It is difficult to imagine another state with such diverse growing regions, soil conditions, and weather as Texas. In the eastern part of the state, one finds slightly acidic soil and high humidity much like other southern gardening conditions. However, in the western part of Texas, there are dry, desert growing conditions with alkaline soils. Then, there are the high plains of west Texas Panhandle with real winters and the Gulf Coast with tropical growing conditions.
What can be grown in a vegetable garden or landscape and how to accommodate the variability is the province of many subject matter experts that offer their help.
On-line Resources for Texas Gardeners
The arbiter of all things Texas gardening and landscaping is the Texas A&M AgriLife program. Their web site provides factsheets, guides and databases for lawns, landscapes, and gardening in Texas including articles from more than 50 teachers, scientists, and Extension specialists. On the site a Texas gardener can get regional specific information for Central, East, West, South and Gulf Coast gardening. They also provide access to information on specific plants in cooperation with the Ohio State University under PlantFacts.
Great Books for Texas Gardeners
Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening (Taylor Publishing Company, 1991) by Neil Sperry . This classic, comprehensive book can often be found used at greatly reduced prices. It provides a good introduction to landscaping, trees, shrubs, lawn care, flowers, and vegetable gardening.
Native Texas Plants (Lone Star Books, 1997) by Sally and Andy Wasowski is an essential resource for gardening and landscaping that is environmentally responsible. Broken into Texas’ gardening regions and filled with pictures, this one deserves a place on bookshelves.
Howard Garrett has several books on the Texas gardening recommended list: Herbs for Texas (University of Texas Press, 2001); Plants for Texas (University of Texas Press,1996); Organic Manual (Tapestry Press, 2000); and Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening (Gulf Publishing Company, 1999).
Another classic is Texas Gardening Guide (Cool Springs Press, 2002) by Dale Groom, a popular radio show hose, horticulturist, and speaker.
The Texas Garden Almanac (Texas A&M University Press, 2007) by Doug Welch is a month-by-month guide to Texas gardening. This book won the 2008 Garden Writer's Association's Silver Award of Achievement.
Easy Gardens for North Central Texas (Color Garden Publishing, 2009) by Steve Huddlesto and Pamela Crawford.
County Extension Offices to Help Texas Gardeners
County Extension Offices provide Texas gardeners with information important for gardening and landscaping in their county. The extension office is staffed with professionals that are trained to answer gardening questions. Free or low cost publications on all aspects of Texas gardening are available through the extension office.
The Extension Office will facilitate soil testing and larger extension offices may be involved in plant research. The almost 70 Texas Master Gardener training and consultation programs are administered through the County Extension Offices. Master Gardener volunteers offer classes, demonstrations, and help build community gardens. The Texas A&M AgriLife website provides contact information for agricultural extension offices organized into urban groups and by county.
One can learn to garden successfully in Texas. It will take some basic, regional information and patience. Gardeners who push through the learning curve and follow the advice of professionals and veteran Texas gardeners will be rewarded with healthy landscape plants and productive vegetables.
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