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Tag Archives: How to Garden in Austin
March Plant Clinic at Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market
Master Gardener March Plant Clinic at Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market The Master Gardeners at the Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market March Plant Clinic can answer questions on tree trimming, vegetable gardening, landscaping small spaces, butterfly gardening, the best plants for the Austin area, fertilizers, and pest management. 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 Adapted Landscape Plants Guide along with other timely Grow Green FAQ sheets. Grow Green… Read More →
February Plant Clinic at Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market
Master Gardener February Plant Clinic at Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market The Master Gardeners at the Sunset Valley SFC Farmers Market February Plant Clinic can answer questions on tree trimming, vegetable gardening, landscaping small spaces, butterfly gardening, the best plants for the Austin area, fertilizers, and pest management. 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 Adapted Landscape Plants Guide along with other timely Grow Green FAQ sheets. Grow Green… Read More →
What’s Happening in Austin’s December Vegetable Garden
December Vegetable Garden Checklist by Paula Wolfel The short lived cold front that passed through a few weeks ago definitely teased Austinites. My basil plants took a beating and my summer squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes that were already struggling from the drought did not survive. But my eggplant and peppers are still going strong, so I face the struggle of every Austin gardener: when do you call it quits and move on to the next season!? Hopefully by now you have your brassicas, root vegetables, and leafy greens… Read More →
How to Choose Vegetable Varieties
Have you ever found yourself at a garden center, staring at a rack of seeds or a table full of transplants and wondering how to choose vegetable varieties for your garden? The many selections at nurseries and online can seem a bit overwhelming, and ending up with plants you don’t need can be costly. The following tips may help with the decision making. Plan Before You Buy Assess your garden situation, considering the space you have, the time you can devote to tending plants, as well as the… Read More →
In Austin’s October Vegetable Garden
Fall Finally Arrives in the October Vegetable Garden I am so thankful for fall weather. Shorter days and cool mornings have brought back the gardening enthusiasm that the relentless heat of summer usually drains. That small stretch of rain we had last month really helped too. If you haven’t already, take advantage of the mild, frost-free weather this month and get cole crops, root crops, greens, and garlic established in the garden. Try Garlic This Year Garlic makes a great addition to any garden as long as you… 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 →
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 →