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Texas Bluebonnets

Let's talk about something that's near and dear to the heart of every Texan - bluebonnets. Did you know there are seven shades of Texas bluebonnets? It's true. Most folks tell me that they are supposed to be blue only. You see, bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, are not only iconic but are a beautiful representation of the state's vibrant natural beauty. Let's dive in and explore these magnificent flowers, their history, how to grow them, and the rules you need to follow to appreciate them fully.

David's Garden Seeds® always has some bluebonnet seeds. Right now, as of October 2024, we have four varieties that are for sale.

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Texas Bluebonnets - 10/14-10/20/2024

Monday, October 14, 2024

Good morning. It is already Monday morning. How could the night go so quickly? So this week, we are talking about something that is near and dear to the hearts of Texans--our early spring Texas bluebonnets!

Happy Columbus Day! When I was a kid in school, we were taught to celebrate this day and we would learn about the three ships and color pictures of them. Now, a lot of people have bad things to say about Columbus but if their company gives them today off, they sure don't mind that! We are working today but the mailman will not come pick up the mail. We have bags of orders ready to go out but they will have to wait until tomorrow to be picked up.

We had had one customer and it is now after 4pm. It is 98° even though this morning we enjoyed 59°. Hopefully, by Wednesday it will cool down some. The UPS man showed up but there was no FedEx and no Amazon truck.

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Texas Bluebonnets

First up, we have the Natural Blue bluebonnets. This is the classic bluebonnet most people picture when they think of Texas. They're stunning, with rich blue petals that create lovely fields of blue during blooming season, late February through early April.

Next, we have the Intense Blue bluebonnet, known as 'Lady Bird Johnson Royal Blue.' This particular shade was selected by the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service as a Texas SuperStar.

You might be surprised to hear that bluebonnets come in pink, too! The 'Abbot Pink' variety adds a delicate and unique touch to any bluebonnet field.

Then there's the Maroon bluebonnet, famously termed 'Alamo Fire' or 'Aggie Maroon.' This shade tends to steal the spotlight with its deep, rich color.

Light Purple, known as 'Grant's Maroon,' is another beautiful variant. While not as bold as Aggie Maroon, it adds a lovely contrast to the more intense shades.

The Dark Purple bluebonnet, or 'Purple Heart,' offers a more intense, dramatic floral display that captivates the onlooker.

Finally, there's the Bright Red bluebonnet, known as 'Henry's Red.' This fiery color stands out in any field, evoking a sense of passion and intensity.

A bluebonnet aka Lupinus texensis is a lupine but not all lupines are considered bluebonnets. Some people come into the store and say they have white bluebonnets growing in their yards. They have white lupines but not white bluebonnets. Wild lupines are native to Wisconsin and do not do well in heat while Texas bluebonnets in seven shades are native to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and parts of Mexico. Lupine seeds that are not considered bluebonnets also come in yellow, orange, red, purple, pink, and blue. We do carry seeds for lupines.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Good morning. I woke up too early but I have been reading and working on this page. I still have not received the amount raised plus the matching amount for the hurricane victims from David. He will give it to me when he is good and ready.

We have had three customers so far today. It is currently 2pm and 94° Fahrenheit.

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Help For Hurricane Helene

I finally received the information from David. I just finished sending out a newsletter if you are subscribed. If not, David's newsletter is below:

