Just because summer is coming to an end, doesn’t mean your gardening has to. Dropping temperatures may wipe out your summer annuals but we’ve got a list of things to keep your landscapes blooming through fall. Not only that, but we also have put together a checklist to help keep your garden prepared and maintained for the coming season.

Annuals & Perennials

Contrary to popular belief, fall is a great time to plant! There are even many plant species that prefer a period of cold dormancy to help flourish in spring. As for what can bring more life and color to your gardens and landscapes now, let’s look at some popular fall interest annuals & perennials available at Franz Witte!

Pansy

Pansies are a beautiful, dainty plant to add to your landscapes for an extra pop of color. Although there are some perennial varieties, they are primarily cool-season annuals.

Ornamental Pepper

There are many different varieties of ornamental peppers. A couple of popular ones you can find at Franz Witte include Black Pearl, Joker, Santos Orange, and Acapulco Red & Yellow pictured below.

Ornamental Kale & Cabbage

These guys add a fun look to your fall interest landscapes and gardens. With their unique growth patterns and leaf shapes as well as deep green and purple colors, these plants are sure to make a statement in any space.

Mums

These popular blooms have been a fall staple for decades! With colors ranging from deep red to bright yellow and pink, there’s a mum perfect for every space.

Blanket flower (Gaillardia)

These perennials are a popular choice because of their unique color pattern and petal shape.

Wondering what else you can plant in the fall? Here is a list of popular cool-season vegetables, bulbs, and more to plant in September & October as well as a maintenance checklist for each month!

September

What To Plant

• Greens such as lettuce, arugula, kale, Asian greens, salad greens
• Radish
• Beets
• Peas
• Cilantro

Maintenance

• Start to bring in temperature-sensitive plants such as citrus, houseplants, and more.
• Add some nutrients to your soil
• Start cutting back dead plants to prevent pests
• Continue to harvest summer produce

October

What To Plant

• Garlic
• Onion
• Shallot
• Spring bulbs including Daffodil, Tulip, and Hyacinth

Maintenance

• Mulch beds to add a layer of protection from the harsh cold during winter
• Continue to cut back dead plants to prevent pests
• Continue to prune spent blooms. Some varieties including Sunflower, Coneflower, Rudbeckia, and Coreopsis can be left for birds to feed on during the winter months.
• Harvest any remaining produce
• Cut back grasses or leave up for winter interest

Snake River Seed Cooperative also has this great planting guide for each season in our zones that you can use as an additional resource!

For more information and ideas on what to plant this upcoming season, make sure to stop by Franz Witte to check out what’s in stock and let our experts help guide you to success this planting season.