Best Fall Planting Ideas
Best Bulbs to Plant in the Fall
Bulbs are living plants that are separated into spring-planted and fall-planted bulbs. They will dry up if not nourished and planted after some time. Fall-planted bulbs are generally planted between September to November and go through a biochemical process with the long period of cool temperatures to flower. The following are some of the best bulbs to plant in the fall.
Peonies
Peonies are a perennial, which means they prefer a moist and warm ground. They thrive best when planted in the fall, as this way, they can slowly grow flowers during cold winters and bloom in spring. Peonies come in a variety of colours but are commonly white or pink.
Tulips
Tulips are a commonly planted bulb in the fall and are recommended to be planted no earlier than mid-October. Like peonies, they are also some of the best perennials to plant in fall. Tulips can be found in almost any colour of the rainbow and provide striking appeal to your garden.
Crocuses
Crocuses come in both fall and spring types. Ensure you’re planning spring-blooming crocuses in the fall, those of which may just be called “crocus”. These wonderful blooms come in a variety of colours just like tulips – reds, purples, blues, oranges, pinks, yellows, and more. Crocuses can be planted any time between September to November.
Daffodils
Daffodils, also called Narcissus, are a commonly fall-planted bulb that exude a happy aura once bloomed in the spring. It is recommended to plant these late September to early October. Their sunny disposition is sure to brighten up your garden.
Winter Aconites (Eranthis)
Winter Aconites, or Eranthis, are some of the first flowers that will bloom when spring arrives. Reminiscent of a buttercup, this bright yellow flower should be planted in the late fall.
Alliums
This round bloom is sometimes called an ornamental onion because of its shape and the beautiful flowers branching off the main stem. The purple allium adds an exquisite and serene beauty to your garden.
Hyacinths
Many flowers provide visual beauty, but the hyacinth is also known for its powerful fragrance. It is another fall-planted bulb that should be planted in mid to late fall. Commonly in shades of blue, purple, or pink, they will certainly turn heads in your garden.
Fritillaries
Fritillaries are best planted in September and October. With their exotic, bell-shaped appearance, they aren’t as commonly seen as tulips or peonies. Thanks to their variety of colours, you can opt for a bold or discrete look.
Best Flowers to Plant in the Fall
Planting flowers gives you a colourful, dynamic yard. There are plenty of ways you can use containers and designs to decorate as you please. Whether you want dynamic shapes, or uniformed classics, there are a variety of flowers that you can plant this fall that will emerge beautifully in spring.
Native Wildflowers
Native wildflowers provide a rustic, cottage look to a garden. They grow less uniformly than other blooms, indicated by its name. Wildflowers are beneficial flowers to plant in the fall, as these types of wildflowers are perfect pollinators. They act as a source of nectar and offer essential seeds for birds.
Cold Hardy Pansies and Violas
Resistant to cool temperatures, these sun-loving flowers are perfect for growing through the fall and winter months and then blooming in the spring. Common pansy colours include purple, red, yellow, and pink.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Known as easy-to-grow flowers, this daisy-like flower doesn’t just come in a yellow variation, but also in red and orange-brown, with a distinct black centre. These perennials aren’t just beautiful, they are also forgiving in terms of humidity and soil quality.
Oriental Poppies
Oriental poppies are stunning bowl-shaped flowers that represent peace. Generally red-orange in colour, these vibrant flowers require little care and will give your garden an eye-catching pop of colour.
Dianthus
Dianthuses are typically seen in butterfly or hummingbird gardens because they are pollinators. They are visually dynamic and exude a clove-like fragrance. Although these are some of the best flowers planted in the fall, they don’t like freezing temperatures, so they may require a frost blanket.
Best Fall Vegetables
Vegetables that are planted in the fall are known as cool-season vegetables. You can sow fast-growing salad crops like spinach and arugula and root crops like turnips and radishes to stock your pantry with plenty of homegrown produce.
Garlic
Around mid-September to the end of November, garlic cloves can be planted. Simply separate them and set each one pointed end up. As a perennial of the onion family, they are ideal for growing over winter. Look forward to cooking in the kitchen with this culinary staple!
Lettuce
Lettuce comes in a variety of flavors, textures, and colours. Although they ideally germinate and grow at temperatures between 16-18 degrees C, they can still germinate at temperatures as low as 4 degrees C. The moist weather during the fall is highly beneficial for growing.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a plant that likes to mature during cooler weather, so it is recommended to plant seeds 85 to 100 days before the first frost. When broccoli is planted during that sweet spot, you get sweeter and healthier heads to match.
Spinach
The rule of thumb for growing spinach is to both grow and harvest it quickly. Spinach requires a minimum of six weeks to grow before the first frost. Being a vegetable that grows quickly, you can harvest it throughout the seasons for fresh salads.
Arugula
Also known as rocket, arugula can be harvested in just six to eight weeks. Its bold and mustard-like flavor can provide a tangy addition to salads or other dishes. Growing conditions for arugula are like spinach, where seeds will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 4 degrees C.
Radishes
Radishes are a crunchy root vegetable that can be harvested just three weeks after planting. It is a root crop that can be planted later than other root crops in early fall. Sow seeds 4-6 weeks before the first fall frost and you can harvest them before winter.
Turnips
Turnips – radishes’ closely related cousin – come from different families but have similar growing habits. You can sow turnip seeds in your garden just 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in spring.
Fall is The Best Time to Plant Trees & Shrubs
Planting trees and shrubs in the fall is highly beneficial, as the warm soil and cool air come together to stimulate root growth. This way, your shrub or tree can establish itself before the first frost. With this extra season of growing, your plants won’t struggle to adjust to the drought or extreme heat in the summer.
To get started, shop The Home Depot’s Lawn and Garden Centre and follow our guide on how to plant a tree!