I've been on garden project hiatus for a good part of this year, due to work, travel and the knowledge that I was going to have to do something about my horribly dated irrigation system. I already have a lot of plantings in my yard and am building and expanding new beds. But, it's a lot of work to water everything by hand (not to mention inefficient) and my old irrigation system simply wastes too much water to use it regularly. I'd reached an impass where I really couldn't continue building and planting any more garden space until I dealt with this watering nightmare. I wanted to garden more, but that meant I needed to create a really efficient and waterwise watering system.

Old spray heads and broken pipes will be removed and replaced with bubblers and drip lines.

My irrigation system was probably installed soon after my house was built, back in 1963. Much of the original copper irrigation plumbing was still active when I bought the house. A a simple automatic controller had been installed and some heads updated when my house was flipped, but they wired in all of three zones for my entire property. That means lots of different plants, with totally different watering needs, were being watered the same. Not efficient. I have a huge amount of pressure on my system; normally a property my size would have 7-10 distinct zones. The massive pressure meant that enough water could reach the end of the lines in each of the three zones, even though they each had too many heads. But, that high pressure also meant about half of the water being put out was simply getting sprayed into the air, rather than being delivered to the root zones of my plantings.

"I want to use my system for convenience, and to keep my foundation watered, but I just can't waste water like this..." I finally said to myself.

First, we had to move existing valves and run new ones.

SO, I've taken the plunge and am completely renovating my entire irrigation system to a waterwise configuration. I hired Roundtree Landscaping to design and install my new system. They're digging and working as I type! Drip lines and bubblers will be run to all of my plantings, including my vegetable garden and fruit trees. My entire system will be run by a state of the art smart controller: The Weathermatic sl 1600 Smart Link. Yes, I'll even be able to monitor it from my computer or smart phone. Too cool.

Here is line that will connect to a new valve. As you can see, we trench around major tree roots NOT cut them!

You might notice that I have a lot of established shrubs and perennials already growing in my landscape. Not to mention, some existing hardscape and pathways. Does it freak me out to be doing so much digging around them? Well, a little, because they're my babies. But in reality, upgrading an existing system to bulbblers is less invasive than digging for traditional irrigation lines. Because we can run central lines and then run extended drip lines to the shrubs from those main lines, we don't have to do as much trenching. Most of the shrubs can survive a bit of root pruning and because it's winter, they're not growing as actively right now. So all in all, it should be pretty pain free for my existing plants (even if it looks kind of brutal). Now, I will have some reconstruction to do and new plantings after the system is up and running, but that's ok with me.

See those stones the new valve line is running under? That's actually one of my stone pathways. The crew will refill the bedding and replace the stones once they're done!

Il'l be posting more photos and blogs as the project progresses so that you can see more of what this kind of renovation looks like and check out the bubblers and smart controller. Using the smart controller with monitoring, I'll be able to see exactly how much water I'm delivering to each different part of my landscape and control the system remotely. Also, my drip system won't be subject to the current twice per week watering restrictions in place by the City of Dallas. Drip irrigation is so much more efficient and waterwise that I'll be able to run my system any day of the week. I'm really looking forward to finally getting to add more plants, garden more and use less water! It will be fun to compare water bills...

Oh, and in case anyone wonders, yes, I'm paying in full for all of this work and equipment. Folks seem to think that because I'm in the industry, that I get everything for free. No kickbacks here sista! I don't roll like that. Let's just say what my husband doesn't know about my gardening budget won't hurt him.

I'm often asked what plants make the easiest to grow plants for the office. While there are many choices, here are a few of my reliable choices, and ones you'll find around the office here at Halleck Hort.

Sansevieria, also known as Mother-in-law's tongue, is just about the toughest indoor plant your can keep. Are you a forgetful waterer? This plant is your soul mate. Moderate to low light and an occasional watering is all this baby needs.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant for short, is another tough resilient indoor performer. It too will weather your neglect. Needs low to moderate light and a good soaking now and then.

