Showcase
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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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Grow Big in a Small Space: The Magic of Square Foot Gardening
Dreaming of a bountiful harvest but limited on space? Look no further than square foot gardening (SFG)! This revolutionary method, developed by Mel Bartholomew, allows you to maximize your yield in even the tiniest of balconies or patios. What is Square Foot Gardening? Imagine your garden bed divided into a grid of 1-foot by 1-foot squares. Each square becomes its own mini-ecosystem, planted with specific vegetables, herbs, or flowers according to their spacing needs. This eliminates wasted space and allows for intensive planting. Benefits of Square Foot Gardening: High Yields: SFG utilizes a special, lightweight soil mix that promotes healthy growth, leading to impressive harvests from a compact area. Low…
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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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Cultivate Longevity: Your Guide to Blue Zone Gardening
After our Lakeway Garden Club Spring mixer last week, we had many requests to share more information about Blue Zone gardening. Enjoy! Have you ever wondered what the secret is to a long and healthy life? Look no further than the Blue Zones! These five regions around the world – Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Loma Linda (California), and Okinawa (Japan) – boast populations with exceptional longevity. And one key element they all share? A deep connection to gardening. Here’s why you should consider incorporating Blue Zone gardening into your life: Move Naturally: Gardening isn’t just about planting seeds. It involves weeding, watering, harvesting – all activities that…
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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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When to Prune Roses in Central Texas
It’s the season of love, and in Central Texas, that means showing affection to your roses, too! Pruning your rose bushes around Valentine’s Day is crucial for encouraging those stunning blooms you crave. So, grab your pruners (and maybe some heart-shaped chocolates for yourself), because it’s time to learn the art of the rose-loving snip. Why Prune Now? While Valentine’s Day might seem like an arbitrary date, it actually aligns perfectly with central Texas’ rose dormancy period. Pruning while roses are slumbering avoids damaging new growth and ensures they wake up energized for spring. Don’t worry, this tough love will result in more blooms, better air circulation, and healthier plants…
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Texas A&M AgriLife hosts Monthly Open Houses in 2024
Join Us in the Texas A&M AgriLife Demo Garden for our monthly Open House! The first Friday morning of every month is designated as a FREE open house for the Texas A&M AgriLife Earth-Kind Demonstration Garden at 1600 Smith Road, Austin. You’ll be able to visit the garden and speak with the Travis County Master Gardener volunteers who maintain it as well as get your gardening questions answered by the Plant Clinic staff. Each month will also feature some sort of demonstration or workshop that deep dive into subject areas. See monthly topics below. Monthly Topics January 5th – Tree Trimming February 2nd – Houseplant University March 1st – Rose…
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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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How to Make a Yard Appealing to Birds
To make your yard appealing to birds, transform it into a thriving ecosystem rather than just a manicured garden. Replace conventional lawns, often referred to as “green deserts,” with native plant species that provide essential resources for birds. Focus on creating a haven that caters to the “big four for birds”: nesting sites, protective cover, natural food sources, and clean water. Here’s some recommendations: Emulate the layers found in a local, natural ecosystem. In Central Texas, where the natural landscape is characterized by a mix of grasslands, woodlands, and riparian areas, recreate this diverse ecosystem in your garden. Incorporate a variety of native plants that mimic the natural layers of…
