What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (May 15–31): Soil Testing Tips, Watch Out for Oak Wilt, and Summer Vegetables
Late May in Central Texas is a time of transition. Spring blooms are at their peak, summer heat is creeping in, and your garden is shifting from planting mode into maintenance, harvesting, and preparation for the hotter months ahead.
In this episode, we cover soil testing, fruit tree care, what to plant now (and what to skip), and how to make smart decisions about your garden as summer approaches.
🌿 Enjoy the Blooms (and the Rain!)
This is one of the most beautiful times in the garden:
Perennials are blooming
Landscapes are lush from spring rains
Pollinators are active
Take time to enjoy it—this is peak beauty before summer stress sets in.
🌱 Why Soil Testing Matters (and When to Do It)
Late spring is a great time to test your soil—especially if you’re serious about growing:
Vegetables
Fruit trees
Turf grass
These are heavy feeders and require balanced nutrition to thrive.
🔍 When to Get a Soil Test:
Plants aren’t thriving or keep dying
Leaves are yellowing or discolored
You’re fertilizing but not seeing results
⚠️ Common Mistake:
Over-fertilizing—even with organic products—can harm your plants.
Knowing what’s already in your soil helps you:
Avoid nutrient imbalances
Save money on unnecessary products
Make informed decisions
🧪 Recommended Soil Testing Labs (Texas)
Texas A&M Soil Lab
Texas Plant & Soil Lab (offers organic recommendations + microbial testing)
✔️ How to Take a Soil Sample:
Collect small samples from multiple areas
Mix together for a representative sample
Send to a lab with your property details
🌳 Trees & Shrubs: What NOT to Do
🚫 Stop Planting Woody Plants
It’s too hot for trees and shrubs to establish properly.
❌ Do NOT Prune (Especially Oaks)
It’s still oak wilt season
Pruning can spread disease
👉 Wait until after June 30
Exceptions:
Safety hazards (broken branches, clearance issues)
🍑 Fruit Tree Care in Late May
🍎 Harvest Early to Beat Wildlife
Pick stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines) when:
They just start to show color
Still slightly firm
Let them ripen indoors for best results.
💡 Pro tip:
Place fruit in a paper bag with a ripe apple to speed ripening.
✂️ Thin & Support Your Trees
Thin fruit if you haven’t already
Prop up heavy branches to prevent breakage
🌿 Feed Your Trees
Fruit production requires energy—consider soil treatments or fertilization if needed.
🌸 Perennials, Grasses & Bulbs
Most plants are blooming beautifully
Minimal maintenance required
✔️ You Can:
Cut back cool-season plants going to seed (like yarrow, spiderwort)
Let them reseed if you want more plants
⏳ Last Chance:
Finish planting or transplanting perennials
Only continue if rain is in the forecast
🥕 What to Plant in Late May (Central Texas)
This is a critical decision point—planting now means committing to summer gardening.
🌱 Plant Now:
Southern peas (black-eyed peas, cowpeas)
Okra
Sweet potatoes
Melons
Winter squash & pumpkins
🌶️ Still Good:
Peppers
Eggplant
🌿 Direct Sow:
Beans & peas
Melons
⚠️ Think Before You Plant:
Do you want to garden through July heat?
Many gardeners:
Take a break around July 4
Resume in mid-August
🌽 When to Plant Corn (Best Timing)
Best windows:
Late March – April
Late July – August
👉 Choose varieties that mature in 80 days or less
Heat-tolerant varieties may work in summer:
Check sources like Native Seeds/SEARCH
🌿 Herb Garden Tips
This is prime harvest time!
🌱 Harvest Now:
Oregano
Thyme
Mint
Lemon balm
Chives
👉 Best flavor is before flowering
🌿 Cilantro Tip:
Likely bolting (going to seed)
Seeds = coriander
Save seeds for fall planting or share with seed libraries
🌍 Gardening With Purpose
Gardening goes beyond your backyard.
By saving seeds and growing heirloom varieties, you:
Preserve biodiversity
Protect rare plant genetics
Support global food resilience
This episode highlights organizations like:
Iraqi Seed Collective
Central Texas Seed Savers
🌺 Upcoming Event: Austin Pond & Garden Tour
📅 June 6–7
📍 Austin, TX
Explore:
Beautiful ponds & gardens
Water features, wildlife habitats
Garden art and landscaping inspiration
🎟️ Tickets available online (link below)
🔗 Resources & Products Mentioned
Book a consultation with Colleen: http://atxgardens.com/
ATXGardens.com for soil test interpretation services, contact info at the bottom of the home page
Texas Oak Wilt pruning guidelines:https://texasoakwilt.org/resources/oak-wilt-studies/pruning-guidelines-for-prevention
Native Seeds/SEARCH: https://www.nativeseeds.org/pages/seeds
Iraqi Seed Collective: @iraqiseedcollective on Instagram
Central Texas Seed Savers: https://www.centexseedsavers.org
Austin Pond Society: https://austinpondsociety.org/page-18288
🌼 Stay Connected
For more Central Texas gardening guidance, visit http://ATXGardens.com , follow Colleen on Instagram @ATXGardens_, and subscribe to the ATXGardens Podcast for seasonal, science-based gardening advice tailored to Austin and the surrounding region.
