Garden Success with Stephen Brueggerhoff

This week on Garden Success, host Stephen Brueggerhoff checks in after a brutal 104°F day, sharing how his container fig trees, in-ground vegetable garden, and irrigation system held up — and offers practical watering wisdom for the sustained summer heat ahead: no more than once (or twice) weekly deep watering, cycle-and-soak techniques, and why a little wilting in the landscape is nothing to panic about. Then it's back to listener mail. Joel writes in about marginal necrosis on his bald cypress needles, prompting a deep dive into this Texas native's quirky "knees," its surprising flexibility across soil types, and how to rule out spider mites versus simple drought stress on a tree too large to spray. David asks about black spots on his dwarf yaupon, leading to a rundown of Cercospora fungal leaf spot in the holly family and when (rarely) fungicide is worth reaching for. And Richard sends in photos suspecting rose rosette disease — a real and detected threat in the Bryan–College Station area — but Stephen walks through why his roses' red new growth and leaf cupping look more like normal growth and irregular watering than the virus itself. Caller Karen phones in with a fresh set of raised garden beds and questions about when to start planting vegetables, and gets pointed toward the upcoming Learning at the Library fall vegetable gardening session. Plus: an update on Stephen's own fig harvest (27 pounds and counting), a first sighting of fig rust on the foliage, and reminders about upcoming events — the Brazos County 4-H Club Fair and fall vegetable gardening class on August 15th, and the return of Ask the Plant Doctor on August 20th.

This week on Garden Success, host Stephen Brueggerhoff launches a brand-new monthly segment, Ask the Plant Doctor, with guest Dr. Kevin Ong, director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab and associate department head of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Texas A&M. Kevin pulls back the curtain on how the plant clinic actually works — from processing summer's flood of samples (mostly from arborists, landscapers, and commercial growers, with homeowner inquiries routed through county extension offices) to Texas's small network of specialized diagnostic labs, including the High Plains lab in Canyon and the plant virus lab in Weslaco. He and Stephen also dig into the state's larger role in the National Plant Diagnostic Network, a nationwide web of land-grant university labs protecting U.S. agriculture from emerging and exotic pathogens. The conversation covers real biosecurity stakes: laurel wilt's foothold in Houston, sudden oak death's watery, swimming spores (still not established in Texas — knock on wood), and why bringing home plant cuttings or seeds from a trip abroad is riskier than it looks. Closer to home, Kevin and Stephen trade stories from actual client cases — a live oak in decline traced back to root damage and compacted soil, a squirrel-stripped tree bark mystery, black spot disease plaguing roses across the state, and an update on the multi-state research hunt for rose rosette disease resistance. Plus: practical guidance on reading fungicide labels and timing treatments correctly, where to find AgriLife's free rose disease fact sheets, and a plug for Stephen's free native-plant landscaping talk this Saturday, July 18th, at the Bryan library.

This week on Garden Success, host Stephen Brueggerhoff sits down with Dr. Jake Mowrer, the newly appointed director of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory, for a deep dive into everything happening beneath our feet. Jake shares how he stepped into the lab director role after 11 years as a soil fertility and water resource management professor (and 15 years in Extension work in Georgia before that), and explains why "don't guess, soil test" should be every gardener's and farmer's starting point. The conversation ranges from the philosophy of "soil function" versus the trendy NRCS term "soil health," to Texas's declining rice acreage and Jake's cutting-edge research showing that intermittent flooding can cut rice irrigation water by 25% with zero yield loss — a potential game-changer for water-strapped Texas rice farmers. Along the way: the surprising size of the soil microbiome, why extension work touches far more of daily life than most people realize, and a candid look at what did and didn't work in Jake's multi-year solarization trials for weed and nematode control (spoiler: mustard-based biofumigation is winning out). Two callers phone in with real backyard battles: Jennifer wrestles with Bermuda grass overtaking a flower bed and asks about solarizing with plastic, and Rose seeks mulch strategies to keep lawn grass from creeping into her front garden bed. Jake and Stephen offer practical, science-backed advice for both. Plus: a reminder about next Thursday's new monthly segment, Ask the Plant Doctor, featuring the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and a plug for Stephen's free native-plant landscape design talk on July 18th at the Bryan library.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses BV Water Smart, upcoming local events, wild grapevine varieties, a leaning oak tree, weed control, Canna Leaf-roller, a preview of next week's guest, and rosemary plants.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the warm weather, future show guests, pollinator week 2026, native grapevines, ornamental purselane, upcoming local events, and beetle damage to a tree.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the recent rains and heat, takeaways from last week's tomato tasting event, tomatoes in depth, cold-hardy citrus, use cases for liquid humic acid, delayed pruning of crape myrtles, upcoming local events, and purselane plant.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses figs, an upcoming tomato tasting event, tomato varieties, a listener with a white webbing substance on leaves, how to keep birds away from tomato plants, thrips damage, okra plants, upcoming local events, and lace bugs on Lantana.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses tomato season, stink bugs & leaf-footed bugs, invasive Lantana, Heart-leaf Skullcap, and vines.

