Summer mushrooms will soon be showing up. Why pay attention?
Notes from a Texas Master Naturalist about native plants and why they matter to wildlife. Spring warmth transitions quickly into summer heat. During this seasonal changeover, we often find mushrooms popping up. One of the most common sightings in urban landscapes are those that are often called “fairy rings.” An actual “circle” of tan colored, […]
Why Some Outdoor Spaces Feel Bigger Without Being Bigger
Not every improvement is about adding more space.Sometimes it’s about making the space you already have feel different. We’ve seen smaller backyards feel open and comfortable — and larger ones feel tight or awkward. The difference usually comes down to how the space is organized. It’s About How the Space Is Divided When everything is […]
The Difference Between a Space You Use — and One You Avoid
Most people don’t realize it, but almost every yard has an area that gets ignored. It’s not something you decide — it just happens.You don’t go there. You don’t sit there. You don’t use it. At some point, it just becomes part of the background. There’s Always a Reason Usually, those spaces feel: Slightly off […]
Why Good Outdoor Spaces Don’t Need Explaining
You’ve probably been in a space where someone had to explain how it works. “This is kind of where we sit…”“We were thinking of maybe using this area for…” That usually means something isn’t fully resolved. A good outdoor space doesn’t need that. You Just Know What to Do When a space is well designed, […]
Plants of the Month
Tree of the month: The Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana) is a hardy, native fruit tree highly valued for its fragrant early spring blossoms, drought tolerance, and role in supporting local wildlife. Unlike many other wild plums, it typically grows with a single trunk and does not form thickets, making it a manageable choice for smaller […]
