1 00:00:00,900 --> 00:00:02,100 - Hi, there, I'm Tom Spencer. 2 00:00:02,100 --> 00:00:03,500 This week on Central Texas Gardener, 3 00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:05,533 we've got a honey of a deal for ya. 4 00:00:05,533 --> 00:00:08,766 Tanya Phillips from the Travis County Beekeepers Association 5 00:00:08,766 --> 00:00:12,066 explains top tips for starting your own beehive. 6 00:00:12,066 --> 00:00:13,933 On tour, see how a gardener slowly 7 00:00:13,933 --> 00:00:16,733 took out lawn for flowers and pollinators. 8 00:00:16,733 --> 00:00:18,266 Daphne makes her pick of the week, 9 00:00:18,266 --> 00:00:21,300 and determines if a frozen euphorbia can be saved. 10 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:23,900 And Trisha's got your Backyard Basics tip, 11 00:00:23,900 --> 00:00:27,033 so let's get growing, right here, right now. 12 00:00:27,033 --> 00:00:29,200 - [Narrator] Central Texas Gardener is made possible in part 13 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,633 by Austin Area Garden Center. 14 00:00:31,633 --> 00:00:34,000 Sharing the joys of gardening for over 50 years 15 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,366 in Zilker Botanical Garden. 16 00:00:36,366 --> 00:00:39,966 Home of 32 garden clubs, and Zilker Garden Festival. 17 00:00:39,966 --> 00:00:41,633 Zilkergarden.org. 18 00:00:41,633 --> 00:00:44,033 - [Narrator] And from the University of Texas at Austin, 19 00:00:44,033 --> 00:00:46,200 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 20 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,966 Displaying Texas native plants in sustainable gardens. 21 00:00:49,966 --> 00:00:52,000 Support for this an other KLRU productions 22 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,266 made possible the the Producer's Circle. 23 00:00:54,266 --> 00:00:56,633 Ensuring local programming that reflects the character 24 00:00:56,633 --> 00:00:59,800 and interests of the greater Austin Texas community. 25 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,066 (gentle upbeat music) 26 00:01:14,866 --> 00:01:16,300 Taking out the lawn for gardens 27 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:18,200 doesn't have to happen all at once. 28 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:20,533 See how Vicki made the transition to flowers, 29 00:01:20,533 --> 00:01:24,300 food and plants for pollinators and birds. 30 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:25,766 - [Narrator] Vicki Blachman went on a mission 31 00:01:25,766 --> 00:01:27,933 to re-frame the lawn life when she married 32 00:01:27,933 --> 00:01:31,433 husband Steven and moved to the suburbs. 33 00:01:31,433 --> 00:01:34,900 A culinary expert and now a Travis County Master Gardener, 34 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:37,066 she assists gardeners to find their path 35 00:01:37,066 --> 00:01:39,566 to resourceful techniques for the kitchen, 36 00:01:39,566 --> 00:01:41,333 and wildlife habitat. 37 00:01:42,566 --> 00:01:44,600 A writer for Texas Gardener magazine, 38 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,433 she brings to it her experience in commercial kitchens 39 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:49,866 and as a hands-on gardener. 40 00:01:49,866 --> 00:01:51,533 Her blog, Playin' Outside, 41 00:01:51,533 --> 00:01:54,400 journals her home ground adventures. 42 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,733 Turning fence-to-fence grass into gardens 43 00:01:56,733 --> 00:01:59,933 started with amending anaerobic soil. 44 00:01:59,933 --> 00:02:03,866 - It was stinky it was not only dense clay, 45 00:02:03,866 --> 00:02:06,533 but it had a really nasty smell, 46 00:02:07,666 --> 00:02:10,433 and was totally devoid of any life. 47 00:02:10,433 --> 00:02:12,633 I mean when we dug our pond, 48 00:02:12,633 --> 00:02:14,333 Steven laughed that there really wasn't 49 00:02:14,333 --> 00:02:16,733 any need to put a pond liner in there, 50 00:02:16,733 --> 00:02:18,533 that we should just build a fire in there 51 00:02:18,533 --> 00:02:20,666 and glaze that stuff. 52 00:02:20,666 --> 00:02:23,033 - [Narrator] She didn't dump all the lawn in one day. 53 00:02:23,033 --> 00:02:24,900 For one thing, she wanted to get to know the lighting 54 00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:27,666 before she installed new plants. 55 00:02:27,666 --> 00:02:31,833 - And so every year I had the annual moving of the bricks, 56 00:02:31,833 --> 00:02:35,833 and I would just go out there and play in the garden, 57 00:02:35,833 --> 00:02:38,866 and I would shift all the beds out about 58 00:02:38,866 --> 00:02:42,366 the width of two bricks or maybe a little more. 59 00:02:42,366 --> 00:02:45,666 - [Narrator] At first she simply lays the bricks down flat. 60 00:02:45,666 --> 00:02:47,833 Later she digs them in at a slant, 61 00:02:47,833 --> 00:02:51,266 since these are scavenged house bricks with holes. 62 00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:55,166 - You can tell when I start to be happy with an edge, 63 00:02:55,166 --> 00:02:58,133 because the bricks get tilted and dug in, 64 00:02:58,133 --> 00:03:01,066 and at some point I may go back, 65 00:03:01,066 --> 00:03:03,600 and really make those hard edges, 66 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,700 when I think I'm really going to leave it like that, 67 00:03:06,700 --> 00:03:09,500 I'll probably go in with limestone 68 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:12,100 or something and make it more permanent. 69 00:03:12,100 --> 00:03:16,266 Not necessarily mortared because I may still change my mind. 70 00:03:17,433 --> 00:03:18,866 - [Narrator] The brief expanse of lawn she kept 71 00:03:18,866 --> 00:03:21,666 doesn't get extra water, but it's really a ball 72 00:03:21,666 --> 00:03:24,200 as a low maintenance ground cover. 73 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,600 - [Vicki] We need some area for the dogs to run. 74 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:29,266 - [Narrator] A charming barricade 75 00:03:29,266 --> 00:03:31,000 prevents their latest rescue, Brady, 76 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,866 from too much communication with the dog next door. 77 00:03:34,866 --> 00:03:38,433 A young redbud tree will soon canopy this corner. 