For Texas gardeners, fall brings more than pumpkins, cooler temperatures and changing seasonal color. It also brings one of the best opportunities of the year to get outside and start planting.

At Enchanted Forest in Richmond, the arrival of fall means the 4-acre nursery and garden center is filled with everything from cool-season vegetables and herbs to colorful annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees.

Located just minutes from Sugar Land behind the Greatwood subdivision, Enchanted Forest has served the area for 25 years. Whether visitors are planting their first garden or searching for something new to add to an established landscape, the nursery offers plants, inspiration and guidance for everyone this fall.

Why is fall a great time to plant a garden?

While spring may traditionally be associated with gardening, Marketing Director Erin Mills said fall is actually an ideal planting season, particularly for perennials, shrubs and trees.

When a new plant goes into the ground, it needs time to establish its root system. Houston-area summers can make that process especially stressful for plants, and the transition from mild spring weather to summer heat often happens quickly. Fall offers a much longer stretch of mild temperatures.

Outdoor garden center with potted red and purple flowers and plants in front of a yellow building under blue sky.

“Any plants that you plant are just going to have a luxuriously long, easy time getting used to their new surroundings,” Mills said. 

That extra establishment time can help plants develop stronger root systems before spring and better prepare them for the heat of the following summer.

Cooler temperatures can also make gardening more enjoyable for the gardener. Instead of maintaining a new garden through the hottest months of the year, residents can spend time planting, watering and harvesting while enjoying fall weather.

What can Fort Bend gardeners plant during the fall?

Gardeners can find plenty of possibilities at Enchanted Forest, including fresh shrubs, shade and fruit trees, seasonal flowers, herbs and vegetables.

For beginners interested in growing their own food, Mills recommends starting with approachable cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach and lettuce. Herbs including thyme, oregano, dill and cilantro can also be good choices.

“If I were just starting out gardening, I would start in the fall because it’s almost foolproof,” Mills said.

Outdoor garden nursery with potted plants, flowers, and blue ceramic planters under open-roof greenhouse structures.

Experienced gardeners can explore beyond the basics. Enchanted Forest carries harder-to-find herbs, tropical and houseplants, carnivorous plants and medicinal plants, such as comfrey and moringa.

The nursery prioritizes plants that can grow successfully in the local climate rather than simply stocking plants because they are popular elsewhere. Staff members can also explain when a particular plant may require additional shade, water or care to thrive in the Houston area.

How does Enchanted Forest help new gardeners get started?

With 4 acres of choices, walking into a nursery can feel overwhelming for someone who does not know where to begin. Mills said Enchanted Forest’s staff can help customers narrow down those options based on their space, goals and gardening experience.

Team members can answer questions about planting, plant care, soil, compost, mulch, fertilizer, lawn care and even beneficial or unwanted insects.

“There’s no such thing as a bad question,” Mills said.

Yellow swallowtail butterfly on lantana flowers at an outdoor garden nursery with potted pink blooms.

Owner Danny Lenderman brings more than 30 years of landscaping, nursery and plant experience to the business, and Mills said customers can typically find someone on staff who can help answer their questions.

The goal is to give customers realistic expectations and the information they need to be successful once they take their new gardening supplies home.

What can families experience at Enchanted Forest beyond plant shopping?

A visit to Enchanted Forest can also serve as a fall outing, Mills said.

Across the nursery, visitors can explore garden decor and seasonal arrangements while getting ideas for their own yards. Fall brings pumpkins, gourds and colorful flowers, while the nursery's gift and pottery areas offer seasonal decor, houseplants and books.

Blue ceramic cat statues on a wooden table in front of potted ornamental pepper plants at a nursery.

Families can also meet the nursery's cats, goats and chickens, look for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds throughout the gardens and enjoy free popsicles. Seasonal Saturday programming ranges from educational talks on soil to family-friendly events such as creating Halloween terrariums.

Rustic vintage truck fall display with pumpkins, gourds, mums, and grasses at an outdoor market.

“It’s more than just a store,” Mills said. “It’s really like a destination for people to come out here.”

Why should Fort Bend residents visit Enchanted Forest this fall?

Enchanted Forest's roots in the area span three generations of nursery and landscape professionals. Lenderman's father started the family-owned business, and today Lenderman works alongside his son, continuing the family's gardening tradition.

That experience, the nursery's extensive selection, and its welcoming atmosphere mean visitors don't need to arrive as gardening experts—or even planning to buy a plant.

Fort Bend residents shopping for seasonal color, planning a vegetable garden, wanting to get started with plants or looking for somewhere to spend a fall afternoon are invited to explore all that Enchanted Forest has to offer.

“We have something here for absolutely everybody,” Mills said.

A quick recap FAQ

Why is fall a good time to plant in Texas?

Fall’s milder temperatures give plants more time to establish strong root systems before the heat of summer arrives. It is an especially good time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees, while cooler weather can also make gardening more enjoyable.

What vegetables and herbs can you plant in the fall?

Cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach and lettuce can be approachable choices for fall gardens. Gardeners can also grow herbs such as thyme, oregano, dill and cilantro.

Does Enchanted Forest help beginner gardeners?

Yes. Enchanted Forest’s knowledgeable staff can help with questions about choosing and caring for plants, soil, compost, mulch, fertilizer, lawn care and more. The team focuses on helping customers select plants suited to the local climate and understand what they need to thrive.

What can you find at Enchanted Forest in Richmond?

Enchanted Forest offers a wide selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, fruit trees, houseplants and other varieties, along with pottery, gifts and seasonal decor. The four-acre garden center also features displays, cats, goats and chickens, making it a destination families can explore together.