NOW (March) is the time to plant seeds and transplants in your gardens and landscapes; don't wait! You must plant now so the plants have time to strengthen their root systems and establish themselves before the HOT Texas heat is abundant.
We are in ZONE 8b here in Central Texas so be sure to only buy seeds and transplants that are suitable for this area, otherwise you are wasting your money and not setting yourself up for success.
Click HERE for a clear and easy to read planting guide for our area in Central Texas, produced by Texas A&M.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and peppers are some vegetables you want to get going right now. Have you heard of "phytonutrient gardening?" Most of the vegetable varieties we have available to us in the grocery store are no longer very nutritional, because of pesticides and soil depletion; even the organic vegetables are not as good as they could be.
Have you ever heard of an "Armenian Cucumber" or "Malabar Spinach"? . . .these are just two of the many extra nutrient-rich vegetable varieties available to you through seed - you just have to look for them.
Joe Urbach provides an awesome resource for "Phytonutrient Gardening;" find out more HERE.
Now is also the time to plant beautiful, native Texas flowering plants to enhance the look of your landscape and provide nectar and pollen for pollinators like honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Having pollinators in your garden will help your vegetables to produce, on average, 20% more!
There are a variety of lovely and colorful tough plants that you won't have to "babysit," because they are known as "Texas Superstars!" Check out more HERE.
A few of my favorites include: Yellow Bell Esperanza, Blue Plumbago and Salvia - these colorful and strong plants come back year after year (perennials) and offer so much color and depth to my landscape, plus the honey bees, hummingbirds and butterflies LOVE them and it's fun to watch them busily collect pollen and nectar (especially the hummingbirds!).
I'm actively enrolled in the Hays County Master Gardener course and am learning SO much! Please connect with me if you have questions or need help with your spring plantings.
With love, Victoria Peterson 512 695 8923 RealtorRVictoria@gmail.com
