Beginner Tips for Transitioning from Containers to a Full Garden

In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, host Callie Works-Leary answers a listener's question about transitioning from growing plants in containers to creating a full-fledged garden in the yard without spending a fortune. Callie discusses essential factors to consider, such as selecting the ideal garden location based on sun exposure and proximity to water sources. She outlines the pros and cons of raised beds versus in-ground beds, recommending starting with two 4x8 raised beds if space allows. Additionally, she provides advice on soil amendment, irrigation methods, and dispels common misconceptions like the necessity of landscape fabric in raised beds. Tune in for practical tips to kickstart your gardening journey and maximize plant health and productivity.

00:00 Introduction and Listener Question

01:24 Choosing the Right Garden Location

04:16 In-Ground vs. Raised Bed Gardening

07:29 Building and Filling Raised Beds

12:18 Preparing In-Ground Beds

16:52 Irrigation Tips and Techniques

21:15 Final Tips and Announcements

To calculate how much compost you need for a three-inch layer, measure the length and width of the bed in feet and multiply them to determine square footage. Convert three inches to feet by dividing by twelve (0.25 feet). Multiply the square footage by 0.25 to get the required volume in cubic feet. If you’re buying by the bag, divide that number by two and that’s how many bags of compost you need. For bulk orders, divide that number by twenty-seven to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, which is the standard unit for bulk compost orders.

Buy the planner here: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com/products/2026-north-texas-garden-planner

In this episode, I introduce a new format that includes answering listener questions in addition to the usual lecture-style content.

First, I discuss important gardening tasks for the week, such as transplanting brassicas, lettuce, and cool-season flowers like snapdragons and pansies. I also emphasize the need for consistent watering despite cooler temperatures.

Next, I address Angela's question about growing cut flowers in partial shade, providing detailed recommendations on suitable perennials and annuals, including oak leaf hydrangeas and dianthus.

Don’t forget to check out our 2026 garden planner, now available for purchase.

00:00 Introduction and New Format Announcement

00:52 Weekly Gardening Tips: Transplanting and Winter Annuals

03:13 Angela's Question: Growing Cut Flowers in Partial Shade

05:13 Understanding Light Levels for Plants

07:02 Perennials for Part Shade Cut Flower Gardens

10:00 Annuals for Part Shade Cut Flower Gardens

12:14 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

12:49 Conclusion and Announcements

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

2026 North Texas Garden Planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com

MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL:

The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_

Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool

Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

 In this episode, I introduce a new interactive podcast format that focuses on answering listener questions. Today, we're addressing a question from Morgan about pruning her overgrown Texas Rock Rose and Salvia greggii.

I explain the science behind pruning, including the role of the hormone auxin, and offer detailed advice on when and how to cut back these plants to promote healthier, fuller growth.

I also discuss seasonal gardening tips, the importance of timing in pruning, and provide additional advice on plant maintenance and management. Listeners are encouraged to submit their gardening questions for future episodes.

00:00 Introduction and New Podcast Format

02:05 Listener Questions: Overgrown Plants

03:26 The Science of Pruning

05:58 Pruning Techniques for Woody Perennials

08:22 Seasonal Pruning Guidelines

10:05 Winter Care for Perennials

12:45 Planting and Dividing Perennials

14:01 Housekeeping and Announcements

15:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources Mentioned

If you like the episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙

In this episode, we delve into the critical role of record keeping in gardening success. I share my personal experiences and tips on how detailed records have significantly enhanced my gardening skills over the years.

I cover the types of information to track, such as planting dates, varieties, sources, and productivity, and explain how these details help in planning and improving garden performance.  

00:00 Introduction to Record Keeping in Gardening

00:54 Why Keeping Records is Crucial

01:28 How to Keep Planting Records

02:53 Essential Information to Record

04:08 Tracking Planting Dates and Maturity

06:43 Germination and Harvest Tracking

08:30 Advanced Record Keeping Techniques

10:13 Inspection Reports and Performance Evaluation

13:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

15:06 Outro and Additional Resources  

RESOURCES  

Get the planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com  

The Dallas Garden School: https://thedallasgarden.com

Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com

Ditch the pumpkin patch, and grow your own! Learn how to grow pitch-perfect pumpkins in your own North Texas backyard with these simple and easy-to-implement tips and tricks.

I cover how to pick the right varieties, how to prep your garden beds for success, how to care for your plants like a pro, and when to harvest.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:28 Personal Memories and Pumpkin Varieties

02:03 Tips for Growing Pumpkins in North Texas

02:30 Selecting the Right Pumpkin Seeds

07:03 Understanding Pumpkin Growth Habits

09:30 Preparing Your Garden for Pumpkins

10:32 Common Pumpkin Problems and Solutions

14:45 Watering and Harvesting Pumpkins

16:36 Curing and Storing Pumpkins

17:55 Conclusion and Final Tips

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙

Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

Are your pumpkin and squash plants mysteriously wilting and dying just when they're getting established? If you've ever lost plants to squash vine borers, this episode is your complete guide to prevention and early intervention!

Squash vine borers are one of the most frustrating pests for home gardeners, but with the right preventative strategies, you can protect your plants without expensive treatments or fussy techniques. 

