Hey everyone! I'm just starting out with vegetable gardening and am looking to grow some veggies this spring in my backyard in South Texas. The weather here can get pretty hot and muggy, so I'm curious about the best vegetables to plant that will thrive in this climate. I'm also considering building my own garden beds, so any tips on how to construct them and what to fill them with would be super helpful. Also, if you have any favorite Instagram accounts or other resources for gardening advice, please share! Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
I live in Dallas and just started gardening as well! I set up a small greenhouse to deal with fire ants and had mixed results with my garden beds. Eggplant and zucchini seem to thrive! Just a quick tip; get a 40-50% shade cloth for your plants in summer to protect them from the intense Texas sun. Also, a drip irrigation system can save you tons of trouble—trust me, getting outside to water daily during the heat can be a workout!
For the hot conditions in South Texas, I’d recommend yardlong beans, tomatillos, cucumbers, okra, and zucchini. If you’re short on space, look into growing Sugar Cube cantaloupe or Sugar Baby watermelon. Black-eyed peas are a great option too. Just keep in mind that while peppers and tomatoes can grow, they will slow down when it gets too hot. Giving them some afternoon shade will help a lot! Also, consider the lasagna method for filling your raised beds to save on costs—much more practical than just buying bags of soil and compost!
You're gonna love gardening! Check out YouTube channels like Millennial Gardener, Growing in the Garden, and Self Sufficient Me. They have great how-to guides that can really help you get started. Even though it’s a bit late to start tomatoes or peppers from seed this year, you can still buy starts and plant them right away to make the most of your spring. Things like cucumbers and squash can be started soon too. Just remember, our winters can also be good for things like lettuce and radishes, so mix it up according to the season!