While the rest of the country is putting their gardens to bed, Tampa Bay is just getting started. September through November is the best planting window of the year here — soil stays warm, nights cool down, and the brutal summer sun finally eases up.
What to plant now
Fall is ideal for shrubs, trees, and perennials that need time to establish roots before next summer's heat. It's also when cool-season color comes in.
- Shrubs: viburnum, loropetalum, and dwarf ixora
- Trees: live oaks, crape myrtles, and magnolias
- Color: petunias, snapdragons, and pansies after mid-October
- Groundcovers: perennial peanut and sunshine mimosa
Refresh your mulch
Summer rain breaks mulch down fast. A fresh 2–3 inch layer in fall insulates roots, holds moisture, and keeps beds looking sharp through the holidays. Keep mulch pulled a few inches back from trunks and stems to prevent rot.
Prune with a light touch
Light shaping is fine, but avoid heavy pruning of tropical plants like hibiscus and croton in late fall — new growth pushed now can get burned by a January cold snap. Save the hard cutbacks for late February.
Plan your irrigation check
As rainfall drops, your irrigation schedule needs to change — but most systems are still running their summer program. Fall is the perfect time for an irrigation audit: check coverage, fix broken heads, and dial back run times. Your water bill will thank you.
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