As we move into fall, our gardens are slowing down. Some gardeners relish this slowdown to the busy gardening season. Others of us try to squeeze every moment we can into the garden. Knowing that the gardening season is ending can be disheartening. Instead, let’s make the most of every outdoor opportunity we have to enjoy the end of the garden season.
Rather than lament that we’re getting close to the end of the summer with its beautiful blooms and abundant produce, focus on what you can get out of these last few weeks of the growing season.
You worked hard all spring and summer to beautify your yard and garden, so take some time now to enjoy it. Here are five things you can do to make the most of your autumn garden.
5 Ways to Enjoy the End of the Garden Season
Replace Spent Flowers With Autumn Bloomers
As we move into autumn and the weather cools, many of your flowers will slow down in their production. And some plants will die back. This is a good time to replace the spent flowers with those that love the cooler temperatures.
To do this, carefully pull or dig up the dying plants from your pots and borders. Then replace them with flowers that will bloom for several more months. But only remove the annual flowers. Be sure to leave any perennials or hardy annuals in place. You can trim back the dying leaves but don’t pull these plants up or you will lose next year’s blooms.
If you don’t have the time or desire to plant these cool weather flowers, you could also just tuck the containers into your beds and borders. Then, if you know freezing temperatures are coming, you can move the plants to a warmer place for protection. This can help keep your flowers blooming a little longer.
Here are some options of flowers that do well with the cooler weather:
- Aster
- Chrysanthemum
- Viola
- Pansy
- Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
- Marigold
- Sedum Autumn Joy
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Heuchera
The biggest problem will be to find these flowers at your local garden center. Many garden centers clean out their stock in mid-summer and don’t restock for the fall. Check with your local nurseries to see what autumn flowers they are carrying for the end of the season.
Don’t wait until the first frost to change out your flowers. Do this in early autumn so the plants have time to get established before the colder weather sets in.
Another way to keep your flower beds and pots looking cheerful as the season changes is to keep them pruned. As the flowers and leaves die back, trim off the dead material to keep them looking their best. These plants won’t look as full and lush as they did in July, but many of your garden flowers can last until the first hard frost or two.
Fill in the Empty Gaps With Autumn Decor
As your garden wanes, fill in the gaps with autumn touches that remind you of the season. For example, you can tuck in pumpkins, gourds, bunches of autumn grasses, stems of colorful leaves and even faux autumn branches. Place these items into your containers, at the edges of your flower borders and around the pots on your porch.
These decorative items can add volume to your containers and flower beds that will keep your garden looking full. And the colorful accents can help perk up the look of our declining gardens.
You could also fill in these empty spots with non-plant items such as lanterns, faux pumpkins, and seasonal signs.
Set Your Outdoor Areas Up For Crisp Autumn Days and Nights
In the early autumn, the nights can turn cool while the days might still be warm. If you enjoy the outdoors, plan for these cooler temperatures. Set a basket or bin on your porch to hold outdoor blankets. This way, they’ll be easy to grab when you get chilly.
Get yourself a favorite mug that can maintain heat better… for example, a thermal mug with a lid. Invest in a small thermos you can carry to the garden. Set up a fire bowl or even an outdoor space heater to warm the area you’re sitting in.
Just wrapping up in a cozy blanket and grabbing a cup of hot tea can help you enjoy your outdoor seating areas longer in fall.
Add More Outdoor Lights
Adding more lights into your garden can really make your garden cozy. Use solar light strands to add some sparkle to your porch. Hang regular outdoor strands from the eves. Look for tiki torches on clearance. Consider lighting a lantern or two. Or set up candles in mason jars to add some extra ambiance to your garden. The additional lighting will encourage you to enjoy the evening hours longer.
But why stop at night? I’ve found turning on some outdoor lights can help me get outside earlier in the day. I like to wonder through the garden in the early morning hours. But you may have noticed how dark the morning has become. Turn on some outdoor twinkle lights and you won’t have to wait until the sun is up to wander through your flowers or pick some produce.
Read… 5 Quick And Easy Ways To Make Your Garden Sparkle At Night
Host an Autumn Celebration in Your Garden
What better way to enjoy the garden than to host an outdoor gathering. Autumn is the perfect time for a backyard barbecue, a pumpkin carving get-together, or a s’more party. Invite friends over for an afternoon of crafting. Make wreaths using natural materials from your garden. Or craft garden journals as a reminder of this year’s garden.
The weather is perfect for gathering and your garden still has a lot to offer. Keep your celebrations casual so you can enjoy the time spent with friends and family in your garden. Serve simple garden fare such as homemade salsa or fruit cobbler.
Read… Enjoy an Autumn Picnic With These 5 Tips
When the autumn season hits, many of us think that it’s all over for the year. However, it’s possible to stretch your garden season with a few tweaks. Don’t throw in the garden towel too early. Instead, incorporate some of these ideas to help prolong your garden season. Autumn has so many benefits to enjoy… cooler weather, less weeding, and more time for relaxing. Make some time to enjoy the end of the garden season.
