Suzy says what she loves most about her garden is the opportunity for exercising the unlimited “process of creating.”  Fortunate is she who has found her Happy Place.

Alan Rister, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

And fortunate are we, to get to see this garden tomorrow! Tickets for the Dallas County Master Garden Tour are $18.00 until 6pm tonight and $22.00 thereafter.

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DCMGA Garden Tour Preview: The Garden of Janet D. Smith

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

 By Alan Rister

This is the unlikely story of a woman whose garden was created unintentionally and who, in the process, became a gardener accidentally.

Prior to entering the Dallas County Master Gardener program in 2005 following her retirement, Janet D. Smith confesses that she was completely ignorant of any and all knowledge concerning gardening.  Her attempts at home horticulture had consisted of purchasing hanging baskets of seasonal color annuals at big-box stores and “inundating them with Miracle Grow.”

Janet’s back yard had long suffered from a lack of adequately engineered drainage, which caused flooding of her garage every time there was a big rain.  She therefore sought out professional help to remediate the situation, and landscape architect Carol Feldman undertook the project, which involved the removal of a large amount of soil from the yard.  The drainage problem was solved, but now there was the question of what to do with the excavated soil, for which Janet did not want to incur costs for removal from her property.  The solution was to use the soil for the formation of a berm in her front yard.

The unexpectedly large volume of the new berm presented an opportunity for the creation of a garden, and thus, with a planting plan prepared by the landscape architect, Janet began a life-changing voyage of discovery through everything she could learn about gardens and the pollinator insects and birds that play such important roles in sustaining them.

Previously unaware that there exist many plants that come back from their roots every year to flourish and flower (perennials), Janet was delighted to discover that she could be freed from having to replant her new garden from scratch (with annuals) year after year.  And the planting plan that had been provided to her did indeed feature mostly perennials, among them many species of plants that are native to our region.  From that point, it is fair to say that this neophyte gardener dived zealously into the enterprise of gardening and has never looked back.

It has been a long and great transformation from Janet’s complete lack of gardening knowledge to becoming one of the Master Gardeners’ most respected authorities on best gardening practices and one of our most in-demand public speakers.  As she became more experienced as a gardener, she has pursued further education.  She completed both the Master Naturalist and Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) programs, and over the years she has become as active in those organizations as she has remained in the Master Gardeners.  She has also continued to educate herself by studying topics that interested her most, especially all about pollinators, including local butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Janet has been profoundly influenced by the principles of Douglas Tallamy, especially as elucidated in his seminal work Bringing Nature Home:  How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants (2009).  This work is a holistic treatment of the interplay of all members of the earth’s biome and how they create its ecology.  For Janet, this speaks precisely to the fascinating role of pollinators in the environment, which draws her continuously to study and teach about them through her speaking and writing.

Her evident passion about good horticulture and her enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge with the public has led her to becoming a well-known speaker in the Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau.  Since she began her public speaking in 2006, she has given hundreds and hundreds of presentations to garden clubs, community organizations, school groups, and others, not to mention her continual involvement with Dallas County Master Gardeners, North Texas Master Naturalists, and NPSOT programs and projects.  She has become so renowned for her particular love and knowledge of butterflies that all she now lacks is a coronation to be known as the “Queen of Butterflies” in Dallas County.

Today, Janet’s beautiful berm garden stands out as an exemplary showcase of smart gardening:  the “right plants” (varieties chosen for their optimal adaptation to local climate and soil types) in the “right places” (growing environments best suited for plants’ needs for sun exposure, moisture, drainage, and soil fertility).  The notably modest size of the garden and its conversion to an all-perennial palette of plants (with the exception of larkspurs, which self seed) make it inherently easier and more realistic to maintain.

Standing in her colorful garden, Janet says that what she most enjoys about it is observing “the complexity of nature and how it provides us the life we have.”  She muses that “this berm changed the direction of my life.”  Thus, this pile of dirt has provided Janet with inspiration and purpose.  Come to Peavy Road to see where it all began under the hand of a true Master gardener.

Alan Rister, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

Click here for ticket information about the garden tour taking place on Saturday, May 18th rain or shine.

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A Late Spring Update

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

According to the calendar, the first day of spring was Friday, March 20, 2024. Dallas natives know that early signs of spring started appearing in late February. One of the happiest moments for me was when two new additions to my garden in 2023 announced their comeback from winter’s cold. They are now showing signs of an exciting springtime welcome.

*Veggie Green Rose (Planted April 2023) – It has easily doubled in size, producing new buds over the past two months.

*Green Gage Plum (Planted September 2023) – It was thrilling to see both trees filled with delicate white blossoms during the last few days of February, continuing into March. Fresh, new green leaves started appearing in late March and early April. It’s now May and all is well.

*Black Sage (Planted September 2023) Sadly, this one did not survive those few days/nights of below freezing temperatures. But I’m not giving up on growing black sage in my garden. This time I’m trying a different strategy. Last month I ordered four new 4” plants from the same grower in California. Each one was planted in a different location of the garden with varying degrees of sun to shade. I’m encouraged today that all four plants have almost doubled in size. Hopefully, by this coming fall they will all be well established and ready for our unpredictable winter weather.

