Gardeners
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Your Top Gardening Questions Answered!
1. How do I stop the deer from eating everything? Answer: In Lakeway, deer-proofing is the first priority. Focus on native plants they find unappealing, such as Texas Sage, Mountain Laurel, Lantana, and Salvia. For flowers, Zinnias and Vincas are generally safer bets. No plant is 100% “deer-proof” if they are hungry enough, so using a repellent like Deer Away (applied every few weeks and after rain) can help protect your more vulnerable plants. 2. When is the best time to plant vegetables? Answer: We have two distinct growing seasons. For spring, move transplants like tomatoes and peppers into the ground in late March or early April once the threat…
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Springtime Gardening in Lakeway
Spring in Lakeway is nothing short of spectacular. March, April, and May aren’t just months on a calendar; they are the “grand opening” of the gardening season. While we’re all eager to see those vivid blooms, patience is your best tool. Aim for mid-to-late March for most transplants to ensure we’ve truly shaken off the last of the winter frost. By late March, you can welcome cheerful annuals like poppies and cosmos. As we move into late April, the real “heat-seekers”—zinnias, sunflowers, tomatoes, and peppers—can take center stage. This year, I challenge you to experiment! Whether it’s a vibrant new floral variety or a vegetable you’ve never tasted fresh off…
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Resurrecting the Past: Testing the Viability of Old Seeds
The thrill of planting a garden is undeniable, but what about those forgotten packets of seeds tucked away in a drawer? Are they still viable? Don’t despair! With a simple germination test, you can determine if your old seeds still hold the promise of new life. The Germination Test: A Simple Yet Effective Method This easy-to-follow method will help you assess the viability of your seeds: Prepare the Seed Bed: Take a double layer of paper towels and mist them lightly with water until they are damp, but not soaking wet. Lay Out the Seeds: Arrange a row of 10 seeds across the bottom of the damp paper towels. Roll…
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Lakeway Garden Club Gift Guide 2024
The Best Garden Gift Ideas are here! The holiday season is upon us, and there’s still time to cultivate the perfect gift for the green-thumbed individuals in your life – or perhaps treat yourself! Lakeway gardeners are a unique breed: passionate about their plants and deeply connected to the outdoors. Finding the ideal gift for these discerning souls can be a challenge. To simplify your search, the Lakeway Garden Club has curated a selection of exceptional gift ideas guaranteed to delight even the most seasoned horticultural enthusiast. From bountiful vertical planters and innovative indoor hydroponics to adaptable greenhouses and vibrant wildflower seed bombs, our list offers something for every gardening style and preference.…
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The Inside Austin Gardens Tour is Back!
Get ready to immerse yourself in a wonderland of flourishing flora! The Inside Austin Gardens Tour, designed “For Gardeners, By Gardeners,” returns on Saturday, May 11th, from 9 am to 3 pm. This self-guided tour offers a rare glimpse into four exceptional private gardens, each meticulously crafted by a Travis County Master Gardener. This year’s theme celebrates the diversity and beauty of Central Texas gardening. Whether your backyard boasts sprawling acres or a cozy urban nook, the featured gardens promise inspiration for all. A Journey Through Four Unique Paradises The Suburban Farm: Prepare to be enchanted by Katie Bird Farm, a sprawling three-acre haven bursting with life. Encounter 35 distinct…
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Earth Day 2024: Our Earth, Our Future
Celebrate Earth Day by beautifying our Lakeway community together! The City of Lakeway is hosting a volunteer event on Monday, April 22nd, at 11:00 am, where we’ll be planting flowers at the Lakeway Swim Center (3103 Lakeway Blvd.). If you’re passionate about keeping Lakeway vibrant and want to meet some friendly neighbors, this is the perfect opportunity! The City will provide all the necessary equipment for the planting, and afterwards, volunteers can enjoy some delicious snacks and pick up Earth Day goodies with helpful information. What to bring: Reliable transportation (your car) Comfortable clothing (dress for the weather) Comfortable shoes Gardening tools (optional, but feel free to bring your own!)…
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Understanding Climate Zones
The climate is the reoccurring average weather found in any particular place, measured over 30 year intervals. The Earth’s tilt, rotation and land/sea distribution affect these global weather patterns, resulting in variations between different locations. Travis County Climate Zone is Cfa C – Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climate f – Wet year-round a – Hot Summer German climatologist and amateur botanist Wladimir Köppen (1846-1940) divided the world’s climates into categories based upon general temperature profile related to latitude. He worked with Rudolf Geiger to modify these categories into what is known today as the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system The major categories are as follows: A – Tropical Climates Moist tropical climates…
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Hotter US Leads USDA to Update Plant Zone Map
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), which shows that Lakeway and the Austin area have moved from USDA hardiness zone 8b to 9a. This means that the average annual minimum temperature in Austin has increased by 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Type in your zip code to see how the change has impacted your specific area. The PHZM is a guide for gardeners and landscapers to help them select plants that are likely to survive in their area. The map is based on 30-year averages of the lowest annual minimum temperatures at specific locations. The new map uses data from…
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2023 Gift Guide for Central Texas Gardeners
Lakeway and Central Texas gardeners are a special breed. They are passionate about their plants and they love to spend time outdoors. But finding the perfect gift for a Lakeway gardener can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this list of gift ideas that are sure to please even the most discerning green thumb. Smart Garden Tech Toys Central Texas gardeners are always looking for ways to improve their gardens. That’s why smart garden gifts are always a popular choice. Here are a few ideas: Lettuce Grow Farmstand: The Farmstand Nook from Lettuce Grow is a self-fertilizing, LED-lit, hydroponic system allows you to grow fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers…
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Join us at the Earth Day Open House Celebration
Save the date for the Lakeway Garden Club Earth Day Open House celebration at the Lake Travis Community Library on April 22nd from 12noon to 2pm. All are welcome to join us for some light refreshments and to learn about gardening in our area including native plants, vegetable gardening, container gardens, water wise planting etc. We will even have a fun Earth Day activity for kids to enjoy. See you there!

















