Jane Powell
October 3, 2025
As we move into the fall season and the month of October, the garden is changing. Oh, there are plenty of blooms to enjoy, but the leaves are starting to drop. Fall is in the air, and October is the time to make plans for fall and even next spring.
A fun fall project that my friend DB is doing this year is creating a self-seeding garden area. This means once established, the plants will drop their own seeds, allowing the garden to continue and even expand over the years.
Less work, more garden. Brilliant idea! Count me in.
This idea works if you are creating a new bed or, like me, hoping to add to existing garden spaces.
Planting in October generally gives the plants enough time in the warm ground to establish and spread roots before the first heavy freeze. Not having to fight the high sun and hot temperatures of summer gives them more strength to settle into their new home.
Now is also the time to divide perennials and add shrubs to the landscape. Remember, new plants require consistent watering to help them acclimate and thrive in their new environment.
Sowing seeds is often thought of as a spring activity, but there are several seeds that need and benefit from fall planting and seed stratification.
A reminder about stratification. It is the process of breaking the seeds’ dormancy and preparing them to germinate. When planted outside in the fall, the seeds freeze and absorb moisture as the winter temperatures change and the ground freezes and thaws. Then they are ready to begin the growing process as the temperature warms and there is more sunlight in the spring.
The seeds can be tricked into being ready for germination when the stratification process happens in the fridge over the winter. This often happens when forcing spring bulbs.
Back to the garden.
For a sunny spot outdoors, consider fall planting coneflower and blanket flower seeds. Want shades of blue? Plant bachelor buttons and sturdy asters. Love in the Mist (Nigella) is another bloom in the blue family.
Coreopsis is a dainty yellow flower that will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and thrive in full sun. Give it time, and it will self-seed to create a beautiful border. If you have snapdragons in your garden, you know they will self-seed, and before you know it, the area is full of snaps.
Often thought of as a weed that puts folks on allergy alert, goldenrod can make quite a statement if given room to spread in a casual garden setting. Don’t be afraid of this plant; it is not the cause of allergies, and the golden color makes it a beautiful backdrop to a garden. Same for Joe Pye Weed. Once mature, butterflies will flock to your garden.
DB is not planting a meadow; her space is smaller and closer to the house. She will focus on Queen Anne’s Lace and coneflowers for height. I bet she will toss seeds of Sweet William and alyssum seeds for borders.
Here at the little house on the big hill, I will toss seeds in the sunny bed, cover them, and cross my fingers for the best. My prized transplant this year is a gift of Allium’ Summer Beauty’. When happy (and I will do everything in my power to keep it happy), the allium should produce lovely green foliage and purple blooms, delighting the garden.
If a vegetable garden is your interest, think about garlic, spinach, and kale.
As DB works to create her new garden, I will add to the beds in my garden. I encourage you to give it a try in your space. Start small or go big, but start to think about and prepare for your spring garden during the fall.