Garden Plans!

Winter is irritating me a bit this year because Texas is a land of huge temperature fluctuations. We cannot plant the garden despite the 70+ degree temperatures we are currently experiencing. Why? Well, just two days ago the high was 37 and the low was 18 degrees. In fact, it was like that for three days yet tomorrow should reach nearly 80. But I want to plant! I have bought large packets of sweet corn and peas and broccoli and lettuce and I want to plant at least the broccoli, lettuce and spinach but I'm afraid of planting it too early and I always mess up the cuciferous veggies. I am planning though, not just whining about not being able to plant yet. 

In fact, we have a LOT planned for the garden this year. We are replacing all the garden fencing, buying a gas powered tiller and expanding the garden. I have a layout planned for both the front and rear garden. We also plan to fence off the front yard to prevent goats from entering it. That's why I can actually plan to plant stuff in it!

I am adding citronella grass, tansy, and wormwood to the front to hopefully discourage some of the flying insects. Also hoping to replace the fig tree that the dear, sweet pup we adopted (four years ago this month) thought was a great stick.

For the vegetable garden we are adding some new things and companion planting this year. The new crops are corn, melons, strawberries, and asparagus as well as new perimeter plants to help with bugs like nasturtium, comfrey and marigold. The old staples are sunflowers, beans, squash, peas, peppers (hot and sweet), tomatoes, garlic, onion, lettuce, broccoli, and spinach. 

(The guilty puppy AKA Smokey)

I am still fairly new at gardening so feel free to reply with tips or insider knowledge of the zone 8 region. If some of my ideas are bad or the plants won't thrive then please let me know before I spend the money on them. I am always open to suggestions!