5 Facts About Opossums

Are possums and opossums the same?

No, possums and opossums are not the same animal, though in the U.S., people usually mean the same animal. Opossums live in North America, have bare tails, and coarse, grey fur. Possums live in Australia and surrounding areas, have thick, fluffy tails, and are generally more golden or brown. 

•  They're immune to some snake venom: Possums have a unique adaptation that allows them to be immune to certain types of snake venom. This is because they have a protein in their blood that neutralizes the venom of some venomous snakes, including copperheads and rattlesnakes.
• They have opposable thumbs: Well, sort of. Possums have a prehensile tail that they can use to grasp onto objects, almost like an extra limb. This helps them to climb and balance in trees, as well as to carry food and nesting material.
• They play dead as a defense mechanism: We've all heard the phrase "playing possum," but did you know that this is actually a defense mechanism that possums use when they feel threatened? When they're faced with danger, they'll collapse and remain still, with their tongue hanging out and their eyes closed. This makes them appear dead to predators, who will hopefully lose interest and move on.
• They have a short lifespan: While some possums have been known to live up to 4 years in the wild, their average lifespan is much shorter - around 1 to 2 years. This is due to a variety of factors, including predation, disease, and accidents.
• They're not rodents: While possums are often mistaken for rodents, they're actually a completely different type of animal. They belong to the order Didelphimorphia, which is a group of marsupials found mainly in the Americas. Unlike rodents, possums have a pouch in which they carry and nurse their young, and they also have a different set of teeth and jaw structure.

Drought‑Tolerant Landscape Plants for Hot Texas Front Yards

Drought‑Tolerant Landscape Plants for Hot Texas Front Yards

These plants can withstand intense heat, dry soil, and long summers with lower irrigation once established.

Shrubs & Foundation Plants

Texas Sage (Purple Sage) – Silvery foliage reflects heat; purple blooms after rain — great for foundation planting.

Lantana – Heat‑loving, colorful flowers that attract butterflies and birds.

Abelia – Drought‑tolerant flowering shrub that can be a low hedge or focal plant.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly – Evergreen, resilient shrub for structure and year‑round greenery.

🌾 Ornamental Grasses & Texture

Mexican Feather Grass – Adds soft texture and movement; drought tolerant.

Liriope (Monkey Grass) – Great heat tolerance, spreads slowly for borders.

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) – Long bloom season and thrives in heat.

🌺 Bold Flower Color & Accents

Red Yucca – Architectural, heat‑resistant spikes of coral flowers.

Blackfoot Daisy – Low, white‑flowered groundcover perfect for borders.

Turk’s Cap – Tough perennial with red blooms that handles dry shade well.

More Facts About Dandelion

The Dandelion, also known as Blowball, cankerwort, lion's tooth, priest's crown, puffball, swine snout, white endive, and wild endive, is a perennial plant found, almost everywhere.

How to Get Rid of Possums from your Garden

 

Last Summer my peaches kept disappearing and I thought it was squirrels again, I later found out it was Possums and even though some people think they are cute..me not so much so I began searching for ways to deter them.

Most of the ideas were just things we had already been doing for other pests so not much help. I needed a better method. 

Play music sounded like it was meant to be funny but I decided to give it a try and will update here about how it worked.

The usual tactics to deter possums are;

1. Install a fence

2. Remove unnecessary food sources.

3. Use repellents such as peppermint oil and predator urine.

4. Trap and relocate, which is really not an option for me.

While doing my research I found out facts I did not know about the little creatures.

1. Possums are immune to certain types of snake venom.

2. They have a prehensile tail that they can use to grasp onto objects.

3. "Playing possum" is a defense mechanism they use to avoid predators.

4. Their average lifespan is 1-2 years in the wild.

5. Possums are marsupials, not rodents.

6. In some areas and it may be illegal to harm or kill them. If you're unsure, it's best to consult with a wildlife professional before taking any action.

7. And last but not least is the spelling of Possum. Is it Opossum or Possum? 

And the answer is : In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. 

So both ways are acceptable even though they are actually two different animals.

Last thoughts

Remember, it's important to be respectful and mindful of wildlife, even if they are causing some damage to your garden. So have fun and get creative with these tips, but always remember to prioritize the safety and well-being of both you and the possums.

If you know of some tricks please leave them in the comment section below.

Clematis

 

Container Gardening

If you are a garden lover, but have no space for gardening don’t worry you have options.

One is to try container gardening. This way of gardening comes with the benefit of being cost effective and mobile. I have seen videos where people have used 5 gallon buckets and storage totes and even though they have plenty of space for a garden this method works well and is very cost effective kind of like raised bed gardening. Two things to try is herbs and mushrooms. 

• Most plants that grow in the ground can grow just as well or maybe better in a container. 
• Container gardening requires a smaller budget in the initial stage.
• It can be done on a balcony, patio or deck, even a window.
• Low maintenance.
• Versatile because it is easy to move from place to place. 