From October 4th through October 12th, we had sales of:
Total Gross Sales: $5243.51
Taxes: $66.39
Returns: 0
Shipping: $571.62
Refunds: $75.50
Discounts: $33.21
Total Net Sales: $4530.00
12% Business part = $543.60
6 % David's part = $271.80
Total to Donate: $815.40 so we are going to make it an even $1000.00.
Pretty good considering it is not seed season, the state of the economy right now, plus the fact that about 1/8 of our customer base is under water.
I believe we said we would give this through Samaritan's Purse. They take about 15 to 20% for expenses. It is a business and it does take money to run a business.
I found a gentleman, Paul Chapman, who is on the ground in North
Carolina. He is from Texas. He loads his trailer up with food and takes it to NC. He pulls his BBQ grill with him and cooks meals for the determined rebuilders of the hurricane. I have posted some of his stuff to the Seed Germination Facebook Page.
He is currently heading back to Texas for another load. He will leave in two weeks for his third trip. Recovery is going to take a long time. My plan is to take the $1000 and give it to him to take and help. He was telling me that now they need to prepare for winter. They need propane heaters and tanks. I have a few for emergency purposes here for the greenhouse. We are going to give these. Winter clothing (new) will be needed. Hats, gloves and socks. Someone may think "new." If limitations are not put on it, then there are those who will go, clean out the closet, and give all their old junk. Then they will go buy new for themselves. Keep the junk and buy new.
I used to be a pastor. Members would go out and buy a new appliance and give the old one to the church. It seems I remember reading where God wants the best. Expects the best. Not our broken-down stuff. One church had three coffee pots, two mixers, two microwaves, and one TV. None of it worked.
Let me know what you think. If you want the money to go to Samaritan's Purse, then that is where we will give it.
Thank you for your input and may God's blessings be upon you.
David Schulze
Owner
David's Garden Seeds®
Veteran owned Small Business
5029 FM2504
Poteet, TX 78065
210-502-3797 davidsgardenseeds@outlook.com

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Today, after work, I planted the rest of my Pride of Barbados seeds. I prepared all 21 pots early this morning.

Tonight, I finally found and took some successful photos of comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas at 8:15pm! It is a once in 80,000 year comet according to some of the articles I read on the internet. I was so excited to finally find it in the lower western sky. It was very faint but I noticed a white streak. I held my phone up and could see it clearly. Then I finally figured out how to properly use my phone camera to capture it! Yay me!

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Texas Bluebonnets

So, how did bluebonnets come to be the state flower of Texas? It all began back in 1901 when the Texas Legislature declared the bluebonnet as the official state flower.

The decision stemmed from an immense appreciation for their beauty and their abundant presence across the state. The flower is named for its striking resemblance to the bonnets worn by pioneer women to shield themselves from the Texas sun.

The choice wasn't without debate; other flowers like the cactus and cotton boll were strong contenders. However, bluebonnets won out due to their profound connection with Texas' natural landscape and spirit.

Over the years, bluebonnets have become a symbol of Texas pride and an integral part of the state's identity, from roadways to wild prairies.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Good morning. It is breezy and cool out at 65°. The high is supposed to be just 82° which will be amazing. I watered my plants and made sure the ones I planted last night are moist. The breeze is chilly. Matt is mowing out back. I am thankful for the cooler weather.

Trump and I went for an early morning walk. When we got to the parking lot, Trump dropped his leash and started barking loudly while trying to run to Matt's car. I immediately thought there must be a scary snake. I pulled Trump in the other direction, but he kept pulling back to Matt's car. I looked under the car from a distance but never saw anything. I finally got him away.

Later, I was taking photos of the bees on some flowers over there and I saw what Trump was barking at--a huge frog!

I cleaned the pond this morning. We have had a few customers. The breeze has been so nice all day long. It is now 4:30pm and only 78°.

I spent the morning filling orders and this afternoon, I wrote a new article on planting a winter garden. Plan your Texas winter garden now and get your seeds. It will soon be time to plant winter crops.

Fourteen years ago today, we rescued Ethel from a San Antonio shelter. She was already one year old. She has been a good dog. I never expected her to last this long. She is now 15 years old.

Tonight, you should be able to see the comet again. It is faint to the naked eye but your phone camera should pick it right up. Let me tell you now that tomorrow night is the Full Hunter's Moon. It was plenty bright last night and it wasn't even full. Don't miss it.

