Avoid the Most Common Myth Associated with North Texas Gardening

While many gardeners, especially newcomers or those who have transplanted from northern climates, believe spring is the ideal time to plant, this idea is one of the most persistent myths in North Texas gardening. Sure, you can plant in the spring, and lots of folks have success doing so. But if you’re looking for the ultimate planting window to give your adapted perennials, shrubs, and trees the best shot at thriving, fall is the hands-down winner! Why? It’s all about setting your plants up for success before the relentless Texas summer heat bears down.

Let’s face it: fall is the longest distance between you and the next stretch of 100°F days. The intense heat of summer can be brutal, not just for us but for the plants, especially new ones just trying to establish their roots. By planting in the fall, you give your perennials, shrubs, and trees time to ease from their nursery pots into the ground with far less stress.

Why Fall is the Season for Planting

One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is the opportunity for plants to establish strong root systems in cooler weather with more consistent rainfall. North Texas winters are typically mild when it comes to soil temperatures, meaning that even though the air might be chilly, the ground stays warm enough for root growth to continue throughout much of fall and winter. And come early spring, when the roots are already somewhat developed, the plant can focus on growing stronger and healthier before the heat strikes–  further increasing their chances.

In fact, perennials, shrubs, and trees planted in the fall are typically better able to accelerate their root development through spring, making the most of the mild temperatures and rainfall before June ushers in our infamous summer heatwaves. And those heatwaves are often accompanied by drought, a tough combo for any new plant. That’s why fall planting isn’t just a good idea—it’s the best idea for giving your landscape a fighting chance through the summer.

*Give your plants an added boost by topdressing with compost and 2-4″ of mulch to help insulate the root zone against harsh temperatures!!

The Benefits of Fall Planting in North Texas:

• Extended Root Development: With cooler weather and steady rainfall, roots can grow deeper and stronger.
• Milder Winters: North Texas winters usually offer soil temperatures warm enough to allow root growth to continue through winter.
• Stronger Spring Growth: Fall-planted perennials, shrubs, and trees can focus on root growth in fall and winter, meaning more vigorous spring growth.
• Avoiding the Stress of Summer: By the time summer rolls around, fall-planted plants are better established and more drought-tolerant.
• Best Time for Trees: It’s no coincidence that Texas Arbor Day is celebrated on the first Friday in November—fall is the prime season for planting trees!

Plant Native and Don’t Worry about Freeze Damage

Again, one of the most stubborn myths out there is that ALL plants are more prone to freeze damage when planted in the fall. That might be true of the less adapted “box store” plants. But the reality is that native and adapted perennials, shrubs, and trees, found at trusted independent garden centers, are well-equipped to handle North Texas winters. In fact, professional horticulturists and gardening experts across the region agree that fall is the optimal time to plant. Take it from North Texas horticulturist Daniel Cunningham, who has long advocated for fall planting: “New perennials, shrubs and trees are better able to establish roots in fall and often through our relatively mild winters, so they’re not struggling to survive when the heat or drought of summer hits.”

Other North Texas gardening experts Neil Sperry and Howard Garrett agree!

Perennials, by their nature, are designed to come back year after year. For deciduous perennial flowers, which may naturally die back to the ground in winter, this dormancy is a natural defense against freezing temperatures. They store up sugars and carbohydrates in their roots, allowing them to reemerge in the spring and put on a fresh, vigorous show of growth—year after year.

Native Plants: Built to Survive

If you’re planting native or well-adapted plants, rest easy knowing they’ve evolved to thrive in North Texas’s climate. These plants are extremely cold-hardy (to our hardiness zone 8b, or an avg. low temp of 15-20°F) or colder, and can overwinter without issue– even as young, newly planted material. While we may occasionally see an extreme winter, such events are far less common than the relentless heat and droughts that plague our summers.

And remember, summer heat and drought are far more challenging for newly planted material than typical winter freezes. Native plants, like the hardy yaupon holly, fall aster, or autumn sage,  or even the mighty oak, have been through these seasonal cycles for millennia—they’ve got this!

Time to Turn Over a New Leaf

If you’ve been putting off your landscaping projects because you’re waiting for spring, it’s time to turn over a new leaf! Fall is the best time to plant, and it’s not just about avoiding the summer sunburn. It’s about giving your garden the best possible chance to thrive. So grab your shovel, pick out those native perennials, shrubs, and trees, and let your landscape start putting down roots this fall.

Don’t let the myths surrounding fall planting keep you from enjoying a lush, thriving garden. After all, fall planting might be at the “root” of your gardening success!

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