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Articles by Greg Grant
Grant: Earth-Kind lecture to feature using native plants - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Native plants continue to gain attention across East Texas, and for good reason. They provide food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while often requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides once established. Yet many homeowners remain hesitant to embrace native plants because of a common misconception that native gardens look wild, unruly, or poorly planned.
Grant: You're invited to the East Texas Annual and Perennial Trial - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Every June, when the days stretch long and the heat settles in for good, I start thinking about the plants that can truly take an East Texas summer. Not the pampered ones that wilt at the first hint of stress, but the sturdy, colorful, dependable performers that keep blooming long after the thermometer climbs past comfortable.
Grant: Growing Southern peas in East Texas - Tyler Morning Telegraph
When you say “pea” to most gardeners in the world, they think of “English” peas that thrive in cool moist environments. But to most Southerners, a hot weather legume from Africa, more related to beans, is the norm. Despite what others say about our peas being “cattle food,” many of our ancestors dined on them practically daily throughout their lives. They are easy to grow, productive, and nutritious, being high in both fiber and protein.
Grant: Fire works with nature, not against it - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Fire is as ecologically important to the East Texas landscape as rain is to a rain forest. (Contributed Photo) Fire has a reputation problem. Most of us see flames only as something to fear, destructive, dangerous and unpredictable. But in East Texas, fire is also one of nature’s most important tools for renewal, and the upcoming East Texas Fire and Nature Festival offers a rare opportunity to see that story unfold firsthand.
Grant: Long live the lilies - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Lilies have been part of human imagination for so long that it is no wonder gardeners still reach for the name whenever they see a bold bloom on a tall stalk. The word carries centuries of symbolism. It carries stories from Scripture, from ancient myth, and from family traditions passed down in gardens across the world. But in East Texas, most of the “lilies” we grow are not true lilies at all. They simply inherited the name because their flowers struck someone as lily‑like.
Grant: Azalea care 101 - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Azaleas have just finished peak bloom, so it’s time to think about caring for them as they shift into their summer growth cycle. Tyler’s spring displays depend on the attention we give these plants once the flowers fade, and just after blooming remains an ideal window to handle fertilizing, pruning, and mulching. Choose a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias, and gardenias. For large beds, ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-) is a practical and affordable option.
Grant: Growing tomatoes lecture coming up at Tyler library - Tyler Morning Telegraph
East Texans love their tomatoes. We talk about them, brag about them, and sometimes mourn them when heat or spider mites shut them down too soon. Every spring I am reminded how narrow our tomato window really is. Spring in East Texas can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days. Once temperatures climb above 92 degrees, tomatoes stop setting fruit. That short season makes planting time, variety choice, and fertility absolutely essential.
Sweet olives are Heaven scent
Sweet olive blossoms are tiny but powerfully fragrant. /Photo by Greg Grant Tyler—I don’t see them regularly, but I often smell them. The flowers of the sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), which appear in fall, early spring, and even during mild winters, are small and creamy white, but their fragrance is among the most powerful and distinctive of any garden plant. It also happens to be one of my all-time favorite garden scents.
Red-Headed Woodpeckers
Red-headed woodpeckers are attracted to dead trees and open woodlands. Photo by Greg Grant Lately, my home in the country has been all a whirl with the sights and sounds of one of my favorite birds. Few birds can rival the striking beauty of the red-headed woodpecker. With a brilliant crimson head, contrasting jet-black back, and gleaming white belly and wing patches, this medium-sized woodpecker is unmistakable. In good light, it almost looks painted.
Learn the basics of beekeeping
Honeybees pollinate many different flowers in East Texas. /Photo by Greg Grant Honeybees are more than just the source of sweet golden honey. They are essential pollinators for countless crops, flowers, and trees, making them one of the most important allies in both agriculture and our home gardens. For those curious about the art and science of raising bees, an upcoming program in Overton offers the perfect introduction.
