Fall Gardening and Landscaping

Planting and sowing are traditionally thought of as springtime activities with fall being harvest time. This is true in regard to many plants, but in reality our area has two distinct growing seasons. Spring is that wonderful time when the winter’s dullness ends with signs of new leaves, shoots and blossoms and we want to get out and get busy in our yards and gardens. Actually the signs of fall are just as enticing to gardeners. After weeks of surviving blistering heat, when the days shorten and first the nights are cooler and then the days, it is time to begin another cycle of gardening and landscaping.

Whatever the season the most important factor is soil preparation. Planting in unprepared soil leads to disappointment and wasted effort. Spend some of those hot summer days sitting in air-conditioned comfort reading about the soil requirements for the conditions you need in you fall beds or garden.

Find out when you should plant the plants you select. For example, if you want, bluebonnets next April they need to be sown in late September or early October. Tulip bulbs need to be put in your refrigerator in the fall for December planting to get the early spring blossoms. As a rule of thumb, shade trees can be planted almost any time except in the summer months. Trees planted in the fall have the advantage of that growing season to establish their roots.

Experiment this fall. Visit a local nursery and see what the market is for fall. Try some annuals in beds or hanging baskets for fall color. Drive around your area and see what plants are thriving and blooming to get you started on the second growing season.