Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (2023)

What are the best vegetables to grow in Texas?

Finding the best vegetables to grow in Texas wasn't as easy as I thought.Some require a lot of care, others are prone to pests, and many just aren't easy or fast enough to grow.

So I made a list of the top 10 vegetables to grow in Texas!

This definitive guide gives you theThe best vegetables to grow, why you should grow them, and even how to grow them.

Read THIS Before Growing Vegetables in Texas

Knowing which hardiness zone Texas is in is crucial to understanding the best vegetables to grow.

It can make the difference between your garden thriving and producing a reward, or producing nothing.

Texas is primarily considered Hardiness Zone 7, while some of the sub-regions are Hardiness Zones 8 and 9.

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (1)

The 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Texas

#1.Kohl

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (2)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties:Red cabbage and white pointed cabbage

Why grow cabbage in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (3)
(Video) January Planting Guide for Zone 9 + 10 Gardeners & Winter Growing Tips

Thrives in cold:

  • While some vegetables are hardy, cabbage thrives in Texas' cool spring and fall weather. If you want the tastiest cabbage, consider growing it in the spring and harvesting it before the heat of summer.

Perfect on raised beds.:

  • Peas don't need a lot of space. They also grow very well among other vegetables and plants. And when they're protected from Mother Nature, they're even better off. This makes it perfect for raised beds, which is one of the most popular gardening techniques in Texas.

THESE could harm your cabbage

pests:

  • Deer, rabbits, and squirrels LOVE to eat collard greens in early summer. Whether protected or unprotected pests pose a risk to the cabbage crop in Texas.

insects:

  • Of all the vegetables on the list, cabbage is the most susceptible to insect infestation. Aphids, spider mites, and many other insects can often infest leaves and cabbages.

additional resources

The biggest tip I have for growing cabbage in Texas is to give the vegetables plenty of space. Most gardeners plant cabbages too close together, which will inhibit the size and flavor of the vegetables.

#2.asparagus

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (4)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties: White, Green, and Bath

Why grow asparagus in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (5)

Thrives in Droughts:

  • Unlike other vegetables, asparagus does not require a lot of water to grow, flourish, and become a crop that can be harvested all summer long. This is great for unusually dry and even humid summers.

Ideal for perennial gardens:

  • If you want a vegetable that will grow year after year with little to no maintenance, then asparagus is perfect for you. The best part is that it can be grown alongside other vegetables in a small garden.

THESE could damage your studs

insects:

  • Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that requires constant insect control. Insects can quickly destroy your asparagus as it grows and you leave it in the ground for too long.

pests/animals:

  • Because asparagus is one of the first perennial vegetables to emerge from the ground in late spring or early summer, it is more likely to be eaten by pests or animals.

additional resources

The biggest tip I have for growing asparagus in Texas is to plant it in an area of ​​your garden that you plan to dedicate to it each year. Not only that, but it will be beneficial to keep them alongside other animal repellent plants to protect them properly.

#3.kale

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (6)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties:Curly, Lacinato, Russian Red, Ornamental

Why grow kale in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (7)

Resistant:

  • Kale is the hardiest vegetable when it comes to Texas' cooler springs and falls. Unlike any other vegetable on this list, kale can be grown all year long.

boiled:

  • Kale is the only vegetable on this list that can also be considered ornamental. This means that you can add colour, features and beauty to any type of garden.

perfect in pots:

  • If there's one vegetable in Texas that can be grown in pots, it's kale. This is one of the most adaptable vegetables, making it perfect for the novice gardener in Texas.

THESE could harm your salad

aphids

  • Like many other vegetables, aphids are insects you don't want. Aphids are particularly prevalent in Texas and can stunt or kill kale.

Extreme heat

  • Like lettuce, kale cannot tolerate extreme heat. After just a week of temperatures above 30 degrees Fahrenheit and direct sunlight, kale can bloom and become inedible. It is recommended not to grow kale in direct sunlight during the summer.

additional resources

Learn how to grow kaleHERE

#4.Peas

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (8)
(Video) Top 10 Vegetables to grow in Fall & through Winter

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties:Snow peas, snow peas, English peas

Why grow peas in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (9)

Thrives in cold:

  • While some vegetables are hardy, peas thrive in Texas' spring and fall weather. If you want the tastiest peas, consider growing them in the winter and early spring.

Ideal for vertical gardening:

  • Peas are one of the few vegetables that are perfect for vertical gardening. Vertical gardening is popular in Texas cities and even in urban areas where land for horizontal cultivation is scarce.

Perfect on raised beds.:

  • Peas don't need a lot of space. They also grow very well among other vegetables and plants. This makes it perfect for raised beds, which is one of the most popular gardening techniques in Texas.

