Cooler temperatures and shorter days are our clue that autumn is here. We have such a narrow window when summer days meld into cooler days during the fall months. Now is the perfect time to take care of the chores outside and get your garden ready for the colder, winter months.

Excellent cool-season performers for our area include pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, violas and ornamental kale and cabbages. These flowering and ornate beauties can add a splash of color to your landscape and do not require a lot of maintenance. Adding herbs to your landscape is also an excellent idea. Rosemary is a proven performer for our climate and its evergreen foliage will add beauty, texture and fragrance to your landscape. Other plants that will add fragrance and beauty to your landscape include salvias and sages. Colors, smells and textures enhance the beauty of the home landscape as well as soothe the soul.

Now is the time to begin looking for trees and shrubs that you want to add to your landscape. Fall and early winter are the best times to plant woody perennials because the plants can develop a healthy root system and will be ready for new spring growth. As temperatures continue to cool, visit your favorite nursery or garden center and survey those trees while they showcase the beautiful fall foliage colors.

If you are a fan of roses, then you want to try our EarthKind™ roses which have been university-tested by Horticulturists with Texas AgriLife Extension Service. These roses have proven to be hardy, insect and disease resistant as well as excellent performers in our climate. If you want to see some of the various EarthKind™ rose varieties, then visit the Taylor County Courthouse grounds in addition to our demonstration gardens at the Taylor County Extension Office.

Before you get those clippers and hedgers out, wait another month or so because this is not the best time to prune — not yet! You can actually cause more damage and stress to your trees and shrubs. The risk of transmitting diseases and insects decreases when the plant is dormant. Let your plants use this time to do their best work — photosynthesis. Try this! Look at your trees and shrubs from all angles, and use paint to mark those branches that need to be removed. When the plant loses its foliage, you will then know what needs to come off because you had marked it. When you do prune, have a purpose and sanitize your equipment, especially before moving to another plant.

Mark your calendar and make sure you include the following as part of your “To-Do List” to make sure your garden and landscape are ready for the colder temperatures.

n As you make your final cutting of your turf area, use a mulching mower if possible. As the leaves fall from deciduous trees, mow and mulch the leaves back into the lawn area. If you bag your clippings, take them to the recycling center.

n Mulch! This is the No. 1 chore that must be done. Mulching will regulate the soil temperature and help to retain moisture during the cold winter months.

n Clean debris from annual and perennial beds to discourage insects from overwintering.

n Fertilize your deciduous and evergreen shrubs with a slow-release fertilizer.

Melissa Clifton is the County Extension Horticulturist in Taylor County and may be reached by email at dmclifton@ag.tamu.edu or by calling 672-6048. Visit the Taylor County Horticulture webpage at http://grovesite.com/mg/tamg for gardening how-to’s or email your questions to mgardeners@yahoo.com.