Autumn Gardening
As the warm summer months begin to come to an end, many gardeners are starting to put away their tools, clean up their gardens, and prepare for the next growing season in the coming weeks. However, just because summer is coming to a close, doesn’t mean that you have to close up shop around your garden! While fall gardening may not allow you to plant directly into the ground, or to plant more delicate flowers and vegetables, container gardening remains the perfect way to create stunning fall masterpieces that will brighten up your home well into these cooler months ahead. So let’s take a look at some of the ways you can start a fall garden.
Why Containers?
Container planting offers several advantages to gardeners looking to maintain their garden for at least a few more months into the year and throughout the fall. The first of these advantages is the container itself. While the natural environment around you might start to lose some of the vibrant colors from the summer, planters create their own aura with a burst of color, height, width, or any other quality you might be looking for, in the spaces around your home. Secondly, containers, primarily those with planting inserts, make it incredibly easy to start planting and to swap out plants as the nights and days get colder. Finally, these planters are the perfect place to put holiday decor that is easily interchanged as we approach the holiday season.
Planters create their own aura with a burst of color
Choosing the Right Planter
When choosing the right container for fall gardening, consider the size and style of the planter. Will the planter fit in the space you are considering, and will the planter be the right style for the plants or decor that you want to use it for? Consider having planters of more than one size, as a set of planters (matching or not) can be used to create a unique and varied home and garden design. Remember to fill your larger planters with a greater mix of plants to create a fuller look, while your smaller containers are the perfect size for smaller arrangements or individual plants.
Best Plants for Fall Containers
Pansies and Violas:
These hardy flowers come in a range of colors and can handle cooler temperatures, making them ideal for fall. Their cheerful faces can brighten up even the dreariest autumn day.
Mums:
Chrysanthemums are a fall favorite. They bloom in a variety of colors and can handle the crisp weather, adding a vibrant touch to your containers.
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage:
These plants add texture and a splash of color with their frilly, colorful leaves. They’re also quite resilient and can handle frost.
Heuchera:
Known for its striking foliage in shades of red, orange, and purple, Heuchera adds depth and interest to your containers.
Sedum:
This succulent plant thrives in cooler weather and can provide a lovely contrast with its fleshy, colorful leaves.
Evergreens:
Small evergreen shrubs or ground covers like juniper or ivy can provide structure and a touch of green throughout the fall and winter months.
As a quick reminder for planting in the fall, try to place your plants in more direct sunlight. As the days grow shorter, and the nights and mornings get colder, your plants need as much sun as they can get to stay healthy throughout the colder days. Placing your plants in complete shade during the early and late fall can be a recipe for a quickly failing fall garden.
Creating Your Fall Garden
When you begin putting together your fall container, remember to follow the main principles for container planting, looking for a centerpiece, a filler, or a piece that spills out of the container. Plant using both layers, colors, accents, and different textures throughout the planter to create a truly unique and stunning arrangement for your fall garden. Don’t forget to water these plants regularly as the Autumn months can be surprisingly dry! For some more thoughts and tips on planting in your gardening container, check out this other article on our blog
Fall container gardening is a wonderful way to embrace the season and keep your outdoor spaces lively and colorful. By selecting the right plants and arranging them thoughtfully, you can create beautiful displays that celebrate autumn’s charm. So, don’t let the season pass you by—get your hands dirty and bring a touch of fall to your garden with vibrant containers that will delight through the cooler months.
Happy gardening!