Stephen Brueggerhoff & Paul Winski, Extension Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife discuss Paul's horticultural background, his current research plots, an upcoming field day, and current trials across the state of Texas.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Gladiolus, spent blossoms on a caller's Lantana, Plumbago, Retama, upcoming local events, and Figs.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses a caller's aphid problem, using soil-less media for container plants, potted plant fertilizing, tomatoes, upcoming local events, and avocado trees.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the mild spring weather, hummingbirds, how chill hours have affected fruit tree production, upcoming local events, and a caller's question about milkweed varieties.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses wildflower season, quarantine requirements for certain import-restricted plants, chinch bugs in lawn, identifying pest grubs, cold-tolerance of figs, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the recent rains, root washing of containerized trees, Palo Verde, Figs, and Swiss Chard.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses his recent appearance at KAMU's Earth Day event, Snake Plant, identification of Wild Carrot for a listener, using herbicides in a St. Augustine lawn, pruning Crape Myrtle, Philodendron, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Texas Mountain Laurel pruning, listener plant identification, suggestions for perennials that bloom in shade, butterfly weed, upcoming local events, prescribed burns, and increasing biodiversity in the landscape.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses today's rain, truffles, tallow trees, Louisiana Iris, upcoming local events, a caller's tomato that's smaller than expected, and Knockout Roses.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the lack of rain in the forecast, BV Water Smart, tips on resetting a lawn, paper wasps, lawn fertilization, using extra-strength vinegar as an herbicide, redbuds, pet-safe lawn weed treatment, root washing, upcoming local events, hollies, and barometer bush.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses how his tomatoes and potatoes fared in the recent frost, how to tell if a caller's Vitex plant survived the frost, a caller asking if Rhubarb can be grown in the Brazos Valley, a tomato plant with yellowing leaves, where to find local gardening interest groups, potential ground cover for an area with direct sun, upcoming local events, and Chili Pequin plants.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses tomatoes, likelihood of a late frost, tips for pruning ornamental trees, whether it is too late to plant broccoli, mustard or lettuce, flowering basil, upcoming local events, bridal wreath, where to find research-based information, shade-tolerant grasses, cultivating corn, and privacy hedge plants.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses forecasted rain, his tomato plants, Leaf-Footed bugs, wildflowers, Mexican Plum, Lawn pre-emergent herbicide, BV Water Smart, an update to last week's caller asking about privacy plants, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the current drought, salvias, ornamental plant suggestions for a caller, pruning roses, fig trees, green beans, suggestions for a caller wanting privacy landscaping, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the recent weather and odds of a future freeze, info on selecting trees from the Texas Forest Service, tree cultivation tips, preparing for planting potatoes, rose cultivation, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses upcoming weather, the expected last frost date & false spring, holding off on pruning plants for spring, Lantana, pre-emergent herbicide, Mexican Petunia, upcoming local events, potatoes, and the Leach Teaching Gardens.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the status of his freeze-protected plants, the upcoming weekend's forecasted freeze, lemon verbena, lemongrass, upcoming local events, advice in response to a listener's email about potential house damage from a large tree, and sooty mold on leaves.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses protecting plants before this upcoming weekend's freezing weather, when to plant Amaryllis bulbs, carrots, Marigolds as a trap crop, upcoming local events, and watering needs for ornamental plants during this dry winter.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses his flowering stone fruit trees, when to prune fruit trees, upcoming local events, lawn watering tips, tree transplanting, identification of a listener's rose plant, & moles, voles, and gophers.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the recent heavy fog, his holiday home irrigation maintenance, tomatoes in depth, different types of potting media, upcoming local events, and a listener's question about which type of tree to plant in her Bryan yard.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses spring garden planning, figs in-depth, and upcoming local programs.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses holiday celebrations, preparing plants for winter weather, upcoming local events, tomatoes, and Christmas Cactus and Poinsettias in depth.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Lantanas, a preview of next week's recorded show, Sweet Gum trees, Texas Redbud, fall colors, Montezuma Bald Cypress, upcoming local events including a pecan short course, recommended oak trees for a listener in Bryan, protecting Star Jasmine from freezing weather, and figs.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses his recent reaction to the forecast cold weather, tomatoes in his home garden, cold-hardy citrus varieties, greenhouses, containerized plants, covering plants to protect from cold damage, whether it is effective or not to spray plants with water before freezing weather, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff and Dr. Garrett Slater discuss Dr. Slater's appointment and founding of the Texas Honeybee Research Lab, his education and history with beekeeping, different types of beekeepers, the pollen mapping project, Honeybee nutrition, the Texas Master Beekeeping Program, AgriLife education resources, migratory beekeepers, colony losses, future plans for the Honeybee Lab, Dr. Slater's impressions of Texas so far, and the upcoming Honeybee breeding program.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses next week's recorded program with Dr. Garrett Slater, mulch & compost, his backyard garden, comparing bulk compost to bagged, persimmons, southern magnolia, grasses, an oak tree with dying branches, and herbicides.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the leaves changing color and falling from the trees, Bald Cypress, Fall Aster, watering a magnolia tree, upcoming local events, and fall garden plants.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the fall pecan season, the state pecan show, Emerald Ash Borer, planting Burr Oak acorns, spots on Texas A&M's campus to gather oak acorns, Texas Arbor Day, ideal diversity of tree species in a landscape, Fig Rust, Leaf-Footed Bugs, and managing an evergreen in Brazos Valley winters.

