Spring is in full swing, and that means it's time to get gardening. Many of our agents are avid gardeners. Many enjoy cultivating fruits and veggies and maintain their own herb gardens! To help you get a good start this season, here are a few of their top tips for gardening in Central Texas. 

• Draft a Gardening Plan
  Successful gardening relies on careful planning and timing. When should you plant your seeds? How often will they need to be watered and weeded? Do you need to do any pruning as they grow? What about mulching or fertilizing? If you're growing fruits and vegetables, when will those plants be ready to harvest? Do they need full sun, partial sun, or shade? Texas weather is a bit of a mystery and is certain to have some effects on your lovely garden, so pay attention to the weather and prepare accordingly.
  
  Once you have the answers to those questions, write them down on a calendar. This will help you keep track of everything you need to do to keep your garden healthy and budget your time appropriately to get it all done. Take into account the current drought we are experiencing in Waco and across Central Texas when picking your plants.

• Put Up a Fence
  Pests like rabbits and squirrels can destroy a garden in the blink of an eye. Keep them out by erecting a fence around your planting areas. You can use standard wooden pickets for this if none of the pests in your area can climb, but making a cage out of mesh and PVC pipes is even better.
  
  Whichever type of fence you choose, it should be at least 2 feet tall and preferably run a few inches underground as well. Otherwise, pests like rabbits and moles may try to burrow underneath it. Keep in mind, though, they are all part of the ecosystem.

• Make Some All-Natural Pest Repellent
  If your fence alone isn't keeping the critters out, you can make some natural pest repellent to make your plants less appealing for them. Let's take a look at some of them: 

  • Mix some chili powder in water (generally one tablespoon of chile powder with one quart of water)  and spritz it onto your plants. You won't hurt the plants or the animals that eat them, but you'll definitely make those animals think twice before taking a bite of your produce. As a bonus, this mixture also repels insects like aphids and caterpillars. It's also easy to wash off when you're ready to eat any of the produce you've grown. Our real estate agents love how environmentally friendly it is!
    
    You can also grow some plants that are natural repellents, such as:
    
    
  • Rosemary - Rosemary deters a variety of insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and cabbage moths. Not to mention, you can use it for some delicious recipes or as a garnish, and it will smell lovely.
  • Marigolds -  This flowered plant deters many garden pests like squash bugs, slugs, and tomato hornworms and will look lovely while working overtime for you!
  • Chrysanthemums - A great natural repellent for spider mites, ticks, and Japanese beetles.
  • Lavender - Keeping in mind that pollinators like bees love it, you will love it too since these plants repel animals like deer and mice in addition to mosquitoes. At the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, you can talk to vendors who are experts in growing lavender plants, harvesting lavender, and making handmade lavender products. While you can find lavender fields and farms scattered throughout Texas, the Texas Hill Country especially comes alive with lavender fields in full bloom from May until July on average, however, depending on the kind, sometimes you might see them blooming long into October.
  • Basil - Due to its potent scent, which naturally deters many insects, this plant is typically used to protect other crops and flowers. Not to mention you can use it as a lovely ingredient in your caprese salads, which would be perfectly refreshing in the summer months! How about some basil-strawberry lemonade?

• Start Some Summer Growth Indoors
  Some plants (including cauliflower, broccoli, kale, eggplants, and tomatoes) need to be planted in the early to late summer instead of in the spring.
  
  If you want to add any of these plants to your garden, you can get a head start on their growth by cultivating them in pots indoors. By the time they're established enough to be planted, the weather conditions will be perfect to keep them going strong.
  

• Take a Class
  The best way to truly master gardening is to learn from the experts. Thankfully, there are plenty of knowledgeable people giving gardening courses around Waco. Make sure to check out Da'Shack Farmers Market for some great advice!
  
  Delving deeper into topics like collecting rainwater for use in your garden, composting, and even aquaponics will give you the skills you need to help your garden thrive. Local organizations like Keep Waco Beautiful and Mission Waco Urban REAP often offer classes. Make sure to also check out class schedules from local universities, farming organizations, and even your local community center to see what you can learn right now. 

Dreaming of an even bigger space for all of your gardening plans? One of our many Waco properties is sure to suit your needs. Whether you're looking for a property in the countryside or your own urban oasis, we can help you find a home. Contact us today to learn more about Waco homes for sale and start looking for the perfect place to build your own green paradise.