Ferrill's Foliage

09/23/2026

OCTOBER

BULBS TO PLANT: Allium, Anemone, Amaryllis, Calla, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Cooperia, Dietes, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Hymenocallis, Iris, Louisiana Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Narcissus, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Sparaxis, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

HERBS TO PLANT: Borage, Burnet, Caraway, Catnip, Celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Lemon Balm, Mexican Mint Marigold, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Winter Savory, Sorrell, Thyme, Yarrow.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Bluebonnet Calendula, Columbine, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Gaillardia, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Pinks, Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ajuga, Alyssum, Bluebonnet, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Columbine, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gazania, Gerberas, Hollyhock, Indian Blanket, Larkspur, Liatris, Nasturtium, Pansy, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Physostegia, Primula obconica(german primrose), Salvia, Sedum, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES: Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kohlrabi Lettuce (leaf types), Mustards Greens, Multipling Onions, Radish, Spinach, Turnip. Be sure to dig your sweet pototoes before the first frost.

ROSES need only to have the dead wood cut out . Wait until January - February to do your heavy pruning. Feed only slightly with a rose food now and then again in March

Continue cleaning beds, adding healthy debris to your compost pile. Clean up and replenish all mulch for the winter.

Cut tops of perennials after they have bloomed. Divide roots and transplant anytime from now until March, the earlier the better. Try to do this now when the weather is cooler and there is not so much to do. Don't foget the root stimulator.

Dig and store caladiums before the foliage dies. Allow the bulbs to dry in an open flat then shake off the dried soil and dust with sulphur to control fungus.

Remove dead wood from trees and shrubs. Watch for stinging caterpillars.

LAWNS: Watch for brown patch in St. Augustine grass. These circular brown patches are caused by a fungus that is activated by cooler weather. Control with Terraclor or Daconil.

Reduce watering of houseplant. Cut food in 1/2 for the winter for the days are shorter and they need less of both.

Camellias need to be watched for scale. If needed spray now.

Prune fruit trees when leaves begin to fall. Remove all dead, weak and overcrowded growth. Prune back main branches to control size and shape. Spray with dormant oil when temperature is between 30f and 60f.

BULB & PLANT MART SALE THIS MONTH CALL OR GO TO THEIR WEB SIGHT FOR DATES AND TIMES.
The Garden Clubs of Houston 4212 San Felipe PMB 486
Houston, Texas 77027-2902
Telephone 713 526 5199

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09/14/2026

09/02/2026

September

BULBS TO PLANT: Allium, Anemone, Calla, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Cooperia, Dahlia, Dietes, Hemerocallis (daylilies) Hymenocallis, Louisiana Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Narcissus, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Arctotis, Bell of Ireland, Calendula, Columbine, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gerbera, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gaillardia, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Phlox, Physostegia, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Stokes Aster, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES late this month as weather cools Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kohlrabi and Mustards Greens.

Dig and divide perennials like daylilies, iris, violets, cannas and other spring bloomers.

Keep watering to ensure good spring blooms on flowering trees and shrubs. Bloom buds are already set and lack of moisture now will cause lack of blooms in the spring.

Take cutting of coleus and geraniums for potting and replanting in the spring.

Fertilize mums every 2 - 3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color.

Keep w**ds under control. Mulch will help. Mulching is not meant to eliminate your garden chores, it just makes them easier.

ROSES - Continue feeding, watering and mulching. As cooler weather approaches, water in the morning to discourage mildew and black spot.

As weather cools clean up beds. Dispose of all old stalks and dead leaves. Dust with sulphur to control fungus. Add fresh mulch if needed.

Twig girdler (cutting insects) increase activity in the cooler weather attacking the soft summer growth on trees, especially mimosas, pecans and oaks. Spray trunk and branches with malathion every two weeks through October.


Start compost pile

Prune to remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Lightly prune pyracanthas so berries will show.

08/07/2026

08/02/2026

AUGUST

BULBS TO PLANT: Caladiums, Colchicum, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Louisiana Iris, Lycoris, Zephyranthes

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranthus, Balsam, Bluebell, Bluebonnets, Calendula, Candytuft, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Lupin, Marigold, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Snapdragon.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Gaillardia, Geranium, Marigold, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Shrimp plant, Stokes Aster, Verbena, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Start your fall garden between now and August with Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Squash. Tip: When planting squash put a small hand full of 7 dust in hole to keep squash borer away. The late part of this month start your potatoes.

