Podcast

ATXGardens Podcast

Education, Home & Garden, Leisure

Stop stressing about your yard! Each week, landscape consultant Colleen Dieter with ATXGardens shares exactly what you should be doing right now to keep your plants and trees happy.

With 20+ years of experience helping Central Texans, Colleen is a certified arborist, sustainable landscape designer, and founder of Central Texas Seed Savers. You may have seen her on PBS Austin’s Central Texas Gardener, KXAN, or Spectrum News, or heard her on The Horticulturati podcast and KLBJ’s Horticulture Hangover. She’s passionate about making gardening approachable.

Perfect for both seasoned green thumbs and new DIY’ers, The ATXGardens Podcast is your go-to for friendly, reliable gardening advice—week by week, season by season. Learn more at http://atxgardens.com/.

Episodes
30
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
31 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

30 episodes, newest first

  1. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Nov. 15–30): Understanding Zone 9

    Episode 29

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    Winter is coming to Central Texas, but do you know which plants actually need protection from freezing temperatures? In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen explains what USDA plant hardiness zones really mean, why Austin's Zone 9 designation can be misleading, and how to prepare your garden for winter. You'll also learn which trees and shrubs you can still plant, when to stop planting vegetables and perennials, and essential winter care tips for fruit trees, herbs, and Texas wildflowers. Whether you're gardening in Austin or elsewhere in Central Texas, this episode will help you protect your plants, avoid common winter gardening mistakes, and keep your garden healthy through the colder months.

    This episode is sponsored by Garden Bug! Need help with weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, or garden maintenance? Visit http://Garden-Bug.com and mention the ATXGardens Podcast for a free quote.

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

    37 min
  2. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Nov. 1–15): Final Fall Planting & Freeze Prep

    Episode 28

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    November is here, and it’s time to get your Central Texas garden ready for colder weather! In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares how to prepare your plants for the first freeze, which trees and shrubs you can still plant, and the final window for planting cool-season vegetables, herbs, perennials, and bulbs. You’ll also learn how to protect young trees from deer, care for fruit trees, manage fallen leaves, and prepare your lawn for winter. Whether you’re gardening in Austin or elsewhere in Central Texas, this episode will help you tackle the most important early November garden tasks before winter arrives.

    This episode is sponsored by Garden Bug. Need help with weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, or garden maintenance? Visit http://Garden-Bug.com and mention the ATXGardens Podcast for a free quote.

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

    48 min
  3. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Oct. 15–31): Last-Chance Fall Planting

    Episode 27

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    Late October is your last chance to tackle some important fall gardening tasks before winter arrives in Central Texas! In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what to plant now, including garlic, cool-season vegetables, herbs, perennials, bulbs, and Texas bluebonnets, plus what you should stop pruning and fertilizing as plants prepare for colder weather. You’ll also learn how to control an aggressive trumpet vine, why fruit tree leaves need special cleanup, and one simple fall lawn care tip that can help reduce winter weeds. Whether you’re gardening in Austin or elsewhere in Central Texas, this episode will help you make the most of the final weeks of fall planting season.

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

    34 min
  4. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Oct. 1–15): Cool-Season Planting Begins

    Episode 26

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    October is prime gardening season in Central Texas, and there’s plenty to plant, harvest, and enjoy! In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what to plant in early October, including cool-season vegetables, garlic, onions, herbs, trees, perennials, and Texas wildflowers. You’ll also learn how to successfully grow vegetables in containers, choose the right potting soil, check your irrigation system, and prepare your garden for cooler weather. Whether you have a big backyard or just a few pots on a patio, this episode is packed with practical fall gardening tips for Austin and Central Texas.

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

    29 min
  5. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Sept. 15–30): Fall Planting & Bluebonnets

    Episode 25

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    Fall planting season is officially here in Central Texas! In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what to plant in late September, why it’s time to stop pruning woody plants, and how to build budget-friendly raised beds using hügelkultur and keyhole gardening. You’ll also learn what vegetables and herbs to plant in your fall garden, how to care for fruit trees, and Colleen’s tried-and-true method for planting Texas bluebonnets. If you’re gardening in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with timely tips to make the most of fall planting season.

