This month we’ve covered fall gardening basics, how to plant cool-season veggies and fall planted bulbs. If you’re starting to wonder what you can’t plant in the fall, the answer is almost nothing.

We’re going to help you get a head start on spring by planting perennials in the fall. Perennials, those plants that return each year, provide a low-maintenance way to have a beautiful, colorful garden. Your garden will take on a life of its own as the perennials continue to expand year after year.

While fall is for planting, Al’s Garden Center still has a few tricks that will ensure your plants look their best in that first season.

Plant Fall Perennials in 8 Steps

1. Start by preparing the soil. Dig out rocks, weeds and other debris.
2. Dig a hole deep enough for the root ball and twice as wide.
3. Gently remove plant from pot and gently loosen roots.
4. Mix in 3 inches of compost or other organic matter.
5. Remove the plant from its pot and loosen roots before planting. Place plant in hole and backfill the hole with a good quality garden soil.
6. Water immediately. Cover the planting area with a natural mulch of bark or straw. Mulch keeps soil moist and protects new roots from freezing.
7. Finish by adding an organic plant food such as Espoma’s Grow!
8. Water at least 1 inch per week until the ground freezes. This keeps roots growing and helps plants get established before winter dormancy.

Fall Perennial Plant Picks

1. Choose perennials that add color to your garden in early spring such as hellebore and astilbe.
2. Plant or transplant spring-blooming power-house shrubs such as rhododendrons and azaleas.
3. Choose pollinator friendly plants such as phlox, coneflower and aster. You can plant, divide or transplant.
4. Divide and replant hostas and daylilies. Learn more about dividing perennials.
5. Peonies should always be planted or transplanted in the fall. Plant 2 inches above the root ball.
6. Plant and transplant irises, Asiatic and Oriental lilies.

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Al’s Garden Center is a third generation owned and operated local family business.  Established in Woodburn, OR in 1948, Al’s is now the largest full-service independent garden center in the Willamette Valley.  Through its three retail stores, Al’s provides an extensive selection of plants, plant care essentials, garden accessories, outdoor furniture and home décor.