Stephen Brueggerhoff & guest Dr. Stephanie Adams, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist discuss her professional background, Texas Arbor Day, Post Oak research, Junipers, types of tree roots, Oak Wilt research, Emerald Ash Borer, root collection, urban tree planting, a caller's question about ants in a tree, another question about viability of a Water Oak, and pecans.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses the Leach Teaching Gardens on the Texas A&M Campus, local parks and trails, Oak Lace bug, planting clover as a ground cover, upcoming local events, pecans, and fall weather.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses supplemental landscape irrigation and water conservation, a Burr Oak with white spots on leaves, mushrooms and other fungus on trees, Cleveland Pear, upcoming local events, and Mesquite tree removal techniques.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses cultivating trees, benefits of having trees in a landscape, the best time to plant a tree, soil testing, and identifying planting locations.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Montezuma & Bald Cypress, grassburs in a lawn, an oak tree with white on the bark, upcoming local events, Callery Pear, Mexican Plum, and take-all root rot.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Asparagus in depth, a St. Augustine lawn with a possible fungal pathogen, upcoming local events, and roses.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Obedient Plant, St Augustine grass encroaching on a Bermuda lawn, Blue Mistflower, upcoming local events, gardening tips for the end of September, Asparagus, and Broccoli.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses sweet potatoes, turk's cap, a volunteer mulberry tree, butterflies, upcoming local events, Go-N-Grow gardens & College Station water rebates, mealy bugs, washing black mold off of plants, winterizing lawns and container plants, and sourcing valencia peanuts.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses a listener's email about a tree having leaves with necrosis & a possible pathogen, transplanting container trees, Moringa tree suggested planting method & leaf harvest time, Indian Hawthorn, upcoming local events, pollinator-friendly plants, and native plants for landscaping.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses figs, how fall is like a second spring, soil testing, raised beds, plants that can be planted in a fall garden, pecans, and upcoming local events.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses Asiatic Jasmine, mushrooms growing alongside a tree, identifying a listener's variety of Southern Magnolia, an upcoming honeybee webinar, pruning roses, horticultural oils, an oak tree with decay, and an update on the harvest from his home garden including bell peppers and sweet potatoes.

Stephen Brueggerhoff discusses jujube trees, asian jasmine, a post oak tree shedding bark, lightning damage to trees, cinch bugs, bee hotels, chinese pistache, water conservation, upcoming local events, changes to local farmers' markets.

Stephen Brueggerhoff and Dr. Juliana Rangel, Associate Professor of Apiculture in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University discuss Dr. Rangel's history and duties with Texas A&M Entomology, education and research projects including how bees select between pollens, regulations regarding bees, foraging behavior, use of pollen by other pollinators, tips for making home landscapes attractive and beneficial for pollinators, concerns of commercial beekeepers, honeybee nutrition, beekeeping schools and clubs, and the new Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Apiculture Specialist.