Task List & Planting Guide
Garden Care
Normal and record freeze dates for Lubbock, TX: The average last freeze in spring is April 10.
The recorded earliest last freeze in spring was February 24, 2012. The recorded latest last freeze in spring was May 8, 1938.
Plant ground covers, warm season annuals and perennials as soil temperatures warm. Check the weather and make sure there is no frost in the forecast.
Wait until next month to plant hot season annuals! (Around Mother’s Day in our area.)
Plant Bermuda grass seed ONLY when nighttime temperatures average 65 degrees. (Farmers will be planting cotton!)
Prune spring blooming shrubs and vines after they finish flowering.
Allow foliage on spring bulbs to die back and dry before removing, so they can store food for next year
Use 3 – 4 inches of mulch on all flower, shrub and vegetable beds
Plant cool-season crops early April: Lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets
Mid–late April (after frost risk lowers): Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers
Direct sow: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, larkspur
💡 Keep row cover or sheets handy—late cold snaps do happen here.
Begin consistent watering schedule (not too frequent yet)
Amend beds with: Compost & Aged manure
Break up clay soil before planting
Add light mulch after seedlings establish
Pinch early to create bushier plants:
Zinnias, cosmos, basil
Start succession sowing every 2–3 weeks
Fertilize lightly after plants establish
Pinch early to create bushier plants: Zinnias, cosmos, basil
Start succession sowing every 2–3 weeks
Fertilize lightly after plants establish
Watch wind damage on young stems
Track what germinates best for future planning
Vegetables & Herb Care
Harden off transplants before planting
Protect from strong wind (temporary barriers help a lot)
Start trellising early: Cucumbers, tomatoes
Thin seedlings (hard but necessary)- You can just snip the heads off instead of pulling out to disturb the other roots.
Harvest herbs lightly once established
Keep mint contained (you know why 😅)
Tree & Shrub Care
Begin mowing as grass greens up
Mow grasses weekly or as needed.
Apply spring fertilizer
Start watering as temps rise
Pest & Problem Watch
WEST TEXAS TIPS-Wind is your biggest enemy right now
Soil dries faster than you think—check below surface
Don’t overwater just because it’s warm
Aphids on tender growth
Cutworms on seedlings
Early grasshopper activity