Grant: Caring for pecan trees
Lots of folks want to know how to get their pecan tree to produce a crop each year. Unfortunately, it’s not practical or even realistic. Afterall, commercially produced pecans are mostly grown in drier climates plus irrigated and sprayed regularly for insects and disease. However, there are some things you can do to help improve your chances of picking up a few pecans in the fall. Pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) are Texas natives and our official state tree.
"East Texas Horticulture Field Day" By Greg Grant
The East Texas Horticulture Field Day features annual and perennial trials. June 26, 2025 - If you enjoy seeing how new flowers and vegetables perform in real-life East Texas conditions, mark your calendar for the 2025 East Texas Horticulture Field Day in Overton. Held Thursday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., this free event offers something for every gardener, whether you are a professional landscaper, Master Gardener, or just someone who loves plants.
Grant: East Texas Horticulture Field Day set June 26
If you enjoy seeing how new flowers and vegetables perform in real-life East Texas conditions, mark your calendar for the 2025 East Texas Horticulture Field Day in Overton. Held Thursday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., this free event offers something for every gardener, whether you are a professional landscaper, Master Gardener, or just someone who loves plants.
Grant: Brown-headed nuthatches
I recently got a new rat terrier, and he reminds me of Rosie, one of my favorite dogs from the past. Rosie, also a rat terrier, used to chew her squeaky toy on my foot. After she passed away, I remember hearing a bird up in my pine trees that made the exact same sound. Those squeaky little birds thrived in my pine forest until the devastating freeze of 2021. Thankfully, they have finally returned, perhaps in honor of my new dog, Jackson.
Grant: Dawn Stover to speak on Monarch Butterflies June 12
East Texans who have dreamed of attracting flocks of fluttering butterflies to their backyard or helping save the iconic monarch will have a prime opportunity to learn how this week.
Master gardeners present monarch butterfly program
A free public program titled “Butterflies: Best Practices for Monarch Conservation and Butterfly Gardening in East Texas” will take place Thursday, June 12. /Photo by mramsdell1967, Adobestock.com Tyler—East Texans who have dreamed of attracting flocks of fluttering butterflies to their backyard or helping save the iconic monarch will have a prime opportunity to learn how this week.
Grant: It's time to care for azaleas
Tyler is known far and wide for its beautiful azaleas, and it’s important we treat these East Texas icons with the notoriety that they’ve earned. If you haven’t already fertilized yours this spring, there’s still time. When fertilizing azaleas, remember that less is more. Small amounts applied correctly are far better than heavy-handed applications. Choose an “acid lover” fertilizer labeled for azaleas, camellias, and gardenias.
Grant: Pine Savannas
When most folks think of East Texas pines, they imagine dense forests where light barely reaches the forest floor. But long before commercial pine plantations and fire suppression altered the land, much of eastern Texas was home to an open, sunny, and remarkably diverse ecosystem known as the pine savanna. These savannas were filled with towering pines spaced widely enough to allow sunlight to reach the ground, where a vibrant mix of grasses and wildflowers thrived.
Grant: The Post Oak Savanna
No one should garden in an area without knowing what ecoregion they are in and what geological and meteorological events shaped the surrounding landscape. In the case of East Texas, we need to be deeply familiar with the both the Pineywoods and Post Oak Savanna ecoregions and the native plant palette of each. Though the Post Oak Savanna is defined as stretching from the northeast part of the state down into the Brazos River valley, its influence reaches much farther than its boundaries suggest.
Grant: Smith County Master Gardeners to host garden tour
Springtime in Tyler brings blooming roses, warbling bluebirds, and one of the most anticipated horticultural events of the year: the Smith County Master Gardener Home Garden Tour. Scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this self-guided tour offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore five distinct and captivating private gardens across Smith County.
