How to Create a Beautiful Fall Garden

Fall planting season looks quite a bit different from the sunny and vibrant days of summer and spring. Depending on what gardening zone you inhabit, you’ll likely experience less sunlight, reduced rainfall, and noticeably cooler days as we embrace the change in seasons. The days grow shorter, and the air takes on a brisk, almost bitter chill that nudges us to cozy up in our sweaters with a warm drink. In this blog, we will guide you through the essential steps to prepare you for a fruitful and fulfilling fall gardening season, hoping to ensure your garden thrives even as the temperatures begin to drop.

When To Plant

Timing is absolutely crucial when it comes to creating a thriving fall garden. It's good to start getting everything ready in late summer or early September, ensuring that your garden is well-prepared for successful fall planting. After you’ve prepped your gardening space and turned your soil, it's time to begin planting as the weather starts to cool down in early fall. This careful timing allows your plants to establish strong, healthy roots before the arrival of the first frost. Don’t forget to check your calendar for the first frost dates in your area, as this can greatly impact your gardening success.

How To Prepare

Before planting for fall, clear out summer vegetables. Pick your summer veggies when they're ripe for better taste and to make room for fall crops. Fall crops need different care than summer ones. Removing summer crops helps prepare the soil for fall vegetables. Common summer crops to harvest include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, eggplant, corn, and okra.

Remove Weeds

To get your garden ready for fall, start by pulling out summer weeds. This is the ideal time to remove biennial weeds while they’re still small, Instead of using pesticides use a hand weeder to take out the roots, and research natural alternatives..

Remove Annuals 

Take out any annuals from your garden that have finished blooming. This will create space for fall annuals.

Tend to Perennials 

As the weather cools, dig up tender bulbs to store for winter and divide some perennials. Remember that some perennials prefer not to be moved in the fall. For example, warm-season grasses and woody shrubs should only be moved in late winter when sap is rising. Instead of moving perennials that don’t like it, you can cut them back.

Prepare the Soil

After removing your summer plants, enrich your soil by adding a layer of compost and mulch. Cover any unused beds or soil to protect it from the elements and help it retain nutrients and structure and to protect it from erosion

What to Plant

We live in the charming zone 6b, which means we experience more chilly temperatures than warm and cozy ones throughout the year. As the crisp air settles in and the leaves begin to change, here are some things we’re excited to be growing this Fall!

Vegetables

• Beets

• Cauliflower

• Spinach

• Beans

• Carrots

• Brussels sprouts

• Kale

• Broccoli

• Radish

  Flowers

• Coneflower

  • Coral bells

  • Black-eyed Susans

  • Japanese anemones

  • Pansies

  • Sneezeweeds

Maintaining Your Garden In the Fall

Care needs will vary significantly depending on the specific plants you decide to grow in your charming fall garden. However, it’s important to keep these valuable tips in mind while tending to your flowers and vegetables throughout this fall season.

• The amount of sun your plants get depends on what you plant, but usually, an area with four to six hours of full sun is best.

• Most plants prefer soil that drains well and is rich in nutrients. If you're uncertain about your soil, universities or county extensions can help with a soil sample or map and suggest how to improve it. You can also test your soil at home with a kit available online or at local plant stores.

• Fall is the best time to plant because it often brings plenty of rain for the plants. While mature plants need different amounts of water, direct-sown seeds and seedlings should stay moist until they are established.

• I would add fertilizer to your fall garden in late October or early November, following the package instructions. Choose the fertilizer based on your plants, but a balanced 10-10-10 type works well for many.