Bean Busy: Tips for Growing Beans During a Hot Texas Summer

Starting a vegetable garden in the middle of a Texas summer isn't always easy. Hard ground, triple-digit temperatures, and hungry birds can quickly test a gardener's patience. Even so, watching tiny seedlings emerge and preparing them for the garden is one of the most rewarding parts of the growing season. This was the beginning of my heirloom bean garden and another step toward growing more of our own food.

Tips for Growing Beans in Hot Weather

Beans are one of my favorite vegetables because they're relatively easy to grow and produce generously with proper care. During hot Texas summers I've found a few things especially helpful:

• Water deeply rather than lightly every day.
• Apply mulch to help retain soil moisture.
• Give young plants support early if they're climbing varieties.
• Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
• Morning watering helps reduce moisture loss during the hottest part of the day.

 

Why I Enjoy Growing Heirloom Vegetables

Heirloom vegetables have become some of my favorites because many are open-pollinated, allowing gardeners to save seeds for future gardens. Besides preserving older varieties, growing heirlooms gives me the opportunity to experiment with flavors, colors, and vegetables that aren't always available in grocery stores.

Thought I'd update ya'll on the garden thing... I've bean busy getting my front yard hoed and ready for the garden. My heirloom bean plants have already sprouted and as you can see, they are craning their necks for the outdoors. The thing is that I thought I'd have the garden fenced and ready before the beans sprouted.

Breaking the ground and digging up the grass (on hard soil) was harder than I thought. We did manage to get some rain this week, but we're back in the 100 temp ranges (101 tomorrow and Sunday) so this means the ground will be like cement again.

Sprouting beans and Zucchini

Zucchini on the left, and beans on the right. The yellow and red bell peppers are sprouting too.

Malabar Spinach 

The Malabar is shown with two variations of stem colors. Growing but still waiting on garden for transplant.

What is Malabar Spinach?

Despite its name, Malabar spinach isn't true spinach. It's a fast-growing vine that thrives in hot weather when traditional spinach has long since bolted. The tender leaves can be eaten fresh in salads or cooked much like spinach, making it an excellent choice for Southern and Texas gardens.

planted lettuce

Pamela planted lettuce and we are looking for a nice long pot to transplant to maintain in greenhouse. My green onions are thriving and its been a treat plucking them in the mornings to fry in our eggs.

Garden pest deterrent 

Here's my latest decoy to prevent unwanted birds and pests in the garden. I strung a CD from a plant holder and the wind takes care of the rest. It's actually very pretty when it reflects the sun and casts twirling shadows and rainbows around the garden. So far so good! Been enjoying fresh tomatoes ever since!

Simple Bird Deterrents for the Garden

Birds can be both helpers and occasional pests in the garden. Reflective objects such as old CDs, pinwheels, or reflective tape may temporarily discourage birds from pecking ripe fruit. Moving these deterrents occasionally often makes them more effective, since birds can become accustomed to stationary objects over time.

 Looking back, I smile at how excited I was to see those tiny bean seedlings. Every successful garden begins with a handful of seeds and a little optimism. Over the years I've learned that gardening isn't about perfection—it's about learning, adapting, and enjoying the process one season at a time.

Heirloom New Zealand Spinach: Heat-Tolerant Vegetables in Texas

Companion Planting Guide: Natural Pest Control for Your Vegetable Garden