78 00:03:38,433 --> 00:03:40,866 To style up the blank privacy fence, 79 00:03:40,866 --> 00:03:43,600 she added height, color and texture. 80 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,266 (gentle music) 81 00:03:51,233 --> 00:03:53,033 Austin craftsman Bob Pool assisted 82 00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:54,966 with custom-made trellises. 83 00:03:54,966 --> 00:03:58,400 He works with regular plate steel given a rust patina, 84 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,233 that will get even better looking over time. 85 00:04:01,233 --> 00:04:04,466 Antique and heirloom roses, Vicki's trusty favorites, 86 00:04:04,466 --> 00:04:07,800 blanket fences with color and fragrance. 87 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:11,200 Artfully, she combines plants 88 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,800 to harvest for the kitchen and for crafts. 89 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,733 At first she just amended the soil 90 00:04:16,733 --> 00:04:18,966 in the wide holes they dug. 91 00:04:18,966 --> 00:04:21,866 - But basically created an environment 92 00:04:21,866 --> 00:04:25,100 that the plants were reluctant to move out of. 93 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:28,300 I mean, why would roots go outside of that 94 00:04:28,300 --> 00:04:30,600 when outside of that is so nasty? 95 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:34,533 So slowly but surely I amended all of the beds. 96 00:04:36,500 --> 00:04:38,966 - [Narrator] A bed filled with evergreen passalong irises 97 00:04:38,966 --> 00:04:42,966 and seasonal wildflowers nestles near the patio. 98 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,766 It's a deliciously fragrant spot to hang out 99 00:04:46,766 --> 00:04:50,066 among containers of scented geraniums and fruit trees, 100 00:04:50,066 --> 00:04:52,566 including a passalong kumquat. 101 00:04:53,766 --> 00:04:56,100 A kit greenhouse, a gift from Steven and his mom, 102 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:57,800 is just as fragrant in winter 103 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,133 when they move the cold-tender plants indoors. 104 00:05:01,133 --> 00:05:05,033 To complete the refreshing scene, they added water. 105 00:05:05,033 --> 00:05:08,600 - The prime motivator was tranquility. 106 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:10,433 The sound of the pond, 107 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:13,700 cools the backyard. 108 00:05:13,700 --> 00:05:17,233 I mean it seems ridiculous that a sound could cool you off, 109 00:05:17,233 --> 00:05:20,233 but if you're sitting here in the heat, 110 00:05:20,233 --> 00:05:23,233 you actually feel cooler when the pond is running. 111 00:05:23,233 --> 00:05:24,733 - [Narrator] For a natural look, 112 00:05:24,733 --> 00:05:27,800 they arranged scavenged honeycomb limestone rocks. 113 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,966 - [Vicki] This actually is sort of like white noise. 114 00:05:30,966 --> 00:05:34,433 It makes it a little more soothing, it attracts wildlife. 115 00:05:34,433 --> 00:05:36,433 The birds are always here. 116 00:05:36,433 --> 00:05:40,666 I also noticed that I was creating a habitat for critters, 117 00:05:40,666 --> 00:05:44,366 but it became a more comfortable habitat for us as well. 118 00:05:44,366 --> 00:05:45,300 - [Narrator] Now a certified 119 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:47,066 Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat, 120 00:05:47,066 --> 00:05:49,033 as well as a Monarch Way Station, 121 00:05:49,033 --> 00:05:50,600 Vicki makes sure there's water, 122 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,300 shelter and food for everybody. 123 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:56,533 Instead of hummingbird feeders she plants food for them, 124 00:05:56,533 --> 00:05:59,000 like coral honeysuckle. 125 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,633 She grows milkweed, the sole larval food for Monarchs. 126 00:06:02,633 --> 00:06:07,433 The flowers nectar all kinds of butterflies and pollinators. 127 00:06:07,433 --> 00:06:11,033 Many insects fuel up and pollinate the patio citrus. 128 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:14,700 Leaves attract Swallowtail butterflies to lay their eggs. 129 00:06:14,700 --> 00:06:17,500 Vicki offers free rent for mason or solitary bees, 130 00:06:17,500 --> 00:06:20,533 great non-stinging pollinators. 131 00:06:20,533 --> 00:06:24,066 To customize insect hotels for them and leafcutter bees, 132 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:28,233 she designed comfy quarters with repurposed finds. 133 00:06:29,866 --> 00:06:31,533 This four star rated hotel started 134 00:06:31,533 --> 00:06:34,600 with a vintage metal rack for soda bottles. 135 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,200 With help from fellow Master Gardener 136 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:38,900 Sheryl Williams and her husband Ed Kimball, 137 00:06:38,900 --> 00:06:41,200 they drilled holes of the right size. 138 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,300 Like with every project, Vicki's made a few modifications. 139 00:06:45,300 --> 00:06:47,366 One leafcutter bee found impromptu nesting 140 00:06:47,366 --> 00:06:49,800 on Vicki's tool bench. 141 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,000 - There was one trying very hard 142 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,433 to decide whether to move into the hole 143 00:06:55,433 --> 00:06:58,666 in the handle of my CobraHead gardening tool, 144 00:06:58,666 --> 00:07:01,766 which just happened to be the exact right diameter, 145 00:07:01,766 --> 00:07:04,433 and she was flying back and forth 146 00:07:04,433 --> 00:07:08,866 between that and a clay pot that also had a hole in it, 147 00:07:08,866 --> 00:07:10,333 and back and forth and back and forth 148 00:07:10,333 --> 00:07:14,866 and she finally settled on the hole in my CobraHead tool. 149 00:07:14,866 --> 00:07:17,533 - [Narrator] To captivate nature's other bounty, rain, 150 00:07:17,533 --> 00:07:19,633 do-it-yourselfers Vicki and Steven installed 151 00:07:19,633 --> 00:07:23,366 a 1,600 gallon rainwater collection tank. 152 00:07:23,366 --> 00:07:25,466 A 50-gallon tank near the vegetable beds 153 00:07:25,466 --> 00:07:29,633 doubles as a tiny trickle to a wildlife drinking fountain. 