October brings a welcome break from the summer heat here in Fayetteville and the surrounding Sandhills, and it’s one of the best months to get your landscape in shape. At Green Biz, we’re not just about gardens—we’re about designing and maintaining beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces year-round. Whether you’re a DIY homeowner or a property manager planning fall maintenance, here are our top tips to make October work for your landscape.
1. Fall Is for Planting
In our zone (8a), October offers ideal conditions for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. The cooler air means less stress for new plants, while the soil remains warm enough to support strong root growth. Now’s the time to plant:
- Evergreen shrubs for year-round structure
- Shade trees for long-term value
- Fall-blooming perennials like asters and sedum
- Native plants that thrive in the Sandhills
Need help planning a layout or installing? Our landscape design team can help you create a cohesive, low-maintenance plan tailored to your property.
2. Overseed and Fertilize Fescue Lawns
October is the window to overseed fescue lawns and apply a fall fertilizer. Overseeding helps fill in bare spots and encourages a lush, green lawn all winter. Here’s what we recommend:
- Core aerate first to relieve compaction and improve seed-to-soil contact
- Use a high-quality fescue blend suited for Fayetteville soils
- Apply a starter fertilizer at seeding, then follow with a winterizer in 4–6 weeks
3. Freshen Up with Fall Color
Give your landscape a seasonal refresh with cool-weather annuals. Our garden center is fully stocked with:
- Pansies and violas
- Snapdragons
- Ornamental cabbage & kale
- Fall mums for vibrant porch and patio decor
Pro tip: Mix in evergreens and cold-tolerant perennials in your containers for long-lasting interest.
4. Tidy Beds & Apply Mulch
Now’s the time to:
- Remove spent summer annuals
- Prune lightly (but save heavy pruning for late winter)
- Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to suppress weeds and insulate roots
We offer professional mulch installation to ensure proper depth and placement for plant health, weed suppression, and a polished, finished look to your landscape.
5. Landscape Lighting & Hardscaping Prep
Shorter days mean more time spent in the dark outdoors. October is a great time to consider:
- Low-voltage landscape lighting for safety and aesthetics
- Hardscaping projects like patios, walkways, or retaining walls before winter rains set in
Our in-house design and installation team can help you tackle everything from small enhancements to full property transformations.
6. Plan Ahead for Winter Interest
Don’t let your landscape go dull in winter. Now’s the time to plant for seasonal texture and color:
- Hollies, camellias, and nandinas for berries and blooms
- Grasses like muhly or switchgrass for movement and winter form
- Evergreens to keep things green even when everything else fades
Need a custom planting plan? Let our designers create one that works with your existing space and goals.
Trust the Local Experts at Green Biz
As a full-service nursery, landscape design-build company, and lawn care provider, we’re proud to serve the greater Fayetteville area with over 40 years of experience. Whether you’re planting a few shrubs or renovating your entire yard, Green Biz has the plants, the people, and the professional know-how to get it done right.
Call us today to schedule a consultation!
Let’s make your landscape work for you—this fall and beyond.