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

    29 min
  6. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Sept. 1–15): Stop Pruning, Start Planting

    Season 1, Episode 24

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    September is one of the best times of year to garden in Central Texas, and this episode will help you make the most of the changing season. Colleen shares expert tips on when to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and wildflowers, along with advice on raised bed gardening, fruit tree care, and preparing your landscape for a productive fall. You'll also learn how to properly water newly planted trees, start cool-season crops, and support local food resilience by participating in the Fruit Savers BioBlitz. If you're gardening in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with timely, practical advice to help your garden thrive this fall.

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

    45 min
  7. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Aug 15–31): Build Beds & Prep for Fall

    Season 1, Episode 23

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    As summer begins to wind down in Central Texas, now is the time to start preparing for one of the best gardening seasons of the year. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what to do in your garden during the second half of August, including fall garden preparation, seed saving, orchard planning, late-season pruning, and how to build a new vegetable garden using the double-digging method. You'll also learn which vegetables can still be planted, why tropical milkweed should be cut back before monarch migration, and how you can participate in a community fruit tree BioBlitz. If you're gardening in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with practical late-summer gardening tips to help you transition successfully into the fall growing season.

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

    28 min
  8. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Aug 1–15): Stop Planting & Plan for Fall

    Episode 22

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    August in Central Texas can feel like a second winter for your garden, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what gardeners should focus on in early August, including erosion control with berms and swales, summer pruning, fruit tree care, fall garden planning, and which vegetables can still be planted before cooler weather arrives. You'll also learn why now is the perfect time to prepare planting beds, collect wildflower seeds, and start planning your fall landscape projects. If you're gardening in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with practical August gardening tips to help your garden survive the heat and thrive in the seasons ahead.

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

    35 min
  9. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (July 15–31): Prune Now & Plan for Fall

    Episode 21

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    Late July may be hot, but it's an important time to set your Central Texas garden up for success heading into fall. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares practical tips for summer pruning, managing chiggers, deciding whether to put your vegetable garden to bed, choosing crops that still have time to mature before the first freeze, and why she recommends avoiding French drains for most landscapes. You'll also learn how to refresh overgrown perennials, care for herbs during the heat, and host a community seed swap to support local gardening. If you garden in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with timely advice to help your landscape thrive through the hottest weeks of summer.

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

    45 min
  10. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (July 1–15): Rain Gardens, Fig Harvest & Summer Pruning

    Episode 20

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    July may be the hottest month in Central Texas, but there's still plenty to do in the garden. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares practical July gardening tips, including how to manage pests naturally, prune trees and perennials, harvest figs and apples, build rain gardens to solve erosion problems, and decide whether it's time to put your vegetable garden to bed for the summer. You'll also learn which crops can still be planted in the heat and how seed saving can help strengthen local gardening communities. If you garden in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with timely advice to help your landscape thrive through the toughest part of the growing season.

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

    39 min
  11. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (June 15–30): Train Blackberries & Plan for Fall

    Episode 19

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    Late June is a time of transition in the Central Texas garden, and knowing what to do now can set you up for success later. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares tips for harvesting figs, peaches, and blackberries, caring for summer vegetables, collecting rainwater, and preventing mosquito problems without harming pollinators. You'll also learn why it's time to wrap up perennial planting, how to manage blackberry canes for next year's harvest, and what steps you can take now to start planning for fall gardening season. If you're gardening in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your garden thrive through the summer heat.

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

    35 min
  12. What to do in your Central Texas garden (June 1-15): Harvest Veggies & Plant Fast

    Episode 18

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    Summer is settling into Central Texas, and your garden is feeling the change. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen shares what to do in your Central Texas garden in early June, including harvesting potatoes and onions, managing weeds before they spread seeds, preventing pest outbreaks naturally, and deciding what summer vegetables are still worth planting. She also covers oak wilt precautions, light summer tree trimming, soil erosion solutions, and tips for keeping your garden productive through the heat. If you garden in Austin or Central Texas, this episode is packed with practical June gardening advice to help your landscape thrive through the transition into summer.

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

    32 min
  13. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (May 15–31): Soil Testing Tips, Watch Out for Oak Wilt, and Summer Vegetables

    Episode 17

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    Get your Central Texas garden ready for the transition into summer with this essential late May gardening guide. Learn why soil testing matters, what to plant now (and what to skip), and how to care for fruit trees, herbs, and heat-loving crops before temperatures rise. From avoiding costly fertilizing mistakes to harvesting at the perfect time, this episode is packed with practical tips to help your garden thrive. If you want healthier plants and a more successful summer garden, don’t miss these timely insights.

