When most people think about gardening, spring naturally comes to mind. The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and garden centres are bursting with fresh plants. But what if we told you that fall is actually one of the best times of the year to plant your garden?
It's true! While spring may get all the attention, fall offers some remarkable advantages for gardeners, particularly here in the Pacific Northwest. Our mild temperatures, naturally moist conditions, and generally favourable growing season create an excellent environment for establishing new trees, shrubs, perennials, and many other garden favourites.
And this isn't just gardening folklore. Horticultural experts at Oregon State University Extension and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) actively encourage fall planting because of the long-term benefits it provides.
The RHS has encouraged gardeners to reconsider the traditional spring planting rush, emphasizing how autumn planting can help plants establish stronger roots before facing increasingly hot, dry summers.
So, before you put away your gardening gloves for the season, here are eight excellent reasons why fall might just be the very best time to plant!
1. Warm Soil Encourages Strong Root Growth
Here's something that surprises many gardeners: Even when the air feels cool, the soil can still be surprisingly warm!
Throughout spring and summer, the ground absorbs and stores heat from the sun. As autumn arrives and air temperatures begin to drop, the soil retains much of that warmth. These conditions are particularly beneficial for developing new roots. While the visible growth of many plants slows in fall, roots can continue growing as long as soil temperatures, moisture, and other conditions remain favourable. This allows newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials to begin establishing themselves before winter.Oregon State University Extension identifies mid-September through mid-November as an excellent planting period in much of Oregon, when soils typically remain warm enough to encourage root development. Similar seasonal advantages apply to many gardens throughout coastal British Columbia.
The benefit: Plants can spend the cooler months developing roots rather than waiting until spring to begin establishing themselves.
2. Cooler Temperatures Mean Less Stress on Plants
Imagine moving into a new home during a scorching summer heatwave. Now imagine making that same move on a pleasantly cool autumn day.Plants experience something similar! When temperatures are high, plants lose water through their leaves in a process called transpiration. Newly planted specimens are particularly vulnerable because their roots haven't yet expanded into the surrounding soil.Fall's cooler temperatures help reduce this moisture loss, making it easier for plants to maintain a healthy balance between the water they absorb and the water they lose.This is especially important for newly planted trees, shrubs, and evergreens.The University of Minnesota Extension cautions that planting during hot, dry weather can increase transplant stress, while the RHS identifies reduced heat stress as one of autumn planting's major advantages.
The benefit: Less stress during establishment gives your new plants a better opportunity to settle into their surroundings.
3. Mother Nature Helps with the Watering
If you've gardened in Metro Vancouver for any length of time, you'll know that our summers can be surprisingly dry. Keeping newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials adequately watered during July and August can become quite a commitment! Fortunately, fall brings a welcome change. As autumn progresses, rainfall generally becomes more frequent, helping replenish soil moisture and reducing the need for supplemental irrigation. This is particularly beneficial for newly planted specimens that require consistent moisture while establishing their root systems. According to Oregon State University Extension, autumn rains are one of the key reasons fall planting works so well in the Pacific Northwest. Of course, newly planted plants still need to be watered thoroughly at planting time and monitored afterward. Even in rainy weather, the original root ball can sometimes remain surprisingly dry.
The benefit: More reliable seasonal rainfall can mean less watering, less maintenance, and potentially lower water consumption.
4. Fall-Planted Plants Get a Head Start on Spring
This might be our favourite reason to plant in fall! When spring arrives, plants face a busy schedule. They begin producing new leaves, extending branches, developing flower buds, and preparing for another growing season. All that growth requires energy, nutrients, and plenty of water. Now consider two identical shrubs. One is planted in October, giving its roots an opportunity to establish during autumn and favourable periods over winter. The other is planted in April, just as temperatures rise and new growth begins. By the time summer arrives, the fall-planted shrub may already have a more extensive root system capable of supporting its above-ground growth. That doesn't mean fall-planted plants will always outperform spring-planted ones. Plant selection, soil conditions, weather, and proper care all matter. However, the additional establishment time can provide a meaningful advantage. The RHS identifies stronger spring growth and improved resilience to summer heat and drought as potential benefits of autumn planting.
The benefit: A stronger root system entering spring can support healthier growth and improve a plant's ability to handle its first summer.
