Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean it’s time to tuck the garden in for the season! In fact, fall is one of the busiest—and best—times for Midwest gardeners. Cooler temperatures make working outside a little more enjoyable, while warm soil gives new plants plenty of time to establish their roots before winter arrives.
Plant Now, Enjoy Later
Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and alliums. Plant them this fall, and you'll be rewarded with a burst of color when spring arrives. Think of it as a little gift you're planting for your future self!
Fall is also an excellent time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. With less heat stress and more consistent moisture, plants can focus their energy on establishing strong roots instead of putting on a lot of top growth.
Keep the Color Going
Don't be so quick to say goodbye to color! Mums, pansies, ornamental grasses, asters and other cool-season favorites can keep your garden and containers looking beautiful well into fall.
Add pumpkins and gourds to your porch, swap out tired summer annuals for fall favorites, and suddenly your garden has a whole new personality.
Not Everything Needs to Be Cut Back
Fall cleanup doesn't have to mean cutting everything down to the ground. Some perennials are better left standing through winter. Their seed heads can provide food for birds, while their stems and foliage offer shelter for beneficial insects.
Plants like coneflowers, ornamental grasses, black-eyed Susans and sedums can add beautiful winter interest while providing valuable habitat.
Leave a Little Mess
And don't feel like you need to rake every last leaf! A layer of shredded leaves can help protect garden soil, return organic matter to the garden and provide habitat for overwintering insects.
A tidy garden is nice—but a little wild can be good for the garden, too.
Before the First Frost...
There are still a few things to check off your gardening list:
- Plant spring bulbs
- Plant trees, shrubs and perennials
- Add fall color with mums and pansies
- Divide or transplant appropriate perennials
- Clean up diseased plant material
- Bring tender tropicals and houseplants indoors
- Give newly planted trees and shrubs a good drink
- Add mulch around plants before winter
- Clean and store gardening tools
- Leave some seed heads and stems for wildlife
So grab your gardening gloves and enjoy those crisp fall days while they last. There are still plenty of good gardening days ahead—and your spring garden will thank you!