Texas is a fantastic state for the vegetable gardener! There are so many options for crops to grow and today we will cover all the easy to grow vegetables for the Texan gardener.
No matter if you are new to growing vegetables in Texas, or growing vegetables period, you have a ton of great vegetables to choose from.
What are the Easiest Vegetables to Grow in Texas
Read on for the complete guide to vegetables that are easy to grow in Texas whether you live in South Texas, North Texas, or Central Texas.
Tomatoes
Yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit but they make the list because they are the most popular edible plant grown in Texas. There are a number of varieties that grow wonderfully in all parts of Texas.
Buy started plants, they are affordable and growing from seed ups the difficulty significantly.
Tomatoes grow in any soil that drains well. They require around six hours of sun a day so choose your planting location accordingly.
Move your plants outside once frost is done. Water your tomato plants well and do not allow them to dry for extended periods of time.
Here are the most popular types of tomatoes to grow in Texas.
- Big Beef
- Carnival
- Bush Beefsteak
- Big Box
- Celebrity
- Homestead
- Better Boy
- Red Cherry
- Small Fry
- Baxter’s Early Bush
- Juliet
- Grande Cherry
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn grows well in well draining Texas soil. Plant your corn in squared plots as this will promote proper pollination.
Plant your sweet corn once there is no threat of frost. Plant your corn seeds about 1″ deep and 3″ apart from each other.
Corn should be watered sufficiently to prevent wilting. Watch your corn for signs of wilting and avoid watering too often.
While fertilizer is not required, you can add 10-10-10 fertilizer to the soil prior to planting.
Spinach
If your garden is positioned to receive full sun and is comprised of well draining soil, then spinach is an excellent, easy to grow option.
Prior to planting, work up your soil about eight inches deep and add a top layer of compost it available.
Next add 10-10-10 fertilizer to entire planting area. Spinach requires high nitrogen levels so this is an important step.
Then mix the fertilizer in about 3″ into the soil.
Spinach should be started as soon as frost is done, or toward the end of August.
Here are some spinach varieties to grow in your vegetable garden.
- Space
- Melody
- Tyee
- Bloomsdale
Peppers
Texas is great for growing both sweet and hot peppers. In fact, there are a number of varieties that you can choose from for your vegetable garden.
Peppers can grow in any soil type but they will do best in well draining soil. Plant your peppers in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day.
Started plants are affordable and much easier than growing from seed so get plants for your garden.
Peppers can be grown either after the last frost or about twelve weeks before the first frost of the season.
Plant your pepper plants about 3-4″ deep and 1.5′ apart to give them ample space to grow.
Fertilizer is not required but 10-10-10 can be used prior to planting.
Water your peppers enough to keep them from wilting and that is all there is to it!
Here are some great hot peppers to grow in Texas.
- Jalapeno
- Tam Mild Jalapeno
- Hidalgo Serrano
- Long Red Cayenne
- Hungarian Wax
And here are the sweet peppers that thrive in Texas.
- Big Bertha
- Jupiter
- Bell Tower
- Yolo Wonder
- Gypsie
- California Wonder
Beans
There are a number of beans that are easy to grow in Texas. Planting and care is simple and they produce a great yield.
Here are some of the best beans for growing in Texas.
Pinto Beans
- Luna
- Dwarf Horticulture
- UI-114
Snap Beans
- Kentucky Wonder
- Greencrop
- Topcrop
- Blue Lake
- Tendercrop
- Derby
- Goldencrop Wax
- Tendergreen
- Early Contender
Lima Beans
- Fordhook
- Jackson Wonder
- Florida Butter
- Henderson Bush
- Florida Speckled
Before planting, work your soil about eight inches deep. You should plant your beans either once the last threat of frost has passed or about twelve weeks before the first frost of the season.
Then follow the planting instruction for the type of beans you chose to grow.
Beans grow best in fertilized soil, so use 10-10-10 fertilizer prior to planting.
If the the soil is dry, water your beans about once a week to avoid wilting.
Carrots
If you have soft, sandy, well draining soil then carrots are an excellent vegetable to grow in your garden.
Prior to planting, till your soil at least eight inches deep and remove all stones and rocks.
In South Texas, carrots can be grown year round. In other parts they make an excellent fall or early spring crop.
Plant your carrots in rows that are 1-2′ apart. Then scatter your seeds in the rows. Cover the seeds and lightly water them.
Your carrots will begin to sprout in 2-3 weeks.
Bottom Line
Each of these vegetables grow quite well in Texas and require little maintenance making them great options for the beginner or busy gardener.
They can all be grown in the same garden or mix and match according to your family’s needs.