Hello FALL!

 

Did you know that although spring is the most popular time to plant shrubs and trees, fall is actually the best time to do so? Summer’s heat is over, the soil is still warm—actually warmer than it is in the spring—and the soaking rains of winter will soon arrive. This means deep root growth can occur quickly on shrubs and trees planted during the cooler months of the year.

 
 

Why Is Deep Root Growth Important?

 

Roots gather nutrients and water for plants and trees, so the better the root system, the more nutrients and water the plant receives—resulting in a lusher, healthier plant.

Plants planted in fall get a head start because they’re able to concentrate much of their energy on root growth during the cooler months. The same plant planted in spring gets a slower start because it must spend energy on root growth as well as foliage and flower production.

Plants established during cooler weather are also better prepared when our East Texas summer arrives and can handle the heat more successfully, largely thanks to that well-established root system.

 
 

Plant Cool-Season Annuals

 

Even though it can be hard to pull up good-looking summer annuals, waiting too long can mean pansies and other winter annuals don’t have enough time to establish and perform their best.

Plant pansies, violas, snapdragons, stock, ornamental cabbage, and ornamental kale now so you can enjoy a colorful landscape throughout the cooler months.

 
 

Mums

 

 

Whether planted in containers or in the garden, mums are fall-fabulous perennials! Here are a few tips to help your mums perform their best.

 

Location

 

Choose a spot that gets at least four to six hours of sun each day. Plants that don’t receive enough sunlight can become tall and leggy and may produce fewer, smaller flowers.

 

Soil Preparation

 

Mums thrive in well-drained soil. Heavy clay soil should be amended before planting. If the soil is too dense, add garden soil and prepare the planting area to a depth of 8–12 inches for the best performance.

Mums have shallow roots and don’t like competition. Plant them no deeper than they were growing in the nursery pot, being careful with the roots as you spread them into the planting area.

 

Watering

 

Water newly planted mums thoroughly and never allow them to wilt. Once established, give mums about an inch of water per week. If the bottom leaves begin to look limp or turn brown, they may need to be watered more often.

Do not water from the top of the foliage. Water underneath it instead.

 

Overwintering

 

Prepare mums for winter after the first hard frost. Mulch up to 4 inches with straw or shredded mulch, filling around the entire plant and spreading it between the branches.

Pinch off dead blooms to clean up the plant, but leave the branches intact. Mums have a better chance of surviving if you wait until spring to prune the old stems. As soon as the weather begins to warm, pull the mulch away to allow new shoots to emerge.

 
 

Pansies

 

 

These little guys love the cold and can last all through winter and even well into spring! Here’s how to get the most out of your pansies.

 

Position

 

For good flowering, pansies need a sunny location. At a minimum, they should receive sun for at least half of the day. Pansies can become spindly and won’t flower as well in full shade.

 

Watering

 

Pansies enjoy consistently moist soil but don’t like to stay sopping wet. Good drainage is important.

 

Feeding

 

Pansies are what some gardeners call “heavy feeders.” Bone meal or blood meal can be used, or give them a dose of Miracle-Gro or an all-purpose fertilizer when watering.

 

Care

 

Remove faded or dead flowers at the base of the stem to prolong blooming and encourage the plant to produce more flowers.

Taking these steps will help ensure your pansies perform their best!