My area in SE Texas is even more tempting to plant out of season. I have volunteer tomato plants that grew to about 12 inches and are still green and starting to bloom. My son picked 2 figs off the fig tree yesterday and the sweet peppers are still producing. But winter is coming, maybe next weekend . I just hope my peaches and plums do not bloom out. I already have several blooms from by blueberries, but they always want to jump the gun. The lowest we have been is 31 degrees, twice. Have not had a good frost yet.

When gardening in Texas just remember we have 2 short seasons, Spring and Fall. With greens and root crops, they will usually make it through the winter. I once grew Red Robin tomatoes in a south facing window. They only grow to about 8 to 10 inches with cherry tomatoes. It is tempting to try to grow tomatoes in the winter and bring them in when temperatures go below 38 degrees, but I have never actually done it.

I'd think the home State of the Bush family would be able to grow excellent plants.

I use floating frost covers on PVC hoops poked into the ground over my 5' wide beds.. . Once set up, it takes 15 minutes to cover over 4 beds. . I had my very small lettuce and greens sail through 21F. I have kept gardens alive through 15F snaps. I cover my gardens over when things get down to freezing. I don't need to do it then, but I find that plants go into dormancy and slow their growth when temps go below freezing. They are still alive but growing very slowly. Kept warmer, they keep up a faster growth rate. I will be planting sugar snaps the first week of January.

I also have lots of perennials sprouting in 4" pots.

I will GLADLY send you some of our lovely Hellinois weather. Wind chills of -38 last week with actual air temp of -12.

Yes, there are very few places with good weather all year. Texas has really hot summers but most of the state has pretty mild winters. I even heard one person say they did not like the weather in Hawaii because after a year or two it became very boring.

Until a Kona storm hits....or a hurricane, earthquake, tidal wave. My mother was flooded out 5 times

Ha. Embothrium took a cheap shot at texas and the bush family. They are actually from Connecticut. Also, the finest cannabis is grown out there on the left coast in those blue states anyway. I read recently that, ironic as it may seem, wealthy people in Mexico regard pot imported from California as a luxury item. Personally, I would decriminalize it but mine is the minority view here in Texas bboy.

In my opinion, Texas has many more reasons besides warmer winter weather to recommend it. And it does have its downsides.

But I do appreciate the milder winters (and yes I do dislike the extreme summer heat).

Texas evidently suit's the majority of people,not many leave to retire in Michigan. What I like most about Texas is having the opportunity to chose the best illegals for ourselves and sending culls on North. I resist temptations to plant out of season by going fishing when weather stay's nice for a week straight. Old Farmer's Almanac has the fool proof way of knowing when soil is warm enough to plant summer crops like squash and okra. As weather warm's in spring,increasing numbers of fishermen gather on creek banks at bridge crossings. When you notice fat gals quit sitting on buckets and move to the ground,it's time to plant okra.