Many people believe that planting is a spring activity but that is not entirely the case! There are a lot of options for both your vegetable and flower gardens that are planted in the fall and will bloom in the spring or summer. Fall planting typically revolves more around bulbs rather than seed, but there are still plenty of great options! 

1. Garlic

Garlic is a great option for fall planting and should be a priority to get planted due to the long period of time it needs to be in the ground. Many gardeners do not harvest their garlic sets until the following summer which may be close to 10 months total! Garlic may be a test in patience but the results will be worth it because many garlic varieties available for planting are more extensive than what is available to buy at your local grocery store. 

For Garlic, break apart the bulbs and plant each clove individually about 6" deep. Give enough space between bulbs to account for growth. 

2. Onions

Right along with garlic is onions and shallots. Typically, onions are planted in the spring and are ready by summer to be harvested but you actually have the option of planting in the fall. Advocates for fall onions say that they have a better taste and size due to being in the ground longer, and that they are typically ready to be pulled earlier than onions planted in the spring. 

3. Crocus Sativus/Saffron

Crocus Sativus, also known as Saffron for the spice it produces, is another great fall planting option. The benefits of doing Crocus are two-fold because not only do you get a beautiful purple flower that can be grown outdoors or in pots, you also have the ability to harvest the Saffron itself and use it in the kitchen. Fair warning, you do not get much Saffron per flower. Crocus Sativus blooms in the fall.

4. Daffodils

Daffodils are one of the most popular fall planting flower bulbs! Squirrels and deer do not like to eat them and many varieties will bloom early in the spring. Daffodils are offered in many different colors and will add bright tones to your garden since most are yellow or white or maybe both. 

5. Tulips

Tulips are another great option for your flower beds. Planted in the fall, tulips come in all kinds of colors and varieties with some featuring gradients and stripes. Whether you are looking for vibrant colors or classic solid yellow there is a tulip for you at Rohrer Seeds. Tulips tend to bloom later in the spring than daffodils but they still prefer the crisp and cool weather. 

6. Hyacinths

Hyacinths are tall fragrant flowers that come in a mix of colors like blue, pink or white. Like most perennial flowers that are planted in the fall and bloom in spring. They are a great option for adding height to your garden since they grow vertically. Hyacinths are commonly paired with other flowers for this reason but they also look great alone. Be careful when handling Hyacinth bulbs because they are known to cause skin irritation and itching.

7. Iris

Iris flowers are beautiful plants with petals that hang up and down simultaneously thus creating a unique look. Typically, Iris flowers are purple with white or yellow centers but some producers offer Iris in different color combinations. The bulbs resemble tulip bulbs but are much smaller and are often planted in large quantities together. Iris flowers would certainly add a sense of beauty and elegance to your flower beds. 

There are other options beyond this list as well but these 7 plants are the most commonly planted in the fall. Don't let the cooler weather fool you into thinking there isn't anything you could be planting! 

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