The Best Vegetables to Plant Right at Home in Your Backyard

There’s nothing like garden-to-table recipes prepared with fresh, local produce. While there are plenty of farmers markets throughout Texas, a backyard vegetable garden allows you to grow your own produce - a fun hobby that ensures you get the healthiest food around.

Explore our list to learn the best Texas crops to grow in your backyard garden, so you can host a fantastic garden-to-table get together for your neighbors.

Okra Plants

Okra has been a staple in southern cooking for centuries. Some popular recipes with okra include okra and tomatoes, fried okra and Limpin Susan. Okra is a warm-season vegetable, so it's best to grow it during spring and summer. There are many types of okra varieties. Among the best that grow in the Texas soil: Annie Oakley, Blondy, Burgundy Cajun Delight and more. When growing okra, find a place where it will get plenty of sunlight in fertile soil. When planting, keep in mind that okra grows best in well-worked soil about 8-10 inches deep.

Mustard Leaves

Mustard leaves, also known as mustard greens, are a very popular leafy vegetable eaten around the world. They are a fresh cooking staple in several global dishes from African, Chinese, Filipino, Korean and Southern cuisines. Mustard greens are a cold-weather crop that grows best in Northern/Central Texas, where the climate is a bit colder. Many varieties grow well in Texas, but the Tendergreen and Curly Leaf varieties are among the best. Mustard greens should be planted about 8-10 weeks before the first frost to get the best-looking fall harvest.

Squash

Squash is an incredibly versatile fruit (that's right, it's a fruit) that grows very well year-round. Several popular varieties in your local grocery store, like zucchini and yellow squash, grow well in all areas of Texas. There are plenty of other varieties as well, like delicata squash which is sweet and very easy to prepare in many dishes. Since squash requires a lot of nutrients to grow, it’s best to mix the soil with compost or manure before planting to get the best results.

Cucumbers

If you are looking for a crop that is easy to grow in a backyard vegetable garden, cucumbers are a great choice and go well in several popular dishes. Enjoy cool cucumber recipes like cucumber sandwiches with tea or tzatziki sauce for your favorite mediterranian dishes. And, of course, small cucumbers make for great pickles that last year-round. Cucumbers typically grow best during summer/spring, with many varieties to choose from (English and Persian being the most popular). However, if you are looking for a high-performing variety, Sweet Success cucumbers are very easy to grow and are seedless.

Carrots

Ask anyone to think of a vegetable on the spot; carrots will likely be among the most popular. They are a great source of beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, that goes well in several dishes like warm and satisfying carrot soup. Carrots grow best in moderate climates, making them a great choice for Dallas gardens. They typically do best in spring and fall. When planting carrots, choose a sunny area, as they require around 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. You will also want to plant them in loose soil, so make sure to work the soil and get rid of any rocks or hard clay. You should be able to press your finger into the soil with little resistance. Finally, once you have planted the seeds, you'll want to keep the soil moist. One trick is to place burlap cloth over the soil and water the plants through the cloth to lock in the moisture.