Published September 17, 2025

Fall Is For Planting!

Written by Chudik Group

Photo of wheelbarrow of fall vegetables with title

As summertime comes to a close and the heat begins to let up, many believe that gardening season is cooling off as well. In fact, it’s actually the opposite—fall is one of the best times for landscaping and gardening!

Similarly to the spring, the ground is warm enough for the seedlings to survive, you can count on a good amount of rainfall, pests start to go dormant, and some crops actually thrive with cooling weather. Fun fact, broccoli actually gets sweeter with the cooler weather!

As with any plant, your mileage may vary depending on the zone you’re in (6A here in Columbus), how much effort you want to put into it, and upkeep after the initial planting. Always do your research to make a specific plan that works best for your garden’s needs!

It’s good to be thinking in both the short and long term when planning everything out. Perennials continue to pop up every year, so if you missed your opportunity to plant that rose bush you’ve been wanting in the spring, you’re in luck now! The same goes for other perennials or trees that may need more time and cooled off weather to really get going.

Some examples of plants/shrubs/trees that are good to plant during the fall:

Shrubs:

Viburnum
Elderberry
Lilac
Hydrangea
Spirea
Abelia

Trees:

Japanese Maple
Redbud
Dogwood
Crabapple
Gingko

Perennials:

Hosta
Bee Balm
Daylilies
Garden Phlox
Stonecrop
Salvia
Asters
Hellebores

Flowers:

Chrysanthemum
Daisies
Goldenrod
Japanese Anemone

Seasoned gardeners love to not only plant new crops, but to take care of their garden chores more in general in the fall. Summer heat can make tasks like pulling weeds and pruning plants even more labor intensive than they already are. Those issues start to dwindle more with the cooler fall air and make the entire process much more enjoyable for all. A good thing, because in our opinion, some of the best vegetables can be planted in the fall!

Some great herbs & vegetables to add to your fall garden would be:

Snap Peas
Spinach
Carrots
Chives
Radishes
Cucumbers
Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Broccoli
Beets
Kale
Mustard Greens
Parsley
Arugula
Swiss Chard
Leeks
Cabbage
Garlic
Turnips
Cilantro

To help keep the ground or bed covered from the elements and cozy for the growing seeds, consider planting cover crops along with your other choices. There are mixes that you can buy that are ready to go with different types of seeds, it just depends on preference for the gardener. If you don’t want to deal with the excess in the springtime, planting a “winter-kill” crop cover mix is the right choice for you. Peas & oats mixes are quite popular! French marigolds are also another great option.

If you are willing to put in a little more effort come spring, you can find a heartier mix that will survive the winter. A winter rye/vetch combination is a favorite amongst professionals to keep garden beds thriving throughout the entire winter. Fava beans and crimson clover are also recommended, but may not work as well depending on your climate.

Keep in mind that no two gardens have the exact same needs and what works for some may not work for you. As we said before, always make sure to do your research and experiment with what works best for your own garden. If you want to help your future self out as well, take some notes on your processes so that you can have a head start on what to do in the following years!

If you’re looking to find a home with a big backyard for your ideal garden, make sure to give us a call. Happy planting to you!