As October kicks off in Harris County, local gardeners are breathing a little easier—literally. The blazing heat of summer is finally yielding to cooler mornings and gentler days, offering the perfect conditions for fall planting. And according to the Harris County Master Gardeners, October is one of the best months of the year to dig in, divide, plant, and prepare your landscape for success.

Whether you’re working with a sunny lawn in Cypress, a shady patio in Katy, or a raised bed in Tomball, fall brings both opportunities and responsibilities for Gulf Coast gardeners. From prepping beds to planting powerhouse perennials, here’s your October gardening guide rooted in expert advice.

A Month to Mulch, Plant, and Prepare

Karen Shook, Master Gardener and contributor to the Urban Dirt Gardening Calendar, says fall offers a sweet spot for gardening in Houston’s climate. “A good, deep watering is better than frequent, light waterings,” she reminds residents. “And it isn't too soon to think about freeze precautions.”

October is a transitional time, with lingering summer plants giving way to cool-season color and root-deep planning. With hurricane season still lingering and colder nights on the horizon, now’s the time to trim tree limbs, clean up perennials, and make planting decisions that will reward you for seasons to come.

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Fall Favorites: What to Plant in October

Perennials and Powerhouse Plants

Cooler temperatures are ideal for planting hardy perennials like Shasta daisies, cannas, and gaillardia. Shook also recommends fall bloomers like marigolds, mums, and Texas Superstar Mari-mums (Tagetes erecta) to brighten your beds.

Master Gardener Valerie Depew encourages residents to lean into “powerhouse perennials” that thrive in Harris County’s rollercoaster weather. Her favorites?

• Turk’s Cap: Thrives in shade, attracts hummingbirds, and returns year after year.

• Coneflowers: Pollinator magnets that self-seed and stand tall in the heat.

• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed & Brown-eyed Susans): Low-maintenance gold that brightens sunny spots.

• Salvia: A floral workhorse in bold colors, beloved by hummingbirds and gardeners alike.

“Perennials are more than plants—they’re the backbone of a garden that grows richer with time,” Depew said. “Plant them now, watch them settle in, and by next summer you might just find they’re a beautiful, dependable and treasured part of your growing garden.”

Annuals, Seeds & Cool-Season Bloomers

Now’s the time to:

• Transplant seedlings for snapdragons, calendula, alyssum, and stock.

• Sow wildflowers like bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush (scarify seeds for faster germination).

• Fertilize annual beds lightly to boost both lingering summer plants and new fall transplants.

• Hold off on pansies and violas until November for best results, as they thrive in cooler air.

Bulbs & Shrubs

October is ideal for planting or dividing spring and early-summer bulbs like:

• Daffodils: These bright yellow or white flowers are a favorite for spring. They come back every year and don’t need much attention. Daffodils do best in full sun or light shade and are also deer- and squirrel-resistant—so you won’t have to worry about critters digging them up.

• Amaryllis: Known for their big, colorful blooms, amaryllis can be grown outside here in Houston. In the ground, they’ll bloom in late spring or early summer. Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot, and they’ll keep coming back each year with very little maintenance.

• Columbine: These delicate-looking flowers are surprisingly tough. Their unique, spurred blooms come in soft colors and attract hummingbirds. Fall is a good time to divide older plants so they stay healthy and keep blooming year after year.

• Purple Coneflower: You’ve probably seen these in gardens around town—big, purple flowers with orange centers that butterflies and birds love. They grow best in full sun and are easy to care for. While they often reseed on their own, you can also divide larger clumps now to spread them around your yard.

Don't forget to refrigerate tulip and hyacinth bulbs now for a chill period before planting in December. Plant bulbs at 2–3 times their diameter in depth, then mulch and water.

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Shrub care this month includes:

• Acidifying soil for plants like azaleas and camellias, which don’t love Harris County’s natural alkalinity.

• Shaping red-tip photinias to encourage a flush of colorful new growth before winter.

Trees, Lawns, and Edibles

• October is tree-planting prime time. Whether it’s a shade tree, woody ornamental, or flowering vine, fall planting helps roots establish before summer’s return.

• Light pruning of tree limbs can improve sunlight reach to lawns and gardens below.

• For lawns, apply pre-emergent herbicides and winterize with fertilizer by mid-October. Watch for signs of brown patch—circular brown spots with yellow edges—especially after rainfall.

In the veggie patch, now is your moment to:

• Plant cool-weather crops like broccoli, carrots, lettuce, and spinach.

• Reference the Harris County Vegetable Planting Guide HERE for precise timing.

Gardening with Purpose—and Patience

Planting in October isn’t just about beautifying your home—it’s an investment in sustainability, pollinator support, and long-term resilience. With perennials and native plants especially, the rewards often multiply each year.

Depew encourages gardeners to think of fall as a time to build deeper roots, literally and figuratively. “Fall and early spring are prime planting windows. Cooler weather eases transplant stress, and roots have months to dig in before next summer’s heat.”

From Houston to Cypress to Champions, the call to the garden this October is loud and clear: plant now for a stronger, more beautiful tomorrow.

Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more seasonal gardening tips and community updates across Harris County’s neighborhoods.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.