Is it too late to start vegetables in zone 9?

I would like to grow fall crop of cantaloupe, watermelon, and tomatoes. But is it now too late, starting from seeds?

According to Texas A&M, it's too late for your zone as far as direct seeds go.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/fallgarden/falldirect.html

However, the chart shows that down your way (either zone 4 or 5) you are good to go with seed plantings for a variety of veggies. And as far as gardening goes, never say never. If you have or can purchase some tomato seedlings, you are also good to go. There's also the possibility of using a container for any of your favorite determinate varieties.
http://gratography.com/

This message was edited Aug 26, 2017 10:42 AM

Zone 9 is revving up for the fall/winter garden! Come on, and jump right on in!

Here's some of what you can grow in Zone 9 in the fall/winter garden: Arugula, Bok Choy, Pak Choy, Broccoli, Beets (my favorite) Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kale, Lettuce, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, onions, garlic, Radishes, Spinach, and more! Winter Snap Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, squash, pumpkins, too!

Go get yourself some seeds, some potting mix for containers (not garden soil - that's for the ground), and some containers to sow your seeds in. Doesn't have to be fancy stuff. Seed starter trays, seed flats (I made mine out of cedar fence pickets, 18" on all sides, with slats spaced so the soil doesn't fall through. Line em with some weed block).

Fill your trays, sprinkle your seeds (not too deep!!), water 'em in and set them outdoors under a nice shade tree that let's a bit of light through, but not full on sun.

While your seeds are germinating, get the garden ready with some finished compost, aged manure, and whatever other amendments you might need. When the seedlings have at least 1-2 sets of "true" leaves (beyond the cotyledons, or nurse leaves), set them closer to the sun for a few hours each day to harden them off (get them used to being in full sun for more and more hours each day, for about 3-5 days.)

Then, transplant those puppies into the garden!

LMK whatcha think about this plan, LOL!

Hugs!

Linda

I started my seeds in the seed flats on August 13th. They're only 17 days old, but, they're starting to throw their first true leaves. They're targeted for transplanting into the garden the weekend of Sept. 24th. You still have PLENTY of time to get seedlings in.

What're your lowest winter temps where you are? We rarely go below 38 degrees most of the winter, and the brassicas above can take temps down to 30 degrees, if it's not for more than a few hours or a couple days. But, in that case, you can protect them with some covering, and they'll be fine. Long as it's not a hard freeze for days on end. Then you might have a problem. But, here, that's very rare. We actually have about 285 growing days in Houston, Zone 9.

Here are my seed trays.

#1 Dwarf Siberian Kale that I found a HUGE cutworm munching on today. No more...
#2 Georgia Collards
#3 Buttercrunch Lettuce
#4 Arcadia Broccoli
#5 Buttercrunch Lettuce

I'll start spinach indoors under my fluorescent lights. It's too hot out for them, but, they'll start well indoors. I'll sow them in 6 oz. yogurt cups, cause they don't like their roots disturbed, and I can tip the whole cup over to drop into the transplant hole, without disturbing them.

So, what did you decide to do?

Gymgirl,

Your post spurred me into action. I promptly went out to a local Home Depot, picked up a packet of seeds,soaked them overnight in some warm water, placed in a starting cup with potting soil, ... and waited ... and waited. Its been about 2 weeks now and nothing really has sprouted.

Could I have picked up a bad, stale batch? I have kept the soil moist every day, and put these in a small little 1-ft high greenhouse. Am I doing something incorrect? Or am I being impatient?

Cheers

Megamunchers,
What seeds did you soak?

Wishing I was in your shoes right now. Getting ready for winter here, and usually a couple feet of snow by Christmas. I'll have my single tomato plant indoors, in a sunny window.

Hi Gymgirl,

I soaked cauliflower and cabbage, purchased at a local home depot. Is there a more reliable place in the Houston area that you can recommend?

Cheers

Hi Megamunchers. Last time I was in Houston I picked up malaber spinach, culantro, and other goodies at JRN Nursery. The Vietnamese lady owner is super knowledgeable and friendly. They have a ton of selection and the cheapest prices I've seen. Most of the plants are not labeled so you might have to ask.