Fall is finally here, and with it comes crisp mornings, cozy evenings, and endless opportunities to refresh your garden! This season is one of the most exciting times to dig into your landscape—whether you’re planting vibrant flowers, prepping your lawn, or adding festive touches to your outdoor space. To make it easy, we’ve created simple September and October gardening checklists that will guide you through everything you need to keep your garden beautiful and thriving all season long.
September Gardening
Download our September Gardening Checklist
September marks the beginning of an exciting season for gardeners — a time to prepare, plant, and embrace the cooler days ahead. It’s the perfect month to refresh your containers with cool-season favorites like Garden Mums, Marigolds, and Petunias. As the month progresses, look for Matrix® Pansies, our top pick for vibrant color from fall through winter. These cheerful blooms thrive in the crisp autumn air, instantly adding charm and brightness to landscapes, porches and patios.
Looking to create lasting beauty? Fall is also an ideal time to plant new perennials that will return year after year with vivid color and texture. And while you’re planting, don’t forget to care for what’s already growing. Divide spring-blooming perennials like Daylilies, Iris, and Shasta Daisies to keep them healthy and blooming strong in the seasons ahead.
Whether you’re refreshing a flowerbed or planning a bigger garden project, September is full of opportunities to grow and enjoy something beautiful.
Soil
Healthy soil is the key to success, and September is the ideal moment to give it a boost. Start with Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil, then feed your plants with Calloway’s Premium Flower Food or Natural Lawn & Garden Food to encourage strong roots and growth. Thinking about trees or shrubs? Plant them now so their roots can settle in before next summer. For best results, pair with Calloway’s Premium Tree & Shrub Garden Soil and fertilize with Calloway’s Premium Flowering Shrub Food or Tree & Shrub Food for the nutrients they need.
Cool-Season Vegetables and Wildflower Seeds
Don’t forget about your vegetable garden! Later in the month, you’ll see cool-season vegetables in our stores such as Spinach, Broccoli, and Brussels Sprouts, giving you the chance to enjoy a fresh harvest just as you enjoy the cooler weather.
Whether you’re planning for next spring or enjoying the crisp air now, September truly sets the stage for a season of growth and renewal. Now is the perfect time to sow wildflower seeds that need winter’s chill to break dormancy. By spring, these beauties will burst into bloom, providing a bright, natural display that’s low-maintenance and eco-friendly.
Lawn Care
Your lawn will thank you for some extra care, too. Patch bare spots with grass plugs so they can establish before winter. For new lawns, use Calloway’s Premium Lawn Food 21-5-10 to support root growth and development. For existing lawns, switch to Calloway’s Premium Lawn Food Phosphorus Free 21-0-0, which keeps grass green and strong without forcing too much top growth.
Finally, protect all your hard work from weeds and disease. Now is the best time to stop weeds before they start with Bonide® Weed Beater Complete or Corn Gluten Granules. Keep an eye out for fungal issues, and if they pop up, treat quickly with Bonide® Infuse Spray or Granules so your lawn stays healthy as the season shifts.
October Gardening
Download Our October Gardening Checklist
October continues the momentum of fall gardening and adds even more planting opportunities, along with festive touches for the season.
Start by planting cool-season vegetables, at the beginning of the month you’ll see Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower and more in our stores!
Add fresh color such as Cyclamen, Dianthus, Matrix® Pansies, Ornamental Cabbage & Kale, and Snapdragons. These beautiful selections thrive in cooler weather, bringing bold color and rich texture to both containers and flowerbeds. Not only do they brighten your outdoor spaces during fall and winter, but they also offer reliable performance through seasonal shifts.
Soil
Soil preparation remains a top priority this month. Healthy soil is the foundation for thriving plants, and using Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil ensures that your garden has the nutrients and structure it needs for strong growth. After preparing the soil, be sure to fertilize with Calloway’s Premium Flower Food or Calloway’s Natural Lawn & Garden Food to keep your plants healthy and nourished throughout the season.
Trees and Shrubs
If you’re elevating your landscape with new trees or shrubs, October is the perfect time to plant them. The cooler temperatures allow the roots time to establish before the winter months, setting them up for strong, healthy growth in the spring. Be sure to pair your new trees and shrubs with Calloway’s Premium Tree & Shrub Garden Soil to give them the best start. For ongoing health and lush growth, feed them with Calloway’s Premium Flowering Shrub Food or Tree & Shrub Food. These high-quality fertilizers are designed to support deep-root development and promote robust foliage and blooms, ensuring your new additions thrive for years to come.
Perennials
Just like in September, planting perennials in October is a smart investment—bringing lasting color that returns for years to come.
This month is also the time to give your existing perennials a little extra care. Divide summer-blooming varieties like Daylilies, Coneflowers, Iris, and Phlox to keep them healthy, vigorous, and full of future blooms.
If you’re planning ahead for spring, now’s the time to start pre-chilling bulbs such as Tulips and Hyacinths. Store them at 45°F for about 45 days. By mid-December, they’ll be perfectly primed for planting—rewarding you with a vivid, show-stopping spring display.
Lawn Care
Your lawn care tasks shift slightly in October. Sow Perennial Rye and Fescue grasses for a lush, green lawn that lasts all winter. Keep watch for fungal diseases that can affect your lawn as temperatures cool, and if necessary, treat with Bonide® Infuse Spray or Granules. As leaves begin to fall, rake, and remove them regularly to prevent damage and disease in your lawn.
Download our Fall Gardening Checklists
Fall is a season of transition, but with a little planning, it can be one of the most rewarding times in your garden. By following these September and October checklists, you’ll set up your plants, lawn, and landscape for beauty all year long. Whether you’re refreshing your flowerbeds, tending your lawn, or adding festive touches, these rewarding and simple steps ensure your garden thrives through the season and beyond.
Shop With Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius Nursery, we have everything you need to make your fall gardening a success! From premium soils and fertilizers to seasonal flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawn care essentials, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Visit your neighborhood store today to get started on your September and October gardening checklists!
Have questions? Our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are always happy to guide you in finding the perfect products for your garden and to ensure your gardening success!