Why Fall is the Real Beginning of the Gardening Year
Most people think spring is the beginning of the gardening season. The catalogs come out, the nurseries fill up, everyone is buzzing about tomatoes and sunflowers and fresh herbs. But here’s a secret whispered between gardeners, passed down like a good recipe or a family story:
The gardening year truly begins in the fall.
Fall is quieter. Cooler. Slower. It’s the season of deep breaths. Of calm hands. Of soft light and warm soil. And that makes it the perfect time to plant.
Roots Grow When the World Looks Still
Above ground, everything is preparing to rest. Leaves fall, stems go bare, the garden looks like it’s tucking itself in for a nap.
But below the surface? There is magic.
Soil stays warm long after the air cools — like a bed that’s been holding sunlight all day. And roots love warm soil.
Planting in fall means:
Plants can settle in without the stress of blazing sun
Roots get months to grow and strengthen
When spring does arrive, your plants wake up already at home
It’s like getting to school early and choosing the best seat.
Less Stress. More Ease. More Success.
Spring is busy. We’re racing the heat. Watering constantly. Watching for pests and weather swings.
Fall is gentle.
In fall:
Rain is more frequent
Temperatures are steady
Plants focus all their energy on roots, not leaves or flowers
That means less work for you and stronger plants long-term.
You’re not forcing growth. You’re inviting it. There’s a difference — and the garden knows it.
A Season of Color and Comfort
Fall gardens are just “ending.” They’re shifting.
Think:
Camellias forming their winter buds like quiet promises
Brassicas unfurling blue-green leaves
Pansies smiling even on cold mornings
Herbs settling in, gaining flavor and fragrance in the cool air
And the color! Burnt orange. Deep burgundy. Silvery greens. Creamy whites. A palette that feels like woven blankets and warm cider.
Fall Gardening Teaches Patience, Presence, and Play
The fall garden asks us to garden with trust instead of urgency.
No rushing seedlings. No wrestling with heat indexes. No guilt over watering schedules.
Just tending, noticing, adjusting, appreciating.
Fall invites you to:
Sit on the porch and watch the light change
Gather leaves to mulch beds softly
Dream up next season without pressure
Let growth happen slowly and quietly
It reminds us that beginnings don’t always look loud. Sometimes they look like roots.
So This Fall… Begin.
Start the garden you’ve been imaging. Plant the shrubs you’ve been considering. Tuck in the perennials that will greet you in spring.
Do it slowly. Do it kindly. Do it as an act of care — for yourself and for the land.
Because this is the start of something good.
If you are dreaming of a garden that feels peaceful, welcoming, and deeply you, fall is the perfect time to begin. I’m currently booking fall planning + planting projects in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties — I’d love to help you create a space that grows beautifully for years to come.
