Texas Winter Gardening: What to Plant in January Houston, Austin, & Dallas
- Simply Sprinkler
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Texas is a massive state, and if you live here, you know the weather can change in a heartbeat. While our friends up north are looking at snow, Texans are looking at seed packets.
At Simply Sprinkler of Texas, we help homeowners from the Gulf Coast to North Texas maintain lush, healthy landscapes. Whether you’re in the humidity of Houston, the rocky soil of Austin, or the windy plains of Dallas, January is a critical month for your garden.
Here is your regional guide to January planting across the Lone Star State.
1. Houston & The Gulf Coast (Zone 9)
In Houston, January is relatively mild. You have the most flexibility for planting right now because the soil rarely freezes.
What to Plant: It is "Go Time" for potatoes, onions, and asparagus. You can also transplant broccoli, cabbage, and kale.
Flowers: Get your Pansies and Violas in the ground now for a pop of color.
Fruit Trees: This is the prime month to plant citrus and stone fruits.
Sprinkler Tip: Keep an eye on the "Piney Woods" humidity; ensure your sprinklers aren't overwatering, which can lead to root rot in the cooler air.
2. Austin & Central Texas (Zone 8b)
Austin’s weather is a bit more "bipolar." You have to be ready for a 70-degree day followed by a hard freeze.
What to Plant: Focus on hardy root vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips.2 You can also plant English peas toward the end of the month.
Trees & Shrubs: January is the best time to plant Native Texas Shade Trees (like Live Oaks or Cedar Elms) so they can establish roots before the scorching Hill Country summer.
Sprinkler Tip: Austin's rocky soil drains quickly. Even in winter, your trees need deep, infrequent watering to stay hardy against freezes.
3. Dallas & North Texas (Zone 8a)
Dallas is the coldest of the three. You have to be much more cautious with "tender" plants here.
What to Plant: Stick to the toughest greens like Collards and Mustard Greens. It is also the perfect time to plant bare-root roses.
Prepare for Spring: January in Dallas is less about putting things in the ground and more about soil preparation. Add compost to your beds now so they are nutrient-rich for March.
Sprinkler Tip: Winterization is key. Ensure your backflow preventer is wrapped. A January freeze in Dallas can burst pipes that would stay perfectly fine in Houston.
The One Thing All Texas Gardens Need in January
Regardless of where you live in Texas, your irrigation system is the heartbeat of your landscape. Winter is the best time to perform a system audit.
Common winter irrigation issues in Texas include:
Cracked Pipes: From unexpected hard freezes.
Clogged Nozzles: Debris from fall leaves often finds its way into sprinkler heads.3
Controller Errors: Ensuring your "Winter Settings" are active to save water while keeping your perennials alive.
Get Your $39.99 Winter Tune-Up
Whether you are gardening in the Bayou City, the Silicon Hills, or the Big D, Simply Sprinkler of Texas is here to ensure your irrigation system is ready for the year ahead.
Don't wait for the spring rush! Our expert technicians will inspect your zones, check for leaks, and optimize your spray patterns to make sure your January plantings thrive.
Click Here to Schedule Your Service or call us at (281) 691-1222.
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