Now that the weather has cooled down but the frost hasn’t set in, it’s a good time to start thinking about your garden and figuring what you are going to plant.
Autumn and early winter are great times for planting because the summer heat is usually over, and there tends to be enough rain to get your plants growing while still having some sunlight. Plus the soil is still warm from the summer, making it easier for plants to grow.
Better Homes and Gardens claims that “Pest and disease concerns disappear in the fall. You don’t need fertilizer, either.”
Getting Started
When planting new plants, make sure you read the seed packet. It will contain information about how much water each plant needs and when the plant will bloom. Usually plants require about an inch of water a week, so make sure you’re keeping track of how much rain you’re getting.
Some plants will bloom quickly while others will wait for spring, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t see the results you expected six weeks after planting.
Also remember to take into account your local climate. Dry conditions will yield different results than rainy ones. So choose plants based on what will thrive where you live.
Flowers
Any type of bulbs that will bloom in the spring are great to plant in the fall. You can try daffodils, tulips, irises, snowfalls, or any other spring bulb. These flowers will look beautiful in your garden when they bloom. Buy big bulbs, and make sure that they get plenty of sunlight and have room to grow.
Plentifall pansies are great to plant because they are quick to bloom, so you don’t have to wait all the way until spring.
Iceland poppies are beautiful and legal! Although they bloom in the spring, they come in a variety of colors and can be a beautiful addition to your garden.
Spanish bluebells come in three different colors and thrive in a southern climate. These bluebells are part of the tulip family and are known to be easy to grow. Plus they can get up to a foot and a half tall, adding some height to your garden.
Certain types of lilies, such as spider lilies and naked lady lilies, can bloom from fall to spring, so they are great flowers to plant now that can also offer a quick payoff.
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Fruits and Vegetables
Garlic is a great fall plant. When planted in the fall or early winter, it can be harvested in the spring. Garlic can be treated like a bulb; you plant each clove in plenty of sunlight about an inch deep, and start thinking of dishes you can add garlic to!
Different types of lettuce are also great autumn and early winter crops. They don’t need to start inside and be replanted outside, so maintenance is nice and easy. The best types of lettuce to grow yourself are the types that grow quickly like mesclun, but most types of lettuce grow in 4-8 weeks.
Carrots withstand cold weather really well, and they taste a lot better than store-bought ones. Actually, carrots are sweeter in cold weather, so sometimes it’s a good idea to harvest early.
Peas are great cold weather vegetables that look beautiful when they are growing. Peas often require a little structural support because their pods are heavy, so peas do well growing on a small fence.
No matter what you’re planting, be sure to stop planting at least a few weeks before the first frost so your plants have time adjust to the weather.