The warm colors are in bloom which means autumn has arrived! It’s a common misconception that planting should stop in the fall because of the looming cold winter months. However, fall is actually one of the best times to begin garden landscaping!
With the heat subsiding, autumn is one of the best times for both you and your plants to thrive. The heat underground sticks around for quite some time so even if the air is cold, it’s still warm beneath the ground. While it still rains frequently in the fall, the chaotic thunderstorms are fading which means less unpredictable weather. This allows for more manageable soil and mild conditions on your new plants. Additionally, plant prices go down in the fall as retailers are quickly trying to sell all of their stock before winter. This means getting more bang for your buck!
If your garden needs some sprucing before the winter chill, here are 5 ideas to inspire your landscaping design this autumn!
1. Perennials
Perennials are one of the most exciting things to plant in fall because when spring rolls around, your garden design is already flourishing. Since autumn brings with it less rain than spring, consider planting low water perennials such as Sage and Heuchera. Be sure to make sure these beautiful plants are getting at least an inch of water a week before the ground begins to freeze to give their roots the greatest chance of survival. Peonies and Irises are also beautiful fall perennials that will give your garden landscape a boost of color both in the fall and come spring as well.
Tip: Although Mums are beautiful in fall given their warm colors, planting them in fall will not allow them to come back in the spring since it takes at least two months for their roots to establish.
2. Shrubs
Adding shrubs to your yard is a great way to give your home landscape some depth. Their simplicity can add elegance to your garden without overshadowing your flowers and brightly colored tree leaves. Try Purple Pixies or Evergreen accent bushes to add some autumn warmth. The warm autumn soil but temperate cool air allows for the perfect growing environment for these subtle, yet beautiful accent plants.
3. Bulbs
Spring-blooming bulbs are one of the greatest things you can plant in the fall, since they need a short period of cold weather dormancy before blooming. This means a stunning display of blossoms come spring. Tulips, Daffodils, or Freesia are three of the most common spring bulbs you can plant in fall.
Tip: Be sure to look for bulbs without mold or soft spots and plant them with the pointy end facing up.
4. Fall Veggies
One of the most exciting aspect of growing vegetables is harvesting your own food. Not only are fall vegetables rich in color, but they’re also delicious! Dark leafy vegetables actually thrive in autumn. If you’re a salad lover, Kale, Spinach, and Swiss Chard can easily be planted in the fall. Broccoli, Carrots, and Brussel sprouts are also considered cool-season crops and taste great with pumpkin seeds in autumn.
Tip: Plan ahead by planting early harvested crops in May, so you can replace them with late harvested veggies come autumn.
5. Trees
Believe it or not, trees actually flourish most when planted in the fall. Fruit trees especially appreciate the cooler climate and consistent rain patterns which allows their roots to develop at a quicker rate, giving the tree more stability. Leaf changing trees are also a great fall addition to your garden landscape because you can see what color their leaves will change to at the nursery. Be sure to water the trees in period of low rainfall so that the roots can soak up the nutrients in the ground before becoming dormant for winter.
Bruss Landscaping is committed to using the best native plant species for your landscaping project to give your garden the greatest chance of survival. This fall, let the experts at Bruss help you turn your home landscape into the perfect autumn aura.