 Just like with any gardening you will have to plan out your garden containers, making sure to plant the flowers, shrubs, or vegetables in the right soil and adding drainage. If you have doubts buy a few plant you want to grow, a good bag of potting soil (does not have to be the most expensive),and a container and like I mentioned earlier you can grow some vegetables in 5 gal. buckets, just make sure they are the food safe variety. You will also have to decide if you want to grow organically (no chemicals) when you are choosing your soil. 

You can set up a small compost bin by filling a 5 gallon bucket with dirt, add holes to the top and sides. When you have scraps (no meat or dairy) drop it in the bucket mix around the dirt and cover with the top ( and don't forget to add a few red wigglers to help digest those scraps.

So, are you ready to start container gardening yourself…

 

Sun Joe Garden Tiller Review

 This was a purchase that I made for my garden that has more than paid for itself. It is very strong and will till up the ground pretty good. We had to use it one time to go a few layers down it worked very well on hard clay and rocks. It is listed as 16 inch 12 Amp garden tiller/cultivator. 

They are costing right around $150 at this time.

This is my second SunJoe item and I must say I am impressed with the brand.

Sun Joe TJ603E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator , 16-Inch - 12 Amp

Product details from the manufacturer's website

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF GREAT GARDENS. Experience the one tiller that’s truly up to the task! Introducing a greener, cleaner way to get dirty with the Sun Joe® TJ604E Electric Tiller Cultivator. A powerful 13.5-amp motor quickly pulverizes dirt, effortlessly slicing through the soil at 370 RPM, ensuring maximum aeration and perfectly preparing the seedbed for planting. Cultivate an area 16-inches wide and up to 8-inches deep in seconds. Control weeds where needed - Sun Joe® tames the toughest yard and garden tasks with more comfort and less strain. 3-position, height-adjustable rear wheels make it easy to maneuver wherever it’s needed - and its collapsible handle makes it a cinch to store when it’s not. The TJ604E comes with a full two-year warranty.

So many products look good in the manufacturer ads but do not work as described. Not this.

Burdock

 

Burdock is a plant that is related to the daisy family. It is also closely related to Echinacea, Dandelion, and Feverfew, which could account for the anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Today, Burdock is still used for such things as easing liver problems and digestive disorders. It was also found to be very effective for cleansing the skin for problems such as acne and also to assist in digestive problems. To this day throughout Europe the stalk and the greens are still eaten because they hold such nutritional value.

As more and more research is being done on Burdock many new and interesting discoveries are cropping up. A relationship is being examined between Burdock and its anti fungal and anti bacterial properties, and even more important it is showing signs of possibly being able to fight against tumors and could be a cancer fighting agent as well. 

Research has shown that since many of the cancer causing compounds are in almost all foods which are then eaten and stored in the human fat tissues that Burdock might very well be of help in fighting cancer because of the role that it can play in depleting these mutagens.

Burdock is also very helpful in strengthening the immune system when it has become weakened by environmental factors. When mixed with other herbs such as Dandelion and Ginger it can be a very powerful blood purifier. The most unique fact about Burdock is that it has a very high amount of inulin which is a natural occurring chemical within the body that mimics actions of insulin. Because of this, Burdock has been successful in helping combat hypoglycemia and pre diabetes conditions.

If you look for Burdock in the market you may find it called gobo instead as that is what some refer to it as. It is often combined with other vegetables or added to Tofu. Some boil Burdock while others sauté or deep fry it. Many have said it might not be such a good idea to look at Burdock before you eat it because you might change your mind about taking a bite.

It looks thick, dark, and woody but indeed the opposite is true when it comes to the taste. Burdock is well recognized as a health food because it has low calorie content and a high fiber intake. It is also loaded with potassium, iron, and calcium. People claim that Burdock tastes like nothing else. In other words it has a taste all of its own.

The best description that people can agree on when it comes to the flavor of Burdock is that it is sweet yet earthy, with a tender and crisp texture. It is often added to stews, soups, and stir fries. In the form of food, Burdock is highly nutritional and full of vitamins but in retrospect Burdock is also an effective herb for bringing the body back into balance.

Dandelion

These leaves that are considered an herb blend nicely with salads and do well either sautéed or steamed. Many claim the taste is similar to that of endive. People who are into eating the fruits of nature claim that it is perfectly acceptable to eat the Dandelion flower as well. Some claim that they make outstanding fritters if they are battered up and fried and make a colorful contribution to any stir fry.

 Dandelions leaves are actually extremely nutritious, much more so than any herb that can be purchased in the stores. They are higher in bets carotene than carrots are and they have more iron and calcium and iron than spinach does. Dandelion leaves are also full of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies on the market and is widely used today.

Traditionally it can be made into a tonic that is known for strengthening the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder because it promotes the flow of bile. Dandelion root contains taraxacin so it reduces the inflammation to the bile ducts and reduces gallstones. It is commonly used for Hepatitis, liver swelling, and jaundice. It also helps with indigestion.

