It’s amazing how the world as you know it can transform in the quick changing of seasons, especially during fall or autumn when, as author, Albert Camus, eloquently puts it, "Every leaf turns into a flower."
Indulge in the beauty and bounty of this season with your own gorgeous fall garden. Check out these cool weather-loving flowers, herbs, and vegetables that will thrive this time of the year. Plus practical tips on how to plan, plant, and maintain an enviable fall garden.
Fall Flowers To Plant
For spectacular fall colors, flowers are the way to go. There are several flowering plants that should make it into your fall garden checklist whose petals display vivid autumn hues ranging from the classic orange, bright yellow, to more distinct shades of cream, apricot, and purple.
Popular fall perennials and annuals include:
- Calendula
- Marigolds
- Hellebores
- Pansy
- New England aster
- Sedum
- Celosia
There are numerous options when it comes to fall vegetables to plant during the fall season, but the most popular items on the list are:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Bok choi
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Swiss chard
- Cauliflower
- Radish
- Ornamental kale, which has handsome flowers as a bonus
On the other hand, there are also some fast-growing herbs that thrive in cooler seasons and ripe for the picking come fall even if they’ve only been planted in the late summer. If you are not a patient kind of person and want instant gratification for your gardening efforts, grab a pot and plant these herbs:
- Cilantro or coriander
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Chives
- Mint
These herbs don’t only look good and convenient to grow even in cute little pots, but they can also make your quick meals gourmet with the right blend.
The Best Time to Plant
Determining the planting time for fall crops can be quite confusing, because it can vary from plant to plant and from where you are geographically. According to Better Homes and Gardening, the most optimal time is between the months of September or October, which is usually at least six weeks before your area gets hard frost.
Practical Fall Gardening Tips
Start small.
Pots and containers are not only smart space savers but they also allow the plant to get a concentration of water and nutrients without competing with others.
Improve the quality of your soil.
You can do this by introducing helpful nutrients, which can be done applying compost or vermicompost.
Water in the morning to avoid root rot and water sufficiently.
Since the months may get colder, it may be all right to decrease the frequency of your plants’ shower days. Best to check the soil from time to time using your fingers to poke to the ground to find out the best watering shed for them. Does the soil get parched and dry every day, every other day, every couple of days? You find out.
Know more about your fall flowers and crops.
Research about how long it’ll take for them to mature, if they prefer sunlight over shade, or if they require pruning every now and then.
Why You Should Definitely Give Gardening a Go
Growing a flower or edible garden can be a therapeutic and positive experience emotionally and mentally especially during these trying times. It provides a creative outlet to channel energy and focus your mind on. It gives you a reason to get up and get moving particularly if you are working from home these days. Here's the exciting part. It's such a rewarding experience to see your fall flowers blooming and bursting into the vivid colors of the season. If you planted edibles, you are going to feel so proud harvesting and using those vegetables or herbs into your recipes.
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