Cottage Con Calor

I’m a gardener in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, where growing seasons are long, summers are intense, and gardening comes with its own unique set of challenges. This is a place of extreme heat, drought, incredible food, rich culture, and it has shaped the way I garden.

I became an “official” gardener in 2020, but my love for plants started long before that. My mom was my go-to for anything garden related. She gave me my first plants, and those same plants are still thriving in my garden today. After she passed away, I found myself turning to the internet for gardening advice and quickly realized that most of the information I found didn’t quite fit our climate.

Even though we share a hardiness zone with many other places, the RGV has its own rhythm. Our heat, seasons, soil, and growing conditions are unique, and I wanted to create the resource I wished I had when I was starting out.

What began as a way to document my own gardening journey has grown into a space where I share what I’ve learned, what works (and what doesn’t), beginner-friendly tips, and the beauty of growing in South Texas.

There are many knowledgeable gardeners in our area, and I’ve been grateful to learn from those who came before me. My hope is to continue building a community where we can share, grow, and prove that you really can cultivate something beautiful... even in the heat.

Welcome to my little corner of South Texas.