Grant: Invasive exotic plants Original
Not all aggressive plants are bad, and not all pretty ones are good. In East Texas, the spread of invasive exotic plants, which are non-native species that escape cultivation and overrun natural areas, is one of the most pressing threats to our local ecosystems. These invaders displace native plants, disrupt ecological balance, and reduce food sources for native wildlife. It is important to understand the difference between native plants, naturalized non-natives, and true invasives.
Grant: How to become a Smith County Master Gardener
The award-winning Smith County Master Gardener volunteer educator program (txmg.org/smith) is seeking applicants to join a highly trained corps of enthusiastic volunteers to assist the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in providing horticultural education to East Texans. Do you enjoy gardening? Do you like sharing your interest in gardening with others? Do you like answering questions, public speaking, teaching, writing, conducting workshops, or talking on the phone?
Grant: Dawn Stover to speak on butterflies and caterpillars
The Smith County Master Gardeners’ 2025 Library Lecture Series continues this month with a timely topic that ties beauty and biodiversity together. On Friday, April 25, from 1 to 2 p.m., gardeners, naturalists, teachers, and anyone interested in pollinator conservation are invited to the Taylor Auditorium at the Tyler Public Library (201 S.
Grant: Bright ideas for warm season color
When it comes to sprucing up your landscape in East Texas, nothing adds life and color like warm season bedding plants and now is the time to plant them. These vibrant selections not only stand up to our sizzling summer heat but thrive in it, turning your garden into a tropical paradise from spring until frost. Whether you’re brightening up a flower bed, container, or curbside border, there are a number of standout plants that perform exceptionally well here.
Grant: Last chance for tomato planting in East Texas
If you haven’t planted beans, corn, cucumbers, peppers, squash, and tomatoes, you’d better get it done ASAP, as spring in East Texas can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days. Once it gets hot, it’s not only harder to get transplants established but all tomatoes stop setting fruit. Tomatoes are planted from transplants after all danger of frost. Tomato plants can’t tolerate frost or freeze and thrive with mild temperatures.
Grant: East Texas Fire and Nature Festival set for April 5
Fire plays a vital role in the ecology of East Texas, but it can also pose significant risks to homes, outbuildings, and landscapes. That’s why understanding firewise landscaping is essential for homeowners who want to protect their property while preserving the natural beauty of our region. The upcoming East Texas Fire and Nature Festival offers a perfect opportunity to learn more about the relationship between fire and our Pineywoods and Post Oak Savanna ecosystems.
Grant: Earth-Kind Education Committee to host tour at Pyron Garden
Spring is the perfect time to explore East Texas gardens, and the Smith County Earth-Kind Environmental Education Committee is offering a unique opportunity to experience one of Tyler’s most beautiful private gardens. On Tuesday, March 25 beginning at 10 a.m., I’ll be leading an exclusive Spring Garden Tour of the Pyron Garden in the heart of Tyler’s historic Azalea District.
Grant: Earth-Kind Education Committee to host tour at Pyron Garden
Spring is the perfect time to explore East Texas gardens, and the Smith County Earth-Kind Environmental Education Committee is offering a unique opportunity to experience one of Tyler’s most beautiful private gardens. On Tuesday, March 25 beginning at 10 a.m., I’ll be leading an exclusive Spring Garden Tour of the Pyron Garden in the heart of Tyler’s historic Azalea District.
Smith County Master Gardeners to hold two upcoming programs
As spring approaches, gardeners across East Texas are gearing up for a season full of education and inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, two upcoming events hosted by local Master Gardener groups will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you garden. From the fascinating world of bees to the beauty of roses and the importance of sustainable gardening, these events offer something for everyone.
Grant: About the Southern Garden History Society
The Southern Garden History Society just wrapped up its annual meeting in Mobile, Alabama. My mentor Dr. William C. Welch introduced me to this group and as a lifetime member of this organization I’ve long enjoyed these yearly gatherings filled with horticulture, history, and hospitality. The South boasts a rich tradition of gardens and landscapes, each telling stories of our region’s cultural and horticultural heritage.
