Call to duty

OK, so I was called for jury duty Monday morning. I get there early, file into the 2^nd row, and patiently wait for 8 am.

At 8:07, the room is filled with about 255 people, and 2 judges come in. The main one reads the reasons for exemption, which are on the summons, that everyone has received and filled out or they would not be in the room, right? Then at 8:20 we get a 25 minute break. I need to be at work, and they don’t seem to be in any hurry to get me back!

Once we finally get rolling they took 20 people right off the bat. BAMM - they are on their way over to the court house to do their duty and get back to life, and I am wishing I was with them. We wait again ... they finally come in and announce that the next group will need to come back Tuesday at 9am, and I DO NOT want to be in this group!

Thank goodness, I am spared. We wait again….they come in and call out about 40 and leave with them and we wait…then they come again and yammer some words about some  court and I am paying absolutely NO attention because I rarely ever sit still that long and I am on the verge of being loony. They called all but about 22 of us; yes my happy hinny is still glued to the hard plastic chair, waiting, waiting, and waiting!!!  They come in and say they need more for the Tuesday 9:00 group…they get about 10 more…YES spared from that group again. We wait more; they come in again and tell us we are the lucky ones. When they call our name, we are to go to the desk, pick up a certificate that states our duty has been served and we are free to leave. My odds of that were .004%! I missed 3 hours of work and I my tail end was asleep BUT BOY AM I LUCKY!!!!

So if I’m blogging about civil service, why is there a photo of pots???? I got to do the pots because I had jury duty. 

Tom’s maintains  Glenna Goodacre Blvd. I asked if I could make up the missed  hours on my day off, as to ensure my pay check would be sufficient enough to feed my tiny Labs’  for the week. Our foreman in charge gladly accepted my offer and asked me to re work the pots at the entrance, which happens to be my most favorite thing EVER!!! I am pumped. I load the plant material the night before so I can go straight there early before it gets hot. I will be able to enjoy my morning and stay on budget. I’m loving it…7:15 suns just creeping up; very little traffic; all of GOD’S glory in the serenity of the morning with my 2^nd favorite thing, plants. WOW! That didn’t last long, by 7:45 traffic is picking up and at 8:20 a road crews starts sawing on the road with a very loud machine that is 20 feet away! Then I had to be sure I was decent every single time I bent over, (which is a lot when doing pots), because the road crew is practically in my arm pit!  Then I move on to trimming the plants back off the curb and I can’t believe the maniacs that turn off University and gas it heading east on Goodacre! I almost had to throw myself back into the flowerbed more than once! So….what does this say about me? I love plants enough to risk my life???? Could be; however, it was fun being by Tech, my home for 8 years! It would be my pleasure to arrange pots for you!

I am really good at dodging traffic if you have some by the street or at a business! Call the nursery for a consultation (806) 799-3677.  Stop by and let’s compare jury duty stories!!! Until then, Vronka, just glad to be alive, Tom’s Horticulturist!

Instant Waaa-Laa!

Since it is so difficult with the drought to keep the grass as lush as we all prefer, I suggest placing beautiful pots in strategic locations. For instance, on the patio, in the flower beds, just outside your entry, under a tree, by the garage, by your mail box, even in your house! GOODNESS, the list could be endless. The center photo is a pot made into a fountain. Close your eyes for a second, (read this first!) You’re stretched out on your favorite comfortable chase lounge, with the world’s most delicious drink, tucked away in the silence of your back yard…all you hear are birdies tweeting (not the annoying ones) and the rippling sound from  a beautiful fountain, ahhhhhh … just relaxxxxxx. Let the worries of the day float away. (This seriously could occur, that is ‘peace’; make a note, you are what is around you!)

The last photo is an example of an arrangement of pots full of texture and color.   F.Y.I. we will be happy to come to your home and replant your pots any time of the year.

We are open Monday through Saturday 8am-6pm. Come by …we’ll talk pots!

Until later, this is Tom’s Horticulturist, Vronka.

Combating the heat and dry conditions

‘My grass looks bad, my shrubs are crunchy, my tomatoes won’t set, and the leaves on my trees are dropping!!! HELP! What do I need to do?’

The answer is ... PRAY FOR RAIN! This heat will end at some point; in the mean time, here are our recommendations to make your landscape healthier.

The obvious is to water but there is a science to watering.

What is your method of watering? Sprinkler system, water hose, dog or drip? Lawns always perform better under a regulated sprinkler system; however, shrubs and trees need more water. If your woody plants are not under drip, it very beneficial to lay a water hose at the base, turn it on slowly and let it run several hours. A good slow soak will penetrate down deep to the lower root structure. Allow the top several inches of soil to dry out before the next watering.

Several products that will aid your plants are, SUPERthrive© which is a vitamin/hormone product that will reduce stress, and Miracid© which will help unlock tied up nutrients in the soil profile, releasing them for plant uptake.

Another crucial element to add is mulch! Mulch is icing on the cake. I’m not sure it is possible to over-water with all the 100+ degree days, but be aware the over-watering and under-watering will result in wilting leaves.

Until we meet again, this is Vronka, Tom’s resident horticulturist.

Red Spiders!

Grrrrrrrrr!

You can tell it is dry, as red spiders are eating some of our trees up.

Identifying red spider mites

A plant that is infested by red spider mites will start to look unhealthy and will have a "dusty" appearance to the undersides of their leaves. Close inspection will reveal that the dust is actually moving and is, in fact, the spider mites. The plant may also have some webbing on the underside or on the branches of plant.

You cannot easily make out the details of red spider mites with the naked eye, but with the help of a simple magnifying glass, you can make the details more visible. A red spider mite will be all red. There are other kinds of spider mites, such as the two-spotted spider mite, that are only partially red. Red spider mites will be all red. Knocking some off onto a piece of white paper will make it easier to distinguish the colors and identify the mite.

Contact Tom's Tree Place in Lubbock at (806) 799-3677, and we'll give you options for controlling this mite.