As the fall season approaches, this is a great time to think about adding new garden areas to your landscape.

Did you know that the fall season is the best time to plant woody perennials such as shrubs and trees? Now is also the best time to start a design plan if you do not have one already.

If you need help with your landscape or garden area, you should plan to attend the fourth annual Landscape Design School to be conducted in a few weeks. Get your registration in early because space is limited. This educational program will feature an array of gardening and landscaping information and techniques to help you garden successfully in the Big Country.

This school will be packed full of the latest researched-based techniques to help you in your gardening ventures. Imagine a beautiful landscape that will benefit us all when we garden with an environmentally-friendly approach.

Learn about soil and why it is more than just dirt! Knowing your soil is literally the foundation to maintaining a beautiful landscape. Once you know the type of soil you have, you will have an incredible amount of information to help you better manage your garden and landscape. As part of this educational program, you will receive a free soil test which will be analyzed by our soil testing lab at Texas A&M University.

Did you know that by amending your soil once, you can actually change the physical properties of your soil, which can improve water drainage and aeration? Guaranteed! By improving the physical nature of the soil environment, you improve plant performance.

• Learn new techniques and simple ways to help you reduce the amount of irrigation needed for your garden areas.

• Learn how you can reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

• Learn about landscape design principles which can improve plant performance and help to protect and conserve our valuable natural resources.

Water-efficient landscapes do not have to include only cactus and rock gardens. You can have a lush, green landscape full of beautiful plants. Come and learn about the best plants that will compliment your landscape and those that require minimum maintenance.

Planning and design of your landscape is very important and should be your first step. In your planning, think about what you want to accomplish. By using good design principles, your garden will thrive and you will get your desired results. Did you know that the No. 1 mistake made in the home landscape is the misplacement of plants? Wrong plant, wrong place, means disaster.

Don’t be frustrated anymore. Take pictures or draw some sketches of your landscape and consider some details that you would like to incorporate, and bring these when you register.

The Earth-Kind™ Landscape Design School will be conducted at the Taylor County Extension Office, which is located on the grounds of the Taylor County Fairgrounds.

The multisession program will be conducted from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 18, 19, 24 and 25. The fee for this educational program is $75, and preregistration is required. Remember that with your paid registration, you will receive educational publications and materials to assist you in your landscape design process, including a design kit, a soil test and a one-hour consultation session with a landscape professional.

Call the Extension Office to get more information, or visit http://grovesite.com/mg/tamg and download the registration form.

Melissa Clifton is the Extension Horticulturist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service for Taylor County and may be reached at dmclifton@ag.tamu.edu or (325) 672-6048.