Task List & Planting Guide
Garden Care
Continue watering plants deeply as needed, especially during hot, dry weather.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.
Remove diseased or severely damaged plant material.
Begin cleaning up tired summer annuals while leaving healthy plants that are still producing.
Start planting cool-season flowers such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, calendula, and dianthus as temperatures become more comfortable, usual late September.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, peonies and crocus according to their planting requirements.
Divide and transplant perennials when conditions are suitable.
Divide and transplant Irises
Add compost to garden beds to prepare for fall planting.
Check mulch and replenish it where needed to help conserve moisture and protect plant roots.
Watch newly planted trees and shrubs carefully. They still need regular moisture while establishing roots.
Start planning for the first freeze and have frost cloth and other plant protection ready.
Vegetables & Herb Care
Fall is the time to plant Strawberries in West Texas, usual late September. They will over winter here if you protect them.
Continue harvesting tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash, cucumbers, and other warm-season crops while they are producing.
Remove plants that are no longer productive or have significant disease problems.
Plant Fall vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips.
Start herbs that prefer cooler temperatures, such as cilantro, parsley, and dill.
Continue harvesting basil regularly while it is producing.
Harvest herbs for drying or preserving before cold weather arrives.
Keep newly planted fall vegetables consistently watered while they become established.
Watch for caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, and other pests on both vegetables and herbs.
Consider succession planting quick-growing crops such as radishes and lettuce for a longer harvest.
Tree & Shrub Care
Remove diseased leaves and diseased plant debris promptly.
Check trees and shrubs for signs of insect damage or disease.
Continue deep, thorough watering of trees and shrubs, especially newly planted plants.
Check soil moisture several inches below the surface before watering.
Keep mulch 2–4 inches deep around the root zone, but keep it away from the trunk.
Remove dead, broken, or diseased branches when appropriate.
Avoid heavy pruning that could encourage tender new growth before winter.
Lawn Care
Continue mowing regularly while warm-season grass is actively growing.
Gradually reduce watering as temperatures cool, but don’t allow the lawn to become severely dry.
Check sprinkler heads and irrigation systems for leaks or clogged heads.
Watch for areas of stressed, thin, or discolored grass.
If you have cool-season turf, begin preparing for fall growth according to the needs of your grass variety.
Avoid unnecessary fertilizing if your warm-season lawn is beginning to slow down for winter.
Avoid fertilizing heavily in extreme heat
Pest & Problem Watch
Check the undersides of leaves for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and insect eggs.
Watch vegetables for caterpillars and other chewing insects.
Inspect plants for powdery mildew and other fungal problems as temperatures begin to change.
Remove diseased leaves and plant debris promptly.
Keep an eye out for weeds taking advantage of late-summer irrigation and fall moisture.
Look for beneficial insects before treating for pests—many insects in the garden are helping you!
- West Texas Tip: September can still bring some serious heat. Don’t let the cooler mornings fool you—check the soil before deciding your plants are ready for less water.
- West Texas Tip: Fall winds can dry out a garden surprisingly fast. A good layer of mulch can make a big difference in keeping moisture where your plants need it.
- Tip: Pick the blossoms on the strawberries to get runners. Clip the runners for fruit.