154 00:07:30,766 --> 00:07:32,700 Recycled bottles with screw-on adapters 155 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:36,166 gently water containers when Vicki's on the go. 156 00:07:36,166 --> 00:07:38,600 For sun-loving vegetables, flowers and herbs, 157 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:42,200 she corralled a bright strip alongside the house. 158 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,366 She kept some lawn on both sides of the house 159 00:07:44,366 --> 00:07:47,533 to slow down rainwater runoff from the street. 160 00:07:47,533 --> 00:07:51,000 Bob Pool charmed up the standard backyard gate. 161 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:55,466 Vicki's trained a Lady Banks rose over his arbor. 162 00:07:55,466 --> 00:07:58,966 In front, she left her lawn removal until last. 163 00:07:58,966 --> 00:08:01,466 - What started the change was, 164 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:04,266 the trees weren't very healthy, 165 00:08:04,266 --> 00:08:06,400 the grass wasn't very healthy, 166 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,166 the grass got to the point that we were either 167 00:08:08,166 --> 00:08:10,533 going to have to go in and dig out 168 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:14,000 all that was there and build up the soil, 169 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,933 and put down new sod, we're going to have to do something. 170 00:08:17,933 --> 00:08:19,666 - [Narrator] She decided to lose the lawn 171 00:08:19,666 --> 00:08:23,633 and spice up the dimension with drought-tough plants. 172 00:08:23,633 --> 00:08:25,566 Still youngsters in their first year, 173 00:08:25,566 --> 00:08:27,633 she's given them room to grow. 174 00:08:27,633 --> 00:08:30,300 (gentle music) 175 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,333 Vicki's front porch design warmed up 176 00:08:38,333 --> 00:08:41,500 and magnified the narrow space. 177 00:08:41,500 --> 00:08:45,666 Bob Pool's trellis frames for a touch of enclosure. 178 00:08:47,633 --> 00:08:50,733 Wildlife gets the welcome sign, too. 179 00:08:53,533 --> 00:08:57,700 - At one point in the year cars drive by, and clouds, 180 00:08:59,266 --> 00:09:02,766 orange clouds of Queen butterflies fly up, 181 00:09:03,866 --> 00:09:07,533 and people will actually drive by and stop, 182 00:09:07,533 --> 00:09:12,066 and back their car up and then drive by again. 183 00:09:12,066 --> 00:09:14,233 - [Narrator] On Bob Pool's custom-made address sign, 184 00:09:14,233 --> 00:09:18,600 beneficial green lacewings laid intricate suspended eggs. 185 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,100 - Neighbors stop all the time. 186 00:09:22,233 --> 00:09:25,200 "I love your yard it's not just rocks," 187 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,066 those are their exact words. 188 00:09:27,066 --> 00:09:29,466 It's not just rocks. 189 00:09:29,466 --> 00:09:31,466 We still barbecue, we still do all the 190 00:09:31,466 --> 00:09:34,800 standard suburban stuff, it's just in a 191 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:37,633 cooler, more friendly environment. 192 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:40,900 - Thanks Vicki for sharing your garden with us, 193 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:43,433 and right now we're gonna get a little buzz, 194 00:09:43,433 --> 00:09:44,766 bee wise I mean. 195 00:09:44,766 --> 00:09:47,133 We have Tanya Phillips joining us right now, 196 00:09:47,133 --> 00:09:49,966 Tanya is with the Travis County Beekeepers Association, 197 00:09:49,966 --> 00:09:52,300 and we're gonna be talking about the things 198 00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:55,933 that anybody's contemplating keeping bees 199 00:09:55,933 --> 00:09:58,233 needs to know, but let's start off by talking 200 00:09:58,233 --> 00:09:59,933 about the bee phenomenon. 201 00:09:59,933 --> 00:10:02,133 Right now I understand there's a lot of interest 202 00:10:02,133 --> 00:10:04,800 in maintaining and keeping bees. 203 00:10:05,633 --> 00:10:06,866 - Sure. 204 00:10:06,866 --> 00:10:09,266 Everybody has had, has heard about, 205 00:10:09,266 --> 00:10:12,400 you know, CCD, Colony Collapse Disorder, 206 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,133 and the problems that the bees are having, 207 00:10:14,133 --> 00:10:16,366 and so I get a lot of calls just saying, 208 00:10:16,366 --> 00:10:17,666 "How are the bees doing? 209 00:10:17,666 --> 00:10:20,300 "We just wanna check in, what can we do to help? 210 00:10:20,300 --> 00:10:22,366 "Can I plant flowers for them." 211 00:10:22,366 --> 00:10:23,233 - [Tom] Well that's neat. 212 00:10:23,233 --> 00:10:24,166 - Yeah. 213 00:10:24,166 --> 00:10:24,933 - Well people are concerned. 214 00:10:24,933 --> 00:10:25,866 - Yes. 215 00:10:25,866 --> 00:10:27,966 - And actually beekeeping can be 216 00:10:27,966 --> 00:10:29,900 a very good thing for bee populations. 217 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:33,366 - Yes it is, because in the bee world 218 00:10:33,366 --> 00:10:35,166 where the bees are having the problem, 219 00:10:35,166 --> 00:10:37,333 most of it is the commercial beekeepers, 220 00:10:37,333 --> 00:10:39,066 where they're moving the bees, 221 00:10:39,066 --> 00:10:40,666 like to almond pollination, 222 00:10:40,666 --> 00:10:42,366 which is happening right now in California. 223 00:10:42,366 --> 00:10:43,600 - [Tom] Right. 224 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:44,966 - They're moving the bees across the country 225 00:10:44,966 --> 00:10:46,866 and it's very stressful for bees, 226 00:10:46,866 --> 00:10:50,100 and that stress adds to colony collapse. 227 00:10:50,100 --> 00:10:53,166 - So just having little small colonies spread out 228 00:10:53,166 --> 00:10:57,366 dispersed around the nation that aren't being shipped around 229 00:10:57,366 --> 00:10:59,633 to pollinate things makes a big difference? 230 00:10:59,633 --> 00:11:01,133 - Yes. 231 00:11:01,133 --> 00:11:03,600 - So lets, for those people who are considering 232 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:08,366 the possibility of having a colony or two in their backyard, 233 00:11:08,366 --> 00:11:11,066 let's talk about some of the, 234 00:11:11,066 --> 00:11:12,766 the big things they need to contemplate. 