What this guide covers
Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b through 10b, a range of 217 frost-free days between the shortest season in the northern Panhandle (147 days) and the longest in zone 10b (364 days). Average last spring frost dates range from May 11 in the northern Panhandle to Jan 1 in zone 10b. This variation means a single planting schedule for “Texas” is unreliable; the guide provides five separate sub-regional calendars.
The book contains 26,500 words across these sections:
Month-by-month planting calendars
Separate schedules for North TX, Central TX, Gulf Coast, South TX, and West TX. Each calendar specifies indoor seed-starting windows, transplant dates, and direct-sow timing, computed from the sub-region’s average frost dates.
25+ vegetable profiles
Each profile includes recommended varieties for Texas conditions, spacing and depth specifications, days to maturity, and pest/disease susceptibility notes specific to the state’s climate.
Regional growing strategies
- Drought-adapted irrigation techniques calibrated to Texas evapotranspiration rates
- Dual growing season planning (spring and fall) with specific transition timing by sub-region
- Clay soil amendments and caliche management for Central and West TX
- Container and raised-bed approaches for urban gardens in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
- Texas-specific pest identification and organic management (fire ants, squash vine borers, fungal issues in humid Gulf Coast conditions)
Who this guide is for
Gardeners in any Texas USDA zone (6b–10b) who want a complete, region-specific reference rather than generic national planting advice. The guide assumes basic gardening knowledge and focuses on timing, variety selection, and climate adaptation.
Format and availability
The guide is organized by sub-region so you can turn directly to your area and season. Soil preparation, pest management, container gardening, and harvest planning each receive dedicated chapters with Texas-specific data. Available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
The guide includes variety recommendations for Texas conditions. Available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Not sure which zone you garden in? Enter your ZIP code on the Gardening by Zone home page to look it up.