Fall Planting – Checklist for Zone 8 (Printable)

A full guide to fall planting from seeds starting, transplants to get in the ground, harvesting, preserving, and garden maintenance. Including a free downloadable PDF for your own convenience. 

Building and Tools

• Write down supplies you may need for building raised beds, trellises, or repairs to garden areas to build over winter
• Utilize frost protection tools such as tow covers, hoop houses, and cold frames, to extend growing seasons
• Clean, dry, and cover lawn furniture
• Clean and sanitize bird feeders to prepare for winter bird seed supply
• Clean and sanitize tools
• Sharpen lawn mower blades, chainsaws, loppers, and clippers. 
• Repair any fences or structures that are collapsing or rotting. 
• Clean pots and garden supports with a 2 to 1 solution of water and bleach to kill diseases or pests 

Garden Planning

• Consider crop rotation by taking note of where your current plants are growing
• Plan out new garden beds
• Reflect on what worked and did not work in your garden
• If not planting a cover crop for the winter months, cover all soil with mulch to protect it from erosion and weeds, if planting a cover crop, consider mustard, peas, or clover
• Visit local farmers markets for late season bargains and new ideas for next year’s produce
• Order seed catalogs

All About Water

• Drain hoses and empty birdbaths
• Cover outdoor faucets with covers
• Water soil thoroughly before a freeze to insulate plants still growing
• Prepare rain collection systems for fresh rains in the autumn months 
• Check gutters for debris as leaves being to fall

Seed Needs

• Save seeds from plants that have dried out and matured in your garden, make sure to label them with their variety
• Organize seed packets for easy planting in the next season
• Assess your seed stock and order seeds for next seasons garden, try out a new variety!
• Make sure you have seed starting supplies (grow lights, heating mats, seed starting mix, seed starting containers, seed storage supplies, etc.)

Garden Clean Up

For Edible and Flower Gardens:

• Top off tomato plants to allow remaining tomatoes to ripen
• Removing foliage and female flowers from squashes and other plants will help them to ripen. Also consider removing immature fruits to let the energy flow to the larger fruits
• Remove spent plants and debris
• Cut down rhubarb and asparagus ferns
• Add healthy vines and plants to compost to clear summer garden
• Dispose of diseased plants in garbage (do not place diseased plants in compost)
• Add to compost and break up large materials
• Weed garden spaces, do not let weeds go to seed as this will cause more problems in the spring
• Wrap fruit trees to protect them from rodents and pests that may eat the bark over winter. 
• Wrap small trees and saplings with burlap to prevent frost cracks. 
• Bring non-cold hardy potted plants indoors, including citrus trees (remove any diseased leaves and spritz with insecticidal soap before moving indoors)
• Dig up tender tubers like dahlias, caladium, and elephant’s ear. Store in a cool dry place over winter. 
• Add 4 to 6 inches of compost or organic matter to the top of garden beds to replenish the soil
• Remove and maintain garden supports such as tomato cages, stakes, and trellises and store them away from the elements
• Cut back berry canes halfway and prune any dead or nonproductive canes
• Leave sunflowers and other seeded plants available for birds to forage
• Fertilize shrubs and roses
• Mulch all garden beds
• Stop pruning of trees and shrubs to prevent new growth from getting susceptible to frost damage. 
• For tropical plants, start transitioning them indoors in early fall late summer
• Turn compost

For the Lawn:

• Collect fallen leaves for mulching or add to compost
• Overseed, aerate, fertilize, and clear leaves off lawns
• Collect small limbs and branches for fire pits
• Seed or lay sod for establishing new lawns or making repairs
• Raise your mower blade as a taller lawn will encourage root growth to help grass survive the winter better

Canning and Preserving

• Consider new supplies to use for preserving produce (spiralizer, dehydrator, canner, etc.)
• Can and preserve your ripe fruits and vegetables using your favorite recipes 
• Look up recipes for green tomatoes, un-ripened fruits, and vegetables in case you cannot get all the harvest before it gets too cold
• Get your root cellar or storage areas cleaned and organized for the incoming new items
• Take harvested herbs and hang them upside down in a cool dry place to have dried herbs ready for processing

Fall Planting List

Fall Harvesting List

September	October	November
Beans  Celery Corn Cucumbers Eggplants Lettuce Melons Peppers Potatoes Squashes Sweet potatoes Tomatoes	Beets Brussel sprouts Cabbage Carrots Corn Gourds Kale Lettuce Parsnips Potatoes Pumpkins Radishes Spinach Squash  Sweet potatoes Swiss chard	Arugula Beets  Broccoli Carrots Cauliflower Collard greens Kale Lettuce Parsnips Pumpkins Radishes Spinach Squash Sweet potatoes

Other Articles on Fall Gardening

A Fall Garden Guide for Zone 8 Fruits and Vegetables

https://boonstead.com/a-fall-garden-guide-for-zone-8-fruits-and-vegetables/