Your West Texas vegetable garden is likely failing from overwatering, not drought. Learn proper watering techniques, soil preparation with compost and water retention products, and choose heat-adapted plants.
Johansen Landscape & Nursery City: Big Spring Address: 700 Johansen Road Website: https://www.johansenstx.com/Tag Cloud
Growing Vegetables in West Texas: Watering, Soil
& Plant Selection Tips
Surprising truth: West Texas gardens fail from
overwatering, not drought! Daily light watering creates
shallow roots that can't handle heat. Deep weekly
watering builds resilience.
Water correctly: Once weekly for
30-45 minutes, allowing 1 inch to
penetrate deeply. This
encourages downward root
growth, making plants more
drought-resistant and heat-
tolerant.
Soil prep is crucial! West Texas alkaline soil needs cotton burr compost and quality
conditioners. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late February/March to prevent weeds.
Choose heat-loving vegetables: tomatoes, okra,
peppers, squash, and black-eyed peas thrive here.
Prune tomatoes back by half in summer heat for
productive fall harvest.
Native plants win! Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Indian
Hawthorn, Live Oaks adapt to extreme conditions. They
need less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-
native species.
Container gardening offers beginners control over soil quality and moisture. Start with herbs or
vegetables you cook with.
https://www.johansenstx.com/
Ready to create a thriving West Texas garden? Visit
https://www.johansenstx.com/ for more guidance!
& Plant Selection Tips
Surprising truth: West Texas gardens fail from
overwatering, not drought! Daily light watering creates
shallow roots that can't handle heat. Deep weekly
watering builds resilience.
Water correctly: Once weekly for
30-45 minutes, allowing 1 inch to
penetrate deeply. This
encourages downward root
growth, making plants more
drought-resistant and heat-
tolerant.
Soil prep is crucial! West Texas alkaline soil needs cotton burr compost and quality
conditioners. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late February/March to prevent weeds.
Choose heat-loving vegetables: tomatoes, okra,
peppers, squash, and black-eyed peas thrive here.
Prune tomatoes back by half in summer heat for
productive fall harvest.
Native plants win! Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Indian
Hawthorn, Live Oaks adapt to extreme conditions. They
need less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-
native species.
Container gardening offers beginners control over soil quality and moisture. Start with herbs or
vegetables you cook with.
https://www.johansenstx.com/
Ready to create a thriving West Texas garden? Visit
https://www.johansenstx.com/ for more guidance!