Tips for Fall Gardening

In North Texas fall is the time to enjoy vegetable gardening, and planting trees, shrubs, and spring bulbs. Pest issues are minimal and pollinators are migrating. Daylight hours are getting shorter and plant growth is slowing down so that means less watering.

In late July and August start vegetable seeds and plants that can survive a brief frost, or can be harvested before the first date of an average frost.  Plants like onions, carrots, potatoes, beans, beet, collard, turnip, peas, kale, spinach, parsley, lettuce, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts can tolerate some cold. However, summer vegetables like Malabar Spinach, artichokes, basil, watermelon, okra, eggplant, tomatoes, squash and peppers will get damaged once temperatures are below 60s. Plant trees and shrubs in the ground to give the roots a head start before the summer heat. Wait to plant grass, because the roots may get root rot during the winter.

Harvest often because with cooler temperatures tomatoes may not ripen, pollinators may not stick around, and if it gets too cold the flavor of peppers may become bitter. Carrots planted in the fall can be harvested as early as December and as late as May. Tomatoes and peppers in pots can be overwintered in a protected spot. As long as the roots survive, they will produce again in the spring.

In the south, spring bulbs like tulips and hyacinths need to be pre-chilled in the fridge for a minimum of 8 weeks before planting in the fall or early winter. Daffodil and paper whites don’t need to be pre-chilled. Dahlias, amaryllis, elephant ears, and tropicals like Walking Iris need to be dug up and stored, because they will turn into mush in freezing temperatures. 

A frost is when temperatures reach 36 degrees, and a freeze is when temperatures reach 32 degrees. The earliest frost and freeze dates were in late October, and latest frost and freeze dates were in early December. Make a list of plants that need protection or need to go inside a garage. Mulch plants in the ground and collect supplies to cover cold sensitive plants. Take divisions or cuttings of plants that cannot go inside. For example, prune off the roots of Aloe Vera and store them in a cardboard box in the garage. They will sprout roots as soon as they are planted in soil.  

Gather seeds and store them in a dry and dark place. Remember to label and date the seed packets or jars. Milkweed and wild flowers seeds can be started outdoors with the milk jug method, or started inside with the wet paper towel and plastic bag in the fridge method. Some types of seeds may need scarification or a period of warm and cold.