Spring Garden Preparation | Texas Native

Knowing when to plant a garden in Texas and how to prepare your spring garden plot properly can mean the difference between a bountiful harvest and months of frustration. At Texas Native, we know dirt, we know Texas gardening and we know how to get your springtime planting started off on the right foot, no matter where you live in the state.

Spanning over 268,000 square miles, Texas is vast enough to encompass multiple distinct climate zones. From the humid, near-tropical Gulf Coast to the windy, cooler regions of North Texas and the arid, desert-like landscapes of West Texas, the state's diverse environments create unique challenges and opportunities for gardeners and landscapers alike.

The wide variation in temperature, rainfall, pest and pollinator species, humidity and other factors across the state create a world of challenges for Texas gardeners. That's especially true in the early springtime, when planting too early or too late can turn your dreams of beautiful midsummer veggies into a disappointing disaster.

Let’s explore everything you need to know to prepare your Texas garden for spring—from soil testing and planting schedules to the optimal timing for getting plants in the ground to ensure the best results.

Texas Native has what it takes to get your garden growing strong, including an extensive line of all-natural soil, compost and mulch products. They're available in bulk and bag or at a home improvement store near you.

Still have questions? We're here to help. Contact us today!

When is the Best Time to Begin Preparing for Spring Gardening in Texas?

Unless you've got a warm greenhouse to work in, the best time to begin preparing your garden for spring planting in Texas really depends on where you live.

Typically, you’ll want to start preparing your garden around the time of the last frost in your area. Texas' vast size results in a wide range of last frost dates across the state. In warmer southern regions like Brownsville, the last frost can occur as early as late January, while in colder Panhandle cities like Amarillo, it may not arrive until late April.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has a handy online list of last frost dates for cities across Texas, based on data collected between 1991-2020 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This provides a general timeframe for when to start preparing your garden plot for spring planting, ensuring your soil and plants are ready at the right time.

During this cooler "prep season," key tasks include clearing out last season’s debris—such as leaves and vines—loosening the soil with a fork or tiller, enriching it with mulch or compost and mapping out your garden layout for the season ahead.

What Do You Need to Do to Prepare Your Garden Spot for Spring Planting?

Success stems from a balance of preparation and effort—a combination of thoughtful planning and the hard work required to achieve your most rewarding goals. This principle applies as much to gardening as it does to life itself. If you want to cultivate a thriving Texas garden that will yield abundant harvests for months to come, the key lies in careful groundwork, dedication and a little help from Texas Native products.

Preparing your garden for spring planting should generally begin around the time of the last projected frost in your area (see more information about that above). This involves several necessary steps, including:

Spring Garden Cleanup: Out with the old and ready for the new! As part of spring garden cleanup, you'll want to remove any dead plants, weeds and debris from the previous growing season. In addition to improving the look of your garden spot and getting things out of the way for planting, a thorough spring garden cleanup can also reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases that can harm your new crop of plants.

Plan Your Garden Layout: Late winter is an ideal time to lay out your perfect planting plan for the spring. The easiest way to do this is on gridded paper, so you allocate the space down to the square foot. Things you might consider during the planning stage include which plants need the most sunlight, separating plants with potential cross-pollenation issues, whether you'll be planting directly in the soil, in raised beds or a combo of the two, where certain crops were planted last year and may have leached or fortified essential nutrients and your plant spacing.

Soil Preparation: Texas has all kinds of soils, from loose and sandy to dense and clay-like and everything in between. No matter what kind of soil you have, the rainy winter months can compact the uppermost layer of dirt, trapping beneficial nutrients down deep and making it harder to plant when spring comes. To get all that beneficial nutrition to the top while allowing spring rains to percolate more quickly through the soil, you'll need to loosen the dirt of your garden plot. Use a tiller or garden fork to break up the big clumps while removing rocks and woody roots.

Add Compost and Mulch: How does your garden thrive? With premium topsoil, compost and mulch from Texas Native, of course! Harsh chemical fertilizers can disrupt soil pH and nutrient balance, leading to poor plant growth. Instead, Texas Native's fully-decomposed compost and organic mulch provide a natural, sustainable solution—enhancing soil health, improving moisture retention and delivering essential nutrients. Give your garden the best foundation for success with Texas Native’s all-natural products.

Plus, our high-quality compost and mulch work together to create the perfect growing environment, improving soil structure, preventing erosion and fostering beneficial microbial activity.

Tilling in Texas Native Compost not only enriches and aerates the soil but also allows water to penetrate deeper, ensuring a steady supply of organic nutrients for both plant roots and beneficial microbes. Meanwhile, Texas Native Mulch delivers a powerful one-two punch—acting as a durable, flexible weed barrier while gradually releasing nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes.

With Texas Native products, your garden gets the best foundation for long-term success, naturally supporting stronger, healthier and more vibrant plants all season long.

Texas Native knows how to grow and we do it responsibly. Learn more about our sustainable production process.

