Episode 6: December Garden Prep for Austin Homeowners: Weeds, Trees & Winter Care

Written By Colleen Dieter

Welcome back to the ATXGardens Podcast! In Episode 6, certified arborist and landscape consultant Colleen Dieter shares exactly what Austin and Central Texas gardeners should focus on during the first half of December. From winter weeds and pruning timing to fruit tree care and indoor seed-starting, this episode covers the most important early-winter tasks to keep your garden healthy through the cold season.

🐝 Client Story: Designing a Butterfly & Bee-Friendly Yard

This week, Colleen also meets with Annika in Crestview, who wants to transform her suburban lawn into a pollinator garden. Colleen walks her through sheet-mulching techniques, plant recommendations, and how trees help unify a landscape—offering great inspiration for anyone dreaming of a more ecological yard.

If you're navigating winter gardening, planning a new garden design, or preparing for freezes, this episode is packed with timely, region-specific advice.

❄️ Early December Garden Priorities

December marks major seasonal change in Central Texas. Before winter fully settles in, Colleen breaks down what needs attention:

🌬️ Freezing Weather Prep

  • Review last episode for detailed citrus, succulent & tropical freeze-protection tips.

  • Most native plants need no protection—focus on tender plants only.

🌱 Winter Weeds: Identify Early, Save Hours Later

The first winter weeds are sprouting after early-November rain. Colleen explains:

  • Why the #1 mistake gardeners make is pulling out wildflower seedlings by accident.

  • Where to find seedling ID photos (Native American Seed).

  • Which weeds she keeps on purpose (henbit & dandelions) and why.

  • Which invasive weeds to remove immediately (hedge parsley a.k.a. “sock destroyer”).

Best tools for winter weed control:

  • Dutch push hoe for mulched beds

  • Stirrup hoe for gravel or loose soil

  • Flame weeder for cracks (avoid windy days/burn bans)

🌳 Winter Woody Plant Care

With leaves dropping, it’s finally safe to start selective tree pruning.

Prune ONLY if:

  • Branches block walkways, roofs, driveways, or streets

  • Branches repeatedly rub, creating wounds

  • Dead, damaged, or diseased wood is present

Most trees don’t need routine pruning—know why before cutting.

Colleen also previews her upcoming Tree Pruning Class at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (details below).

🍏 Fruit Trees: Early Winter Checklist

Early December is ideal for:

Planting Containerized Fruit Trees

  • Apples, pears, peaches, plums

  • Persimmons & grapes

However, for best selection and tree health, Colleen recommends waiting for bare-root fruit trees arriving mid-December through January.

Disease Prevention

Once leaves drop:

  • Spray with copper fungicide or Bordeaux mix

  • Optional: probiotic sprays like compost tea or Serenade

Citrus Freeze Protection

  • Review Episode 5 for full instructions

  • Cover potted or in-ground citrus during freezes

  • Avoid plastic covers and heat lamps

🌸 Perennials & Bulbs

Warm-season perennials

Not time to plant, divide, or transplant. Wait until early spring.

Cool-season perennials

Plant now:

  • Yarrow

  • Columbine

  • Spiderwort

These tolerate freezes and thrive through winter.

Cutback Guidance

If plants look diseased (powdery mildew), you can cut them down now. Otherwise, leave perennials standing until later winter.

🥬 Vegetable Garden & Herbs

Planting Seeds Now

Some gardeners plant cool-season crops in December; others wait until late January.

From seed, you can still plant:

  • Arugula, lettuce, collards

  • Carrots, radishes, beets, turnips

  • Cilantro, dill, calendula, chamomile

Seed is inexpensive and easy to replace if freezes kill young seedlings.

Herbs

  • Plant cool-season annual herbs now

  • Wait until spring for tender perennials: oregano, thyme, rosemary

Starting Warm-Season Veg Indoors

Begin prepping now for January seed-starting:

  • Tomatoes

  • Peppers

  • Basil

You’ll need:

  • Grow lights

  • Heat mats

  • Seed trays & propagation mix
    (See product list below)

🌿 Winter Lawn Care

December is ideal for:

  • Top-dressing turfgrass with ¼” compost (Colleen prefers turkey compost)

  • Leaving grass tall

  • Grinding fallen leaves with a mower

  • Servicing your mower (drain old gas & sharpen blades)

If you’re ready to reduce lawn space, December is the perfect month to begin planning a new design.

🌼 Winter Wildflowers

You may begin seeing:

  • Bluebonnets

  • Lemon beebalm

  • Pink evening primrose

If you missed fall seeding, you can still add wildflower transplants in 4” pots.

📅 Upcoming Events

January 17 – Tree Pruning Class
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center • 9:30 AM

January 31 – Winter Garden Maintenance Class
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center • 9:30 AM

(Registration links will be shared once posted.)

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

🌼 Stay Connected


For more Central Texas garden tips, visit ATXGardens.com, follow Colleen on Instagram @‌ATXGardens_, and subscribe to The ATXGardens Podcast for biweekly updates from your favorite Austin garden consultant.

Colleen Dieter
Next

Episode 5: What to Plant and Protect in Your Central Texas Garden (Late November – Early December)