Select proper planting times for fresh vegetables from the backyard garden.
Houston, Texas is located in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Map zone 8b. The zone number guides farmers and gardeners as to what plants are suitable for the area and indicates the peak times for planting garden vegetables. Does this Spark an idea?
Time Frame
In areas with mild winters, you can plant the first vegetables around January 15, including cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, mustard, radishes, spinach and turnips. Beets and broccoli can be planted in mid-February, while corn, cantalope and tomatoes can be planted in mid-to-late March. Peppers, squash, Southern peas, okra, cucumbers, eggplant and lima beans shouldn't be planted until at least April 1.
Potential
Plant a second spinach crop in September.
Because of the long Texas growing season, many crops in the Houston area can be planted a second time for a fall crop. Turnips, squash, Irish potatoes, kale, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, beets and broccoli can all be planted again in August, while radishes, spinach and onions can be planted again through September.
Considerations
To get a head start on the garden, consider starting plants indoors. Cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, squash, watermelon and cauliflower can all be started in containers inside; place these containers in a sunny, draft-free location. This method shortens the outdoor growing season and ensures that any unviable seeds will not be planted in the garden.
Tags: broccoli planted, growing season, Houston Texas, planted again, radishes spinach