(Black Sage planted in early April 2024 is thriving)

A recent Savannah Bee email featured their Black Sage Honey and the amazing story of how it thrives in the lower mountain slopes and upper desert regions of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is a fascinating look at what it takes to produce this uniquely flavored honey. Thankfully, I still have a few jars left from my last order!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Raincatcher’s Garden Annual Plant Sale

 Tuesday, May 7th 2024

10 AM – 3 PM

Midway Hills Christian Church 

11001 Midway Road 

Dallas, Texas 75229

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So you think you want a GREENHOUSE!  Experiences from Acquiring a Green House for Raincatcher’s Garden

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

The allure of having a greenhouse is something that some gardeners dream of – a place to overwinter plants, start seedlings, and have workspace. How does this become a reality?  First of all,  determine your goals and ideas.  Do your homework and decide if it is a project worthy of the investment of your time, money and efforts?  

About the time Fall arrives and freezing weather makes its appearance, ads for greenhouses start flooding inboxes and social media sites.  It seems like a good idea to have a place to store tender plants that can’t handle it outside during our coldest temperatures of January and February. Another bonus is the ability to provide a head-start for seedlings to sprout before they are planted in the garden.  

There are a variety of styles, sizes, price points as well as optional accessories to consider – from heavy plastic, glass or plexiglass partitions, to brick surrounds, and various mortar and glass options, ranging in cost, size and function. A greenhouse can also be labor intensive, and impractical for those who don’t have the time, ability, or manpower to maintain it properly.

The preferred space needs to be of adequate size for your garden needs, level and in a sunny to mostly sunny location. Water needs to be close and the ability to heat, cool and monitor the space is an important consideration.

Dreaming of a place to overwinter my plants caused me to inquire online. My available location was not ideal-the space was not adequate and the prep and the assembly was more than daunting (in so many ways). Ultimately, the amount of time, effort and money to be invested caused me to pause, rethink and determine that installing a greenhouse was not my best move.  However, a well-utilized greenhouse is much more than just a storage space for tender plants.  

While contemplating this, Raincatchers’ acquired one that would be optimal for our North Garden. It was transported to the property and the plans for putting it into seedling production began to unfurl. It took about two months to get the “new to us” greenhouse relocated and in working order. The “team” at Raincatchers’ has spent many man hours preparing it for use, leveling the site, setting a brick floor on decomposed granite, anchoring the greenhouse against the strong Texas winds, building multiple two-tiered seedling tables, installing a solar powered cooling fan, and initiating water and electrical hookups. Maintenance will be ongoing.

Seedlings have now been started for our many vegetable beds and they appear to be very happy in their controlled environment.  Note: vegetable seedlings are started and then set out into our gardens at the proper time.

If you are thinking about  acquiring a greenhouse, either by purchase or building it yourself – the best of luck to you! Hopefully, you now have an idea of the reality of the effort to produce a functioning greenhouse and can make an informed decision  It can be very useful and an asset to your gardening efforts; whether starting vegetables, flowers or show plants, or just over wintering your houseplants or tropicals.  

Friends helping move our greenhouse.
Joe at work, brick by brick.
Many hands make light work.
Bricks donated by Tig and fetched by Mark-thank you!
Jon and the greenhouse floor-Jon keeps us level.
Don, washing bricks pre-installation.
The greenhouse installation has been a true team effort with many hands involved-thank you!

A gardener’s considerations for Installing a greenhouse:

Manpower to construct the unit (most come in sections that require construction) 

$$ Cost (from a few hundred dollars to several thousands)

Overall Size and Options

Site selection –    

Sunny to mostly sunny location

Ground leveled for structure

Anchoring against the wind

Inside Flooring (Hard surface with the ability to drain) several options Shelving options (Water resistant)

Storage options (Greenhouse supplies)

Heating and Cooling Capability, i.e., a solar operated cooling fan

Electrical Considerations

Water Availability (For plant watering and seedling misting) 

Shade Capability (For the long, hot sunny days)

On-going Upkeep (several hours a week) 

Construction Permit (If required)

Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011 with input from Jon Maxwell, Class of 2015

Two dates to remember:

Raincatcher’s plant sale-May 7th

Dallas County Master Gardener Association Garden Tour 2024-May 18th

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Honeybees, Pollen and Pink Poppies 

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

April 15, 2024

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(Honeybees gathering pollen from our poppies)

If you’ve been to Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills anytime during the past two weeks, a seasonal spectacle may have caught your eye. Everywhere you look, from the Edible Landscape/Courtyard area extending out to the north garden, pathways are filled with the sight of spring blooming pink poppies. 

Move in a little closer and listen carefully for a soft humming sound. As you might have guessed, honeybees are busy at work foraging for pollen from the abundance of poppies that share these garden spaces with our herbs, vegetables and wildflowers. 

Are you wondering…why are honeybees so attracted to poppies? As the late Robbin Thorp, native pollinator specialist for UC Davis in California so succinctly stated…” they’re not there for the nectar – they’re there for the pollen”. 

Poppies should be considered as a quintessential plant for pollen production. And honeybees are one of the chief pollinating agents. A deeper dive into the world of poppies gives us some interesting information regarding pollen. 

It is true that honeybees are attracted to poppies for pollen only. The reason why is that the inflorescences of all poppy species lack nectaries, thus no sugary nectar available to pollinators. Flowers, however, are packed with pollen-bearing anthers. Because pollen is the honeybee’s main source of protein, collecting it is a necessary task. Once collected, it is used for brood development and to feed the young larvae. And, fortunately for the bees, scientists have found that poppy pollen is remarkable clean, containing few fungi or mycotoxins.

Come visit our garden and take time to stroll the garden paths filled with poppies. Expect to be mesmerized by an eye-catching explosion of frills. Early morning and late afternoon seem to be the optimum time to experience the honeybees in action. Don’t be surprised to see as many as four or five honeybees foraging frenetically within a single flower.

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(Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills…Our “field of poppies!)

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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