Grant: Fragrant jonquils welcome spring
I recently attended the annual Jonquil Jubilee in Gibsland, Louisiana, and helped lead tours viewing beautiful daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils. I love them all but have to admit I’m partial to the narrow-leafed, smaller flowered jonquils. There’s something magical about the arrival of jonquils in East Texas. As winter’s chill begins to fade, these early-spring beauties fill the air with their sweet fragrance and brighten our landscapes with cheerful golden blooms.
Grant: Topping trees is never recommended
The annual practice of butchering trees is in full swing. Tree topping, the practice of cutting large branches back to stubs, is often mistakenly employed by homeowners aiming to reduce tree size or eliminate perceived hazards. However, this method inflicts significant harm on trees and is universally discouraged by arboriculture experts. Topping involves the drastic removal of a tree’s upper branches, leaving behind large, unsightly stubs.
'Urban Tree Stress': Upcoming lecture by Luke Alfaro set in Tyler
East Texas is known for its towering trees, but urban trees face a unique set of challenges that can compromise their health and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered why some trees in our neighborhoods seem to struggle while those in the wild flourish, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Smith County Master Gardeners Library Series lecture by Luke Alfaro. Alfaro, the Urban Forester and Arborist for the City of Tyler, will present "Urban Tree Stress" at 11:30 a.m. on Feb.
'Urban Tree Stress': Upcoming lecture by Luke Alfaro set in Tyler
East Texas is known for its towering trees, but urban trees face a unique set of challenges that can compromise their health and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered why some trees in our neighborhoods seem to struggle while those in the wild flourish, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Smith County Master Gardeners Library Series lecture by Luke Alfaro. Alfaro, the Urban Forester and Arborist for the City of Tyler, will present "Urban Tree Stress" at 11:30 a.m. on Feb.
'Urban Tree Stress': Upcoming lecture by Luke Alfaro set in Tyler
East Texas is known for its towering trees, but urban trees face a unique set of challenges that can compromise their health and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered why some trees in our neighborhoods seem to struggle while those in the wild flourish, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Smith County Master Gardeners Library Series lecture by Luke Alfaro. Alfaro, the Urban Forester and Arborist for the City of Tyler, will present “Urban Tree Stress” at 11:30 a.m. on Feb.
'Urban Tree Stress': Upcoming lecture by Luke Alfaro set in Tyler
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'Urban Tree Stress': Upcoming lecture by Luke Alfaro set in Tyler
East Texas is known for its towering trees, but urban trees face a unique set of challenges that can compromise their health and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered why some trees in our neighborhoods seem to struggle while those in the wild flourish, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Smith County Master Gardeners Library Series lecture by Luke Alfaro. Alfaro, the Urban Forester and Arborist for the City of Tyler, will present “Urban Tree Stress” at 11:30 a.m. on Feb.
Grant: February is for rose pruning and more
Mid-February is a busy time for gardeners in East Texas. It’s the perfect time to plant cool-season vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsley, potatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnips. But February also brings another important task — rose pruning. Most rose bushes benefit from regular pruning to remove dead wood, maintain their shape, and encourage healthy new growth.
East Texas Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Conference coming up in Tyler
The 2025 East Texas Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Conference will take place on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Cross Brand Cowboy Church, located at 11915 FM 2015 in Tyler. This educational event offers invaluable tips and techniques for anyone interested in growing fruits, nuts, and vegetables, whether you’re a professional grower or a backyard hobbyist. The half-day conference kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with registration, and sessions will run from 8 a.m. to noon.
Winter is perfect time to plant fruit and nut trees
The dormant season is the perfect time to plant fruit and nut trees in East Texas. With the cooler temperatures, planting now allows trees to develop strong roots before spring growth begins. If you’ve ever considered adding fruit or nut trees to your landscape, now is the time to get started. First, make sure you have enough space. Most fruit and nut trees require a full day of sun and an area of at least 25 feet by 25 feet.
