Autumn in the Garden – 2024 Edition

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! As the summer heat wanes and the days grow shorter, autumn arrives in Lakeway, bringing with it a unique opportunity for gardeners to rejuvenate their landscapes. Local gardeners know this favorite fall season offers a perfect time to plant fall vegetables, divide bulbs, plant trees, harvest late-season produce, and prepare your garden for the upcoming winter months. With its milder temperatures and abundant rainfall, autumn in Lakeway has an ideal climate for gardeners to actually enjoy the outdoors once again during this season of renewal. . This newsletter is your guide to keep your garden healthy and thriving throughout the fall months. We’ll cover fall planting and harvesting tips plus how to get a jumpstart on your winter garden chores. See you in the garden!

LGC Member News

Our Lakeway Garden Club (LGC) Member Mixer is only a few days away so mark your calendars for next Thursday, September 5th! We will be talking about planting fall vegetables, field trips and opportunities for volunteering in local garden projects. If you have a request for a future garden topic or a specific question, please let us know or post your garden questions on our LGC Facebook page. All are welcome to join for free before the meeting if they are not already a member. See you at 10:30am on September 5th at the Lake Travis Community Library!

Garden Tips, Local Events and More

Below we have helpful garden advice for your Autumn to-do list. You can also visit the Lakeway Garden Club for even more garden tips and tricks. Also make sure to check out the Lakeway MUD’s Open House presentations on water wise gardening in late September. Our Events Calendar showcases many local or online classes and special events happening this fall. And as always, happy gardening!

Gardening Month by Month

Below are some garden tips for September, October and November. Curious about the rest of the year? Visit our website to find all our garden tasks and tips arranged month by month.

September Gardening – A Season for Planting and Care

September is here, and while it may normally herald our lovely fall season, the Central Texas “weather break” (when we flip our weather pattern and switch from hot to cool temps) may not actually happen until late this month or even into October. Despite our dry conditions, fall remains an ideal time for planting perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines in Central Texas. However, exercise caution in droughts and wait for significant rainfall before planting. Remember to plant wildflower seeds by Thanksgiving and consider native groundcovers like horseherb, frog fruit, or pigeonberry. Divide perennials to maintain their health and vigor, and start a compost pile to reduce waste and improve soil quality. Take care of fall and spring bloomers by fertilizing, deadheading, and pruning as needed. Watch out for brown patch in your lawn and adjust your watering practices accordingly. Support your vegetable patch by providing adequate water and monitoring for pests. Consider planting winter cover crops like red clover, hairy vetch, or rye to improve soil health and prevent weeds. See all the info on our website here.

October Gardening – Prepping for Spring

October normally brings desperately needed autumn rains and a welcome break from the oppressive summer heat. We can finally head back outside to garden with renewed enthusiasm! As fall progresses, focus on planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and winter cover crops. Adjust your watering schedule as temperatures drop and prepare for potential frost. Sow spring wildflower seeds in October for optimal germination. Resume fertilizing your garden to support healthy growth, and stockpile leaves for natural mulch. Keep an eye out for pests and consider growing exotic vegetables for a unique and cost-effective harvest. Maintain your lawn by adding compost and avoiding overseeding. Plant spring-blooming naturalizing bulbs for effortless beauty. And finally, plant garlic and shallots for a flavorful addition to your garden. Remember to cut back tropical milkweed plants in October to support the monarch butterfly population. See all the info on our website here.

November Gardening – Preparing for Winter

November means the weather finally feels like fall in Central Texas. Each winter, our risk of frost in Lakeway is generally from November 11 through March 20 with an average first freeze for Austin at Camp Mabry around November 27th. November is still a prime time for planting perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines. Visit local nurseries to find new varieties and plant before frost arrives. Sow bulbing onion seeds now and plant spring bulbs. Don’t forget to sow wildflower seeds for a vibrant display. Prepare for potential freezes by protecting newly planted plants and mulching everything. Water plants thoroughly before a freeze to reduce cold damage. Cover plants with row covers, sheets, or blankets for added protection. In the veggie garden, plant root crops and consider winter cover crops. Fertilize cool-season vegetables as needed. Water wisely and avoid overwatering. Before the first frost, plant seeds for winter greens and harvest warm-weather vegetables. Cover unused vegetable beds with mulch or cover crops. Maintain plant health by spraying your landscape weekly with seaweed and using mulch to cover leaves and compost. Prepare soil in vegetable beds for winter plantings. Transplant strawberries, cool-season annuals, and container-grown roses. Overseed your lawn with winter rye for a green winter. Prune chrysanthemums and remove dead wood from trees and shrubs. Plant wildflower seeds and divide perennials for a vibrant display next year. See all the info on our website here.