I’m new here, too. I’m in the Northern part of Houston. I have two garden spots ready to go. One is around 1200 sq ft and the other is big enough for 12 tomato plants. I’ve got 24 tomato plants that are about to be moved from the garage to the garden. I just made tomato soup with my last package of frozen tomatoes from last year.
In a few days we’ll be setting out some, pepper, squash and cucumber plants. And we’ll be planting some green beans, raddishes and green onions and some cucumber seeds so I can harvest a few weeks longer. I can’t wait to get started! Tomorrow will be the day if it doesn’t rain.
The only advice I can give you is you’ll need to pick your tomatoes when they’re starting to turn pink and let them ripen inside. Otherwise the squirrels and birds will get them. I put up a temporary fence then cover the plants with bird netting. I want them to ripen on the vine.
We get an early start here but our gardens burn up fast, too.
Good luck!
Last year, the squirrels were picking the green ones too because of the drought, they needed the moisture.
When you say in Northern part of Houston, do you mean in the city limits or farther up? We are in Conroe. Any chance that you are near us?