5. Less Competition from Weeds and Pests
Spring and summer aren't just busy seasons for your favourite garden plants. They're also prime growing seasons for weeds! Fast-growing weeds compete with newly planted specimens for moisture, nutrients, sunlight, and growing space. As temperatures cool and daylight decreases in fall, the growth of many common weeds begins to slow. Activity from some garden pests also declines. This gives newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials an opportunity to establish with less competition. The Royal Horticultural Society includes reduced weed competition and pest pressure among the advantages of planting in autumn. Of course, here in the Pacific Northwest, some weeds remain active throughout our mild winters. A layer of mulch can help suppress unwanted growth while retaining moisture and moderating soil temperatures.
The benefit: Less competition means your plants have a better opportunity to access the resources they need while establishing.
6. Fall Is the Perfect Time to Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Want a garden overflowing with colour next spring?
The secret is to start planting now!
Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, and many other spring-flowering bulbs are traditionally planted in autumn. Unlike many summer-flowering bulbs, these spring favourites benefit from spending the cooler months in the ground. During fall and winter, they establish roots. Many also require a period of cool temperatures to support normal spring flowering. By the time temperatures begin warming again, they're ready to put on a spectacular show. Oregon State University Extension recommends October and November as ideal planting months for many spring-flowering bulbs in western Oregon, with planting sometimes possible later where soil conditions remain suitable. For gardeners in Surrey, Langley, and surrounding communities, fall is a wonderful time to plant layers of bulbs in garden beds, beneath deciduous trees, or in decorative containers. Imagine cheerful crocuses announcing the arrival of spring, followed by golden daffodils and colourful tulips!
The benefit: A little work in autumn rewards you with weeks of beautiful spring colour, often when the garden needs it most.
7. Fall Is an Excellent Time to Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
One of the greatest misconceptions about gardening is that planting season ends when summer does. In reality, many hardy landscape plants are well suited to fall planting. Trees, deciduous shrubs, evergreens, and numerous hardy perennials can benefit from the combination of warm soil, cooler air, and increasing moisture. In fact, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends autumn through early spring as a particularly favourable period for planting many trees and shrubs, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. Fall is a particularly exciting time to select deciduous trees and shrubs because you can often see their autumn colours firsthand. It's an opportunity to discover the brilliant reds of Japanese maples, golden tones of ginkgo trees, rich burgundy foliage of blueberries, and fiery colours of many ornamental shrubs.
The benefit: You can improve your landscape now while giving suitable plants an opportunity to establish before the following growing season.
8. Fall Planting Can Help Your Garden Handle Next Summer's Heat
Perhaps the most compelling argument for fall planting is what happens months later.
Our Pacific Northwest climate is known for relatively mild, wet winters and increasingly dry summer conditions. For newly planted trees and shrubs, those summer conditions can be challenging. A plant that has had several additional months to develop roots may be better prepared to access moisture from the surrounding soil when temperatures rise. That can help reduce the stress associated with hot, dry weather. The Royal Horticultural Society has encouraged gardeners to embrace autumn planting as a way to establish gardens better prepared for summer heat and drought. Of course, even fall-planted trees and shrubs will require supplemental watering during their establishment period, particularly through their first few summers. But giving them a head start is one of the simplest ways to improve their chances of long-term success.
The benefit: Better-established root systems can help plants become more resilient, potentially reducing future maintenance and watering demands.
What Should You Plant This Fall?
For gardeners in Metro Vancouver, fall is an excellent time to establish a wide range of hardy plants.
Some of our favourites include:
- Trees: Japanese maples, dogwoods, serviceberries, ornamental cherries, and suitable shade trees.
- Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangeas, viburnums, ninebark, weigela, and flowering currants.
- Evergreen Shrubs: Rhododendrons, camellias, pieris, and many hollies.
- Perennials: Hostas, heucheras, hardy geraniums, hellebores, and many ornamental grasses.
- Edible Plants: Blueberries, raspberries, currants, and other hardy berry bushes.
- Spring-Flowering Bulbs: Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, and ornamental alliums.
- Vegetables: Garlic and suitable overwintering vegetables.
For edible gardeners, garlic is especially worth mentioning. Oregon State University Extension recommends autumn planting because garlic develops roots through fall and winter, supporting vigorous growth the following spring.
A Word of Caution: Not Everything Should Be Planted in Fall
While we're enthusiastic supporters of autumn planting, it's important to recognize that some plants are better established in spring. Tender tropical plants, many summer-flowering bulbs, and plants that dislike cold, wet winter soils may struggle when planted late in the season. Even hardy plants can suffer when planted into poorly drained soil that remains saturated throughout winter. This is particularly relevant in parts of Surrey and Langley where heavy clay soils are common. The RHS recommends considering spring planting for certain perennials in very wet gardens or heavy clay soils. As always, choosing the right plant for the right location is essential.