What to Plant in the Fall

Fall is finally upon us, leaving behind those grueling hot Georgia summer days. While this is great for wearing cute fall clothes and enjoying football games on the weekends, what does this mean for your garden?

Gardening in the fall can be tricky, because it’s not cold enough yet to batten down the hatches, but you also have to keep in mind that winter is coming, and your garden will need to be ready. If you’re looking to add some new life to your landscape this fall, consider these tips on what to plant in your garden as the weather changes.

It can be difficult to find colorful flowers that will withstand the cold temperatures of the winter. Unlike regular pansies, Plentifall pansies are able to survive through below-zero temperatures, so they are sure to live through the Georgia winter. They can act as trailing pansies, spreading up to 18 inches. You can use them to cover flower beds or spill out of flower pots, from fall through spring.

When thinking about your perennials for spring, you can begin preparing them in the fall. You can actually plant new perennials in the fall, as long as they have large root balls. If you’re thinking about replanting your hostas, irises or peonies, fall is a great time to do so. They will have the chance to take root before the colder weather sets in.

Fall is also the ideal time to plant spring bulbs. Consider your terrain and amount of sun when deciding what to plant. These bulbs will require a period of dormancy before they are able to bloom. This way, you can plant your bulbs in the fall and enjoy watching them bloom in the spring.

Shrubbery

Adding shrubs to your landscape is a great way to bring color and life to your yard for the wintertime when nearly everything else loosing its leaves and color. Sometimes, specific species of shrubs can “bronze” in winter, but these colors can range from deep purple to a rustic orange, which can still be beautiful.

Because the temperature is cooler, but the soil is still warm, fall is one of the best times to plant shrubs. Like your perennials, the roots will have the opportunity to grow before the weather makes the ground too cold. Making sure these shrubs are well-watered can help give them a jump-start before they go dormant for the winter.  

Vegetables

There are several cool-season vegetables that you can plant in the fall time, as they are able to thrive in cold weather. Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and radishes are just a few examples of these vegetables.

The harvesting time for these veggies can vary, so be sure to check your seed packet for more information on each individual plant. For instance, waiting to harvest root crops after frost generally makes them taste that much better.

For more information on gardening in the fall in Georgia , contact us today. We can help you with everything from landscapingto hardscaping , lawn maintenance and more.