Fall Gardening in Houston Texas: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Bountiful cool season Garden

👋 Why Fall Gardening in Texas Is the Secret Season You’ll Love

I still remember the first time I planted kale in October here in Houston. I figured I was too late—it was sweater weather, after all! But within weeks, those baby plants took off like rockets. By Thanksgiving, I was harvesting armfuls of greens while my summer tomatoes were just a memory. 🌿

Here’s the thing: fall might just be the best-kept secret for Texas gardeners. Not only is it cooler and easier to work outside, but we actually get two planting windows during this season—double the harvest, double the fun!

• Mid-August is perfect for a final encore of spring favorites like green beans, cucumbers, and squash.

• Mid-October kicks off cool-season crop heaven—leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, and more.

Whether you're in Houston, Pearland, or planting from afar, fall is your time to shine in the garden. Let’s walk through how to prep, plant, and harvest for success.

🌱 What Makes Fall Gardening in Texas So Unique?

Texas offers something few other states can: a long, mild fall season that supports two distinct planting waves. Here’s why that matters:

✅ Warm Soil + Cool Air = Ideal for Growing

Your soil stays warm well into November, which means seeds germinate quickly and roots get established fast—without the scorching stress of summer.

✅ Fewer Pests and Less Disease

Fall brings natural pest control: many bugs like squash vine borers and spider mites taper off in late summer. You’ll deal with fewer infestations, especially if you're growing organically.

✅ Reliable Rainfall = Less Watering

In South Texas (especially Houston and Pearland), fall rain helps establish your crops and takes pressure off your watering schedule.

✅ Fall Gardening Is Regionally Flexible

• Gulf Coast (Zone 9a–9b): Plant well into November.

• Central Texas (Zone 8): Act by early October to beat the first frost.

• North Texas (Zones 7–8): Plant early and consider frost protection later.

🥦 What to Plant in a Texas Fall Vegetable Garden

Here’s what to plant and when—whether you’re starting fresh or flipping summer beds:

🌞 First Fall Planting (Mid–August): Encore of Spring

Quick-growing warm-season crops that mature before first frost:

• Green beans (bush types are fastest)

• Zucchini and yellow squash

• Cucumbers

• Cherry tomatoes (via transplants)

• Basil

⏳ Pro Tip: Look for varieties that mature in under 60 days.

🍃 Second Fall Planting (Mid–October): Cool-Season Favorites

🥗 Leafy Greens

• Kale

• Spinach

• Lettuce

• Collards

• Swiss chard

🥕 Root Vegetables

• Carrots

• Radishes

• Beets

• Turnips

🥦 Brassicas

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Kohlrabi

🌿 Herbs

• Cilantro

• Dill

• Parsley

• Chives

🌸 Companion Flowers

• Nasturtiums

• Calendula

• Marigolds (plant in August for blooms)

• Sweet alyssum

🌼 Why it matters: Flowers attract pollinators and beneficial bugs that support organic pest control.

🛠️ How to Prepare Your Garden Beds for Fall Planting in Texas

A strong fall garden starts with soil care. Here's how I prep my beds every fall:

🌿 1. Clear Spent Plants, Leave the Roots

Cut down summer plants at the base instead of yanking them out. The roots decompose and improve soil structure.

♻️ 2. Add Compost as Mulch

I skip bark mulch and use finished compost as my mulch in fall—it feeds the soil and boosts my plants.

• Apply 1–2 inches of compost across each bed.

• Add worm castings or organic fertilizer if planting heavy feeders.

🍂 Anecdote: “Every fall, I treat compost like a cozy blanket for my soil—it warms, nourishes, and sets the stage for strong roots.”

🧺 3. Solarize or Smother Weeds (If You’re Not Planting Yet)

Use cardboard or clear plastic to kill off weeds before mid-October planting.

📅 4. Follow a Fall Planting Timeline

• Mid–August: Warm-season encore crops

• Late September: Direct sow greens, carrots, and beets

• Mid–October: Transplant brassicas and herbs

🔗 Download my planting calendar for Houston planting schedule.

🐛 Organic Pest & Disease Control in Your Fall Garden

Fall is gentler on your garden—but here’s how to stay ahead of the few pests that linger:

🔍 Watch for These Common Fall Garden Pests

• Cabbage loopers

• Aphids

• Flea beetles

👀 Do a weekly “pest check” early in the morning—look under leaves and check new growth.

🛡️ Use Organic Defenses

• Row cover to prevent pest damage and trap warmth

• Neem oil for aphids (spray early, in diluted form) ( not on super sunny days/temps over 90F)

• BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) for caterpillar control (in the evenings since it is harmful to the bees)

• Companion planting with dill, nasturtium, and alyssum

🔄 Rotate Crops & Keep Beds Clean

Don’t replant brassicas in the same bed—rotate to prevent soil-borne pests. Clean up fallen leaves and yellowing plants to avoid fungal issues.

💧 Water Strategically

• Water deeply and less often.

• Aim for mornings to avoid mildew buildup.

🧺 Harvesting & Maintaining Your Texas Fall Garden

Here’s how to keep your fall garden producing:

✂️ Harvest Like a Pro

• Pick leafy greens from the outer leaves—plants will regrow.

• Harvest radishes and carrots young for the sweetest flavor.

• Broccoli will send out side shoots after you cut the main head.

🔁 Succession Plant

• Replant salad greens, radishes, or herbs every 2–3 weeks through mid-November.

💦 Adjust Watering & Feeding

• Water less frequently—cooler temps = slower evaporation.

• Feed heavy feeders like cabbage with compost tea or fish emulsion every few weeks.

❄️ Prep for Frost (But Don’t Panic)

• Keep frost cloth on hand starting mid-November.

• Kale, collards, and spinach get sweeter after a light frost!

🌟 Let Your Fall Garden Be the Start of Something Bigger

Fall gardening in Texas is your chance to reset—to build soil, grow greens, and actually enjoy being outside again. Whether you're harvesting homegrown salads in December or just starting to experiment with cool-season crops, now’s the time to dig in.

💚 Organic gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be consistent—and fall is the best time to build that rhythm.

👉 Ready to Grow with Support?

🏡 In South Houston ?

Need help planning and planting your fall garden?
Check out my services page and let’s get your raised beds fall-ready, together.

💬 I’d Love to Hear From You:

What are YOU planting this fall? Email me or tag me on Instagram—I’m cheering you on from my compost-covered gloves! 🌱💪