Fall (October) Cleanup: Last Call for Seed Spreading and Planting

October is a fantastic month to be outdoors, especially after a summer like we just experienced. Here are a few of our tips to help keep your outdoor areas feeling as good as we do with the amazing temperatures that we have to believe are coming. 

This is an ideal time for adding a fresh layer of compost and mulch to your perennial beds and around trees. Since temperatures can fluctuate rapidly from day to day in the Austin winters, compost and mulch will help provide essential nutrients for your plants, as well as create an insulating layer for plants' root zones and to keep them cooler in hot temperatures and warmer in cold. We recommend a 1"-2" layer of compost, topped with a 3"- 4" layer of mulch. 

October is also an exceptional month for adding new plants to the landscape. Check water restrictions so perennials, shrubs, clumping grasses, and trees can all be planted and watered successfully during the fall months. It’s also a good time to plant bulbs, such as tulips and hyacinths, for blooms next March, April, and May. Want loads of wildflowers to enjoy next Spring? Now is the opportune time to spread those native wildflower seeds.

Quick tip: Soil preparation is generally not necessary for spreading wildflower seeds, however seed to soil contact is necessary. Ensure your grass is as short as possible to give those seeds the best chance possible to bloom.