Fall Gardening Trends: What to Plant This Autumn

Fall is upon us and not only is it a great time to plant and add a few of those newest offerings just hitting the market, but it’s also the perfect time to get new garden beds and ideas set up for the spring!

The summer heat is waning, the veggie garden is slowing down, and plants are getting ready for the winter. But now is not the time to kick back!

So what’s new on the horizon for your landscape this year? Here are a few new ideas for you to employ and wow the neighbors, friends, and family!

1. The Incredible Shrinking Front Lawn
2. The Mini-Farmstead/Homestead
3. Growing Your Own Superfruits & Healthy Organic Eating!
4. Restful & Healthy Environments
5. Making Bouquets and Dried Décor From What You Grow!
6. Create Bonsai, Tree-Form, Topiary, or Espalier Plants
Kick Start Your Autumn!

The Incredible Shrinking Front Lawn

Sure it looks good, and has become the ‘standard’ for what the front of your home should look like, but is a money/water/time/energy trap, not to mention a waste of space that requires chemicals and work to keep it looking its best.

Removing the lawn entirely, or piece by piece, gives you more room for flowers and fewer irrigation curb appeal methods! As property sizes shrink and space gets tight, fewer folks are worried about the water-hungry front lawn of days gone by. With so many new groundcovers, flowers, shrubs, and trees available, many gardeners are turning their sights on replacing that grass with a new planting bed, vegetable garden, or outdoor living space!

With just as much curb appeal as the turf, a tidy front garden with seating, a focal point shade tree, and wrapped in flowering shrubs or sheared evergreens for privacy, is quickly becoming a better option. Especially when combined with planting natives, xeric gardens, and places where birds and pollinators can also feel welcome!

Using plants that pull double duty in the landscape - by either providing shade for money-saving cooling in the increasingly hot summers, broadening food sustainability and access, or just finding room for all the cool new plants that keep coming out each year!

Some hot new plants to make room for this fall include -

French Manicure Hydrangea
Butterfly Candy Butterfly Bushes
Ice Breaker™ Korean Fir
Baby Kim® Lilac
Prairie Splendor™ Coneflower
Boom Chocolatta Hardy Geranium

Another way to get rid of water-hogging lawns and turf is by creating pathways of native lawn turf like Buffalo Grass, or pavers down the middle of a swath of native tall and short grasses mixed with prairie flowers and wildflowers! Simultaneously creating a butterfly and bee haven as well as a Xeric and drought-tolerant area that won’t need constant fuss or watering once established.

Blue False Indigo
Asters
Purple Coneflowers
Milkweed
Goldenrod
Cup Plant
Bee Balm
Indian Grass
Big & Little Bluestems
Culvers Root
Coreopsis
Liatris

The Mini-Farmstead/Homestead

Healthy food sources, wider choices in crop type and diversity, plus food sustainability continue to be a top priority for many. Whether it is turning the backyard into a vegetable garden and orchard to raise chickens and rabbits or just expanding the Victory garden that you started during Covid. The desire to turn part of your landscape, rooftop, or balcony gardens, into an edible landscape and personal grocery store has increased exponentially!

With the help of high-density planting, edible landscaping, and the many new dwarf fruiting bushes and space-saving vertical garden options, growing more food in less space has become so easy! Plus many small-scale homesteaders like to sell their produce at farmers' markets or share with neighbors! After all, homegrown goodness is always best!

Grow your own Mushrooms!
Golden Raspberries
Pink Blueberries like Pink Lemonade Blueberry Bush
Gooseberry Bush
Honeyberry/Sweetberry/Haskap Plants
Persimmons
Fig Trees
Pomegranates
Heirloom/Specialty Fruit Trees

Growing Your Own Superfruits & Healthy Organic Eating!

The ability to get access to nutrient-dense superfruits for fresh eating organically, and making your own smoothies, juice, and snacks is easy!

These are also highly unusual plants, easy to grow, and serve double duty in the front and back landscape with some careful planning. We’re sure the neighbors will be clamoring to see what it is you have growing now!

Goji Berry
Aronia Bushes
Consort Black Currant
Elderberry Bushes
Tropical Fruit Trees

Restful & Healthy Environments

Gardening is already great exercise and good for your mental and spiritual well-being. Creating outdoor spaces that refresh the mind, body, and spirit by relaxing you, chasing away stress, reducing cortisol, and improving sleep and air quality, are very much needed in this polluted, increasingly urban day and age! We all need less stress and ways to unplug and there’s nothing like spending some quality time getting some sun, breathing fresh air, and finding a quiet place to meditate.

A water feature with an outdoor rug and floor pillows to meditate. Surround yourself with lavender, and peonies, Roses, Jasmine vines, and scented flowering shrubs like Gardenia and Mock Orange.
A yoga or Tai Chi area surrounded by swishy ornamental grasses or calming evergreens
A hammock surrounded by dense flowering shrubs, Ferns, Hosta, and a big shade tree
A small pond with a garden bench, water garden plants, and a gazing ball
Create a morning coffee nook with a bistro set, surrounded by fragrant Roses

A healthy-for-you garden includes making it more sinus friendly!

