Here's what I did this morning in the garden:
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.
*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
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! |
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.
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...
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...
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...