Gardening This Weekend: September 18, 2025
Here are the most critical tasks for this middle part of September.
PLANT
• Fall color plants for spots of color now until frost. List includes mums, Joseph’s coat, alternanthera, Mexican bush salvia, Mexican mint marigolds, and fall asters. Annuals from 6-in. and quart pots: marigolds, zinnias, and celosias in full flower into large patio pots. Crotons for tropical color to be brought into a bright room over the winter.
• Ryegrass for temporary green cover of bare ground over winter.
• Fescue from seed for permanent turf in Panhandle and other cool portions of Texas. It does not do well where evenings are hot and humid.
• Nursery stock – trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers. All will benefit from fall plantings, but avoid types known to be cold-sensitive in your area. They are better when planted in spring.
• Wildflower seeds into lightly tilled bare ground. They do not compete well with turfgrass. Time is running out for these plantings – they need to germinate soon to establish before frost.
PRUNE
• Deadhead perennial beds to remove spent foliage, flowers, and stems unless they have seeds that birds are harvesting. See Diane Sitton’s story last week.
• Continue mowing lawn at recommended height. Raising mower blade does not improve winter hardiness. It actually weakens the grass.
FERTILIZE
• Lawn with all-nitrogen fertilizer, 30 to 40 percent of that nitrogen being slow-release for sustained feeding. This is probably the same fertilizer you used all season long. This fall feeding is the most important one you will give your turf during the course of the entire year.
• Patio pots and hanging baskets that you intend to bring indoors for winter need one more good feeding.
ON THE LOOKOUT
• Fall webworms in pecans and other shade trees. See story last week. They are more cosmetic than they are harmful. Spraying is difficult. Pruning or pulling them out is the easiest way if you can reach them. Otherwise, the webs will fall to the ground over the winter.
• As you pick up fallen brush and leaves watch out for snakes, fire ants, stinging caterpillars, and other creatures of the autumn.
• Find your spot to build a home hobby greenhouse. Once you have one, you’ll never be without one again.