Well, was I wrong about that. The sky clouded up and by the time the sun went down, there was no way the comet could be seen from here. I barely got a glimpse of the just about full Hunter's Moon. It will be full tomorrow night.

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Texas Bluebonnets

Let's get into an important topic: the rules around bluebonnets. Can you pick them? Can you dig them up? Is it against the law? These questions pop up all the time.

The good news is, there’s no specific law stating you can’t pick bluebonnets in Texas. However, you should exercise caution and respect.

It’s important to note that picking bluebonnets on private property without permission is definitely against the law. You need to get the owner's consent first.

Additionally, while it's not illegal to pick bluebonnets on public highways or expanses, it's not recommended because it could be unsafe and damage the natural habitat. Each year, folks bring their babies out to the country and place them in fields of bluebonnets to take photos. These foolish city people do not realize that there are rattlesnakes and copperheads in those fields.

Digging up bluebonnets, however, is not allowed. Uprooting these beauties can damage the ecosystem and prevent new flowers from growing.

Best practice? Admire their beauty, take stunning photographs, and leave the flowers for others to enjoy. Let's protect the state's natural heritage.

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Thursday, October 17, 2024

Good morning. I woke up to some fun in my office this morning. I opened the door and there were six piles of dog poo all across my office. Ethel, my 15 year old corgi left me gifts. The light was on and Ethel was outside. I guess David found it first, put Ethel out, but left the poo for me. So first thing I got to do this morning was pick it all up and then clean it up with the mini carpet cleaner. It was a great start to an awesome day...

Matt brought us some breakfast this morning. That was nice. I went out to check on my plants and water them. No new seeds have germinated. The day started at 58° and now at 10am, it is 66° with a breeze. The sky is cloudy again.

I got dressed and ready for the day, went back to my office, and there were three more piles of poo to clean up. Unbelievable.

Well, it is 1:15pm and only 75° with a lot of breeze. It is beautiful out but the sky is still overcast. There is no chance of rain. We have had one customer so far today. I am about to go cut some sweet potato vines to root. I have never rooted them before but I read online that they root easily. They do produce flowers because I found one on the darkest purple vine.

When we got the sweet potato vine plants this past summer, we got one dark purple, one reddish purple, and all the rest were light green. Everyone comments on the two purple shades as I planted those in my flower bed in front of the Farm Store. No one has bought any of the green sweet potato vine but I think they would buy the darker colors.

David has decided to donate several thousand dollars worth of brand new supplies and some of our personal equipment to the hurricane victims through Paul Chapman. Paul is back in North Texas to load his huge truck. David and Matt will be going there this weekend with more supplies and pallets of brand new things including clothing. He will also be handing him the $1000 that you helped us raise last week. It is a five hour one way drive to get to him from here. Paul will be leaving for yet another trip to North Carolina with the supplies and money next week.

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Texas Bluebonnets

Now, let's talk about how to plant bluebonnet seeds. Knowing how to plant bluebonnet seeds will allow you to enjoy these flowers right in your own garden.

Timing is crucial. The best time to plant bluebonnet seeds is in the fall, typically between late September and early November. October is the perfect month to plant bluebonnets, about one quarter inch deep. Cover with soil and water them well. They will come up in the fall but they will not bloom until they have gone through winter. They need to be cold stratified which means they will not bloom until they have experienced a cold spell. Usually, sometime during the winter months, Texas gets chilly and that is all it takes to have fantastic blooms starting in late February.

Bluebonnets prefer well-drained soil and full sun, so choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

Before planting, prepare the soil by loosening it and ensuring it's free of weeds or grass. This allows the bluebonnet seeds to establish more easily.

Scatter the seeds evenly across the soil surface, then lightly rake them into the ground. You can also press them into the soil with a board to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Just make sure that you do not just toss the seeds out without covering them. If they are not covered, they will either blow away or get eaten by bugs and birds.

