Hello from new gardener in Central Texas!

[Coolbreeze89]

Hello everyone! I am recently-retired after a career in the suburbs of Houston. I now live in a town of 500 people on some acreage in central Texas . Over the last couple years I have added chickens - 40ish? (love BYC), 9 nigerian dwarf goats and 9 pigs (7 kunekune and 2 potbelly - love BYH), and now have 4 LGDs. I was so pleased to find this site as I began my gardening journey this year! I tried spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sunflowers (never got seeds!), strawberries, spaghetti squash, pumpkins, carrots, and I even bought a dwarf thornless key lime tree (currently in my dining room, as we are supposed to freeze tonight!). I have learned more than I’ve produced, but I love gardening! Everything I grow is in containers on my elevated patio (safe from goaties, gophers, rabbits, armadillos, and squirrels!). I’m already excitedly planning my garden for next year, and giving a try to starting seeds indoors (I only direct-sowed this year). I also just planted 2 types of garlic.

I try to be as organic/clean as possible, as I have developed severe food sensitivities that I am convinced are caused/exacerbated by all the “stuff” that is never labeled in our food system. I love being able to trust that what I’ve grown is as healthy as I can get. Plus, it is great to make use of all the “contributions” my animals make to my ever-growing compost bins!

I’ve attached a few pics, including my “amazing” first carrot - I was so proud! First self-grown edible in my entire life!

I look forward to learning from everyone and sharing in the joy that is gardening!

 

[flowerbug]

wow! that's quite a bit to do in one season! i'd be overwhelmed! welcome to TEG. hope you will enjoy the various topics and people here.

 

[Coolbreeze89]

wow! that's quite a bit to do in one season! i'd be overwhelmed! welcome to TEG. hope you will enjoy the various topics and people here.

I was overwhelmed at many stages, but it has been great! I don’t know how to “start small” - just not in my genes!

 

[thistlebloom]

Welcome Coolbreeze! I love hearing your enthusiasm, and how did you know we are photo junkies? You have started out well!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome from South Louisiana, glad you found us.

 

[seedcorn]

Welcome. Go big or stay home, right? Worst case scenario, few things go to waste. Better a useful plant be growing than a useless plant. Something will grow there.

 

[valley ranch]

Hello there in Texas ~ all that sounds good ~ we're coming over for coffee ~ I'll bring biscotti ```

 

[Carol Dee]

Welcome @Coolbreeze89 from Eastern Iowa where the Mississippi River runs east to west

 

[Coolbreeze89]

Welcome. Go big or stay home, right? Worst case scenario, few things go to waste. Better a useful plant be growing than a useless plant. Something will grow there.

I have a sign on my property: “Go big, or go home!” Kindred spirits! ;-)

 

[Coolbreeze89]

Welcome Coolbreeze! I love hearing your enthusiasm, and how did you know we are photo junkies? You have started out well!

I learned the awesomeness of photos from BYH - figured it would carry over to here!