September – Is it Fall yet?

Realistically, fall in Texas lasts from the final 90 degree day until the first killing freeze.  In other words, Fall in Texas is when you don’t sweat as much.  

The increased frequency of cooler temperatures and decreased day length makes fall an ideal time to garden.  For example, here are just a few advantages to fall vegetable gardening in Texas:

• Fall produce ripens in cooler weather, so it suffers less from sunburn and sun scald. Visually, a fall garden is beautiful.
• Fall vegetables have better flavor. They mature in a less stressful season, in cooler weather, for the tastiest produce.
• There are fewer insects and diseases in the fall, so your vegetables are more likely to free of annoying blemishes.
• Rainfall is generally more frequent in the fall; so watering chores are reduced.
• The weather is more pleasant for you, the gardener.

Refer to the SUCCESSFUL VEGETABLE GARDENING section for information on planting dates and recommended varieties of vegetables for Rockwall County.  Also, a new publication has been added to get you started on fall gardening – “Fall Vegetable Gardening”.

For answers to your gardening questions, Master Gardeners are now available on Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office.  Stop by 915 Whitmore Dr., Suite B and a Rockwall County Master Gardener will be on hand to research questions and provide gardening information.  If you can not come by in person, call 972-204-7660 or email rockwallmg@ag.tamu.edu and a Master Gardener will respond to you in a timely manner.  If the volunteers can not answer your questions on the spot, they will continue to research or will consult with a specialist that has expertise in the subject matter.

If you would like to be added to our email mailing list, please send your name and email address to: rockwallmg@ag.tamu.edu.