first garden

19 years ago

I have been wanting to start a garden for years but never did due to space restrictions where I live. I am now in the process of building a new home with plenty of room. I live in Corpus Christi Texas whre we have very mild winters and super high humidity. I plan on building raised beds and following the Square Foot method.

Questions:

1. What crops grow well here (zone 9) and would be good to learn with?

2. I have heard that melons do grow well here but loose their sweetness, is this true?

3. Which variety of tomato will prosper here?

4. Will the high humidity cause mildew problems and if so what is the best way to control it?

Thank you all so much!

Bobby

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Comments (5)

belindach
19 years ago
Contact your local county ag agent. I received a wealth of info from mine. I don't grow melon because it takes up to much space. My garden grows year around. Your first year try your local nursery or Wal Mart for tomato transplants. You may not have the time or space to start tomato from seeds the first year or two.

We've had a ton of rain this year and mildew has been a problem. I use soaker hoses in raised beds. Don't water overhead.
ruthieg__tx
19 years ago
I agree about the Ext Service...they will have Master Gardeners that will know the answer to all your questions. Our MG's are available on Monday and Thursday to answer phone calls....and they have lots of knowledge about a given area.

I am not sure what belindach means about starting seeds or not starting them for the first year or two ....I buy a few plants once in awhile but truthfully I find that my seed started plants do just as well or better than those I buy...

Good luck and get growing...you should be able to have lots of good fall stuff.
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belindach
19 years ago
Ruthieg, I was talking specifically about tomatoes. Bobby, could order tomato seeds online and some of those do better in the north in contrast to our area. Tomato transplants are a good way to start for most of us. I start seeds for many other type of vegs successfully.

This year DH is putting in a cold frame so I can start tomato, eggplant and pepper seeds about Jan. Otherwise it gets to hot to fast for tomatos to set in our area if I start them from seed directly in the garden.
newkidd13
19 years ago
hi texasbobby i too am trying to garden. i live here in aransas pass my summer garden burned up totally but due to medical problems we did not get it all planted til the second week of june. i stripped it down this weekend and so now it is ready for whenever the nurserys or walmart get some vegie plants in. i did plant two strawberry plants i hope they make. all of it is trial and error for me
ruthieg__tx
19 years ago
You zone 9 people have plenty of time to get some veggies growing...I'm in zone 8 according to the charts but 7 is probably more accurate and I am still planting green beans and tomatoes...You might want to get some tomato plants and so forth but if you get cracking there is time for a garden.