Green Thumbs & Wannabes
THE TRADITION
The tradition of National Gardening Day on April 14 was sprouted in 2018 by Cool Springs Press, a publisher of DIY gardening and home improvement. The idea is to encourage people of all skill levels to grab a shovel, plant some seeds, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits from gardening.
WHERE TO SHOP
If you’re looking for a local place to shop for all your gardening needs, look no further than Bellflower Garden Center, where owners Marian and Jimmy Cates have spent years in the nursery business and bring a practical approach to gardening backed by years of experience.
Marian’s inspiration came from watching her mother in the garden, whom she describes lovingly as an avid gardener
LEFT: HERBS FOR SALE AT BELLFLOWER GARDEN CENTER RIGHT: HOLIDAY CACTUS, BEST PLANTED IN THE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER, A SEASONAL FAVORITE FROM BELLFLOWER GARDEN CENTER and plant snob. Her mother also maintained a close relationship with Lynn Lowery, a well-known Houston horticulturist and collector.
Wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps on a professional level, Marian worked alongside Joe Tachnni, another well-known gardener who taught Marian everything she needed to know about the immersive, colorful world of gardening.
Marian and her husband Jimmy began planting away. “We started as growers first,” Marian said. “We had a farm that we kept for twenty years.” Retirement called, and the Cates found themselves enjoying quiet in Mexico. “But we got bored quickly,” Marian laughed. “My mother lives in Bellville, so we came here and purchased a home.” The selection of plants varies from Texas natives to South African imports that are adaptable to the Texas heat, according to Marian. But there is no need to be intimidated by the Cates’ experience; Marian loves to be accessible to both novice gardeners and expert growers. “People will text me photos and ask me questions,” Marian said. “I’m pretty accessible to them.” The Cates greatly enjoy inquisitive customers, often steering them to their favorite part of the nursery, a greenhouse filled with unusual plants. Among the assortments is one of Marian’s personal favorites, Blue plumbagoes.
“They behave well here, considering the hot climate,” Marian said of the brightly colored flower. “This used to be a wet area, but the climate has been changing, and we’ve been seeing drier weather. We are not dedicated to Texas native plants, but every plant we house, we consider the dry summers we have. We want to provide quality products.”
To ensure customers are equipped to care for their selected plant, the Cates provide a tag with instructions. But if you’re looking to keep things simple, Mariane suggests looking into succulents.
“Succulents give you so much and ask for so little,” Marian said. “And they have such quirky good looks!”
RESOURCES
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION
BELLFLOWER GARDENING CENTER 812 E WENDT STREET, BELLVILLE BELLFLOWERGARDENCENTER.COM/ Equally low maintenance, but not a succulent, is the Peperomia plant, which Marian suggests, if you’re looking for a spot of color. Not to be forgotten are the Angel-wing begonias, which provide bamboo-like stems and spotted leaves. “These aren’t the sort you put in the ground,” Marian explained. “You keep them in a pot.”
But apart from the beauty of plants, Marian couldn’t express the amount of mental and physical health benefits gardening provides.
“There is something about caring for a plant, and getting outside and being physical,” Marian said. “Digging down in the dirt is a wonderful escape and an act of self-expression. I liken it to an artist with a blank canvas. You can tailor your garden to match your personality.”
THE BLUEBONNET MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION
Another resource for gardening questions is the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association, offering courses in the Austin County area. The public is welcome to attend the monthly speakers’ events free of charge.
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
A weekly meeting on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. at the Sens Activity Center on 200 Briar Ridge Drive in Bellville is led by instructor Garry Kroeger, who demonstrates various techniques for growing vegetables in all seasons. The vegetables grown at this center are often used for the local Farmer’s Market in Bellville.
On Tuesdays, master gardener Charlene Koehler invites the public to the San Felipe De Austin Historic Site Museum’s 1823 Museum Garden. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., where she discusses seasonal vegetables, herbs and dyestuffs.
Stacie Villarreal with the AgriLife organization says the benefits of the programs offered are endless. “It’s a great organization for people who have the same passion,” she said, adding that there are also courses for those wanting to become a master gardener in their own right.
The next fourteen-week course is available in 2027, as 2026 filled up quickly – to learn a variety of subjects, from earth-kind landscaping to plant development and pest management. The programs are available in Austin County, Colorado County, Fayette County, and Washington County.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Veronica Rector, a Texas native who lives with her husband, Justin, and two lovable fur babies, Ace and Hazel.
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