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Most gardeners think the season ends when summer does. That is not true. Fall is one of the most productive times to garden, and it can also be one of the most beautiful. The soil is still warm, the air is cooler, and many plants actually prefer these conditions. Whether you want a harvest on your table or color in your yard, there is plenty to put in the ground right now.
Key Takeaways
- Fall is a great time to plant garlic, onions, leafy greens, and root vegetables.
- Cool-season crops like kale and spinach grow better in fall than in summer heat.
- Pansies, ornamental kale, and mums add real color to your garden from now through first frost.
- Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must go in the ground in fall to bloom next year.
- Perennial plants and berry bushes planted in fall have time to root before winter.
- Knowing your planting zone helps you time everything correctly.
- We carry seeds, plants, and supplies for fall gardening at seedsnsuch.com.
Best Vegetables to Plant in Fall
Cool weather makes fall ideal for many vegetables. Plants that struggled in July heat will thrive when temperatures drop into the 50s and 60s. You have more options than most people realize.
Leafy greens are the easiest place to start. Spinach, kale, arugula, and lettuce all grow quickly in fall and handle light frost well. Kale actually gets sweeter after a frost. You can start seeds directly in the ground about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost date.
Root Vegetables and Brassicas
Root vegetables do very well in fall. Carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes all prefer cooler soil. Sow them directly, since they do not transplant well. Brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can go in as transplants in late summer or early fall.
Rutabaga is another strong fall crop that many gardeners overlook. It stores well and handles hard frosts. You can browse our rutabaga seeds if you want to add them to your fall rotation. They take about 90 days to mature, so plant them early enough in your season.
Garlic and Onions: Fall Planting Basics
Garlic is one of the most popular fall crops in the U.S. You plant it in fall, it goes dormant over winter, and you harvest it the following summer. Most gardeners plant garlic in October or November, depending on their zone. Break apart the bulb and plant individual cloves about 2 inches deep with the pointed end up.
Onions can also go in during fall in warmer climates. In zones 7 and above, fall-planted onion plants have time to establish before the cold sets in. They pick back up in spring and produce larger bulbs than spring-planted sets.
Add Color to Your Fall Garden Right Now
A productive garden is satisfying. A colorful one stops people in their tracks. The good news is that fall has plenty of plants that do both, and some that exist purely to make your yard look good until winter arrives.
Pansies and Violas
Pansies are the go-to fall flower for good reason. They bloom in shades of purple, yellow, orange, white, and bi-color combinations. They handle frost well, often continuing to bloom after nights dip below freezing. Plant them in beds, borders, or containers for immediate color. Violas are similar but smaller and even more cold-tolerant.
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
Ornamental kale pulls double duty in the fall garden. It looks dramatic, with ruffled leaves in deep purple, pink, and creamy white, and it only gets more vivid as temperatures drop. Use it as a centerpiece in container arrangements or as a border plant. It is related to edible kale but bred for looks rather than flavor.
Mums
Chrysanthemums are the signature flower of fall. They come in nearly every warm color, including red, orange, gold, burgundy, and white. Plant them in early fall while they are still budded up and they will bloom for weeks. In warmer zones, hardy mums can overwinter and come back the following year.
Spring Bulbs: Plant Them Now, Enjoy Them Later
This is the trade that makes fall planting feel magical. You put something in the ground now, and months later your yard rewards you with flowers you almost forgot you planted.
Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths all need a cold period underground before they bloom. Plant them after your first frost but before the ground freezes hard. A depth of two to three times the bulb's height is the general rule. Daffodils are deer-resistant and naturalize over time, spreading into larger clusters each year. Tulips offer some of the most dramatic spring color available, from deep red to pale lavender.
Plan your colors before you dig. Layering early, mid, and late-blooming bulbs extends your spring color for weeks rather than days.
Know Your Zone Before You Plant
Your planting zone tells you how cold your winters get and how long your growing season lasts. This matters for timing your fall garden. A gardener in Georgia has more fall planting options than someone in Minnesota. You can use our U.S. planting zone tool to find your zone quickly.
Once you know your zone, count back from your average first frost date. Most cool-season crops need 4 to 10 weeks to reach harvest size. Plan accordingly so you are not planting too late.
Berries and Perennials to Plant This Fall
Berry plants and fruit-bearing perennials also do well when planted in fall. The cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress. Roots have several weeks to settle in before winter arrives.
Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are all good candidates for fall planting. They establish their root systems over winter and come out strong in spring. We carry a wide range of live berry plants ready to ship, including thornless blackberry varieties and everbearing strawberries.
Grape vines are another option. Fall-planted grapes have a full winter to establish before the growing season begins. You can check out grape plants if you want to add a vine to your yard this fall. Many varieties are cold-hardy enough for most U.S. growing zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables can I still plant in September?
In September, you can plant spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, carrots, and turnips in most parts of the U.S. In warmer zones, you can also start broccoli and cabbage transplants. Check your first frost date to make sure your crops have enough time to mature.
What flowers can I plant right now for fall color?
Pansies, violas, ornamental kale, and mums are your best options for immediate fall color. All of them handle cool temperatures well and look great through first frost. Plant them in beds or containers for the fastest impact.
Is it too late to plant garlic in fall?
In most parts of the U.S., garlic goes in the ground from mid-October through November. If the ground is still workable and has not frozen, you can still plant. Aim to get it in at least 4 to 6 weeks before your ground freezes solid so the roots can establish.
When should I plant spring bulbs?
Plant spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths after your first frost but before the ground freezes hard. In most zones, this window falls between October and December. The bulbs need cold exposure underground to trigger spring blooming.
What should I plant in fall for a spring harvest?
Garlic, spring bulbs, and overwintering onions are all planted in fall for a spring or early summer harvest. In mild climates, some brassicas planted in late fall will also be ready in early spring. Perennial herbs like chives and thyme planted now will also come back strong in spring.
Do I need to prep my soil before fall planting?
Yes, soil prep matters. Clear out spent summer crops and pull any weeds. Add compost to replenish nutrients. Loose, well-draining soil helps roots establish quickly before cold weather sets in. Testing your soil's pH is also a good idea before planting garlic or brassicas.
Start Your Fall Garden With Seeds n Such
Fall gives you two things at once: a harvest you can use right now and color that carries you through to spring. From garlic and leafy greens to pansies, spring bulbs, and berry plants, this season has more going for it than most people expect. We have everything you need to make it happen, from seeds and live plants to hard goods and supplies.
Browse our full fall collection at www.seedsnsuch.com and get your order in before the season slips by.