October is in full swing here in Texas, and with those first hints of cool breeze (finally!), it’s time to talk about what to plant right now. It’s kind of difficult to start thinking about spring right now, while its still sweltering here in Texas, but we promise that getting a head start right now will make your heart happy come spring.
Perennials: A Garden Gift That Keeps on Giving
Perennials are the backbone of any Texas garden. They come back year after year, saving you the hassle of constant replanting and providing reliable beauty even in our unpredictable Texas weather. Right now, focus on getting these stars into the ground. These seeds can all be direct sowed, but you can also start them in trays if that’s more your thing.
Black foot daisies- These are hands-down my favorite native perennials. I love the whimsy they bring to our bouquets and to our garden.
Echinacea (Coneflower) – Not only beautiful, but a pollinator’s best friend. These pink-to-purple beauties are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun. And yes, we’re tucking a bunch into our garden beds this month.
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) – With those golden petals and sturdy stems, these are perfect for adding a pop of color in late spring. These were such a favorite for us this year in bouquets. They don’t need anything special except a little water while they’re babies- then you can just let them go.
Gregg’s Mistflower – (Ageretum) A filler favorite here at the farm, Gregg’s Mistflower is a Texas native that’s hardy and attracts tons of butterflies. Our native version is such an easy plant to care for and lends the prettiest blue to your summer garden.
Wildflowers: A Touch of Texas Magic
October is prime time for sowing wildflower seeds in Texas. I always recommend direct sowing them right into your garden beds or a patch you want to see burst into color by spring. Here’s what we’re sowing:
• Bluebonnets – Because what’s a Texas spring without them? Scatter those seeds now and let the magic happen. These beauties love well-drained soil and full sun.
• Indian Blanket (Gaillardia) – These vibrant reds and yellows bloom in early summer but planting them now gives them time to establish and get ready to wow.
• Coreopsis – A personal favorite (and, yes, the star of one of our new necklaces!). We let them go wild in our fields. It’s always such a joy to see them brighten up the place come late spring.
As we prepare for the cooler months, we’re getting our frost cloth ready to protect these tender seedlings from unexpected freezes. But for the most part, you can just let nature do its thing. Flowers planted now will develop strong roots and will be likely to survive the cool - as well as our Texas heat come next spring.