Growing fruits and vegetables can not only be a fun hobby but incredibly rewarding as you’ll literally be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Dripping Springs has ideal conditions for growing a number of delicious and hearty fruits and vegetables. Any successful harvest starts with proper planning. So, before planting anything, you’ll want to spend a little time picking the proper spot for your garden and getting the soil ready for those seeds and seedlings.
Garden Location
Depending on the size of your yard, you may not have a ton of options on exactly where you put your vegetable garden. Just like the old saying in real estate though, a successful garden is also all about location, location, location. Aim for a spot in your yard that gets full sun and has well-draining soil. If you notice that every time it rains a certain spot in your yard becomes a pond, this is not the ideal location for your vegetable garden. If you don’t have an ideal spot, consider opting for a planter box or a raised bed.
Soil Preparation
Much of the soil in this part of Texas has strong alkaline properties, which means it contains a healthy dose of calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Some gardeners refer to this as “sweet soil” which makes it great for crops such as cabbage, okra, and squash. Before you plant anything, take some time to loosen up the soil with a shovel or gardening hoe. Remove any rocks that may be in the way and add a couple of inches of organic matter to the soil when it’s moist, but not saturated with water from heavy rain.
Fruits and Vegetables That Grow Great in the Texas Hill Country
We’re fortunate to live in a part of the country that is ideal for gardening. With relatively mild winters, it’s pretty much possible to grow something here year-round. It’s a good idea before you decide on the size of your garden that you think about what you want to grow since some fruits and veggies need more space than others. Parsley, for example, can thrive on your window sill, but a watermelon, well, you’re going to need some space.
Small Garden Fruits & Vegetables:
- Cabbage
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Green beans
- Beets
- Peppers
Large Garden Fruits & Vegetables
- Pumpkin
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Orient pears
- Sweet corn
- Eggplant
- Mustard
Plan Your Plantings
The Texas Hill Country falls in gardening zones 8a and 8b, giving gardeners lots of options. The key is knowing what to plant and when. In the summer you’ll want to aim for things like beets, mustard, collard greens, and pumpkins as they can take the hot summer heat better than other crops. Fall and early winter are ideal for cool-season veggies such as lettuce, spinach, and radishes, while winter and early spring are great for carrots and asparagus. Plan on planting crops such as eggplant, peppers, beans, corn, or potatoes as temperatures start to warm up in April, May, or June.
Looking for a home in Dripping Springs? Connect with the Caliterra team to learn more about our new-home, master-planned community.
