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- Any vegetable garden depends on frost dates and growing zones. Waco features winter temperatures down to 10 degrees F, but also features a long summer, from March 1 to December 1. These dates dictate planting dates and varieties.
- Plant the spring garden around the last frost of the year. Some vegetables do well with early, pre-frost start, while others need warm frost-free starts. Test the soil for planting readiness, regardless of whether the frost is finished or not. Pick up a handful of soil and make a ball. Soil that sticks is still too wet for planting, whereas soil that falls apart is ready.
- Vegetable gardens must get good sun exposure, quick drainage and adequate air circulation. Choose a spot that gives you eight hours of full and partial sun, with a level planting surface. Dig into the top 10 inches of soil through the entire site to break it up, then mix in 5 inches of organic compost. The compost keeps the soil loose and moist, and adds long-term nutrition. Mix 10-10-10, 13-13-13 or 20-20-20 fertilizer into the soil per manufacturer directions to increase starting nutrition.
- Plant your plants according to individual requirements. Beets, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, peas, potatoes and turnips withstand frost and partial shade, and should start before last frost. Start tomatoes, peppers, melons, corn, beans, eggplants, cucumbers and cauliflower after the last frost lifts, in areas that get full sun all day.
- Waco offers an extremely long frost-free season. Stagger your garden with new plantings every two to three weeks to increase vegetable production during this period. Maintain these plantings into August, September or October, based on your preferences. Always plan to give the plants time to grow to maturity before frost arrives.
Growing Zone
Season
Site and Soil
Plant Selection
Staggered Plantings
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