General News - Articles

Semi-Annual Pottery Sale

Our semi-annual pottery sale happens on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Ladybugs and Other Beneficial Insects

Find out why we stopped carrying Lady Bugs and Mantids and what you can do to get beneficial insects in your garden.

Earth Sprouts Summer Camps for Kids!

The Great Outdoors is proud to bring you our first ever gardening camp for kids age 4-10. The camps will focus on local food culture, gardening, and ecological stewardship. Keep an eye on our website for registration details and links. COMING SOON!!

Merrideth on CTG

I was asked to do a segment on Bamboo for Austin on Central Texas Gardener. Here it is!

Tom's Nursery Tour

Tom takes the Republic of Austin staff on a quick tour of the nursery. Check it out!

Attack of the Homegrown Tomatoes!

If you're proud of your little red beauties and want to show 'em off, maybe win a gift card, read on to find out what you gotta do.

It's Not Hot, It's ROOF Hot

Very few plants in the Texas landscape can tolerate heat AND drought like these little toughies.

Help your Plants Beat the Heat

Five tips to keep your landscape healthy in the heat and drought we are experiencing.

Basic Fountain Info

Here are a few things you definitely need to know when choosing a fountain. Follow these simple instructions and your fountain will give you years of enjoyment.

It's Corn Gluten Time

Now is the time to apply corn gluten for spring weed control.

Attack of the Aphids!!!

Suddenly, an explosion of aphids has descended on Austin, leaving everything sticky in their path. Here re a few things you can do to mitigate damage and help your plants.

It's time to plant wildflowers!!

While the flowers won't come until spring, now is the time to put out wildflower seeds. Read on to find out how.

Extreme Freeze is Coming

Here are a few tips to try and mitigate damage from the hard freeze coming.

Valentine's Day is near!!

A living plant will last much longer than cut flowers. Plus they will bloom again in the future. All for a cost similar to what you will pay for roses this week.

Top 5 "Must Have" Garden Tools

While they aren't everything, these 5 tools will get you through 85%-90% of ypour garden chores.

Mother's Day Celebration

Celebrate mom at TGO

"Summerizing" Your Garden

A few easy steps to prepare your garden for summer heat. There's no need to be married to the hose this summer.

Beat the Summer Heat

It can be difficult to keep the garden looking good all summer. Working in the heat can difficult and even dangerous. Here are some pointer to help get you through.

5 July Superstars

While some plants will start to suffer when the heat arrives, these 5 winners are just getting started.

Succulents make local news!!!

Fox& 7/8/10, Super summer Succulents

Tree Planting video

From Fox7, a quick video giving tips on tree planting.

Mosquito Control

A few tips to help you control mosquito populations in your yard.

Fall tomatoes are here!

Fall tomatoes have arrived and peppers can't be far behind. Learn about why we plant them.

Agave and Yucca

Great drought tolerant plants for hot Texas gardens!!

Proper Spraying Techniques

A guide on how to properly apply solutions to plants using different sprayer types.

Gardening Questions 8/19

With Merrideth out od town, Kelly Nalle steps in at Fox7 and answers some questions from viewers.

Tantalizing Tillandsias

Tillandsia are easy to grow plants that nearly anyone can be successful with.

The Family Brassicaceae

Learn about one of the best veggie families for the fall garden.

Septemeber To-Do's from Fox7

Ideas of what you may need to do this month in the garden.

Bromeliad Madness

A diverse and easy to grow family, Bromeliads are a sure fire hit with any gardener.

New Talavera!

We found a new Mexican Talavera supplier with awesome new colors and styles.

Community Gardens

Don't have land to work a garden? Maybe a Community Garden is the answer for you.

Fall Flowers

Now is a great time to put in fall color and reap it's rewards for several months.

Composting

Learn how to start a compost pile to avoid putting yard waste and kitchen scraps into landfills.

October is National Herb Month

Jill on Fox7 talking herbs and sharing a recipe.

Your Garden Questions

Merrideth answers a few questions from viewers on Fox7

November "To Do's"

A few sometimes forgotten chores for the garden.

Houseplants

A selection of houseplants for clean air and lush looks.

Fruit Trees

A quick how to choose from Merrideth

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees

What to look for when choosing a fresh cut Christmas Tree

Poinsettia Alternatives

Want to try something different this year, here's some options.

Gifts for Gardeners

A few gift ideas for the green thumbs in your life!

Garden Questions: Holiday Edition

What to do with your holiday plants after Christmas.

Giving Back; Garden Volunteer Opportunities

Austin has a great gardening community, and many organizations rely on volunteers for what they do. Here's a list of a few.

New Year's Resolutions

While you are setting goals for 2011, here are a few garden related ideas to add to the list.

Onions!

An onion how-to from Jill

Garden Myths Exposed!

There are lots of myths surrounding gardening. A few are clarified here.

Video Newsletter February 2011

A quick video to let you know what to think about in February.

Preparing for Spring

Get ready for spring planting with a few tips from Jill.

Valentine's Gift ideas

Try giving something other than cut roses this year. Many of our gifts will keep giving for weeks, months, or even years!

Overlooked Garden Products

Five great garden products that many people are not familiar with.

Get a jump on weeds!

The hard freeze has presented an opportunity for early weed control.

5 Tips for new Gardeners

5 tips on making the best use of your time at a garden center.

Beneficial Organisms

Here a re some natural ways to combat pest and disease in your garden without insecticides!

Potted Veggies and Herbs

Grow veggies in pots

Tillandsia Revisited

More helpful tips on keeping your tillandsia happy and healthy.

Dead Heading

An easy skill with great results

Bugs in my Garden

Common bug problems for late spring into early summer

Terrariums

Basics for building a terrarium

Vines

see Merr on CTG talking vines.

Ultomato Festival

Lots of ideas for what to do with all the tomatoes you have.

Beat the Heat

summer gardening tips

Butterfly Do's and Don'ts

butterfly garden tips

Tips for the Vacation

a few tips for the vacationing gardener

Bugs in the House

Natural, safe indoor pest solutions

Grow your own Sprouts!

growing your own sprouts at home.

Drip Irrigation

adding drip irrigation to your garden

When can we Plant?!?!

how to know when it is safe to plant again

September To-Do List

Septmeber to do list.

Getting the Fall Veggie Garden Ready

Preparing the fall veggie garden

5 Drought Busters for the Garden

5 top drought resistant plants

New Irrigation Products to Save Time and Water

new watering products

Bringing Soil Back to Life

how to bring your soil back to life.

Fall Bulbs

fall bulbs for Austin Gardens

Habiturf Pro's and Con's

pros and cons of planting Habiturf

Salad Garden

Salad gardens are good clean fun.

More Cut Tree Info

how to care for a cut tree

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Gardener

Gift ideas for the plant geek in your life.

Poinsettia History and Basic Care

learn about poinsettias

More Gift Ideas for Gardeners

more gift ideas for gardeners

Drought Survival Kit

great tips for any responsible gardener

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