How to Grow a Vegetable Garden in Central Texas

One of the benefits to living in Texas is the extra-long growing season. The Lone Star State actually has two growing seasons, spring and fall. The intense heat of summer compels most gardeners to take a break during the hottest months and plant their second vegetable garden in September. Take advantage of the warm weather and learn how to grow a vegetable garden in central Texas.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Organic Mulch
• String and Wood Stakes
• Garden Gloves
• Garden Hose
• Rake
• Hand Spade for Weeding
• Square or Triangular Hoe

1. Plan the garden. Choose what vegetables you wish to grow, where you want to grow them and when you want to grow them. Consult a Texas planting guide such as the one at the Plant Answers website where you can find both spring and fall planting dates for any type of vegetable.

2. Supplement the existing soil. Central Texas soil can be quite poor in certain areas and supplementing with organic soil from the local gardening center will help overcome deficiencies.

3. Prepare a seedbed so that the top surface is raked free of clods, stones and debris. Central Texas soil can sometimes present a challenge with heavy concentrations of limestone near the ground surface. Use a tiller to save time and labor if starting a garden for the first time.

4. Weather can be hot and dry in central Texas. Keep soil moist with frequent watering during germination by using a fine spray nozzle to moisten the soil until water begins to run off. Sprinkle at least daily unless it happens to rain.

5. Use plenty of organic mulch to keep weeds down, conserve moisture and reduce soil temperature. The Texas heat, even in springtime, can quickly dry out a garden that has no mulch.

Tips & Warnings

• See "How to Start a Garden" for general information on seasonal vegetables to grow and planting tips.
• Central Texas bugs are very hungry.If you choose to try organic gardening, take steps to help keep pests away, such as planting marigolds nearby.
• Deer can be a big problem for central Texas gardeners. Help keep deer out of your garden with a motion-activated water sprinkler.

[1960texan]

on 2/1/2009 Water is a precious resource in central Texas, especially this year. A motion-activated water sprinkler is too wasteful to use to control deer.