Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - July 16, 2010

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Garden crop to plant in July in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I've just been given access to a plot at Sunshine Gardens and must plant something within 30 days. What would be a good planting crop for the middle of July that would be successful for harvesting in the fall, or later..

ANSWER:

Well, we have a couple of minor problems here.  First of all, our focus and expertise here at the Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America and most vegetables grown in our gardens are not native to North America.  Secondly, the middle of July in Austin is not the very best time to be planting seeds.  However, Mr. Smarty Plants does know some resources that can help you get something in the ground so that you don't lose your space in the Sunshine Gardens.  First, Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County has a Vegetable Garden Planting Guide on their Vegetable Gardening webpage.  There are also some other very helpful articles on vegetable gardening on their webpage.  Additionally, the Travis County Master Gardeners Asociation has a book, the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, that is available at most local nurseries.  The book has a schedule of what to plant each month as well as other helpful information about gardening each month.  According to this booklet, for July you should be planting pumpkin and sweet potatoes early to mid-month and corn, eggplant, peppers, Southern peas, tomatoes and winter squash from mid- to late-July.   Okra can be planted anytime during the month. These suggestions pretty well match those of the Texas AgriLife Planting Guide listed above.

In a Mr. Smarty Plants question and answer with the title, Native Edible Plants for a Small Austin Garden, you can see some suggestions for native edibles, but none of them are suitable for planting in mid-July.  You could add them later.

Best of luck with your garden!

 

More Edible Plants Questions

Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
March 07, 2014 - I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
view the full question and answer

Citrus trees for Austin
May 21, 2008 - I am looking for citrus that grows in the Austin,Tx area. Could you offer any suggestions please?
view the full question and answer

Effects of Hedysarum mackenzii from Pflugerville TX
May 08, 2013 - What are the effects of Hedysarum mackenzii?
view the full question and answer

Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants
December 19, 2005 - I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
view the full question and answer

Will corn fall victim to allelopathy from hackberry in Clarkridge AR
March 30, 2013 - Will my corn be inhibited by a nearby hackberry and if so would it help to cut it down? I understand that sometimes the soil is full of the chemicals the tree produces.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.