Fall is OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TIME for planting veggies, trees, flowers, and just about everything else! It just feels good! But time is of the essence! A lot of the things we do in the garden this month will set us up for success for seasons to come. Here are our top must-do’s for October.
Check out our October Garden Guide for more tips and remember that trees, shrubs, and perennials can be planted 12 months out of the year! The only difference is the amount of water they need depending on temperatures and wind.
1. Plant Food
Some of the best… Broccoli, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Cilantro, Nasturtiums, and the list goes on. Remember – veggies are heavy feeders. We recommend feeding with an organic granular like Medina Growin Green or Plant Tone on the 1st of each month, and again with liquid Hasta Gro on the 15th. Set these reminders on your phone/calendar and you’ll have much better production.
Watch: Coastal Bend Veggie Gardening Guide
2. Plant Fall Flowers
Take advantage of the weather while the days are still long. It’s the perfect time to start cool weather Impatiens, Marigolds, Snapdragons, Violas, Petunias, Calendula, Begonias – the flowers and colors that say, “FALL!”. Warm days help flowers develop roots so they can look their best during the cooler months ahead.
3. Ready, Set, Fertilize Your Lawn + Prevent Weeds
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’re dealing with a weed problem, treat for weeds, wait 2-3 weeks, then fertilize. Do not use “weed & feed” products! Prevent weeds in your lawn by applying Weed Beater Complete or Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper.
Read: Fall Lawn Care
4. 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, native Loquat, Firecracker plant, Coral bean – the list goes on and on. We have been covered in hummingbirds here at Gill’s!
5. Plant Trees Now for The Best Head Start
We’ll say it again… planting trees 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. It also helps prepare them for hot temps next Summer. Live Oak, Burr Oak, Magnolia, Anacua, Cedar Elms, & Wild Olive are some of our South Texas fav’s and we’ve been getting some gorgeous specimens!
2 Comments on “Top 5 Gardening Must-Dos for October 2023”
My garden is very productive.
The mystic spires, crape myrtle, & Mexican Heathers have attracted bees, & I recently gave my mom a red pepper, she is very impressed with the pepper plant.
Also, I’m seeing a watermelon, & a couple of tomatoes.
It’s been about 12 years since my last productive garden.
I tried a couple years ago, but no bees.
The mystic spires & crape myrtle are really helpful.
Very happy gardener.
Thank you Gills,
Randy Lauhoff
fishhook0927@msn.com
That’s awesome, Randy! Thanks for sharing.