Native Plants
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Gardening in the Hill Country: Ask Us Anything!
Gardening in the Texas Hill Country is rewarding, but between the rocky soil and our local “landscaping critics” (the deer), it definitely has its own set of rules. “I have two inches of dirt, a million rocks, and ten deer staring at my porch. What do I do?” If you’ve lived in Lakeway for more than a week, you know the struggle is real. Between the limestone “soil,” the scorching July heat, and our local four-legged landscaping critics, gardening here is a unique adventure. We are putting together a Q&A resource to help us all get those thumb-sized tomatoes and keep our Mountain Laurels thriving. Whether you’re a newcomer trying…
- Education, Gardens, Lawn Care, Native Plants, News, Showcase, Tips, Trees & Shrubs, Vegetables, Wildlife
Earth Day: Healing the Earth from Your Own Backyard
Every year on April 22nd, we see the same headlines about global shifts and industrial changes. But for Earth Day , remember that the most immediate power we have isn’t in a boardroom—it’s right outside our back door. We often think of “saving the planet” as a monumental task involving oceans and rainforests. While those matter, the ecosystem in your own backyard is the front line of environmental stewardship. Here is how you can turn your patch of grass into a powerhouse for the planet. 1. Ditch the “Perfection” of the Great American Lawn The traditional, manicured green lawn is often a “green desert.” It requires massive amounts of water…
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Save the Bees: Simple Steps to Make a Big Difference
The plight of the bees has become a global concern. Bees are critical to our ecosystem, but their populations are declining. These industrious insects are vital pollinators, ensuring the diversity of our food supply and the health of our ecosystems. But facing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, bee populations are dwindling at an alarming rate. Fear not, fellow humans! We can all play a part in their survival. Here are a few simple yet impactful ways to lend a helping hand: Plant Bee-Friendly Gardens: Ditch the manicured lawn and embrace a wildflower haven! Native plants provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen throughout the season, unlike…
- Education, Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Native Plants, News, Plants, Showcase, Texas Superstar, Tips, Trees & Shrubs, Vegetables
Embrace the Beauty of Texas Superstars this Fall
Do you need help choosing plants for your landscaping needs? Are you looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives in our Texas climate? Consider incorporating Texas Superstar plants into your landscape! These plants have been rigorously tested by Texas A&M AgriLife Research to ensure their superior performance in our challenging conditions. Fall is an ideal time for planting in Texas since the cooler temperatures reduce stress on the plant’s root system leading to more rapid root growth and ultimately a healthier plant. We suggest that gardeners follow the Earth-Kind® principles when planting a Texas Superstar® or any other desirable plant. These principles provide recommendations for plant placement, soil, spacing,…
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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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Best Wildflower Trail of Texas Bluebonnets
Willow City Loop is an awe-inspiring, historic 13-mile scenic drive (map) through the picturesque rugged Texas Hill Country landscape. The iconic loop located north of Fredericksburg, TX is the quintessential display for Texas wildflower exhibition, especially known for the blankets of beloved Texas bluebonnet and ever popular Indian paintbrush. Keep in mind, the stunning Willow City Loop wildflower showcase usually peaks in spring at the end of March, first of April. The fields are colorfully painted with wildflowers combined with rolling hills, craggy escarpments, and a beautiful canyon carved by Coal Creek. The landscape is colorfully highlighted with an assortment of distinctive native live oak, pecan, and mesquite trees. Other…
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Pick Plants that Survive in our Extreme Texas Weather
What are the best native and adapted plants to use in central Texas that can tolerate extremes of heat and cold, drought and deluge? Find out when the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Travis County kicks off the 2024 Texas Tough Plants webinar series with Native and Adapted Plants for Central Texas and Wild About Plants, February 21st, 10 am to noon. Texas Tough Plants Webinar Series: FEB 21: Native and Adapted Plants for Central Texas and Wild About Plants MAR 20: Native Landscapes for Wildlife APR 10: Trees Your Landscape Legacy MAY 8: 6 D’s of Container Gardening Success Those interested must register in advance to receive a link to the…
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Be Water Wise and Build a Rain Garden
Rain gardens are a great way to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and add beauty to your yard. They are shallow, vegetated depressions that are designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff and are especially beneficial in areas like Central Texas, a region that is prone to flooding. Here are some easy steps to create a rain garden in your yard: Choose a location. The best location for a rain garden is in a low-lying area that is close to your home’s downspouts. This will help to ensure that the rain garden captures as much stormwater runoff as possible. Prepare the soil. The soil in the rain garden should be…
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Ten Native Plants You Can Eat
With these native plants, you can feed wildlife and enjoy the fruits of your labor during holiday meals and other times. It’s hard to imagine a Thanksgiving meal in New England without the traditional dollop of cranberry sauce. For many southerners, holiday celebrations would be incomplete without a bowl of warm persimmon pudding. We may not think of these fruits as being as “American as apple pie,” but in fact both were flourishing on this continent long before early European settlers imported the first apples to our shores. Cranberries, persimmons and other native fruits are among the true American native originals. They’re also the epitome of “locally grown.” As we…
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2023 Earth-Kind Field Day
Join us at the 2023 Earth-Kind Field Day this spring! Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Travis County Master Gardeners announce their spring 2023 Earth-Kind Gardening Field Day to be held Saturday, March 25th from 9 am to 1 pm at the Travis County AgriLife Extension office located at 1600 Smith Road, Austin, TX 78721 (map). Parking is available along Smith Road. The event is free and open to the public. The spring 2023 theme is Container Gardening 101 – for indoor and outdoor gardening. The first 100 attendees will receive a free 5.5″ eco-container and saucer. Workshops will teach participants about houseplant care, growing ornamentals or vegetables in pots,…