In addition to female-only perennials, trees and shrubs, and sterile forms of plants, you can create a sneeze-free environment (at least outside your own doors)! Keeping weeds down naturally, limiting pesticides and spraying, and deadheading/shearing at specific times of the flowering cycle, will all help you create a hypoallergenic environment outdoors. Go outside after rain and on cooler mornings/days, wear a mask if needed on hot days and when the pollen count is high, and always shower/change clothing immediately after working/spending lots of time outdoors.

Azaleas/Rhododendrons
Boxwood
Clematis
Dahlias
Dogwood Tree/Shrub
Evergreens & Privet (sheared)
Iris
Garden Phlox
Hydrangea
Magnolia
Perennial & Tropical Hibiscus
Palm Trees
Peony
Rose of Sharon
Sea Thrifts
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Verbena
Vinca (Periwinkle)
Viburnum Shrubs

Making Bouquets and Dried Décor From What You Grow!

Filling your home with scented bouquets for relaxing and elaborate table arrangements when entertaining, or be generous and give the gift of cheer! Create dried décor with what you can pretty up your home, dry herbs and flowers for Wreaths to enjoy all winter, and fresh or dried floral arrangements

Growing a cut flower garden not only enhances your home indoors but also adds curb appeal outside too! Many brides are even growing their wedding decorations, and bridal bouquets, and growing their reception gifts too!

Choose plants that are long-blooming, reblooming, and flowering throughout all parts of the spring, summer, and fall for something new in your arrangements all year round!

Ornamental Grasses like Pampas with showy seed heads
Spring flowering bulbs & Ephemerals
Late Spring flowering perennials like Peony, Daisies & Columbines
Foliage plants for greenery like Ferns, Hosta, Coral Bells, Artemisia & Evergreens
Summer and Late Summer blooming plants - Daylily, Roses & Coneflower
Fall blooming and fall reblooming perennials - Hydrangea, Sedum, Rudbeckia & Asters
Herb plants for drying and crafts
Filler plants like Baby’s Breath, Clematis, Russian Sage, Yarrow, and Astilbe
Great flowers for drying - Roses, Hydrangeas, Yarrow, Lavender, Globe Thistle & Statice

Create Bonsai, Tree-Form, Topiary, or Espalier Plants

Want to try your hand at something completely different this fall? Grow and train your trees and vines into either trim little Bonsai, train vines into tree forms, or create a truly unique Espalier! These are the ultimate hobby gardening achievements! There are so many benefits that both these space-saving forms of pruning and training methods can have on your home, mood, your mental state (it's meditative!), and are surefire conversation pieces!

Train vines like Grapes, Clematis, Climbing Roses, and Trumpet Vines can be trained into crisscrossing grids, in spirals up supports or poles, or into stand-alone weeping tree forms like Wisteria vines are trained into trees!
Fruit trees and flowering trees can both be trained into flat, tiered Espalier forms. There are many forms of Espalier and all look so unique that you’ll be able to find one best for your experience level, for the plant you’re working with, and the way you are using your Espalier!

Many shrubs, especially broad-leaved evergreens, or conifers can be trained and pruned into pompom or spiral topiary forms, sheared into shapes that are only limited by your imagination!

Almost any tree or large shrub can be trained into a Bonsai by limiting its root growth and moisture needs, compacting its root system, and trimming and wiring it a certain way to mimic the look of a plant dwarf and contorted by harsh environments on mountains and tenuously clinging to rocks and cliffs! Start with a smaller-sized tree about 1-3 years of age and begin training it this fall. Please note that most of these plants will still need their winter dormancy unless you try your hand at Bonsai with a houseplant that stays indoors or on the porch. So once you start training your tree or shrub, you’ll have all winter to wait to see your new growth in the spring.

Start small and try an easy Kokedama for your home!

Kick Start Your Autumn!

Everything you do for your landscape this fall means less you’ll need to do in the spring, and will have your winter garden ready for the chilly next few months! Plus with some careful fall planning, you’ll have a better view (and a better stocked pantry) that winter! Set in motion your plans for 2024 this autumn with the help of Nature Hills Nursery!

Check out the premade Autumn Wreaths for easy decorating this fall, saving you more time to set your lofty new plans in motion!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables should I plant in fall to get a full harvest before the first frost?

Fall is the ideal time to focus on cool-season crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and can even tolerate a light frost, including kale, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets, and broccoli. In most growing zones, you should count back from your average first frost date and plant accordingly, giving leafy greens 4 to 6 weeks and root vegetables 8 to 10 weeks to mature. Check your local frost dates and use that timeline to get seeds or transplants in the ground as soon as possible this fall.

How do I figure out the right time to start a fall garden based on my local frost dates?

