by Happy Gardener | Jan 3, 2026 | Soil & Compost, Soil Amendments
Starting seeds indoors during winter is one of the most rewarding ways to get a jump on the growing season—but success starts below the surface. Choosing or building the right seed starting soil is one of the most important steps for strong germination and healthy...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 30, 2025 | Birds, Pollinators, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Winter Garden
While birds enjoy visiting bird feeders throughout the year, winter is one of the most important times to offer supplemental food. Cold temperatures make it harder for birds to maintain the calories they need to stay warm and active. Although there are many...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 18, 2025 | Mulch, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Soil & Compost, Soil Amendments, Winter Garden
Tis the Season of thoughtful gift giving. Do those word stress you out? if you have a gardener in your life, I’m here today to make the stress of buying “the right” gifts really easy for you. Really. I’m giving you a list of things that,...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 16, 2025 | Seasonal & Gardening Tips
Successful seed starting depends on a few essential seed germination factors. While every plant is a little different, most seeds rely on the same three basics to sprout: Light Temperature Water If even one of these factors is off, germination can be delayed—or not...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 9, 2025 | Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Winter Garden
Even though the garden looks quiet this time of year, there are countless pollinators in winter tucked away under leaves, inside hollow stems, and beneath the soil surface. Bees, butterflies, moths, ladybugs, and many other beneficial insects depend on safe hiding...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 8, 2025 | Soil & Compost, Soil Amendments
Successful planting starts long before leaves appear or blooms show off—it begins underground. For Texas gardeners, building healthy soil and inoculating roots at planting time can make the difference between a plant that merely survives and a plant that thrives. Two...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 4, 2025 | Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Spring Garden, Winter Garden
When colder weather settles in for a long rest, many gardeners do the same. But winter isn’t just a time for rest—it’s the perfect time for reflection, and planning, so you’ll be prepared next year to have an even more successful spring garden season. Taking...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 3, 2025 | Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden
Bringing home a fresh Christmas tree fills the house with fragrance and cheer—here are eight quick tips for how to keep it looking vibrant and safe all season long. 1. Make a Fresh Cut Before placing your tree in the stand, cut ½–1 inch off the bottom of the...
by Happy Gardener | Dec 1, 2025 | Houseplants, Winter Garden
When winter comes along and we head indoors more often than outdoors, our houseplants provide us solace when we are yearning to be working in our gardens. While our attention is turned to our houseplants, we must be careful not to heap too much attention on them...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 25, 2025 | Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Winter Garden
When cool nights start signaling the approach of winter, many San Antonio gardeners begin the annual ritual of bringing tender plants indoors. But before you shuffle those pots inside, there’s a crucial step that often gets overlooked: treating plants for pests before...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 24, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Winter Garden
Using ice cubes to water poinsettias has become a trendy “hack,” but it’s actually not helpful and can even be harmful to the plant. Poinsettia care really starts with watering correctly. It can be the difference between a gorgeous holiday plant that thrives or one...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 20, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Garden, Flower Bulbs, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Spring Garden, Winter Garden
Bearded iris are some of the most iconic spring bloomers in Texas gardens. Their ruffled petals, bold colors, and dependable performance make them a favorite for creating showstopping beds with minimal maintenance. For gardeners interested in extended color,...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 20, 2025 | Edibles, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Vegetables, Winter Garden
It’s time to start planting onions here in the San Antonio area and you’re in the right place for some great tips. Onions are one of the most satisfying and versatile vegetables to grow. When done right, you can enjoy crisp green onions early in the season...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 19, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Wildflower Mixes
If you’ve ever dreamed of a yard bursting with bluebonnets, Indian blanket, and cheerful coreopsis, you can have it! Planting spring wildflowers in San Antonio, Texas is easier than you might think. The trick is getting the timing right, understanding how wildflowers...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 13, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Spring Garden, Winter Garden
Stock flowers (Matthiola incana) are a rewarding cool-season annuals for San Antonio gardeners. Known for their delightful cinnamon-and-clove fragrance, upright stems, and full, ruffled blooms, stock offers a nostalgic charm that instantly elevates winter and...
by Happy Gardener | Nov 13, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Color, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Winter Garden
If you’re looking to add height, movement, and brilliant fall color to your landscape, forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis) is a unique and great choice for San Antonio and surrounding areas. Known for its tall, architectural form and soft, vibrant, yellow flower spikes,...
by Happy Gardener | Oct 29, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Flower Bulbs, Seasonal & Gardening Tips
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is one of the easiest flowering bulbs to grow — and in Texas, you can enjoy it two ways: Forced indoors in fall for dazzling holiday blooms around Christmas. Planted outdoors in fall or winter for spring blooms, often right around Easter....
by Happy Gardener | Oct 29, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips
In the warm climate of the San Antonio, Texas region, the cooler air and still-warm soils create a prime window for dividing perennials in fall. After the worst of summer heat, plants can focus energy on root re-establishment rather than full-throttle growth or bloom....
by Happy Gardener | Oct 23, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Summer Garden
If you’re looking to add late-season color and pollinator appeal to your garden in the San Antonio area, look no further than the stunning Antigonon leptopus, commonly known as coral vine (also “Queen’s Wreath” or “Queen’s Crown Vine”). In this blog we’ll dive into...
by Happy Gardener | Oct 13, 2025 | Butterflies, hummingbirds, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Pollinators, Xeriscape Solutions
If you’re looking for a beautiful, drought-tough, pollinator-magnet shrub that thrives in the heat of South Texas, growing Mexicali Rose Fairy Duster might be your next favorite discovery! This semi-evergreen, compact shrub is a standout choice for San Antonio...
