Rainfall was up and a much better 2007 spring bloom was seen in Texas than in 2006. This page was revised in early June. I am pleased to show you this first sunflower blooming in my backyard garden. I have been lucky with salad plants like the lettuce, spinash, radishes, and onions that I pick daily for fresh salads.

In 2006 the transpecos and parts of  south Texas were much too dry. At one point Gov. Rick Perry declared all 254 counties as drought disaster areas and Texas was also a federal fire disaster area. Since late December of 2005 over 455,000 acres across Texas  were burned by wildfires. The old timers that I spoke with compare 2005/2006 with the drought conditions of the 1950s.  Texas visitors and natives, for the most part, did not witness a magnificent spring bloom, like that seen in 2004 and this year.

Ideal conditions for a good Texas wildflower bloom are dry summer, wet fall, and very cold winter.  More water now and some ice and snow this winter will help a lot in the trans pecos. A little water now would go a long way toward a great Texas wildflower bloom next year. As sure as the sun shines and the seasons change, the spring Texas wildflower bloom is coming, one way or another. Perhaps you can tell me what this vibrant yellow wildflower is. I photographed it along Live Oak Creek Road in Crockett County in late May. To discuss the ecology of Texas or any topic related to nature or this site, email me at webmaster@seeyouintexas.com.