What Vegetables Can I Plant Now In Texas

If you’re a Texas gardener, you’re probably wondering what vegetables can i plant now. The answer depends heavily on your specific region and the unique Texas seasons, but there’s almost always something you can get in the ground.

Texas is big, and its climate zones vary from humid subtropical in the east to arid in the west. The first step to knowing what to plant is understanding your primary growing seasons: cool-season (fall and winter) and warm-season (spring and summer). Right now, we are likely in a transitional period, so let’s break it down.

Understanding Texas Growing Seasons

Our planting calendar is flipped compared to northern states. We have two main vegetable planting times.

Cool-Season (Fall & Winter): This is prime time for many veggies. Planting usually starts in late summer (August/September) for a fall harvest and continues through winter for early spring harvests. Frost-tolerant crops thrive.
Warm-Season (Spring & Summer): Planting begins after the last frost in spring (February-April, depending on zone). These crops need heat to produce but can’t handle a freeze.
Transitional Periods: The weeks between seasons are key. You can often plant one season’s crops while still harvesting the last of the previous season.

Your Texas Hardiness Zone is Key

Check your USDA zone. It’s the most important factor for timing.

North Texas (Zones 7b-8a): Later frosts, earlier freezes. Be more cautious with spring and fall timing.
Central Texas (Zones 8b-9a): Long growing seasons. You have more flexibility in fall and an early spring.
South Texas & Coastal (Zones 9b-10a): Very long seasons, mild winters. You can grow warm-season crops longer and cool-season crops all winter.
West Texas (Zones 7-8): Dry, wide temperature swings. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties and use season extenders.

What to Plant Right Now: A Seasonal Guide

Let’s assume “now” is a common reading time. Here’s a practical, zone-aware guide.

If It’s Early Spring (February – April)

This is your main warm-season planting window. Soil is warming up.

Tomatoes: Transplant seedlings after last frost date. Choose heat-setting varieties for summer.
Peppers: Both sweet and hot peppers go in now. They love Texas heat.
Okra: A Texas champion. Plant seeds directly in warm soil.
Southern Peas (Black-eyed, Crowder): Direct sow. They thrive in heat and improve soil.
Cucumbers & Summer Squash: Plant seeds or transplants. They grow fast.
Sweet Potatoes: Plant “slips” after all danger of frost is past.
Eggplant: Transplants do best. Give them full sun and heat.

If It’s Late Spring/Early Summer (May – June)

Focus on heat-loving, long-season crops. Use mulch to conserve water.

Okra & Southern Peas: You can still plant these. They handle the heat.
Sweet Potatoes: Last call for planting slips.
Malabar Spinach: A heat-loving vine, not true spinach, but a great summer green.
Armenian Cucumber: More heat-tolerant than standard cucumbers.

If It’s Late Summer (August – September)

This is the start of your fall cool-season garden. It’s a critical planting time.

Tomatoes & Peppers: Plant a second crop for fall harvest in early August (Central/South).
Pumpkins & Winter Squash: Plant in early August for October harvest.
Green Beans: Bush beans can go in for a quick fall crop.
Cool-Season Crops: Start seeds indoors for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc., to transplant in September.

If It’s Fall (October – November)

The best gardening season in Texas. Plant all your cool-weather favorites.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collards. Succession plant for continuous harvest.
Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, radishes, turnips. Direct sow seeds.
Brassicas: Transplant broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage.
Alliums: Plant onion sets or seeds, garlic cloves, and shallots.

If It’s Winter (December – January)

In much of Texas, the garden is still productive. You can plant cold-hardy crops.

Protect Existing Crops: Use frost cloth on freezing nights.
Plant Garlic & Onions: Early winter is perfect for these.
Greens & Root Crops: In South Texas, you can still plant them. In North Texas, you might be maintaining fall-planted crops.

Step-by-Step: Planting Your Texas Garden

Follow these steps for success no matter what your planting.

1. Prepare Your Soil

Texas soil often needs help. It can be heavy clay or sandy.

Add 3-4 inches of compost and work it into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
Consider raised beds if drainage is poor.
Get a soil test to know your pH and nutrient levels. Your local county extension office can help.

2. Choose the Right Varieties

Select varieties bred for heat, drought, or disease resistance.

Look for labels like “Texas Tough,” “Heat-tolerant,” or “Disease-resistant.”
For tomatoes, consider ‘Celebrity’, ‘Solar Fire’, or ‘Tycoon’.
For greens, ‘Georgia Southern’ collards and ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ lettuce are reliable.

3. Plant Correctly

Follow seed packet depth and spacing guides. Crowding causes problems.
Water seeds gently but deeply after planting.
For transplants, plant at the same depth they were in the container, except for tomatoes (plant deeper).

4. Water Wisely

Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent sprinkles. It encourages deep roots.

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to conserve water and keep leaves dry.
Mulch heavily with straw or wood chips to retain soil moisture.

5. Manage Pests & Heat

Texas gardens face unique challenges.

Heat: Use shade cloth to protect sensitive plants from intense afternoon summer sun.
Pests: Handpick caterpillars. Use row covers to protect young plants. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Disease: Water at the base, not the leaves. Ensure good air circulation between plants.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planting Too Early in Spring: A late frost can wipe out tender seedlings. Know your average last frost date.
Planting Too Late in Fall: If you wait until October to plant broccoli from seed, it won’t have time to mature before a potential freeze slows growth.
Overwatering: Especially in clay soil, which holds water. Let the top inch dry out between watering.
Ignoring Soil Health: Plants can’t thrive in poor soil. Compost is your best friend.

FAQ: Your Texas Gardening Questions Answered

What can I plant in Texas right now?

Refer to the seasonal guide above! Check your local frost dates and zone. In spring, plant heat-lovers like tomatoes and okra. In fall, plant cool-weather crops like greens and carrots.

What month do you start a garden in Texas?

You start multiple times! Major planting months are February-March (spring garden), August-September (fall garden), and October-November (winter garden in the south).

What are the best vegetables to grow in Texas heat?

Okra, sweet potatoes, southern peas (black-eyed peas), peppers, eggplant, and heat-tolerant tomatoes like ‘Solar Fire’ are champions in the summer.

Can you grow vegetables year-round in Texas?

In many parts, yes! South Texas can grow something year-round. Central Texas has very long seasons. Even North Texas can extend harvests with cold frames or frost cloth in winter.

How do I protect my garden from Texas heat?

Use mulch (3-4 inches), water deeply in the morning, and consider temporary shade cloth during the hottest part of the afternoon for sensitive plants.

Gardening in Texas is a rewarding adventure with its own rhythm. By paying attention to the seasons and your specific zone, you can enjoy a productive harvest for much of the year. Start with a few easy crops, learn from each season, and your garden will flourish. Remember, local nurseries and your county’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service are invaluable resources for specific local advice.