Every gardener knows it. Fall is for planting. There are many benefits and every gardener dreams of gearing up for next spring.
First of all, it's starting to get cool outside! The cooler temperatures make it much more appealing to be outdoors planting. And accomplishing your garden task list may feel more leisurely. Yet, the soil is still warm enough for roots to thrive. They will grow and get established until the ground freezes.
Secondly, fall plant sales are the best. Many garden centers offer deep discounts because they don’t want to overwinter plants. Take advantage of these deals to add new plants to your yard and garden that will delight you come spring.
Planting spring-blooming bulbs and perennials now gives plants a chance to settle into your garden during the winter. And just when you want new blooms the most, they’ll burst forth with beautiful new growth in the spring. Azaleas especially, are some of the most beautiful and rewarding spring blooming shrubs you can buy in the fall.
Planning ahead? We've got you covered. Put the power in planting and prep now for a beautiful spring.
How to Plant in Fall for a Spring Garden
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Start by Reflecting. Think about what you love most about your garden. Jot down your flowers, edibles, and shrubs. Mark your favorite and most successful plants. Cross off the ones that didn’t produce, thrive or required too much effort. What plants do you wish you had? Add those to your plant list.
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Think Ahead. Sketch your current garden space or take pictures. Are you considering expanding for next year? Consider how big your plants will get when they are full-size when deciding on where you’d like to place new garden beds or containers. While many plants can be moved later, it is so much easier if you find a permanent home for them now.
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Visit the Garden Center. Scrutinize your list to make sure you have a variety of plant types, scents, bloom times, beneficial plants, textures, sizes, and color. Find out which plants on your list that can be planted now.
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Dig In.Once you’ve selected your plants, you'll want to get them in the ground quickly. The window for fall planting ends six weeks before your average first frost, usually September or October for most people. Visit our auger guide to find the right Power Planter Auger to make your gardening tasks easier. From bulbs to large shrubs, we’ll help you dig.
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Water. Deeply water in plants. In many regions of the country, fall showers will keep your plants watered. But you should water plants if you're not getting at least 1" of rain per week until the ground freezes.
Enjoy your newly planted garden while you can and keep dreaming of a beautiful spring. If you’re looking for more garden projects, check out our other blogs!
