Houstonians get ready for “Second Spring' while rest of nation prepares for winter

HOUSTON, Texas – As the autumn months approach, Houstonians are looking forward to cooler temperatures and outdoor activities. The hot summer sun often prohibits home owners from enjoying their outdoor spaces. From September through December, the area experiences a more moderate climate with lower humidity. Unlike most of the nation, the Gulf Coast region rarely suffers from plummeting autumn temperatures, the bite of hard freezes or harsh winters. For master landscapers such as Mark Seavers, president of Seavers Landscape in Houston, this provides a unique opportunity to install and maintain landscapes that aren’t possible in other areas.

Seavers calls this time of temperate weather a Second Spring. “In Houston, we have four seasons: Spring, Summer, Second Spring, and Fall,” Seavers said. The second spring is an ideal time for planting. “This is a whole new growing season and a great time to establish trees, shrubs and perennials, without the threat of frost, so they can endure the next hot summer.”

Some recommendations for flowers to plant now are pansies, cyclamen, snapdragons, and wildflower seed mixtures. “There are also trees, shrubs and fall vegetables that you can add to your garden at this time of year,” Seavers said. Fall in Houston is also a good time to start rose bushes for the best spring growth possible. Seavers recommends pruning rose bushes now to put plants in shape for a big payoff in November. “November also brings another blooming cycle for perennials.”

Seavers maintains that the best thing about this time of year is that people can really enjoy their outdoor spaces with all the activity and color around them. Fall in Houston is an ideal time for backyard barbecues, parties or just hanging out with friends and family. “This is the season for dining and entertaining outdoors without the heat and humidity of the summer months,” he said. “People can relax on the porch or around a fire pit.”

Fall is an active time for wildlife too. “You will see a lot of different species of birds this time of year, both native and migratory, so it’s a perfect time for birdwatching.” Landscaping companies such as Seavers Landscape provide a number of ways to augment a homeowner’s landscape for the second spring. “For instance, we can put in a patio, a fire pit or a naturalistic water feature, as well as some shade trees for a living arbor, even when other areas are experiencing temperatures too cold and autumns too harsh to get the same benefit.”

Seavers Landscape services Houston and surrounding areas. It is located at 14781 Memorial Drive #160 in Houston. For more information, call 713-783-1790 or visit www.seaverslandscape.com.