How Our Container Garden Thrived Through a Hot Texas Spring

Originally published May 28, 2008 • Updated July 2026

One of the things I love most about gardening is watching how quickly everything changes.

Back in the spring of 2008, I found myself making my morning rounds with a camera in hand, amazed that almost every day another vegetable had appeared or another flower had opened. Looking back through these photos nearly twenty years later reminds me that some of the simplest gardening memories are often the most rewarding.

These weren't raised beds or an expensive garden setup. Most of our vegetables were growing in containers, proving that you don't need acres of land to enjoy fresh produce.

Every Morning Brought Something New

One of my favorite parts of gardening has always been that first walk outside each morning.

The cleome flowers stretched a little taller.

The cucumber vines reached farther across their supports.

Tiny peppers seemed to appear overnight.

Some mornings I'd discover the first blossoms. Other mornings I'd find vegetables that had been too small to notice the day before.

It's one of the many reasons gardening teaches patience. Nature moves at its own pace but somehow surprises you every single day.

Cleome Plant

I'm still amazed at how fast everything is growing. Every morning I check the pots and the vegetables have grown, or another plant has bloomed.

Tomatoes are thriving

Amazingly, we've had very little pest problems in the garden.

Cucumbers are starting to appear.

Container Gardening Worked Surprisingly Well

Our vegetables were growing almost entirely in containers.

Among the plants that did especially well were:

Bell peppers
Cucumbers
Cherry tomatoes
Herbs
Flowers that attracted pollinators

Container gardening offered several advantages:

Better control over soil quality
Easier watering
Fewer weeds
Easy access for harvesting
Perfect for patios and small yards

Even today, I continue recommending container gardening for anyone just getting started.

The bell peppers are really taking off...

Surprisingly Few Garden Pests

One thing that stands out as I look back through these photos is how few pest problems we experienced.

I believe there were several reasons:

Healthy soil helped produce vigorous plants.
We had plenty of beneficial insects visiting the garden.
Flowers such as cleome attracted pollinators and other helpful insects.
Regular watering reduced stress on the plants, making them less susceptible to damage.

No garden is completely pest-free, but healthy plants are often much better equipped to handle occasional insect pressure.

The Biggest Challenge Was Heat

Late May in Central Texas can already feel like the middle of summer.

Many days climbed into the 90s, with a few reaching nearly 100 degrees.

The biggest concern wasn't insects.

It was simply keeping everything watered.

My daughter Pamela deserves much of the credit for that year's garden. She faithfully watered the containers every day without complaint, keeping the vegetables healthy during one of our hottest stretches of weather.

Container gardens dry out much faster than plants growing in the ground, so consistent watering made all the difference.

Don't Forget About Yourself

After spending time working in the heat, we always appreciated having the backyard pool waiting for us.

Fortunately, that year the pool required very little maintenance. A single algaecide treatment earlier in the spring kept the water crystal clear throughout the season, and for once the nearby trees cooperated by not dropping endless seeds into the water.

Texas summers can be demanding, so don't forget that gardeners need to stay cool, hydrated, and take care of themselves too.

Every day we've been in the 90's - with some days reaching 100. It's been nice, the pool has been refreshing, but we really really need the rain. Pamela has been patiently watering the plants every single day without complaint. I'm giving her credit for keeping the garden green and healthy.

We've had little problems maintaining the pool. I've only had to treat the pool with algaecide in April. So far, so good. Even the trees are behaving themselves (not dropping those pesky seeds) -- as you can see, CRYSTAL CLEAR!

Looking Back

When I first shared these photos in 2008, I was simply documenting another day in the garden.

Now, years later, I see something more.

Those containers taught us that you don't need a large homestead to grow food. You don't need expensive equipment. You simply need good soil, sunshine, regular watering, and a willingness to learn.

Some of my favorite gardening memories weren't about record harvests.

They were about walking outside each morning to discover what nature had accomplished overnight.