Welcome to the AgriLife Vegetable-Rose Garden!
A weekly peek behind the garden gate
Our Comal Master Gardeners (CMG) are back in the garden for another season of growing, learning, experimenting and occasionally battling pests & the elements.
Each week we will share what’s happening in the AgriLife Vegetable-Rose Garden (VRG), including:
- What we accomplished
- What’s coming up
- Gardening tips, lessons & observations
- Harvest highlights
- The occasional garden surprise
Whether you’re new to vegetable gardening, new to Comal County, or simply looking for ideas for your own garden, follow along and grow with us!
Explore the Garden
- Garden Layout – See how the garden is organized
- Fall 2026 Planting Schedule – See what we’re growing
- Current Garden Weather – See what Mother Nature has in store (courtesy of the CMG Class of 2022)
Note: Harvested produce is donated to local Comal County food banks.
This Week in the Garden
Week of Sep 7, 2026
Weather
Rain: 0”
YTD Rain: 18.98”
Avg Temperatures (taken at 7:30 a.m.)
Air: 79° F
Soil: 83° F
Harvest Summary
Week Total: 12.7 lbs – Okra (4.0), Peppers – Mixed (8.6), Basil (0.1)
YTD Total: 2,794.5 lbs
At a Glance: The garden stayed busy this week with greenhouse production, routine garden care, new plantings and plenty of vegetal bounty. About one-quarter of the sweet potatoes were dug on Wednesday and set up to cure before weighing. Peppers took this week’s Harvest Star honors at 8.6 pounds, while okra and peppers continue to produce. The garden’s year-to-date total now stands at 2,794.5 pounds. The Keyhole Garden also received new irrigation, shade protection and fresh plantings, while cleanup and soil work continued throughout the garden.
Garden Watch: Sweet Potatoes
Easy Gardening: Sweet Potatoes – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Covers variety selection, planting care & harvesting.
Sweet Potatoes: Path to Plate – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Did you know? Sweet potato leaves are edible and can be cooked much like spinach or tender greens. Young leaves and tender stems are generally the most palatable.
Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch sweet potato leaves and tender stems
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: a splash of soy sauce or lemon juice
Directions
- Strip the leaves from any tough stems and rinse well.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Add the sweet potato leaves and toss until they wilt, about 3–5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of soy sauce or lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately.