Water:
As the summer heat still persists into fall you may need to water your plants more frequently than you would in the spring. For instance, if you normally water your plant every week, you may want to water them every 5 days or so. The summer heat makes the water in the soil evaporate quicker, so the soil dries out quicker.
Weed:
Just like your plants will vigorously grow during this time, so will the weeds. These pesky creepers will compete with your plants for nutrients, sun, and water. If you want to guarantee that your plants will grow in the fall, evict the intruders.
Mulch:
To go along with weeding, adding a layer of mulch around your plants will deter the growth of weeds. In addition, mulch will insulate the soil and protect the roots of your plant from the winter weather so they will survive until spring.
Clear Space:
You may notice that some of your annual plants or vegetables planted in the spring have succumbed to the summer sun and heat.
In order to make room for your fall plantings, remove the plants and as much of their roots as possible. These are perfect additions for compost.
Move Plants Indoors
If you don’t happen to live in the sunny spots of zones 9 through 11, now is the time to bring in those plants that you kept outside in for the winter. They’ll have their day in the sun when the weather warms, but for now, they are safer in the heat of your home.
Clean Gardening Tools
Since you most likely won’t be using your gardening gloves, shears, and trowels any time soon, you should clean them so they last for years to come and do not depreciate over the winter.
When to Plant a Fall Garden:
Now! Preparing and building your fall garden now will give your crops time to fully mature before the first frost comes. It never really is too early for you to begin planting.
When true autumn sets in, the light dims, and the heat slips away. The looming heat and light from the last few days of summer will keep the soil warm enough that the roots of your plants can grow before everything freezes over.
If you think that you have waited too long, there are some fast-growing plants, mostly lettuces, that can be planted later in the fall.
You can extend your harvest time by adding a hoop over your garden as shown below.
What to Plant in a Fall Garden:
Fall is the best time for a vegetable garden. There are numerous crops that actually do better when planted in the fall than they do in the spring. If you delay harvesting, the cooler temperatures will almost act like a refrigerator and your crops will last longer on the plant after ripening.
Here are some of our favorite fall vegetables and the length of time they need to mature:
Spring Bulbs
Although these plants will not be able to bloom until spring, they require the cold to fully set in and be ready for spring.
Although there is some delayed gratification, the wait will be worth it when these flowers burst out of the ground with pops of color to announce that spring has arrived.
Annuals
Although annuals will not last through the winter, planting these blooms now will give your garden a much-needed boost.
While perennials are preparing for dormancy and their flowers wilt away, annual plants will continue to bring color to your space.
erennials, Trees, and Shrubs
If your plants try to establish in the peak of summer, there is added stress that may hinder its health. Choosing fall to plant is the perfect, stress-free time for the roots of your plants to really grow and settle.
Then, when spring comes, the initial growth will already be done and your plants will astonish! Just be sure to give your plant enough time to complete this process before the winter comes.
Pansies
These beautiful blooms will persist until the end of the year (when the snow really sets in). If we’re lucky enough to have a mild winter, they may even last until spring!
And it’s as easy as that! Fall can be the most rewarding time for gardeners. Taking these steps will extend your season of interest through the first frost, and ensure that your garden will thrive in the spring!
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