In most cases, seeds that are sown in autumn will sprout up earlier than spring planted ones, giving your garden a head start. And for those seeds that require cold stratification, this will happen naturally, removing the need to place seeds in the freezer or refrigerator.
Autumn into early winter (depending on where you live) is the peak time to plant spring-blooming bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, and crocuses. It's important to put them in the ground now because they need a long winter of beauty sleep to get ready for their spring coming-out party.
In heavy winter areas, that means from late September or October up until the ground freezes. (If you don't have much frost in your area, you should plant just before your rainiest season begins.
Fall planting will be much easier, so you should aim for getting your seed down late in the season, but before the ground freezes entirely.
In warm-winter areas, sow the seeds just before the rainy season begins, or from late fall into winter. Often, seedlings won't appear until the spring, but if you do see them and you're in a cold area, mulch over them once the ground has frozen completely.
Depending on the type of seed, it is definitely not too late to plant grass seed in October. Cool season grass seed varieties like Jonathan Green Black Beauty grass seed do well with planting in October. The most important thing is to lay the seeds down at least 45 days before the first threat of frost.
Fall seeding complements the natural growth cycles of cool-season grasses. As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels.
It's never too late. It just matters what you put into that garden. It's too late to grow tomatoes in your Chicago garden in September because you'll be getting cold weather soon, but you could still grow carrots, radishes, and lettuce plants.
Flowers (Zones 5-10):
October is a great time to plant those fall flowers. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring.
Planting in September
Plant now beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, celery, fava beans, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, both head and leaf lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, peas, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnips.
"Fall is an excellent time to plant almost any perennial, with the exception of many ornamental grasses, which are better planted in spring," says Erin Schanen, Troy-Bilt's gardening partner, a master gardener volunteer and creator of The Impatient Gardener blog and YouTube channel.
'Between late August and early October, the grass is typically at its thinnest, meaning grass seed can more easily reach the soil and germinate before the harsher, colder winter months. ' It is a good idea to choose a day with mild weather, preferably after rainfall, so your lawn is moist but not muddy.
Watering Thoroughly, but Not Too Much
Once the seeds have been properly sown and lightly incorporated into the existing soil, water the area thoroughly and leave until next spring. By this time of year, our cool to cold temperatures and short days will help keep the areas moist far longer than in summer.
Benefits of Dormant Seeding
The seeds will germinate in the spring before spring seeding does and therefore will be stronger and better able to survive the heat of summer. Plus, preloading your lawn with some good grass seed to compete with the weeds in the bare spots is a great way to help your lawn look its best.
During autumn, grass seed can germinate most effectively because soil temperatures are still warm (around 60ºF). Another crucial piece of information to think about before seeding is the pH reading of your soil.
Leafy greens and Brassicas: Lettuces, spinach, and Swiss chard can be planted from seed or from transplant this month. Plant members of the Brassica family, including broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, and cauliflower, from transplant. Kale can also be planted from seed in October.
A little feeding and overseeding in fall makes for lush, green grass in spring. Read on for more information on how to weed, feed and seed a cool-season lawn.