Raised Naked CoOrganic Raised Bed Gardening

Field Notes

The Garden Journal

Every season documented — the builds, the failures, the breakthroughs, and everything in between.

What to Plant in July in Zone 8b Texas

Growing

What to Plant in July in Zone 8b Texas

July in Zone 8b is brutal — but it's also the most important month for fall garden prep. Here's what to plant, what to start indoors, and how to keep everything alive when it's 100°F.

July 1, 2026

What to Plant in June in Zone 8b Texas

Growing

What to Plant in June in Zone 8b Texas

June is when most Texas gardens start to flag. But there's still plenty to plant — if you know what can take the heat. Here's the short list and exactly how to give it a chance.

June 1, 2026

What to Plant in May in Zone 8b Texas

Growing

What to Plant in May in Zone 8b Texas

May is the last good window before the heat clamps down. If you didn't get everything in for spring, here's what still has time — and what to hold off on until fall.

May 1, 2026

How to Grow Tomatoes in Zone 8b Texas (What Actually Works)

Growing

How to Grow Tomatoes in Zone 8b Texas (What Actually Works)

Zone 8b Texas tomatoes require a completely different approach than most gardening advice suggests. Here's what we've learned growing tomatoes organically in our raised beds through multiple seasons.

April 22, 2026

Companion Planting in Raised Beds: What We Grow Together and Why

Growing

Companion Planting in Raised Beds: What We Grow Together and Why

Companion planting is one of the most powerful tools in an organic garden. Here's exactly what we pair together in our Zone 8b raised beds and the real reasons why it works.

April 20, 2026

The Zone 8b Summer Survival Guide: Keeping Your Garden Alive in Texas Heat

Growing

The Zone 8b Summer Survival Guide: Keeping Your Garden Alive in Texas Heat

June through August in Zone 8b Texas is brutal. Triple-digit heat, relentless sun, and unforgiving dry spells. Here's how we keep our raised beds alive and productive all summer long.

April 18, 2026

What to Plant in September in Zone 8b Texas

Growing

What to Plant in September in Zone 8b Texas

September is the most exciting month in a Zone 8b garden. The heat breaks, the soil is warm, and you can plant almost everything. Here's exactly what to get in the ground.

April 15, 2026

Mel's Mix: The Only Raised Bed Soil Recipe You'll Ever Need

Build

Mel's Mix: The Only Raised Bed Soil Recipe You'll Ever Need

After trying several soil mixes in our Zone 8b raised beds, we keep coming back to one recipe. Here's exactly what Mel's Mix is, why it works, and how we put it together.

April 10, 2026

Why We Garden Organic (And Why 'No Pesticides' Is Easier Than You Think)

Philosophy

Why We Garden Organic (And Why 'No Pesticides' Is Easier Than You Think)

Going fully organic in Zone 8b Texas seemed daunting at first. Three seasons in, we can't imagine doing it any other way — and it's genuinely not that hard.

April 8, 2026

How We Built Our Raised Beds From Scratch (Zone 8b)

Build

How We Built Our Raised Beds From Scratch (Zone 8b)

Everything we learned building our first set of raised beds in Zone 8b Texas — the materials, the mistakes, and what we'd do differently.

April 1, 2026