Most people think of planting as a spring job. But in cold-winter places like Wyoming, some of the most rewarding planting happens in fall. The soil is still warm from summer, the air is cool, rain and snow do the watering for you, and plants spend the winter quietly growing roots. Come spring, they take off weeks ahead of anything you plant in May.
The trick is timing. You want to plant about four to six weeks before the ground freezes hard, which in much of the high plains means late September through October. If you still have soft, workable soil, you still have time.
Here's what's worth getting in the ground right now.
1. Garlic
If you only plant one thing this fall, make it garlic. It's almost foolproof, it needs a cold winter to form good bulbs, and homegrown garlic tastes far better than anything from the store.
- Buy seed garlic from a garden center or seed company, not grocery-store garlic, which is often treated to keep it from sprouting.
- Hardneck types like 'Music', 'German Extra Hardy' and 'Chesnok Red' handle hard winters best.
- Break the heads into cloves, and plant each clove pointy end up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
- Once the ground starts to freeze, cover the bed with 4 to 6 inches of straw or shredded leaves.
You'll see green shoots poking through the mulch in early spring and harvest big, fat heads in July.
Garlic loves loose, well-drained soil, which makes it a perfect fit for a raised bed. If you've been thinking about adding a bed, fall is a great time to build and fill one. Browse our raised garden beds, including galvanized metal beds that hold heat well and last for years.
2. Spring-blooming bulbs
Tulips, daffodils, crocus, alliums and grape hyacinths all need a long cold spell to bloom, so they have to go in during fall. A few tips:
- Plant deep. The rule of thumb is three times as deep as the bulb is tall. Deeper planting also protects them from freeze-thaw swings.
- Plant in groups. Clusters of 7 to 15 bulbs look far better than single rows.
- Pick tough varieties. Daffodils and alliums are deer- and rodent-resistant. Tulips are a favorite snack for both, so tuck them closer to the house or plant them in containers.
Bulbs do well in large pots, too. Plant them in a frost-proof container, water once, and set the pot in an unheated garage or against a north wall for the winter. Bring it out in March for an early show on the porch. Our pots and planters and fabric grow bags work well for this.
3. Perennials, shrubs and trees
Fall is the best time of year to plant anything with roots meant to last: perennial flowers, berry bushes, shrubs and trees. Cool air means less stress on the leaves, while warm soil keeps the roots growing until the ground freezes.
- Water new plantings deeply once a week until the ground freezes.
- Spread mulch around the base after the first hard freeze, keeping it a few inches away from stems and trunks.
- On dry, mild days in winter, give evergreens and new trees a drink. Dry winter wind is harder on them than cold.
Many garden centers put perennials and shrubs on sale in fall, so it's a good time to fill gaps for less.
4. Cool-season crops (with a little protection)
Spinach, kale, mâche, lettuce and some Asian greens shrug off light frosts. In a cold frame, hoop house or small greenhouse, they can keep producing well into November, and some will survive the winter and start growing again in March.
Spinach sown in October and covered over winter is often the very first thing you'll harvest next spring. If you want to stretch your season on both ends, take a look at our greenhouses. They range from compact mini greenhouses for a patio to walk-in models for serious growers.
5. Cover crops for empty beds
Any bed that's going to sit empty over winter benefits from a cover crop. Winter rye and hairy vetch hold soil in place, keep weeds down, and add organic matter when you turn them in or cut them down in spring.
If cover crops feel like too much, a thick layer of shredded leaves or compost does a similar job with no planting at all. Our guide to putting the garden to bed covers that step by step.
6. Get your tools ready
Fall planting goes faster with sharp tools and a comfortable way to work low to the ground. A good trowel, a bulb planter and a padded kneeler make planting a few hundred bulbs a lot easier on your hands and knees. Our hand tools, including a 13-piece aluminum hand tool set, and a padded garden kneeler and seat are made for exactly this kind of job.
A quick fall planting checklist
- Plant garlic cloves 2 inches deep, then mulch after the ground freezes.
- Plant spring bulbs three times as deep as they are tall, in clusters.
- Get perennials, shrubs and trees in now, and water until freeze-up.
- Sow spinach and hardy greens under cover.
- Cover empty beds with a cover crop or a thick layer of leaves.
A few hours of planting in October means flowers in April and garlic in July. That's a pretty good trade.
Garden Zen Zone is a small garden shop based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Free shipping on orders $100+. Questions? Call us at (833) 579-7783 or email gardenzenzone@gmail.com.
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