garden blog

Herbert's Spring Garden

Selection of site
Needs lot of sun (preferably full sun)
Should be sandy although a small amount of clay loam is acceptable

I selected a site that meets these conditions except it does not have
full sun but has water available for watering.

Soil preparation
Need to test soil for PH content. You can purchase self test or have
samples sent to Texas A&M (through the county agent).

I used a self test the first year and found that, as expected,
required a lot of lime.

Apply lime in January to give it time to combine with soil for
planting in March or April. Till garden before applying the lime and
after it is applied.

Purchasing Seed   

Seeds are purchased in bulk from Ace hardware or The Coop Store. Over the years I have planted okra (in late March or early April) and radish. It is important to plant seeds that are produced to grow in your area.

Planting Dates     

The dates to plant (if weather permits) is based on moon phases. I have not learned exactly which phase to plant. I depend on a local almanac supplied by First National Bank. IF TOO WET YOU MAY NOT PLANT ON THE EXACT DATE. IF TOO COLD PICK A DATE LATER IN MARCH. If you can not get good date according to moon get as close as you can.

Spring garden 2009

Mid October: Sprayed garden with Roundup to kill grass and weeds that had grown over summer while I was in the Northeast.

Week Later: Tilled garden

February 30: Applied 13/13/13 fertilizer and tilled again. Wet down with sprinkler. Very good if we get a rain prior to planting.

March 5: Tilled garden and prepared rows for planting.

Also put tomatoes in the ground.

 I now prepare rows that I will need with ridges on the outside. The rows are about 2 ½ feet wide. I do this because over the years I have found that watering by slowly letting water flow down the rows (irrigating) is better and saves water. In past years I have watered with sprinklers and drip hose.

March 6: (Best time to plant above ground crops) Planted contender beans, yellow wax beans, cucumbers, white squash, zucchini and yellow squash. Plant according to instructions, usually ¾ or 1 inch deep. Be sure to tamp seeds after covering. I use a rake and tap lightly the entire row.
I will plant closer together than recommended and then thin after plants are about 2 weeks old. I have found that some plants produce well somewhat closer together than recommended. Especially beans.

March 8: Spray rows with seeds produce plants or we get rain I will apply water every other day. Sprinkle the rows. Do not over water. 

This has been a very dry fall so until we get rain I will sprinkle at least every two days until
plants are about ¾ inch high. Then I will start irrigating as needed.