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Coast Monthly

Easy Living, Texas Gulf Style

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Fishing for knowledge

By on Filed Under: Frontpage, Garden Variety Leave a Comment

Master Gardener Robin Collins shows off lettuce grown in the raft beds of the aquaponics garden at Carbide Park in La Marque. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Gardeners experiment with aquaponics in hopes of sharing what they learn

Not long ago, a small group of Galveston County Master Gardeners began an intriguing experiment in Carbide Park in La Marque. The gardeners took a 300-gallon tank and filled it with about 75 blue gill perch, some koi and goldfish to cultivate what so far has been a successful aquaponic garden. [Read more…]

Friends of a feather

By on Filed Under: Features 1 Comment

An injured osprey captured on Cove View Boulevard by Galveston’s Animal Control Division. The bird was severely injured and died while being treated at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Houston. Photo courtesy of Galveston Animal Control Division

Group dedicated to helping sick and injured birds

In an emergency, birds can’t call 911. In fact, they can’t do anything but suffer. That’s what the Galveston Bay Injured Bird Response Team wants to avoid. Since January 2017, the group of volunteers has rescued and transported hundreds of birds to safety. [Read more…]

‘Now we get to enjoy it’

By on Filed Under: Counter Culture Leave a Comment

Once Frances and Gary Mack decided to remodel the kitchen in their Seabrook home, they wanted to do it right. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

What began as a small upgrade ended with an extensive kitchen makeover

It was supposed to be a simple upgrade in the kitchen: paint, new counters and that’s it. Instead, Frances and Garry Mack found themselves buried in Sheetrock powder and sawdust for seven months as their Seabrook home took on a new look and they replaced everything inside it. [Read more…]

Go fig

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The mild climate on the Gulf Coast makes it a perfect place to grow fig trees, which can grow to heights of 15 feet. Photo courtesy of Herman Auer

The tree that’s easy to grow and fruits fast

Perhaps one of the easiest plants to grow on the Gulf Coast is the fig tree. Merely stick a cutting in the ground or a pot, give it sunshine and some water, and it will usually take off. [Read more…]

Emily and Jared

By on Filed Under: Bridal 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of Eric Clausen

A stalled out boat leads to a waterfront wedding

Astalled out pleasure boat on Clear Lake caused a change of plans and sent Emily Augustini to the nearby Hilton Hotel to enjoy an end of summer party in late 2011. There was food, entertainment, adult beverages and a very handsome guitar player who was singing for the crowd. [Read more…]

Shell game

By on Filed Under: Features, Frontpage Leave a Comment

Bags of recycled oyster shells are removed weekly from docks and allowed to drain to force predators to crawl out as they seek water. The shells are rinsed of sediment and then returned to the bay waters. Photo courtesy of the Galveston Bay Foundation

How volunteer gardeners along the bay are helping to revive oyster beds

Bayfront property owners are growing more than vegetables and flowers at home. Many have become oyster gardeners, helping to replenish diminishing and endangered oyster beds in Galveston Bay. [Read more…]

Seas and greetings

By on Filed Under: Frontpage, Home & Garden Leave a Comment

A fish ornament hangs on a Norfolk pine at Tom’s Thumb. The tree, which is neither a pine nor from Virginia, is popular here year-round. Its branches don’t require cleanup after Christmas. Photo by Kelsey Walling

This Christmas, branch out with a tree that celebrates life on the water

Coastal Texans usually celebrate the holidays with a sandy Christmas rather than a snowy one. Starfish replace typical Christmas stars, mermaids stand in for elves and reindeer and Christmas trees are decorated with nautical themes and beach treasures. [Read more…]