Gardening in Texas

[AlaskanInTexas]

Any gardeners out there? Early on in my time here in Texas (Dallas area) I tried to grow a few things, but didn't have tremendous success. Well, except for okra - I am pretty sure the key to solving world hunger is okra. Just curious what types of things you folks plant and if you have any tips. I am trying to become a little more self sufficient on the veggies.

[cb1000rider]

Any gardeners out there? Early on in my time here in Texas (Dallas area) I tried to grow a few things, but didn't have tremendous success. Well, except for okra - I am pretty sure the key to solving world hunger is okra. Just curious what types of things you folks plant and if you have any tips. I am trying to become a little more self sufficient on the veggies.

I garden. The soil in Texas varies quite a bit so you'll need to find what grows in your geography.
Just consider our season as some time in the spring and some time in the fall.
This year, I did:
1) Corn, planted very early
2) Peas, planted early
3) Tomatoes, they grow almost all the way through summer
4) Various peppers

Things that we grow year round:
1) Grapes
2) Pomegranates (particular to our soil)


Things that I haven't had luck with:
1) Blueberries (had to try)
2) Blackberries - probably due to soil

[Wodathunkit]

Several great Texas Gardening books out there. A few have the state mapped out in zones for easy reference of what to plant (and when). All my books are boxed up for a move, or I would give you some titles.

[Running Arrow Bill]

A classic in Texas: Neil Sperry's Guide to Gardening in Texas Current edition should be available at major bookstores. Also, at your local Library.

Yes, soil varies a LOT in Texas.

[troglodyte]

Texas A&M has a lot of good information through Agrilife and Aggie Horticulture.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/

[AlaskanInTexas]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll check out some of these resources. I'm not quite sure I would classify the earth in my backyard as soil.

[liberalwithagun]

Any gardeners out there? Early on in my time here in Texas (Dallas area) I tried to grow a few things, but didn't have tremendous success. Well, except for okra - I am pretty sure the key to solving world hunger is okra. Just curious what types of things you folks plant and if you have any tips. I am trying to become a little more self sufficient on the veggies.

I garden. The soil in Texas varies quite a bit so you'll need to find what grows in your geography.
Just consider our season as some time in the spring and some time in the fall.
This year, I did:
1) Corn, planted very early
2) Peas, planted early
3) Tomatoes, they grow almost all the way through summer
4) Various peppers

Things that we grow year round:
1) Grapes
2) Pomegranates (particular to our soil)


Things that I haven't had luck with:
1) Blueberries (had to try)
2) Blackberries - probably due to soil

In california we had to fight the blackberries, they were a formidable force, comparable to a weed. However we lived on the side of a hill (fault line) with a spring and high water table. Blackberries need *a lot* of water. If you are on a high aquifer I would image they would do well, in that case they are probably already there.

I really miss making pancakes with them.

[G26ster]

Texas is a huge state, and things that do well in South Texas don't necessarily do well at all in North Texas. What you plant has everything to do with what zone you are in. It sure isn't a one size fits all state. My $.02

[bizarrenormality]

Texas is a huge state

Not compared to Alaska.

[G26ster]

Texas is a huge state

Not compared to Alaska.

Yes it is. Over 2.5 times the size of Texas, but Texas is the largest of the lower 48 contiguous states. Although I was not born and raised in Alaska, I lived there for 11 years and my perception is that Alaska has only one zone - COLD!!!!!

On the reality side, I always enjoyed the absolutely huge vegetables grown and shown at the AK State Fair annually. Absolutely astonishing!

A sample:

http://www.alaska.com/about/weather/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[J.R.@A&M]

Late spring/summer heat is a limiting factor to a lot of garden vegetables with the exception of things like okra, black-eyed peas, and certain peppers. So plant your tomatoes and beans and greens and cucurbits early, and maybe also again in the fall. Reminds me that I need to put in some cabbage and lettuce this weekend.

[xb12s]

Around Houston, I had much better luck planting a fall garden.

Planting in the spring, the heat and bugs take out everything. But planting in the fall, the tomatoes do really well, and usually my broccoli grows through the winter.

This.

Neil Sperry would be a good source for Dallas. I believe he lives in McKinney or some other DFW type area. In Houston, Urban Harvest/Bob Randall are good sources. Randy Lemmon is more of a landscape gardening guru here, but also gets into vegetables a little bit.

Only a few things will survive the summer here, but fall and winter gardening is great. You will get more frosts in DFW area, so I'll limit my advice since it may not be productive.

you mentioned the soil or earth quality (or lack thereof). We employ raised beds here because the soil quality is not good and cannot generally be fixed without adding heaps of amendments every year. But, like others have mentioned, soil type in Texas varies dramatically depending on location.

[Divided Attention]

Get in good with your county Ag agent and the local master gardeners. They are a wealth of information and often free cuttings/starters.

We are getting ready to start an aquaponics adventure - can't wait!

[RPBrown]

If you want to go organic, check out some of Howard Garrett's books. Chemical free gardening works as I have been organic for 20+ years.