235 00:11:12,766 --> 00:11:15,566 First off, there are actually regulations 236 00:11:15,566 --> 00:11:17,066 about keeping bees, right? 237 00:11:17,066 --> 00:11:18,566 - Exactly. 238 00:11:18,566 --> 00:11:21,366 So you need to check with your Homeowners Association, 239 00:11:21,366 --> 00:11:23,233 you need to know your city laws. 240 00:11:23,233 --> 00:11:26,066 In Austin you are allowed to have two colonies, 241 00:11:26,066 --> 00:11:28,233 actually two colonies and a nuc, 242 00:11:28,233 --> 00:11:30,133 which is kind of like three colonies, 243 00:11:30,133 --> 00:11:32,600 but it's two colonies, 244 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,766 you need to have a fly barrier of six feet high 245 00:11:35,766 --> 00:11:37,400 between you and your neighbor. 246 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:39,766 The hive should be 10 feet off the property lines. 247 00:11:39,766 --> 00:11:41,500 So there's a few little rules. 248 00:11:41,500 --> 00:11:43,566 - But those don't sound onerous at all. 249 00:11:43,566 --> 00:11:44,966 Nothing that would really slow 250 00:11:44,966 --> 00:11:46,800 somebody who's determined down. 251 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:47,633 Now, 252 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:50,866 it is a, 253 00:11:50,866 --> 00:11:54,100 something you need to kind of be educated about right? 254 00:11:54,100 --> 00:11:56,766 This is another one of the tips is, 255 00:11:56,766 --> 00:11:59,166 you really should be serious about learning about the bees 256 00:11:59,166 --> 00:12:02,633 because if not, you could have very unhappy consequences. 257 00:12:02,633 --> 00:12:03,900 - Exactly. 258 00:12:03,900 --> 00:12:06,166 I recommend either joining, you know, 259 00:12:06,166 --> 00:12:10,166 a local organization like the Travis County Beekeepers, 260 00:12:10,166 --> 00:12:13,966 taking a class or two, a hands-on class would be good, 261 00:12:13,966 --> 00:12:15,566 and doing some research. 262 00:12:15,566 --> 00:12:17,400 Just be careful, not everything you read 263 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,400 on the internet is true. 264 00:12:21,033 --> 00:12:21,866 (laughing) 265 00:12:21,866 --> 00:12:22,700 - You're kidding me? 266 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:23,533 (both laughing) 267 00:12:23,533 --> 00:12:25,000 - Right? 268 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,133 - There's actually false information on the internet? 269 00:12:26,133 --> 00:12:26,966 Go figure. 270 00:12:29,500 --> 00:12:31,766 Location is important in the yard, right? 271 00:12:31,766 --> 00:12:32,966 - Yes. - I mean, 272 00:12:32,966 --> 00:12:34,233 let's talk a little bit about that, 273 00:12:34,233 --> 00:12:36,600 'cause there would be some locations 274 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,733 that just wouldn't work at all, right? 275 00:12:39,733 --> 00:12:41,400 - Yeah maybe not at all, 276 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:43,066 I mean you wouldn't want the bees someplace 277 00:12:43,066 --> 00:12:44,700 where they'd be in danger of flooding 278 00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:46,200 or something like that. - Okay. 279 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:49,700 - But in general, you want them in the area of yard 280 00:12:49,700 --> 00:12:52,833 that would be mostly sunny all day. 281 00:12:52,833 --> 00:12:54,100 - [Tom] Okay. 282 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:55,166 - Maybe a little bit of shade late afternoon, 283 00:12:55,166 --> 00:12:56,200 it is hot there. 284 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:57,433 - Right. 285 00:12:57,433 --> 00:12:59,566 - And then you want the hives, 286 00:12:59,566 --> 00:13:02,533 the direction of the port they fly in and out of, 287 00:13:02,533 --> 00:13:05,233 you want that to be facing east or south 288 00:13:05,233 --> 00:13:06,633 or somewhere in between. 289 00:13:06,633 --> 00:13:07,900 - [Tom] Mm hmm, why is that? 290 00:13:07,900 --> 00:13:09,933 - That way the sun comes up, shines on the hive, 291 00:13:09,933 --> 00:13:10,966 bees go right to work. 292 00:13:10,966 --> 00:13:12,800 - Oh okay, wake 'em up. 293 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:14,833 - Yes, exactly. - Here's your alarm clock. 294 00:13:14,833 --> 00:13:16,066 Go get to work. 295 00:13:16,066 --> 00:13:18,033 - Bees don't fly when it's dark so. 296 00:13:18,033 --> 00:13:22,400 - Now are there types of bees that people can have? 297 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,300 - Well there are about 1,000 different species 298 00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:27,133 of bees here in Texas. 299 00:13:27,133 --> 00:13:28,000 - [Tom] 1,000? 300 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,933 - Yes, but, of those, 301 00:13:29,933 --> 00:13:32,100 only a few are actually the honey bee species 302 00:13:32,100 --> 00:13:33,333 that collects honey. - Okay. 303 00:13:33,333 --> 00:13:36,166 - So, we don't want the wild bees necessarily, 304 00:13:36,166 --> 00:13:38,700 you can do things to promote those in your yard too, 305 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:41,200 but what we're talking about is keeping honey bees, 306 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,600 so for honey bees there's only a few different kinds 307 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,900 you can get and pretty much you're gonna be stuck with 308 00:13:46,900 --> 00:13:49,266 what you can get and what you can drive to go pick up. 309 00:13:49,266 --> 00:13:50,400 - Okay. 310 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:51,633 All right. 311 00:13:51,633 --> 00:13:53,233 You talked about the beekeeping groups, 312 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:55,000 tell me about the kinds of activities 313 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,866 that take place within the groups. 314 00:13:57,866 --> 00:14:00,666 - They usually have monthly meetings, 315 00:14:00,666 --> 00:14:03,333 and there'll be some sort of an 316 00:14:03,333 --> 00:14:05,300 education component happening, 317 00:14:05,300 --> 00:14:07,266 so we usually time it to work 318 00:14:07,266 --> 00:14:10,566 just before that seasons is starting in beekeeping, 319 00:14:10,566 --> 00:14:12,700 so it's very appropriately timed. 