Wondering what to focus on in your Central Texas garden in early January? In this episode of The ATXGardens Podcast, landscape consultant Colleen Dieter shares timely tips on freeze prep, winter weeds, sheet mulching, pruning, and planting bare root fruit trees the right way. Learn how chill hours affect fruit production, when to water during winter, and what tasks now will set you up for spring success. A must-listen for Austin and Central Texas gardeners who want practical, season-specific guidance.

**Find full show notes, product links, and upcoming event info at www.atxgardens.com/podcast

Want to keep your Central Texas garden thriving through December? In this episode, Colleen shares exactly what to do in the second half of the month—from identifying winter weeds to choosing the right fruit tree varieties and protecting tender plants from freezes. You’ll also learn why December is the perfect time for pruning certain trees, starting cool-season perennials, and planning your spring vegetable garden. Whether you're a beginner or a longtime Austin gardener, this episode gives you practical, region-specific tips to stay one step ahead of the season. Tune in and garden smarter this winter!

**Find full show notes, product links, and upcoming event info at www.atxgardens.com/podcast

Wondering what to do in your Austin or Central Texas garden in early December? In this episode, landscape consultant and certified arborist Colleen Dieter shares your essential mid-winter gardening checklist—from winter weed control and fruit tree prep to when (and when not) to prune. You'll also hear a real client story about transforming a suburban lawn into a thriving pollinator garden using sheet mulching. Plus, Colleen breaks down what to plant now, how to protect sensitive plants from freezes, and why December is ideal for planning next year’s garden projects. A must-listen for Central Texas gardeners who want timely, region-specific advice.

**Find full show notes, product links, and upcoming event info at www.atxgardens.com/podcast

Welcome back to The ATXGardens Podcast! In this episode, landscape consultant and certified arborist Colleen Dieter walks you through what to do in your Central Texas garden during the second half of November—from composting basics to cold protection for fruit trees and citrus.

This week, Colleen shares why composting is easiest right now, which trees and shrubs to plant before winter, how to prep citrus for freezes, and the must-know watering advice for recently transplanted native perennials. She also explains what gardeners can still plant safely in late November across veggies, herbs, bulbs, and cool-season annuals.

Whether you’re navigating early freezes, planning winter soil care, or deciding what to plant before it gets too cold, this episode is packed with practical, local guidance.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why late November is ideal for starting compost—and how to keep it simple
• The best woody plants to add now (trees, shrubs, roses, vines)
• How to protect fruit trees and citrus before the first freeze
• Listener Mail: how often to water newly transplanted native perennials
• Cool-season perennials and bulbs still safe to plant now
• Last call for cool-season vegetables, onions, garlic, and strawberries
• Freeze prep: why watering before cold fronts matters more than covering
• Herbs and annuals to plant before December
• Alternatives to fall wildflower seeding—and where to buy starts
• Upcoming garden events and classes across Central Texas

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Consultations & Shop: ATXGardens.com
• Instagram: @‌ATXGardens_
• Compost Tea Recipe – Episode 4: Deer Damage, Leaf Drop, and Fall Planting — Here’s What to Know — ATXGardens.com
• Liquid Humate – ATXGardens.com/planthealthandfertilizers
• Deer Trunk Protectors https://amzn.to/4pbwHK2
• Copper Soap Spray – https://amzn.to/3JyGryN
• Moisture Meter – https://amzn.to/3JYKxQL
• Paint Pens for Labels – https://amzn.to/4oCsgaY
• HastaGro Fertilizer – ATXGardens.com/planthealthandfertilizers
• Native American Seed – seedsource.com
• Central Texas Seed Savers: centexseedsavers.org

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow Central Texas gardeners!

Welcome back to The ATXGardens Podcast! In this episode, landscape consultant and certified arborist Colleen Dieter shares exactly what to focus on in the first half of November to keep your Central Texas garden healthy heading into winter.

This week, Colleen covers fall planting for trees and shrubs, caring for fruit trees, which perennials and bulbs can still go in the ground, and how to prepare your cool-season vegetables, herbs, and lawns before the first freeze. She also shares a client story about transforming a shady, dog-friendly yard into a peaceful, functional space.

