Category Archives: Plants

Plants of all types that grow in Austin Texas.

Parthenium hysterophorus. One of the Worlds top weeds. Insectary rockstar.

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Santa Maria Feverfew, Congress Weed, Whitetop Weed, Wild Cauliflower and Ragweed Parthenium are a few of it’s common names.  It’s developed resistance to some herbicides.   It’s been spreading it’s range around the world with the help of humans and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Beneficials, Insectary, Insects & other Invertebrates, Plants | Leave a comment

Fall Armyworms. Something’s eating the corn…

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

We’ve got a Two Sisters patch of corn and black-eyed peas growing together.  So far they’ve been getting tall and looking healthy.  Two days ago some of the leaves had been eaten and there was some frass (insect poop).  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease & Problems, Fruits & Vegetables, Insects & other Invertebrates, Pests, Plants | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How about a Two Sisters garden?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Yeah, I know it’s meant to be a Three Sisters Garden but we’ve had such rotten luck with squash due to squash vine borers that I decided to skip the squash.  Let’s see how it goes with corn and black-eyed … Continue reading →

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Leaf Spot (Cercospora fungus) on Sweet Basil

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Cercospora is a genus of fungi encompassing over 1200 species.  Many of them can affect plants in your garden.  Booooo!  It usually looks pretty similar to the photo above but it does change a bit depending on the species/plant.  Light … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease & Problems, Herbs, Plants, Water | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

55g barrel and soaker hose getup to alter pH of city water in bulk for Blueberries (or other acid lovers)

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

“55g barrel and soaker hose getup to alter city water pH for Blueberries in bulk” or “Is growing blueberries in central Texas insane?” Our tap water originates from Lady Bird Lake which is a dammed up section of the Colorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease & Problems, Fruits & Vegetables, Plants, Water | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Pulled up tomato with possible Fusarium or Verticillium Wilt

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Pulled up a Solar Fire tomato plant on Saturday. It was across the mulch path from the magnolia stump, just a bit towards the front walk. I should have taken a photo first but I was sick and didn’t even … Continue reading →

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I hate you Squash Vine Borer

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

This vile horrible creature is the Squash Vine Borer.  She’s a wasp mimic, active during the day, a quick flier and most likely the cause of your dying squash.  I hate you Squash Vine Borer.  She lays her tiny flat orange … Continue reading →

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Feed your predator insects – Butterfly Weed

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Butterfly Weed (asclepias tuburosa) and Mexican Butterfly Weed (asclepias curassavica)  are drought tolerant species of milkweed native to North America.  They have clusters of small bright yellow to orange flowers.   In the winter Butterfly Weed (a. tuburosa) dies to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Insectary, Medicinal, Plants | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Amaranth. Leafy greens that thrive in the summer heat of Central Texas.

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Stalk of Fennel

Left to right is Red Amaranth, Wild Amaranth and Green Amaranth.  I planted red and green amaranth in this spot last year but as they’re annuals they died in the winter.  These all grew from seeds that overwintered from last … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits & Vegetables, Local Wild Edibles, Plants | Tagged , , | 1 Comment