In today's episode, I share my proven system that has kept my garden squash vine borer-free for over 10 years, including:

00:00 Introduction

00:56 Mindset Shift in Pest Control

02:02 Prevention Strategies for Squash Vine Borers

03:01 Effective Use of Insect Mesh

03:40 Accidental Experiment and Results

04:38 Preventative Measures Recap

06:05 Treatment for Squash Vine Borers

09:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

11:22 Conclusion and Farewell

PRODUCTS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Check out my detailed Instagram post with step-by-step squash vine borer prevention guide: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOPq-GokzNr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Floating insect Mesh: Lightweight cover that lets in light and water without trapping heat

Support Hoops: Available from Johnny's Seeds for supporting insect mesh

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Organic treatment specifically for caterpillars and worms in larval stages

MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool
Website: https://thedallasgarden.com

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

 If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more gardeners who need these insights.

Thanks for tuning in! Now get out there and share the love of gardening with someone else - whether it's sharing your homegrown produce or encouraging them to start their own garden journey.

See you next week!

Hey, Texas Gardeners! Today, we're diving into how to start and improve your cut flower garden. I'll be explaining why a cut flower garden is different from a traditional flower garden and how to lay it out with intention.

We'll also cover selecting the right plant varieties for our seasons here in Texas, like snapdragons, cosmos, and zinnias, and I'll share tips on indoor seed starting and advanced techniques like succession planting to extend your harvest.

Plus, I'll give you a heads-up on our upcoming class enrollments and the exciting launch of our 2026 planner with special early bird gifts.

By the end of this episode, you'll have actionable steps to get started on growing beautiful cut flowers. Let's get growing!

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:56 The Importance of Thinking Like a Farmer

01:23 Exciting Planner Launch Announcement

02:10 Getting Started with Growing Cut Flowers

03:05 Designing Your Cut Flower Garden

06:16 Selecting the Right Flowers for Each Season

11:39 Indoor Seed Starting: A Gardener's Superpower

15:04 Advanced Techniques: Succession Planting

17:13 Recap and Action Steps

21:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Resources Mentioned

October is a major turning point for North Texas gardeners. If you have felt frustrated by September’s heat and dry spells, this is when the garden finally starts to bounce back. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what you should be doing right now to set your garden up for success, both this fall and into the spring.

We’ll cover:

Why October matters so much in North Texas and what you need to do to take advantage of it.

The specific vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennials to plant this month.

How to time your plantings so you do not miss your window with brassicas, garlic, or fall flowers.

Simple soil prep and compost strategies, plus fall lawn care.

Which perennials and annuals are worth planting now and which to hold off on.

If you need a reason to get back in the garden, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan for October. My goal is to help you avoid the most common mistakes and make gardening a little easier.

00:00 – Welcome and what to expect
00:33 – Why October is important for North Texas gardeners
03:43 – Understanding our two growing seasons
05:17 – What to plant right now: vegetables, garlic, and direct-sown crops
07:36 – Cool-season herbs and how to grow them
09:29 – Lettuce, annual flowers, and indoor seed starting
10:28 – Planting hardy annuals and transplanting tips
10:57 – The best time to plant perennials
12:21 – Annual flowers to plant now and what to wait on
13:21 – Maintenance tasks: fertilizing, compost, soil prep
14:51 – Building soil health and composting
16:22 – The 2026 North Texas Garden Planner and free printable
17:52 – Closing thoughts and encouragement

Free One-Page Fall Planting Plan
Download your printable plan for what to plant and when, perfect for posting in your gardening space. 

The 2026 North Texas Garden Planner
Bigger, brighter, spiral-bound, and packed with new tools: sample layouts, color-coded months, a twelve-month succession plan, and more. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the launch and your chance at a free gift with purchase!

The Dallas Garden School

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Do you love garlic in your favorite dishes but wonder how you can successfully grow it in North Texas? If you’ve ever been intimidated by growing garlic or simply aren’t sure where to start, this episode is exactly what you need!

Garlic is one of the most rewarding vegetables you can plant. It’s easy to store, incredibly versatile in the kitchen, and surprisingly fun to grow.

In today’s episode, I share all my best tips and tricks to make garlic growing a breeze, including:

Ready to become a garlic-growing expert and make this one of your most successful gardening seasons yet? Listen in and let’s get growing!

00:00 Welcome to the Texas Gardening Podcast

00:33 Preparing for October: Planting Garlic

02:06 Choosing the Right Garlic for Your Garden

03:22 Where to Buy Seed Garlic

04:47 Types of Garlic: Hard Neck vs. Soft Neck

08:15 Preparing Your Garden Bed for Garlic

11:42 Planting Garlic: Tips and Techniques

12:29 Additional Resources and Conclusion

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Awesome Alliums eBook: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com/awesome-alliums-ebook

Your complete step-by-step guide for growing amazing garlic and onions in North Texas. Discover detailed planting, care, harvesting, and curing instructions to ensure a bumper crop every season.

MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL:

The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_

Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool

Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

How to Divide and Propagate Perennials: Tips for Texas Gardeners

In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, I address a question from my student Debra about dividing her Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue'.

I offer insights on the best time and methods to divide perennials and explain the reasons for dividing plants, such as improving performance, reducing overcrowding, and propagating new plants.

Learn the difference between woody and herbaceous perennials and the step-by-step process for how to properly divide and transplant these plants to minimize shock and ensure healthy growth.

00:00 Introduction to Dallas Garden School Podcast

00:13 Deborah's Question on Dividing Salvia

01:04 Why and When to Divide Perennials

01:42 Signs Your Perennials Need Dividing

03:26 Techniques for Dividing Perennials

05:15 Dividing Woody vs. Herbaceous Plants

08:00 Tools and Methods for Dividing Plants

09:35 Propagating Woody Perennials

10:54 Conclusion and Gardening Tips

RESOURCES:

The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_

MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL:

Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool

Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!