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by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield
Things just taste better when they are fresh from the garden. There is absolutely nothing that compares with the taste of a home-grown tomato. What’s not to savor about that sweet-tart flavor, as the juices drip down your chin? Combine with fresh-picked peppers for a salsa that sings summertime!
By the time you are reading this article, it is a little late for Texans to plant cool weather plants like lettuce, radish and onions. But, don’t let a date on the calendar stop you! There is still time to grow some of your favorite veggies. Warm-season crops, which include beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, okra, peppers and tomatoes, can still be planted and harvested until the first major frost.
Whether you are a newcomer to gardening, or just find Texas soils and climate too intimidating, not to worry. Gary Williams, gardening guru and owner of Country Place Nursery in Allen for 29 years, shares some tried-and-true tips to help you find success in the garden.
Choose carefully when selecting the location for your vegetable garden. Consider a side yard that has been ignored and abused. Is it a potential space to nurture nature’s bounty? Plants will perform best in well-drained soil that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight each day. If possible avoid windy locations, and locate near an easily accessible water source.
Gary says, "Successful gardens are built one step at a time. Each step is as important as the next. First and foremost you need to amend the soil. It is very important to add organic matter. Organic matter raises the soil nutrient levels. The soil in Collin County is very alkaline, and Lake Lavon water is also alkaline, which leaches nitrogen. And, nitrogen is what makes plants green and grow." And be mindful about watering. Gary counsels, "The most critical thing is watering. More plants are killed by over-watering than by not enough." Vegetables need about one inch of water per week either from rain or irrigation. If rain has been scarce, hand water in morning or consider a drip irrigation system.
Gary recommends regular fertilizing, too. "The numbers on a fertilizer indicate the proportion of nitrogen, phosphate and potash in the fertilizer. Select a fertilizer with a low middle number. Our soil has plenty of it." Be sure to read and follow the label directions.
Gary advises, "Start small. A bed 3’ to 4’ wide is ideal so you can easily work from either side. You can make it as long as you want." Even with a tiny lot you can have success growing vegetables in raised beds, containers and on vertical supports. Almost anything that can be grown in the ground can be grown using any of these methods. Just be sure to space plants accordingly to allow for air flow and mature plant height. If you can, plant your plot next to a fence, Gary suggests "Attach trellis or wire and use that space for plants that need vertical support. Beans and cucumbers will climb up the fence, leaving you more room in the bed for other vegetables."
While the best time to start your vegetable garden beds is in early spring, Gary shares, "You can still plant tomatoes and pepper transplants. They just won’t produce the yield they would have if planted earlier in the spring." He recommends planting varieties that produce small to medium size tomatoes, such as a Patio or Cherry. "Larger varieties can split in our summer heat." For best results select varieties that have disease resistance. Look for "VF", "VFN", and "VFNT" after the cultivar name.
Cherry tomatoes love summer! There are many varieties that don’t seem to mind the heat, especially Sweet 100. And, even thought their fruit is small, be sure to allow plenty of space for them to grow. They can be very tall and rambling. One standard cherry tomato plant typically yields enough fruit for a family.
It has often been said that to get children to eat their vegetables, encourage them to join you in the garden to help grow and harvest the fruits of their labor. Gary counsels, "It is important for your kids to be successful. Let them grow a pepper plant or cherry tomato in a pot. Let them plant it, and teach them to water, fertilize and nurture that plant. They will get a crop. You can get more return—in fruit and smiles—off of one cherry tomato plant!"
Okra is to the South as rhubarb is to the North. Gary says, "You can still plant okra in May for a plentiful harvest. One or two okra plants will easily produce enough for a family of four, as will one zucchini plant." Don’t get carried away with too many plants. You’ll be overwhelmed. Gary encourages, "Grow small quantities of your favorite herbs and vegetables that you will use in your kitchen." Have an abundant crop? Share with family, friends and neighbors.
While just the idea of planting more seedlings on a sweltering July or August day is enough to make you sweat, summer is a wonderful time to plan for a great fall garden. The fall garden is a chance to learn from your successes and mistakes. And, don’t be afraid to experiment with new varieties. Most plants grow better in the warm days and cool nights fall offers. Consider companion planting. Some flowers, such as marigolds, are not only pretty, but they are edible and are said to repel pests as well.
Our Texas climate provides seasons that offer an opportunity for a prolonged harvest of fresh vegetables, saving on food costs and giving your family fresh, nutritional produce.
Visit the Aggie website at aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu for a list of vegetable varieties that are best suited for Collin County. For questions or more information about vegetable gardening, or vegetable varieties for our area contact the Collin County AgriLife Extension office, 972.548.4232 or a trusted nursery professional.
Dawn Bluemel Oldfield is a freelance writer. |
