Don’t let the hot summers of Central Texas scare you when it comes to gardening. Dripping Springs, in many ways, is ideal for gardening, so long as you know what to plant, when to plant, and how to plant.
It Starts with Soil
Any veteran gardener will tell you that a garden is only as good as the soil it’s planted in. The Texas Hill Country has an alkaline-rich soil that can be relatively thin. This means that you’re likely going to need to put in a little bit of work if you want your soil to be fertile ground.
- Start by tilling up the topsoil
- Then layer in around 4 inches of organic compost
- Finally, add an 8-2-4 fertilizer to inject a healthy dose of nitrogen into the soil
This will help with creating a healthy soil that’s ideal for vegetables like okra and carrots, flowers such as lantana and petunias, and trees like crape myrtles or Mexican buckeye.
Wise Watering
Texas heat and the slope of your yard can all impact the watering situation of your garden, so be smart about how and when you water.
New shrubs and flowers should be watered daily for at least the first two weeks, while newly planted trees generally need to be watered daily for around three weeks. It’s best to water these plants at the base of the soil and make sure the soil is well-saturated so the water seeps down to the roots.
You should also avoid watering in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest. The sun’s hot rays will dry up any water and may even scorch wet leaves or delicate flowers. If you’re going to be using an irrigation system, be sure to set a timer to avoid overwatering.
Container Planting
Turning one’s yard into a garden oasis is a dream of many gardeners, but it also requires a lot of work. Planting a container garden is far easier and can still create a beautiful effect on a front porch or back patio.
Container gardens are typically found in either hanging baskets, sitting pots, or window boxes, and many of the same aspects of in-ground gardens still apply.
Good soil is key, and a bag of potting soil generally does the trick. Before you go dumping the soil in, though, you’ll want to ensure your container has drainage holes, and you may even want to add some rocks in the bottom to help with drainage.
It’s also important that you choose the right plant for the right container size, as some plants tend to overcrowd others.
Seasonal Planting
The Texas Hill Country falls in gardening zones 8a and 8b, meaning that gardeners have a lot of options. There’s a variety of vegetables that can be planted in our area from the spring up through even early winter.
One of our favorite local nurseries is Moon Valley Nurseries. The experts there will be able to steer you in the right direction whether you’re looking to plant summer pumpkins, fall lettuce, or spring tulips.
It’s easy to see how the natural beauty surrounding the Caliterra community can inspire residents to want to cultivate their green thumb. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home here, contact us today.