LAWNS - St. Augustine should be mowed to a 2" to help protect the roots and reduce stress. Avoid using w**d killer when the temperatures are above 85f.

Crepe Myrtles will continue to bloom if you remove faded blooms and seed pods. Keep a check for powdery mildew. Try watering in the morning to control this problem or control with triple action 20.

Keep azaleas and fruit trees well watered. Spring blooms are developing.

Fertilize fruiting vegetables weekly after first fruit has set for higher productivity. Feed mums every 2 - 3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color. Gardenias can be fed with azalea - camellia food. Fertilize roses for fall blooms. Feed berries and fruit trees that show poor color and growth.

Prune photinias for red fall color. Thin camellia to one bloom per cluster for bigger flowers. Pinch mums for the last time. Remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Blackberry canes which have born fruit need to be cut down to the ground. Then fertilize with a high phosphate fertilizer.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

FLIES IN THE HOUSE? Try this; a zip lock baggie half full of water, tack it above doors or on the wall and no more flies. The flies see it and think it is a hornet nest and will stay away. This can be used anywhere including barns, kennels, or chicken coops. Nice and safe.

BLACK SPOT ON ROSES ? Try this mix 2 teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of ivory soap with a gallon of water. Spray the whole bush. Reapply every 4 to 5 days until stops are gone.

Watering roses and crape myrtles in the morning will help prevent this problem all together.

07/07/2026

JULY

BULBS TO PLANT: Crinum, Hemerocallis (daylilies).

HERBS TO PLANT: Keep blooms pinched off basil, to encourage more leaves. If you have more leaves then you can use try this put leaves in blender with some water mix then put in ice tray to freeze once frozen take cubes out put in baggies and when you need fresh basil put a basil cube in the dish. Put a sprig of rosemary in your car for a refreshing smell.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Balsam, Castor Bean, Coleus, Cockscomb, Cosmos, Cleome, Cosmos, Four O Clocks, Gaillardia, Marigold, Perwinkle, Portulaca, Sunflower, Tithonia, Torenia, Zinnia.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Geranium, Lantana, Portulaca, Salvia, Sedum, Shrimp plant, Stokes Aster, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Okra, Southern Pea, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato. Start your fall garden between now and August with Peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, and squash. Tip: When planting squash put a small hand full of 7 dust in hole to keep squash borer away.

Want fall color ? Plant some annual seeds like zinnia, marigold cosmos and petunia. You will have color until frost.

Fertilize peaches and plum with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This will encourage good, green growth from now until frost.

ROSES will need to be pruned slightly to keep in shape.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

HERBS THAT REPEL PEST:
Peppermint, spearmint, tansy, and wormwood repels ants.
Garlic repels rabbits and peach borers.
Dill, Borage, and opal basil repels tomatoe hornworms, and the list goes on and on. A great book on herbs is Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Herbs

USES OF HERBS: Baths -- Some are soothing while others are stimulating, dyes, culinary, crafts, companion planting, medicinal, for insects and other uses. Most are not hard to grow. Try some this year. Do your research.

A GARDENER'S PRAYER
Thank You God for Sun and Showers
Thank You God for Each Lovely Flower
Thank You God for each Stately Tree
Through All These, You Speak to Me

06/09/2026

We still have a good supply of pollenator friendly, perennial starter plants. Still on sale for $1.50 in 4" pots. come see.!!

05/22/2026

Not all caterpillars are pests. Many will grow into butterflies and moths that help pollinate your garden later on.

The difference comes down to recognition. When you know which species you’re seeing, you can respond more thoughtfully—leaving the beneficial ones and managing those that cause serious damage.

Because balance matters. A few chewed leaves are part of a healthy ecosystem, but large infestations can stress plants. The goal isn’t to ignore the problem—it’s to step in only when it’s truly needed.

A resilient garden supports the full cycle.
Leaf-eating caterpillars today. Pollinating adults tomorrow.

Work with that rhythm, and your garden becomes stronger, more stable, and more alive over time.