Spring may be a great time for planting, but fall gardening is just as ideal, giving your garden a splash of vibrant color just when it needs it the most. Furthermore, fall is the perfect season to plan for those spring months just around the corner.
Of course, this begs the question: What plants are ideal for growing in the autumn months? Here are some plants that our experts at Absolute Landscape and Turf Services, Inc. like to recommend to our customers.
- Spring bulbs
While spring bulbs don’t technically grow in the fall, planting them during this season will ensure a gorgeous display in spring. Great examples are fritillaria, allium, galanthus, winter aconite, tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinth among many others.
Before planting, remember to pick high-quality bulbs. These will look firm and plump, so avoid anything mushy, soft, and moldy. Planting them in the fall also requires the right environment. Even quality bulbs will die if they don’t get enough sun or if they get too much damp soil.
- Calendula
Calendula blossoms, which are very similar to daisies, provide a gentle color that lasts from late fall until spring, surviving mild-winter environments and lasting for days in a vase. They come in the classic shades of bright yellow and orange, as well as soft yellow, cream, and apricot.
Calendula plants require ample sun, but only moderate amounts of water. They do, however, require well-drained soil to thrive.
- Cut back your perennials and mulch
Although cutting back your perennials is technically not a planting suggestion, it still has a lot to do with keeping your garden in good shape during the fall. For starters, perennials don’t really do well in rough weather. Once the frost sets in, they tend to be plagued with a host of pest and disease problems, carrying over into spring. As such, perennials are best cut down in autumn.
The falling leaves will help you do all the mulching you want. If you’re worried about what your neighbors will think of the shredded brown leaves left behind by the mower, you’ll be pleased to know that they’ll eventually break down in the grass and disappear from sight. Moreover, if you continue this practice for a few years, you’ll have cultivated a landscape that permanently supports a beautiful spring and summer showing.
Summer may have ended a little too soon for your liking, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to lie dormant until next spring.