Sorry to hear about the losses! It's too bad, but don't give up. Maybe a local garden center would be a good place to visit, and bring samples of the damaged plants if you can. They can help ID and recommend products to keep your babies safe next time...I know that my mom and dad are growing huge tomatoes this summer, my dad is using miracle gro for fertilizer and netting to keep the birds off. We've had days over 90 and I did see green tomatoes on the plants this saturday, but not sure if they're putting on new flowers, etc...the important thing is just to keep trying. I've been at it for ten years, and I have just finally had a summer of blooms where I wanted them. Just have to keep trying different things and see what works for you where you live. Don't lose hope! These forums are full of great minds, so I'm sure you'll learn a lot and do just great.

Don't lose hope! Just about everyone their first time out loses a lot of plants! It's just part of the learning process of gardening.

I'm still kinda new myself, but I do have a solution for your aphids - ladybugs! In the spring, you can buy containers of these little bugs and release them at night at the base of plants with aphid problems. They'll eat the aphids! Ladybugs are an awesome completely natural and healthy way to control aphids.

Of course, I'm a little late with that advice now, but it's something you can try next time! Good luck!

Crop failures this year are not necessarily due to your lack of expertise or the wrong varieties of seeds. With the high temps, lack of rain, and hot winds over much of Texas this has NOT been a good year for gardens!

Just keep in touch with the people here and you'll receive lots of help and suggestions for varities, etc. Gardens often do better in the fall of any year and there are things you can plant for winter as well.

Xeriscaping includes very TX tough plants that won't let you down even in drought with high temps. They will need regular water the first two years but much less after that. They don't need fertilizers or pestacides. Even if they die back and wilt from the heat, water or rain will bring them right back.
Wildflower seeds always do well for me.
I would also recommend starting with container plants and use seeds to start vegies etc... with a bit more experience in a year or two.
Here is a link to easy to grow plants for N.Central Tx but they will do just as well further south. PJ

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Smartscape

You might try purchasing seedlings or plants for your beginning gardening efforts. Some people (me) find growing things from seeds to be rather more challenging.

Like everyone says - don't give up! You will probably need to start using organic controls on your plants before the diseases and infestations appear.

Like they said it has just been a bad year. Don't give up, just try again. Go to the library or search the web and you can find out what sort of diseases and pests you have had and get ideas for control for next time or post pics on here and we will help you all we can.

pinkymom, I live in Round Rock. I have recently returned to gardening after not having a yard for a few years. If you would like to get together, email me at wilomena@gmail.com and we can see what we can do. I love seeing gardens (in person or in pictures) and I love going to the local (not big box) nurseries. And Round Rock has a couple of goodies.

My first year at gardening was almost a total bust, I just thought you could stick a seed in the dirt and it would grow...Oh liitle did I know! I did a lot and I mean A LOT of homework after my failed first year let me tell ya!!! I now spend a little more on good seed too which IMHO helps. Hang in there and do some homework I'm sure you will do better.

Watering like wild in Weatherford (darn drought),
Dena