We may be ready to say goodbye to summer, but we aren't quite as ready to say goodbye to our garden. We asked Mark Cullen, master gardener, to share his tips for planting in the fall.
Are there any plants that thrive in the fall? What changes should I make to what I plant?
Plants that thrive in the fall:
- Rudbeckia: Available in a variety of colours but most commonly recognized as Black-eyed Susan. An outstanding cut flower. Allow spent flowers to go to seed, as seed heads have good winter interest.
Echinacea: Coneflowers begin blooming in mid-summer and continue for months if you remove faded flowers regularly. Blooms are attractive to butterflies.- Sedum: The name ‘Autumn Stonecrop’ says it all. A dependable perennial with interesting foliage through the summer and a colourful display of flowers for the fall.
- New England Asters: An abundance of small blooms ranging in colour from white to blue/violet.
- Hardy Garden Mums: Available in a wide variety of colours including white, yellow, gold, bronze, red, burgundy, pink, lavender, purple.
- All ornamental grasses.
Always plant in rich soil that contains lots of compost. Ninety percent of success in your garden is a direct result of proper soil preparation. Compost is an excellent source of organic matter; it attracts earthworms and other beneficial insects and microorganisms. Adding compost to clay garden soil improves drainage and air circulation. If you are gardening in sandy soils, compost will improve water retention and texture.
Mark Cullen is a best selling author and one of Canada’s most prolific garden writers. His radio and television programs and appearances reach millions of Canadians each week and he attends and participates in gardening events across the country.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: