Showcase
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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…
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Birdbaths Help Wildlife Beat the Heat
Want to help feathered friends beat the heat? Get a birdbath. A well-placed, properly maintained birdbath can be a vital resource for birds and other wildlife, and needn’t attract mosquitoes. Record temperatures, drought, smoky air and loss of habitat make it increasingly difficult for feathered and other winged creatures in urban and suburban areas to find the water they need. But there’s a simple way that humans can help them out: install a birdbath. “A source of clean, fresh water can be one of the hardest things for birds to find,” said Kim Eierman, an environmental horticulturist and the founder of EcoBeneficial, an ecological landscape design firm, who teaches at the New York…
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Fall into Vegetable Gardening in Autumn
Autumn is a great time to start a vegetable garden in Lakeway. The weather is cooler and less humid, which makes it ideal for growing a variety of crops. Fall vegetables tend to be more productive than spring vegetables in our area. Here are a few tips for success: Choose the right crops. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and Swiss chard are all good options. Prepare your soil. Amend your soil with compost or manure before planting. Space your plants properly. Follow the spacing instructions on the seed packet or plant tag. Water regularly, especially during dry spells.…
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Gardening in an Exceptional Drought
An exceptional drought is a period of unusually dry weather that is significantly longer and more severe than a normal drought. These droughts can have a devastating impact on plants, animals, and ecosystems. 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 July, we continue to have a high pressure dome reside over Texas, causing those triple-digit temps and no sign of significant rain. If you are gardening in an exceptional drought, it is important to take extra…
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Let’s Grow: Pollinator Gardens for Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies are a beautiful and important part of our natural world in Central Texas. They are also in decline, due to habitat loss and other factors. One way to help monarch butterflies is to plant a pollinator garden. A pollinator garden is a garden that is designed to attract and support pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Pollinators are essential for the health of our planet, as they help to pollinate plants, which is essential for food production. Below is a great pollinator plant chart (PDF – printer version) that you can print and take with you to your local garden nursery to pick out your selections. When…
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Saving your Vegetable Seeds for Next Year
Many of the vegetables we grow in our gardens produce seeds, which, if harvested and stored correctly, have the potential to grace us with free plants. And late summer is the perfect time to start collecting them. Heirlooms versus Hybrids Make sure the plants from which you’re collecting seeds are heirloom, or open-pollinated, varieties. These are plants in their original forms whose seeds will produce plants with the same qualities as their parent. Hybrid varieties, on the other hand, are created by breeding two or more different types to capture the best qualities of each. Attempting to grow seeds collected from hybrids will yield a harvest of disappointment, as 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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Planting “Deer Resistant” Flower Gardens in Central Texas
Deer are a common sight in Lakeway and Central Texas, and they can be a nuisance to gardeners. They love to eat young transplants of all kinds and will often nibble on most plants to “test” them out even if they are considered “deer resistant”. But if you’re looking for ways to keep deer out of your flower beds, there are a few things you can do. One option is to plant native deer resistant flowers. There are many different types of deer resistant flowers available, so you can find ones that will fit your garden style. Some popular deer resistant flowers for Central Texas include: Black-eyed Susans Bluebonnets Coneflowers…