Outdoor Projects to Enjoy in a Fall Garden
When many people think of gardening seasons, they think of spring and summer, but you can enjoy many outdoor gardening activities in the fall. You can begin fall gardening as the weather gets crisp and cool. These activities will depend on your planting zone; if you live further north, your fall may feel like winter to those living in the south. Need some gardening inspiration? Check out these outdoor projects to enjoy in a fall garden.
Fall Gardening Projects
Many plants actually prefer being planted in colder weather. You can grow your own food with a fruit and vegetable garden or work on those fall and winter blooms.
What to plant:
- Root Vegetables: carrots, beets, parsnips, and turnips
- Leafy Greens: lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts
- Alliums: onions, shallots, garlic, chives, leeks
- Berries: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries
- Spring Bulbs: tulips, hyacinth, hard garlic
- Perennials: peonies, bearded iris
- Cool-Season Annuals: violas, pansies, mums
Year-Round Gardening
If you want to garden even more during the fall and winter, you can set up a DIY greenhouse or cold-frame garden. The plastic covering on a greenhouse or cold frame lets the sunlight stream in and keeps your plants warm and moist, protecting them from the cold weather.
A greenhouse is a structure with transparent walls and roofing. The main component of a greenhouse is the clear covering, often made of plastic, acrylic, polycarbonate, or fiberglass. You can get even more creative and make a greenhouse out of recycled materials like plastic water bottles, CD cases, a clear umbrella, or old window panes. If it gets really cold where you live, you can add a small heater for a few hours at night (with a timer or temperature-controlled).
Cold frame gardens are similar to a greenhouse, but typically, only the top is transparent. A cold frame is a gardening bed but with a clear top or lid that opens. You can make an easy cold frame using old windows or doors. The frame is typically made out of wood or plastic. Cold frame gardens should be placed in a well-drained area with direct sunlight. A cold frame is like moving your garden one or two growing zones south.
Tip: You can use a smartpond pump to power a hydroponic gardening system in your greenhouse and grow your favorite fruits and veggies all year round.
Compost
Reduce green and brown waste by repurposing your leaves and lawn trimmings into compost and creating nutrients for your garden next spring.
Fall Fountain Projects
As long as the first frost isn't imminent, there's still time to create beautiful fall fountains for your patio, or even for indoor spaces. Using a fountain pump or container fountain kit, you can create whimsical fairy fountains or a custom planter fountain.
DIY Fire Pit
If you live in an area that isn't in a drought and prone to fires, you can create a DIY firepit and enjoy your garden at night. Is there anything better than eating s'mores and drinking hot cocoa on a cold night? Before building a fire pit, check with local ordinances to make sure fire pits are allowed. An easy way to make your own fire pit is to dig a few inches into the ground and use fire-rated bricks to create a small area to enclose the flames.
Add a Seating Area
You can turn your garden into an extension of the house during the fall and make the most of the nice weather before it gets too chilly. Create an area to have lunch or dinner outside with a table and some chairs. You could get even fancier and turn your backyard into a movie theater with a large sheet, projector, blankets, and lots of pillows.
Fall is a beautiful time of year with cool weather and changing leaves. You can enjoy your garden in the fall just as much as you do in the summer. Many plants prefer colder weather, or you can upgrade your garden with a DIY greenhouse or old frame for even more gardening. When you start adding backyard games, movies, and smores, you'll never want to go inside. Fall may be your new favorite season to spend time in your garden.
