Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! Will March come in like a lion or lamb this year? Regardless, it is a bountiful time in the Lakeway garden. Flowers, bees, butterflies, trees and spring vegetables will begin to flourish this month. In my garden, the most anticipated moment is when tiny asparagus stalks begin to poke through the dirt – then I know spring is almost here! As we head into warmer temperatures and leave the prospect of frost damage behind, remember to review the Veggie Planting Calendar to plan your spring veggie garden. This Texas AgriLife Extension Vegetable Garden Planting Guide will show you all the ideal times to plant in order to…

Greetings, Lakeway gardeners! Even though we are off to a very icy start this month, February is still one of my favorite times in the garden. Spiderwort may be frozen in glass-like ice right now but soon their purple blooms will burst out and herald the promise of warmer weather. Once the ice thaws, it is a great time to enjoy your winter garden bounty of greens, broccoli, carrots and other healthy vegetables. Kids often love to get involved in the garden if they know they can eat some things too! Many vegetable gardeners here in Central Texas find a cooler season to be more productive than a warm season,…

Happy 2023! If the infamous 2021 Central Texas Snowmageddon was a “once in a lifetime” freeze event, let’s keep our fingers crossed for a milder winter season this month… so far this winter, it has been pretty unpredictable – unseasonably warm days and then back into the freeze zone at night. This is the type of unstable weather pattern that can trick plants into emerging from dormancy. Be assured that it’s still winter. Just remember to cover (or better yet, bring inside) your cold sensitive plants. The average last frost day for the Austin area is March 11 to March 20. It is a great idea to use this month…

Hello gardeners! How are you enjoying the latest weather roller coaster? Bringing tender potted plants inside one freezing day, then putting them back outside in the warm eighty degree sunshine the next. I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted! December is when we normally coast into a predictable winter weather pattern here in Central Texas. Therefore, gardening often, and should, be less of a priority during the holidays. The colder weather has slowed growth and hopefully is providing enough moisture to reduce the need to irrigate. Use this time to thoroughly enjoy the results of your labors and spend time in the garden with friends and family. And if you pull…

Feel that brisk chill in the air each morning? November is the month that finally feels like fall has arrived here in Central Texas. If it cools down enough at night, we may even 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. The average first freeze for Austin (Camp Mabry) is anywhere from November 29th through December 5th depending on the period of record. See below for things that should be on your November gardening to-dos. Happy gardening! November Garden Tips Flowers to…

Finally! It is officially fall in Central Texas and that means the oppressive summer heat has broken and we can all rush back outside to garden in earnest. Rains hopefully will arrive mid month to replenish soil moisture and rainwater harvesting tanks. See below for things that should be on your October gardening to-dos. Happy gardening! October Garden Tips Flowers to Plant Allyssum, Sweet Calendula Centaurea Dusty Miller Johnny Jump Up Larkspur Nasturtium Pansies (mid October) Poppies Snapdragon Sweet Pea Seeds to Sow Beets Carrots Fava Beans Greens – cool season Leeks (early-mid Oct) Onions – bulbing Onions – bunching, multiplying Peas – English, snow, snap (early Oct) Radishes Turnips…

The calendar says September is the beginning of the fall season, but the Central Texas “weather break” (flipping the switch from hot to cool) may not actually happen until late in the month or October. But look on the bright side: the shorter days will trigger fall blooms for asters and other perennials and allow us to plant cool-season flowering plants like snapdragons, dianthus, alyssum, pansies and nasturtium. These bloomers like cool growing conditions so don’t plant until later in the month. Plant sugar snap peas and snow peas during the last two weeks of September too. See below for things that should be on your September gardening to-dos. Happy…

Yes, it’s still crazy hot and there is no sign of rain, but it is time to start your fall garden! July and August are great months to get your fall veggies started. It’s also a good use of your time while hiding in the house from the heat. If you’re still determined to slog it out in the heat, wear long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun. Okra, originally from Africa, loves our Texas heat and is abundant right now right through to frost. Harvest okra pods frequently before they get too big; over-grown okra is tough and stringy. Beat the squirrels by harvesting…