Growing in the Brazos Valley is easier with the right timing. Find month-by-month planting recommendations and seasonal tips to help your garden thrive. Put your fresh harvest to good use with delicious garden-inspired recipes.
beets
carrots
kohlrabi
lettuce
spinach
English peas
pod peas
radish
jujube
redbud
mesquite
beets
carrots
kohlrabi
lettuce
spinach
English peas
pod peas
radish
jujube
redbud
mesquite
broccoli
brussels sprouts
cabbage
kale
bulbing onions
green onions
dill
fennel oregano
seedlings of parsley
beets
carrots
kale
lettuce
mustard greens
peas
spinach
turnips
tomatoes
peppers
jujube
redbud
mesquite
broccoli
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
greens
lettuces
spinach
swiss chard
turnips
sage
redbud flowers
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads
artichokes
asparagus crowns
asian greens
broccoli
cabbage
chard
collards
lettuce
mustard greens
onion sets
potatoes
shallot bulbs
chives
cilantro
dill
fennel
parsley
oregano
rosemary
thyme
potted fruit trees except citrus
beans
corn
sunflowers
edamame
Texas tarragon
beans
corn
sunflowers
edamame
Texas tarragon
lettuce
mustard family leafy greens
cabbage family plants
peas
potatoes
carrots
beets
turnips
radishes
Insect problems start to increase along with warmer temperatures in March. Most of our insect problems can be controlled with relatively mild organic solutions – especially if caught early.
bush and pole beans
corn
okra
southern peas
cucumber
melons
okra
summer and winter squash
cucuzza
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
ginger
mustard seed
sunflowers
prickly pears
asparagus
artichokes
beets
broccoli
cauliflower
cabbage
carrots
radish
turnips
arugula
chard
collards
kale
lettuce
spinach
cilantro
dill
parsley
nasturtium
pansy
strawberries
sage
redbud beans
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads
eggplant
peppers
swiss chard
sweet potatoes
plant tomatoes before April 20-the sooner the better
basil
chives
lemongrass
oregano
rosemary
thyme
mint, with container growing recommended due to its aggressive growth
figs
pomegranates
citrus trees (after freezing is done)
Choose a growing site with good drainage, in full sun and thoroughly amend the soil with 4 or more inches of high quality compost.
lima beans
black eyed peas
okra
pumpkin
summer squash
melon
cucumber
malabar
spinach
tomatillo
basil
cucuzza
edamame
ginger
mustard seed
sunflowers
prickly pears
potatoes
parsley
cucuzza
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads
cucumber
eggplant
melons
okra
southern peas
pepper
sweet potato
pumpkin
radish
squash
tomato
Potatoes, the most popular vegetable in America is fun and easy to grow either in traditional gardens or in all sorts of large containers. Planted in February in central Texas gardens, they are most often ready to harvest in May.
lima beans
southern peas
okra
pumpkin
summer squash
winter squash
melon
cucuzza
carrots
corn
cucumbers
green beans
peppers
radishes
squash
tomatoes
turnips
blackberries
blueberries
figs
peaches
plums
melons
cucuzza
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads
mesquite beans
cucumber
eggplant
melons
okra
southern peas
pepper
pumpkin
squash
Harvest and eat vine ripened tomatoes immediately or refrigerate. And, since tomatoes are climacteric (continue to ripen after harvesting) to outsmart pesky birds, you can pick them in the pink stage and allow them to ripen indoors, unrefrigerated.
corn
cucumber
southern peas
okra
pumpkin
summer squash
winter squash
melon
cucuzza
corn
cucumbers
eggplant
green beans
peppers
field peas
squash
tomatoes
cucuzza
jujube
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
mustard seed
corn
cucumber
eggplant
melon
okra
southern pea
pumpkin
squash
July is most often associated with watermelons in Texas, but for me it is also cantaloupes. And, has been since a 1976 visit to west Texas, when I was introduced to Pecos County cantaloupe, one of the most fragrant, sweet versions I’ve ever tasted.
beans
corn
cucumber
mustard greens
turnips
summer and winter squash
cucuzza
cucumbers
eggplant
okra
peppers
field peas
squash
melons
pears
grapes
cucuzza
jujube
sage
Texas tarragon
mustard seed
sunflowers
prickly pear pads
mesquite beans
bean
corn
garlic
pepper
squash
tomato
Eggplant can often be harvested in August. A relative of tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, it isn’t bothered by the hot weather and keeps producing into the fall.
peas
beets
carrots
collards
leaf lettuce
mustard greens
spinach
turnip
radish
jujube
edamame
redbud
mesquite
eggplant
okra
peppers
squash
figs
pears
peanuts
pomegranate
cucuzza
jujube
sage
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads and fruit
beet
broccoli
brussel sprouts
cabbage
carrot
cauliflower
garlic
peas
radish
The cool season garden takes off in September, with the planting of many of the easily grown edibles, like the leafy greens.
beets
carrots
collards
leaf lettuce
mustard greens
spinach
turnip
radish
arugula
cilantro
dill
parsley
jujube
edamame
redbud
mesquite
cucumbers
eggplant
peppers
pumpkins
squash
sweet potatoes
pears
pecans
persimmons
pomegranates
cucuzza
jujube
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
ginger
prickly pear pads and fruit
beet
broccoli
brussel sprouts
cabbage
carrot
cauliflower
garlic
green onion
radish
Sweet potatoes are actually not potatoes at all and for that matter, they are not yams either. A member of the morning glory family – Ipomoea batatas – the sweet potato is an underground edible root with sweet, moist, orange flesh.
arugula
carrots
leaf lettuce
mustard greens
turnip
radish
jujube
redbud
mesquite
green beans
peppers
pumpkins
squash
sweet potatoes
tomatoes
tomatillo
winter squash
pears
pecans
persimmons
pomegranates
cucuzza
edamame
sage
Texas tarragon
ginger
prickly pear pads & fruit
broccoli
cabbage
carrot
radish
Cool season crops are growing in earnest this month, but there is still time to add a few more things to the vegetable garden. Keep a close eye on weather predications and be ready to cover new or baby plants in the event of a freeze. Use lightweight blankets, a cardboard box or frost cloth that is made specifically for this purpose.
carrots
lettuce
jujube
redbud
mesquite
beets
collards
lettuce
mustard greens
spinach
turnips
citrus
pecans
persimmons
sage
Texas tarragon
prickly pear pads and fruit
brussel sprouts
fruit trees (bare root after dormancy)
With minimal planting and harvesting tasks, the month of December offers the home gardener respite. It is an opportune time to reflect on your garden’s production or research new growing opportunities. Don’t forget to keep a close eye on weather predications and be ready to protect plants in the event of a freeze.