Whether you’re tackling leaf cleanup, protecting tender plants, or starting a cool-season garden, this episode is packed with local, practical advice you can use right now.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Client spotlight: backyard redesign for a shady, pet-friendly space
• Fertilizer warning: why it’s time to pause and switch to compost tea or liquid humate
• Woody plants: the best trees and shrubs to plant now (+ protecting trunks from deer rub)
• Fall color favorites: native small trees that bring vibrant leaves to Central Texas
• Tree care: what’s normal leaf drop and how to “leave the leaves” for mulch
• Fruit trees: clean-up tips and when to spray copper soap for disease prevention
• Perennials & bulbs: which cool-season plants thrive when planted in November
• Vegetable garden: cool-season planting list + why watering before freezes matters
• Herbs: annuals and hardy perennials that love fall temperatures
• Lawn care: how to manage leaves without smothering grass
• Design planning: why November is the perfect time to map out spring projects
• Annual color & wildflowers: what to plant if you missed the fall seed window
• Upcoming events: festivals, seed swaps, and community gardening talks.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Consultations & Shop: ATXGardens.com
• Follow on Instagram - @‌atxgardens_
• Compost Tea Recipe
• Liquid Humate
• Tree Trunk Protectors
• Copper Soap Spray
• Seed To Tree Partnership
• Native American Seed
• Adjustable Metal Rake

Upcoming events:

• Nov 1: Seeding Hope Fall Festival — Central Texas Seed Savers fundraiser (Greensleeves Nursery, Pflugerville)
• Nov 8: Annual Seed Swap — Austin Public Library – Central (11–1 PM)
• Nov 17: Tree Planting Talk — Williamson County Master Gardeners (6:30 PM)

Find more on upcoming events.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow Central Texas gardeners!

In this late-October gardening guide, Colleen Dieter shares the essential tasks Austin and Central Texas gardeners should tackle now—from planting trees and dividing perennials to prepping cool-season vegetables and protecting tender plants before the first freeze. She also breaks down smart leaf management, fruit-tree cleanup, and must-know tips for lawns, herbs, and wildflowers. A practical, timely episode for anyone gardening through the Central Texas fall.

**Find full show notes, product links, and upcoming event info at www.atxgardens.com/podcast

In this episode of The ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares exactly what Central Texas gardeners should focus on in the first half of October. From adjusting your irrigation system to protecting tender veggies from early freezes, she covers practical tips to help your plants thrive as the seasons shift.

You’ll hear a real-life consultation story from Karina in East Austin, plus timely advice on why you should stop fertilizing, how to use seaweed as a soil supplement, and why now is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. Colleen also shares her favorite tools, the importance of seed saving, and a full rundown of upcoming Central Texas gardening events and seed swaps.

Whether you’re tending a pocket prairie, managing a veggie patch, or just figuring out what to do with all those leaves, this episode will get you set up for fall gardening success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to adjust irrigation for Austin’s new watering schedule
• Why you should stop trimming and fertilizing this month
• The difference between fertilizers vs. soil amendments (and why seaweed is a great choice)
• Why fall is the best time to plant or transplant trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs
• Easy ways to save and share seeds through Central Texas Seed Savers
• Tools Colleen recommends for transplanting, watering, and dividing plants
• How to protect your cool-season veggies from the first freeze
• October’s best picks for herbs, lawns, and wildflower planting
• A roundup of upcoming seed swaps, workshops, and gardening festivals in Central Texas

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Make an appointment or shop at ATXGardens.com
• Connect on Instagram @atxgardens_
• Find your watering day if you are an Austin Water Customer. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day
• Maxicrop Seaweed: Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed (Kelp Extract, 32 Oz - Amazon Affiliate commissions earned.
• Little round yellow sprinkler: QVS 004113 Naan Irrigator Sprinkler 30 ' Round Carded, No Size, Yellow - Amazon Affiliate commissions earned.
• Root Slayer for digging up sapling trees: Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel, Red - Amazon Affiliate commissions earned.
• “Let’s Care for Texas Plants” maintenance guide: https://www.atxgardens.com/store-books-and-info
• Native American Seed for wildflower seeds: seedsource.com

Upcoming events:

• Oct 12 – 9:30-11:30 Heirloom Fruit Tree Preservation Project talk (Austin Water Utilities Center For Environmental Research, Hornsby Bend)
• Oct 18 – 11:00-4:00 Healing Roots and Wings Festival (Givens Park, Organic Vegetable Gardening class)
• Nov 1 – Central Texas Seed Savers Fall Festival Fundraiser (Greensleeves Nursery, Pflugerville)
• Nov 8 – 11:00-1:00 Central Texas Seed Savers Annual Seed Swap (Austin Public Library Central)
• Nov 8 – Garden Conservancy Tour, Pollinator Paradise (designed by Leah Churner)
• Nov 17 – 6:30 Williamson County Master Gardeners Meeting (Tree Planting talk)

Find more on upcoming events.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow Central Texas gardeners!

Confused about what to do in your yard this time of year? In this first episode of The ATXGardens Podcast, landscape consultant and certified arborist Colleen Dieter breaks down exactly what Central Texas gardeners should focus on in late September. From fertilizing deadlines to transplanting tips, fungal disease prevention, and getting ready for fall planting, Colleen shares the seasonal advice you need to keep your yard healthy and thriving—all in a friendly, down-to-earth way.

**Find full show notes, product links, and upcoming event info at www.atxgardens.com/podcast