Gardening in Central Texas
This information is specific to Williamson County and surrounding areas.
USDA Hardiness Zone: Zone 8b (low 15-20 degrees F)
Chilling hours range from 550- 850 a year
Rain: Sometimes, the rain seems to hang around forever, and then we're in a drought. On average, we get 36 or so inches a year. If you have an irrigation system, familiarize yourself with how it works so you don't water in the rain or just after a good soaker. Remember to check your system if you lose power. I know they have backup batteries, but I've seen too many yards damaged because the system lost power and did not come back on.
Soil: Williamson County has basically 2 different ecoregions. West of I-35 (Sun City), we have the Edwards Plateau. It is rocky with very little soil on top. Don't be surprised if you go to plant a tree and run into limestone bedrock! East of I-35, we have the Texas Blackland Prairie. The soil is deep and dark with a heavy clay content. Both areas have a high pH (alkaline). This can make some nutrients bind up in the soil and be difficult for the plants to take in.
Composting is extremely beneficial in both areas. In the rocky soil, it helps add nutrients and biological life. In the clay soil, it does the same but also helps drainage.
Earthworms are our best friends when our goal is healthy soil. I have tried many methods to bring them in (newspaper, cardboard, cornmeal, etc.) but have had the most success with leaves. I have all of my clients to thank for my thriving earthworm population!
I realize that doing what I have done is not always easy in neighborhoods with strict guidelines, so I will give you a list of products focusing more on soil health and microbial life. If we build healthy, happy soil, then our plants will thrive!
Soil Building Products That Feed the Microbes and Improve Soil Health
Compost: Adds nutrients to the soil, helps aerate compact soils, and aids in water retention/distribution.
Horticultural Cornmeal: Feeds microbial life and is also a fungicide.
Molasses: Blackstrap Molasses is the best because it is rich in iron and other trace minerals.
Any Beneficial Microbes: These have been gaining popularity for years, and for good reason. They're awesome! They help improve soil and assist in nutrient transfer.
Natural 'meal' fertilizers: We are talking bone meal, blood meal, feather meal, etc.
Lava Sand: If you can find this, then snatch it up! It increases paramagnetism, which, in turn, increases production and overall health. It is a high-energy amendment that attracts and redistributes cosmic energy (the sun's energy) in the soil. See, it just sounds magical, and many say it is!
Manure-Based Products: Stuff like chicken litter, cow manure, and rabbit manure.
Coffee Grounds: This one's easy enough and very beneficial.
Mulch: Protects the soil that we're building and breaks down to feed the soil.
Shout out to the worms!
Earthworms or Lumbricus terrestris
Nicknamed "soil engineers" or "intestines of the Earth," these little invertebrates are crazy cool! They break down dead, decaying organic material into rich, awesome soil. Their tunnel building aerates the soil, improves drainage, and distributes nutrients.
Some pesticides can kill earthworms. One of the worst culprits is a popular one called 'Sevin.' It can reduce the population of earthworms by up to 100%. Neem oil is a safer option.
Fun fact: There's an Australian species that can grow to about 11 feet long!