Aglaonema, also called Chinese Evergreen, are another popluar and forgiving office plant. In the last couple of years new colors have emerged including this one called simply "RED". (Nikki likes pink, so this is obviously her plant.) Again, low to moderate light is just fine with a thorough watering now and then.

All of these plants can take typical low-light office situations and don't mind drying out before they need water. So while you're focused on your TPS reports, these beauties will keep performing 9 to 5.

This article was originally published by Greenhouse Management Magazine for their October 2014 issue.

Premium crops command premium prices and profits. So why avoid them?

As the marketplace changes and margins become tighter, this is a good time for growers to move away from commodity products and toward more value-added items that command a better price. Forward- thinking growers are also investing more in proprietary products, such as their own brands, to help differentiate and drive sales.

Yet, many still cling to an outdated production list because it’s what is comfortable and easy to ship, even as profits decline.

Read the full article HERE

August has a tendency to get nasty with our landscapes. Come September when things start to cool down and we venture back out in to our gardens, it can look less than shiny. So, let's all get out there and start ripping stuff out, ok? It may still be a tad warm, but it is time to start getting cool season vegetable crops into the garden. You should start finding transplants of cole crops like broccoli, cabbage, kale and more at the garden centers now. You can also direct seed lettuce and Fava beans into your garden beds.

But before you get all planting-crazed, let's take a step back and make sure we're boosting the soil before we plant for fall. Now's the time to refresh your beds with organic compost, some humus and composted manures in the vegetable garden. Don't forget that even though you amend the soil, you still need to add in a fertilizer before you plant, especially for veggies. Organic matter has to be broken down my microbes first before nutrients are available to your plants, so don't expect the compost to "fertilize" your new plants right away.

I spent some time in South Texas this month and loved being surrounded by all the beautiful tropicals that grow in the area. My favorite? This less-than-common apricot form of Cascabela thevetia. Such a beauty! This plant is related to Oleanders and has similar toxcitiy in all parts of the plant...so no munching...

Oh, I just love irises. It's hard not to love plants that are tough-as-nails in our Dallas gardens and look great. So do you have to wait until spring when irises are blooming to plant them? No way! Fall is a much better time to plant irises and when you're bound to find a better selection of variety in the garden centers or online, especially in bare root form. This fall I'll be adding more 'Orange Glaze' to my garden.

Iris 'Thornbird'

It's been hot...dang hot! By this time of year, Texas gardens can look a bit worse for wear. Yet, there are a few plants that seem to soldier through, despite the brutal heat and drought. Here's a shot of a duo that makes me smile every time I look out my living room window...

The Texas sage 'Rio Bravo' is still a baby, yet it blooms its head off everytime humidity increases or we get a bit of rain. The 'Marguerite' sweet potato vine has basically engulfed all the surrounding plants, but makes a lovely foudation for the Texas sage. In fact, the sweet potato vine is basically eating my entire driveway. Yet, August is not a month we complain about plants thriving here in Texas. So go ahead you beast of a vine, swallow my driveway!

In the Green Industry, June,July and August are crammed with trade shows and conferences so that us plantgeeks can stay up to speed on all the new & cool plants, products and technology. My suitcase has pretty much stayed packed for the last three months! I'm happy to be back in Big D now and will be sharing photos and thoughts about all the garden goodies and landscapes I visited in my travels. Cinncinati, Columbus, New York, Portland and San Antonio...lots of photos to come!

My favorite new plant release so far...the Pixie grape! Tiny wine grape plant that grows to only 18". Perfect for patios!

I love black foliage...several great new colors of Black Diamond crapemyrtles will be available 2015

A non-invasive shrub forming trumpet vine? Wha?? Summer Fire Jazz Campsis is gorgeous!

Not that they won't melt here in Texas (can't say yet) but the King Terrazza series of roses are really beautiful. this is Comet.

I have tons of stuff to share, but it's going to take a bit to get through the photos!