Late Winter/Early Spring Planting Tips From Barton Springs Nursery

Описание: As Central Texas gardeners inch toward spring, many feel eager to refresh beds, plant new veggies, and bring some color back into the landscape. But as Zander Caruso of Barton Springs Nursery reminds us, temperature—not the calendar—is the real boss this time of year.

“People think Valentine’s Day is the official start to spring, but we never really know what Texas might throw at us,” Zander explains. “Temperature swings can make or break your plants, so we want to set the stage carefully.”

Below, Zander shares a straightforward guide to timing your gardening tasks based on warm–cold patterns, what you can plant safely, and how to protect your work if winter makes an unexpected return.

Valentine’s Day: A Starting Line… With Caution

Even though Valentine’s Day is widely thought of as the symbolic start of spring in Texas, Zander says it’s not the green light for planting everything.

“We watch nighttime temperatures—not dates—to decide what can go in the ground,” he says.

Between Valentine’s Day and the end of February, here’s what you should focus on:

Garden Clean‑Up

Remove spent winter growth, tidy beds, and refresh your space.

Reset With Soil Boosters

Add fertilizer, compost, and mulch to build nutrient-rich, temperature-stable soil.

Prune Roses

“Post‑Valentine’s Day is perfect rose‑pruning time,” Zander says.

These tasks prepare the garden for the warming trend ahead while avoiding premature planting.

What To Plant (And When)

Temperature is the determining factor for successful spring planting—especially nighttime lows.

Wait For Nights Above 50°F Before Planting Spring Veg

“Tomatoes and many spring vegetables get stunted when temps dip below 45–50°F,” Zander explains. That means holding off just a bit longer before planting those warm-season favorites.

Add Another Round of Winter Veg

You can still plant:

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Lettuce

Beets

Carrots (later in February)

Onions (still good to go!)

These cool-season plants handle chilly nights without issue.

Plant Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Native and deciduous varieties won’t flinch at a frost. Now is a great time to establish them.

Save Tropicals and Mediterranean Plants Until After the Last Frost

Once you’re confident a final frost has passed, you can safely plant:

Citrus

Bougainvillea

Palms

Other tropicals and Mediterranean species

“They metabolize properly only when the soil is warm—not cold,” Zander says.

Zander’s Top Tips for a Strong Start

Let Winter Veg Bolt for Pollinators

“If you let them warm up and bolt, they’ll bring pollinators into the garden early,” he explains.

Use Liquid Fertilizers To Push Growth

Liquid formulas give plants instant nutrient uptake on cooler days.

Be Frost‑Ready

If a late freeze hits in February or March, keep frost cloth or blankets handy. Never use plastic to cover plants—it traps moisture and magnifies cold damage.

Spring in Austin is equal parts excitement and unpredictability. With Zander’s temperature‑first approach, gardeners can set themselves up for a strong, resilient, and colorful growing season.

Stop by and shop in-person on Bee Caves Road, or check out their offerings online at BartonSpringsNursery.com.

All facts from this article were gathered by Studio 512 employees. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by Studio 512 staff.