Trees & Shrubs:

Fall is prime planting season in Mississippi because roots establish well in cooler soil. By planting in September–November, your trees and shrubs get a head start before next summer’s heat.

With soil temperatures cooling but still warm enough for root growth, trees and shrubs planted now will continue to establish well into winter. This gives them a huge advantage before next summer’s heat.

Recommended Plants:

Because it is the perfect time of year to plant, there is not a limit to what is good to plant in the fall. Any tree/shrub you plant now will have ample time to establish roots in time for next summer's heat.

Recommended Plants:

• Sasanqua Camellia (shi shi, yuletide, etc) - these shrubs will be blooming in the fall months
• Small fruit trees are also a good choice to plant this time of year.
• Hardwood trees - Maple, Bald Cypress, Oak, Elm are all good hardwood trees to plant in our area that will benefit from fall planting.

Flowering Trees:

• Crape Myrtle - summer blooms
• Redbud (Eastern or Oklahoma) – Spring flowers; does well in partial shade.
• Dogwood (Flowering or Kousa) – Iconic southern favorite, best in filtered light.
• Magnolia (Little Gem, Teddy Bear, Southern Magnolia) – Evergreen with fragrant flowers.
  

Evergreen Trees

• Carolina Sapphire Cypress – Fragrant, blue-green foliage.
• Eastern Red Cedar – Native, drought-tolerant, and wildlife-friendly.
• Holly (Nellie Stevens, Savannah, Foster’s) Great for screening, berries for wildlife.

When planning new trees and shrubs, use Callaway’s Bed Builder to improve soil before
planting and be sure to provide daily watering. Water with Ferti-lome Root
Stimulator weekly for up to 5 weeks.

Perennials

October is your last big window for dividing, moving, or adding perennials before frost. Cooler air means less transplant stress, while soil is still warm enough for root development.

• Sun Loving: Dianthus, Coneflowers, Coneflowers (Echinacea), Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), Gaillardia (Blanket Flower), Coreopsis, Mexican Bush Sage
• Shade Loving: Autumn Fern, Heuchera, Hostas, Liriope
• But remember you can plant dormant perennials now to give them a leg up at establishing before next summer.

Be sure to cut back tired summer perennials and refresh beds with fall mulch.

Annuals:

Cool-season color is in full swing this month! October is the time to replace faded summer annuals with hardy fall and winter blooms.

Your summer annuals will hang on until the first killing frost. Temperatures will need to be consistently around 28 degrees for a "killing frost."

Sun Loving: Pansies, Violas (Johnny Jump Ups), Snapdragons, Dusty Miller, Ornamental Kale & Cabbage

Shade Loving: Alyssum.
Petunias, Pansies, & Violas can handle part shade.

Mix violas and pansies for long-lasting, colorful display into early spring.

Tropicals:

By mid to late October, overnight lows may dip into the 40s. Start moving tropicals, citrus, and potted houseplants inside before temperatures approach the frost range. Check plants for pests before bringing them indoors.

Tropicals will go dormant inside, often loosing many of their leaves. No need to worry! They will come back in the warmer months. Water sparingly through the winter months.

Vegetables

October is one of the most productive months in the fall garden.

Transplant in October:
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Lettuce

Direct Sow in October:
Turnips, Mustard Greens, Collards, Kale, Spinach, Radishes, Carrots, Beets

Cool Season Herbs:
Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Chives

Mulch around cool-season crops once seedlings are established to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Attract Pollinators

October flowers such as camellias and salvias keep pollinators active.

Continue feeding hummingbirds until you notice migration slows. Shop our
hummingbird feeders!

Pruning & Cleaning

Stick to light pruning only – heavy cuts may push new growth vulnerable to frost.

Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

Clean up summer vegetable debris to prevent pests and diseases.

Cut back faded annuals to refresh planting beds.

Insect & Pest Control

Monitor fall vegetables for cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles.

Scout lawns for grubs and fire ants – treat early before winter.

Continue to watch roses and ornamentals for thrips, scale, and mites.

Repotting

Cooler weather is ideal for repotting root-bound plants or dividing houseplants. Reduced stress means faster recovery before plants go dormant.

Lawn Care

October is the transition month for lawns in Central MS:

• Fertilize with a slow-release lawn food (avoid high nitrogen).
• Reseed or overseed bare spots in late September–October.
• Water deeply once a week if rain is lacking.
• Keep an eye out for army worms. Their peak season is late August through early fall. If Army Worms are present, use Hi-Yield 38-Plus or Bug Blaster. More info on treating and preventing armyworms!

Get instructions specific to your grass:

• Bermuda & Zoysia
• Centipede
• St Augustine

Mulch & Straw

A fresh layer of mulch/pine straw around trees, shrubs, and garden beds helps stabilize soil temperatures before first frost:

• Maintain 2–3 inches of mulch or pinestraw
• Replenish after heavy rain
• Keep mulch pulled back from base of stems/trunks

Mulch helps conserve moisture, but is also insulates roots through winter. A well mulched/strawed bed will help keep weeds away.