We just passed the first quarter and the moon is now waxing gibbous going into a full moon. Now is also a time to seed-in plants that fruit and seed like beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, and squash. It’s also time for transplants of strawberries, eggplants, tomatillos, tomatoes and peppers. 

Many of the varieties of seeds are associated with the three sisters or #milpa agriculture system we learned about last year with our special guest Sam from Oaxaca, Mexico. You can learn more about milpa and also learn about the three sisters square foot garden we grew at Zilker Botanical Garden here. 

It is still a good time to plant nut and fruit trees including citrus, and berry bushes and grape vines. It’s always best to try to transplant and seed-in with the coming rains. 

DIRECT SEED

• Amaranth
• Beans (Bush, Pole, Dry, Lima, Butter)
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Okra
• Peas (Southern)

​SPROUT INDOORS

• Squash 

This year we are sprouting our squash indoors to get ahead of the Squash Vine Borer SVG. Here are some of the SVB resistant varieties we like: Tatume, Rugosa, Koginut, Futsu, Blue Hubbard. Check out our SVB Guide here.

TRANSPLANT

• Eggplant
• Ground Cherries
• Peppers
• Tomatoes 
• Tomatillos

FRUITING / NUT PLANTS

• Apples
• Peaches
• Pecans
• Pears
• Pomegranates
• Persimmons
• Paw Paw
• Figs
• Grapes
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Strawberries

For more ideas on Ornamentals, Perennials, and Herbs, visit the Central Texas Gardener and The Natural Gardener lists online. Download the Texas A&M Extension Planting Chart and Varieties.

As we are approaching the First Quarter and are in Waxing Crescent, it’s a good time to plant leafy greens and herbs that do well in heat. During the waxing of the moon (the period extending from the day the moon is new to the day it reaches its fullest point), the moon pulls moisture upwards. Seeds do well during this time because moisture is available at the surface of the soil. It’s always best to try to transplant and seed-in with the coming rains. 
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TRANSPLANT

• Asparagus 
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower 
• Collards

SEED OUTDOORS / TRANSPLANT

• Arugula
• Asian Greens (Bok Choy, Tasoi, Mizuna)
• Lettuce (Head, Romaine, Looseleaf, Summer Crisp)
• Mustard
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Swiss Chard
• Spinach

For more ideas on Ornamentals, Perennials, and Herbs, visit the Central Texas Gardener and The Natural Gardener lists online. Download the Texas A&M Extension Planting Chart and Varieties.

​We felt the full snow moon again this year. The explanation behind February’s full Moon name is a fairly straightforward one: it’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. On average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver, who had visited with the Naudowessie (Dakota), wrote that the name used for this period was the Snow Moon, “because more snow commonly falls during this month than any other in the winter.” 
We are now going into a waning period of the Moon—from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again. As the moonlight decreases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow roots, tubers, and bulbs. 

SEED OUTDOORS

• Beets
• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Potatoes
• Radish
• Rutabaga
• Turnips

TRANSPLANT

• Leeks
• Onions (bulb & bunching)

If you haven’t prepped your potatoes you can buy seed potatoes to put directly in the soil.
Now is also a good time to start prepping your sweet potatoes indoors as well. Learn two methods here.
For more ideas on Ornamentals, Perennials, and Herbs, visit the Central Texas Gardener and The Natural Gardener lists online. Download the Texas A&M Extension Planting Chart and Varieties.