Fall Planting 101: My Guide for Beginner Gardeners

Planting in the Fall

Planting in the fall can be a game-changer for newbie gardeners. Not only does it set you up for a blooming spring, but it also makes the whole gardening gig a lot easier and more fun.

Why Fall Planting Rocks

Fall planting has some serious perks. Here’s why you should grab your shovel and get to it:

• Cooler Weather: Fall’s cooler air is kinder to plants than summer’s scorching heat. Your new plants won’t have to deal with heat stress, making it easier for them to settle in.
• Warm Soil: The soil is still toasty from summer, which is perfect for root growth. Roots keep growing until the soil dips below about 40°F (Deschutes Land Trust).
• More Rain: Fall usually means more rain, so you won’t have to water as much. This helps your plants get comfy in their new home.
• Root Focus: In fall, plants put their energy into growing roots instead of leaves. This root growth continues until the soil hits around 48°F/9°C, setting the stage for a strong spring (Proven Winners).
• Fewer Weeds: Cooler temps slow down weed growth, giving your new plants a better shot at thriving without having to compete.

When to Get Planting

Timing is everything with fall planting. Here’s the lowdown on when to plant for the best results:

• Prime Time: The sweet spot for fall planting is from early fall through most of November. This gives your plants enough time to grow roots before the ground freezes (Garden Design).
• Planting Window: In most places, aim to plant up to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Mid-November is a good cutoff for many areas.
• Soil Check: Roots will keep growing until the soil drops below about 40°F. Keep an eye on soil temps to give your plants the best shot (Deschutes Land Trust).

Plant Type	Best Planting Time
Spring-Blooming Bulbs	Early Fall to November
Cool-Season Annuals	Early Fall to November
Cool-Season Vegetables	Early Fall to November
Trees, Shrubs, Perennials	Early Fall to Mid-November

For more tips on what to plant, check out our guides on fall vegetable gardening and fall flowers for the garden.

By getting the hang of fall planting and knowing when to plant, you’ll set your garden up for a win and enjoy the mental health boost that comes with gardening. Happy planting!

Fall Planting Tips

Getting the Soil Ready

When it’s time to prep your garden for fall, you want to make sure your soil is in tip-top shape. Here’s my go-to method for getting the dirt ready for those autumn plants:

1. Break It Up: I start by digging down about 8 to 12 inches. This loosens up any hard spots and makes it easier for roots to spread out.
2. Clear the Junk: Next, I get rid of rocks, weeds, and any other junk. This keeps the soil clean and gives roots a clear path to grow.
3. Add the Good Stuff: I mix in compost, earthworm castings, peat moss, or organic fertilizers like chicken or steer manure. These goodies boost the soil with nutrients and make it nice and crumbly (SummerWinds Nursery).
4. Give It a Drink: After mixing everything in, I water the soil well. This helps settle it down and spreads the nutrients evenly.

Steps to Prep Soil	What to Do
Break It Up	Dig 8-12 inches deep
Clear the Junk	Remove rocks, weeds, clumps
Add the Good Stuff	Mix in compost, castings, peat moss, organic fertilizers
Give It a Drink	Water thoroughly to settle soil

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a cozy spot for your fall plants to thrive.

Watering New Plants

Getting your new plants the right amount of water is crucial, especially in the fall. Here’s how I keep my new plants happy and hydrated:

1. First Drink: Right after planting, I give all new plants a good soak. This helps settle the soil around the roots and gets rid of air pockets.
2. Keep It Up: I keep watering the new plants as needed until the ground freezes. This is super important if it’s been dry and windy (Proven Winners).
3. Extra Help: During dry spells, I make sure to give extra water to keep the plants hydrated.

Watering Tips	What to Do
First Drink	Water thoroughly after planting
Keep It Up	Water as needed until the ground freezes
Extra Help	Provide extra water during dry spells

Watering right can make or break your fall garden. For more tips on protecting your plants from the cold, check out my article on protecting plants from frost.

By prepping your soil and watering properly, you’ll set your fall garden up for success. Want to know more about what to plant? Check out my guides on fall vegetable gardening and fall flowers for the garden. For tips on keeping your garden tidy through the season, visit my article on fall garden cleanup.

What to Plant in the Fall

Fall is a great time to dive into gardening. Whether you’re planting bulbs that will bloom in spring or cool-season veggies and flowers, fall planting can be super rewarding. Here’s my guide on what to plant in the fall.