THESE could harm your peas

pests:

  • Deer, rabbits, and squirrels love to get out and hungry in the spring. One of the first plants they eat is peas. Whether protected or unprotected pests pose a risk to pea crops in Texas.

Any temperature except cold:

  • While most vegetables thrive in the Texas summer heat, peas don't. Any temperature except cool weather poses a risk to growth and flavor.

additional resources

Learn to grow peasHERE

#5.Squeeze

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (10)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties: Zucchini, Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti

Why grow pumpkins in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (11)

Thrives in heat and cold:

  • Pumpkin is one of the most versatile vegetables. Some strains can be grown in cool climates, others in warmer climates, and some are perfect for growing in both types of climate.

Provides harvest throughout the summer:

  • Squash is one of the few vegetables that you can harvest from May through November if planted correctly. This means you can enjoy or store it all year long.

perfect cross pollinator:

  • Pumpkin may be the best vegetable on this list to fertilize other vegetables. Plant squash along with tomatoes, beans, carrots, and cucumbers for even more veggies.

THESE could harm your pumpkin

Birds, squirrels, rabbits and squirrels:

  • These pests will generally not harm your actual squash vegetables. However, what they do is eat squash blossoms right away if you don't protect them.redoaerosol for rodents.

small gardens:

  • This is a bit different than other vegetables. Pumpkin needs a lot of space to grow. If you try to grow it in garden containers, raised beds, or small gardens, chances are it will take over other vegetables or just not produce the crop you want.

additional resources

Learn to grow pumpkinHERE

#6.cucumbers

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (12)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular varieties: pickling, Armenian, Persian, English.

(Video) Guide to Choosing & Buying Seeds | Planning the 2023 Vegetable Garden

Why grow cucumbers in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (13)

Thrives in heat and cold:

  • Cucumbers are another hardy vegetable. Some strains can be grown in cool climates and others in warmer climates.

Much and much harvest:

  • Cucumbers are one of the few vegetables that you can harvest from late spring to late fall. This means that you will enjoy it all year long.

amazing cross pollinator:

  • Cucumbers are another vegetable that helps fertilize other vegetables. Plant cucumbers alongside tomatoes, beans, carrots, and squash for even more veggies.

THESE could harm your cucumbers

birds and rodents:

  • These pests will generally not harm your royal cucumber vegetable. However, what they do is eat cucumber blossoms right away if you don't protect them.redoaerosol for rodents.

Small space:

  • Cucumbers need a lot of space to grow. If you try to grow it in garden containers, raised beds, or small gardens, chances are it will take over other vegetables or just not produce the crop you want.

additional resources

Learn to grow cucumbersHERE

#7.Pfeffer

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (14)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Strains: Bell, Jalapeno, Habanero

Why grow peppers in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (15)

Love the heat:

  • This easy-care vegetable loves heat. The hotter the summer, the better they perform. And the longer the summer lasts, the more peppers you have.

Perfect for vertical gardening:

  • Bell peppers are one of those vegetables that you might not think of when it comes to vertical gardening, but they work just as well. This makes them perfect for small spaces and even in pots.

Fits in ALL gardens:

  • Whether you live in north or south Texas, peppers do well in all kinds of gardens. I especially love growing them in raised beds and container gardens.

tough insect:

  • If you're having trouble with bugs infecting your Texas vegetables, consider planting bell peppers. This vegetable is one of the few in Texas where you don't have to worry about bug infestations year-round.

THESE could harm your peppers

DiseaseS

  • Peppers can be prone to disease in late summer. Expect rot, fungus, and rot to attack your plant later in the season, around the time you harvest your peppers.

additional resources

Learn to grow peppersHERE

#8.Green beans

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (16)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Varieties: Bush & Pole

Why grow green beans in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (17)

Thrives in Droughts:

  • Unlike other vegetables, green beans do not require a lot of water to grow, flourish, and become a crop that can be harvested more than once. This is great for unusually dry summers.

Ideal for vertical gardening:

  • If you want a vegetable that grows on a pole, look no further than green beans. This green bean has been specially developed for vertical gardening.

THESE could harm your green beans

insects:

  • Green beans are one of the few vegetables that require constant insect control. Insects can quickly destroy green bean leaves before the flowers grow, and can destroy the vegetable itself if not cared for properly.

Cold weather:

  • When the weather drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, expect your green beans to stop growing, become dazed, and possibly even die. This means that growing green beans in late fall is not recommended.

additional resources

Learn to grow green beansHERE

(Video) Seed Buying Guide

#9.radish

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (18)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular Strains: French, Tarzan, Stela

Why grow radishes in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (19)

Thrives in Droughts:

  • Like carrots and other root vegetables, radishes require little water, sunlight, and even pest control. This makes it ideal for full sun and semi-sun garden areas.