Should I Get My Soil Tested Before Spring Planting?

Having your soil tested before spring planting is a good idea for any gardener, but especially if it's a new garden space or a plot you've been using for several years without significant fertilizer, mulch or compost being added.

Professional lab testing helps you understand your soil’s nutrient levels and pH. Coupled with information about your local climate and the type of plants you want to grow, that can help you make solid decisions about amending the soil, including whether to add compost, mulch, or other products.

In general, most vegetables prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Testing can also reveal the levels of key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, giving you the information you need to bring those levels up to snuff.

Where Can I Get Free or Low-Cost Soil Testing in Texas?

The state of Texas has a vested interest in keeping its residents healthy and there's nothing more nutritious than growing and eating from your own garden.

In Texas, low-cost soil testing is available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Their Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to grow anything in the state, from beef cattle to begonias.

Information available at their website includes everything from soil fertility and nutrient recommendations to various calculators for both home gardeners and industrial-scale agriculture. Submitting soil samples for testing is easy and affordable too. Visit the Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab website for more information. 

How Do I Amend Bad Soil for Spring Planting?

We like to say there is no "bad soil," there's just soil that hasn't been improved with Texas Native products yet. If your soil has issues like poor drainage, compaction or low nutrient levels, you'll likely need to address those problems before spring planting for best results.

Here's a few things you can do.

Add Organic Matter:  Decaying organic matter is natural fuel for your garden, providing a slow release of the nutrients your plants, earthworms and beneficial microbes need to thrive. Adding mulch, compost, leaves, straw and other organic materials to your soil can greatly improve its structure and nutrient levels. Best of all, there's an easy button for this step: shop the full line of Texas Native bagged mulch, compost and soil products online or at a home-improvement store near you!

Adjust pH: Soil pH refers to the level of acidity or alkalinity in your garden soil, which directly impacts plant health and nutrient availability.. A pH that's too high or low can drastically affect plant growth and yields. Depending on your soil test results, you can adjust the pH by adding sulfur, peat moss, coffee grounds, or acidic fertilizers to lower it or using agricultural lime, wood ash, crushed eggshells, or baking soda to raise it. Always make adjustments gradually and retest the soil over time to maintain a healthy balance for optimal plant growth.

Improve Soil Drainage: While insufficient water can harm a garden, excess moisture can be just as damaging, leading to fungal growth, root rot and poor plant health. If your soil is clay-heavy or compacted, you can improve aeration and drainage by incorporating materials like perlite or sand. However, one of the most effective solutions is adding natural mulch or compost, which loosens the soil, enhances drainage and gradually enriches it with essential nutrients as it decomposes.

Texas Native has you covered on that front. Shop our full line of products online.

When is the Best Time to Plant a Garden in Texas?

As we've discussed, the ideal time to plant a garden in Texas depends on a wide variety of factors, including what you want to plant and where you live in the state.

Certain cold-tolerant plants like lettuce, onions and spinach can generally be planted earlier. However, the most popular garden veggies like tomatoes, squash, peppers and cucumbers prefer to be planted well after the fear of plunging nighttime temperatures has passed.

Be sure to check your seed packets or plant tags for the preferred planting schedule of the specific vegetables you want to grow. In general, however, planting a garden in Texas can usually commence in:

• North Texas: Late March to mid-April

• Central Texas: Mid-March to early April

• South Texas: Late February to early March

When Should I Add Mulch to a Garden and What are the Benefits?

Anytime is a good time for natural mulch in the garden! Providing a formidable, flexible weed barrier and beneficial nutrients as it decays, Texas Native mulch is the all-natural solution for problems all over the garden.

When preparing for spring planting, mulch should generally be added after the plants enter the ground but before the weeds emerge -- usually in late spring.

Applying mulch in a garden is simple: just spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of your plants, avoiding direct contact with stems. In addition to cutting off sunlight from weeds, mulch holds moisture close to the soil and acts as a thermal blanket to ward off chilly nights in early spring.

USE TEXAS NATIVE'S FREE ONLINE MULCH CALCULATOR

Benefits of Mulch in the Garden

• Moisture Retention.

• Soil Temperature Regulation.

• Natural Weed Suppression.

• Adds Organic Matter and Nutrients to the Soil as it Breaks Down.

• No cleanup at the end of the season. Just till it into the soil to keep feeding your garden all winter long!

READ TEXAS NATIVE'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO MULCH!

Contact Texas Native

For over 35 years, Texas Native has been collecting organic materials and transforming them into sustainable landscaping products. From the beginning, we've been focused on diverting green waste from landfills and burn piles while helping our local contractors and homeowners conserve water and promote soil health in their landscapes.

Today, the Texas Native brand offers more than 40 different premium mulch, soil, compost and aggregate products across the state of Texas. We continue to prioritize our products, our people and our partnerships.

Have questions? Contact us today through our convenient online form, by phone (512) 259-7430 or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com.