Texas spring gardening can be a bit challenging. Our gardens need a little extra care, from extreme temperatures in the summer months to periods of either too much or too little rain. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens website features tips and tricks for creating a successful garden. You can find your tips and tricks broken down by each month to know which steps to take at the right time. There are also video resources, plant tips, and educational videos for children so they can do fun activities. In fact, if you have children, allow them to help with your gardening. It’s a valuable lesson and can be a fun family activity.
Spring Gardening Prep 101
Early spring is the best time to prune and reshape any spring blooming shrubs and vines after they finish flowering. Tree and shrub pruning allows for new growth to come in beautifully. If you are planting any new trees and shrubs, don’t forget to fertilize them. You also want to fertilize your lawn and prepare to start mowing your grass. Sodding and seeding your lawn is a must. As the temperatures warm up, make sure the sod stays moist until it begins to root out. This will keep your lawn luscious and green longer as the Texas heat starts to dry things up.
April is the time to start planting your summer annuals, such as lantana, penta, purslane, vinca, and zinnia. You will most likely begin to find these summer annuals become available in late April in your local nurseries.
It’s also a great time to plant your perennials. Be sure to use the plants that are right for your zone. If you have any questions about that, check with your local nursery. Some popular choices for the DFW area are blackeyed susan, autumn sage, coneflower, and columbine.
Spring is the best time to plant your summer vegetables for vegetable gardening. The best vegetables to grow in DFW are tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes, and zucchini. Peppers will continue producing in the extreme heat. Tomatoes should do well, especially if you focus on the smaller varieties, such as the cherry tomato. For herb gardening, you can actually make small indoor herb gardens. However, if you prefer to keep them outside in your garden, you can do that as well. Popular herbs to grow in the DFW area would be basil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, chives, cilantro, and lemongrass.
Shop Local Nurseries In DFW
There are many benefits to supporting your small, local businesses. When it comes to gardening, your local nurseries will know the best types of plants that grow in your area and can offer tips on how to care for your plants. Check out some of these nurseries located in the DFW area to assist you with all of your gardening needs.
- Redenta’s Garden specializes in everything organic. They offer succulents, herbs, Texas native hearty plants, and varieties of perennials. They feature a DIY terrarium bar but will also recommend the perfect pot from their wide selection if you prefer they do it for you!
- Walton’s Garden Center is the place to go for their rows of trees, shrubs, and hanging plants. In fact, Walton’s specializes in Japanese Maples. Every February, they receive a shipment of about 500 Japanese Maples from Oregon.
- Nicholson-Hardie is spread out across two locations on Lover’s Lane. You will find outdoor plants, trees, shrubs, topiaries, and boxwoods in one of the locations. Then go to the other location for their floral arrangements, potted plants, wreath station, and giant seasonal display of beautiful glittery and lighted things!
- Ruibal’s Plants of Texas is the size of two city blocks! They carry more traditional plants such as palms, tropicals, annuals, and herbs. They also feature an indoor pavilion filled with amazing food vendors, so be sure to check it out when plant shopping makes you hungry!
- Jackson’s Home & Garden is a family-owned business that started in 1983 as a pottery shop. Jackson’s is a go-to place for architects and landscape designers because of its selection of outdoor appliances and grills, patio furniture, fireplaces, fountains, and gazebos. They also carry a wide variety of your local annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, indoor plants, and much more.
- North Haven Gardens is the place to go if you want a seasonal pop of color or edibles. North Haven has a garden coach that you can talk to for one-on-one instruction!
- Shades Of Green is sprawled out across seven acres alongside a creek in Frisco. In addition to their wide variety of plants, they have a pottery barn for all of your landscaping designs.
What are some of your favorite items to grow in your spring garden?
