Guide to Fall Planting & Maintenance
By Carrie Dunlea
Fall presents a unique chance to extend your gardening season. With thoughtful planning, you can maintain a vibrant garden by introducing cool-weather flowers and vegetables, caring for perennials, and keeping your soil healthy. These steps will set your garden up for continued success as the seasons shift.
Here’s a guide to help you make the most of the fall gardening season in Dallas:
Take Advantage of Warm Soil
Dallas’ fall climate offers a unique advantage for gardeners. The soil remains warm enough to encourage root development, even as temperatures start to cool. This makes early fall an ideal time for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Opt for native plants like Texas sage, Turk’s cap, and coneflower, which can establish themselves in the cooler months and provide beauty year-round.
Plant Cool-Weather Annuals and Bulbs
By late September, the relentless summer heat begins to fade, giving way to cooler days and nights—perfect for planting fall annuals. Pansies, violas, and snapdragons thrive in northeast Texas’ fall weather, adding vibrant pops of color to your garden. Additionally, it’s time to stock up on bulbs for spring flowers like tulips and daffodils. Wait until the soil cools to around 60°F before getting them in the ground.
Grow Cool-Weather Vegetables
Fall is an excellent time to grow salad greens. Lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula are cool-season crops that do well in mild Texas autumns. The cooler weather allows these greens to thrive without bolting (going to seed). Plant them in raised beds or containers for a quicker harvest and easier management. Radishes, carrots, and beets are also great choices for fall gardens and will be ready to harvest before winter sets in.
Add Fall Color to Your Landscape
In addition to annuals, fall is the perfect time to enhance your landscape with hardy plants that can add curb appeal through the cooler months. Chrysanthemums, kale, and ornamental cabbages can bring texture and color to garden beds. In the Dallas area, mums can be perennial if planted in the ground, returning year after year to provide seasonal beauty. Plant them now to enjoy colorful blooms next year.
Clean Up and Compost
Fall is the ideal time for a thorough garden cleanup. In North Texas, gardens can get overrun with spent plants and weeds by the end of summer. Cut back spent vegetables and remove invasive growth, but don’t let those leaves go to waste. Instead of bagging them, mulch them with your lawnmower and spread the mixture over garden beds. The organic matter helps insulate the soil while providing a natural source of nitrogen and carbon, improving the soil’s fertility for future planting.
Propagate and Divide Perennials
As fall arrives, take the opportunity to propagate perennials and divide overgrown plants. Plants such as irises, daylilies, and hostas can be divided now and transplanted into new areas. Additionally, collect seeds from flowering plants to save for next spring. You can also take hardwood cuttings from trees like crepe myrtles or shrubs like hydrangeas. Use rooting hormone and consult a local garden center for tips on successfully propagating these plants.
Keep Watering—But Adjust as Needed
Although the fall season brings cooler temperatures, that doesn’t mean your plants no longer need water. It’s crucial to continue watering your plants, especially in the dry North Texas climate. However, as the weather cools and plants begin to go dormant, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering. Deep watering once a week should suffice, but make sure the soil remains moist enough to encourage root growth.