A Consistent Scheduled Work Day at the Garden

After polling the work crew, we have determined that on the 2nd Friday of each month will be designated as Work Day At Matzke Park.  Please join us from 8-10 am to say hello, learn about plants, ask questions or to help out for whatever time you can spare.  Check the blog to see if the event has been cancelled.  Dates are:  May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug 12, Sept 9 and Oct 14.

New Videos: Chrysalis Forming & Hatching

Two new short videos from Christine and her husband.
This one is of a chrysalis forming.... click here
And this one is of the hatching.. click here

Many thanks

Milkweed is Growing

I have transplanted 95 milkweed plants from Maime's yard and it has been a successful week for them.  I have been feeding them root stimulator and when stable will harden them outside.  Please stop by the garden and enjoy all the new plantings.

Empty Chlorine (for swimming pool) buckets needed

These buckets are great for collecting debris when gardening at the garden.  I am in need of empty buckets for our gardeners.   If you have any please email me at Matzke.Garden@sbcglobal.net and I will tell you where to leave them.  Thank you

Indigo Bunting spotted at the House

I have 24 milkweed that have survived transplanting from Maime's yard to my greenhouse.  I will keep these under light row cover to get them healthly and ready for the garden.

Work Day Results and Students with Special Needs

Thank you Cathy C and Joan F for your weeding and planting lantanas, zinnas and pentas today.  Six new caterpillars arrived on the milkweed that was planted.  Fifteen special needs Students from Bleyl Junior High and Cy Fair came to visit the garden with their teachers.  They learned about Monarch's host plants, enjoyed the caterpillars.  They also took home some native mum plants and yarrow.  They have Painted Lady Caterpillars at their  and will release them in the garden as butterflies.

Short YouTube Videos

"Friend of the Garden" Christine's husband has been making short videos in their back yard. Here is one of monarch caterpillars enjoying their only food... milkweed leaves. Click Here

And this one shows the new hatch of praying mantis on their basketball hoop. Click Here

Thanks Christine 

Tools for Gardening

My favorite gardening glove is the "Atlas Glove", with a tough nitrile coating and breathable nylon liner and it is washable.  It allows the flexiblity and protection for basic gardening. For gardening in the rose beds I have tested many and recommend the Bionic Rose Gauntlet glove. These gloves do a good job protecting your hands and arms from rose thorns.  One weeding tool that is easy to use between plants is a all steel Japanese Hoe with a 4 1/2" blade.  I would like to hear about what is your favorite gardening tool!

Work Day at the Garden April 14 @ 9:30 am

We will be getting the garden ship shape for the children's programs occuring in May.  The roses are bursting with buds.  A couple of monarch caterpillars have been busy on the milkweed.  We have a few replacement plants: Cooper Canyon Daisy, Cardinal, Milkweeds, purple verbena, passion vine, crepe myrtle, cocks cone and zinna seeds to plant and a couple of annual flower flats.  Weeding, dead heading to be done.  I have found the best dead head tool for flowers is the Fiskars Garden Multi-Snip with sheath as it is easy on the hand.  Hope to see you there, if not to enjoy the garden but to meet your gardening friends.

Christine adds Monarch Larvae to the Garden

Thank you Christine from Lakewood Forest Subdivision for adding Monarch Larvae to the Garden. (Some of her friends from last fall are pictured below.

 Plants I am looking for are Big Red Sage and Engleman Daisy to add to the garden.  If you have some needing new homes, please let me know.

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

This facility is near Austin and is a must see for their interesting exhibits and the beautiful wildflowers.