Tips
-
Winter in the Garden – 2024 Edition
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…
-
December in the Garden – 2023 Edition
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…
-
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…
-
November in the Garden – 2023 Edition
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…
-
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…
-
October in the Garden – 2023 Edition
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…
-
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.…
-
September in the Garden – 2023 Edition
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…
-
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…
-
August in the Garden – 2023 Edition
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…
