Arbor Groove

08/31/2026

Who can relate?

08/09/2026

This!

Stop running outside at 3pm in 105 degrees to "save" those wilting squash plants.

They are doing what they are supposed to and they are just fine.

https://www.facebook.com/100064534456549/posts/1469472611880540/?mibextid=CDWPTG

Tip: Resist the urge to overwater on hot afternoons!

Master Gardener Eugene Wong explains, on hot afternoons, it is natural to see some plant with droopy leaves. It is also natural to want to immediately give it some water. But stop, just for a moment. Poke a finger into the soil near the root to see if the soil is still moist. If it is moist, wait until the next morning to water the plant.

What may be happening is the wilting is only temporary for plants that have adequate soil moisture on hot days. Many plants with large leaves such as squash, cucumber, sunflower, and many others may droop because they cannot absorb water fast enouh through their roots to replace the water lost through their leaves.

Adding water at this time is not necessary and may actually be harmful to the plant in some case since the extra water may prevent oxygen from reaching the roots. Plants will often recover in the evening as it cools down. One of the reasons to water plants early in the morning is to allow the soil to partially dry out and allow oxygen to refill tiny airspaces in the soil. Roots take in this oxygen from the soil as part of its processes to make use of available nutrients. Suffocating roots contribute to poor growth and may kill the plant.

Photo description: wilted zucchini leaves in the hot afternoon sun

08/01/2026

What a difference a week makes... these glorious tomatoes were green a week ago.

Side note: the birds planted these tomatoes, not me. They always seem to drop the seeds in the best spots ❤️

07/12/2026

We've had many generations of these doves raise families in our flowerpots ♥️

06/26/2026

We are growing Amaranth for the first time and it's faring very well!

It's not supposed to be planted nearly this dense, but I had an old packet of seeds to use up and an empty pot so here we are 🌱

06/18/2026

Lantana love the heat!

Our Dallas Lantana is thriving 😊

06/15/2026

How's everyone's Passionfruit Vines coming along?

We are looking at a bumper crop this year!

Lots of fruit at every stage (except the ripe stage) and lots of flowers.

If you are wanting a fast-growing reliable vine that thrives in our heat, consider Passionfruit.

It needs room to sprawl, so use it in places where it can ramble on with reckless abandon.

Bonus: it's evergreen so it looks good all year.

06/05/2026

Some groovy Friday thoughts 🌼

05/08/2026

It's that time of year for beautiful, stunning Passionflowers!

Here's a nice shot of an open flower along with two buds that should open any day now.

04/24/2026

Happy Arbor Day!

They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.

The next best time is right now.