What You Need To Know About Fall Planting
Did you know that fall is a great time to plant? In many parts of the country, fall means cooler temperatures, warm soil, and increased rain. These conditions encourage root growth, and reduce your watering duties, too! Pest pressure decreases, with most having completed their life cycles or begun their dormancy period. Weed pressure also decreases, giving new plants less competition. Last but certainly not least, fall's cooler days invite time spent in the garden. It’s a terrific time to plant!
Getting the timing right is essential for success with fall planting – because gardeners need to know when a killing frost is going to sweep through your area and put an end to the growing season. We're here to help you with expert advice for planting wildflower seeds, perennial plants & woodland wildflowers, and flower bulbs this fall. Read on to learn more!
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General Fall Planting Tips
- First frost dates help determine planting times, which will vary by region. We ship fall-planted perennials and flower bulbs when it's time to plant in your zone.
- It’s good to know your regional signs, such as the first frost, the onset of fall rains, or the freezing of soil). If hesitant, check with your local state extension office for advice.
- Find Your USDA Zone Here
- Find Your Frost Dates Here
- When planting any time of year, good soil preparation is essential!
Tips For Planting Wildflower Seeds In Fall
Planting in fall mimics the natural lifecycle of flower seed heads dispersing ripened seeds at the end of the season. Plus, fall-planted meadows typically bloom 2-3 weeks ahead of spring-planted meadows!
The secret to success is getting the timing right for your climate. When you know your USDA zone and average first frost date, you'll have the information you need to determine if a dormant fall planting or an active fall planting is best.
Find Your USDA Zone Here | Find Your Frost Dates Here
Areas With Freezing Winters | Generally Zones 1-6
Northeast, Midwest, and The Rockies
- In areas with a deep winter freeze and shorter growing seasons, we recommend a dormant planting for seeds in fall. Dormant planting means spreading seeds after a few killing frosts, so that the seeds lay dormant over the winter.
- The goal of dormant planting is for seeds to lay inactive over the winter. Sowing should happen only after several killing frosts and when ground temperatures are continuously below 50°F.
- Germination will begin the following season after ground temperatures have warmed up to above 55°F.
Temperate Climates | Generally Zones 7-10
Much of the Southeast and Southwest
- In areas with warmer winters, the longer growing season allows for an active wildflower seeding in early fall. Timing is critical for success; seeds must be sown at least 8 weeks before the first frost date.
- In these areas with long growing seasons, you have the opportunity to plant quick-blooming annual wildflower seeds in fall for a nice display of fall color.
- You can plant perennial wildflower seeds to give them a head start on next year's blooms. The perennials will establish their root systems in the fall, and they will go dormant over the winter. Then, they'll be able to wake up and start growing in spring as soon as the soil warms up.
- You can also wait until later in the season to do a dormant planting for seeds as well (see above).
Areas with No Winter Freeze | Zones 11+
Southern Florida/Texas/California, Southwest
- In these areas with long growing seasons and no winter freeze, you can plant almost all winter.
- In frost-free areas with intense summer heat, your best planting time is during fall for winter bloom, so you'll be able to enjoy a good bloom time before your inevitable burn-out once summer begins.
- In especially dry climates, it's always best to plant just before your rainiest season begins. This extra moisture will be essential for helping seeds germinate.
Learn More!
See our guide How To Plant Wildflowers for detailed planting information and more expert tips.
Tips For Planting Perennials In Fall
As nights lengthen and days begin to cool off in the fall, soil is still quite warm. This provides an ideal environment for plants to encourage root growth. Even while a perennial is dormant, its roots will continue to grow through cool fall months, until the soil is frozen.
By the time next spring warms the soil, your new plants have had plenty of time to establish strong, healthy roots. They'll be ready to start growing as soon as the soil warms and they are ready to wake up from dormancy. (Remember, some plants wake up later in the spring than others.)
- Mulching can help protect plants over the winter. In most cases, a two-inch layer of mulch placed around the plant, leaving at least an inch of space around the crown of the plant, is a great idea for extra root protection over the winter.
- Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizer, which encourages top-growth. This resulting growth will most certainly be killed by frosts and the plant will be damaged or killed.
- You can use bone meal to promote root growth, but be sure to use a very small amount and mix it well with the soil, as too much phosphate can have a detrimental effect on microscopic soil organisms.
Learn More! Visit our Perennial Learning Center for ideas and planting guides on our most popular plants.
Spotlight On Planting Woodland Wildflowers In Fall
Fall is the ideal time to plant woodland wildflowers! Many woodland flowers are the first flowers of spring, and some varieties can be slow to fully mature.
- Planting woodland wildflowers in fall will allow these plants to establish their roots, giving you a better chance of seeing blooms in their first spring season.
- Most woodland plants are shipped as tubers or dormant bareroots, as this is the best practice for transplanting them. In fall, you are not likely to see top growth. Mark planting sites with an easy-to-see flag or marker so you can keep an eye on your new plantings, and keep the area clear of woody debris over the winter.
Learn More: See our guide on How To Build A Woodland Wildflower Garden.
Tips For Fall-Planted Flower Bulbs
Spring's earliest flowers are planted in fall! Fall-planted flower bulbs, including popular Daffodils, Tulips, Alliums, Snowdrops, and more, must be planted in fall to receive adequate time chilling in the ground. This chilling cycle is essential for the bulbs to form flower bulbs.
- If you live in a warm, frost-free climate, you can refrigerate fall-planted bulbs for 12 weeks before planting to ensure beautiful blooms.
- Plant bulbs when average night temperatures are in the 40°F-50°F range to prevent rot or disease issues. This is usually about four weeks before your last frost.
- Mix a wheelbarrow of half organic compost and half native soil to amend each hole before planting.
- For bulbs, dig a small hole with a depth of two to three times the height of the bulb, leaving an inch of crumbly and workable soil in the bottom. Add another inch of amended soil, plant the bulb right side up, and fill the hole with native or amended soil.
- Don’t forget to mark your bulb planting site with sticks or markers to avoid accidentally digging them up later.
Learn More! Visit Our Fall-Planted Bulb Learning Center for ideas and planting guides for our most popular bulbs.
