Rocks, brush piles and tumbleweeds once covered the east Odessa property of Mary Ann Miles.
Now, after 10 years of planting and experimentation, her yard is full of flower and vegetable gardens — some shaped like circles with holes in the middle for compost.
These “keyhole gardens” save water, said Miles, who made a presentation about the method at a Saturday winter gardening workshop held by the Master Gardeners of the Permian Basin.
After creating the circular base with fencing and cardboard, Miles said to layer soil and manure with “green stuff” such as plants, leaves and flowers. Gardeners only have to water a composting basket in the middle, which stresses the plants and forces their roots down, she said.
“It’s glorified recycling. And the plants to do great,” Miles said.
The Master Gardener of 10 years welcomes anyone interested in gardening to visit her yard, located at 6828 Ector Ave. in Odessa. She also recommends joining Master Gardeners, an educational organization offered by the Texas AM’s AgriLife Extension Service.
“You learn the little things. You learn from other people,” Miles said.
In addition to offering tips on growing and protecting winter vegetables, the Saturday workshop also showed gardeners how to make planters out of straw bales, which are gutted to hold soil and seeds.
Bales cost about $11, and absorb moisture and naturally make compose material, said Master Gardener trainee Debbie Roland.
“You get your crop, and you get your composting material, as well,” said Roland, noting the method is good for growing tomatoes, bell peppers and potatoes.
But Roland said the bale has to be wheat hay — or bedding for animals — or else the garden will look like a chia pet.
Growing and protecting winter crops
A National Weather Service seasonal outlook predicts above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation levels in West Texas for the months of November, December and January.
Still, Master Gardener Bob Schuler said vegetables could benefit from frost protection.
“It’s hard to imagine sitting here … on a warm afternoon that we’re going to have frozen winter nights soon,” he said.
Temperatures below about 25 degrees are dangerous to plants, and frost cloths — which can be purchased in large rolls — can be draped over gardens, Schuler said.
“It’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s effective, and it will last the whole growing season,” said Schuler, noting that frost cloth can be added to fencing for more structure.
Broccoli, cauliflower and lettuces grow best during the winter months, and herbs such as basil, mint and chives also do well, said Manny Sandico, Master Gardener trainee.
Sandico recommends growing plants in small, portable gardens instead of large outside ones.
“Don’t plant anything you don’t need,” he said. “I only grow what I eat.”
Sandico also warned to be mindful of watering. Gardeners can test the moisture of the soil with their fingers; plants look “sleepy” if they need water, he said.
“The water is very precious in Midland and Odessa. It’s good not to overwater,” he said.
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