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Spring is often considered the ideal time of year to garden, but don’t overlook fall. Fall offers ideal growing conditions, such as warm soil, mild temperatures, and abundant rainfall.
As for flowers, spring bulbs like tulips and hyacinths and cool-season annuals like sweet peas and wildflowers are great candidates for fall planting. The same goes for cool-season vegetables like kale, carrots, and peas. More generally, you can also plant some trees, shrubs, and perennials in the fall.
We spoke to two gardening experts to find out what plants they like to plant in the fall.
Meet the expert
- Deborah Stone co-owner of Stone Hollow Farmstead, an 80-acre farm in Harpersville, Alabama.
- Ashleigh Smith is a gardener at True Leaf Market, one of the largest sellers of certified organic, non-GMO, and heirloom seeds in the nation.
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When to Plant a Fall Garden
If you want to add a few plants to your garden this fall, you can start planting in September and continue through November. However, Stone notes that the exact timing depends on the type of plant and where you live.
Always consider the average first frost date as well as current weather patterns to determine great choices for your fall garden, she says.
