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Tag Archives: How to Garden in Austin
What’s Happening in Austin’s August Vegetable Garden
Stay Hydrated and Keep the August Vegetable Garden Going – Tips from Paula Wolfel August is an interesting time for gardeners in Austin. Vegetable gardens consist of plants that have survived or are surviving the heat but have dormant and empty spots from plants that succumbed to high temperatures or pests and diseases. For those who have tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, melons, and cucumbers that are still going strong, continue to water daily and to provide a water-soluble fertilizer once a week. If you’ve got empty spots or… Read More →
Plant Clinic at Leaf Landscape North
Master Gardener Plant Clinic at Leaf Landscape Supply North The Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the Leaf Landscape North can answer questions on container gardening, composting, the best plants for the Austin area, lawn care, fertilizers, pest management, landscaping challenges, growing vegetables, and native plants. Look for their table at the Leaf Landscape Supply North, 13292 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78729. In addition to sharing their experience and training, several publications are on hand for you to review or take with you. You’ll find the Native and… Read More →
Cutworms by Wizzie Brown
It’s That Time of Year for Cutworm Damage Granulate cutworms are damaging in the immature, or larval stage. Cutworms can cut plant seedlings stems off at the soil level and on older plants they can climb the plant and feed on foliage or fruit. Young larvae skeletonize leaves while older larvae eat holes in foliage, feed on the surface of fruit, or burrow into fruit. Larvae are nocturnal, which may make it difficult to discover the culprit of plant damage. You may need to inspect the garden at… Read More →
Plant Clinic at Leaf Landscape North
Master Gardener Plant Clinic at Leaf Landscape Supply North The Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the Leaf Landscape North can answer questions on self-watering containers, composting, the best plants for the Austin area, lawn care, fertilizers, pest management, landscaping challenges, growing vegetables, and native plants. Look for their table at the Leaf Landscape Supply North, 13292 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78729. In addition to sharing their experience and training, several publications are on hand for you to review or take with you. You’ll find the Native and… Read More →
Master Gardener Plant Clinic at Wells Branch Community Library
Master Gardener Plant Clinic at Wells Branch Community Library The Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the Wells Branch Community Library can answer questions on the best plants for the Austin area, lawn care, fertilizers, pest management, worm composting, landscaping challenges, vegetable gardens, and native plants. Look for their table at the Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin, TX 78728. In addition to sharing their experience and training, several publications are on hand for you to review or take with you. You’ll find the Native and… Read More →
Free Soil Testing for Gardeners
Austin Food Gardeners, get the scoop on your dirt at the Austin Soil Kitchen! Free food garden soil screening for heavy metals and testing for pH and nutrients for people living in the city of Austin. Soil from your Austin home, school or community food garden is eligible. See the step-by-step process for preparing your same and more here: Soil Kitchen | AustinTexas.gov How to Take a Sample for Free Soil Testing Gather a garden trowel, one quart-sized zip-top plastic bag, a permanent marker, a measuring cup and… Read More →
Austin’s December Vegetable Garden by Paula Wolfel
Hooray for Rain! Gardening slows down a bit during this month. As predicted, some of us had our first freeze a few weeks ago, as well as lots of rain!! So hopefully all preparations were made last month for the lower temperatures, and the rain reduced irrigations needs. Make sure you continue to protect all new transplants from freeze and their first frost in the December vegetable garden. If the temperatures fall below 28 degrees then cover your plants, securing them with soil, bricks, rocks, or pins. In… Read More →
Help Overwintering Insects by Wizzie Brown
Provide Shelter for Overwintering Insects If you want to help increase the survival of overwintering insects these next few months, there are some things you can do to provide them with shelter during colder times of the year. Why Bother? First of all, why should you provide shelter for overwintering insects? Not all insects are pests! It is estimated that less than 5% of insect species are considered pests which means the majority of insects are beneficial or just hanging around the landscape. Any of you that have… Read More →
Austin’s November Vegetable Garden By Paula Wolfel
Although the daytime temperatures may not indicate it, Fall has arrived for Austin’s November Vegetable Garden. It’s that goofy time of year where you are finally enjoying your summer garden and yet preparing for the first frost. According to National Weather Service, the average first frost in Austin is November 29th. Thinking Ahead: Preparation for the First Frost We know it’s coming, so make preparations now so that you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Two things you can do right now is to mulch around all your… Read More →
Last Chance for Fall Plant Cuttings
Take Herbaceous Plant Cuttings Now October is a great time to take plant cuttings of your favorite perennials to propagate in your greenhouse or home over the winter. Propagating your own plants now helps to preserve plants that might be lost in the upcoming freezes and is a source of free plants for spring planting. Eight Steps for Successful Plant Propagation Propagation Medium The first thing you need is the right medium to root your cuttings in. Aeration, drainage and ability to hold moisture are all important characteristics… Read More →