How to Transition to a Fall Garden

August 20, 2025

Blog

Gardening & Plants

As the summer sun fades and cooler days roll in, your garden doesn't have to call it quits. Fall is one of the best seasons to grow fresh crops, prep for spring blooms, and give your soil a healthy reset. With a bit of prep, you can transition to a fall garden that’s productive, colorful, and ready for whatever the season brings.

Assess and Clear Out Your Summer Garden

Before you start your fall garden preparation, it’s time to give your summer garden a little send-off. This step helps clear the way for fresh growth and keeps your soil healthy for the next round of planting.

1. Remove spent crops and dead plants. Old plants left too long attract pests or diseases.
2. Save seeds or compost old growth. If any of your summer crops went to seed, you can save some for next year. The rest of your plant material? Toss it in the compost pile (as long as it’s disease-free) to turn it into garden gold.
3. Check soil moisture and test for nutrient levels. This helps you decide if you need to improve drainage or water more consistently. You can also use a simple soil test kit to see if your garden needs more nitrogen, phosphorus, or other nutrients.
4. Refresh your soil with compost or amendments. Once your beds are cleared, mix in fresh compost or soil boosters like aged manure or worm castings. This is the heart of fall garden preparation. It feeds the soil so your cool-weather veggies and flowers get a strong start.

Plan Your Fall Planting Strategy

Now that your summer garden’s cleared out and the soil’s refreshed, it’s time to think about what and where you’ll plant next. In much of the Pacific Northwest, you can plant fall crops into late September, thanks to the region’s mild temperatures and later first frost dates.

1. Evaluate available space and sunlight. Look at which garden beds or containers are open. Then pay attention to how much sunlight those spots get now that the sun’s angle is changing. Most fall crops still need at least 6 hours of light daily, so be realistic about where things will thrive.
2. Choose quick-growing or frost-tolerant crops. Since fall gardening has a tighter window, focus on vegetables that mature quickly or plant hardy crops that can handle a light frost (more on this below).
3. Use succession planting where possible. Don’t plant everything all at once. Instead, stagger your plantings every week or two so you have a steady harvest instead of everything maturing at once. This works especially well with leafy greens and root vegetables.

With a solid plan and the right crops in the ground, your garden will keep producing long after the summer heat fades.

Best Vegetables and Crops for Fall Gardens

Here are some favorites that thrive as the days get shorter.

1. Leafy greens: Think kale, spinach, mustard greens, and loose-leaf lettuce. These greens grow fast and don’t mind a chill.
2. Root vegetables: Carrots, radishes, parsnips, turnips, and beets are fall MVPs. They grow best in loose, well-draining soil and can stay in the ground a bit longer if the weather’s cool. Radishes mature fast, so they’re great for quick harvests.
3. Brassicas: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and even Brussels sprouts thrive in the Pacific Northwest’s cool, damp fall climate. They take a little longer to mature, so get them in the ground early or use nursery starts.
4. Cool-weather herbs: Herbs like parsley, cilantro, thyme, and chives tolerate a bit of chill and keep going well into the season.

Tip: If it’s still hot where you live, don’t rush your seedlings outside. Start seeds indoors in a cool, bright space, then transplant them once the heat settles.

For more ideas, check out Creative Themed Gardens and Companion Planting Guide.

Fall is the Time to Plant for Spring-flowering Bulbs

While you're busy tending to fall vegetables, don’t overlook one of the season’s most rewarding tasks – planting bulbs!

Fall is the perfect time to tuck in spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Pacific Northwest gardeners should plant bulbs by mid-November to give them time to root before the soil gets too soggy or cold.

For edible gardeners, it’s also the right season to plant garlic. These bulbs overwinter beautifully in Oregon’s mild climate and can be harvested the following summer.

Planting Bulbs in the Fall

• Wait until the soil cools but isn’t frozen, usually about 6 to 8 weeks* before your first hard frost.
• Dig holes about two to three times deeper than the bulb's height, with the pointed end facing up.
• Group bulbs in clusters for a more natural look, and water them well after planting.

(*In much of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the average first frost date falls between mid-October and early November. Higher elevations and central/eastern areas may see frost sooner.)

Other Plants to Include in Your Fall Garden

Here are a few more plant types to consider as you transition to a fall garden.

• Cover crops: If you’ve got empty garden beds, plant cover crops like winter rye, clover, or hairy vetch. They help restore soil nutrients, prevent erosion, and crowd out weeds. Come spring, you can till them into the soil as green manure for an extra nutrient boost.
• Perennials and shrubs: The cooler air and still-warm soil help roots establish before winter. Try adding lavender, coneflowers, peonies, or berry bushes. For Pacific Northwest native plants, consider planting Oregon grape (Mahonia), red-flowering currant, or Pacific ninebark.
• Fall annuals and ornamental plants: Want to give your garden a seasonal makeover? Add fall color and texture with pansies, mums, ornamental cabbage, asters, and cool-weather grasses. They do great in beds or containers, bringing that cozy, autumn vibe to your outdoor space.

These additions don’t just look nice. They also support local pollinators, encourage biodiversity, and keep your garden ecosystem thriving.

Check out Pacific Northwest Shrubs & Flower Combination for more ideas.

Fall Garden Maintenance Tips

Keeping your garden healthy through fall doesn’t take much. These are just a few simple habits that make a big difference as the season shifts:

1. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. A fresh layer of mulch (like straw, shredded leaves, or bark) helps hold in soil moisture, keeps weeds down, and protects roots from big temperature swings. It’s beneficial around new plantings and bulbs.
2. Use row covers or cold frames for temperature-sensitive crops. As nights get colder, lightweight row covers or DIY cold frames help extend your harvest. They protect leafy greens, root veggies, or crops that might not love a surprise frost.
3. Keep up with weeding and watering schedules. Weeds don’t quit just because it’s fall. Keep pulling them so they don’t set seed before winter. And don’t forget to water, especially during dry spells. Just because it’s cooler doesn’t mean your garden isn’t thirsty.
4. Inspect for pests preparing to overwinter. Check under leaves, around stems, and along the edges of beds for signs of insect eggs or damage. Watch for slugs and snails, especially after fall rains begin. Try using traps, barriers, or organic deterrents to protect young seedlings.

For more fall garden planting help, check out the following:

Prepare for Frost and Winter Ahead

Fall gardening is full of rewards but comes with a ticking clock. As temperatures dip, it’s time to prep your garden for the colder months ahead.

1. Know your average first frost date. This helps you time your final plantings, harvests, and protective measures. If unsure, your local Wilco team can help you find the info for your growing zone.
2. Install protective covers or use cloches for young plants. Cover tender seedlings or veggies that need a little extra warmth with row covers, cloches, or frost blankets. Even a simple fabric cover can make a few degrees' difference on a cold night.
3. Drain hoses, clean tools, and store equipment. Don’t leave your gear out in the cold. Drain garden hoses so they don’t crack, rinse off your tools, and give blades a quick oiling to prevent rust. This is also a good time to check for anything that needs repairing or replacing.

From Fall Prep to Spring Payoff

A little planning now means fewer headaches later and a beautiful, bountiful spring ahead.

Need supplies to get started? Stop by your local Wilco Farm Store or shop online for fall seeds, compost and soil amendments, spring-flowering bulbs, planting tools, frost covers, and everything else you need.

We would love to see your growing gardens, tag @wilcostores on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Author

#mywilcolife

My Wilco Life Blog Contributor