South Texas Sun Burning Up Your Seedlings?

Posted on by crazygreenthumbs
This is how I used to start things when I had no natural shade.
You can see how I created shade for seedlings. I need to divide these daylillies and I haven’t weeded or planted in here yet. (I’m really behind this year.) But this set up is ideal for starting vining plants on trellises and still keep their roots cool and moist over the summer. You don’t need to strip everything back to bare soil to be successful. I run a soaker hose along this open area near the porch and grow beans, or squash, or melons, on trellises. Plus, this gives natural habitat for lizard, toads, spiders and other insect predators.

Meet you out in the garden with our happy young plants!

Crazy Green Thumbs

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5 thoughts on “South Texas Sun Burning Up Your Seedlings?”

  1. Goodness, I am so glad that our climate is what it is. Rhody and I are west of Phoenix right now, and the landscapes and the landscape maintenance techniques here are . . . interesting. I realize that the climate here is vastly different from what I am accustomed to, but I can not understand the allure of fake turf, especially for the dinky gardens of the homes around here. There are actually a few real lawns in public spaces, such as a dog park, but they are relatively modest. The front gardens of these large homes are about as big as a single room within the home, which I suppose is okay for those who do not enjoy gardening in this harsh climate. They are mostly nicely landscaped. However, some of them include a ‘lawn’ of ridiculously bright green fake turf. Because the gardens are so small, with landscaping around the perimeters, the ‘lawns’ are about the size of an area rug. Seriously, I think that area rugs, with more subdued colors, would be more appealing.

    Reply

    1. I have a mentor that lives in Cottonwood (north of Phoenix) and my dad lives in Utah. About the only green things you see in the desert are giant golf courses. However, my friend in Cottonwood has told me she has tried to grow tomatoes and ends up spending about twenty dollars over the season and ends up with a single tomato. I hate the desert. Our old neighbors in Colorado Springs did the fake turf. There’s no good reason for that in Colorado. They were just lazy.

      Reply

      1. I enjoy the desert, but only as a tourist. It is fascinatingly scenic, and so very different from what I am accustomed to. However, I know that I would not want to live here with so many limitations on gardening, and the unpleasant weather during summer. ICK! I drove past Phoenix for the first time yesterday. I can not imagine WHY so many people live here. It is like San Jose in the desert!

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