Cold weather:

  • Radishes are one of the few vegetables that survive colder temperatures like frost. That means you can plant, grow, and harvest your radishes in early spring, late fall, and even winter.

THESE could harm your radishes

ton:

  • Almost all the vegetables it contains can grow in any type of soil. The only exception is radishes. Radishes need fine-grained, clayey soil. If planted in clay soil it will not grow at all.

additional resources

The most important tip I have for growing radishes in Texas is to give the vegetables plenty of space. Most gardeners plant radishes or radish seeds too close together, which inhibits the size and flavor of the vegetable.

#10.Eggplant

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (20)

Look at the price of the seeds.

Popular varieties: fairy tale, Thai and Italian.

Why grow eggplants in Texas?

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (21)

Love the heat:

  • As you can see, there is a trend. Eggplants are another vegetable that is great in the Texas summer heat. The hotter the better. And when it rains, expect bigger and better eggplants.

Numerous varieties:

  • This is possibly one of the most underrated factors in growing eggplant in Texas. There are almost 20 types of eggplant that can be grown. This means that you can choose your type for your specific needs and climate.

THESE could harm your eggplant

Of:

This may seem strange, but the gardener will most likely damage your eggplant. Most gardeners harvest eggplants when they are too hard or too soft. Not only that, but gardeners tend to over-fertilize eggplants, resulting in oversized eggplants.

additional resources

The biggest tip for growing eggplants is not to fertilize them. Fertilizing will cause your eggplants to grow too big and tough, sacrificing the flavor and color of your vegetables.

Common Growth Factors of Best Texas Vegetables

Top 10 Vegetables to Grow in Texas (2023 Guide) (22)
(Video) 12 Vegetables You Should Grow in Spring

As a reminder, the following factors are common to the best vegetables to grow in Texas:

  • It thrives in heat and drought.
  • Thrives in cooler temperatures
  • It can grow in vertical gardens.
  • Robust against pests and insects.
  • Can be planted in ALL types of garden
  • large cross pollinator

FAQs

What is the best vegetable to grow in Texas? ›

Beets, lettuce, mustard greens, radish, and carrots are all frost-tolerant veggies that can survive temperatures as low as 32°F and will do nicely in a fall vegetable garden in Texas. Once you plant your seeds, they need to be watered daily for two weeks until the roots are mature enough to support plant growth.

What is the highest yielding vegetable? ›

The 6 Most High-Yielding Fruits and Vegetables to Plant in Your Culinary Garden
  • Tomatoes.
  • Zucchini.
  • Pole Beans.
  • Cucumbers.
  • Carrots.
  • Lettuce.
Aug 23, 2022

What vegetables will come back next year? ›

If you're tired of replanting every year, a perennial vegetable crop or two might make a nice addition to your garden.
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Horseradish. ...
  • Jerusalem artichoke. ...
  • Rhubarb. ...
  • Chives.
Apr 30, 2020

What are the 5 cash crops raised in Texas? ›

Texas leads all other states in number of farms and ranches. While the primary crops of Texas are cotton, corn, feed grains (sorghum, milo, etc.), rice and wheat, there is an abundance of other crops, too.

What are the top 5 crops in Texas? ›

Cotton, $2.6 billion. Milk, $2.1 billion. Broilers, $2.9 billion. Corn, $1.2 billion Greenhouse & nursery, $1.3 billion.

What is the best cash crop for a small farm? ›

Cash Crops for Small Farm Profit
  • Bamboo. Already popular in Asia, bamboo is gaining popularity around the world for its variety of uses, such as fencing material, fabric and food. ...
  • Specialty Mushroom. Perfect crops for beginning farmers are specialty mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Christmas Trees.

What is the easiest vegetable to farm? ›

10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Yourself
  • Peas. ...
  • Radishes. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Cucumbers. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Swiss Chard. ...
  • Beets. ...
  • Summer Squash (Zucchini) Summer squash and zucchini like well-composted soil and need plenty of space (plant them 3 to 6 feet apart in warm soil and lots of sun.)

What are 5 cash crops? ›

Examples of typical food and non-food cash crops are cereals, oilseeds, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, vegetables and fruits (e.g. avocado and oranges), peanuts, cotton and tobacco.

Is there a miracle grow for vegetables? ›

Made with natural ingredients, Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Plant Food Vegetables and Herbs is great for tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumber, carrots, basil, and other herbs and vegetables. You'll get bigger harvests compared to unfed plants.

