• Where you have bedding areas under your trees, apply three inches of mulch under the entire tree canopy about mid-September.
• Fertilize trees in October with a 3-1-2 ratio slow-release or organic fertilizer at a rate of three pounds of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. of root zone.
• As an alternative, you can use your winterizer lawn fertilizer product under the tree canopy. A tree requires about one cup of fertilizer spread out per inch of trunk size. This can be done the same day you fertilize your lawn.
• Tree planting season begins in mid-November. Fall is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs.

• Fall fertilization with a winterizer fertilizer is important for achieving quick spring green-up and cold tolerance. Apply 1 lb. of nitrogen (7 lbs of 15-5-10) per 1,000 square feet in October.
• Too much water this time of year may cause fungal disease. Watering should be cut back significantly.
• Dead circular areas in your lawn may mean fungal disease. If you suspect a fungal problem such as Brown Patch or Take All Patch, call the Bexar County Extension Office at 210-467-6575 to get a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

• Summer weeds will begin to decline as the weather gets cooler.  Continue cutting grass often to prevent weeds from forming seeds.
• A thick and healthy grass will keep out most weeds.  Frequent cutting helps.
• If you had a big weed problem last winter, consider application of a pre-emergent herbicide in September.  Remember that it is too late to use pre-emergent herbicides once winter weeds start growing.
• Eliminate newly-sprouting winter weeds by pulling them out early before they get strong root systems.

• Consider working compost into herb beds once a year. This increases soil nutrients, microbes and the aeration of the soil.
• Harvest seed heads for seed collection after they have dried on the plant. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for planting next year.
• Keep decaying organic material like fallen leaves away from herbs. They need to dry out between rainfall events or they will rot.
• Consider using inorganic mulch (like gravel) to keep leaves dry during rainy
  periods. This helps drain moisture away from the leaves of herbs.

• Perennials will look great in the fall without much care or extra water.
• Early fall is a good time to plant new perennials. It is also a good time to divide spring-blooming perennials like irises and daylilies and then share some with friends.

Rosa 'Knock Out'

• Roses should look great in the fall without much care or extra water.
• If your schedule allows, prune out dead branches and remove excessive growth. Deadhead plants by removing spent blooms to encourage new flowers to form.

• Your heat-loving annuals should keep going strong until really cold weather provides a freeze. However, as the weather begins to turn, you may decide to pull them and prepare your planting bed for some cool weather annuals.
• Be sure to wait until it is really cool outside or you will have unhealthy cool-weather loving plants that become magnets for pests. See the winter annual section for suggestions on winter annual color.
• If you want to save caladium bulbs, this is the time to dig them up before they begin to rot in cool soil. They may survive until spring if you spread them out on a tray in the garage. Do not try to re-plant in spring until soils have warmed up.

Petunia	Marigold

• Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Select a mix of plants that provide cover (thick foliage or a thicket), berries, bloom and seeds during each season.
• Leaves that fall from your trees should be left in place in garden beds. They provide protection for roots. They will break down to renew the soil organically.
• Wildscapes are best when pruning is minimized. However, if branches are on the roof or are blocking walkways or feeders, they can be pruned.

• This is a good time of year to pull up soaker hoses and put them away for the winter.
• Review your irrigation zoning design. Can you water plants according to their water need? Consider moving heads or splitting a zone if you can’t.

• Water needs drops dramatically in the fall. Cooler weather and seasonal rains often make it possible to stop all supplemental irrigation.
• Avoid watering plants in the evening if possible.  Fungal problems are more likely if plants are wet all night during fall months.

Fall is an exciting time of year for garden and lawn lovers. Everything is green, flowers are blooming and it is pleasant to be outside. Because it is cooler and there is rain, there is no need to water established plants or grass. Once fall sets in, it is rare for lawns to need water again until spring.

Cutting back on irrigation in the fall is not just a smart way to lower water bills. It is also a way to avoid lawn fungal diseases such as brown patch. This disease can become active in lawns that are wet at night. Wet blades of grass on cool nights are ideal breeding grounds for fungal disease. If there are several weeks without rain and you decide to water your lawn, plan the task for early morning rather than night.