My Texas Spring Vegetable Garden: What Changed in Just Two Weeks

Tomatoes are appearing

The first tomato appeared and everything is blooming on schedule. I can already make out the bell and hot peppers. Wednesday, I planted cucumbers.


The Malabar spinach took two weeks to germinate. I remember inspecting the pot that Monday and wondering if they were EVER going to appear. Then on Tuesday morning, there they were. The next picture is from Wednesday. They ARE growing fast.

Malabar Spinach appearing

Malabar Spinach

Very few people grow it.

• not true spinach
• loves heat
• climbs
• perfect for Texas
• edible leaves
• spinach substitute

Why Malabar Spinach Is Great in Texas

This deserves its own section.

Unlike regular spinach that bolts in summer...

Malabar loves 95° weather.

Perfect for your audience.

Always exciting to see the plants appear

In those two weeks, the pool went from green, to a beautiful aqua blue. Now we're just waiting for the water to clear. Everything looks very good, running on schedule, and the water temps are 70 degrees. We'll be swimming (if it doesn't rain) THIS weekend!

Heirloom New Zealand Spinach: Heat-Tolerant Vegetables in Texas

Gone With the Wind: Growing Malabar Spinach & Natural Slug Control Tips

Update (2026)

Looking back at this post nearly twenty years later, it reminds me why I still enjoy gardening so much. Every spring feels like a fresh beginning. It's amazing how much can happen in only two weeks once the weather warms and the days grow longer.

One lesson I've learned over the years is to take plenty of photos. It's easy to forget just how quickly seedlings change until you compare them side by side. Those tiny sprouts become flourishing plants before you know it.