Dreams Amidst Summer Heat: Fall Planning & Planting
by Dawn Oldfield, CCMGA Master Gardener
Summer days grow shorter; the first hint of color shows on trees, garden mums and fall asters burst with buds, promising autumn is on the way. Typically heralded as the time to shut down the garden, fall is a wonderful time to garden in Texas. With our nearly year-round growing season, you can do plenty of things in the fall and winter months in Texas.
If you're unsure where to begin, this list of ideas may be helpful. Think of it as an opportunity to pick up where you left off this past spring or to get a step ahead for next year. Either way, with cooler temperatures and fewer bugs, the outdoors beckons.
Autumn is truly a second growing opportunity for Collin County residents. It is an ideal time for planting herbs and vegetables. This time of year is often more dependable than spring for a bounty of produce. If you planted veggies mid-to-late-summer, you can enjoy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans until the first killing frost. Cultivate a cornucopia of frost-tolerant vegetables such as broccoli, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kale, lettuce, onions and spinach, which thrive in our relatively mild fall and winter conditions.
Herbs give a garden year-round interest in any climate and are an ideal addition to any garden. They are the perfect companion plant to an ever-changing display of annual and perennial herbs and flowers. Mix herbs in cut flower arrangements for fragrance and a special touch. Experiment in the kitchen for fresh flavor to a favorite recipe.
You can't rely on basil because it will die with the first frost, but many herbs prefer fall's cooler climate. Plants we think won't work like coriander and parsley are really perfect this time of year. Mexican mint marigold has lovely yellow-orange fall flowers and is a good substitute for tarragon. The fall standards are Rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, fennel, and salad burnet. Plant garlic in the fall for a home-grown flavor that will take your favorite pasta sauce to a whole new level. If you have yet to try winter savory, you must! It's delicious with green beans!
Add cool-season color to the garden by planting a variety of annuals. Nurseries and garden centers are stocked with pansies, dianthus, snapdragon, sweet alyssum, ornamental cabbage and kale. Consider planting wildflowers in early September and October.
Planting shrubs, trees and perennials in fall or winter is best because they require less water during these cooler periods. Also, cooler temperatures are less stressful for the plants than summer heat. The roots of plants installed in fall continue to develop most of the winter, even when the tops of the plants aren't growing.
Consider planting trees and shrubs to establish them by the next growing season. Proper installation is important. Be sure not to plant too deep. The hole should be about twice as wide in diameter as and no deeper than the container or soil ball. Trunk flare should be evident after planting. Be sure the root ball is slightly out of the ground and that no soil is piled up around the trunk (a really fast way to kill your tree!). Don't fertilize in fall or winter. Wait until spring or summer with a slow-release product. Apply three inches of mulch on top of the soil after planting. Take care not to pile it around the trunk because wet mulch can rot a trunk. Use your hands to pull it two to three inches away from the trunks as you apply it.
A profusion of blooms from early spring to late autumn, perennials provide added value to your landscape. Keep an eye out for discounted end-of-season prices at local garden centers. Most don't want to winter-over inventory, and that means beautiful savings to you! Constant performers they bring you a return on your investment year after year. Now is not only a great time to plant perennials but is also when you should divide and replant spring bloomers such as cannas, daylilies, iris, liriope, phlox, Shasta daisy, and others.
The garden mum, whose botanical name is Chrysanthemum morifolium, is one of fall's favorite flowers. As well it should be. They are relatively easy to grow, appreciating well-drained soil and a sunny location. They have a long blooming period, usually from August to November, though some varieties will flower longer with our mild temperatures. Available in a myriad of colors, shapes, and sizes, these versatile plants can find a home in nearly any area of the garden, adding brilliant color, from yellow, red, orange, and pastels to jewel tones in beds, borders and containers. Most will survive Texas winters. Cut back stems after a hard freeze and mulch the roots well to enjoy again next year.
As cool weather sets in, it is time to plant spring and summer blooming bulbs such as tulips, narcissi, lilies and more. In North Texas, October through November is a good time to plant bulbs, except for tulips and hyacinths. They should be chilled in the refrigerator for approximately 45 days and planted in mid-late December. Many tried, and true varieties will reward gardeners for years to come. Plant in masses for dazzling displays of color.
Fall is a great time to step back, look around your garden and assess your situation. Remove anything you don't like or aren't doing well. Starting from scratch? Transform an empty or overgrown area from bare to beautiful with a low-maintenance landscape design.
I once read that to grow a flower garden is to create a living work of art. The glories of autumn are celebrated in a symphony of Mother Nature's orchestration, the season's grand finale. Whether crossing a chore off your to-do list or drinking in fall's kaleidoscope of colors, savor the season.
For more information on planning and planting for fall, be sure to attend the CCMGA Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 9 am-1:30 pm at the Show Barn at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, TX, for the best selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs and bulbs.
Let us help you with your gardening challenges or questions.
Collin County Master Gardeners Association
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