Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! Winter might seem like a quiet time for gardens, but in Lakeway, January and February are bustling with activity! While some plants rest under cozy blankets of mulch, cool-season veggies like lettuces, spinach, and radishes thrive in the gentle sunshine. Seedlings for spring favorites like tomatoes and peppers get a head start indoors, waiting patiently in sunny windowsills. Fruit trees slumber peacefully, dreaming of spring blossoms, but receive a gentle pruning to encourage healthy growth. And as the days stretch longer, gardeners clear away winter debris, their hearts full of hope for the vibrant garden to come. Water Wisely Remember, even though it’s winter, don’t neglect your…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! As winter approaches, our gardens begin to slumber. Your tasks this month are to protect tender plants from frost, clean up debris, and plan for spring. Water deeply and infrequently to keep your garden healthy throughout the winter. December is the time when we normally coast into a predictable winter weather pattern here in Central Texas. Gardening often, and should, be less of a priority during the holidays. The colder weather will slow growth and provide enough moisture to reduce the need to irrigate. Use this time to thoroughly enjoy the results of your summer and fall labors and spend time in the garden with friends and…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! Feel that brisk chill in the air? November is officially here and finally the weather feels like fall in Central Texas. This week, as it dips down to the 30s and 40s at night, we may start to see some fall color in the trees and shrubs. Of course that also means that deciduous plants will begin to shed their leaves in earnest, providing plenty of raw material for homemade mulch and compost. 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. However last night we had those nearly freezing temps…

Rejoice, Lakeway gardeners! October is officially here, bringing desperately needed autumn rains next week and a welcome break from the oppressive summer heat. We can finally head back outside to garden with renewed enthusiasm. Even though Travis County is still in a state of exceptional drought (as of 9/28/23), we can have a successful fall garden with a little extra planning and care. Fall is the perfect time to plant perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers in Central Texas. New stocks of perennials and grasses are available at local nurseries, so plant this month before frost arrives. Spring-blooming bulbs can also be planted now. And if you’re a veggie…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! September is here, and while it may normally herald the beginning of our lovely fall season, our 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 later in October. Hello, El Niño, where are you? Over the past month, due to our lack of significant rain, Travis County has sadly progressed from a state of extreme drought to a state of exceptional drought. And no, there is no drought level worse than exceptional. Just like in August, we continue to have a high pressure dome reside over Texas, causing…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! Welcome to the latest episode of Survivor: Garden Edition, also known as the wickedly hot Central Texas summer of 2023. All the wilting plants know Lakeway is officially in a state of extreme drought. Yes, just like last month, thanks to the stubborn subtropical ridge over Texas, we still have ridiculously high triple-digit temps outside with no sign of significant rain for the next two weeks. However, early August is a great time to stay inside, grab a cold lemonade and start focusing on your fall garden including getting your next crop of veggies growing. Of course if you’re determined to slog it out in the stifling heat this month, keep in mind that…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! This month it is all about staying cool. After June’s extreme temps, we should only expect that July will likely set new heat records. As thermometers continue to rise, many new Texas gardeners start to wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into (!) while veteran Texas gardeners escape the summer heat in Colorado or elsewhere… Luckily from the sanctuary of air conditioning, you can start your fall garden planning this month. Resilient vegetable gardeners know to set up shade cloths to protect tender transplants of tomatoes and peppers during this sweltering month. Tomato varieties like Celebrity, Lemon Boy, Flame, Ponderosa, Cherokee Purple, and Tie Dye Green are some colorful and delicious favorites and worth a try…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! June is a time of great abundance in Lakeway gardens. The summer heat is in full swing, and your garden is starting to bear the fruits of your dedicated labor. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and zucchini are all in season, and you can start to harvest them. In addition to harvesting crops, there are three main things to keep in mind as you tend your garden this month. Water your plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Fertilize your plants every few weeks to help them continue to produce. Finally, keep an eye out for pests and diseases. If you see any problems, take action immediately to prevent them…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! The month of May can be an exuberant (and sometimes an exhausting) time in Lakeway. There is just so much to see and do in the garden! Roses are blooming, birds are singing and pollinators are buzzing with all the flowering excitement in our gardens. The humidity and severe storm chances are starting to rise, so an early morning garden work habit is key to staying cool. And remember to get out there and start weeding before they take over and make your yard work much, much harder! Thanks so much to everyone who attended our first ever Lakeway Garden Club Open House celebrating Earth Day on…