
AUSTIN, TEXAS, WEATHER
Typical Temperature for Austin, Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS, GARDENING ZONE
SOIL IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

TIPS FOR VEGETABLE GARDENING IN AUSTIN YEAR ROUND

Central Texas Monthly Planting Guide
Take all the guesswork out of your seasonal planting.
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VEGETABLE GARDENING IN AUSTIN’S COOL SEASON
Late November through mid March are the ideal months to grow crops that love cooler weather (and that can handle the occasional frost). Every February or so, I’m reminded what a privilege it is that we’re already planting and growing, instead of waiting for spring to finally garden.
Vegetables like carrots, lettuces, spinach, and radishes germinate best in cool temperatures. If frost is anticipated, most other crops will need to be covered for protection. Learn more about how to protect your plants from Texas cold snaps.
Early February is typically the time when Austin gardeners start seeds for our upcoming growing season indoors so that they’ll be ready to transplant outdoors in 6 to 8 weeks, just after our final frost date in mid March. (Check out our seed starting guide for more tips on getting a head start with your plants.)

VEGETABLE GARDENING IN AUSTIN’S WARM SEASONS
From mid March to June is Austin’s first of two warm seasons. This is when Austinites can grow quintessential kitchen garden fruits and veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, beans, and more.
Even though we often get more rain in spring, it’s important to check regularly on your vegetable garden and add supplemental water when the soil is dry to maintain plant health.
We get a second chance to grow these warm-season favorites in the fall when we enjoy our second warm season from September to November.

VEGETABLE GARDENING IN AUSTIN’S HOT SEASON
Trying to grow a plant that doesn’t tolerate heat during Austin’s summer months would be as futile as trying to grow one that hates cold during winter in Canada. We can continue gardening through even the hottest months, but only if we select plants appropriate for this climate.
Plants that can take the heat include arugula, eggplant, okra, hot peppers, sweet potatoes, and watermelons. (Read up on the easiest plants to grow over summer.)
During this time, it’s important to water deeply and regularly to prevent plants from being stressed and to give plants some shade using shade cloths. Explore our other tips for summer gardening in Texas.

LETTUCE HELP YOU GROW
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS MONTHLY PLANTING GUIDE

I just bought Walmart seeds for cosmos flowers, cucumber, carrots, and okra. I also bought a live seed for strawberries and I would like to know how often you recommend I water them weekly
For seeds you need to keep the soil moist until they sprout and then check the soil moisture an inch down (usually your first knuckle on your pointer finger) to see if it’s dry or needs more water. You want the soil moist like a rung out sponge. It hard to say how much water per week because sun, wind exposure is different for every location. Take time to observe your garden area so you can be better aware of its watering needs.