September is a pivotal month for gardening. According to our local plant expert, Neil Sperry, it is one of the best months in the entire Texas gardening year. With the arrival of autumn, we can welcome the month by getting our gardens ready for a beautiful season.
1: PLANTING IN SEPTEMBER
Are you trying to plan out what to plant in the fall? Check out this list of what to plant in September!
Trees & Shrubs
Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. It allows the most time for the roots to establish before our next Texas summer.
For your optimal success, use Calloway’s Premium Tree & Shrub Garden Soil.
Fall Color
Planting in September is fun with fresh fall color! Give your flowerbeds and container gardens a seasonal update. Petunias, Asters, Mums, and Marigolds are ideal fall garden plants. Later in the month, start planting cool season color like Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Snapdragons, and Pansies.
Use Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil for your flowerbeds and Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil for your container gardens.
Fall Vegetables and Herbs
Cool season edibles are always a tasty treat. For a bountiful autumn harvest, now is the perfect time to start growing Broccoli, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, and Lettuce. Pair with fresh herbs like Lavender, Rosemary, and Oregano for extra fragrance and flavor. Plant with Calloway’s Organic Container Potting Soil for container gardens or Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost for vegetable gardens or raised beds.
Wildflowers
We can support our beneficial pollinators with Wildflowers. Planting Wildflower seeds in the fall is ideal because they can take advantage of the extra moisture that winter brings. Blooms will appear in the spring or early summer.
Check out our blog here and learn how to make seed balls with Wildflower seeds!
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are always in season. Give your home an update and treat yourself to fresh houseplants like Floral Mums, Sansevieria, Kimberly Queen Ferns, Succulents, and more!
2: MOWING & PRUNING TASKS
Mow frequently and cut at recommending height for your grass variety to keep it low and dense. This will help crowd out weeds.
Cut back spent spring annuals and deadhead perennials to remove browned leaves and flower stalks. For ideal plant health care, keep up with this throughout the fall to keep your plants healthy and to encourage new blooms.
Remove dead or broken branches of trees and shrubs. Avoid doing any major pruning as it is important to wait for the dormant season.
3: WEED CONTROL
For a lush, fall lawn and to avoid winter weeds, now is the time to apply weed control products. Use Bonide® Weed Beater Complete until about mid-month to stop the germination of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds.
4: FEED YOUR PLANTS
Of the many plant care tips, garden fertilizer is one of the most important. September is the time to feed your annual color, trees and shrubs, indoor plants, and other plants that could be iron-deficient. To keep your plants vigorous and blooming, use Calloway’s Premium Plant Foods on your flowers, tropicals, trees and shrubs, and more.
Feed edibles with a premium organic fertilizer like Calloway’s Natural Lawn & Garden Food. Later in the month, start feeding your lawns. Use Calloway’s Premium Lawn Food on new lawns. For established lawns, use Calloway’s Premium Lawn Food Phosphorus Free. Applying garden fertilizer will help prepare your plants for the fall and our upcoming Texas winter.
5: WATER YOUR PLANTS
In Texas, this time of year can still be hot. Our soils have been basking in the summer sun and it can be dry in most parts of Texas in the fall. Give your flowerbeds, lawns, and container gardens a nice drink of water. Even when we start to see cooler temperatures, watering is vital to maintaining a healthy garden.
SHOP FOR PLANTS WITH EASE
To better serve you, at your community Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have convenient ways to shop for your garden or patio! Shop our breezy, open-air stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or Delivery!
Stop by today and explore our beautiful selection now! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
REF: Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening, dallascountymastergardeners.org
Frequently Asked Questions
September is a great time to plant trees and shrubs since they have time to establish roots before next summer. You can also plant fall-color annuals and perennials like petunias, asters, mums, marigolds, pansies, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage, and kale. For edible gardens, cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, Swiss chard, mustard greens, lettuce, and herbs like lavender, rosemary, and oregano do well. Finally, sow wildflower seeds for spring blooms to take advantage of fall moisture.
Mow frequently, keeping the grass at the recommended height for your grass type to maintain dense turf that crowds out weeds. Cut back spent annual flowers and deadhead perennials to remove brown leaves and flower stalks. Remove dead or broken branches from shrubs or trees, but avoid heavy pruning until the dormant season.
Early to mid-September is an ideal time to apply weed control products to prevent germination of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds. Use a product like Bonide® Weed Beater Complete or an equivalent pre-emergent formula until about mid-month.
Fertilizing in September helps plants stay vigorous, supports blooming, and prepares them for colder months. Feed annual flowers, trees, shrubs, indoor plants, and any plants that may be iron-deficient. Use an organic fertilizer or a balanced premium plant food. For lawns, fertilize new ones later in the month and use a phosphorus-free formula for established turf.
Watering remains important in September, especially during warm or dry spells. Even as temperatures drop, maintain consistent moisture in flowerbeds, lawns, and containers. Dry soil can stress plants and hinder fall growth.
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