Water the seeds well, but be careful not to over water. Bluebonnets are drought-tolerant, and too much water can cause issues with germination.

Once the seeds are planted, it’s mostly a waiting game. You’ll see sprouts in a few weeks, and then the beautiful flowers will bloom come spring.

Remember, patience is key. It may take a season or two for a full bluebonnet field to emerge, but it's well worth the wait.

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Friday, October 18, 2024

Good morning. Starting at noon today, when you buy three or more seed items, save 20% on the price of seeds. This sale will go on through tomorrow night. Take advantage of it here on our David's Garden Seeds® website.

This week, we have been discussing our beautiful Texas bluebonnets. Remember that October is the month to plant Texas bluebonnets!

It is also the month to plant our favorite, large, yellow onion, the Texas 1015Y onion. Make sure to buy all of these now while this sale is going on because there won't be a better sale this month. Get them in the ground now!

We grow the Texas 1015Y every fall from seed and then we turn around and plant them again in December for a very early spring harvest. Give them a try!

This morning, David and I went to get some groceries. While we were gone, it began to sprinkle. We got back to the farm and a few minutes later, it started raining hard for maybe ten minutes. Then it stopped. About 20 minutes later, it rained hard again for another ten or so minutes. It is still cloudy and breezy. I am hoping for more. It has not rained in many weeks so we are grateful.

David and Matt will be going up to North Texas later on in the weekend to take equipment up to Paul for the hurricane victims. Hopefully, they will have a dry drive.

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Texas Bluebonnets

Bluebonnets have an interesting history. They are native to Texas and can be found throughout the state's diverse landscapes.

These flowers belong to the legume family, similar to peas and beans. Their scientific name is Lupinus texensis, indicative of their strong ties to Texas.

Bluebonnets have thrived in Texas due to the state’s varying climates that offer the perfect mix of hot summers and mild winters they love.

They grow in prairies, alongside roads, and in meadows, contributing to Texas's brightly colored spring displays.

Timing, as we mentioned earlier, is everything when planting bluebonnet seeds, so let’s reiterate: plant them in the fall.

Aim for late September through early November. This timing allows the seeds to establish roots before the cooler weather sets in.

The fall planting ensures that by spring, your bluebonnets will begin to bloom beautifully, making your garden or field a sight to behold.

Planting bluebonnets too early or too late can result in a less impressive bloom, so sticking to the fall schedule is crucial for success.

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Saturday, October 19, 2024

This morning, around 5am, David and Matt left with a bunch of supplies and a check for American Samaritans up in Stanton, Texas, about five hours from Rossville. They unloaded supplies and had a good visit with Paul. He says each time there is a disaster in the United States, they had that way and help out. This will be his third trip in two weeks when he leaves next week to go back to North Carolina. He says there are still people there who have had no help at all from FEMA or from Sleepy Joe Biden or Cackling Kamala. Why isn't our government helping our citizens?

By the time I got up to deal with all of the animals, they had been gone for over an hour.

So I fed the cat, the four dogs, the fish, the meat birds, the rabbits, the chickens, and the goats by myself this morning. I also watered my plants and then I came back inside, washed the dishes, started some laundry, changed the sheets, and got ready to open the store and work.

We had three sets of customers today, all at once. Before they came, I was able to get orders done and after they all left, I worked on building pages.

Then I had lunch at 2:30pm and did more laundry including folding three loads that were in baskets. By then, my back was killing me so I sat down for a little while. Then, I went outside and had to go to the top of the hill to get hay for the goats because they had none. I got the eggs, fed all of the animals and walked back into the kitchen. I put the eggs in the sink to wash them and I heard a noise at the front door. I walked over there and David and Matt were coming in the house. They got back a lot sooner than they had said they would. I was a bit scared but happy it was them and not a boogey man.

Matt is now grilling steaks and I put a German pancake in the oven. I am so tired out. I did a lot today!

