🍁 What to Plant This Fall: Complete Guide for Flowers, Veggies & Fruits

🌸 Flowers to Plant in Fall

Pansies

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 6–10

• Seed Germination: 10–20 days

• Sun Needs: Full to partial sun

• Water Needs: Keep soil consistently moist

• Companions: Violas, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage

• Care Tips: Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Ideal temperatures for blooming are around 60°F by day and 40°F at night. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering. ​

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 3–9

• Seed Germination: 14–21 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade

• Water Needs: Regular watering; soil should be moist but not soggy

• Companions: Pansies, snapdragons

• Care Tips: Violas are easy to care for, requiring appropriate sunlight, water, and deadheading to promote blooming. ​

Violas

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 7–11 (grown as annuals in cooler zones)

• Seed Germination: 10–14 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular, moderate moisture

• Companions: Pansies, violas, ornamental cabbage

• Care Tips: Start seeds indoors, as they require light to germinate. Keep seedlings at a steady temperature of 60°F to 70°F. ​

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)

• Seed Germination: 7–14 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular watering; keep soil moist

• Companions: Pansies, snapdragons, violas

• Care Tips: Requires light for germination; sprinkle seeds on the growing medium without covering with soil. ​

Snapdragons

Ornamental Cabbage

🥕 Vegetables to Plant in Fall

Carrots

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 3–10

• Seed Germination: 14–21 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Keep soil evenly moist

• Companions: Lettuce, beets, onions

• Care Tips: Plant seeds directly into well-draining, full-sun locations. Keep soil moist during the long germination period. ​

Spinach

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 2–9

• Seed Germination: 7–14 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade

• Water Needs: Consistently moist soil

• Companions: Lettuce, carrots, radishes

• Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil, and provide shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent bolting.

Beets

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 2–10

• Seed Germination: 5–14 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular watering; avoid letting soil dry out

• Companions: Lettuce, spinach, onions

• Care Tips: Soak seeds in room-temperature water about 24 hours before planting to speed up germination.

Lettuce

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 2–11

• Seed Germination: 7–14 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade

• Water Needs: Regular, consistent moisture

• Companions: Carrots, radishes, beets

• Care Tips: Plant seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, as they need light to germinate. ​

🍒Fruit-Bearing Plants for Fall

Strawberries

• Invasiveness: Can spread via runners; moderately invasive

• Zones: 3–10

• Seed Germination: 14–28 days

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular; keep soil evenly moist

• Companions: Spinach, lettuce, beans

• Care Tips: Provide at least 6 to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive (roots can spread if in ground, but manageable)

• Zones: 7–11 (some hardy varieties down to 6)

• Seed Germination: 14–21 days (if growing from seed — most start from cuttings)

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture, especially in pots

• Companions: Strawberries, lavender, rosemary

• Care Tips: Prefer well-drained soil and a sunny, sheltered spot. Mulch in colder zones or grow in pots for overwintering indoors.

Figs

• Invasiveness: Non-invasive

• Zones: 3–9 (depends on variety)

• Seed Germination: 20–30 days (better started from nursery plants)

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular; prefers acidic, consistently moist soil

• Companions: Strawberries, rhododendrons, azaleas (acid-loving plants)

• Care Tips: Requires acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5). Plant more than one variety for better pollination and fruiting.

Blueberries

• Invasiveness: 🔴 Can be invasive — spreads via suckers

• Zones: 4–8

• Seed Germination: 20–30 days (commonly planted from canes)

• Sun Needs: Full sun

• Water Needs: Regular; prefers well-drained, fertile soil

• Companions: Garlic, chives, onions

• Care Tips: Install trellises for support. Prune back old canes annually. Contain roots or plant in large containers to control spread.

Raspberries

🌿 General Fall Gardening Tips

• Add mulch to protect young roots and retain moisture.

• Plant in raised beds or containers if soil drains poorly.

• Water early in the day to avoid overnight moisture, which can cause rot.

• Use frost covers or garden cloches for tender plants in colder zones.

• Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer when planting.

• Clear out spent summer plants to reduce pests and disease risk.