320 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:14,500 Sometimes they bring in guest speakers, 321 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:16,666 and another big part of it is they share resources, 322 00:14:16,666 --> 00:14:20,500 so if there's a shared library, or a shared extractor, 323 00:14:20,500 --> 00:14:22,366 something like that, that really helps. 324 00:14:22,366 --> 00:14:23,300 - Okay. 325 00:14:23,300 --> 00:14:24,333 And I guess you get tips on what 326 00:14:24,333 --> 00:14:25,866 kind of gear to get as well, 327 00:14:25,866 --> 00:14:28,466 and then you've brought along a little bit of gear. 328 00:14:28,466 --> 00:14:29,500 Here's a smoker, right? 329 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:31,000 - [Tanya] Yes, yep. 330 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,266 - [Tom] And the smokers are, everybody's seen pictures 331 00:14:33,266 --> 00:14:35,033 of the smoke, how does that actually work 332 00:14:35,033 --> 00:14:37,600 in terms of calming the bees down? 333 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,433 - [Tanya] Well, so you don't, so bees don't like smoke. 334 00:14:40,433 --> 00:14:41,900 - [Tom] Okay. 335 00:14:41,900 --> 00:14:43,200 - Okay, so it isn't that it calms them down so much, 336 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,466 it's more as a herding tool. - Ah okay. 337 00:14:45,466 --> 00:14:46,800 - So you're kind of putting the smoke 338 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,466 where you don't want bees to be. 339 00:14:48,466 --> 00:14:49,700 - [Tom] Mm hmm. 340 00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:50,933 - So if you want 'em to go back into the hive 341 00:14:50,933 --> 00:14:52,266 and you spray a little bit of smoke there, 342 00:14:52,266 --> 00:14:53,833 the bees'll go down back into the hive. 343 00:14:53,833 --> 00:14:54,766 - Okay. 344 00:14:54,766 --> 00:14:56,733 Okay, that makes a lot of sense. 345 00:14:56,733 --> 00:14:59,733 These are for cleaning the... 346 00:14:59,733 --> 00:15:02,300 - This is when, really when I think of it, 347 00:15:02,300 --> 00:15:04,400 is when my smoker goes out, 348 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,633 and I don't have the ability to get it filled really quickly 349 00:15:07,633 --> 00:15:09,466 you can kind of sweep the bees 350 00:15:09,466 --> 00:15:11,833 away from the area that you're trying to clear. 351 00:15:11,833 --> 00:15:13,033 - [Tom] Okay. 352 00:15:13,033 --> 00:15:15,900 - And this is for prying the wood boxes apart 353 00:15:15,900 --> 00:15:16,966 basically. - Okay, okay. 354 00:15:16,966 --> 00:15:18,433 Very simple. 355 00:15:18,433 --> 00:15:20,466 Those are some of the different things you need, 356 00:15:20,466 --> 00:15:23,200 but a good bee suit is another thing, 357 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,433 and we have the headdress here, 358 00:15:26,433 --> 00:15:27,866 and you know, - Yep. 359 00:15:27,866 --> 00:15:29,300 - I've always been curious about these things. 360 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:31,500 So I'm gonna actually, 361 00:15:31,500 --> 00:15:32,533 put it on. - Think you'll be safe. 362 00:15:32,533 --> 00:15:33,933 There you go, it looks perfect. 363 00:15:33,933 --> 00:15:35,966 - Central Texas Gardener first I think. 364 00:15:35,966 --> 00:15:37,166 (Tanya laughing) 365 00:15:37,166 --> 00:15:40,566 I feel like a pilgrim from Mars. 366 00:15:40,566 --> 00:15:42,400 - Well, you know. (Tom laughing) 367 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,733 Yeah, that's kind of just your basic simple veil, 368 00:15:44,733 --> 00:15:46,200 it's actually one of the favorites 369 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,733 of the students in my classes, 370 00:15:47,733 --> 00:15:49,566 they really like to just put a veil on 371 00:15:49,566 --> 00:15:51,866 over their regular clothes and not, 372 00:15:51,866 --> 00:15:54,733 you know it's hot here in Texas to put a whole bee suit on. 373 00:15:54,733 --> 00:15:57,233 - And the material protects you from the stings? 374 00:15:57,233 --> 00:15:58,166 Is that right? 375 00:15:58,166 --> 00:16:00,200 - Yes, just getting extra layers 376 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:02,433 in between you and bees is always a good thing. 377 00:16:02,433 --> 00:16:06,000 - Okay, so a good bee hat, bee suit, 378 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,266 these are all important things. 379 00:16:07,266 --> 00:16:08,500 - [Tanya] Gloves. 380 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:10,133 - [Tom] Gloves, right, so there is kind of 381 00:16:10,133 --> 00:16:11,533 some regalia you should have. 382 00:16:11,533 --> 00:16:13,000 - [Tanya] Yes. 383 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,066 - Now what about actually the hives themselves? 384 00:16:15,066 --> 00:16:17,566 You know, I see, I drive around the country, 385 00:16:17,566 --> 00:16:20,633 and I see the box kinds of hives, 386 00:16:20,633 --> 00:16:23,033 is that the standard thing that most people use? 387 00:16:23,033 --> 00:16:25,966 - Yeah, the standards style hive 388 00:16:25,966 --> 00:16:28,133 is called the Langstroth hive, 389 00:16:28,133 --> 00:16:31,500 and that is your square box, 19 inches long, 390 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:34,933 you know and they can vary between eight frame or 10 frame, 391 00:16:34,933 --> 00:16:38,533 but that's the standard, I also like top bar hives, 392 00:16:38,533 --> 00:16:40,000 which is a little bit different. 393 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:41,800 That's what this comb is right here. 394 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,066 - [Tom] Uh huh. 395 00:16:43,066 --> 00:16:45,333 - And in a top bar hive, you just put the bar in, 396 00:16:45,333 --> 00:16:46,533 which goes across the top. 397 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:48,033 - [Tom] Right. 398 00:16:48,033 --> 00:16:49,633 - And then when you put that in there and the bees come in, 399 00:16:49,633 --> 00:16:51,233 they build all of this naturally. 400 00:16:51,233 --> 00:16:52,100 - [Tom] Mm hmm. 401 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:54,166 - So the bees can... 402 00:16:54,166 --> 00:16:55,100 - Let me see. 403 00:16:55,100 --> 00:16:56,400 - Build their comb naturally. 