What vegetable produces the fastest? ›

Radishes. One of the fastest-growing vegetable plants you can grow is radish. Some types are ready to eat in as little as 3 weeks from seeding. They are a cool-season vegetable, meaning they do best in spring or fall, before or after the heat of summer.

What is the most resilient vegetable to grow? ›

Peas. Peas are lots of fun to grow and harvest, and they're very hard to kill once they are planted and settled in. Because of their extremely high success rate, peas are commonly used as a starter plant by patient gardeners teaching children how to grow veggies.

What are the only 2 perennial vegetables? ›

Artichoke (Try Jerusalem, also known as Sunchokes.) Asparagus (Keep the bed weed-free, and they'll produce for 20 years or more.

What vegetables can you plant once and harvest forever? ›

Plant These 7 Perennial Vegetables to Get a Harvest Each Year
  • Globe artichokes.
  • Asparagus.
  • Jerusalem artichokes.
  • Some members of the onion family.
  • Radicchio.
  • Rhubarb.
  • Sorrel.
Aug 27, 2022

What vegetable can be grown all year round? ›

Brassicas - kale, cabbage, turnips, and broccoli will all grow over the winter months. Some varieties of spinach beet will survive frosts. Root veg such as carrots and beetroot can be harvested late autumn, and stored carefully for several months. As can potatoes, onions and garlic.

What is the number 1 cash crop in Texas? ›

As might be expected, cattle are Texas' top agricultural commodity with a 40.4 percent share of cash receipts — more than three times that of milk, the second highest.

What is the #1 cash crop in Texas? ›

Cotton. Cotton has been a major crop in Texas for more than a century. Since 1880, Texas has led all states in cotton production in most years, and today the annual Texas cotton harvest amounts to around 37.5 percent of total production in the United States.

What is the biggest cash crop in Texas? ›

Of all the crops produced in Texas, cotton contributes the largest portion, 9% of the state's agriculture receipts. It's been a major crop in our state for over 100 years. As the top cotton-producing state in the U.S., our cotton production is also a critical part of the national economy.

What are the 7 major cash crops? ›

What are Cash Crops?
  • Wheat.
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Corn.
  • Cotton.
  • Sugar cane.
  • Soybeans and oil-producing plants.
Jun 28, 2021

What is the number 1 food in Texas? ›

Texas Barbeque

We broke out brisket into its own category on this list, because in Texas, beef reigns supreme. But brisket is just the beginning.

What are the 2 most important crops? ›

Grains, such as corn, wheat, and rice, are the world's most popular food crops. In fact, these crops are often the basis for food staples. A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population's diet.

What is the top cash crop in Texas? ›

Cotton. Cotton has been a major crop in Texas for more than a century. Since 1880, Texas has led all states in cotton production in most years, and today the annual Texas cotton harvest amounts to around 37.5 percent of total production in the United States. The annual Texas cotton crop has averaged 5.8 million 480-lb.

What grows well in Texas heat? ›

Daisies are ideal for planting anywhere in your Texas yard because they thrive in higher temperatures and sunlight.

What is Texas biggest cash crop? ›

Of all the crops produced in Texas, cotton contributes the largest portion, 9% of the state's agriculture receipts. It's been a major crop in our state for over 100 years. As the top cotton-producing state in the U.S., our cotton production is also a critical part of the national economy.

What is the easiest plant to grow in Texas? ›

No Green Thumb? 8 Low-Maintenance Plants that Thrive in North Texas
  1. Spider Plant. As one of the easiest plants to grow, you should have no trouble with a Spider Plant. ...
  2. Black-Eyed Susan. ...
  3. Desert Savoir. ...
  4. Fall Aster. ...
  5. Purple Coneflower. ...
  6. Cast-Iron Plant. ...
  7. Copper Canyon Daisy. ...
  8. Perilla.
Dec 10, 2018

What is the easiest cash crop to grow? ›

Easy Crops to Grow From Seed
  • Lettuce. Lettuce can be sown directly in your garden bed, or started indoors for transplanting. ...
  • Peas. Snap, snow, and shelling peas are all best sown as early as the soil can be worked in spring. ...
  • Radishes. ...
  • Turnips. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Sunflowers. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Winter Squash, including Pumpkins.

What crop sells for the most money? ›

List of most valuable crops and livestock products
Crop or LivestockGlobal gross production value in billion US$Country with highest gross production value in billion USD
Chicken, meat$192$27.4 (United States)
Maize (corn)$191$61.2 (Mainland China)
Wheat$168$50.7 (Mainland China)
Soybeans$107$40.7 (United States)
46 more rows

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