Best Vegetables To Grow in Houston. With year-round wonderful weather and an abundance of sunshine, there is no better site in the fall and winter months than Houston for vegetable gardening. Gardening is one of the best pastimes for seniors to keep their minds bright, their moods cheery, and their diets nutritious. This blog will go over the benefits of gardening for seniors as well as the finest veggies to cultivate in Houston. Let’s get started!
Prepping Your Fall Garden
Gardeners in Houston have the unique pleasure of planting a large variety of fall veggies. Some of the most nutritious and delicious veggies actually thrive in the fall temperatures, making them among the greatest vegetables to grow in Houston. However, before you begin planting, you must prepare your garden area for the best fall development.
Keep in mind that your fall crops require at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Your soil should be finely tilled and free of old compost from past crops. Don’t forget that your plants require their own sustenance to grow. One of two fertiliser strategies is required for Houston vegetable gardening:
- Before planting, apply 1 pound of ammonium sulphate per 100 square feet, followed by 1 tablespoon of ammonium sulphate around each plant every three weeks, plus water.
- Or 1 to 2 pounds of slow-release fertiliser per 100 square feet, followed by 1 tablespoon of ammonium sulphate every three weeks around each plant, with water.
Slow-release fertiliser normally yields a more abundant harvest, but be careful not to apply too much ammonium sulphate too close to the plants — too much can harm the plants. You want to nourish the soil rather than the plants. You can replace horse or cattle manure at 60 to 80 pounds per 100 square feet of plant area for a totally organic garden, but never use poultry dung on your fall garden.
Water your garden with a sprinkler for at least two hours after it has been fertilised, and then let it dry for at least three days before planting your seeds. Now for the major event: crop selection.
Best Vegetables To Grow in Houston
Whatever crops you choose to cultivate in your fall garden, it is critical that you plant them before the first frost on December 20. It’s also worth noting that fall veggies grow better as transplants in your garden, so plant seeds indoors and wait for them to sprout before sowing them in your outdoor garden. Here’s a primer on what vegetables to plant and when in Houston:
September Vegetables To Grow in Houston
- Potato
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Kohlrabi
October Vegetables To Grow in Houston
- Garlic
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Beets
- Collards
November Vegetables To Grow in Houston
- Radish
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Onion
- Peppers
- Mustard
- Turnip
While outcomes will obviously vary depending on factors such as soil, irrigation, sunlight, and other considerations, these are the fundamental guidelines to follow when planning your planting. There are numerous additional publications that go into significantly greater detail regarding the intricacies of garden management and planting tactics. The most important thing to remember is to take meticulous care of each plant and, of course, to enjoy your gardening!
Benefits of Gardening For Seniors
Aside from the obvious nutritional advantage of raising your own organic vegetables, gardening has other mental and physical benefits for seniors. Everyone has a favourite aspect of gardening, but everyone can get the following benefits:
1. Brain Food
Gardening is more than just growing your own food. It has a powerful ability to keep your mind engaged. Having a goal-oriented activity, such as gardening, has a significant impact on how our brains function. Problem-solving, sensory alertness, and manual labour are all linked to mental sharpness. There’s also the extra benefit of the several ways nutritious food aids brain longevity.
2. Enjoyable Exercise
Another wonderful advantage of gardening is that you can work up a sweat without even realising it. Gardening on a regular basis is a great method for our ageing bodies to obtain a low-intensity cardiovascular workout. Gardening, with adequate planning and preventive precautions, helps you to stay flexible, burn calories, and maintain stamina, all while having fun in the sun. Just keep hydrated and stretch as much as possible.
When you’re out in the sun, remember to protect yourself. Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen whenever you are in direct sunlight. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and sunglasses to avoid cornea damage is also a smart idea.
3. Improved Mood
Gardening is one of the finest ways to boost serotonin and decrease cortisol. Serotonin is the chemical produced by our brains to activate relaxing, feel-good sensations, whereas cortisol is the chemical that causes tension and worry. Gardening on a daily basis has been scientifically proven to manage your brain’s chemical stimulants, and there’s no better feeling than harvesting and eating produce cultivated with your own two hands.
4. Social Interaction
It would be an understatement to suggest that sharing gardening knowledge and healthful food fosters and strengthens many connections. Gardening has a unique ability to bring people together for a common goal. Community gardens give an area for old and new friends to connect and communicate, as well as the gratification of beautifying your neighbourhood.
