Growing Well in Houston: Spring Crops, Simple Composting, and the Power of Community Connection
When Pat “Shui” Guillory from Benjamin & Farris joined Terry Garner on the show Can You Dig It?, the conversation wasn’t about overhauling your life or going off-grid. It was something much more approachable:
How can gardening simply make your everyday life better?
For many people, the journey started during COVID—spending more time at home, looking for something grounding, and wanting better food. What began as a small response has grown into a simple truth:
Spending time in the garden improves your quality of life.
And tools like LAB (lactic acid bacteria) and bokashi composting make that process easier, cleaner, and more accessible—whether you’re working with a patio or a full garden.
Start Where You Are
You don’t need a big yard to feel the benefits of gardening.
For some, it’s a few containers on a patio. For others, it’s raised beds or a backyard plot. Either way, the goal is the same:
Grow food you actually enjoy
Spend more time outdoors
Create a routine that connects you to something real
Instead of reaching for your phone, you’re stepping outside, checking on your plants, watering, harvesting. It’s a small shift—but it adds up.
Simple Composting That Fits Your Life
One of the most practical takeaways from the conversation is how easy it can be to start composting—even in a small space.
Bokashi composting is especially helpful because:
It works indoors or in tight spaces
It doesn’t smell when done properly
It handles all food scraps, not just plant material
A simple two-bucket system allows you to:
Turn kitchen waste into a soil-building resource
Reduce what you throw away
Create a natural fertilizer (bokashi tea) for your plants
For patio gardeners, this means you can compost without needing a traditional pile. For those with more space, it becomes a way to continuously feed your soil.
Healthier Plants, Better Food
Gardening isn’t just about growing something—it’s about growing something you want to eat.
That’s one of the simplest but most important pieces of advice:
Grow what you like, and you’ll stay consistent.
Seasonal planting helps too. By growing crops like kale, lettuce, herbs, and other favorites at the right time of year, you can:
Extend your harvest
Enjoy fresher food
Reduce trips to the store
Even small harvests make a difference—not just nutritionally, but mentally. There’s something satisfying about eating what you’ve grown.
Working With the Houston Climate
Gardening in Houston comes with its own lessons—especially when it comes to sun and heat.
“Full sun” doesn’t always mean all-day exposure. In many cases, plants benefit from:
Afternoon shade
Partial coverage from taller plants
Strategic placement around structures or trees
This is where simple techniques like vertical gardening come in:
Using bamboo or natural materials for trellises
Growing climbing plants to create shade
Making better use of limited space
For a patio, this might mean a vertical setup along a railing. For a larger garden, it’s about layering plants so they support each other.
Small Changes That Make a Big Difference
A lot of what improves a garden—and your experience of it—comes down to simple habits:
Watering at the right time of day
Rotating crops seasonally
Letting soil rest when needed
Using natural inputs like eggshells for calcium
Reusing materials like cardboard for mulch
LAB and bokashi fit into this as quiet helpers. They support:
Healthier soil
Better nutrient availability
Faster breakdown of organic matter
You don’t need to overcomplicate it. A little goes a long way.
Growing at Your Own Pace
Whether you’re using containers or raised beds, both approaches work.
For example:
Sweet potatoes do especially well in containers
Herbs and greens thrive in smaller spaces
Larger crops can expand as you gain confidence
The key is not to do everything at once. Start small, build consistency, and expand as it feels natural.
Building Community Along the Way
One of the most meaningful parts of gardening isn’t just what you grow—it’s who you grow with.
Through workshops and community classes, people are coming together to:
Learn practical skills
Share knowledge
Support local growing efforts
These spaces make gardening more accessible and more enjoyable. You’re not figuring it out alone—you’re part of something.
If you’ve been curious about getting more involved, this is a great next step.
Join the Next Workshop
The journey continues with the next session in the series:
Roots to Resilience Part III
📅 May 9th
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Palm Center
This workshop will build on what’s already been shared, offering more hands-on guidance, practical techniques, and opportunities to connect with others in the community.
Register Here while seats are still open
A Simple Shift
You don’t have to change everything overnight.
Just start with:
A few plants
A simple compost system
A little time outside each day
Over time, those small actions create something bigger:
Better food
Healthier soil
A stronger connection to nature
A sense of community
And maybe most importantly, a chance to step away from the screen—and into something real.
If you’ve been thinking about starting or going a little deeper, this is your moment.