404 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:57,500 You don't have to buy frames, 405 00:16:57,500 --> 00:16:58,700 you don't have to build frames, 406 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:00,366 and you don't have to lift boxes. 407 00:17:00,366 --> 00:17:01,633 - Right. - In a top bar hive. 408 00:17:01,633 --> 00:17:03,933 - Well I can see that this has been used, 409 00:17:03,933 --> 00:17:07,333 and, you know, how much honey can be produced 410 00:17:07,333 --> 00:17:10,333 from a single colony or single hive? 411 00:17:10,333 --> 00:17:12,533 - Well here in central Texas we average 412 00:17:12,533 --> 00:17:15,733 somewhere between probably 30 and 50 pounds. 413 00:17:15,733 --> 00:17:17,200 - [Tom] Wow. 414 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:18,433 - And that's what they collect during the spring 415 00:17:18,433 --> 00:17:20,000 and then we take it in the summer. 416 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,366 - What does a homeowner, I know I love honey, 417 00:17:22,366 --> 00:17:25,066 I'd eat it every single day on my toast, 418 00:17:25,066 --> 00:17:27,433 but 50 pounds is a lot. 419 00:17:27,433 --> 00:17:28,400 (Tom laughing) 420 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:29,366 - Yeah, well. 421 00:17:29,366 --> 00:17:30,633 - [Tom] What does some people-- 422 00:17:30,633 --> 00:17:32,866 - It's about three to five pounds per comb. 423 00:17:32,866 --> 00:17:35,400 - Some people share that and give it away 424 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:38,033 and actually I'm assuming there's a market for that as well. 425 00:17:38,033 --> 00:17:39,266 - Absolutely, yeah. 426 00:17:39,266 --> 00:17:41,933 We sell it, we have it in liquid honey 427 00:17:41,933 --> 00:17:43,633 and we also sell the comb honey. 428 00:17:43,633 --> 00:17:44,866 - [Tom] Right. 429 00:17:44,866 --> 00:17:46,566 - Reminds people of the old good old days 430 00:17:46,566 --> 00:17:48,800 when they used to eat comb honey. 431 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:50,800 - I like the comb honey very much, 432 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,366 spread it on the bread, it's just absolutely delicious. 433 00:17:54,366 --> 00:17:56,533 - [Tanya] Exactly, and cheese plates and restaurants now 434 00:17:56,533 --> 00:17:58,000 a lot of 'em will have comb honey. 435 00:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,533 - That's right, that's right. 436 00:17:59,533 --> 00:18:03,300 Well you know, one thing is on the ordering of the bees, 437 00:18:03,300 --> 00:18:04,900 that timing is really important, 438 00:18:04,900 --> 00:18:07,833 and you were just referencing that you 439 00:18:07,833 --> 00:18:10,133 expect delivery of the bees in spring, 440 00:18:10,133 --> 00:18:12,400 but you order yours much earlier. 441 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,033 - Yeah, we order typically sometime in the fall 442 00:18:15,033 --> 00:18:16,666 starting around October. 443 00:18:16,666 --> 00:18:19,733 Whenever all the bee sellers advertise it basically, 444 00:18:19,733 --> 00:18:24,200 but the problem is is there is still somewhat of a shortage 445 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,433 when you're going to buy good quality bees, 446 00:18:26,433 --> 00:18:28,066 and so they sell out every year. 447 00:18:28,066 --> 00:18:31,133 All the breeders sell out, so you wanna order, 448 00:18:31,133 --> 00:18:35,000 especially in the fall to get them earliest 449 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:36,700 possible delivery in the spring. 450 00:18:36,700 --> 00:18:37,633 - [Tom] Okay, so-- 451 00:18:37,633 --> 00:18:38,900 - Which is usually April. 452 00:18:38,900 --> 00:18:40,800 - So April is about the time you start, 453 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,733 so things have already warmed up here pretty well, 454 00:18:43,733 --> 00:18:45,266 and that's important I'm assuming? 455 00:18:45,266 --> 00:18:46,500 - Yeah, absolutely. 456 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:48,833 The bees, you know, they want it to be 457 00:18:48,833 --> 00:18:51,400 pretty much over 60 or 70 degrees 458 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:54,800 to really start brooding up and making babies. 459 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,100 - Well they've come to the right place here in Austin 460 00:18:57,100 --> 00:18:58,766 if they want it over 60 degrees. 461 00:18:58,766 --> 00:19:00,366 - Yeah bees of great here, bees do great. 462 00:19:00,366 --> 00:19:01,800 - That's great. 463 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:04,466 Well Tanya, I know that people can be in touch with you 464 00:19:04,466 --> 00:19:07,433 via the beekeeping association so that's awesome, 465 00:19:07,433 --> 00:19:08,966 we really appreciate you taking the time 466 00:19:08,966 --> 00:19:12,166 to be a part of the show, and we hope 467 00:19:12,166 --> 00:19:14,133 that a lot of the viewers out there 468 00:19:14,133 --> 00:19:18,800 will get busy as a bee and help out these critters, 469 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,733 that really make such a huge impact on mankind. 470 00:19:21,733 --> 00:19:22,566 So. - That's it. 471 00:19:22,566 --> 00:19:23,500 Thank you. 472 00:19:23,500 --> 00:19:24,700 - Tanya, thank you so much, 473 00:19:24,700 --> 00:19:26,566 and coming up next is our friend Daphne. 474 00:19:26,566 --> 00:19:30,666 (gentle upbeat music) 475 00:19:30,666 --> 00:19:32,933 Hi, I'm Daphne Richards, and this is Augie. 476 00:19:32,933 --> 00:19:36,033 Our question this week comes from Vicki and Jack Newton, 477 00:19:36,033 --> 00:19:38,533 about their frozen euphorbia ammak. 478 00:19:38,533 --> 00:19:40,000 If you're a regular viewer, 479 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,133 you might recognize that this is a return appearance 480 00:19:42,133 --> 00:19:44,033 for Vicki and Jack's towering beauty 481 00:19:44,033 --> 00:19:45,966 on our Down to Earth segment. 482 00:19:45,966 --> 00:19:48,366 Well then, just a few months after we got their question, 483 00:19:48,366 --> 00:19:51,800 we got hit with the coldest temperatures in six years, 484 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:55,000 which were much too cold for this heat-loving species. 