5 Unique Texas Heirloom Seeds to Plant Now
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As a May-born Taurean, I’ve always found comfort in activities that involve nature in some form. Be it hikes, pottery classes, or a leisurely walk through one of the many local Texan farmers’ markets. So, when a friend asked me to come over and help plant some new heirlooms in her garden, I put on the only pair of overalls I own and was instantly on my way!
As Texans, we are lucky to live in a climate that promotes gardening all year round. South Texas generally doesn’t even experience frosting temperatures, and other parts only have a couple of months of low temperatures at most. With these ideal growing conditions, it’s no surprise that home gardens have become increasingly popular in the state. As more and more families start to recognize the benefits of eating seasonal food free from preservatives and allergens, they also begin to explore the possibilities of growing their own organic produce. While farming methods may differ from family to family, the appreciation of consuming local, Texan grown food remains the same.
Heirlooms are a great addition to any home garden. They are valuable seeds (how long do seeds last?) that have stood the test of time, and can date back centuries. Heirlooms are known to be resistant to several diseases, tolerant to weather changes and, of course, packed with exceptional flavor! Most hybrid-grown produce we find in supermarket aisles have been genetically-modified and bred for long shelf lives or for being shipped cross country.
Heirloom produce is non-GMO, nutritious, and flavorful – it truly elevates any meal it is part of. These seeds are living antiques, preserved and passed down through generations of Southern gardeners.
So, if you’ve been mulling over which heirlooms to plant in your Texan garden this spring, I’ve got you covered!
Heirloom Tomatoes
As temperatures get warmer, many garden centers are stocking up on different varieties of tomato plants. There are few things as delicious as a vine-ripened, juicy heirloom tomato. Cherry bomb tomatoes (What wine goes well with tomatoes?) are blight-resistant, firmly textured tomatoes with a high yield. Yellow teardrop tomatoes are milder in flavor and work beautifully in pastas (how long does pasta last?), salads, and salsas. Other types of heirloom tomatoes that grow well in Texas include the Cherokee Purple, Sungold, Black Krim, Texas Wild, and Lucid Gem.
Read our recipe for a delicious caprese sandwich with cherry tomatoes that you can whip up for a quick lunch! (Try out these recipes)
Heirloom Squash
Texas offers great weather for growing a variety of squash. Both summer and winter squash can be planted in either spring or fall. Summer squash is harvested when it’s still immature and eaten fresh, while winter squash is harvested once the skin has toughened so it can be stored all winter long. Tatume squash, or calabacita, is an easy-to-grow heirloom variety that can be harvested all year long. Crookneck squash, or yellow squash, is a bush-type plant that is usually harvested in the summer, whereas delicata squash is a winter variety.
Everything that you should know about butternut squash (how long does butternut squash last?).
Once you’ve harvested your squash, make sure to try out these oh-so-good squash recipes.
Heirloom Beets
Get a delicious dose of vitamin B from these brightly-colored vegetables! This vibrant, earthy-tasting veggie is an underrated star in most salads and soups. Chioggia beets, otherwise known as bull’s eye beets, love the Texan sun. They have a candy cane appearance on the inside and taste great raw or roasted. Golden beets are yellow in color and popular among gourmet chefs. The Bull’s Blood beet has the most beautiful foliage and is scrumptious in salads, with its deep red color and sweet flavor. Most beets take around 50-70 days to mature, and are easy to grow in your Texan home garden. The best part? The entire beet plant is edible – from the leaves and stems to the tops. Talk about sustainability!
Did you know beets are a superfood? Read more about it here!
Heirloom Peppers
We Texans sure love some Scoville action! Peppers are an indispensable part of Texan food, and we grow some of the best heirloom varieties in the country. Bell peppers are warm-season crops that thrive in most Texas areas, with growers sowing seeds indoors during the spring and summer. The Sugar Rush Peach pepper is an heirloom variety from Wales, with a fruity and tangy flavor profile. Jalapeno peppers, possibly the most popular pepper in Texas, are planted right around March, taking full advantage of the sun.
This spicy pepper hot sauce (how long does hot sauce last?) recipe is as delicious as it is comforting.
Heirloom Lettuce
No good salad is complete without its crunchy greens, and lettuce is the main player here! Ruby Red lettuce is an annual heirloom cultivar known to be a hardy, cool-season, heat-tolerant crop that can tolerate a light frost. Speckled lettuce, or Dutch lettuce, is sweet and buttery in taste. Arugula is also an excellent choice for your Texan heirloom garden, as it’s a heat-tolerant plant that grows all year long.
Want some fresh lettuce without getting your hands dirty? Check out some great Texan hydroponic farms that offer fresh and nutritious lettuce.
Need more options? Explore more unique Texan heirloom varieties here. If you have experience growing heirlooms in your home garden, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
If you enjoy gardening, try starting your own indoor winter herb garden. Here's a guide to growing herbs indoors all winter long.
