Arrow Left
profile

The Dallas Garden School

Last chance for the Texas Chop

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Here's what I did this morning in the garden:

  • Deadheaded rudbeckia, snapdragons, and 'Mystic Spires' salvia
  • Cut back 'Monarch Magic' ageratum, aster, and salvia nemorosa by 50%
  • Staked 'Hopi Red Dye' amaranth
  • Harvested 'Midnight Moon' eggplant, 'Marketmore' cucumber, 'Golden Griller' squash*, 'Sweet Canyon Orange' bell pepper*, and 'Baby Bubba' okra*.

If you haven't done so already, this is your final reminder to cut back any perennials or annuals that have become overgrown or unruly.

This is known as the "Texas Chop".

What's the Texas Chop?

Before we dive into the Texas Chop, first you need to understand the Chelsea Chop.
​
The Chelsea Flower Show takes place every year in England in late May which is the same time our British gardening friends cut back summer-blooming perennials (and certain annuals) by a third or half in order to create more compact plants (prevent flopping) or to stagger blooming for a longer display. They call it the Chelsea Chop.
​
Borrowing nomenclature from our friends across the pond, the Texas Chop refers to the practice of cutting back perennials and certain annuals by one-third to one-half in July - after the initial bloom period - in order to maintain plant compactness, encourage a strong fall bloom, and overall refresh the plant...

​

*These vegetables are new varieties sent to me for testing from Burpee Home Garden brand. I'm very impressed by them all.

UPCOMING CLASS:

Blossom Brilliance: Cool Weather Flowers for Cottage Gardens​
Live online, Saturday, August 10, 10am-12pm
(Replay will be available to registered students.)

​

STOCK UP FOR FALL SEED-STARTING:

Check out my Amazon store where I have collected all my must-have tools and supplies. There's an entire section for seed-starting supplies!

The Dallas Garden School

Callie Works-Leary

By teaching you how to connect deeply with nature, The Dallas Garden School helps you unlock your full potential. Callie is the foremost gardening expert and educator in North Texas and a gardening columnist for D Magazine. Based in Dallas, Texas.

Read more from The Dallas Garden School

Here's what to plant now in your garden. Vegetables by direct seed: Cucumbers, okra, melons, pumpkins, winter squash, summer squash. Vegetables by transplant: Tomatoes (last day!), eggplant, peppers, okra. Annuals by transplant: Pentas, vinca, begonias, impatiens, zinnias, sunflowers. Indoors: Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, amaranth, cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds. General maintenance: Deadhead all annual and perennial flowers regularly to maintain bloom. Shear back...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

As you start to plant things for fall*, here are some things to keep in mind... Your soil is likely fairly tired after the spring season. We had lots of rain and early heat. Give your soil a refresh with some good compost after you pull out your spring crops and before you plant your fall stuff. I usually mix about one bag (2 cu. ft.) into the top 6-8 inches of soil for every 9 square feet of garden space for a mid-crop boost. This morning, after hand watering the front display garden and...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

The best kept secret among North Texas vegetable gardeners is the fall growing season. Warm days, cool nights, and returning rains are ideal for vegetable production. In addition to taking Saturday's fall vegetable garden class, here are three ways to prepare: Pull out all spent spring vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans) and amend the area with high-quality compost.These vegetables are done producing for the season because high summer heat inhibits pollination. To prevent future...

2 months ago • 1 min read