485 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,266 Vicki and Jack covered it on the first night 486 00:19:57,266 --> 00:20:00,300 of freezing temps, but it was still damaged. 487 00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:02,033 After that, they brought it inside, 488 00:20:02,033 --> 00:20:04,366 and thankfully they have very tall ceilings, 489 00:20:04,366 --> 00:20:07,066 since this plant is over 10 feet tall. 490 00:20:07,066 --> 00:20:10,333 Here's what it looks like now, can it be saved? 491 00:20:10,333 --> 00:20:12,133 Well Jack and Vicki, it looks to me 492 00:20:12,133 --> 00:20:14,633 like it has enough healthy tissue to survive, 493 00:20:14,633 --> 00:20:17,533 but unfortunately, the tissue that was damaged by the frost 494 00:20:17,533 --> 00:20:19,833 will always have that scorched appearance, 495 00:20:19,833 --> 00:20:22,233 and indoors, it will continue to stretch, 496 00:20:22,233 --> 00:20:23,900 seeking light that it won't find, 497 00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:26,600 getting more lanky and less stable. 498 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,266 First I'd would recommend transplanting it 499 00:20:28,266 --> 00:20:31,666 into a larger container at least two to three times as wide, 500 00:20:31,666 --> 00:20:33,533 but not much taller. 501 00:20:33,533 --> 00:20:35,966 The roots don't need more soil to grow into, 502 00:20:35,966 --> 00:20:39,300 but the plant would benefit from a wider base to anchor it. 503 00:20:39,300 --> 00:20:42,533 Our plant of the week is native Salvia farinacea, 504 00:20:42,533 --> 00:20:44,800 also widely known by the common names, 505 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:47,166 mealy cup sage, mealy blue sage, 506 00:20:47,166 --> 00:20:49,333 and just plain ol' mealy sage. 507 00:20:49,333 --> 00:20:52,166 This herbaceous perennial is in the mint family, 508 00:20:52,166 --> 00:20:55,066 and has a similar spreading habit to it's relatives, 509 00:20:55,066 --> 00:20:57,500 although it doesn't travel as far afield. 510 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:01,066 Hardy to zone eight, and by some references into zone seven, 511 00:21:01,066 --> 00:21:04,466 mealy sage will die back to the ground each winter, 512 00:21:04,466 --> 00:21:06,733 but it's easily reinvigorated each spring 513 00:21:06,733 --> 00:21:08,733 after shearing it to the ground. 514 00:21:08,733 --> 00:21:11,133 It's best to wait until you notice new growth 515 00:21:11,133 --> 00:21:14,400 reemerging at the base before cutting back the top-growth, 516 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,800 since those dead stems serve as insulation, 517 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,633 and protection from the cold, 518 00:21:18,633 --> 00:21:20,866 and be sure to wait until late spring, 519 00:21:20,866 --> 00:21:24,566 until all danger of frost has passed, before planting. 520 00:21:24,566 --> 00:21:26,866 Each plant will spread to about two feet wide, 521 00:21:26,866 --> 00:21:30,166 and equally as tall, with gorgeous light blue flowers 522 00:21:30,166 --> 00:21:32,366 from spring all the way through fall, 523 00:21:32,366 --> 00:21:35,066 extending the height an additional foot or so. 524 00:21:35,066 --> 00:21:38,066 Place mealy sage in full sun for best performance, 525 00:21:38,066 --> 00:21:40,566 but it can also be planted in partial shade. 526 00:21:40,566 --> 00:21:42,633 It's listed as a medium water-use, 527 00:21:42,633 --> 00:21:45,000 which means it'll need a bit of supplemental irrigation, 528 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,166 perhaps two to three times a week during the hottest, 529 00:21:47,166 --> 00:21:50,166 driest times, especially if planted in full sun. 530 00:21:50,166 --> 00:21:51,866 The plant in this week's viewer picture, 531 00:21:51,866 --> 00:21:53,900 from KLRU's own Ted O'Brien, 532 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:56,266 may look familiar to you, since we do see it 533 00:21:56,266 --> 00:21:59,500 around Central Texas, but this bottlebrush tree 534 00:21:59,500 --> 00:22:02,133 adorns his parent's driveway in New Zealand, 535 00:22:02,133 --> 00:22:03,666 where it's called Rata. 536 00:22:03,666 --> 00:22:06,000 As we know, hummingbirds and bees simply love 537 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,800 this small, shrubby tree. 538 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:10,033 In fact, there's even a Rata honey made 539 00:22:10,033 --> 00:22:12,033 by those busy bees down under. 540 00:22:12,033 --> 00:22:15,966 We'd love to hear from you, so visit us at klru.org/ctg, 541 00:22:15,966 --> 00:22:17,733 to send us your questions, pictures, 542 00:22:17,733 --> 00:22:19,433 and video from your garden. 543 00:22:19,433 --> 00:22:20,900 - Thanks, Daphne. 544 00:22:20,900 --> 00:22:22,966 Now let's check in with Trisha for Backyard Basics. 545 00:22:22,966 --> 00:22:26,200 (gentle upbeat music) 546 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:29,600 - Welcome to Backyard Basics, I'm Trisha Shirey. 547 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:31,900 Most of you devout Central Texas Gardener fans 548 00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:34,200 already know the amazing healing energy 549 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:36,933 that can be found when your hands are in the dirt. 550 00:22:36,933 --> 00:22:38,733 Digging in the dirt is good for you, 551 00:22:38,733 --> 00:22:40,733 and it's good for children also. 552 00:22:40,733 --> 00:22:43,000 The microbes in garden dirt can help 553 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:46,600 boost your immune system and make you healthier and happier. 554 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,600 Unfortunately we have become a nation of germaphobes, 555 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:51,466 we using hand sanitizers and wipes 556 00:22:51,466 --> 00:22:54,000 and strong chemicals for disinfecting our homes, 557 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,766 and in the past 20 years there has been 558 00:22:55,766 --> 00:22:59,300 a dramatic increase in asthma and allergy rates. 559 00:22:59,300 --> 00:23:03,233 We see pharmacies popping up on every corner as a result. 