There’s still time to garden before the season ends!
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As the growing season begins to wind down in much of the country, you may think there’s nothing left to plant in your garden. Not true! There’s plenty you can do to get a head start on next year. For starters, spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in fall. Trust us: You’ll be glad you planned ahead when you see them pop up after a long, dark winter! Get them in the ground any time before the ground freezes, which is from October to mid-December, depending on where you live. Fall also is a great time to plant shrubs and trees because the cooler temperatures of autumn aren’t as stressful on plants. When the soil is warm and the air temperature is cool, plants are encouraged to put out root growth for a healthy head start next spring. When buying, make sure any bulb, shrub, or tree is suited to your USDA Hardiness zone (find yours here) so they’ll make it through the winter in your climate. And if there’s a dry spell, keep watering shrubs and trees until the ground freezes.
Typically, here’s what you can plant in October:
1
Pansies
These bright annuals add a pop of color to the autumn landscape in beds, window boxes, or pots. Many types will tolerate frost or even a light freeze, and in warm climates, they can last all winter long.
Try: Plentifall Frost, Sunrise
2
Kale
Kale loves cool weather. In some parts of the country, you’ll have enough time to enjoy baby kale planted from seed because it matures in about 50 to 60 days. In cooler climates, plant cold-hardy types now for an early crop next spring. Your plants will pop up but not do much now, linger through winter, then be ready to harvest in early spring.
Try: Winterbor, Red Russian
3
Garlic
If you haven’t already, it’s time to get your garlic in the ground. Soft neck types consist of many cloves and store a long time. Hard neck types are easier to peel, and you get the bonus of harvesting the stems, or garlic scapes, next summer before digging up the bulbs.
Try: New York White, Russian Red
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4
Tulips
Tulips are the show-offs of the spring garden. But they do need a little coddling because they’re tempting to rodents, who like to dig them up and eat them! Plant tulips underneath less tasty bulbs, such as daffodils, or in a pot covered with chicken wire. If you live in a warm climate such as Zones 8 or 9, be sure to purchase pre-chilled bulbs to ensure they get the cold they need to bloom.
Try: Angelique, Shirley
5
Crocuses
These cheery cup-shaped blooms appear in late winter, sometimes when snow is still on the ground. They’re some of the earliest and most reliable bulbs to bloom. Plant them en masse for the biggest visual impact.
Try: Blue Pearl, Tricolor
6
Arugula
In warm climates, there’s still plenty of time to plant arugula, which is ready to pick about 30 days after planting. Snip off the leaves when they’re 2 to 3 inches long.
Try: Italian Rocket, Surrey
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7
Irises
These late spring bloomers come in every shade of the rainbow. Plant the rhizome (which look like a skinny sweet potato) with the flat part down and the top exposed. In hot climates, plant just below the soil surface. It may seem counterintuitive, but iris rhizomes can't be planted too deep or they won't bloom well.
Try: Blatant, Peaco*ck Butterfly Painted Woman
8
Flowering Shrubs
If your spring and summer landscape could use some reliable color, plant flowering shrubs. For biggest impact, plant several different easy-care types with varying bloom times. For example, plant forsythia and lilacs for spring color and hydrangeas and butterfly bushes for summer color. Many new varieties of shrubs have been developed in recent years to include reblooming types or dwarf varieties that won’t get too big for small spaces.
Try: Magical Gold Forsythia, Bloomerang Dark Purple Lilac, Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush, Invicibelle Spirit II Hydrangea
9
Hellebores
Hellebores are, in a word, stunning! These perennials bloom in late winter to early spring, depending on the variety and region where you live. They appear fragile but actually are tough and long-lasting.
Try: Wedding Party Confetti Cake, Phoenix
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10
Shade Trees
Fall is also the time for planting deciduous trees! Plant shade trees now, being sure not to plant too deep (a common mistake); the root flare, where the trunk begins to widen at the base of the tree should be above ground. Add mulch to retain moisture and keep down weeds, but don’t mound it up against the trunk in a “mulch volcano” because that invites insects and disease.
Try: Red Maple, Serviceberry, Chaste Tree
