Gardening This Weekend: September 4, 2025
We still have a few things left over from summer plus some new obligations of fall. Better check through the list.
PLANT
• Nursery stock. It’s a great time to work with a certified nursery professional to plan fall improvement projects. Fall is perhaps the best time for planting.
• Bermuda sod. (Late for St. Augustine and late for seeding bermuda.)
• Ryegrass as winter cover, but not if you have applied a pre-emergent weedkiller.
• Fall-flowering bulbs if you find them in nurseries: spider lilies, oxblood lilies, fall crocus, naked lady lilies.
• Order spring-flowering tulips, daffodils and other bulbs from reputable dealer, either locally or online. Do not buy “cheap” bulbs. They will prove to be no bargain.
• Wildflower seeds. Buy types and mixtures for your part of Texas. Bluebonnets should be acid-scarified for uniform germination. Plant onto lightly tilled bare soil. Wildflowers do not compete well with turfgrass. Full sun only.
PRUNE
• Dead branches from trees and shrubs. If you have dead branches high up in pecans and other large shade trees, contract to have them removed before winter. They become very brittle and may break with winter winds, ice, snow or rain.
• Tall weeds around your property. Ragweed is quite tall in much of the state right now and is currently in full bloom. Goldenrod (harmless to humans) will soon be in bloom. Enjoy its rich fall colors.
FERTILIZE
• If it’s been 8 or more weeks since you last fed bermuda, zoysia, or St. Augustine you can apply a high-quality, all-nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn now. That product should contain 30 to 40 percent of its nitrogen in slow-release form. Water deeply after the application.
• Water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer for hanging baskets, patio pots. Soon you will need to withhold fertilizer from these plants when you get ready to bring them indoors, but for now let them put out another round of good growth for fall.
ON THE LOOKOUT
• SOUTH TEXAS: Last call for application of pre-emergent weedkiller granules Balan, Halts, or Dimension to prevent germination of winter grassy weeds (annual bluegrass, rescuegrass, and winter ryegrass). Seeds of those weeds will start germinating with the first fall rains and 60F nights. They are safe on any type of established lawngrass as long as it’s been through its first winter. Do not apply if you intend to overseed with ryegrass or if you are planting wildflower seeds.
• Pecans and other trees for fall webworms. Where it’s possible to reach them with pole pruners, trim the webs out of the trees and either burn them or put them into trash bags and dispose of them. Spraying is difficult, expensive, and impractical.
• Pecans that are turning black and falling prematurely are infected with pecan scab. There is nothing you can do for it at this time. Spraying must be begun in late spring.
• Begin to watch patio pots and hanging baskets for insect pests if you intend to bring them indoors for the winter. It’s much easier to address them while they’re outside.