-
ALL STAFF AT TRAVIS COUNTY AGRILIFE EXTENSION OFFICE ARE TELEWORKING
Please click here for how to get in touch.
For disaster recovery information, please see the Extension Disaster Education Network.
Tag Archives: vegetables
In the August Vegetable Garden with Patty Leander
Transition Time in the August Vegetable Garden August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden as we clean up the remnants from summer and plan and prep for the milder days that will come. The first frost in Central Texas usually arrives in late November or early December which means we have over 3 months of frost-free weather ahead. Many gardeners concentrate on the array of cool season vegetables that thrive in fall’s cooler temperatures though there is also time for a fresh planting of green beans,… Read More →
In the July Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
It’s Time to Take a Break in the July Vegetable Garden For most gardeners July is a slow month in the vegetable garden, some might call it a dormant season. The heat and lack of rain can adversely affect growth and pollination, so after the tomato harvest winds down, the beans peter out and the squash succumbs to heat and pests, it’s a good time to take a break and focus on the upcoming fall season. Start Planning the Fall Garden Check your seed inventory and peruse seed… Read More →
In Austin’s May Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
Hurray for the May vegetable garden! The rush of spring planting has passed, the chance for unexpected cold snaps is over and we are headed toward summer and the much-anticipated vegetable harvest. May Vegetable Garden Checklist WATER Conserve water by using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver moisture to the root zone and avoid overhead watering which may encourage disease. If you have automatic irrigation, be sure to turn it off when rain is in the forecast. FERTILIZE Help vegetable plantings along by providing consistent moisture and… Read More →
In the February Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
Last Chance to Plant Cool Season Vegetables Your February garden checklist should include your last opportunity to plant cool season vegetables. They need to have a chance to mature before the arrival of hot weather. It’s also a time for hard decisions. If we fill our garden beds with broccoli, lettuce and carrots this month, where will we put tomatoes, green beans and squash next month? With the exception of quick-growing radishes and mesclun greens, the vegetables we plant in February will take 2-3 months to reach harvest… Read More →
The 2021 Drought to Deluge Austin Gardening Programs
Learn from Gardening Experts If you’re gardening in Austin, sometimes it feels like everything is conspiring against you. The weather, the soil, the topography, and the number of pests and diseases can overwhelm even the most experienced gardener. Help is on the way! Travis County Texas A&M AgriLife will be hosting several programs in 2021 to help Austin area gardeners be more successful. Topics range from Planning and Design to Vegetable Gardening. The program features experts from Texas A&M University, AgriLife Extension, Travis County Master Gardeners, and the… Read More →
In the January 2021 Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
Keep Gardening! Happy New Year! Interest in growing and eating vegetables blossomed during the COVID shutdown last year. I’m hoping that everyone who started a vegetable garden during the pandemic will keep it going. Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet for everyone, no matter who you are or how old you are. There are many benefits for everyone to gain from a plant strong diet. Eating vegetables safeguards our health, the process of growing them contributes to our movement and physical activity, and cultivating a… Read More →
In the December Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
Time for Greens and Pomegranates Your December garden checklist is here and ‘tis the season for fresh broccoli, cauliflower, hearty greens, delicious citrus…and pomegranates! It’s hard to resist the beautiful pomegranates available this time of year. The ruby red arils add a pop of color and a little tangy sweetness to salads, pilafs, or even sprinkled atop a dish of Christmas guacamole. If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you’ve undoubtedly noticed pomegranates prominently displayed in the produce section. Or perhaps you are lucky enough to have… Read More →
In the November Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
So long, mosquitoes! One of the reasons that the November vegetable garden is so wonderful is because most pests tend to fade away this time of year. The one I am happiest to see go is the mosquito. It’s hard to think of anything that sucks the joy out of being outside more than a single, determined mosquito. Good riddance. I hope their annoying buzz and bite is waning in your outdoor environment as well. Add Flowers to Your November Vegetable Garden The transition to cool season vegetables… Read More →
In the Fall Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
October is for Establishing the Fall Vegetable Garden By October the fall vegetable garden should be rocking and rolling! The arrival of fall in Central Texas brings cooler temperatures and the potential for more dependable precipitation, both of which revive the pleasure of vegetable gardening. This is the best month to get cool season vegetables in the ground and growing vigorously before cold weather sets in. Remember that vegetables need sunlight to thrive. Lettuce, arugula and other leafy greens may produce adequately in less than full sun conditions… Read More →
In the Vegetable Garden by Patty Leander
Time for the Fall Vegetable Garden! Another triple degree summer is thankfully coming to an end which means it’s time to get the fall vegetable garden underway. There may still be a few scorchers ahead but at some point this month we’ll see a slight shift in the weather as nighttime temperatures g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y start to cool off making it more feasible to plant seeds and transplants, especially if you provide some type of shade cover for new plantings. The average first frost in Central Texas can be expected… Read More →