When you take a Dandelion plant and break the stem you will find a milky white substance inside. This substance is great for removing warts, pimples, moles, calluses, soothing of bee stings, and blisters. Some other things that Dandelion has been popular in the past for is making Dandelion jam and others use it for a coffee substitute when it is roasted and ground Dandelion root. Many also drink Dandelion wine.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

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Astilbe

Seeds: Astilbe -Showstar Flower Garden Mix...
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Swiss Chard

 

Climbing Golden Showers Rose Bush

This rose bush has been awesome. It has been moved twice because I started with a $7 five-gallon pot. It is now about 6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. 

It has been trimmed back several times which helps it to bloom better. It even produces blooms in winter in Texas. It is very fragrant, if I had known how much I would have purchased more of them. The blooms are big and fluffy and range from deep to pale yellow. Tag stated petal count is 27, I've never counted. I do know the petals are double and can get very large, the leaves are dark green and glossy. 

Along with the amazing look and smell the Golden Shower Rose Bush has had a black spot a few times, and the 2020 black spot episode was a little more aggressive. I cut it back several times and applied several treatments. Then after the cold spell a few months back it lost all the leaves. It is recovering nicely.

 

White Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)

Angelonia angustifolia

The White Angelonia is very suited to the Texas climate it is one of the easiest plants to grow. There's no need to purchase the larger container because after about 4 to 6 weeks it has more than doubled in size and for the remainder of the season, it continues to multiply. Angelonia's come in a variety of colors. I've seen them in red, white, purple, and pink. They are also known as Summer Snapdragons. They like well-draining acidic soil. Angelonias are considered a perenial. 

The ones below in the pot were a purple color. I started with a small $3 container and by the end of the season, the Angelonia was too large for the pot.

 

Shasta Daisy

I purchased these at my local garden center, It was either Lowes or Home Depot. They were in the little small containers. Daisies always start fine here but then they seem to fade from bugs and heat, but they are pretty while they last.

The picture below is a variety called Crazy Daisy.

 

African daisies (Giant) (Osteospermum group)

This seed pack had flowers that produced in several shades of yellow, orange, and apricot. No white flowers sprouted. They open in daylight and close at night. The seed pack said they are annuals but they have come back every year for the last 3 years and I saw some varieties that show them as perennials, either way, they are really pretty.

 I'm not sure if they will come back this year because we had extended cold weather. I bought more seeds just in case. They grew straight up to about 6+ feet and also grew long enough to use on a trellis. African Daisy can also be cut and used in flower arrangements or dried.

If you can't find them in the nurseries you can grow them from seed. They are pretty easy to grow. Just sprinkle them on top of some garden soil, cover very lightly, and voila in one to two weeks you should have seedling. Make sure when they reach about 2 to 3 inches tall thin them to about 18 inches apart. 

The two plants below were growing in the same section of my garden and at first, I thought they were sunflowers but my package said, African Daisy. They are still a part of the Sunflower family.

I used a focus mode on the camera to blur the background for this sideways close-up.

 

Established Garden Plants Sometimes Hit Different

 Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words is very true when it comes to picking flowers for the garden. I have seen plants in the store or greenhouse and said meh. .not for me, only to later see the same plant matured and in the garden and go wow that is beautiful.

Plants that are matured and establish look different than those plants in the two and three-quart containers. It is best to get a view of how big your plant will get and how it looks when matured.

Cucumber and Green Pepper Plants 2019

2019 Growing Season

Hello friends. It's been a while since I've updated on my gardening adventure. I'm still in love with it. Texas was very hot and dry this year and the pests were unmerciful, but we still manage to produce a harvest.

I haven't had time to post as much, but I did update pictures on Instagram. This is just an update on how much I enjoyed the 2019 growing season and a quote that has a special meaning because it conveys the spirit of overcoming obstacles.

⤳⤳ Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
~Napoleon Hill

⤳⤳ There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.
~Malcolm X

We were able to get lots of tomatoes again, but added peas and peaches. Cucumbers did not fair as well this year as in the previous year. We had lots of Collard greens, matter of fact they kept growing from last year and we collected the seeds. We had different varieties of tomatoes and did not have to use store bought until late September/October. Home grown tomatoes have such a different flavor. We eat them off the vine and I can understand why they would be considered a fruit. We also added in scallions and sweet Texas onions. We had two cantaloupes and a watermelon that never got big enough to eat.

The counter top you see in the pictures is one of the reason for not having time to post. I redid my kitchen counters and cabinets. Love the results, but really time consuming. Did painting around the house, sanding floors with still more to be done, and with job hunting and bible study, posting had to take a little of a back seat, but I did remember to snap pictures of my garden's progress and sometimes lack there of. 

2017 Rose Bush

Roses always need extra attention unless you plant Knock out roses, which are good as a shrub, but not so good as a true rose bush.

I have this planted near Bee Balm and they seem to fair well together.

I will do an update shortly on how it looks now. I can't remember the name of this bush because it was one of the first I planted here.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and enjoy pics from our ever expanding garden. Gardening in Texas can be challenging.