Top Seeds to Plant in the Fall for Next Season's Blooms

As a skilled gardener, you should know what seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms. Regardless of your region's climate, planting select seeds in autumn guarantees a stunning bloom garden next year. Look at the best seeds we're sure are for the fall now and follow some tips to plant seed in this season!

What are seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms?

Top Seeds to Plant in the Fall for Next Season's Blooms

  1. Why should you plant seeds in the fall?

  2. When should you plant fall seeds?

  3. The best seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms

      Cosmos

      Virginia Stocks

      Nasturtium

      Spider flower

      Columbine

      Cornflowers

      Nigella

      Larkspur

  4. Tips for planting seeds in the fall climate

  5. Conclusion

1. Why should you plant seeds in the fall?

While it may feel counterintuitive, planting seeds in the fall is highly beneficial. Many annual and perennial plants thrive during this season, using the cold winter months to establish their roots and emerge beautifully in the spring.

Just as planting bulbs in the spring yields beautiful summer flowers, fall planting can provide equally stunning spring blooms. You can cultivate a fresh garden in the upcoming season by selecting the appropriate seeds for your region.

Plant seeds in the fall and expect a great garden in the spring

2. When should you plant fall seeds?

Like nature, many plants shed their seeds in the fall, endure winter, and sprout again in spring. The ideal time for fall planting varies by region, and monitoring local frost dates can provide insight.

For cold regions, it's best to wait for a fatal frost before planting to avoid premature sprouting. Cover any seedlings that sprout with mulch to ensure winter hibernation and spring emergence.

In warm climates, it's best to sow seeds just before the rainy season begins, typically in late fall or early winter, depending on your location.

Plant seeds in the fall and expect a great garden in the spring

3. The best seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms

Although what to choose in the fall depends on your area, some flowers can do well in most conditions. Here are seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms:

Cosmos

Cosmos are annuals with colorful chrysanthemum-like blooms located on long, slender stems. You can plant it in the fall and see it bloom in the spring if planted properly.

Cosmos seeds should be sown directly indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost in a tray or pot. After the seeds develop into seedlings, you can take them outdoors. Since some cosmos plants can grow very tall, you need to prepare space for them.

Usually, after seven weeks, the cosmos will have its first bloom. But you can prune the trees so that they bloom continuously until spring.

Virginia Stocks

Virginian is a plant suitable for partial shade or full sun, making it an excellent choice for fall planting to ensure next season's blooms. To grow Virginian from seed, sow directly into well-prepared beds as the weather cools. It blooms in approximately 80 days.

For continuous bloom, stagger sowing in different garden areas over two to three weeks, and consider curving the planting line for an aesthetically pleasing effect. Weeding by hand is necessary to avoid competition for light and water with the seedlings.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium is among plants that thrive in cooler climates, perfect for fall planting and spring blooms. It is grown by sowing seeds directly into prepared soil about an inch deep and covering them with soil.

Nasturtium grows best when sown directly outdoors rather than starting indoors and transplanting. As it can be mistaken for weeds, it's crucial to label the plant.

Spider flower

Despite not being as popular as other annuals, Spider flowers are a hardy and low-maintenance plant that overgrows and thrives in full sun.

While they can be planted in the spring, many gardeners choose to sow the seeds directly in garden soil in late fall for a lush and established growth in the spring. Thanks to their sturdy upright stems, spider flowers are easy to start from seed and do not require staking.

Columbine

Experience the enchanting beauty of Columbine, a hardy and disease-resistant native plant that blooms with multicolored petals from spring to early summer. Fall is the perfect time to plant Columbine for optimal spring bloom.

Place the seeds in the ground, lightly compress them, and water them. Once matured, space the plants 1-2 feet apart for a stunning garden display.

Cornflowers

Cornflowers, or Bachelor's Buttons, are a stunning addition to a cut flower garden. Sow Centaurea in the first week of November, and they will bloom in spring. Centaurea prefers to be a bit crowded, and for the longest vase life, choose only half-open buds.

Nigella

Nigella, also known as Love-in-a-Mist, is popular among creative floral designers for both its flowers and seed pods. Nigella is a short-lived bloomer that does not thrive in the heat. Allow the seed pods to mature, and collect the seeds for replanting in the following fall. Plant nigella directly in the first week of November, and you can enjoy their blooms next spring.

Larkspur

Try Larkspur if you are looking for seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms. Larkspur self-seeds, making it easy to maintain, and requires minimal attention while providing maximum impact, sure to impress any visitors.

4. Tips for planting seeds in the fall climate

When sowing seeds, it's crucial to read the label, as some require cold stratification, which involves exposing the seeds to a cold period to promote germination. This is due to the seed's thick outer shell that prevents premature germination. You can simulate this process using your refrigerator.

However, if cold stratification is necessary, planting the seeds in the fall may be best and letting nature take its course during the winter.

To start sowing seeds, remove the debris from your garden bed and add a layer of compost for optimal growth. This can be done at any time of the year. Be sure to follow the instructions on the seed packages regarding light and soil requirements.

Plant seeds properly in the fall for a blooming garden in spring

5. Conclusion

So, fall is always possible to start planting seeds in your garden. But it would be best if you choose suitable seeds to plant in the fall for next season's blooms. Deciding where to buy seeds is equally essential. Are you looking for a place to purchase high-quality seeds that give you a wonderful flower garden? Visit TheRike, choose your seed, and add it to your cart!