Texas A&M AgriLife to host professional landscape maintenance conference
Maintaining a healthy, attractive landscape is a priority for many East Texas professionals and homeowners alike. To help the community stay informed on best practices, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Earth-Kind Environmental Education Committee in Smith County is hosting its second annual Professional Landscape Maintenance Conference. This educational program is set for Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Cotton Belt Building, Room 116, located at 1517 W.
Master Gardeners kick off library series with Dr. Andrew King
The Smith County Master Gardeners are launching their 2025 Master Gardeners at the Library lecturer series with an engaging presentation by horticulturist Dr. Andrew King titled “Hot New Plants for East Texas… and Some Others We’ve Forgotten About.” This free event will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 17, in the Taylor Auditorium of the Tyler Public Library, located at 201 S. College Avenue in Tyler.
Grant: Brighten your winter with amaryllis
When I was in the fourth grade, I read a small paperback book about George Washington Carver. His passion for plants and his groundbreaking work in agriculture inspired me to pursue my own career in horticulture. One of the things that stuck with me was his love of amaryllis. After learning about them, I begged my mom to get me one each Christmas, and I’ve been hooked on them ever since.
Grant: Keith Hansen to lead Maple Tour in Tyler this week
When you think of Texas trees, maples probably don’t top the list. But in East Texas, we are blessed with four native species of maple along with a number of adapted species and cultivars from Asia. If you’d like to learn more about maples in East Texas, consider this week’s tour. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Earth-Kind Environmental Education committee in Smith County is hosting a “walk and talk” tour of the Shade Garden at the Tyler Botanical Garden.
Grant: Growing Sasanquas in East Texas
As the crisp days of fall approach, one of the most elegant shrubs for East Texas gardens begins its showy display: the sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua). With its graceful blooms, mild spicy fragrance, and glossy evergreen foliage, sasanquas bring beauty and versatility to the landscape during a season when many plants are winding down. Native to Japan, sasanquas are prized for their delicate, single or semi-double flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, or red.
Grant: Growing Sasanquas in East Texas
As the crisp days of fall approach, one of the most elegant shrubs for East Texas gardens begins its showy display: the sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua). With its graceful blooms, mild spicy fragrance, and glossy evergreen foliage, sasanquas bring beauty and versatility to the landscape during a season when many plants are winding down. Native to Japan, sasanquas are prized for their delicate, single or semi-double flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, or red.
Grant: Growing Sasanquas in East Texas
As the crisp days of fall approach, one of the most elegant shrubs for East Texas gardens begins its showy display: the sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua). With its graceful blooms, mild spicy fragrance, and glossy evergreen foliage, sasanquas bring beauty and versatility to the landscape during a season when many plants are winding down. Native to Japan, sasanquas are prized for their delicate, single or semi-double flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, or red.
Grant: Gardening for mental health
Life isn’t easy. We all know that. I find peace through nature and gardening. Gardening has long been known to improve our outdoor spaces, but it does something even more remarkable: it nurtures our mental well-being. Spending time in the garden isn’t just beneficial for our bodies; it provides a mental reset that can lower stress, lift moods, and help us feel more connected to the world around us. One of the main ways gardening improves mental health is by reducing stress.
Grant: Fall is for planting
Fall is undoubtedly my favorite time of year, and it is the ideal season to enhance your landscape. If there is an area that needs an upgrade or replacement, now is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Winter follows as the second-best season for planting, with spring after that. Summer, however, is the most challenging time to establish new plants in our Texas heat and droughts.
Grant: Thank the Smith County Master Gardeners for the Tyler Botanical Garden
The Tyler Botanical Garden officially turns five years old this month. It is dedicated to retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist-Emeritus Keith Hansen for his vision and dedication in establishing the garden.
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