It may feel like the heart of summer, but July is actually the perfect time to start thinking about your fall garden. Planning ahead gives you time to prepare garden beds, choose the best plants, and enjoy the widest selection when fall planting season arrives.
Whether you’re dreaming of colorful autumn containers, planting trees and shrubs, or growing cool-season vegetables, a little planning now can lead to a beautiful landscape that lasts well beyond summer.
Add Beautiful Fall Color
As summer annuals begin to fade, fall favorites can keep your landscape looking fresh and vibrant.
Popular choices include:
- Garden mums
- Asters
- Pansies
- Ornamental kale
- Flowering cabbage
These cool-season plants thrive as temperatures begin to moderate and provide weeks of brilliant color.
Don’t Forget Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses bring movement, texture, and structure to the garden.
Many varieties offer:
- Graceful foliage
- Colorful seed heads
- Beautiful fall color
- Winter interest
They pair beautifully with flowering perennials, shrubs, and seasonal containers.
Fall Is a Wonderful Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs
Many gardeners don’t realize that fall is one of the best planting seasons of the year.
Warm soil and cooler air allow roots to establish before winter, helping plants get off to a strong start the following spring.
Now is a great time to begin selecting:
- Shade trees
- Ornamental trees
- Flowering shrubs
- Evergreen shrubs
- Native plants
Shopping early often means a better selection when planting season arrives.
Think Ahead to Spring Bulbs
If you want colorful blooms next spring, now is the time to start planning.
Popular spring-flowering bulbs include:
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Crocus
- Hyacinths
- Alliums
While bulbs won’t be planted until fall, planning ahead ensures you’ll have the varieties you want.
Grow a Second Season of Vegetables
Many vegetables actually thrive in the cooler temperatures of late summer and fall.
Consider planting:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Beets
These crops often develop outstanding flavor as the weather cools.
Refresh Your Containers
Summer containers don’t have to be finished once July arrives.
Plan ahead by thinking about combinations that include:
- Colorful mums
- Asters
- Ornamental grasses
- Decorative peppers
- Pumpkins and gourds later in the season
Refreshing containers is one of the easiest ways to welcome autumn.
Prepare Garden Beds Now
Getting your garden ready early makes fall planting easier.
Take time to:
- Remove tired annuals
- Pull weeds
- Add compost
- Refresh mulch
- Improve your soil
Healthy soil creates healthier plants and stronger root systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is July too early to think about fall gardening?
Not at all. July is the perfect time to begin planning so you’re ready when fall planting season begins.
When should I buy mums?
Shopping early often provides the best selection, even if you wait until late summer or early fall to plant.
Is fall a good time to plant trees?
Yes. Warm soil and cooler temperatures create excellent conditions for root establishment.
When should I plant spring bulbs?
Most spring-flowering bulbs are planted in the fall before the ground freezes.
What vegetables grow well in fall?
Lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, radishes, and beets are all excellent cool-season crops.
Visit Us
Whether you’re planning colorful fall containers, selecting trees and shrubs, preparing for spring bulbs, or growing cool-season vegetables, Marrazzo’s Garden Center has everything you need for a successful fall gardening season.
Marrazzo’s Garden Center
591 Durham Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Stop by and let our knowledgeable team help you plan a beautiful landscape that will shine from late summer through fall.
