Veggies in south Texas

I want to plant a veggie garden but I think it's too late. I want to use raised beds since our soil is mostly clay. Is it too late? If not I could use some suggestions on what to plant. We were hoping for peas, beans, melons, turnips, squash, okra, etc. Also, I will be wanting to plant a winter garden too, when should I start this? We want pumpkins, but other than that I don't really kow what to plant for the fall. Our weather right now is hot(upper 90's to mid 70's) little rain.
Thanks for your help,
~~Teri~~

Rigth now is a great time in zone 8 for melons (I'm not quite sure, but I think you and I might be in the same zone). Corn is coming up for its second season and pumpkin has just enough time to mature if planted now too. Beans are fast growing and tomatoes plants can go in too. Check into your local gardening society for exact times to plant. It varies too from plants that are started by seed and transplants. For here in Tucson, I will be starting my fall plants in August/September and the rest of my winter garden in October/November.

Teri, we just tilled a garden first weekend in June here in the Conroe area. I think you'd be fine. We look at it like we're darn lucky to have such a long growing season.

I would definitely recommend tilling in (whatever method you use) some good compost/composted peat, manure, etc. with your clay soil. We have a lot of sand here (understatement!), so we are constantly adding to ours to enrich it.

Try beans for sure! And peppers! Basically, I'd attempt anything you find available in the way of seedlings, esp. those at feed stores, etc. I have planted tomatoes in my garden as late as September and harvested before winter! No kidding! I would suggest, however, that you somehow shade those new transplants until they get a good hold in your garden though. They'll reward you later!

You won't know unless you try!

Anxious to see what you end up growing!
Keep us posted!!

Thanks for all your advice. I'm headed to the nursery right now!
~~Teri~~

Teri, just another thought... you DO compost, don't you?
Sure does make a big difference in the soil composition. Now that we've seen the results of our composting... I would never garden without it again!

~Cajun2

I've never done it but I'm open to trying. Only problem is that our yard is incredibly small. I wuld be concerned that with the heat and humidity the odor could offend the neighbors. Plus, it looks like we will be moving in the spring to Casper Wyoming.

hmmm i saw a nice long post... i'll try to find it for you. but it talks about different kinds of composting. and one in a trashcan. Oh i remember now... it was on the BH&G website. i'll find the link.

Trashcan compost bin:
http://www.bhg.com/bettertv/?lid=627011329&tid=572020925&cid=713448050

Composting in general:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/search/results.jsp?searchType=content&searchString=compost&_requestid=341437


anyway... a lot has to do with HOW you compost... you can effectively compost without the stinch. WELL worth any effort you can give it.

my MIL and i are very lazy with our compost and have such great success. you must give it a try!!