I've lived and gardened in five different climates.  From the Blue Ridge of Virginia to the clay in Tennessee to the plains of Illinois but the magic happened when I began to garden in the warmth and sunshine of Houston. 

Though some may say the clay soil is too tough and the humidity is too much and the heat is unbearable, I've found that a raised garden planted at the right time with the right plants thrives in a way that seems almost impossible.   

When people say they can't grow things in Houston, the issue is likely one of two things:

Timing or Setup

Setup is critical.  Without a raised garden, the tender roots of edible plants will rot in our Houston clay.  

But timing is really everything.  Houston's seasons are so unique  When the rest of the country is huddled indoors, our gardens are overflowing.  And when they're just starting to think about tomatoes, we're picking ours from the vine.