No matter where you live in Texas. If you love to garden there is sure to be everything you need to get started. You probably live in an excellent climate for gardening! You usually get lots of sunshine, some rain, and a very long growing season. The great news is that all of that is good for you! No matter what you wish to grow you should be able to find everything you need to grow it in the space available to you.
Getting Started with Gardening: Embracing Azaleas
If you have never grown your own vegetables or flowers before, it may seem a little intimidating at first. After all, it is a wide open area with lots of land. However, with the right tools, supplies, and advice you will be able to have gorgeous gardens throughout the year. One crop you will definitely want to try your hand at is the azalea. Azaleas are native to Texas and grow wild in the middle of the eastern swamps. It is easy to grow these plants by following the guidelines provided here:
Seasonal Tips for Planting Fruit Trees and Shrubs
Plant fruit trees and shrubs when the temperatures are warm and you will find them thriving in the spring. When the temperatures warm in late spring you are going to want to move plants to protect them from too much heat. Also, move plants to higher ground levels. Flowering perennials should be moved as soon as they have bloomed for the best results. They do not like being moved around too much during their flowering season.
Understanding Planting Dates When Gardening in East Texas
Before you begin gardening in east Texas, you will need to know a few things. First, know the planting dates for all of your vegetables. This information should be found on the packet that your seeds came in. If you do not know the planting dates for your seeds then make a list of the months before planting. This list will help you identify what crops you should plant based on the planting date.
Tree Planting Strategies and Pest Control
If you are planting trees in the spring then you will want to plant them about three to four feet tall. Tents and barbed wire work are great for keeping your trees small. You will also want to remove any weeds that you see before you plant. One good way to keep pests away from your vegetables in the summer heat is to make sure there are plenty of rats and other pests around in the area so they do not come looking for water or food.
Ensuring Adequate Drainage in Your Garden
In addition to planting trees and shrubs, one important aspect of gardening in east Texas is ensuring that you have adequate drainage in your garden area. This is especially true for those who live in drier climates where the soil may be excessively hot in the summer and extremely dry in the winter. For those who have been accustomed to gardening in the west, this is an easy transition because drainage issues are almost non-existent in most of the states east of the red river. The only exception would be the Texas hill country where hillside gardens are an absolute must due to the amount of moisture that can evaporate when it rains.
East Texas Gardener Back to Eden gardening with the Cardinals in the rain
