Why Fall Is the Best Time to Plan Your Garden

It is back-to-school season, and the growing season is winding down—but do not put your garden plans away just yet! Fall is actually one of the best times to plan for the garden of your dreams.

Here’s why:

🌱 Test and Prep Your Soil

Fall is a great time to test your soil so you know exactly what it needs before next spring. Once you have finished your garden cleanup, you can add any needed compost or soil amendments while the weather is still cooperative.

Do the soil work now, and when spring arrives, you’ll be ready to plant as soon as the ground thaws. Future-you will be very grateful!

📝 Plan While Everything Is Fresh in Your Mind

It is surprisingly hard to remember what you planted and where you planted it when you are sitting at your computer months later. Was that the amazing tomato—or the one that tasted like a wet paper towel?

While your garden is still fresh in your mind, take notes on what you loved, what you didn’t, and what you would like to change next year.

Be sure to record:

• Which varieties you grew
• How much you planted
• Where everything was planted
• What worked well—and what didn’t
• Any pest or disease problems

These notes will make next year’s planning much easier.

🥬 Get an Extra-Early Spring Harvest

Did you know that some fall plantings can survive the winter and give you an extra-early spring harvest?

Crops such as spinach and cilantro can often winter over outdoors without protection, giving you a bonus harvest in both late fall and early spring. That’s a pretty good return on your planting investment!

🌷 Plant Spring Bulbs in the Fall

Garlic, tulips, narcissus, and many other spring-blooming bulbs need to be planted in the fall so they can vernalize—in other words, experience a period of winter cold that helps prepare them to bloom and produce properly.

November is a great time to plant garlic and spring-blooming bulbs, especially after you’ve finished your soil additions and amendments.

🌱 Get the Varieties You Want

Believe it or not, garden planning starts earlier than you might think. A lot of seed starting happens in winter—for example, we start our pepper seeds around Valentine’s Day!

That means we like to order our seeds early, usually in December or January, to make sure we get the varieties we want before they sell out.

That is why we aim to have our garden designs finished by Christmas the year before. A little planning now means more time to order seeds, organize the garden, and get excited about the growing season ahead.

Need help with soil testing, prep or garden planning? Email us at info@homefrontfarmers.com and let us help you achieve the garden of your dreams!