Start your engines…fall planting season is here!! September is the best time to plant almost everything – veggies, trees, shrubs, natives, hummingbird plants, and more. Here are our top 7 must-do’s in September as we head into fall, our favorite South Texas gardening season!
1. Ready, Set, PLANT Veggies, Herbs, Citrus, and Fruits!
It’s time! Tomatoes, peppers, & warm weather edibles should be planted early in September at the latest. Plant cool weather veggies & herbs anytime in September and remember to shelter them from still-intense sun and keep watered. When planting, you can’t go wrong with organic BioTone starter fertilizer + a good handful of Earthworm Castings. Neither of these require precise measurement, and they make an incredible combo for building stronger, deeper roots, preventing pests, and creating an active soil environment for plants to thrive.
Here’s our Fall veggie planting schedule. And save space for citrus trees, figs, and other fruit trees to round off your garden grocery store! They’ll all be arriving before or right around mid-September.
2. Make Way for New Growth with Light Pruning and Clean-up
Chances are you have established plants that could benefit from a clean-up after working so hard all summer. Wait until about September 15th and give them a light pruning to make way for new growth this fall. A good rule of thumb for most plants is to prune up to 1/3 (not more) in the fall, then wait until January to do a heavy pruning/cutback. If you have questions about how to prune specific plants, you know who to call!
3. Plant Trees and Shrubs for the BEST Start
Plants that are cold hardy (trees and woody shrubs) will benefit greatly by planting during our fall season. They’re under less heat stress, and they grow more roots through the fall and winter, making them stronger and ready to take off next spring. More roots, stronger plants, and less watering! Oak trees, Crape Myrtles, Hawthorns, Yaupon Holly, Plumbago, Boxwoods and a host of other trees and shrubs should be planted starting this month for the best possible start.
4. Plant to Support Pollinators!
We’re bringing in lots of new plants this month with our pollinator friends in mind! While you’re choosing what to plant, consider adding Texas Natives like Turk’s Cap and Lantana that birds and bees love. If you want to attract and support butterflies, try native butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Gregg’s mist flower, and lots of different blooming salvias. So many gorgeous options! Bring in some pictures of your outdoor space and we can help you plan the perfect pollinator garden – big or small. You can DIY or we can plant it for you!
5. YES You Can Hand-Water and Use Drip Irrigation Systems!
Keep in mind that you can hand water all landscape plants, gardens, and trees on any day under current city watering rules. The good news is, hand watering is the best way to water as long as you’re doing it effectively. That means making sure you water at ground level, not over the top of your plants. This gets more water down to the roots, prevents water loss due to evaporation, and prevents fungal issues that can arise from too much moisture on leaves and stems. When hand watering, be sure you’re giving your plant roots a deep soaking. Water once, give it some time to soak in, then water again. Keep in mind, under current rules, you can also use drip irrigation systems for landscaped beds every other week on your watering day. The same principal applies – deep soaking!
6. Set the Table for the Fall Hummingbird Migration!
Ruby-throated hummingbirds will soon make their way through for the fall migration! These tiny birds are BIG eaters. They stop here in the Coastal Bend to fuel up before their non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Host them in your yard by planting some of their favorite foods! Hummingbirds find plants using their excellent vision and are attracted to bright colored blooms, which indicate a high-sugar food source. Some of our favs for South Texas are Flame Acanthus (aka hummingbird bush), Salvias (like native Salvia greggii and Salvia leucantha), Cape Honeysuckle, Firebush, Firecracker plant, Coral bean – the list goes on! Plant a few of these and hummingbirds will find them. And don’t forget to visit the Rockport-Fulton HummerBird Celebration September 18-21!
7. You’re Invited! Fall Garden Talks and Events at Gill’s!
Gill Garden Talks and Events are back this Fall! We’re kicking it off with DeAnna and Wyatt’s Fall Veggie Gardening Talk on Saturday, September 13th! Based on your suggestions, we decided to do 2 veggie talks this year. Part 1 will focus on early fall veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and squash, and part 2 will focus on cooler season crops like broccoli, greens, and cabbage. Stay tuned on our events page and on Instagram and Facebook for details of each event. We can’t wait!
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