560 00:23:03,233 --> 00:23:05,433 When we changed from an agrarian society 561 00:23:05,433 --> 00:23:08,766 in the late 20th century, allergies became more prevalent 562 00:23:08,766 --> 00:23:11,233 in the upper classes in the US and Britain. 563 00:23:11,233 --> 00:23:13,666 Farmers and their families were the least likely 564 00:23:13,666 --> 00:23:15,933 to suffer from allergy issues. 565 00:23:15,933 --> 00:23:18,533 A recent study of an Amish community in the US 566 00:23:18,533 --> 00:23:20,300 found that they had the lowest rates 567 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:22,433 of allergies in the developed nations. 568 00:23:22,433 --> 00:23:24,500 The study found that these Amish families, 569 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:26,533 including pregnant women and children, 570 00:23:26,533 --> 00:23:28,433 worked and played among farm animals 571 00:23:28,433 --> 00:23:30,566 and in barns where they were regularly exposed 572 00:23:30,566 --> 00:23:32,400 to a variety of microbes, 573 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:34,700 and the women exposed to microbes while pregnant 574 00:23:34,700 --> 00:23:36,266 have been found to have children 575 00:23:36,266 --> 00:23:39,266 with the lowest rates of allergies. 576 00:23:39,266 --> 00:23:42,500 This initial exposure causes the children less reaction 577 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:45,833 to pollen and dander, a sort of vaccination effect 578 00:23:45,833 --> 00:23:48,233 which was named The Farm Effect. 579 00:23:48,233 --> 00:23:50,600 The problem is not that the pollen is out there, 580 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:52,333 it's that we react to the pollen, 581 00:23:52,333 --> 00:23:54,933 and early exposure to allergens allows 582 00:23:54,933 --> 00:23:57,400 children's immune systems to adapt. 583 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:00,700 A common soil mycobacterium has been found 584 00:24:00,700 --> 00:24:04,100 to have a natural antidepressant effect on the brain, 585 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:07,166 and it can have the same effect that the drug Prozac 586 00:24:07,166 --> 00:24:10,433 has on the brain, without all the side effects. 587 00:24:10,433 --> 00:24:13,866 Working in the soil can help stimulate serotonin production, 588 00:24:13,866 --> 00:24:16,800 which leads us to feeling more happy and relaxed, 589 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:20,500 and when we harvest food the brain produces more dopamine. 590 00:24:20,500 --> 00:24:22,633 There's an actual Harvest High, 591 00:24:22,633 --> 00:24:24,966 that's probably linked to our primitive brain 592 00:24:24,966 --> 00:24:26,966 when hunting and gathering successfully 593 00:24:26,966 --> 00:24:29,533 was crucial to our survival. 594 00:24:29,533 --> 00:24:32,433 Having your hands in the soil can lower blood pressure 595 00:24:32,433 --> 00:24:35,400 and stress hormones and improve your memory. 596 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,866 Inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis 597 00:24:37,866 --> 00:24:40,033 and gut conditions like Crohn's disease, 598 00:24:40,033 --> 00:24:41,966 and even arthritis can be improved 599 00:24:41,966 --> 00:24:44,233 by experiencing soil microbes. 600 00:24:44,233 --> 00:24:47,033 Gardeners get lots of Vitamin D from being outside 601 00:24:47,033 --> 00:24:50,333 and that also increases the feel good hormone serotonin, 602 00:24:50,333 --> 00:24:52,700 and it helps to regulate melatonin levels, 603 00:24:52,700 --> 00:24:54,866 which leads to good sleep. 604 00:24:54,866 --> 00:24:56,700 Children who play outside regularly 605 00:24:56,700 --> 00:24:58,633 tend to be more adventurous, confident 606 00:24:58,633 --> 00:25:01,933 and self-motivated and they use their imaginations more, 607 00:25:01,933 --> 00:25:05,366 so get the kids involved in gardening as early as possible. 608 00:25:05,366 --> 00:25:07,400 Provide them with a window box or a container 609 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:09,733 if you don't already have a garden space. 610 00:25:09,733 --> 00:25:12,200 You might even notice that they'll eat a wider variety 611 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:15,533 of fruits and vegetables when they've experienced 612 00:25:15,533 --> 00:25:17,900 growing and harvesting their own food, 613 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:19,566 and let kids get dirty. 614 00:25:19,566 --> 00:25:21,733 Splashing in puddles and making mud pies 615 00:25:21,733 --> 00:25:23,266 is not only fun for kids, 616 00:25:23,266 --> 00:25:25,000 it's actually good for their health, 617 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,500 and if you're feeling blue, 618 00:25:26,500 --> 00:25:29,366 a little garden green might be your best cure. 619 00:25:29,366 --> 00:25:32,733 For Backyard Basics, I'm Trisha Shirey, thanks for watching. 620 00:25:32,733 --> 00:25:34,366 - Find out more, watch online, 621 00:25:34,366 --> 00:25:36,833 and sign up for our weekly newsletter, 622 00:25:36,833 --> 00:25:38,900 and join us on Instagram and Facebook too. 623 00:25:38,900 --> 00:25:41,266 Until next week, I'll see you in the garden. 624 00:25:41,266 --> 00:25:44,433 (gentle upbeat music) 625 00:26:10,300 --> 00:26:12,666 - [Narrator] Central Texas Gardener is made possible in part 626 00:26:12,666 --> 00:26:15,100 by Austin Area Garden Center. 627 00:26:15,100 --> 00:26:17,433 Sharing the joys of gardening for over 50 years 628 00:26:17,433 --> 00:26:19,700 in Zilker Botanical Garden. 629 00:26:19,700 --> 00:26:23,400 Home of 32 garden clubs, and Zilker Garden Festival. 630 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,066 Zilkergarden.org. 631 00:26:25,066 --> 00:26:27,466 - [Narrator] And from the University of Texas at Austin, 632 00:26:27,466 --> 00:26:29,633 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 633 00:26:29,633 --> 00:26:33,433 Displaying Texas native plants in sustainable gardens. 634 00:26:33,433 --> 00:26:35,566 Support for this an other KLRU productions 635 00:26:35,566 --> 00:26:37,733 made possible the the Producer's Circle. 636 00:26:37,733 --> 00:26:40,033 Ensuring local programming that reflects the character 637 00:26:40,033 --> 00:26:42,800 and interests of the greater Austin Texas community. 638 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:45,533 (gentle chiming)