Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews

Adam and Amber ease us into “pre-fall” and what that means for your yard. Timely to-dos: it’s the last call for fall lawn fertilizing and pre-emergent; true freeze talk can wait. Fall color arrives with violas (heat-tolerant pansy cousins), wonderfully fragrant stock, ornamental kale & cabbage, and eye-popping ornamental peppers (pretty—don’t rub your eyes!).

Plant of the Week: Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) — a Texas Superstar shade tree that laughs at heat, cold, and clay. Expect long life, strong fall color (oranges → reds), deep non-surface roots, pest resistance, and minimal mess (female berries dry in place). Listener Eric calls in to rave about his—and yes, birds will “help” plant a few extras.

West Texas is easing toward fall, and Adam & Amber share how the shorter days and cooler nights kick plants into gear. We hit the week’s forecast, the State Fair effect (bring that rain!), and a quick celestial note on daylight. Then: a fun recap of our succulent-pumpkin workshop.

Plant of the Week is Asiatic (Asian) Jasmine—why it’s the near-bulletproof, evergreen groundcover for Abilene (shade to sun, drought-tough, low-maintenance) and how to plant and use it in beds and containers.

Adam & Amber kick off this week’s Landscaping in the Big Country with a look at the skies—Saturn opposition and the autumn equinox. They spotlight a community car wash supporting Dyess We Care’s Operation Special Santa, then dig into the plant of the week: mint. From peppermint to mojito, chocolate to pineapple, they share varieties, uses, and even its surprising bug-repelling powers. Plus, fall lawn care tips, pre-emergent timing, and why September is prime time for mums, bulbs, and planning new trees and shrubs. Tune in for a mix of gardening know-how, local flavor, and a few laughs.

Fall is (almost) here—even if the thermometer still says 95. Adam & Amber break down exactly when to put out pre-emergent, your final lawn fertilization, and why mums (Chrysanthemum grandiflorum) are the perfect plant-of-the-week—plus how florist mums differ from hardy garden mums. They cover raised-bed basics (drainage + soil mix), frost-tolerant fall veggies and herbs to start now, and smart watering for St. Augustine. Bonus: pumpkins are in, sod season is closing fast, and fall is prime time to plant trees in the Big Country. Tune in for practical, local how-tos that make your landscape thrive.

A wild Texas weather swing kicks off this week’s Landscaping in the Big Country as Adam & Amber dive into fall prep: when to put down pre-emergent (and why it beats curative sprays), tackling nutsedge and khaki weed, and why pecan “suckers” won’t grow into true trees. Plus, plant spotlights on the century plant (Agave americana), bromeliads, and easy-care air plants, with practical tips on cold-hardiness, watering, and variegation. Tune in for local, no-nonsense advice made for the Big Country.

Adam Andrews zeroes in on this week’s biggest Big Country yard problems—what to tackle now, what to hold until the temps break, and the money-saving move most folks overlook. Quick, West-Texas-proof fixes you can put to work today.

Landscaping in the Big Country - Listen In!