To determine the right time to start your fall garden, look up your local average first frost date using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map or your local cooperative extension service. Most cool-season vegetables and new plantings need to be established 6 to 8 weeks before that first frost date to thrive. For most of the country, this means getting plants in the ground between late August and mid-October depending on whether you are in zones 4 through 9. Visit the Nature Hills website to find zone-specific plant recommendations and use your frost date as a countdown to get the right plants in the ground at the right time.

How do I decide whether to direct sow seeds or start with transplants for fall planting?

For fall planting, fast-maturing crops like radishes, lettuce, spinach, and carrots do best when direct sown 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost date, since they establish quickly and handle cool soil well. Transplants are the smarter choice for crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, which need a longer head start and benefit from being set out as established seedlings 6 to 10 weeks before frost. Check your USDA hardiness zone and local first frost date to calculate your planting window, then use that timeline to determine which method gives each crop the best chance to mature. Start with transplants for slow-growing brassicas and direct sow your quick crops in prepared, well-draining beds for the most productive fall garden.

Which fall vegetables and flowers are the easiest and fastest growing for beginner gardeners?

For beginner fall gardeners, cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and kale are your best bets, as they germinate quickly and can handle light frosts, making them ideal for planting 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost date. Radishes are especially rewarding for new gardeners since they mature in as little as 25 days. For flowers, fast-growing annuals like pansies and marigolds thrive in fall temperatures and add immediate color to beds and borders. Head to naturehills.com to stock up on fall-ready plants and get them in the ground now while soil temperatures are still warm enough to support strong root establishment before winter sets in.

How often should I water vegetables, flowers, and shrubs I plant in fall?

Fall plantings generally need less frequent watering than summer plantings because cooler temperatures reduce evaporation and plant stress. As a rule of thumb, water newly planted shrubs and perennials deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1 inch of water per session, then taper off as temperatures drop below 40 degrees F. Vegetables and annual flowers in fall may need water every 2 to 3 days depending on rainfall and your region, with gardeners in drier climates like USDA zones 7 through 10 needing to water more consistently through the season. Check soil moisture 2 to 3 inches below the surface before watering, and always water in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal issues heading into winter.

Should I fertilize my garden in fall, and what type of fertilizer works best this time of year?

Fall fertilizing depends on what you're feeding. For trees, shrubs, and perennials, apply a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer like a 5-10-10 formula in early fall, at least 6 weeks before your first expected frost, to support root development without pushing tender new growth that winter will damage. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in fall, as they encourage leafy growth that is vulnerable to cold. Focus your feeding on the root zone, water it in well, and let your plants build the underground strength they need to explode with vigor come spring.

How do I protect fall plantings from early frost, cold snaps, and overnight temperature swings?

Newly planted shrubs, trees, and perennials installed in fall need a few weeks to establish roots before hard freezes arrive, so aim to get plants in the ground at least 6 weeks before your average first frost date. Applying a 3 to 4 inch layer of shredded bark mulch over the root zone insulates soil, moderates temperature swings, and retains moisture through freeze-thaw cycles. In zones 4 through 6, wrapping tender broadleaf evergreens like newly planted hollies or boxwoods in burlap can prevent desiccation from winter winds during their first season. Monitor your local frost forecasts and keep frost cloth or old bedsheets on hand to drape over vulnerable plants on nights when temperatures are expected to drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should I mulch my garden beds now or wait until after the ground freezes?

Mulching in fall is best done after the ground has experienced a few hard frosts but before it freezes completely, typically when soil temps drop to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying 2 to 4 inches of mulch at this stage helps insulate roots, regulate soil temperature fluctuations, and protect perennials through winter, especially in Zones 3 through 6 where freeze-thaw cycles can heave plants out of the ground. Mulching too early while the soil is still warm can invite rodents to nest and may delay the hardening off process plants need to prepare for winter. Go ahead and get your mulch stockpiled now, and plan to spread it around your trees, shrubs, and perennial beds after that first solid cold snap hits your area.

What fall garden cleanup tasks should I tackle now, and what is better left until spring?

Fall is the right time to cut back spent annuals, pull out finished vegetable plants, divide overcrowded perennials, and plant spring-flowering bulbs before the ground freezes. However, leave the seed heads of coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses standing through winter, as they feed birds and provide important overwintering habitat for beneficial insects. Ornamental grasses and many perennials are best cut back in late winter or early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge, typically February or March depending on your zone. Focus your fall energy on planting new shrubs, trees, and perennials now while soil is still warm, and save the heavy cutting back for late winter.

How do I get my soil ready for fall planting while also setting it up for success next spring?

Fall is the ideal time to amend your soil because cooler temperatures allow organic matter to begin breaking down over winter, so your beds will be primed and ready come spring. Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil before planting, and consider a soil test to identify any deficiencies in pH or nutrients that can be corrected over the dormant season. Add a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches deep over newly planted areas to insulate roots, retain moisture, and continue feeding soil microbes through winter. Shop Nature Hills for fall-ready plants, amendments, and mulch to get your landscape off to the best possible start now and next spring.

Trends in Fall Gardening For 2023!