Fall Gardening Tips: What to Plant & How to Prepare Your Autumn Garden

As the air turns cooler and the days grow shorter, fall gardening offers the chance to extend your harvest, refresh your soil, and prepare for spring (I know, sounds a little nuts). If you’re wondering how to make the most of your garden this autumn, here are key fall gardening tips to keep in mind:

Plant Cool-Season Vegetables

Many vegetables actually prefer the cooler months. Lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, and broccoli thrive in fall weather. Check your local frost date and count backward to know what you can still plant.

Enrich and Protect Your Soil

Fallen leaves aren’t just for raking, they make excellent compost or mulch. Adding organic matter in the fall builds healthier soil for both your autumn crops and next year’s spring garden.

Add Fall Color with Flowers

Chrysanthemums (aka Mums), pansies, and ornamental cabbages bring bright pops of color when most summer blooms fade. These fall flowers make your garden cozy and inviting through the season.

Extend the Growing Season

Want more fresh produce? Use row covers, cold frames, or mulch to shield plants from early frosts. Simple protection can stretch your fall harvest well into late autumn. Here in zone 10b we don't have to worry about frost and actually focus on how to grow year-round (which brings it's own challenges), but figured I'd leave this note in there for others.

Plant for Spring Now

Autumn is the perfect time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and garlic. They’ll rest over winter and burst into life as soon as the soil warms in spring.

With these fall gardening tips, your autumn garden can stay productive, colorful, and ready for the seasons ahead. A little work now brings big rewards later!

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