Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - November 22, 2013
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Trees
Title: Abundance of acorns from Wimberley TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have lived in Wimberley since 1999 and this is the first time we have had such a huge abundance of acorns on our Oak trees, which is surprising considering the drought we have been in the last few years. I can't believe how many acorns we have and the deer are eating them like crazy, so is my dog! Why the bumper crop?ANSWER:
Please read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer concerning the large crop of acorns you are experiencing. You are not alone in this experience; at the Fall Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center you could hear the "pings" as acorns fell on the corrugated metal roofs of some of our buildings. And walking beneath them caused a constant crunching beneath the feet. It is a perfectly normal occurrence in the life cycle of the oak.
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Sequence of Seeding Wildflowers and Grasses in Texas
July 24, 2016 - In the How To article on meadow gardening, it recommends that a good chunk of your garden (50%-80%) should be native grasses. The kind mentioned in that article are typically warm season grasses. In...
view the full question and answer
How do you determine male persimmon seedlings from the females?
May 11, 2013 - I have got new persimmon seedlings about 3 inches tall this spring, and am wondering if there is any way to tell male from female at this young stage? I just don't want to plant 20 or 40 seedlings an...
view the full question and answer
Changing blooming patterns on sunflowers from Kimball NE
September 05, 2013 - The common sunflower seems to be very prolific some years, not so much others. Is this weather related or cyclical?
view the full question and answer
Are Bluebonnet seeds still viable after storage for a year?
March 02, 2016 - I bought a pouch of Bluebonnets a year ago and now found them and have to wait to Fall to plant. Too old? Start over in purchase?
view the full question and answer
Native turf grass for acreage in Denison TX
January 27, 2014 - I have recently moved to Denison TX where we have 5+ acres of true crosstimbers land. I am looking for a native turf grass that will do well in sandy soil and with the water provided by nature. The m...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |