Welcome to the Lake Travis Seed Library!

Seed libraries offer local residents FREE seeds and gardening resources. Seasoned gardeners are then encouraged to save the seeds from their best crop and return them to the library to keep the cycle going. The Lake Travis Seed Library contains plants native to Central Texas (which help support biodiversity and water-saving measures) as well as vegetables and herbs known to grow well in our region.

LOCATION

Lakeway MUD Resource Center
1097 Lohmans Crossing
Lakeway, TX 78734

HOURS

Monday thru Friday
8 am to noon and 1-5 pm
Closed holidays (see complete list)

Donations Encouraged!

The Lake Travis Seed Library, established in February 2025, is a grass roots effort by local native gardening enthusiasts. To help get this community resource established, we are asking local residents to drop off or mail in a seeds donation – seeds you have grown or have purchased from a store. Veggie and herb varieties should be heirloom or open pollinated seeds only, no hybrids because you can’t save seeds to grow from a hybrid plant (seed packet will specify seed type). Other seeds should be plants native to Central Texas (Zone 8B/9A).

hybrid plant (seed packet will specify seed type). Other seeds should be plants native to Central Texas (Zone 8B/9A).

Quick Tips: Growing Plants from Seeds

  • Start Seeds Indoors in Late Winter – For spring crops, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost (typically mid-March). Use grow lights for strong seedlings.
  • Direct Sow After the Last Frost – Warm-season crops like okra, squash, and beans can be sown directly in the garden once soil temperatures reach at least 60°F.
  • Mulch & Water Wisely – Central Texas can be hot and dry, so use mulch to retain moisture and water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots.
  • Provide Afternoon Shade – In summer, seedlings can struggle with extreme heat. Use shade cloth or plant taller crops nearby to protect young plants from the harsh afternoon sun.
Seasonal Planting Schedule

Tips for Planting Natives

Native plants that thrive in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas are well-adapted to the area’s rocky limestone soils, hot summers, and periodic drought conditions.

  • Direct sowing is best – Native plants have deep root systems and don’t transplant well.
  • Don’t fertilize too much – Native plants thrive in lean soil. Too much fertilizer leads to excessive foliage and fewer flowers.
  • Be patient – Some perennials take 1-2 years to bloom but will come back stronger each season.
  • Encourage reseeding – Let flowers go to seed to ensure natural propagation.
  • Attract pollinators – Bees, butterflies, and birds rely on native plants for food and habitat.

Most wildflowers need winter chill for better germination and will bloom in spring.

Plant NameScientific NameSun NeedsBloom Time
Texas BluebonnetLupinus texensisFull sunMarch – May
Indian BlanketGaillardia pulchellaFull sunApril – July
Mexican HatRatibida columniferaFull sunMay – September
Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpureaFull sun/Part shadeMay – October
Black-Eyed SusanRudbeckia hirtaFull sun/Part shadeMay – August
Milkweed (Common, Antelope Horns, Butterfly)Asclepias spp.Full sunMay – October
Drummond PhloxPhlox drummondiiFull sun/Part shadeMarch – June

Tips for Fall Sowing:

  • Direct sow onto prepared soil (no need to bury deeply).
  • Water lightly until established, then let winter rains take over.
  • Avoid heavy mulch—it can block seed germination.

Some plants don’t require stratification but benefit from cooler temperatures for early germination.

Plant NameScientific NameSun NeedsBloom Time
Lemon Mint (Horsemint)Monarda citriodoraFull sun/Part shadeApril – July
Engelmann DaisyEngelmannia peristeniaFull sunMarch – June
WinecupCallirhoe involucrataFull sun/Part shadeMarch – June
Coreopsis (Lanceleaf, Plains Coreopsis)Coreopsis spp.Full sunMay – July
Texas LantanaLantana urticoidesFull sunMay – October

Tips for Late Winter – Early Spring Sowing:

  • Direct sow when night temps are consistently above 40°F.
  • Keep soil slightly moist but avoid overwatering.
  • These plants tend to reseed themselves after the first season.

Heat-tolerant perennials and drought-resistant annuals germinate well as the soil warms up.

Plant NameScientific NameSun NeedsBloom Time
Partridge PeaChamaecrista fasciculataFull sunJuly – September
Rock RosePavonia lasiopetalaFull sun/Part shadeMay – October
Maximilian SunflowerHelianthus maximilianiFull sunAugust – October
FrostweedVerbesina virginicaPart shadeSeptember – November

Tips for Summer Sowing:

  • Choose drought-tolerant species to handle heat stress.
  • Water seedlings deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots.
  • Provide light afternoon shade for young plants until established.

Perennials and grasses establish in warm soil before winter dormancy.

Plant NameScientific NameSun NeedsBloom Time
Little Bluestem GrassSchizachyrium scopariumFull sunJuly – October
Big Bluestem GrassAndropogon gerardiiFull sunAugust – November
Inland Sea OatsChasmanthium latifoliumPart shadeAugust – October

Tips for Late Summer Sowing:

  • Grasses help prevent soil erosion and attract native wildlife.
  • Water during prolonged dry spells but avoid overwatering.
Seasonal Planting Schedule

Veggie & Herb Planting Tips

Central Texas (Zone 8B/9A) has hot summers, mild winters, and unpredictable rainfall, making it essential to plant at the right time for success. Below is a seasonal guide to growing vegetables and herbs from seed.

Cooler temperatures allow for leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs to thrive without bolting.

Plant NameVarietiesSun NeedsHarvest Time
Broccoli‘Waltham 29’, ‘Green Magic’Full sun60–90 days
Cauliflower‘Snowball Y’, ‘Amazing’Full sun60–85 days
Carrots‘Danvers 126’, ‘Scarlet Nantes’Full sun70–80 days
Beets‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Golden’Full sun50–70 days
Spinach‘Bloomsdale’, ‘Giant Nobel’Full sun/Part shade40–50 days
Lettuce‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Red Romaine’Full sun/Part shade40–55 days
Radishes‘Cherry Belle’, ‘French Breakfast’Full sun25–30 days
Swiss Chard‘Bright Lights’, ‘Fordhook Giant’Full sun/Part shade50–60 days
Cilantro‘Santo’, ‘Calypso’Full sun/Part shade45–55 days
Dill‘Bouquet’, ‘Fernleaf’Full sun60–75 days

Tips for Fall Planting:

  • Direct sow seeds once temperatures drop below 85°F (usually late September).
  • Keep soil moist to encourage germination.
  • Harvest leafy greens often to encourage new growth.

Cool-season crops can still grow, and warm-season crops can be started indoors for transplanting later.

Plant NameVarietiesSun NeedsHarvest Time
Onions‘Texas 1015Y’, ‘Red Creole’Full sun90–120 days
Garlic‘Softneck’, ‘Elephant’Full sun120–150 days
Potatoes‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red LaSoda’Full sun80–100 days
Peas (Sugar Snap, Snow)‘Sugar Ann’, ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’Full sun60–70 days
Kale‘Lacinato’, ‘Red Russian’Full sun/Part shade50–70 days
Parsley‘Italian Flat-Leaf’, ‘Curly’Full sun/Part shade70–90 days
Thyme‘English’, ‘Creeping’Full sun90+ days

Tips for Late Winter – Early Spring Sowing:

  • Start tomatoes and peppers indoors in January–February to transplant in March.
  • Plant onion sets and seed potatoes in late January.
  • Cover plants during late frosts to protect young seedlings.

Warm-season crops thrive in rising temperatures but should be planted before the extreme heat of summer.

Plant NameVarietiesSun NeedsHarvest Time
Tomatoes‘Celebrity’, ‘Sun Gold’, ‘Roma’Full sun70–90 days
Peppers‘Jalapeño’, ‘Bell’, ‘Banana’Full sun60–80 days
Eggplant‘Black Beauty’, ‘Long Purple’Full sun75–90 days
Squash (Summer/Zucchini)‘Black Beauty’, ‘Straightneck’Full sun50–60 days
Cucumbers‘Straight Eight’, ‘Lemon’Full sun50–65 days
Green Beans (Bush & Pole)‘Blue Lake’, ‘Kentucky Wonder’Full sun50–65 days
Corn‘Silver Queen’, ‘Golden Bantam’Full sun70–100 days
Basil‘Genovese’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Thai’Full sun40–60 days
Oregano‘Greek’, ‘Italian’Full sun/Part shade80+ days

Tips for Spring Planting:

  • Direct sow squash, cucumbers, and beans once soil warms to 60°F.
  • Provide shade or mulch to protect young plants from sudden heat waves.
  • Fertilize lightly with compost or organic amendments.

Heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants will thrive, while some crops should be replanted for fall harvest.

Plant NameVarietiesSun NeedsHarvest Time
Okra‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Red Burgundy’Full sun50–60 days
Sweet Potatoes‘Beauregard’, ‘Georgia Jet’Full sun90–120 days
Black-Eyed Peas‘Texas Cream’, ‘Purple Hull’Full sun60–75 days
Melons (Watermelon/Cantaloupe)‘Sugar Baby’, ‘Hale’s Best’Full sun70–90 days
Southern Peas (Cowpeas)‘Mississippi Silver’, ‘California Blackeye’Full sun60–80 days
Mexican Mint Marigold(Tarragon substitute)Full sun80+ days

Tips for Summer Planting:

  • Water deeply and use drip irrigation to reduce evaporation.
  • Plant heat-resistant herbs like Mexican Mint Marigold instead of traditional tarragon.
  • Use shade cloth for young plants to reduce heat stress.

Soil Preparation & Watering Tips for Growing Veggies & Herbs in Central Texas (Zone 8B/9A)

For native plants that are truly well selected for a site, no soil amendment should be needed. However, if your site has had the original topsoil removed, some soil amendments can help. However, since Central Texas has clay-heavy, alkaline soil and experiences droughts & heavy rains, soil prep and watering strategies are crucial for healthy vegetable and herb plants.

Soil Preparation Tips

1️⃣ Improve Drainage

  • Central Texas soil is often compacted clay, which can cause waterlogging.
  • Add compost, sand, and gypsum to break up clay and improve drainage.
  • Raised beds or mounded rows can help prevent soggy roots.

2️⃣ Boost Soil Fertility

  • Native soil tends to be nutrient-poor and alkaline.
  • Mix in aged compost, worm castings, or well-rotted manure before planting.
  • Use organic fertilizers like fish emulsion or seaweed extract for ongoing nutrition.

3️⃣ Check Soil pH

  • Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0–7.0 pH), but Central Texas soil is naturally alkaline (7.5+).
  • If pH is too high, add sulfur or peat moss to lower it.
  • For acid-loving plants (like blueberries), consider container gardening with acidic soil mixes.

4️⃣ Mulch for Moisture & Temperature Control

  •  Our hot summers dry out soil fast and encourage weeds.
  • Apply 2-4 inches of mulch (straw, leaves, wood chips) to keep soil cool and retain moisture.
  • In winter, mulch helps insulate roots from frost

Watering Tips

1️⃣ Water Deeply & Infrequently

  • Frequent shallow watering leads to weak, shallow roots.
  • Instead, water deeply (1-2 inches per week) to encourage strong root growth.

2️⃣ Time It Right

  • Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation and fungal issues.
  • Avoid watering in the evening to prevent disease from lingering moisture.

3️⃣ Watch for Signs of Overwatering vs. Underwatering

  • Overwatering → Yellowing leaves, wilting even when soil is wet.
  • Underwatering → Dry, curled leaves, slow growth, soil pulling away from edges.

4️⃣ Adjust for the Seasons

  • Spring/Fall – Water 1-2 times per week, depending on rainfall.
  • Summer – Water every 2-3 days, especially in extreme heat.
  • Winter – Water once every 10-14 days if no rain.

5️⃣ Consider Alternative Water Sources

  • Consider installing a rain barrel to capture rainwater which is generally considered preferable for plants because it naturally contains small amounts of dissolved nitrogen, which is a key nutrient for growth, making it a preferred choice over tap water in most cases.
  • Overhead sprinklers can waste water and encourage fungal diseases. Consider trying drip irrigation or a soaker hose to deliver water directly to the roots to be more efficient.

Online Resources

Native Plant Society of Texas

Search for plants that fit your landscape by soil type, sun/shade, height, and more.

Native Plant Database: Ecoregion 3-Edwards Plateau

Texas A&M AgriLife

From artichokes to watermelons, this helpful guide will explains which months are best to plant.

Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule: Travis County

Homegrown National Park

Join the mission to regenerate biodiversity in your community by removing invasives and planting natives.

Add Your Home to the Biodiversity Map

Central Texas Gardener

Tips and techniques from one of the longest-running Austin PBS, KLRU-TV productions.

Watch the Show

Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center

284 acres of mixed cultivated gardens and natural areas that straddle the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecoregions.

Plan a Field Trip