Well? What do you think - is it fall yet? The local 10-Day Forecast still shows highs in the mid-90s but notice that the lows have fallen to the low 70s. Can the 60s be far behind? And if you can hold out a bit longer, there may (or may not!) be a little tiny cold front in the 15-day Forecast. Let's all cross our fingers. We need some cooler weather for all these plant festivals going on!
The Sugar Land Plant and Garden Sale has been renamed. It's now the SLGC Plantapalooza! And guess what? I'm a vendor there, with my mixed succulent arrangements. I'll have single plants, too. Come see me Saturday, September 21 from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the Sugar Lakes Clubhouse. There's also a plant talk by Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms on Tuesday September 17 at 9:30 at the Sugar Land Knights of Columbus Hall. Visit the SLGC site for more information.
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More plant lectures, and a great sale! The Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is having their Wildscapes Workshop this Saturday, September 7, at the Houston Zoo! This is always a great event, and this year will be no exception. Speakers include John Ferguson of Nature's Way, Mark Bronstad of Doremus Nursery, Gary and Kathy Adams Clark, renowned naturalists and photographers and more! This is an all-day affair, including lunch and a plant sale. Here's the link for more information.
Along with all those hummingbirds, September brings us the Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, a production of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson. Held on two consecutive Saturday mornings, this hummingbird fiesta features bird banding, plant sales and more. This year, it's Saturday, September 14 and Saturday, September 21, mornings only. See their flyer for more information.
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Mercer Arboretum is sponsoring its Garden Faire and Fall Festival the last weekend in September. This year, it's September 28 and September 29, from 8:00am to 4:00pm. This is a family festival with entertainment and free activities for the kids, but plant geeks out there will be able to buy unusual items such as carnivorous plants, gingers, herbs, orchids and more. Check it out!
Thanks again and garden on!
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Hummingbird Time!
It's here! From now through the end of September marks our peak hummingbird season. Most of them are headed south for the winter migration, although a few winter over on the Texas Gulf Coast and one, the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird, is heading the other way. If you haven't gotten the hummingbird feeders washed and hung out in the garden, get busy!  | | Hi there! |
The most common hummingbirds here are the Ruby-Throated, the Rufous and the Black-Chinned, although you may also see the Broad-Tailed, Broad-Billed, Allen's or Buff-Bellied Hummingbird. These tiny engines are powered by the sweet nectar and teeny insects of the fall garden and although they appreciate the feeders, you'll have the best luck attracting them if you plant for them. Read more on the website:
Gardening for Hummingbirds |
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September Garden Chores
LawnFertilize with low-nitrogen fall fertilizer now and apply a pre-emergent herbicide if you had problems with winter weeds. As it cools, or the fall rains kick in, adjust your sprinkler system. The best way to combat fall fungal problems is to water carefully. Flowers | | Plant calendulas now. |
Clean up those flowerbeds! If we get the promised little cool front, the back half of the month should be quite pleasant. Remove all dead or dying foliage, fertilize the beds, figure out where you need to plant your cool season color. The first cool season flowers you should put out are dianthus, petunias, snapdragons, marigolds and calendulas. Wait a bit longer for pansies and violas (even if you see them in the stores!) Trees and ShrubsIf we don't get good rain in September, don't let your azaleas dry out. They are busy now forming next spring's flowers. For that reason, don't prune. You can snip a branch here or there, removing deadwood or making minor changes. But if you prune back severely, you'll lose your spring flowers. If you didn't cut your roses back a bit in August, do so now. Remove all diseased or dead wood and take a look at branches pointing inward. Make sure you are watering in the mornings, if possible, because blackspot typically makes a comeback in the fall. Use an organic fertilizer to encourage big, fat fall flowers. Vegetable Garden | | Plant chard seed now! |
The fall garden starts in earnest now! Watch how the light has shifted since the summer. Most fruiting vegetables will require 6 hours of sun, but leafy ones and root vegetables can often get by with partial shade. Need an overview of the entire season? Download a one-page PDF for the fall vegetable garden here. Here's the list of seeds that can be planted now. Watch your local independent garden center for vegetable transplants to be available too.
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The Shade Garden
Every garden on the Texas Gulf Coast should be a shade garden, if you ask me. It's the only way to get through the long hot summer. Here's an article with design and plant tips for gardening in the shade, including a printable plant list.
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and read more on the website:
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Thanks for reading,
Elizabeth Barrow
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