Gardening is a smart way to put your back yard to use — and maybe even get some great veggies for the grill or fresh fruit to serve at breakfast. It’s helpful to have a few tips in your pocket before planting any seeds, though. Here are four tips every Dallas-Fort Worth homeowner should know to make their gardens flourish.
1. Follow instructions.
It’s tempting to tear into all the various seed packets without pausing to read the directions. You might be thinking: How hard can it be to plant some seeds? But any successful gardener knows that the directions printed on the seed packets should not be ignored. This is especially true when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, should not be planted in weather that’s cooler than 70 degrees. And in North Texas, some fruits tend to grow better than others. You’ll likely do well with plums, pears, figs, and blackberries. Strawberries, citrus fruits, and apricots are a bit trickier with the Texas climate. Use this vegetable planting guide as a resource — it’s specifically for the Dallas area.
2. Keep an eye on the weather.
It’s safe to say that Texas weather is unpredictable. When you’re growing a garden, this means you need to stay flexible. Cover your plants when the temperatures take a sudden dip, and make sure plants get plenty of water during hotter days. If anybody knows the secrets to a beautiful garden, it’s the people at the Dallas Arboretum. Check out their gardening tips and tricks.
3. Tend to your soil.
Think growing a garden is only about what you have planted? That’s not the case. You also need to pay attention to the quality of your soil. In Dallas, soil can often become dry and nearly impossible to maintain plant life. Get your soil tested every couple of years so you know if it’s nutrient deficient.
4. Be mindful of bugs and other pests.
The items you’re planting and growing in your Dallas garden just might be a favorite of certain kinds of pests. Keep them at bay by using nontoxic insecticide every couple of weeks. If you notice damage from other types of pests — like squirrels or gophers — you might try a low-voltage shock fence. This will train the animals to steer clear of your garden.
Growing a garden in the backyard of your DFW home is a great way to spend some time outdoors and bring fresh produce right from your soil to your kitchen table. Put these gardening tips in play to create and maintain a flourishing garden.
Image Source: Flickr/vicki moore
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