Garden Fresh: Late Summer Vegetable Garden in Texas

Saving Seeds for Next Year's Garden

One of my favorite ways to save money in the garden is by collecting seeds from healthy plants. Allowing a few bean pods to fully mature and dry on the vine provides seeds that can often be planted the following season. Seed saving has been practiced by gardeners for generations and is an excellent way to preserve varieties that perform well in your local climate.

Why I Love Kentucky Pole Beans

Kentucky Pole Beans are one of my favorite vegetables because they continue producing over a long harvest season when picked regularly. The vines grow vertically, making efficient use of garden space, and fresh-picked beans have a flavor that's hard to beat.

Fresh From the Garden

There's something especially satisfying about preparing a meal with vegetables you've grown yourself. Whether it's beans, peppers, onions, squash, or tomatoes, harvesting fresh produce from the backyard reminds me why I enjoy gardening so much. Even a modest harvest adds fresh flavor to the dinner table and makes all the effort worthwhile.

Not only has the cooler weather given my garden a boost, but since the temperatures have dropped to the 80's, I've had to do less watering!

They say we should save our seeds from the first batch of crops, but as my beans have become more energized, I'm allowing several "late season" beans to dry on the vine to save for later.

All my Kentucky Pole beans have been producing. I'm not picking "bucket fulls" a day, but I'm able to save enough to have the occasional stiry fry!

My favorite dish is to add olive oil to the wok, cubed beef with worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. After meat is med well, I add whatever is available from my garden - squash, bell peppers, green beans, peas, onions, okra, and frozen vegetables from the grocery store - broccoli, and zucchini. Toss till heated, then serve with rice and soy sauce.

Rain + Cooler Nights = Happy Texas Garden

Guess what we had for supper tonight? Vegetable soup! Somewhat of a slim pick'ns, but it was nice to drop some homegrown veggies into a pot. "There's something especially satisfying about making a pot of vegetable soup from ingredients grown just a few steps from the back door. Even if the harvest isn't overflowing, those homegrown vegetables always seem to taste a little better."

Thankfully we had been getting some rain - over 15" worth! More than we needed all at once, but I was happy I didn't have to water my garden for a few days.

The temperatures are climbing back up, but the nights seem to be dropping into the 70's, giving all my plants a much-needed boost. Everything's blooming like crazy.

cantaloup

Why Cooler Nights Help a Texas Garden

After a long Texas summer, cooler nighttime temperatures can make a remarkable difference in the vegetable garden. While daytime heat encourages rapid growth, excessively warm nights can place added stress on many vegetables. As nighttime temperatures begin to drop, plants often recover from the summer heat and produce a fresh flush of blossoms and new growth.

Rainfall also provides a welcome break from daily watering, allowing moisture to soak deeply into the soil and encourage stronger root systems. Of course, too much rain at once can bring its own challenges, but healthy garden soil usually rebounds quickly once the weather settles.

One of the greatest rewards of gardening is watching the seasons change. Just when it seems the summer garden is beginning to fade, a little rain and a few cooler nights can breathe new life into tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, and melons. Every year reminds me that patience is one of the most valuable tools a gardener can have.

Bell pepper plants as tall as my fence....

Melons....

More melons...

For awhile there, I didn't think my Patty Squash would make it, but now the blooms are holding on. I'll try and capture my thriving Kentucky Beans on my next post. They are finally blooming and I'm really hoping for a lot of beans before the winter sets in. This is something we eat a LOT of around here. Practically with every meal.

Rescue Squirrel

This morning our dog stayed outside extra long, which was very uncharacteristic of her. Usually she does her business then bark at the sliding doors.

Curious, we called out for her. She took her time coming to the door and was sporting a guilty look.

Dogs wear their emotions on their sleeve. I knew she was dying to tell me something. So, she followed closely at my heels when I reopened the door. She took off ahead of me, and led me to the fence of my garden. I looked down and found this baby squirrel.

You see, we've turned our dog into a monster. All we have to do is say the word squirrel, and she'll dash for the door in a frenzy. I don't like squirrels either. They like my garden too much!

But as I stared down at this helpless breathing creature, I sat aside all animosity.


So now it's wrapped all snug and cozy in a soft shirt.

Digging out the heat lamp that I had used for our baby chickens, I gingerly cradled the squirrel in an old box and sat it under two lights.

Following the advice of a website, I created an oral hydration solution of warm water, 1 tsp of salt, and 3 tsp's of sugar.

Keeping wildlife is against the law, so I requested help on Craigslist for volunteers, and had to cancel my post in less than 20 minutes! My phone was ringing off the hook. So, in about five more hours, a woman who is trying to get her wildlife license, will be over to adopt.

In the meantime, we won't be calling him a squirrel, because we taught our dog to dislike squirrels.

As for my garden, I will learn to get along with these furry creatures. Somehow.