Week 42: Oct 11 – 17, 2026
BEDS, TREES & SHRUBS, PLUS WHAT'S GOING OUT THE DOOR
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
QUICK STATS
| Measure | This week |
|---|---|
| Year-to-date rainfall | 17.36 inches |
| Compared to normal | 0.63 inch BELOW |
| 24-hour average soil temperature | 82°F |
| 5-day average soil temperature | 80.8°F |
Rainfall measured at BES-TEX Supply, 4512 Adobe Dr., San Angelo, TX.
Soil temperature tracked using Syngenta GreenCast.
GOOD MORNING FROM THE PORCH
It's Sunday morning, and I'm sitting here writing this week's Weekly Insight, enjoying these cool mornings.
But as we all know, the sun is going to come out and it's going to get hot again. We're headed back to 87 by midweek.
And once again, there's rain in the forecast. 45 percent Wednesday, 75 percent Thursday, 50 percent Friday. We've heard that before, but we'll take it if it comes.
We're now 0.63 inch below normal for the year, so I'm not just hoping for that Thursday rain. I'm planning around it.
BEDS, TREES & SHRUBS
Last week I promised we'd talk about your beds, trees and shrubs. So grab a glass of iced tea.
Up top, things are slowing down. Down below, the roots keep growing as long as the soil stays warm. What you do now shows up next spring.
Mulch: the big one this week. If you only do one thing in your beds this fall, get your mulch depth right. Years of university horticulture research, and a lot of years behind our counter, point to the same sweet spot: about 3 inches, and no more.
Don't take my word for it. Ask Ronnie. Ronnie said so, and that settles it.
Too thin, and it can't do its job. The soil dries out, the weeds come through, and the roots take the full hit of a hot afternoon or a hard freeze.
Too deep, and you smother the roots. Water and air have a hard time getting down to them, and the roots start growing up into the mulch instead of down into the soil.
Mulch breaks down every year, so check what's there before you add more. Stick a finger or a ruler in it, then top it off to about 3 inches.
And think doughnut, not volcano. Keep it a few inches off trunks and stems. Mulch piled against the bark holds moisture right where you don't want it and invites rot and bugs.
Most of our mulch runs about $4 for a 2 cubic foot bag. Here's how far one bag goes:
| Depth | One 2 cu ft bag covers | A 10 x 10 bed needs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch (topping off) | 24 sq ft | 5 bags, about $20 |
| 2 inches | 12 sq ft | 9 bags, about $36 |
| 3 inches (the max) | 8 sq ft | 13 bags, about $52 |
Measure your beds before you come in, and we'll help you figure how many bags you need.
Watering. Cool mornings fool us. Your plants still need water, just not as often. Check the soil under the mulch before you water. Water trees out at the drip line, where the feeder roots are, not at the trunk. Anything planted this year, water right on the root ball. And if Thursday's rain shows up, shut the sprinklers off.
Plant health. Seeing yellow leaves, spots or webbing? Bring us a picture or a sample in a sealed bag. And don't feed everything just because it's fall. A bag of fertilizer won't fix a watering problem.
Trim now or wait? Dead or broken branches? Go ahead, any time of year. Everything else, including your crape myrtles, waits until February. Cutting hard now pushes tender new growth that a freeze will burn. The one exception is spring bloomers like redbud. Trim those after they bloom.
One note on oaks. Skip pruning them February through June because of oak wilt, and paint any oak wound right away, any time of year.
Plant now. Fall is one of the best times to plant a tree or shrub out here. The roots get a head start before summer. Dig wide, not deep, and pick something that fits the spot when it's full grown.
WHAT'S GOING OUT THE DOOR
Ryegrass. Our soil is at 82, and the rule of thumb says overseed under about 72. But our clay loam is like a cast-iron skillet. It holds the heat, but pour water on it and it cools off quick. If Thursday's rain holds, get your seed down ahead of it and let the rain water it in. Gulf Annual is $53.40, Futura 2000 Perennial is $131.00, and 12-24-12 starter fertilizer is $42.00, all 50 lb bags.
Pre-emergent. It's never too late. There are just better times, and with rain coming, this is a good one. But a pre-emergent doesn't know a weed seed from the ryegrass you just spread. It does one job. So don't put it where you're overseeding.
Fertilizer. With afternoons in the upper 80s, your Bermuda is still growing, so this is about last call for its final feeding. Our 21-7-14 fertilizer (21% nitrogen, 7% phosphorus, 14% potassium) has slow-release nitrogen and 5% iron, and it's $45.80 a bag. Think of it like filling the pantry before winter. Overseeding? Use the starter there instead.
Rodents. When the nights cool off, your garage looks like a free motel with the light left on. Start with the building, not the bait. Seal the gaps, clean up, then set traps or bait stations along the walls. We carry Bell Laboratories products. Always follow the label, and keep kids and pets safe.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Cool mornings, a hot middle of the week, and a Thursday we're all watching.
Mulch your beds, water smart, save the pruning for February, and keep the mice out of the house.
Happy Sunday, everyone.
BES-TEX Supply
4512 Adobe Dr.
San Angelo, TX 76903
325.653.1300