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

    31 min
  14. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (May 1–15): Enjoy the Blooms, Don’t Touch Those Trees, and Summer Veggie Planting

    Episode 16

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    Get your Central Texas garden ready for the heat with this essential early May gardening guide. Learn what to plant now, what to stop doing, and how to manage weeds, fruit trees, and summer crops before temperatures soar. From vegetable planting tips to lawn care and mulching strategies, this episode covers the critical tasks that can make or break your summer garden. If you want a thriving, low-stress garden in Texas heat, don’t miss these timely tips.

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

    29 min
  15. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (April 15–30): Plant Perennials, Warm Season Veggies, and Do Not Prune Oaks

    Episode 15

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    Get your Central Texas garden ready for late April with this essential gardening guide packed with timely tips. Learn what to plant now, how to care for fruit trees, prevent worms in your harvest, and avoid common mistakes that can ruin your summer garden. From vegetable planting schedules to organic lawn care and soil improvement, this episode covers everything you need to grow a thriving garden in Texas heat. Don’t miss these critical mid-spring tasks that can make or break your growing season.

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

    41 min
  16. April 1–15 Garden Tasks (Central Texas): What to Plant & What to Avoid

    Episode 14

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    Spring is in full swing in Central Texas, and your garden is about to take off. In this episode, Colleen Dieter shares exactly what to plant in April, how to protect your fruit trees from pests, and why now is the time to set up your watering system before the Texas heat hits. You’ll learn what to do after a surprise late freeze, which warm-season vegetables and herbs to plant now, and how to avoid costly mistakes with trees and lawns. If you want a thriving Central Texas garden this spring, this is your step-by-step guide.

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

    23 min
  17. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (March 15–April 1): Pruning Citrus Trees, Spring Perennial and Vegetable Planting, Lawn Care Tips

    Episode 13

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    Spring is in full swing in Central Texas, and your garden is about to explode with growth. In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen Dieter shares exactly what to do in your Austin-area garden in the second half of March, from controlling fast-growing weeds to pruning and feeding citrus trees. You’ll also learn how to protect fruit trees from pests, plant warm-season vegetables and herbs, and give your lawn the right start for spring. If you want healthier plants and a more productive garden this season, this episode will help you stay ahead of the busiest time of year in Central Texas gardening.

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

    30 min
  18. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (March 1–15): Spring Is Here! Stop Pruning Trees, Start Planting Perennials

    Episode 12

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    Spring is almost here in Central Texas, and the second half of February is a critical transition time in your garden. In this episode of The ATXGardens Podcast, Colleen Dieter shares exactly what to prune, plant, cut back, and prepare before March arrives — from rose and fruit tree pruning to deciduous shrub trimming, potato planting, and winter weed control. Learn how to protect your landscape during oak wilt season, reset your vegetable beds, and get ahead of spring growth in Austin and the surrounding area. If you garden in Central Texas, this is your step-by-step guide to finishing winter strong and setting up a successful spring season.

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

    30 min
  19. What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (Feb 15–28): Winter Clean-Up & Last Chance for Cool-Season Vegetables

    Episode 11

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    Spring is just around the corner, and late February is one of the busiest times in the Central Texas garden. In this episode, Colleen Dieter of ATXGardens walks you through exactly what to prune, plant, cut back, and prepare before the spring rush begins. Learn when to finish rose and fruit tree pruning, how to handle freeze-damaged plants, and what to plant now in your vegetable and herb garden. If you garden in Austin or the surrounding region, this episode will help you transition smoothly from winter into a productive spring season.

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

    36 min
  20. What to Do in your Central Texas Garden (Feb 1-15) ICE STORM EDITION

    Episode 10

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    A major ice storm and deep freeze hit Central Texas—now what? In this episode of the ATXGardens Podcast, landscape consultant and certified arborist Colleen Dieter explains exactly what to do in your garden in early February, from assessing freeze damage to pruning roses and fruit trees at the right time. Learn which plants are likely to recover, which ones won’t, and how this cold snap actually benefits fruit trees that need chill hours. If you garden in Austin or Central Texas, this episode will help you move from winter survival mode into confident spring prep.

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

    30 min