Guides to Plant Care

This is Austin’s best growing season—mild temperatures, fewer pests, and long harvest windows. Garden Tasks Replant warm-season crops for fall harvest in early September: Tomatoes, peppers, squash Restart cool-season crops in October–November. Refresh soil with compost after summer exhaustion. Watch for fall armyworms in early fall. Veggies to Plant in the Fall? Warm-season (early September): Tomatoes: ‘Sweet 100’, ‘Celebrity’ (cherry tomatoes do best) Peppers: shishitos, pob

Austin summers are intense, and most plants struggle. Focus on survival, soil health, and heat-adapted crops. Garden Tasks • Water deeply and infrequently • Aim for 1–1.5 inches/week. • Water early morning only. • Provide shade cloth (30–50%) for heat-stressed veggies. • Remove bolted plants to prevent pests. • Cut back tomatoes/peppers in late July for a fall flush. Veggies That Actually Grow Well in Austin Summer • Okra: ‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Jambalaya’ • Sweet pota

This is the big push for warm-season crops. Austin warms fast—plant early for best results. Find out when the last frost is, and base the planting on that date! Garden Tasks Finish planting before temps consistently hit 90°F (usually mid-May). Harden off indoor seedlings before transplanting. Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses—critical for Austin’s heat. Begin pest monitoring for: Cabbage loopers Aphids Squash vine borers (lay eggs April–June) Mulch heavily to keep soil c

There's still plenty to do in the wintertime! Here's what you can get started on while it's too cold to plant anything; Prep beds and soil Add 2–3” of compost to empty beds. Test soil every 1–2 years; Austin soil tends to be alkaline. Protect from freezes Keep frost cloth on hand (1–2°F freeze cloth for light freezes, 4–6°F greenhouse cloth for hard freezes). Mulch deeply—this stabilizes soil temps and conserves moisture even in winter. Start seeds indoors (late January–Febru

Here are some straightforward tips to maintian your garden organically and ensure the maximum amount of blooms/fruits! Soil Care in Central Texas Add compost every season—Austin’s clay-heavy, alkaline soil benefits from constant organic matter. Avoid over-tilling; this destroys soil structure. Use mulch year-round: wood chips, straw, leaves. Watering Use drip irrigation + mulch. Try to water deeply, not daily, unless establishing seedlings. Avoid overhead watering to reduce f

Wondering what to do this month in the garden to stay on top of the cleanup? Check out this simple monthly task guide! January–February: Plant onions, greens; start tomatoes indoors March: Plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans April: Last chance for cucumbers, melons, corn May: Heat hits—mulch heavily June–August : Okra, sweet potatoes, cowpeas thrive September: Plant fall tomatoes, beans, squash October–November : Plant cool-season veggies December : Protect from freezes; r