Once we hit “Autumn” in San Antonio, we can count on fluctuating temperatures. In fact, it isn’t odd for us to see temps of 50 degrees to 80 degrees in the same week! However, we can expect consistently cooler temperatures in November, with our first freeze of the year typically showing up around November 15.

It’s important to be prepared and on top of the freezing weather, for the sake of your landscaping! You’ll want to have fabric or old sheets ready to cover plants when the time comes. If the forecast calls for an overnight freeze, you can cover your more vulnerable spots before bed to give them a little protection ahead of time.

And just because colder weather is coming doesn’t mean your garden can be neglected. There’s plenty you can be doing in your garden this month.

If you take care of your own landscaping, this is a perfect time of year to plant trees and shrubs. During the winter, plants can establish their roots while their tops remain dormant until the spring. The same applies to bulbs like Daffodils and Hyacinths and their friends.

You may not know that your lawn will still grow, but a lot more slowly than in warmer months. You can keep it mowed, collecting grass clippings for your compost pile if you have one. Falling leaves also make great additions to the compost pile and use them as a light mulch in your shrub, flower, and vegetable plants.

Don’t prune your trees too soon. Wait until December through February for the best time to prune.

And if you’re looking for new things to plant at this time of year, here’s a great place to start.