Nature knows best: In the RGV, climate aids in growing own food

By Heidi Lopez

Each season gives us the fruits and vegetables we need, right when we need them!

Nature’s seasons perfectly match our nutritional needs, especially in south Texas. For example, summer brings hydrating fruits like watermelon and berries to keep us cool, while autumn offers root vegetables and squashes that provide warmth and sustenance for colder months. Eating seasonally also supports local growers and can be more sustainable for the environment.

Eating fruit and vegetables that are in season is a smart way to stay healthy and save money. In the fall, you can enjoy fresh produce like cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and herbs. These foods are at their best during this season, perfect for salads and soups just in time for the cooler weather. They’re full of flavor and packed with the vitamins needed for the colder months.

In South Texas, the warm climate extends the growing season, allowing for the harvest of crops like citrus, and vegetables well into the fall and winter with lots of Vitamin C to support our immune systems. This season also marks the beginning of the citrus harvest, with favorites such as limes, blood oranges, tangerines, along with the first navel oranges of the year, ready to be picked. And by the winter we will enjoy the grapefruits, especially Ruby Red and Rio Red varieties.

Fall is also an excellent time to start a vegetable garden. Begin by planning your garden based on the time you have available. Choose a sunny spot where the garden space receives 6-8 hours of daily sunlight. Prepare the soil with compost, which is a great natural fertilizer. Choose cool-weather veggies like lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, onions, or broccoli. Plant your seeds or seedlings, water them regularly, and watch them grow.

There is always a great sense of accomplishment when harvesting your own food. A tomato from your garden always tastes better. Gardening in the fall is a wonderful way to get outside after the dog days of summer and to spend quality time with family.

By eating in-season produce and growing your own food, you make smart choices that benefit your health, your wallet, and the planet.

Happy eating and happy gardening!

Heidi Lopez, M.S., Better Living for Texans Agent in Starr County, with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.