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You may think that gardening in South Texas is not for the faint of heart. It takes a special kind of love and patience to nurture and grow backyard blooms in our especially harsh environments in spring and summer. Growing plentiful plants and flowers, or even fruits, veggies and herbs can be a hardy business. They really can sprout and thrive when you know the right conditions. Here are three myths people often mistake about their backyard garden that we can help set straight for you this spring. Enter Destin Noak, aka texasgardenguy, amassing over 200K followers on Instagram, to clear up any of those gardening misconceptions. If anyone is an expert in San Antonio gardening, it's him! 

Myth 1: You need lots of space to make a garden work.

Actually, Destin specializes in small backyard suburban gardens, just like most folks have in their yards and decks around South Texas. You can make a plot work with a raised bed in just about any space that gets the right mix of sun or shade, depending on the conditions your plants need. It’s not like you need acres or rows of space to exercise your green thumb. And if space is really at a premium, you can even garden with an assortment of pots on your patio space.

Myth 2: Gardens don’t grow well without lots of water.

We all know water in the San Antonio area is a premium, as water restrictions are ever-present. Truth is, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy having a garden. While regular tracking of the aquifer level is part of life here, we’re glad to inform you that garden success really depends on what plants you have and what kinds of water they need. After all, they’re not all the same. Sure, you can help augment your supply with various catchment systems. A better bet is to curate your garden mix to include drought-tolerant varieties that thrive even in dry conditions. Plus, if you keep the area free of weeds, that will help, too. Pesky weeds compete with your desired plants for every precious drop.

Myth 3: Gardening in South Texas is only for people with green thumbs.

It sure may seem that those with a knack for gardening can make it work in what can be some pretty tough conditions here. In reality though, anybody can make a garden grow with the right approach and a little bit of guidance. A great way to get started is to start small. Be thoughtful as you plot out what you want to grow, and balance that with what you can realistically maintain. Herbs can be great for first-time gardeners, and some can be really forgiving if you let them go for a bit. Remember, it can be fun to sample the fruits of your labors, so keep that in mind when you plant fruits or vegetables. Tomatoes come in lots of varieties and go with everything from salads to salsa.  

Be sure to catch Texas Garden Guy, Destin Noak, at the San Antonio Spring Home + Garden Show for more tips to make your garden grow! You’ll find him on stage on Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, February 22 at 3 p.m.

The spring San Antonio Home + Garden Show takes place February 21-23, 2025 at the Alamodome. Remember to fill in a form on the website to get a $2 savings coupon for tickets!