October in the Houston Garden
Finally, the hot summer days are behind us.
While it is starting to get cooler, October can still be hot in Houston! For our clients with drip irrigation, we continue to water about 30 minutes per day. As it gets cooler out, you may begin to decrease the time more. If your plants look very wilted in the late afternoon and to not look like they have recovered right before dark, they probably need more water during the day. However, if the top 2” of soil are still feeling wet at the end of the day, it is a good sign to begin decreasing the time. Here’s why we think drip is the smartest way to water your garden.
As we approach a new season, it is a great time to add compost to your beds! As you start adding fall plants to the garden, you should also add fresh compost to the garden to provide your new plants with fresh nutrition. Don’t want to do the dirty work? The Monarch Team can help! We can also deliver bags of our favorite compost straight to you!
SHOP our 2024 Planting Calendar! Find the exact planting dates our team uses to keep our clients’ gardens thriving in Houston (Zone 9) year-round. Gardening is our full-time job. The Monarch team works in gardens all over Houston Monday-Friday, every single week. We guarantee our clients’ can eat out of their gardens 52 weeks of the year! When you make a promise like that one, it’s important to have a solid planting plan. We pass all of our knowledge on to you in our planting calendar!
Now is the time to start planning for your fall garden! Struggling in the garden and wondering what to do to turn things around? Consider scheduling a personalized coaching session before the fall. We’ll stop by, assess your growing space, and give you pointers (and lots of high-fives and encouragement). Your fall season will be your best season yet!
Wanting to add more gardening space? The fall and winter gardens in Houston are to die for. Now is the best time to make a plan for adding more growing space. The Monarch Team can stop by for a consultation and help you make a plan.
October can still heat up in Houston. It is a smart idea to plant fall plants under taller more mature plants so they get some relief on the hotter days this month. After a few weeks, you can prune the taller shade-bearing plants back (or remove them) too allow for more sunlight on your fall plants as the temps cool later in the month. Need help with garden maintenance?
If you are wanting to plant lemon balm or mint, make sure it’s either in a container or isolated bed in your landscaping. We do not add mint of lemon balm to raised beds. These plants are invasive and will take over unless they are confined. Did you know you can order plants and compost for delivery from Monarch?
Now is time to start harvesting all your basil! As soon as temps fall into the 40’s, it discolors and the flavor changes. Now is the time to make pesto and freeze it for a year round supply. See how on Monarch Living Recipes!
October - November is the prime time to landscape your yard. If you want to refresh your landscaping the smart, sustainable way, let Monarch help! Our designs are not only beautiful, but will save you money. Get on our schedule before it fills up!
In October we start to plant seasonal flowers in our gardens and landscape that are more frost tolerant. These flowers include snapdragons, pansies, violas, sweet alyssum, dianthus, and dusty miller.
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FREE! Download our Monthly Tasks and Tips for the garden and landscaping. We’ll keep you on track throughout the year. You’ll know when it’s time to add compost, what flowers are in season, when to plant bulbs, when to mulch, and so much more.
HELPFUL LINKS
Buy our 2024 Planting Calendar now!
Follow us on Instagram and/or TikTokfor daily garden inspiration!
Wanting to start a patio garden? You’ll love our Patio Salad Planter! Grow salad greens and herbs year-round on your patio AND get our online course to learn exactly how to care for your planter for FREE!
Need help designing and installing landscaping beds or rethinking your outdoor spaces? We'll be right over. Get started HERE.
Check out our Amazon Storefront for products we love in the garden and other fun items we use to bring the garden to our table!
Order your plants and compost for delivery! Plant Order
Want seasonal recipes and ideas for how to make the garden a part of your everyday life? Check out Monarch Living!
Wanting a garden of your very own? Want to add more garden beds? We'd love to help you create your dream garden space. Click HERE to start the process.
Looking for ongoing help taking care of your vegetable garden? Check out what Monarch Garden Company Maintenance has to offer (it's a lot)!
Need garden coaching? Wanting to plant something new? Things not going great in your garden? Want some help troubleshooting? Learn more about our Garden Coaching and get on the schedule!
