Conservation Corner: Set it and forget it with fall planting
Fall is the time of year when pumpkin spice invades everything from coffee to candles, and people start contemplating if it’s too early to put up Halloween decorations. But did you know it’s also the perfect time to plant seeds for next spring? While others are raking leaves, you can start laying the groundwork (literally) for a vibrant garden, letting nature do most of the work.
Let’s dig into why fall planting works so well:
When you plant seeds in the fall, instead of immediately sprouting, they settle into the soil for the winter, soaking up cold and moisture. This process, called stratification, is essential for many perennial flowers, native grasses, and herbs. Think of it as their way of “waking up” — kind of like how some of us need our morning coffee. Stratification breaks seed dormancy, ensuring they’re ready to germinate once spring arrives.
Fall planting works because it mimics nature’s rhythm. Wildflowers and grasses naturally drop their seeds in late summer or fall, where they lie dormant until the cold passes. By planting now, you’re syncing with a tried-and-true process that’s been around for centuries.
The payoff? Come spring, you’ll already have established seeds in the ground, ready to grow as soon as it warms up. Plus, you’ll benefit from nature’s free irrigation system — the melting snowpack in spring delivers moisture at just the right time, giving your seeds what they need to thrive. No rushing to the garden center or waiting for ideal weather. The seeds are ready to go.
Support Local Journalism
What seeds should you plant in the fall?
For a splash of color, plant native or well-adapted wildflowers like Rocky Mountain penstemon, blue flax, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, or columbine. Looking for grasses? Consider Indian ricegrass, blue grama, or little bluestem. If herbs are more your style, try planting wild bergamot, catmint, or yarrow—all hardy options that can handle cooler temperatures.
Not everything enjoys the fall treatment, though. Warm-season plants are better left until spring, as they don’t appreciate the cold. And if your soil is too wet or too dry, you might want to wait. Seeds don’t perform well in extremes — they’re more like Goldilocks: they need conditions that are just right.
How to plant in fall
- Pick Your Spot: Choose a sunny, well-drained area
- Spread Seeds: Scatter them over the soil — no need to dig deep
- Cover Lightly: Gently cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil to help them settle
- Water (sparingly): Water the seeds lightly to start, then let nature take care of the rest
Now comes the best part: waiting. Once your seeds are in the ground, your job is pretty much done. Just let the cold work its magic over winter. Come spring, you’ll be rewarded with fresh, vibrant growth.
So don’t trade in your gardening tools for a pumpkin latte just yet, because fall planting is your ticket to an easy, beautiful garden next year.
Happy planting!
Allegra Waterman-Snow is the program manager for the Eagle County Conservation District, which is committed to preserving and restoring natural resources by collaborating, educating, and cooperating for conservation. For more information, visit EagleCountyCD.com or contact allegra.eaglecountycd@gmail.com.
