October Gardening Isn’t Autopilot: What to Plant & Watch in Zone 9

October may finally bring cooler mornings to Southeast Texas, but that doesn’t mean the garden can go on autopilot. In this shorter episode of The Compost Pile, David heads into the demo garden to talk about what Zone 9 gardeners should be paying attention to right now. As temperatures change and rainfall becomes more frequent, our watering habits need to change too. Instead of watering just because it’s part of the routine, it’s time to check the soil, watch the plants, and respond to what the garden actually needs. We also cover what you can still plant in October, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, collards, carrots, radishes, beets, turnips, and herbs. Plus, we look ahead to short-day onion season and why you need to start planning space for upcoming crops now. We’ll also share a simple old-school trick for improving carrot germination by keeping the seedbed consistently moist. Fall gardening may be easier than fighting the peak of a Southeast Texas summer, but there’s still plenty to do. Get outside, put your hands in the soil, and let the garden tell you what it needs. 🌱 The Compost Pile — breaking down gardening, homesteading, and more so you can be more successful in the garden.