Abilene - gardening (Midland, Spring: live in, garden, office)

[blucht]

I presently live in Kansas City, but have an opportunity to take a new job in Abilene.

My question is, what kind of garden will I be able to have there?

Here in KC I grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, garlic, etc.

I am concerned it will be too hot down there to grown some of these things. Is this true?

TIA.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by blucht

I presently live in Kansas City, but have an opportunity to take a new job in Abilene.

My question is, what kind of garden will I be able to have there?

Here in KC I grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, garlic, etc.

I am concerned it will be too hot down there to grown some of these things. Is this true?

TIA.

You can grow all of the above and more in Texas. Your growing season will be longer, too.

Yes, it can get hot, and you won't get as much rain in Abilene as you do in KC. So...you'll be watering more often....and you may have periods where you'll have to protect the plants with shade fabric if it gets TOO hot and dry. I've done that to tomatoes and peppers over the years (in Midland, not Abilene, but similar climate, even though Abilene gets a little more rain), and it works well.

Too, you can contact the local Ag Extension Office and the local Master Gardeners......they are great sources for Texas gardeners!

[teatime]

I just moved here last year and planted a tentative garden. I was DELIGHTED with how well everything grew! I just tried out tomatoes, peppers, and herbs but everything did so well that I'm planning to plant more next year.

The plants I started inside from seed did just as well as the plants I bought so I'm going to do all seedlings this year. I got the seed packets at the Dollar Tree -- 10 packs for $1! Start them inside in February and when they're doing well, start putting them outside on a deck or porch in March to get them used to the outdoors. I planted them in the soil in late March and, wouldn't you know, we had snow for Easter, LOL! I covered them, though, and they did fine.

You need to establish them in the ground earlier here than other places so they are strong enough to handle the hot summer. Last year, though, we had a mild summer with LOTS AND LOTS of rain! Go figure! I think this Spring is supposed to be dry because of La Nina. All of the rain last year delayed my veggies but I had fresh tomatoes and peppers until Thanksgiving. We had snow for Thanksgiving, so I had to harvest everything beforehand.

Good luck and welcome to Abilene!!!!