Fall is in the air. The foliage is starting to change as the days get shorter. It’s a great time to carry out work in your garden. The soil is usually easier to till because it’s not bogged down by spring rains, the temperature is cooler, and the weather is more predictable. In this fall garden planting guide, we will explore tips to keep your landscape looking great and protect your plants for the winter months.
Planting in the Fall
Yes, you can still plant new plants in the garden during the fall. It’s a great time to buy because most garden centers offer cheaper prices to move their garden stock before winter. However, you’ll need to choose wisely when picking plants. Consider your area’s winters. If you live in a place with harsh weather, then you’ll want to pick hardy varieties such as Oriental poppies or peonies which will withstand sudden temperature swings even if they are not fully established in the garden when the cold strikes.
Fall is a great time to plant evergreen, and deciduous trees and shrubs. Japanese maples, cut leaf weepers, weeping cherries, hardy boxwood, and Sargent crabapples are all ideal choices for areas that suffer cold winters. You can even plant birds’ nest spruce or Hinoki cypress in containers for the patio.
If you purchase shrubs or trees to plant in the fall then take great care to make sure that the root ball has no air pockets in the soil surrounding it. Also, trim back any deadwood branches and remove old leaves.
Avoid watering newly planted plants if there is going to be a pending frost. Also, as autumn progresses, you should stop irrigation in preparation for winter.
Start Composting Leaves for Natural Mulch
The dead leaves that accumulate in your yard are ideal for mulch. Yes, you can rake up the leaves and bag them or you can them use them as Mother Natures’ natural mulch. Rake the leaves into the flower beds and around trees and shrubs. As the leaves break down, they form natural compost that improves soil quality. You can also invest in a leaf vacuum/blower which shreds the leaves into a fine mulch that you can deposit into the garden.
Enjoy Container Plants
Potted plants are a lovely addition to patios, porches, or any outdoor area. When the weather turns cold, you can bring them indoors for protection. Pick hardy succulents such as echeveria. You can also enjoy containers filled with pansies, violas, and kale.
Autumn Mums
Mums are amazing flowers for autumn gardens. The blooms give the garden much-needed color. Plant them in pots or directly in the ground. You can also mix the mums with rainbow chards, kales, cabbages, or ornamental grasses which all thrive in the fall garden.
Planting for Fall Fruit
Yes, many trees and shrubs produce fruit in the fall that will last on the tree well into winter. The fruit is a beneficial food source for birds and other creatures during the cold months when the ground is covered in snow. Pick shrubs like scarlet firethorn, elderberries, winterberries, chokeberries, roses, bayberry, and sumac. They add lovely visual interest to the garden.
During the fall, you’ll also want to consider your garden’s nutritional needs. Contact Humboldts Secret Supplies to learn about our nutrient formulas.
