Sex in the Garden With Tex

Imagine: a non-native Texas plant that’s good for something:

Winter and butterflies don’t normally go hand in hand in most people’s minds. However, thanks to the prolific use of an exotic plant in our landscapes, one butterfly’s behavior has been altered, allowing it to be on the wing in North Texas throughout the year.

Read the rest of the article, by the acknowledged butterfly expert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, here:

Here’s an interesting take on whether President-Elect Obama should dig up a patch of White House grounds to plant a veggie garden. (Maybe he should make George do it; wouldn’t hurt him to do some good.)

The home vegetable garden, a thing of much toil and simple pleasure, has taken on enormous political and environmental symbolism. Voices in the local-food movement have formed a chorus urging the Obamas to dig up a good chunk of the South Lawn for a garden to feed the first family and local food banks.

It would only be symbolism, of course. But it would be powerful symbolism. Just another small piece of taking control of your life back from the agribusinesses that control what we eat.

And, no, I don’t have a veggie garden that could feed anyone for more than a day. I grow lettuces, onions, garlic and herbs. But to feed my family, I would have to grow veggies on more land than I have. Perhaps: Start a community garden! Not a bad idea.

Anyone had success growing veggies on small patches of land? Or how to start a community garden? I am itching to get my fingers into some dirt, but I need guidance (and I’m sure others do, too).

Some gardening book suggestions, courtesy of The Washington Post, via another newspaper. One book is by Texans.

The Houston Chronicle’s ‘Lazy Gardener’ columnist has a list of reader suggestions for best plants of 2008. Many native Texas plants on the list, including one of my faves: Salvia macrophylla ‘Hot Lips’, or ‘Hot Lips’ Sage. Beautiful little sagey flowers, long-lasting, trouble-free plant, perennial, of course. Here’s the complete list: 

Interesting look at Dallas native plant enthusiast Peter Schaar, who likes to cook what he grows. Those of us in the native Texas plant movement have known about Peter’s cooking expertise for a long time.