Fall is OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TIME for planting veggies, trees, flowers, and just about everything else! We’ve got lots of fun events planned at Gill’s this month, plus everything you need to bring the fall magic to your outdoors. Here are our top must-do’s this October to set your garden and landscape up for success for seasons to come.
1. Join Us for October Events – Including Fall Plant Fest on Saturday, October 10th!
2. Plant & Feed Your Fall Veggies
Some of the best… Broccoli, Cauliflower, Lettuces, Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Cilantro, Arugula, Thyme, Chives, Sage, and the list goes on! October is our window for planting! Remember – veggies are heavy feeders, so it’s important to keep fertilizing throughout the season. We recommend using BioTone Starter when you plant, followed by a good organic granular like Medina Growin Green or Plant Tone on the 1st of each month, then supplement with liquid Hasta Gro on the 15th of each month. Set these reminders on your phone/calendar and you’ll have BIG harvests with plenty to cook and share.
Watch: Coastal Bend Veggie Gardening Guide
3. Plant Trees Now for the Best Start – Citrus Too!
Successful tree planting is all about growing roots. Trees planted in fall grow more next spring & summer because they spend time all fall and winter working on their root system. Having a well-established root system also helps prepare them for hot temps next summer. Live Oak, Burr Oak, Magnolia, Anacua, Cedar Elm, & Wild Olive are some of our South Texas fav’s and we’ve been getting some gorgeous specimens, big and small. And don’t forget about citrus trees! We have a nice fall crop of lemons, different lime varieties, mandarins, and more.
Read: The Advantages of Fall Planting
4. Plant Fall Flowers Galore
Take advantage of the sunlight while the days are still long. It’s the perfect time to start cool weather Marigolds, Alyssum, Snapdragons, Violas, Petunias, Supertunias, Calendula, Begonias, Stocks – the flowers and colors that say, “FALL!”. Warm days help flowers develop roots so they can look their best during the cooler months ahead. Since we don’t experience dramatic changing of the seasons here in South Texas, we create that fall feeling with gorgeous fall colors!
5. Prevent Weeds + Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing lawns this month is essential for developing strong roots and healthy growth next spring and summer. We emphatically recommend organic Medina Growin Green! Amazing stuff! A 40lb bag covers 3000 sq ft of lawn, and for a small fee, we can rent you a spreader which makes it very easy to apply. Not only does Medina Growin Green work wonders on lawns, you can use it in all areas of your landscape, including your veggie garden. If you want to prevent lawn weeds, now’s the time to apply preemergent Weed Beater Complete or Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper. Remember this: treat for weeds, wait 2-3 weeks, then fertilize. Do not use “weed & feed” products!
Read: Fall Lawn Care
6. Plant for Hummingbirds and Migratory Birds
Right now is a great time to plant all kinds of blooming plants that hummingbirds and other migratory birds need. Some of our favs for South Texas are native Flame Acanthus (aka hummingbird bush), Salvias (like native Salvia greggii and Salvia leucantha), Cape Honeysuckle, native Turk’s Cap, native Beautyberry, Loquat, Firecracker plant – the list goes on and on. We have been covered in hummingbirds here at Gill’s!
7. Mulch Beds for Moisture Retention & Other Key Benefits
Proper mulching using natural Hardwood or Pine Straw mulch has big benefits throughout the landscape, including in veggie gardens. A good 3” deep layer of mulch will keep your plants and the soil moist for longer after you water or after it rains. When mulching, give the main trunks or stems of your plants a little space – mulch 3” deep throughout the bed, but no more than 1” deep right up against the main trunks/stems of plants. Using mulch in veggie beds also helps keep wet soil from splashing up onto your plants when you water, which prevents common fungal diseases. Not to mention…a good mulch layer will help keep weed seeds from sprouting.
