New Garden in Houston, TX

[sparky30_06]

When I lived in Illinois I have over 1500 sq. ft. of garden, now living in a small house in a subdivision outside Houston, Texas I'm going too be hard pressed to get 300 sq. ft. of garden.  I'm buld small raised beds about 10' x 10' each and start out with just  a few plants.  Now I use to start everything from seed in a green house on grow mats with lights ect ect.  now being down here I have no clue when to start things, when to plant them out side, nothing.  I'm clues less as a newby smoker and his first brisket attempt.  I'm planning on planting tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, zucchini, maybe some summer sqush and maybe a herb area too.  oh yea and garlic!!!  any input and help would be wonderful.  Been trying to find a website that is as great and friendly as this one for gardening down here to.

 

[gotarace]

Sounds like you have a plan but you need a bit of local knowledge to get you over the hump. Try a local cafe and look for the older fellas having a coffee clutch. They are the folks that have grown crops sometime over their lives and love to share their know how. Look in the paper under public announcements and see if there is a gardeners club...one trip could give you all the help needed. Heck you may find some new friends in the process! 

 

[graystratcat]

Another great resource is your local extension agency down there.  I do a lot of gardening and also start all my seedlings in my greenhouse.  The NC Ext Agency is a great resource here and I would think it would be the same in TX.  I think the first thing I would do if I were you is find out which 'zone' you're in and what the last expected frost date is for your area.

I did a quick Google search and here's a few informative links all from the Texas Ext Agency:

Texas AgriLife Ext Agency Home Page:

http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/

Lawn and Garden Home Page:

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

Veggie Overview for Texas:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/lawn_garden/veg.html

General Home Veg Guide:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/E-502_home_vegetable_guide.pdf

Hope these help.

-Salt

 

[big andy a]

When we lived in Dallas there was a Texas gardening expert named Neil Sperry who has a book, "Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening" which is a really good book.  I did a little searching and he has a web site; http://neilsperry.com/, which seems to have a bunch of tips and resources that should get you on the right path.

Good luck,

Curt.

 

[ecto1]

There is a gardening show on the radio on sunday morning her in Houston called the garden line.  The host is Randy Lemmon he can answer ay questions you have and also give you advice for your side of town.  Houston is so big that what works on the south side wont work on the north.

 

[venture]

Also, if you can keep up with all his ambition, Pineywoods has put up some fascinating posts on vertical container gardening!

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[sparky30_06]

Thanks everyone!!!!    Knew I would get some great help here as always.  ECTO1 I'm actually up in Spring also, but figured I'l put Houston to get a better response

 

[mpatrick]

I suggest only planting things that can withstand 7 months of no rain and 100 degree temperatures as well as tolerate 40+ inches of rain in 3 days all in one year.  :-)

 

[sprky]

this might help ya out. I don't think its quite as good as SMF but there are some helpful people there

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/