The A&M Horticulture Club's spring plant sale is scheduled for April 17 (5pm-7pm) and April 18 (9am-2pm).

Facebook Event Post

freshfrenchfryfanatic said:

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Where do you get your composting worms locally? Or do you mail order? Would love to get started on this!

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There is a worm farm in Plantersville called Magic Worm Ranch, I know they sell worm castings, but not sure if they actually sell worms?
I bought my worms from Brother's thinking they were based out of Manor, TX, but the worms came from Mississippi. They did arrive healthy and are doing well but I thought I was getting TX worms. I ordered a 1 lb. Bag mixed with red wrigglers and a unknown variety of nightcrawlers. Red wrigglers for the upper portion of the bed and nightcrawlers to borrow deeper. Good mix!

plant science guy said:

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studioone said:

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plant science guy said:

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How much traffic does this area get?

The reason I ask is that my St Augustine in the front yard under the trees are looking great while all of it in the back yard has been trampled by my dogs. I can't even get weeds to grow there.

If this area is a high traffic area, resodding might be a very expensive and futile affair.

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So how much of a 'Plant Science Guy ' are you?

Have you ever done tissue cultures in a lab?

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I have done tissue culture in a lab, but most of my time has been spent in 10+ acre fields doing phenotypic evaluation of different species and genotypes within species and extrapolating insights from those data. Right now, I work for a company evaluating different molecular patterns within a genome and figuring out how that translates to more resilient and productive crop varieties so we can make more informed breeding decisions without gene editing.

"Plant science" is a broad discipline. I chose this handle because "Amateur Gene Ecologist" got flagged for some reason.

Is there a specific topic you would like to explore? I used to be a county agent so I enjoy helping people.

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I've actually started a Carnivorous Plant nursery, and I keep most of them in my back yard.... right now we have about 8000-9000 plants... but some of them are out at our farm in Millican and I'm starting a tissue lab... but cant seem to get it right...

Jinx said:

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Looking to liven up my porch/patio area but havent done much with plants before.

Suggestions for someone just starting out? It is east facing and sits in the shade all afternoon. Was planning to go by lowes/walmart for some cheap "let's see if I can keep it alive" plants in a couple weeks.

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If it's in the shade all afternoon and the rest of the day, you won't get enough sunlight for most flowering plants, I would look towards creating a look with plant leaf color and density, texture, shape as well as height and width, You would need plants that like at least partial shade,

Half of what you see in Lowes either won't take our winters or doesn't like our hot summers and sun all day,

Like I said, I've done it, but I'm not the guy you would want to bet on doing it right.

The gene editing folks are the ones who really have all the experience. If you'd like I can ask around and see if I can find anyone that would be willing to help.

Burn-It said:

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Believe it or not, Aggieland Grass and Stone has some really good compost/mulch mix. We've had 2 truckloads dumped at our place last year and used it for almost everything. Getting a fresh load delivered later this week. Shows up hot and steaming.

https://www.aggielandgrassandstone.com/#Materials

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How much wood mulch is in it? I want to do carrots so I need a finer mix. Have 2 4x8x2 ft metal raised beds that I am going to have Big Event build and fill so need to get the soil delivered in the next couple weeks.

philothea said:

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Burn-It said:

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Believe it or not, Aggieland Grass and Stone has some really good compost/mulch mix. We've had 2 truckloads dumped at our place last year and used it for almost everything. Getting a fresh load delivered later this week. Shows up hot and steaming.

https://www.aggielandgrassandstone.com/#Materials

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How much wood mulch is in it? I want to do carrots so I need a finer mix. Have 2 4x8x2 ft metal raised beds that I am going to have Big Event build and fill so need to get the soil delivered in the next couple weeks.

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You can screen it with some hardware mess just for your carrots. May have to add a bit of peat moss and vermiculite to fine it down, but usually it's pretty good.

Producers has Improved Porter tomato seedlings today. I have added them to my Beefsteak and Cherokee Purples and Sun Sugar menagerie. Also planted radishes due to the 30 day harvest. I don't even like radishes.

Managed to find some Chile Tepins at Farm Patch. Still hoping to find some Chile Pequins somewhere in town. Any one got any leads?

Antique Rose an emporium has chili pequin (not chiltepin). Just grabbed two.

How do y'all handle squash vine borers? Cloth? Pick eggs by hand? Don't bother with squash at all lol?

I tried picking by hand last summer every day, but I still missed some and my plants got absolutely wrecked. I'm thinking about keeping them permanently covered and hand pollinating everyday, and keeping the lower stems wrapped in foil. I've seen traps online, but they note only catching the males. I'm gonna set some of those up just so I know when the little buggers have arrived, and then be extra diligent in keeping them covered and checking for eggs.

Grow semi-resistant types. I grow an ancient gourd called cucuzza that eats like a squash although you have to peel it. Very productive and tasty and borers don't bother it.

Tromboncino was a type I tried after hearing they are resistant. They are not.

You can try sticky traps to trap the adult moths. Good luck. I despise those things.

Cucuzza! The squash of my people!

(Makes the Sicilian hand gesture).

Mr. Scarmardo at farm patch turned me on to them. Gave me some seeds for free.

New question for folks who know roses. I've been wanting to add some old European roses, like the ones popular in the Middle Ages to my collection, so snagged two at the Rose Emporium. I know Texas isn't the ideal location for them but curious if anyone has had luck with them and if there are any special tips? For you rose nerds these are the old family that includes albas, gallicas, damasks.

These guys:

https://www.davidaustinroses.com/collections/old-roses

A cold front is coming through Sunday night with super string wind gusts, then lows of 36 on Monday. T&P for our gardens.

Procrastinating paid off for me this time

Calm down. 36 is fine. Move sensitive tropicals into the garage for one night.

FlyRod said:

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Calm down. 36 is fine. Move sensitive tropicals into the garage for one night.

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We never bring the plumerias out until after Spring Break.

On Monday I moved my papaya tree into a pot that's too heavy/big to move. He will get wrapped as best I can.

I have papayas and plumerias too. They will be fine.

Lots of gardeners we know are planning to put plastic pots over their frail starts Sunday & Monday nights, giving them full light during the day.

Looking for Turk's Cap plants. Thanks.

Farm Patch had red ones on Thursday.

However is anyone sees them in pink, please LMK.

Thanks. Looking for a red one to replace one from last year that didn't make it.

I've found Etsy to be an excellent source for anything hard to find or very specific.