The Arbor Gate and Daisy are thrilled to be mentioned in the March 2007 issue of Southern Living.


The Arbor Gate has been recognized by Shop Across Texas: Best Garden Amenities to spruce up any Outdoor Living space!


Email Updates
Get updates about new classes and special events delivered to your inbox!

Email


Subscribe
Unsubscribe
The Arbor Gate will not sell or distribute your email address. You will only receive email from The Arbor Gate.
  
 
My New Year's Gardening Resolutions
By Ann McCormick

 On New Year's Day, I take some time alone to do a bit of thinking about my gardens. Last year was tough for my herbs. Certainly the weather was bad, but were my herb beds properly prepared? Well if you wrestled me to the ground and tickled me with a trowel I'd have to admit the answer is "No." So here's the three things I plan to improve in 2007.

Water, properly applied at the right time, is a key element in healthy gardens. I have to confess that last summer I waited too long, missed spots, and even overwatered. To correct this I'll examine my hoses, sprayers, and sprinklers to see if they're getting the right amount of water to the right spots. I'll also buy a moisture meter to prevent me from panicking when I see the top soil looking crispy.

Once water is applied it's important to hang on to it and mulch is the key. I vow to get mulch down everywhere by Memorial Day. This year we're on a tight budget so I plan to contact my city and county services to find out about shredded tree bark or composted material available to the public. I'm also going to investigate using pea gravel as a mulch for my sage and other herbs that prefer dry conditions.

And the third thing I plan to do? Well, it's a biggie so I'll wait until next month to tell you about it. Stay tuned...

Ann McCormick, the Herb 'n Cowgirl
If you enjoy herbs, you'll want to meet Ann McCormick, the Herb 'n Cowgirl. A life-long herb gardener, she has spent the last eight years devoted to writing and speaking about her favorite subject. Ann regularly contributes articles to Neil Sperry's GARDENS and Texas Gardener. The Herb 'n Cowgirl shares her gardening techniques with audiences at garden shows, herb conferences, garden clubs, and as an occasional guest on cable television. Find out more about the Herb 'n Cowgirl at www.ann-mccormick.com.