1. Prepare grass for winter: Now is a good time to fertilize the lawn. Feeding now will help the roots through winter dormancy. Inspect and treat for brown patch, a disease common with cooling, moist weather conditions. This is also a good time to apply corn gluten for weed control.
2. Plant fall-flowering perennials: Look around and see what’s blooming this fall. Some good choices are Mexican bush sage, pineapple sage, Mexican mint marigold, Copper Canyon daisy, and fall asters. Don’t forget to check out fall blooming ornamental grasses. Tops on my list are coastal, big muhly, and maiden grass.
3. Plant a tree: Choose from central Texas’s great selection of native and adapted shade and ornamental trees. Plant one of the many oaks or elms for shade. Or add color to your late winter and spring season by planting a redbud, mountain laurel, orchid tree, flowering peach or pear, or a Mexican plum.
