Tips for Gardening in the Fall
October 19, 2024
Gardeners’ Dirt by Suzanne LaBrecque/Victoria County Master Gardener
Master Gardener Olivia Blanchard watering in the Native Plant Area (Photos by Suzanne LaBrecque)
The elves are sleeping in new mulch under Flame Acanthus (Photo by Suzanne LaBrecque)
Seaside Goldenrod is the perfect native fall-blooming plant (Photo by Suzanne LaBrecque)
Gardeners are future oriented. They tend to evaluate their gardens and landscape flowers, shrubs and trees. If a plant in one place did not thrive, they either move it to another location or remove it. Gardeners strive to get the right plant in the right place, so they observe, plan and act. Here are important gardening tasks for October.
Remove Annuals from landscapes and containers
Annuals bring color and joy to both gardeners and onlookers. That’s their job. As the weather cools, it is time to say good-bye to them. Healthy annuals can be composted and their pots can be cleaned and stored for spring plants.
Amend Soils
Start with the soil. October is the month to add organic matter to the soils to prepare for planting cool-season annuals and vegetables. Also you need to add compost and mulch to areas where shrubs, flowers and vegetables are growing.
Mulching now will benefit plant roots by trapping warmer soil and moisture. Mulch will also reduce winter weeds.
It is a good idea to use mowed/shredded fallen leaves in all garden beds. Fallen leaves can be used to enrich soils and protect vulnerable plants during winter months. Please do not send raked leaves to the landfill.
Plant Cool-Season Plants
After preparing garden soils, you can plant cool season annuals that add new color and interest to flower beds. Cool weather plants that do well in Victoria and are readily available, are listed.
These cool-weather plants will bloom from October to mid-winter. Occasional winter freezes will affect the blooms but the root systems will continue to grow. In the spring, these fall-planted annuals will grow lush with profuse blooms.
To attract butterflies, now is the prime time to select and plant perennials such as butterfly weed and others as listed.
Folk wisdom found in the Farmers’ Almanac is to plant pansies around the time of the waxing moon in late October or early November. During this time when the moon is new until it is full, it pulls moisture upward so pansies can develop their foliage and blooms.
Water and fertilize new plants to help them develop strong roots and withstand cold temperatures. Also, remember to deadhead roses to keep them blooming until the first frost.
In the fall, vegetables mature as the days get shorter and cooler and tend to have a less-bitter taste than the same vegetables grown in the spring. See the list of fall vegetables that grow well in Texas.
Consider adding ornamental cabbage or kale to revitalize the landscape. The color and opulence of the leaves add texture and a refreshing look.
Mowing and Watering
In October, turf grows more slowly. When two weeks pass between mowing, it is time to fertilize lawns. Doug Welsh recommends October 30th as the fall date to fertilize lawns and to apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide.
Since autumn months tend to have more rain, gardeners can turn off irrigation systems for the winter. However, without rain, water once every three or four weeks to keep plants healthy during their dormant period.
Landscape Designs
October is a good time to analyze your landscape and develop a new design. To make room for new plantings, plan to remove less desirable trees and shrubs.
You might be interested in planning a new theme for your yard. For example, a monochromatic Moon Garden full of white blooms and variegated white and green foliage is very attractive in early morning or late afternoon light.
Blue gardens promote tranquility while red gardens attract hummingbirds and add strong focal points or accents. Other theme gardens to consider are heirloom, alphabet, children, patriotic, prairie and family gardens.
New and experienced gardeners can find several seasonal projects to improve the health and appearance of their yards. The best advice is “plan your work and work your plan.” Consider completing one significant project per week. Enjoy October.
Time to Plant:
Cool- Weather Annuals
• Alyssum
• Cabbage
• Cyclamen
• Dianthus
• Pansies
• Snap Dragons
• Sweet Peas
• Violas
Cool-Weather Perennials That Attract Butterflies
• Butterfly Weed
• Lantanta,
• Purple Coneflower
• Salvias
• Verbena
Fall Vegetables
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Snow Peas
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips
REFERENCES
Welsh, D. The Texas Garden Almanac, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 2007.
Sperry, Neil, Lone Star Gardening, McKinney, Texas, 2014. Welsh, D. The Texas Garden Almanac, College Station, Texas: Texas A& M University Press, 2007.
Planting by the Moon in Old Farmers Almanac
Linda’s Fall Planting Guide – Gardening Design in Southern Living
Garden Design with Linda Vater on YouTube Garden Inspired Life Linda Vater on website