March 2026

March 3, 2026

These beautifully designed metal pots were donated to our garden by a local artist who is a welder and landscaper. We are so appreciative! They fit perfectly in the middle of our raised beds and are in a choice location to receive sun and afternoon shade. In the middle of each pot, we planted a giant coneflower surrounded by purple moss verbena and a couple of yellow snapdragons. The moss verbena has been planted close to the inside edge so it will cascade over the top rim and grow through the stars.

March 6, 2026

During January and February, we lost many of the moss verbena plants that we planted last spring. We need to replant these pots, so we removed the dead stems and their extensive root systems. However, instead of adding them to our brush pile we placed them in the open spaces between the pots and the flashing behind them. This will make a safe hiding place for reptiles and insects. This organic matter will gradually break down, and we will have space to add more to our mini-brush piles next year.

March 7, 2026

I take lots of breaks while gardening these days. After 73 years of moving at a rapid pace, I’m learning how to relax and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds around me on a Saturday afternoon. My garden buddies enjoy the downtime, too. Spring is miraculous because the plants grow quickly and appear to have grown inches between my morning and afternoon recharge times.

March 9, 2026

Our neighbor, who is a fifth grader, started his own business this spring by planting sunflower seeds and selling the seedlings for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. When I asked him what he was going to do with the money, he replied that we wanted to invest in the stock market! I was floored and very impressed. He was trying to raise $500 dollars and at the time of this writing he had nearly reached his goal. Some of his sunflower seedlings can be seen growing next to our greenhouse. They are tiny, but they will grow fast during this early heatwave. I’ll keep you updated.

March 10, 2026

Some gardeners plant seeds directly into individual pots and then transplant them when needed. I like to sprinkle the seeds over the surface of a large pot and then transplant the seedlings that emerge.

Depending on how they are going to be used, I move them into grow-pots or plant them directly in the garden. The soil in my large starter pots is porous and loose, making it easy to remove fragile seedlings without damaging the roots. I think nearly all the small zinnia seeds sprouted that I planted in this pot. Soon, they will be found growing in pots and beds throughout the garden.

March 12, 2026

I found this beautiful mirror with a butterfly frame in Simply Comfort, the store in front of our gardens. We sealed it with a clear protective paint and hung it on the back of our information board. As people walk by, they can see the reflection of ’who can help save the pollinators’… they can! Everyone can help save pollinators by planting one or more nectar and/or host plants in a pot or a plot.

March 14, 2026

Cedar sage has a name that explains what it is and where it grows. Salvia roemeriana is a Texas native that can also grow in zones 7-11. In its natural habitat, it is often found growing in the shade of cedar trees (ashe juniper) and it reseeds to form clusters of plants with bright red flowers. It is an early spring bloomer, and its tubular flowers are ready for the first hummingbirds. This drought tolerant plant is also deer resistant, as are most salvias. It is easily grown from seeds. Currently we have about fifty seedlings that we will transplant to 4” pots so we can nurture them until September when we will plant them in the garden.

March 16-17, 2026

Two days ago, nearly everything in our garden was emerging and flourishing way ahead of schedule due to unseasonally hot temperatures! And then, as predicted by locals, we had a late spring freeze!

Thankfully most of our plants only have surface damage, and not deep tissue injuries. The plants that were affected the most included sweet almond bush, red Texas sage (Scarlet sage), Forsythia sage, zexmenia, and lantana. Now, I think the freezes are over! Famous last words.

March 19, 2026

We added a plaque to recognize the man who built the beautiful greenhouse my husband designed for me using salvaged windows and doors. I thank Ignacio and Doug!

“This Victorian greenhouse was built in 2009 by Doug Lightsey, former firefighter, part-time carpenter, and full-time Renaissance man. He built it single-handedly using his innate knowledge of engineering and physics. Doug’s handiwork can be seen on structures throughout Comfort. Besides his many talents, he is loved and appreciated for his kind heart, his sense of humor, and his timeless contributions to this community.”

March 20, 2026

Last year was our first year to raise Red Roselle Hibiscus plants(Hibiscus sabdariffa). Thank you to M & D from San Antonio, who gave us the seeds of this species which is the one most used for tea. Pictured

you see our 2026 seedlings which we will transplant when they are about 4” tall. It will take about 5 months, before the calyxes (the sepals) will be ready to be picked, washed, dried, stored, and brewed for tea. We collect and save seeds for next year’s plants, too.

March 21, 2026

Today, we saw our first caterpillars of the year. These two Gulf Fritillary larva have plenty of food since they are the only diners on our rapidly growing, well-established Passionflower plants. I noticed we have six new passionflower seedlings coming up volunteer at the base of this plant. We lost a couple of new pipevine plants that were growing on a north-facing fence, so we will replace them with these free newcomers.

March 23, 2026

When I look out my kitchen window, I see this window box. It is not in the visitor garden, but I had to share this photograph of the sun highlighting the yellow flowers. The four-nerve daisy plant on the right

is six years old. I planted it in March 2020 when COVID-19 was starting. Texas has been in drought every year of its life and it has weathered record-breaking heat, freezes, and hailstorms. You can see why I love this wildflower.

March 27, 2026

These large Confetti lantana plants (Lantana camara ‘Confetti’) are a new addition to the garden. We planted them in a sunny location in front of the greenhouse. This year we plan to cover several of our ‘empty spaces’ with nectar-producing plants for pollinators and host plants for caterpillars, hopefully without attracting more deer. Sophie and Pepper are enjoying one of the remaining open spaces while it lasts!