A GARDEN STORE AND SO MUCH MORE
Located on South Congress, just 2 miles south of downtown Austin. We are by definition an urban garden center. However, with 2 acres of majestic Oak trees, a serene waterfall, a gigantic wind chime, and a tropical greenhouse The Great Outdoors is a bucolic destination. We carry a wide selection of native and adapted plants suitable for Central Texas gardens and homes. Our inventory includes seasonal vegetables, perennials, cacti and succulent, indoor plants, palm trees, shrubs, water plants, vines, roses, fruit trees, and more.
But, we aren’t just about plants here at The Great Outdoors. We are a full-scale garden center. We carry a wide variety of soils specifically crafted for certain plants. We also carry fertilizers, insect management solutions, disease control options and specific plant foods.
You also get us! With our extensive plant knowledge and hands on landscaping experience that we can lend to your gardening project, big or small. We'll also send you on your way knowing exactly how to care for your new plant! We also have a team of loaders who will carry heavy items, bring your soil to your car, and help you get that impossible plant to fit in your vehicle for a safe ride home!
Learn more about our rooms & programs.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 pm - Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Jan 1-5 (to take inventory).
What's happening
See this months events and workshops!

Fairy Garden Workshop
- 1st Saturday every month 11:00am. Our Fairy Garden expert will lead you in creating your own Fairy Garden. Adults and Children welcome.
- Learn More

Garden Party
- 2nd Saturday of every month fun for the whole family!
- Learn More
Christmas Tree Care - a collection of helpful documents
These guides are courtesy of the farm that provided our Fraser Firs! There may be some repetition, but we included them all just in case! We also have our latest newsletter with a list of dos and don’ts for you to look at. Just scroll down to the Newsletter section🔻! We also have a really beautiful video coming soon. With all this info you can be assured to get the most out of our tree this festive season!
our services
While we know the importance of starting a garden with a well-designed plan, we also value the Do-it-Yourself mind set. With this in mind, we offer three design services (Garden Coach, Plan and Plant, and Off-Site Consultations), delivery, and special orders to help you achieve a great garden.
our nursery
Our inventory includes seasonal vegetables, perennials, cacti and succulent, indoor plants, palm trees, shrubs, water plants, vines, roses, fruit trees, and more. But, we aren’t just about plants here at The Great Outdoors. We are a full-scale garden center. Learn More
Recent Newsletters
Re-purposing your Christmas Tree & our Fall Vegepod
How To Pot a Bonsai
Christmas Tree Magic!
The Christmas Cactus - everything you need to know
Living Christmas Trees - Grow a Family Tradition
Preparing for a Freeze! What to do, what not to do, and everything in between!
Wildflower Seeding, Fall for Spring
How to Repot your Orchid
Planting a Fall Veggie Garden - with Vegepods
How To Properly Pot A Plant
Seeding Made Easy - Veggies For Fall
How To Prepare for a Garden Project
Desert Gardening: An Intro to Yucca, Cactus and Agave
Do It Yourself - Mounting a Staghorn Fern
Getting Started with Bonsai
Getting The Most Out of Your Air Plants: Bark Mounted Tillandsias
Staying Cool in the Summer Heat
Republic of Austin Visits the Great Outdoors Nursery
Home Gardening Tips: Tomatoes, Eggplants, Basil, and Dewberries.
Living Living Christmas Trees - Grow a Family Tradition
Cut trees are great, but living trees are better! In this video the insightful Mark Gibbs lays out all the info you need to keep your tree happy and healthy! After its first Christmas inside, you can plant these evergreens in your yard. You can decorate it outside in years to come! It will grow with your family and be a wonderful seasonal reminder of years past, and years to come!