First Central Texas Container Garden

 We planted a bit late for our garden this year starting the first week of April. Fortunately, the growing season is fairly long in our area of Texas. We probably get 6 weeks of winter, and some plants will survive during that time. Because our soil is mostly clay we decided to use containers. We had several on the property from the previous owners along with a long wooden one. We used a soil sand mixture hubby had delivered last year along with potting mix and compost.

Bugs, yes Texas has lots of them them. Our poor small bean plants were being eaten by the aphids and the tiny black ants liked the aphids. It was a mess and one poor plant was in bad shape. We overreacted and probably put too much vinegar on the soil or a combination of the neem oil mixture. They didn't survive. Hubby replanted them after replacing some of the topsoil. "YOU CAN MAKE AN ANT TRAP out of a water bottle with 1 Tbl Borax, 2 Tbl sugar, and water. Set the bottle on its side and cut a slit on the top so the ants can get in. NO MORE ANTS IN THE BEAN PLANT. Lots of dead floating ants in the water.

So far the tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers are doing well. The peppers were behind a bit due to the shading of the cucumber plant. Hubby replanted the small plants in separate 5-gallon food-grade buckets that can be moved to a cooler place. Later they will be moved into the sun. We have harvested lettuce and beet leaves several times. The second type of lettuce didn't grow back well so hubby planted another variety. The beets, radishes, and carrots were not thinned soon enough so they didn't do well. These were replanted and are looking good.

If all goes well I suspect we will expand our garden quite a bit adding peas and other vegetables. Hubby can make a stand for the 5-gallon buckets which will make it easier. Moving them off the ground could help with the ants, although we will be putting down ant traps as needed. 

I am so blessed to have a farmer husband. He learned a lot of his skills from his childhood. They had a full garden. His father loved to garden and fortunately, it rubbed off on hubby. As for me, I am the inside wench. I will freeze, dehydrate, and can any extra vegetables. Herbs will be next this fall.

The downside of having a garden limits your vacation time. With the heat here in Texas watering is very important. We don't have access to a faucet on that side of our driveway to put in a drip system. That could be another project. Hubby also wants to build a shorter wood carport on a cement slab with a slight grade. The rain downpours can beat up a garden along with the sun. This is a test garden. We don't have deer or other varmints that we know of yet. Time will tell.