GA R DENS & OUTDOOR LI V ING
Guide to Warm-Winter Planting
Advice from the experts at Texas A&M AgriLife
by Cassidie Cox photos by Master Gardener Sonia Schuetze and Kate Whitney
Prepare vegetables in February There are many types of vegetables that should be planted in January and February, and there is still time to prepare them. Asian greens, asparagus crowns, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, and chard are just a few. Whether planted as seeds or transfers, these vegetables will thrive when planted at this time of year. If you need a more flexible planting time, lettuce is a good choice. Kate says, “These can basically be planted from September until the beginning of March. Onion sets are also great to plant now, and they can be found in any local feed store."
The seasons are changing, and as spring approaches it is important to know how to prepare your lawn and garden. Kate Whitney, a horticulturalist with the Williamson County AgriLife extension, has ten tips and tricks for gardeners or yard tenders at all levels of expertise to ensure the very best care during these last winter months, and how to prepare for spring.
18
For more information on what to plant and when, for any kind of plant, there are planting calendars available on the Williamson AgriLife website (code on facing page).
Be ready to cover winter plants If winter plants or vegetables are growing, prepare to cover them before big freezes. A freeze cloth (below) is a wise purchase, or old blankets or sheets work just as well. Plastic cover is not recommended; it does not provide insulation and warmth as needed. Also, be sure to stake cloths in and that all their edges are touching the ground to keep cold air away from the plants. You may fill plastic milk jugs with warm water and, before dusk, set the jugs around your plants then throw a cover over them. The water in the jugs will lose heat more slowly than the soil and air, and the warmth it emits will help protect your plants from the cold.
F E B R UA R Y 2022 LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T
