Garden Swag By Brenda

23/01/2026

22/01/2026

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BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)
❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.

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WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.

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FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.

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HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.

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VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.

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POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.

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PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.

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MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.

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PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.

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DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.

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AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.

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KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS
❄️A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.
❄️Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.
❄️Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South

(I'm not sure the original author of this or I would tag/ give credit!)

14/01/2026

Hellebores can look a little sad and wilted during icy weather, it’s completely natural. When temperatures drop, their flowers and foliage protect themselves by drooping.
As soon as things warm up, they bounce straight back, lifting their heads and putting on a stunning winter display of colour just when the garden needs it most.
A little patience is all it takes to enjoy these resilient winter stars.

09/01/2026

Because YOU need to know…
BEES OF THE SOUTH.

English and Spanish versions.
Identify and first aid care.

07/01/2026

Gardening is easy. Stick it in the ground the right way up and most plants will grow perfectly well.
~Monty Don

06/01/2026

I have always felt that having a garden is like having a loyal friend.
~CZ Guest

04/01/2026

What is a w**d?
A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

03/01/2026

No life is without difficulties.
No garden is without w**ds.
~CL Fornari

25/12/2025

10/12/2025

03/09/2025

I was asked to look at the trees surrounding the main entrance and emergency entrance of Tylers Mother Frances hospital yesterday and assess any issues that may be causing yellowing leaves, leaf drop or other issues they may be having.

I am writing this publicly as I realized I also go to many of your homes to answer the same questions. So here goes…

After a long walk around parking lots medians, looking up and down at dozens of shade trees, my conclusions were made.
*Fire ants cause roughly 5-10% of root damage to trees around parking areas if they are left untreated. Their mounds can get quite large above ground but absolutely massive underground pushing around root balls and even tearing them apart for space and protection from weather.
*Trees, newly installed, are almost always staked with T-posts or other types of stakes and tethered to the tree for stability while rooting. These stakes and ties are often forgotten and as the tree grows both taller and wider. Ties can strangulate by cutting into the tree or the tree may grow around the ties causing circulation issues in the tree.
This type of injury can cause yellowing leaves, leaf drop and irregular growth of the tree for many years to come if not corrected.
*Small areas created for large trees can come with some challenges.
Oxygen to roots can be very limited as roots grow and spread. Some will stay small within the slotted space of soil and have a shorter life span. Others may live a long life by adapting to its conditions.

All of these conditions can cause early seasonal leaf drop, early leaf color changes and more.

With that being said… Fall 2025 will come early! That is not up for debate today. Farmers and weathrpersons alike have agreed.
And due to it coming early with its sporadic cool downs and the heavy amounts of rainfall we have all experienced this year, I welcome the change with open arms!
Trees will change colors but in a slightly different way this year and cooler temps may be earlier than expected. Enjoy what you can as often as you can.
~Brenda

23/05/2025

If you're planning a landscape or water conservation project, take advantage of the Water-Efficient Products Tax-Free Holiday May 24-26, 2025.

Texans can purchase items tax free during the holiday that are used or planted for
--conserving or retaining groundwater;
--recharging water tables; or
--decreasing ambient air temperature, and so limiting water evaporation.

Examples of items that qualify for the exemption include:
--plants, trees and grasses
--mulch
--soil and compost
--a soaker or drip-irrigation hose
--a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system
--a rain barrel or an alternative rain and moisture collection system
--a permeable ground cover surface that allows water to reach underground basins, aquifers or water collection points
--water-saving surfactants

https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/98-1018.php