Prepare for a Great New Hobby–And Great Produce

Studies show that gardening can have tremendous benefits on anyone’s health and wellness, but especially seniors. Besides eating the delicious produce that your own personal garden yields, gardening has many benefits. Here are just a few of them:

• It is a low-impact form of exercise
• Can lower blood pressure
• It helps your body fight disease
• It is a fun way to get outside
• Lowers dementia risk
• Can relieve stress and boost mood
• And so much more!

We’re sure one or some of those caught your attention. So, if you’re ready to start your garden in Texas and start enjoying these benefits, you came to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to plant your garden from our Sunshine retirement communities in Texas!

Pick Your Crops

The first step to planting a garden is (no surprise) choosing what to plant! It’s essential to choose vegetables and herbs that will thrive during the season you are planting. This can vary depending on the region of Texas you are located in. To learn more about what vegetable to produce and when in your region, take a look at the spring planting guide for vegetable crops created by Texas A&M. In general, here are a few plants that will thrive in the Texas spring climate:

• Spinach
• Radishes
• Lettuce
• Snap beans
• Cucumbers
• Sweet corn
• Lima beans
• Mustard greens
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Watermelon
• Onion
• Parsley
• Peas
• Okra
• Peppers
• Eggplant
• Sweet potatoes

Pick Your Garden Location

When it comes to growing vegetables in Texas, you’re going to need a lot of sunlight! Most plants require about 8-10 hours of direct sunlight to grow strong and maximize the items in your harvest. Some plants can grow in partial shade, such as lettuce and carrots. However, since the majority require full sunlight, you’ll want to plant your garden in a part of your yard that receives bright, direct sunlight. Additionally, you want it to be away from other plants, such as shrubs, that may compete for resources.

Prepare Your Soil

Proper soil is one of the most important factors of your harvest quality. Unfortunately, Texas tends to have soil with heavy clays and poor drainage, so it’s necessary to prepare your soil in advance and avoid this problem. If you are using a pre-existing garden, make sure you remove any plant debris.

If this is your first garden, it is recommended that you remove all grass to ensure there is no competition or interference. Once everything is removed, you’ll want to dig the area about 10-12 inches deep. Then, fill 1-2 inches with coarse sand and 2-3 inches with organic matter and till it into the soil. Then, apply fertilizer, mix the soil, and create rows of beds to plant the crops in. You want to make sure that you leave room in between beds to allow you to walk easily through the garden.

If you’re unsure of what soil amendments to add, you can sample your soil and send it in for testing. Various organizations provide this service, including Texas A&M. They will test your soil and make recommendations for the types and quantity of fertilizers you should add to your garden soil for maximum fertility.

Tend to Your Crops

After preparing your garden and planting your crops, you need to water them regularly to keep them alive and healthy. Water the plants thoroughly initially, soaking the soil about 6 inches deep. Then, you’ll typically need to water one or two inches per week afterward. A tip for watering is examining the soil, not the plant. If the soil surface and an inch below are dry, it needs some water. Your harvest will be ready before you know it!

There are many resources online to learn more detailed information about tending to a spring garden in Texas, like this excellent guide. Remember, every plant and region requires different needs!

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about Sunshine Retirement Living communities in Texas.

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