We know all too well that Dallas does not always comply with the typical four seasons. Too much or too little rain, fluctuating temperatures, and extreme heat…the list can go on. Attempting to grow a beautiful garden in Dallas can be a daunting task.
Don’t let the idea of a perfect garden overwhelm you like it did me! I am learning that you do not need a perfect yard or a Pinterest-worthy raised garden to yield colorful flowers and delicious veggies and fruits.
Local gardening enthusiasts offer a variety of resources to help navigate the ins and outs of growing a garden in Dallas. The Dallas County Master Gardeners is a great start.
After calling their help desk, I was offered these tips. Yes, there is a phone number you can call, and a local garden enthusiast can answer any question you have about gardening!
1) Plan and Design: Do you want to create something small and simple, or are you looking to make improvements on your current garden? Take some time to consider your garden’s purpose, size, location, water and sun requirements and how much money and time you want to put into it.
2) Prep your garden beds: Having good soil is crucial to your plants actually growing. Incorporate compost into your soil, remove weeds and use mulch on top after planting.
3) Select your plants, then plant them! If this is your first attempt at a garden, choose native and adapted plants to North Texas, because they thrive in our climate and soil without excessive watering, fertilization and pesticides….basically, you will have a harder time killing them (at least that’s what I got from that).
For flowers, consider pairing perennials with annuals so you have constant blooms.
For vegetables, most of your basic veggies will grow here—given the right amount of sunlight, water, and space to grow. So choose ones that your family will actually eat—the last thing you want is a kitchen counter piled with okra and no one willing to eat it!
4) Maintenance: Give those plants some TLC by watering, weeding and keeping an eye out for any disease or insects. If you regularly keep up with your garden, chances are you will yield some tasty foods and/or beautiful flowers.
As far as involving your children in the gardening process, the best advice I can give you is to let them be a part of the process as much as you can. Involving them in the planning, planting, watering and harvesting has NUMEROUS benefits—this could be a whole separate blog post. (Improved moods, better learning experiences, decreased anxiety, teaching responsibility, connecting as a family, etc.)
When my toddler and I are working in the garden together, he is at his best. Happy, playful, and willing to communicate with me….I am quickly learning that being outside and working on our garden together is one of the most meaningful ways to connect. (It also almost guarantees he will be covered in dirt from head to toe, as you can see!)
For more resources on growing your garden in Dallas, check out our local Master Gardeners resource guide or call their help desk at 214-904-3053.
Happy gardening!
