What to Plant in August in Houston, Dallas & Austin

August in Texas is known for one thing: heat. But don't let the sizzling temperatures fool you into thinking your gardening season is over. In fact, late summer is the perfect time to start planning for a bountiful fall garden. By planting the right vegetables, flowers, and herbs now, you'll be well on your way to a beautiful and productive landscape as the weather cools.

This is also a critical time to ensure your landscape's lifeline—its irrigation system—is ready for the shift in seasons. A properly functioning sprinkler system is the secret to a successful fall garden and a vibrant lawn.

Houston: Embracing the Second Spring

Houston's mild winters give you a fantastic advantage, allowing for a second planting season in late summer. The key is to get heat-tolerant seedlings in the ground now so they can establish strong roots before the real fall weather arrives.

What to Plant in Houston in August:

* Vegetables: Believe it or not, late summer is the perfect time to plant for a fall harvest of delicious veggies. Consider planting fast-growing varieties of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. You can also plant seeds for carrots, collards, Swiss chard, and kale. For a surprisingly sweet fall treat, plant cherry tomatoes and peppers this month.

* Herbs: Many herbs thrive in the heat. Plant basil, rosemary, oregano, and lemongrass to enjoy fresh flavors all year long.

* Flowers: Add some color to your landscape with heat-loving flowers like bougainvillea, hibiscus, and Texas rock rose.

Dallas: Preparing for a North Texas Fall

Gardening in Dallas in August requires a bit of foresight. While you're still dealing with intense heat, you can get a head start on your cool-season crops by planting seeds indoors or choosing hardy transplants.

What to Plant in Dallas in August:

* Vegetables: Start seeds for fall vegetables indoors, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. These "brassicas" have a long growing period and will be ready to transplant outdoors as the weather cools. You can also directly sow seeds for black-eyed peas, okra, corn, and cucumbers.

* Flowers: Bring in some color with fall annuals like marigolds and zinnias. It's also a great time to sow wildflower seeds for a stunning spring display.

* Perennials: August is an ideal time to divide summer and fall-blooming perennials and plant bearded iris rhizomes.

Austin: A Central Texas Harvest

Austin gardeners know that August is a time of transition. While the days are still scorching, the end of the hot season is in sight. Take advantage of this time to plant for a fall garden that will thrive in Austin's unique climate.

What to Plant in Austin in August:

* Vegetables: Get a head start on fall vegetables by planting seeds indoors for bok choy, kale, Swiss chard, and spinach. Toward the end of the month, you can plant your last round of fast-maturing vegetables like green beans, cucumbers, and squash.

* Herbs: Perennial herbs like sage, thyme, oregano, mint, and rosemary can be planted now to establish strong roots before the cooler weather arrives.

* Tomatoes & Peppers: August is the final window to plant quick-growing tomato varieties like Sun Gold or Juliet for a fall harvest. Peppers also do exceptionally well in the August heat.

A Texas Garden’s Best Friend: Your Irrigation System

Whether you're in Houston, Dallas, or Austin, the one constant for a successful August garden is a reliable irrigation system. New plants and seedlings are especially vulnerable to the Texas heat and require consistent, deep watering to survive and establish strong root systems.

Here's how Simply Sprinkler of Texas can help you this season:

* System Check-Up: Before you get planting, have our expert technicians inspect your system. We'll check for leaks, adjust sprinkler heads, and ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible.

* Smart Controller Installation: Upgrade to a smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts watering schedules based on local weather, plant type, and soil conditions. This is the ultimate tool for water conservation and a healthy garden.

* Drip Irrigation for Beds: For your new vegetable and flower beds, a drip irrigation system is a game-changer. It delivers water directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and ensuring your plants get exactly what they need.

Don't let the Texas heat intimidate you. With the right plants and a little help from Simply Sprinkler of Texas, you can look forward to a vibrant and productive fall garden. Contact us today to schedule your irrigation system tune-up!