Most people think of spring as the time to add plants and flowers, and make the world a little greener.
Fall is also a great time to plant – and in Austin, it may even be the best time to plant.
Why is Fall the best time to plant? (Answer = Root development)
Our worst weather is the brutal, long, dry summer heat.
Planting in the fall gives the plants the longest possible interval to grow and establish their roots before our summer heat. Plants are smart and put their energy toward root development in the fall.
Roots are what help plants (including grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees) survive through difficult conditions.
Plant in the fall for healthy roots, and therefore healthy plants.
Here is a good rule-of-thumb for small to medium-sized plants: the first three months are about survival, the next three months are about root development, then it’s about growing.
Plant now, and you’ll be glad you did next year!
How to think about fall planting…
So, when it comes to fall planting in Austin, we want to ensure we’re doing it right — so we don’t have to waste time and money later down the road.
Here are some tips for maintenance and fall planting in Austin.
Have a Plan Before You Plant
We know how fun it is to go to the nursery and pick out new trees, shrubs, flowers, and hedges. But be sure to check out how big or tall they grow, how much sun they need, and how thirsty they get. A well-designed space will incorporate all of these factors with aesthetics.
Fall is also a great time to freshen up your flower beds by raking out debris, pulling weeds, and adding some mulch to enrich the soil. You can also “deadhead” flowers to produce more blooms and replace ones that have seen better days. As the temperature starts cooling down, you can plant snapdragons, petunias, calendulas, sweet alyssum, dianthus, chrysanthemums, bluebonnets, ornamental cabbage, and kale to liven up your beds and add color — even though some of them won’t start to poke up until spring.
Butterflies are amazing to watch, so you may want a pollinator garden. Select flowers and shrubs that attract them, and they will be fluttering about in your yard in the spring.
Fall is the best time to plant TREES in Austin
Trees will also benefit from fall planting in Austin because…you guessed it…root development.
Trees are your best friend in the Austin heat, providing shade and shelter for us all.
A lot goes into planting trees and shrubs, especially with lackluster soil conditions.
What type of trees should you plant? Here is our list of the top shade trees for Central Texas.
You’ll also want to do a little check-up on your trees in the fall. Check for branches that are crossing or low-hanging. Get rid of any suckers, dead limbs, or safety hazards like limbs that can cause damage to the house.
Fall is the best time to plant Shrubs in Austin
Shrubs are also best planted in the fall and will provide flowers, color, decor and privacy from prying eyes.
They play an integral role in “bridging the gap” between large and majestic trees and our smaller annuals and perennials.
There are a number of excellent shrubs to choose from, depending on your desired intent, but we created a whole list of our favorite evergreen shrubs here.
Fall is the best time to plant Perennials in Austin
Perennials are plants that last longer than one year. So technically, just about all of our native plants are perennials. But generally, when we use the word, we refer to smaller plants that last more than one season.
Often times, people will choose the wrong plants for their area and it can be frustrating to see them struggle or die.
To choose the right plants, we recommend you research USDA hardiness zones.You can read more about it here.
Your Grass Will Be Greener if You Show it Some Love
Finally, your grass can breathe a little sigh of relief from the scorching heat! As temperatures cool down, your grass may have some brown spots. So what can you do to perk it back up?
- Aerate – grass roots and soil can get compacted, especially in clay-heavy soil, making it hard for your lawn to breathe. Aerating loosens the soil so air and water can go deeper into the roots. If you’ve never aerated your lawn, learn more here.
- Top Dress – yes, lawns like to get dressed up too! We spread our topsoil and compost mix ¼ inch thick to give your grass a boost of nutrients. Find out more about top dressing and what it can do for your lawn.
- Fertilization and Weed Control – The same goes for grass as trees and plants. Fall is an important time to repair and reestablish roots before the winter. Fertilizing now gives it the extra kick it needs to grow strong in the spring. Remember, weeds can also take hold in the fall, so applying a pre-emergent weed barrier knocks them out before they can take hold. More info on fertilization and weed control is here.
- Irrigation – as it gets cooler, you may think you need to water less, but watering is still important. (If you’re still using a hose and a sprinkler to water, think about having us install an irrigation system 🙂
Final Fall Ideas: Decorate and Get Creative
Maybe this fall is the time to finally add a flagstone patio, a vegetable garden where you can have some peas and quiet, or some decorative walking paths — something just for you.
If any of these fall planting and enhancement projects seem a little too big or time-consuming for you, let us know! We’d love to help get your yard all spruced up in time for the holidays.
