or years now, the first thing my husband and I do when we move to a new location is put up a greenhouse. Actually, for the last two homes one of the main criteria when house-hunting was where a greenhouse could be placed.   For me this structure is not a luxury, but a necessity for many reasons from...

eneral notes: For those of us who like to bundle up during this time of year, our balmy ‘flip-flops and T-shirt’ Christmas was a bit of a disappointment. Weather forecasters think this is because of the return of La Niña conditions in the Pacific. When will winter truly arrive, and how should garden...

’is the season, and I’m sure at least some readers have sung ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’ in the past few days, which includes the line ‘Now bring us some figgy pudding.’  This seasonal dessert dates back to 16th century England, and was a mixture of custard, croutons and mashed figs. (There are ...

hristmas and other winter holidays bring out the desire to fill our homes with greenery and decorative flowers. With a little extra care and forethought, many of these wonderful plants can continue to thrive long after December becomes just a distant memory. Choosing a living Christmas tree is a gre...

by Mick Vann A memoir of a 2013 feast at the home of Hays Free Press columnist Chris Winslow (‘CBoy’). Plus an original recipe for stuffing. nce again the annual Turkey Day gathering commenced at Rancho Winslow, with fairly decent weather and an abundance of spirits. It was a small but solid crew, d...

or many of my friends the arrival of November signals the start of the deer and wild turkey season. For me, it’s onion planting time. While Baker and Oliver hone their hunting skills over at the ranch in Brackettville over in Kinney County, I’m in my backyard planting this season’s crop. I am often ...

. Plant a tree: now is still a perfect time to get that shade or ornamental tree in the ground. 2. Plant flowering perennials: it’s never too late. Even though their tops will be burned back with the first hard freeze, their roots will be hardy. During the cool days of winter, they will establish a ...

By David Sargert t the nursery, other than the weather, the election, and ‘when are ya’ll gonna move?’ the fourth most often asked   question is: ‘I’ve got this rocky/clay soil ... ’.   Thankfully it’s the only subject for which we have definite answers. (This article is the start of a series that w...

T here is an oft repeated feeling that I experience every year here in Texas. By summer I am mentally packing my bags and moving to Colorado.  I swear that I cannot take one more year here in this heat.  But then something happens. Not just any something …  but Texas in spring happens.  Specifically...

By Amanda Moon T his seems to be the year when summer is the guest that keeps coming back . . . or doesn’t know when to leave, just when we’re trying to settle into a nice cool, fall vibe.  But fall will indeed arrive soon, and our summer and fall perennials will go dormant for the winter months, le...