Container Fruit Growing

I have a Meyer Lemon tree that I bought last summer.  I have had just two small lemons but I hope to have more this year.  I may also try some other fruit as well.

This was a great article : Grow fruit at home in containers

Planting Guide for Houston, Texas

Planting Guide
Asparagus. 36-48 inches between rows; 12-18 between plants; plant after Feb. 1; 360-730 days to maturity.
Beets. 12-24 inches between rows; 2-3 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-May 15; 60-70 days to maturity.
Cabbage. 24-30 inches between rows. 12-20 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-March 1;70-100 days to maturity.
Carrots. 12-24 inches between rows. 2 inches between plants; plant Jan. 15-March 1; 80-90 days to maturity.
Cauliflower. 24-30 inches between rows. 12-20 inches between plants; plant Feb.1-March 1; 80-100 days to maturity.
Lettuce. 12-24 inches between rows. 2-3 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-April 1; 50-90 days to maturity.
Peas (English). 18-30 inches between rows. 1 inch between plants; plant Feb. 1-Feb. 17; 65-105 days to maturity.
Potatoes (Irish). 24-36 inches between rows. 8-12 inches between plants; plant Feb. 15-March 1; 90-110 days to maturity.
Radishes. 12-24 inches between rows. 1 inch between plants; plant Feb. 1-May 1; 35-50 days to maturity.
Spring planting guide
Beans (Snap bush). 18-30 inches between rows; 3-4 inches between plants; plant March 5-May 1; days to maturity 50-70.
Beans (Snap pole). 24-30 inches between rows; 12-18 inches between plants; plant March 5-April 15; days to maturity 50-90.
Beans (Lima bush). 30-36 inches between rows; 3-4 inches between plants; plant March 15-April 15; days to maturity 65-80.
Cantaloupe. 60-96 inches between rows; 24-36 inches between plants; plant March 15-April 15; 85-100 days to maturity.
Collards. 12-24 inches between rows; 6-12 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-March 25; 60-90 days to maturity.
Corn (Sweet). 24-36 inches between rows; 8-12 inches between plants; plant Feb. 25-April 15; 80-100 days to maturity.
Cucumber. 36-48 inches between rows; 18-36 inches between plants; plant March 5-April 15; 60-80 days to maturity.
Eggplant. 18-30 inches between rows; 18-24 inches between plants; plant March 15-April 10; 90-100 days to maturity.
Kohlrabi. 12-24 inches between rows; 3-5 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-March 1; 65-85 days to maturity.
Mustard. 12-24 inches between rows; 4-8 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-April 1; 40-50 days to maturity.
Okra. 30-40 inches between rows; 18-24 inches between plants; plant April 1-July 15; 65-75 days to maturity.
Onion. 12-24 inches between rows; 2-3 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-March 1; 90-130 days to maturity.
Peas (Southern). 24-36 inches between rows; 3-5 inches between plants; plant March 25-May 1; 70-90 days to maturity.
Pepper. 24-36 inches between rows; 18-24 inches between plants; plant March 15-April 10; 70-100 days to maturity.
Potatoes (Sweet). 30-36 inches between rows; 10-14 inches between plants; plant April 10-June 1; 110-140 days to maturity.
Pumpkin. 60-96 inches between rows; 36-48 inches between plants; plant April 1-May 1; 75-100 days to maturity.
Spinach. 12-24 inches between rows; 3-4 inches between plants; plant Jan. 1-Feb. 15; 50-70 days to maturity.
Squash (Summer). 30-40 inches between rows; 14-30 inches between plants; plant March 5-May 1; 60-70 days to maturity.
Tomatoes. 24-40 inches between rows; 18-30 inches between plants; March 15-April 10; 80-100 days to maturity.
Turnips. 12-24 inches between rows; 2-3 inches between plants; plant Feb. 1-May 1; 40-70 days to maturity.
Watermelon. 72-96 inches between rows; 36-72 inches between plants; plant Feb. 20-April 1; 80-100 days to maturity.
Transplants Source: Harris County Agricultural Extension Service Chronicle

To Prune or Not to Prune after the freeze

To prune or not to prune that is the question.  I certainly want to go out there and cut everything that is dead.  I did cut some plants and I hope I did not do too much damage.


Here's a good article on pruning after a freeze :  Don't Prune

Here comes the sun

Wow!  what a beautiful day 74 and sunny!  I am actually outside in the yard blogging and getting some sun on my too white legs.  Sofia is playing in her sandbox table.  I Chopped a bunch of dead plants but it will take a full day or two to clean up winter's ravages.  I also need to draw out the plans for my garden.  Only being January I can't get ahead of myself because we can always have frosts or freezes until March.  I'll post my "net house" plans as soon as I draw them up.

Planning my garden

I am in the planning stages of my 2010 garden project.  This year I plan on doing it right.  I may build a net enclosure  before I plant to keep the birds out this summer.  That will be a challenge but I just hated losing all of my beautiful tomatoes and peppers last year.  I also want green beans.  My Meyer lemon tree survived the freeze and should do good. 

I would like to really work on a herb garden with cilantro, basil, parsley, tarragon, thyme, chives, mint, and lemon grass.

I am back and it's freezing in Texas

Its been so long and the weather was just too hot and miserable to go outside and putter in the garden.  The birds were destructive and the netting was a mess.  Every time the yard was mowed the netting got caught up and just got worse.  So this year I need to create a better system if I am going to try my green thumb again.

We had an early freeze just before Christmas and a few days of freezing temperatures now.  

Here is an interesting article on getting the most bang out of your garden:

Plant High-Return Vegetables to Earn On Your Garden [Gardening]

from Lifehacker by Jason Fitzpatrick

35 people liked this