Edited by David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation Naturalist
As the days shorten and the temperatures begin to drop, many gardeners start winding down their gardening activities, but did you know that fall is actually the best time to plant native species? Planting native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses in the fall offers numerous benefits for both your garden and the local ecosystem.
Here are three reasons you should consider putting your trowel to work this fall:
One of the primary reasons fall is perfect for planting native species is the favorable conditions it provides. The soil is still warm from the summer sun, promoting root growth, while the cooler air temperatures reduce the loss of water through the leaves and less evaporation when watering, reducing the chance of heat stress on new plantings. This combination allows native plants to establish strong root systems before the onset of winter.
During fall, weed growth slows down, giving your native plants a head start. With fewer weeds to compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight, native plants can establish themselves more effectively. By the time spring arrives, your native species will be well-rooted and ready to flourish, outcompeting the weeds before they can take over.
Native plants play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife, including songbirds and pollinators like bees and butterflies year-round, and planting in the fall gives your new plantings the best chance of flourishing. For instant benefit, fall-blooming perennial wildflowers such as goldenrods and asters provide late-season nectar and pollen. These late bloomers will also give your garden a splash of color after most other plants have stopped blooming. Be sure to also include native plants that bloom in the spring and summer so that they’re ready to go when the growing season starts again. In doing so, your garden will provide for pollinators throughout the year. Milkweed planted in the fall will be ready to serve as caterpillar host plants for monarch butterflies during their spring migration. Shrubs and trees planted in fall will provide cover for wildlife through the winter and depending on the species, food in the form of seeds and nuts for birds and mammals.
If you’re looking to build a wildlife habitat to support pollinators and other wildlife, it’s important to have a variety of native plants that bloom during different seasons in your garden. Being able to support pollinators from spring migration through the fall frost will guarantee you have plentiful wildlife visitors.
A good goal is planting a minimum of three varieties of blooming nectar plants across three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. For summer, make sure to include milkweed, as not only is it a great nectar and pollen source for bees and butterflies, it is the caterpillar host plant for the iconic monarch butterfly.
We also offer a number of curated native plant collections with three compatible plants already identified that will bloom across three seasons. We’re taking the guesswork out of planting native! Explore our curated collections.
If you’re looking for a few individual plant species to add to your garden this fall, here are a few of our top perennial picks with fall blooms:
It’s not just perennial wildflowers that provide habitat for wildlife. Shrubs are particularly important to wildlife, so don’t forget to include some in your fall plantings. Shrubs offer two things wildlife needs as the weather turns cold or wet: food sources, and a place where they can find cover from the elements. Fall is one of the best times to plant shrubs. We offer a variety of native shrubs that ship through the end of November to many states.
Choose native shrubs that offer berries in the fall to provide food for migratory birds well as species that stick around all winter.. Many shrubs also have showy blooms in the spring or fall which provide nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies. Evergreen shrubs maintain green foliage throughout the year, whereas deciduous shrubs lose their foliage completely during the winter or dry season. Include some evergreen species to provide hiding places and visual interest year-round.
When choosing your shrubs, determine if they are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants, or monoecious, meaning they have male and female flowers on the same plant. For dioecious species, including some hollies (Ilex spp.), bayberry/wax myrtle (Morella spp.) and junipers (Juniperus spp.), you need to have both male and female plants in order to ensure pollination and the formation of fruits. When buying dioecious shrubs, opt for a 4-pack to increase the likelihood of berry production.
Native trees are an essential part of sustainable landscaping and ecological health. They offer numerous advantages over non-native species, from supporting local wildlife to improving environmental quality.
When selecting trees for fall planting, it’s important to choose native species that are well-adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. Native trees provide the best habitat for local wildlife and are generally easier to care for.
Native grasses are an often-overlooked but essential component of a wildlife-friendly garden. They provide food and habitat for many species, improve soil health, and add texture and movement to the landscape. Fall is an ideal time to plant native grasses, as the conditions support robust root development and reduce competition from weeds.
Here are some of our favorite native grasses to plant this fall:
To make the most of your fall planting efforts, follow these practical tips:
Choose the Right Plants: Select native plants that are suited to your region's climate and soil conditions. Take our plant finder quiz or search by zip code to identify the best species for your area.
Prepare the Soil: Clear the area of any lawn and weeds. Working in compost can improve soil fertility, just keep in mind that major soil amendment may not be necessary for native plants, which are naturally adapted to your local soil types. Digging can expose weed seeds and alter soil structure, so try to minimize disturbing the soil as much as you can while planting.
Plant Properly: Dig a hole in the soil slightly wider than and equal in depth to the plant. For shrubs, dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball but no deeper. Loosen plant plugs from packaging by pushing up from the bottom, being careful to not hold or pull plants by their stems. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly.
Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Shredded hardwood, pine bark chips or pine straw are common mulch choices that are widely available. Simply using a layer of fallen leaves as mulch in your garden beds is an excellent organic - and free - choice that makes use of your existing resources. Whatever type of mulch you choose, make sure that it covers the soil but doesn’t pile up on plant stems or trunks, which can cause rot.
Water Wisely: Water thoroughly right away, soaking the plants at their base. Continue to water daily or whenever the soil is dry for at least the first two weeks as your plant’s roots become established. Fall rains often reduce the need for frequent watering, but it’s important to ensure the soil stays moist, especially during dry spells.
For more planting tips, check out our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide.
It’s safe to plant up until the soil freezes. Planting before the soil freezes ensures that the roots have a chance to establish. Once the soil freezes, root growth slows. It’s also much more difficult to dig frozen soil. Note, just because the air temperatures are cold or even dip below freezing doesn’t mean the ground is frozen yet. The ground retains some heat and it usually takes a few days of freezing temperatures for the top layer of soil to freeze. It’s not necessarily frost that you need to worry about. Frost will stop the growth of the plant above ground, but it will not kill the plant. The roots will continue to grow until the soil freezes solid.
The date the ground freezes varies from year to year and some areas won’t have frozen ground at all. If you’re planting in the fall, you’ll want about a month to pass for your plants to establish roots before it’s too cold outside. If you’re unsure about when to plant but know that frost and freezing will find you this winter, mid-November is a safe planting deadline for most regions.
Fall planting sets the stage for a beautiful and thriving garden that supports local wildlife and enhances biodiversity. By taking advantage of the season’s ideal conditions, you can ensure your native plants have the best start possible. So, grab your gardening tools and get planting—your garden and the local ecosystem will thank you!