Spring-Blooming Bulbs

Planting spring-blooming bulbs in the fall is a must if you want a colorful garden come spring. Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, and crocuses. The trick is to wait until nighttime temperatures drop to around 50 degrees or below for about two weeks.

Bulb Type	Planting Depth (inches)	Spacing (inches)	Bloom Time
Tulips	6 – 8	4 – 6	Spring
Daffodils	6 – 8	6	Spring
Hyacinths	4 – 6	4 – 6	Spring
Alliums	6 – 8	8	Late Spring
Crocuses	3 – 4	3	Early Spring

For more tips on protecting your fall plantings from frost, visit protecting plants from frost.

Cool-Season Annuals and Vegetables

Fall is also a fantastic time to plant cool-season annuals and vegetables. These plants love cooler temperatures and can add a splash of color and freshness to your garden.

Cool-Season Annuals

Some of my favorite cool-season annuals include pansies, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, and chrysanthemums. Pansies, in particular, are easy to grow from seed if sown in late summer (Garden Design).

Annual Type	Planting Time	Bloom Duration
Pansies	Early Fall	Through November
Sweet Alyssum	Early Fall	Through November
Snapdragons	Early Fall	Through November
Chrysanthemums	Early Fall	Through November

For more ideas on fall flowers, check out fall flowers for the garden.

Cool-Season Vegetables

Fall is a great time to plant cool-season vegetables like spinach, leaf lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, mâche, radishes, beets, turnips, onion sets, and garlic cloves. Many of these vegetables have fast-growing varieties that mature in less than two months (Garden Design).

Vegetable Type	Planting Depth (inches)	Spacing (inches)	Maturity Time (days)
Spinach	1/2	4 – 6	30 – 45
Leaf Lettuce	1/4	4	45 – 60
Arugula	1/4	1	30 – 40
Mustard Greens	1/2	6	30 – 40
Radishes	1/2	1	25 – 30
Beets	1	4	55 – 70
Turnips	1/2	2 – 4	50 – 60
Onion Sets	1	4	60 – 80
Garlic Cloves	2	6	200 – 240

Planting these cool-season vegetables will not only provide you with fresh produce but will also keep you engaged in your garden throughout the fall. For more detailed information on fall vegetable gardening, visit fall vegetable gardening.

Caring for Fall Plantings

So, you’ve got your fall garden all set up, huh? Nice! Now, let’s make sure it stays in tip-top shape for a killer spring bloom. Here’s the lowdown on mulching, winter protection, and getting your soil ready for next year.

Mulching and Winter Protection

Mulching your new plants is like giving them a cozy blanket for the winter. It keeps the roots warm and happy. I always mulch my garden, both the old-timers and the newbies, to keep everything thriving.

Why mulch? Here’s the scoop:

• Keeps the soil and plants warm: Think of it as a snuggly blanket.
• Holds onto moisture: Less watering for you!
• Stops weeds from crashing the party: No one likes uninvited guests.
• Makes the soil better: As it breaks down, it feeds your plants.

Benefit	What It Does
Insulation	Keeps plants comfy during temperature swings.
Moisture Retention	Cuts down on your watering chores.
Weed Suppression	Keeps those pesky weeds away.
Soil Improvement	Enriches the soil as it decomposes.

For winter protection, water your plants well after planting and keep at it until the ground freezes. This is super important, especially if it’s been dry and windy. For extra protection, use frost covers or cloches. Need more tips? Check out my frost protection guide.

Soil Preparation for Next Year

Late fall is prime time to get your soil ready for next year’s garden. This gives organic stuff time to break down over winter, slowly releasing nutrients and boosting root growth.

Here’s my go-to soil prep routine:

1. Add Organic Material: Cover your garden with compost, manure, leaves, or other organic goodies. This keeps the soil covered, stops weeds, and feeds your plants for spring.
2. Grow Cover Crops: Planting cover crops like field beans, winter wheat, winter rye, or annual ryegrass adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil, prevents erosion, and keeps weeds in check.

Cover Crop	What It Does
Field Beans	Pumps nitrogen into the soil.
Winter Wheat	Stops erosion and boosts soil structure.
Winter Rye	Keeps weeds down and adds organic matter.
Annual Ryegrass	Adds organic matter and improves soil health.

By following these steps, you’ll set your garden up for a healthy and vibrant next season. For more detailed info on prepping your garden for next year, check out my fall garden cleanup guide. Happy gardening!