While most people think summer is the ideal season for gardening, fall can be just as rewarding—especially for new gardeners. Whereas summer heat can be unforgiving, cooler temperatures and less daytime light in the fall reduces stress on new plants, allowing them to focus their energy on growing and strengthening their root system. During this time of year, plants use less water and provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators vital sources of food. And fall gardens produce some of the most colorful blooms and foliage of the year.
This guide covers the basics of fall gardening so that beginners can jump into gardening with the confidence and knowledge needed to be successful.
Transition Your Garden from Summer to Fall
By the end of the summer, flowers and shrubs in your yard and garden can look dried out and leggy, creating an unkempt appearance. This signals that it’s time to pull up and clean out plants to make way for fall plantings. Remove spent and dead plants. Deadhead annuals and divide and replant perennials. In warmer climates, prune perennials to encourage fall growth. Likewise, shape shrubs and hedge as needed. Now is also the time to dig up bulbs to store during the winter and roots of perennials that you don’t want to pop up in the spring.
Before adding new plants, test and amend the soil if needed. Mix in compost and mulch with leaves to block weeds, enrich the soil and maintain moisture.
If you aren’t planting new plants in your bed, add slow-release organic fertilizer to the existing plants.
Removing dead plants, enriching the soil and adding a layer of mulch keeps disease from spreading and protects your garden from cold temperatures in the coming months.
Finally fall is a good time to tackle hardscaping and irrigation projects you’ve had on your list. You won’t disrupt the summer growing season of existing plants and avoid the hard, frozen ground in colder climates that makes it almost impossible for digging.
The Right Plant in the Right Place in Your Fall Garden
If there’s one rule in gardening that can almost guarantee your success, it’s planting the right plant in the right place. The “right plant” means choosing a plant that thrives in your area’s specific climate. For example, citrus is native to Florida but impossible to grow in Zones 7 and colder unless in a container. Likewise, the beautiful tulips that bloom profusely year after year in Zones 3-7 will only bloom one season in Florida. That’s because the bulbs need cool soil to activate the flowering process. The bulbs also rot in Florida’s humidity and tropical climate. When choosing plants for your fall landscape, consult a Zoning chart for the best choices for your climate.
The ”right place” refers to planting flowers and shrubs where they have room to grow, are in the right type of soil and receive the right amount of sunlight and water. Plants in the right place also require less care. Giving a plant room to mature reduces the amount of time spent on maintenance and pruning. Additionally, it prevents plants from overtaking beds and growing so big that they touch the sides of your house. Planting your landscape plants in the right soil keeps you from having to amend soil every season. And when planted in the right light, plants won’t wilt or require excessive watering.
Fall is also the ”right time” for planting because it kicks off the dormant season which is late fall to early spring in North America. It gives bulbs and plants that benefit from cooler temperatures time to establish before winter and also reduces the maintenance required to keep the plant alive.
Choosing Plants and Shrubs for Fall Gardening
The cooler temperatures and shorter days of fall allow plants to focus their energy on establishing a strong root system instead of growing blooms and foliage. The warm soil also encourages growth. This is a good time to plant bulbs that need to winter in the ground, annuals for spring color and trees and shrubs that need time to establish roots before winter. For best results, plant at least six weeks before the first hard frost.
If you’re more interested in adding color to your fall landscape, you’ll need to plant seeds midsummer for fall blooms.
Fall gardening can begin around Labor Day but for best results, plant at least six weeks before the first hard frost. This allows roots to establish before the soil cools and ground freezes. Be sure to water as needed and add a layer of mulch to increase your plants’ survival. Rudbeckia, coreopsis, pansies, dahlias and sunflowers are popular late summer bloomers. The best shrubs that bloom in the fall include Camellia sasanquas, hydrangeas, viburnum, Rose of Sharon and tea olives.
Fall Container Gardens
Adding several potted plants of fall blooms is an easy way to bring color and interest to your landscape. Mums, chrysanthemums, asters, cabbage and goldenrod thrive in planters and containers. Cool Wave pansies, begonias, petunias, and vinca are season spanning annuals that last more than one season. Purple fountain grass and Muhly grass add variety and texture to fall container gardens.
Garden Tools and Storage
Fall is also a good time to clean out garden sheds and replace worn or damaged garden tools. Start by emptying your storage space. Clean and rinse all clay and plastic pots and stack together. Knock off dirt and rinse tools. Remove rust with a wire brush and sharpen if needed. Store on a wall rack, on hooks or by placing in a container to free up floor space in your storage area.
Fall Gardens in Zone 9
Finally, if you live in Zone 9 or higher, consult your local extension agency for a list of plants that will winter well in your area. In many cases, annuals and house plants in other parts of the country might actually be perennials and outside plantings in these warmer climates. Pay attention to watering needs as winter can be drier and less humid than summer months.
When in doubt, you can always ask a Garden Center Pro at The Home Depot about plants and shrubs that grow well in your area. The Home Depot Mobile App also features the latest annuals and shrubs so you can make a list of plants and tools you need for your fall garden and landscape project.
