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Ever wondered how to grow bluebonnets, collect rainwater or create a garden that attracts wildlife? The articles listed below contain a wealth of information that will help you transform your yard into a Native Plant landscape.

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Gardening Timeline

When to do seasonal tasks in your garden: A timeline

December-January

  • Stockpile leaves to use in compost and mulch through spring and summer.
  • Move or introduce robust seedlings outdoors.
  • Prepare soil-add compost, deep till, soil test to determine any other needed ingredients.
  • Clear out expired plants.
  • Water everything well before a freeze.

February

  • Continue soil preparation for spring: add compost, deep till, soil test.
  • Water everything well before an expected freeze.
  • Divide and transplant perennial summer and fall herbaceous bloomers.

March

  • Prune shrubs and trees that flower in spring.
  • Plant seeds: echinacea and sunflower
  • Plant plants: Butterfly weed, lantana, liatris, spiderwort, gaillardia.

April

  • Transplant container-grown plants into ground.
  • Plant summer annuals.
  • Spread coffee beneath plants that like acidic conditions.

May

  • Mulch bare soil to retain moisture in the ground.

June-July

  • Keep mulch on all uncovered soil. By adding a 2-4" layer of organic material to the surface of the beds around your plants (or mulching), you will conserve water, and fend off some weeds.
  • Let the land live... give it a rest; do not try to manipulate it beyond its capabilities...
  • Plan and prepare beds for fall garden.
  • If you water, do so deeply but infrequently. Consider drip irrigation, "the controlled slow application of water to soil," for watering all but lawns.
  • Plant Indian blanket (Gaillardia) from seed.

August

  • Continue to prepare your soil by adding compost.
  • Mow unwanted grasses and forbs to keep them from producing seeds.
  • Put out seeds. Start fall plants inside or in a temperature-controlled or cool greenhouse (then you can transplant them later when the weather is not so hot that it will shock new transplants).

September-October

  • Continue to plant fall season plants and transplants.
  • Irrigate the ground before planting plants and seeds. (alternately you can wait for fall rains.)
  • Mulch new transplants ~2 inches thick.
  • Turn and toss your compost pile from time to time to keep it moist and decomposing.
  • Plant wildflower seeds.

November

  • Stockpile leaves to use in compost and mulch through spring and summer.

Throughout the year

  • Compost is recommended for everyone everywhere. It is a good way to recycle spare organic waste bits and use them to nourish plants and provide supplementary richness.
 

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