by Steve on January 30, 2011
in Blog
While taking advantage of a 80 degree day here in Texas during late January, I ran across a surprise guest planting on my way to the garden.
Sometimes the strangest things can show the most amazing beauty. While it doesn’t appear to be an edible food, don’t be too quick to judge native plants.
Prickly Pear or "Nopalitos"
This little guy is a “Prickly Pear Cactus” that really lives up to it’s name as you can see. But as the new “paddles” emerge, they are called Nopales or “Nopalitos” and are a popular Mexican treat in salads, and now in my diet too, since moving to Texas.
These little guys are so easy to propagate, you can literally slice off a paddle, jam it in the soil, and oyu will have another cactus in no time. What’s even better, is it’s native, and will handle droughts, heat, and anything else Texas nature seems to throw at it.
What’s my point? Simple – if I were like many of today’s homeowners and sprayed herbicide everywhere – I probably wouldn’t have found this little treat.
Wait till Spring when they flower – then you will understand their understated beauty.
And you know the best part? The Deer leave it alone.
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Thank a Farmer!
This week we’ll visit with Rhonda Ross, the delightful driving force behind Thank a Farmer®.
While you may think at first that “Hey! What’s this to do with Gardening?” I think you’ll understand after listening to this episode that farmers or gardeners, we are all producing food that few non-gardeners or farmers understand the benefits.
Thank a Farmer® is an agriculture awareness group designed to reintroduce the importance of the
Rhonda and Thank a Farmer in Houston, TX
American Farmer to society through professional and entertaining education programs such as the TAF Magic Show, Thank A Farmer Day® programs, Thank A Farmer Books, speaking engagements and agriculture marketing promotions under the Thank A Farmer® brand.
Thank a Farmer® educates consumers on what agriculture provides for them in their daily lives. They learn that farmers not only provide food, but also products used in nearly all their basic needs.
Rhonda Ross is a leader with an observant eye and a caring heart. These qualities fuel her passion for agriculture education to the masses, which in turn elevates respect and support for the farmer.
Visit their Website at Thank a Farmer®
