Central Texas Gardener

In Texas, we want to plant trees in fall to get tree roots established before heat sets again. But, we’re losing acres of trees due to drought in cities that are heating up. ISA Certified Arborist Vincent Debrock explains what you can do right at home to populate a canopy that cools us and nurtures our treasured wildlife. Vincent joins host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

As new construction—along with flood, drought, and fire—erode habitat daily, how can we create ecologically-sensitive gardens? Thomas Rainer is committed to “exploring the intersection of ecology, culture and design.” Rainer meets with host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, to explore how to create nature and resilient, emotionally-resonant landscapes in planned environments. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Ongoing drought and disastrous flooding lead urban design conversations to meet climate change challenges and habitat loss. Emily Manderson, Conservation Director at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, explains how they responded with a master plan to build diversity and resilience. Host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, contributes additional solutions. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

How do past animal and plant introductions impact us now for good or bad? From sparrows to Chinese tallow tree, Matt Turner explores the questions from his book with Robin Doughty, Unnatural Texas? The Invasive Species Dilemma.  Host: John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Philosophy for sustainable gardening crosses borders with Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens. Panayoti joins host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, to speak about plant intersections that create a pollinator highway in drought conditions. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Let’s take the kids (and us) on an adventure outdoors! Author and illustrator Sharon Lovejoy warms our hearts with time-honored fun for all ages to create wonder and respect for the world around us. Sharon joins host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, to cultivate curiosity and joy, even right at home. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

We’ve got fun this week as we toss around garden facts and fiction! Host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, meets with Jeff Ferris to investigate garden myths (including viewer contributions) that steer us from digging into the deep hole of misinformation. Jeff is part of the staff at The Natural Gardener and is now the host of Gardening Naturally on News Radio KLBJ. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Since long periods of dry, hot weather are now the norm, drought design expert, author, and landscape consultant Mary Irish joins host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, to celebrate plants that thrive in low-rainfall designs. Mary tells us how she created a mixed border transformation in her yard and details some of the stunning, drought-durable plants for pollinators and birds. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Travis County Master Gardener Sheryl Williams breaks down compost-making into easy-do tips and the best kind to buy if you can’t make your own. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

Let’s get growing native fruit trees to feed us, the birds, and beneficial pollinators! Host John Hart Asher, Senior Environmental Designer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, meets with Wildflower Center horticulturist Karen Beaty to pick a few for big and small gardens. Watch the entire program on Central Texas Gardener’s website.

What’s a gardener to do when heat, pests, drought, and bad soil (or not much soil at all) crowd the path to creativity outdoors? Central Texas Gardener is here to help! We’ve adapted segments from our PBS program to guide resourceful and thoughtful designs. We respond to climate challenges and grow food for you and the wildlife we rely on. So, let’s get growing!