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When the Ground Feels Unsteady, Go Put Your Hands in It
Some seasons of life are just hard. There’s no prettier way to say it. Our community is in one of those seasons right now.
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The Garden Trap: Why Most People Quit (and How to Beat It)
All gardeners mess up. Good gardeners Keep Going. Keep Growing. A few nights ago, I was folding a load of laundry and watching the Netflix documentary about Martha Stewart when she shared a quote.
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Grape Expectations: Growing Grapes in East Texas
Yes, folks grow grapes in East Texas and they are some of the greatest grapes you’d ever taste.
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Deadheading Roses: A 15-Minute Task That Keeps Your Roses Blooming
If your roses gave you a beautiful flush of blooms at the start of spring and now they’re looking a little tired, this is your sign to grab your pruners.
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Tomatoes Don’t Fail. Timing Does.
Every spring, so many people (including my brother) say: ‘I just can’t grow tomatoes.’ And every spring, I have to tell the truth: It isn’t you. It’s your timing.
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What Smart East Texas Gardeners Are Doing in May
By May, some people think the hard part is over. The garden is planted. The weather is warm (but not blazing). Everything should just grow now… right? Not exactly.
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Pet-Safe Plants for a Home That’s Full of Life
If you’ve ever caught your dog sniffing your fiddle leaf fig like it’s a snack… or your cat treating your houseplants like a personal salad bar, you’re not alone.
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What You’ll See in East Texas Garden Centers this Month, Why it Matters for Spring — And the Network Behind It
Most people assume plants simply ‘show up’ in East Texas garden centers each season. In reality, what you see on the benches in February are the result of months of planning, growing, and coordination.
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Seeds vs. Transplants: What’s Best in East Texas
‘Should I start from seed or buy transplants?’ And the honest answer? It depends. Not on what the internet says. Not on what your neighbor does. Not on what ‘looks’ impressive.
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10 February Tasks for Marshall & East Texas Gardeners
February in East Texas is a funny month. One day it feels like spring is knocking, the next day we’re scraping frost off the windshield.
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About
The Garden Porch is where East Texas gardening meets real-life, practical tips and a whole lot of inspiration — written by Melisa Johnson, co-founder of Marshall Garden Company.
Marshall Garden Company is a new independent garden center opening in Marshall, TX in January 2027, offering a full nursery with plants and supplies for East Texas gardeners.
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Recent Posts
- Fall Vegetable Planting Guide for East Texas
- Everything We’ve Learned: Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) Conference x Marshall Garden Company
- Sneak Peek: The Plant Gallery at the Marshall Garden Company
- Fall Garden Planning Starts Now in East Texas
- Less Than 5 Months Out: Growing Up in East Texas, Our Marshall Garden Company Story
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