Autumn's cooler temperatures and wetter weather mean a better start for trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials. Vegetables and herbs grow well in fall, too, especially greens and root vegetables. When you plant in fall, you take advantage of milder weather. More rain and moderate temperatures equals less watering.
Starting seeds in the fall and allowing them to overwinter leads to earlier germination and healthier, more acclimated plants. Because germination is allowed to happen naturally, as opposed to starting them in an artificial environment such as a greenhouse or indoors, seedlings will appear when conditions are right.
Fall Planting Results in Earlier Blooms
Like fall-seeded lawns, fall-planted wildflower seed has a chance to "settle" into your site during the winter, and is ready to burst into growth in early spring. This is why fall-planted wildflower seed is up and in bloom about two weeks earlier than spring-planted seed.
Fall is Good for Root Growth
Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth – more so than in the spring when the soil is still warming up. Plus, with the shorter days and cooler air temperatures, plants spend less energy on growing foliage and flowers and more on building a strong root system in preparation for winter.
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.
Generally, seeds have to be planted four to six weeks prior to the cold season. The ideal period to sow seeds is typically between late March and late May. Let the plant have enough time to sprout and grow, so it can be moved to a new location.
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.
Grow Healthy Roots
In spring the soil is cold, so the roots of newly planted perennials grow slowly. In fall the soil is warm, so roots grow faster. Since the plants don't produce flowers, they have more energy for sending vigorous roots into the soil of their new home.
Plants welcome warmer soil
And while the air temperature may drop in autumn, the soil temperature holds on to heat more readily than the air -- so the soil stays warm and welcoming to plant root systems.
Autumn can be one of the most beneficial seasons of the year to plant your seeds because it's not too hot or too cold, and rain is steady.
When it's October, people often wonder if it is too late to plant new seed. The good news is if you hurry, seed can still be planted in October with the hope that it will survive the upcoming winter. Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results.
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.
Seed from a temperate climate needs to control the time of year in which germination occurs. Some seed germinates in fall and usually stays under ground where it is better protected from the cold. Then in spring true leaves start to grow. Other seed wants to stay dormant until the warm spring arrives.
The fall time is also a time in which farmers plant their cover crops, which are important to maintaining soil health. A cover crop is grown by farmers primarily to benefit the soil.
From early fall through most of November is one of the best times of year to plant spring-blooming bulbs, cool-season annuals and vegetables, as well as many trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Divide fall blooming perennials in the spring because
New growth is emerging and it is easier to see what you are doing. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery.
You can transplant perennials anytime until the ground freezes in the fall, or wait to transplant them in the spring. Fall is an excellent time to transplant herbaceous perennials because your plants will then have three seasons to establish a good root system before hot summer weather sets in next year.
Planting in fall allows these plants to establish root systems that they can then bulk up over the winter. Also, in fall, there's usually more rain– which means less maintenance for you.
Planting. Most perennials should be planted in the fall or early spring. Fall planting gives the plant more time to become established before the start of active growth in the spring. Fall-planted perennials are usually well-established before hot weather.
Cutting back perennials in the fall is not only a great way to keep flowerbeds looking neat and tidy through winter, but it also aids greatly in keeping plants vibrant and blooming the following year. Removing spent foliage and blooms helps a plant focus on recharging it's roots and resources.
Some Plants Are Especially Cold Hardy
Many cold hardy perennials, shrubs and trees are excellent candidates for fall planting. In general, plants with USDA cold hardiness ratings of 3, 4 and 5, are the best candidates for fall transplanting in cold winter climates.
While you can plant a late planting to the first frost date, it's always best to allow as much growing time as possible. If you missed the spring planting, then calculate which vegetables you can grow now and still have a harvest before the first frost.
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.