The average last frost date in Austin (Austin Bergstrom) is March 3. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/html/avgfrzdates.htm

Plant vegetable seeds: Beets, Broccoli, Carrot, Swiss Chard, Collards, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsnip, Peas, Seed Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabaga, Spinach, Shallot, Turnips.

Start tomato & pepper seeds indoors. See January To-Do list for more info.

Plant potatoes. Look for certified disease-free seed potatoes.

Plant vegetable plants: Artichoke and Asparagus crowns, Asian greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onion sets, Spinach

Plant herbs: All hardy perennial herbs, such as Chives, Oregano, and Thyme; and cool-season annuals or biennials such as Dill, Fennel, and Parsley. Be sure Dill and Fennel are watered and protected before any freezes.

Plant annual flower/ornamental seeds: Sweet Alyssum, Calendula, Cosmos, Monkey Flower, Nasturtium, Petunia, Salvia.

Plant annual flower/ornamental plants: African Daisy, Alyssum, Balloon Flower, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Calendula, Centaurea, English Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Forget-Me-Not, Larkspur, Lobelia, Nasturtium, Pansy, Drummond’s Phlox, Poppy, Snapdragon, Stock, Viola (Johnny Jump-Up).
Plant perennial plants: There are so many perennials to choose from, depending on the situation. Choose Ruellia, Turk’s Cap, or Yarrow for shady areas. Four-Nerve Daisy, Salvia greggii, and Echinacea are just a few choices for full sun.

Plant ground covers and borders.

Plant strawberries. Plant in the first week of the month for the best production.

Last chance to plant bare root fruit trees, berries, and grapes. Talk to our staff, and pick up our handout “Planting & Maintenance Guide for Fruits, Nuts, and Berries.” The soil should be prepared first, and it is important to choose the right varieties for your specific area.

Transplant perennials and other landscape plants, as needed.

Prepare garden beds for the spring!

Work in some compost and organic fertilizer to vegetable and flower beds in advance of planting time. Choose from Lady Bug brand All-American Turkey, Farm Style Dairy, and Revitalizer Composts. At the same time, adding Lady Bug 8-2-4, Garden Pep Cottonseed Meal, or Flower Power organic fertilizer will boost growth and production in any planting. Add a mineral source, such as Lady Bug Glittering Greensand, if you haven’t done so recently. Greensand can be added about once a year.

Prune roses on or around Valentine’s Day.

Last chance to apply corn gluten! Apply corn gluten as a pre-emergent weed killer in early February (mid February at the latest).

At all costs, avoid the chemical pre-emergent herbicides. They are among the most toxic substances you can buy – for you, your children, your pets, your neighbors, and our drinking water! Corn gluten is a natural pre-emergent which should be broadcast at a rate of 20 pounds per 1000 square feet. A drop spreader works best. Corn gluten supplies 9% nitrogen, too! The suppression of seed sprouting lasts about six weeks. Remember also that using exclusively organic fertilizers, yearly application of good manure compost, and enhancing the overall health of your soil can prevent and/or eliminate most weed problems.

Spray apple, peach, pear, and plum trees with an organic fungicide when you see the flower buds begin to swell. Try Compost Tea, Potassium Bicarbonate, or Serenade as the least toxic choices. Copper has been traditionally recommended as the organic choice at this time, but it is extremely toxic.

Water! See November To-Do list for more information on winter watering.

Continue to protect tender plants, especially new seedlings, before a freeze.

Have a soil test done. We recommend Texas Plant and Soil Lab (http://www.tpsl.biz) in Edinburg, TX. They can be reached at (956) 383-0739.

Recycle your old phone books: Look for the phone book recycling dumpsters at your local grocery store, such as H.E.B.
 
(Thanks to the Travis County Master Gardener Association’s Garden Guide for Austin and Vicinity and the staff of the Natural Gardener for some of this month’s tips.)

Tags: Outdoors, Yard