We watched Casino Royale and then Matt left and went to Walmart in Devine and all of the freezers were empty as they had gone out. I guess they don't have back up generators.

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Texas Bluebonnets

Ensuring your bluebonnets thrive involves a bit of care and attention beyond just planting them. Let’s look at how to grow bluebonnets successfully.

Make sure the seeds receive enough sunlight. Bluebonnets need full sun to grow well, so ensure they have at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily.

Be mindful of watering. Bluebonnets prefer drier soil, so avoid overwatering. Once established, they are quite drought-tolerant.

Don’t over-fertilize. Bluebonnets are used to poorer soils and don’t need much additional nutrients. Too much fertilizer can actually harm them.

Thin out seedlings if they’re too dense. About one plant per square foot is ideal for healthy growth.

Watch out for weeds. Weeds can compete with bluebonnets for nutrients and water, so keep the area around them clear.

Encourage natural reseeding. Allow your bluebonnets to go to seed, and then collect those seeds for next season or let them drop naturally.

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Sunday, October 20, 2024

I got up this morning and took care of all of the animals inside and out. It was pleasant. It got hot this afternoon. Now it is evening and my very short weekend is about over. The end.

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Texas Bluebonnets

Many of Texas’s 30 million residents love and appreciate bluebonnets, so it’s crucial to know the dos and don’ts when interacting with them.

Educate your family and friends about the importance of respecting bluebonnet fields. This helps preserve their beauty for everyone.

Remember, while it’s not illegal to pick them, it’s best to leave bluebonnets intact for others to enjoy and for the continued health of the fields.

Never dig up bluebonnets. This could severely damage the plants and prevent future growth. Always admire them where they are.

Take plenty of pictures but avoid trampling the flowers. Stay on designated paths when walking through bluebonnet fields.

Share the beauty of bluebonnets with visitors to the state. Let them know about the different shades and the best places to see them.

Remember, bluebonnets are a symbol of Texas pride. Treating them with care shows respect for the state’s heritage and natural beauty.

Enjoying bluebonnets reminds us why they are the state flower of Texas and why their seven shades add so much to the state's natural charm.

There you have it, a comprehensive guide on bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, and the seven shades they come in.

Whether you're a gardener looking to plant bluebonnet seeds or someone just curious about these beautiful flowers, this guide covers it all.

Remember, bluebonnets come in 7 colors in Texas, each adding a unique touch to the state's scenery.

Knowing how to plant bluebonnet seeds and when to plant them is key to enjoying these flowers in your own space.

Respect for bluebonnet fields ensures that future generations will also get to enjoy their beauty.

Bluebonnets not only represent the spirit of Texas but also bring a colorful burst of nature’s splendor each year.

So next time you see a field of bluebonnets, take a moment to appreciate their history, variety, and the joy they bring to so many.

Happy bluebonnet season, Texas!

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Return from Texas Bluebonnets to Growing Flowers

Since 2009, over 1,500,000 home gardeners, all across the USA, have relied on David's Garden Seeds® to grow beautiful gardens. Trust is at the heart of it. Our customers know David's Garden Seeds® stocks only the highest quality seeds available. Our mission is to become your lifetime supplier of quality seeds. It isn't just to serve you once; we want to earn your trust as your primary supplier.

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Our New 2024 TV Ad

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Please like and subscribe on YouTube and come visit us at our Farm Store! The music on our TV ad was written, played, and sung by our son, Matthew Schulze. You can meet him when you come to the farm. He just might give you a tour. Ask him to grab a guitar and sing our jingle that he wrote.

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We are David's Garden Seeds®. If you need great seeds, we've got over 1,000 varieties to choose from.

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Find out what is going on down on the farm by reading our blog and by subscribing to our free newsletter for all of the information going down at David's Garden Seeds® and on the farm. I love to share helpful information with you. Please let your friends know and y'all come on down for a visit when you get the chance. We would love to meet you!

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