Houston's active adult and independent living community has plenty of reasons to embrace the fruits (pun intended) of gardening and planting. Not only is it a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy the city's amazing weather, but it also provides many physical and mental health benefits. From reducing stress levels to strengthening the immune system, gardening is a proven way to maintain a healthy and active independent lifestyle. Moreover, gardening provides a great opportunity for socialization, allowing active adults to connect with like-minded garden enthusiasts, and
local community programs, and it can even lead to volunteering opportunities.
That being said, if you are new to green thumbing or new to the Houston area, knowing what to plant and when is likely the first order of business on your priority list. To help you with this process, below are some helpful tips, tricks, and guidance to ensure your next gardening mission will be nothing shy of successful.
What Grows Well in Houston (And When)
Texas offers an abundance of opportunities for growth due to its vast size and welcoming climate. Boasting USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9 (sorted by zones I to V), the state's southern regions enjoy even warmer temperatures. These ratings are based on the minimum average winter temperature: Zone 9a has a minimum average winter temp of 20°F to 25°F, while Zone 8b has a minimum average winter temp of 15°F to 20°F. Though Austin experiences its first frost as early as November, Corpus Christi enjoys a more extended growing season with a mid-December first frost date. Here in Houston, the first frost date is 11/29, and the last is 3/1. In retrospect, this means Houston’s temperatures fall between Zones 9A and 8B.
1. Tomatoes - Best Time to Plant: February to April
Tomatoes are plants that need at least 6 hours of sunlight and well-draining soil. They can grow up to 6ft tall and require regular watering.
2. Peppers - Best Time to Plant: March to June
Peppers thrive in warm weather and well-draining soil. They require plenty of sun (6 to 8 hours) each day and regular watering.
3. Cucumbers - Best Time to Plant: March to June
Cucumbers require rich soil, ample sunlight, and consistent watering. They can grow on trellises or in the ground.
4. Eggplants - Best Time to Plant: March to June
Eggplants love warm weather and well-draining soil. They need around 6 hours of daily sun exposure and consistent watering.
5. Avocado - Best Time to Plant: February to May
Avocado trees need consistently moist, well-draining soil with slightly acidic pH levels. Be mindful that avocado trees do require protection from frost and hot sun.
6. Basil - Best Time to Plant: February to September
Basil thrives in warm weather and moist soil. It needs around 6 hours of sun exposure and regular watering every day to reach peak growth potential.
7. Mint - Best Time to Plant: February to September
Mints grow best in partial sun and well-draining soil. They require regular watering and can be grown in containers if desired.
8. Rosemary - Best Time to Plant: February to March
Rosemary needs well-draining soil and around 6 hours of sun exposure. It can survive droughts and is a perennial herb.
9. Oregano - Best Time to Plant: February to March
Oregano grows well in well-draining soil and partial sun. It requires regular watering and can be grown in containers like some of the above.
10. Thyme - Best Time to Plant: February to March
Thyme needs well-draining soil and direct sunlight for at least 5 hours daily. It also requires consistent watering and can be grown in containers.
11. Chard - Best Time to Plant: October to December
Chard requires rich soil, plenty of sun exposure, and consistent watering. It's a cool-season crop and can be harvested continuously.
12. Collard Greens - Best Time to Plant: September to February
Collard greens require rich soil and at least 5 hours of sun exposure daily to reach peak growing potential. With the Houston sun, collard greens typically thrive in this area.
13. Kale - Best Time to Plant: October to February
Kale requires well-draining soil, plenty of sun exposure, and consistent watering. It can be harvested continuously.
14. Beets - Best Time to Plant: September to February
Beets are another cool-season crop that requires well-draining soil, full sun exposure, and consistent watering. Also, consider planning marigolds next to your beets, as these flowers help repel various pests while attracting lacewings that feed on aphids and other garden-hindering insects.
15. Carrots - Best Time to Plant: September to February
Carrots require loose, fertile soil, plenty of direct and indirect sun exposure, and regular watering.
16. Green Beans - Best Time to Plant: March to June
Green beans require well-draining soil, full (i.e., direct) sun exposure, and consistent watering at least once or twice daily. They can be grown on trellises or in the ground.
17. Radishes - Best Time to Plant: September to February
Radishes require loose, fertile soil, plenty of direct sun exposure, and consistent (typically once a day) watering.
18. Spinach - Best Time to Plant: October to February
Spinach requires well-draining soil, partial sun exposure, and consistent watering. It can also be harvested continuously throughout the season.
19. Arugula - Best Time to Plant: September to February
Similar to spinach, arugula also requires well-draining soil, partial sun exposure, and consistent watering.
20. Squash - Best Time to Plant: March to June
Squash requires fertile soil, full sun exposure, and consistent watering. They can take up a significant amount of space and need to be harvested regularly to prevent overgrowth.
Gardening Tips & Tricks
To ensure the survival of your plants during the cooler months, consider raised beds and mulching to keep your soil warmer and protect it from harsh weather. Drip irrigation systems are also an efficient way to ensure your plants receive adequate water to thrive, especially if your yard is prone to drought-like conditions during the summer months.
If you want a healthy growing garden, you need high-quality soil for your plants to grow. For soil selection, you want soil that absorbs water, has a loamy texture, and contains nutrients and beneficial fungi. Another thing to note is that good soil typically contains a slightly acidic pH balance of 6-7, which is the level range needed for plants to grow optimally during any season.
A short and sweet tip - if you plant fruit trees such as pear, apricot, cherry trees, fig, kiwi, and banana trees, avoid fertilizing until you see the first signs of new leaves appearing.
The start of March in Houston may spark excitement to plant as many plants and vegetables as possible. However, make sure not to overcrowd. The reason is that plants and vegetables need proper space to grow. Overcrowding can make your garden more susceptible to pests and diseases due to poor air circulation and make your plants undernourished as they compete with too many others.
This last point may sound more obvious but don’t forget about routine maintenance. This includes weed removal, trimming, pest controls, pruning, and of course, watering. Doing this regularly allows your garden to stay healthy and can help eliminate sneaky pests that could hinder growth.
Let It Grow - Embrace The Gardening Experience
From one passionate Houston gardener to another, any active adult with an aspiration or passion for gardening can succeed; and it all starts with understanding the hows, what’s, and when’s of gardening in Houston. All in all, there is nothing quite as zen-inducing and downright beautiful as growing the vibrancies of nature. Not to mention, you will get to experience all the health and wellness perks that piggyback these efforts along the way!
In summary, gardening is such a wonderful, therapeutic hobby for anyone of all ages, and getting started here in the heart of Houston is as simple as knowing what plants will flourish and splashing some green thumb passion onto every seed. Nail that down, and you’re already halfway there.