As winter approaches and autumn is at our door step my family and I are collecting our seeds and prepping our soil for our fall and winter potted gardens. There is something so special about clearing out the summer overgrowth and planting those rich and velvety fall variety plants. Over the years we have had an abundance of space with raised beds and an acre to grow but now we reside in the city and still get our garden fix with our potted garden. No matter where you are, there is always room for a growing plants!
I’ll share 12 winter and autumn plants for your potted gardens and why they are a the best for your tiny but mighty space. For gardening in smaller pots, these are more suited to limited space and still thrive in winter conditions:
When do I plant for my fall garden?
This depends on each state and region you’re in but typically it’s 6-8 weeks before your first frost date. That means whatever the expected first day of the temps to go below freezing. Check the usda website here to discover what zone you’re in.
Preparing the Soil
Although autumn and winter potted gardens are hardy, you still need to assure your soil is full of rich nutrients to keep those plants strong. Look into adding an organic compost mix or manure and assuring your soil is well watered before planting the seeds.
Make sure you continue to water regularly throughout the season.
1. Pansies and Violas
Both are small and adapt well to smaller pots.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil, water typically 1x a day in the morning unless soil is already wet, at least 6 hours of sunlight.
2. Lettuce and Spinach
They can grow well in smaller pots with less seeds sewn and are hardy winter plants. You can have a salad year round if you don’t have a cold snap! Covering with a shade cloth will help from the cold if you have a frost temp occuring.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil, water daily in the morning to prevent fungal growth, 6-8 hours of sunlight needed.
3. Primrose
This plant is suitable for smaller containers and blooms brightly even in cold weather.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained, slightly acidic soil, can water once every other day during the fall/winter, partial shade is best.
4. Chrysanthemums
A crowd favorite in the fall, mums can bring color and volume to your potted gardens.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date. They will also come back each year (if there isn’t a cold snap)
- soil/water/sun needs: needs well drained soil with plenty of watering, mums require frequent watering due to their flowers having a risk of burning/wilting in the sun, sunny location 6-8 hours.
5. Ornamental Cabbage
This plant is a wonderful filler in your garden pots mixed with other flowers for the fall season.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil to prevent mold growth, well watered area to support it’s colorful leaves in a sunny location.
6. Cilantro
This herb is a great addition to your potted garden because it will last well into the winter, in zones 7-10, and will go to seed by spring.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Best grown indoors under a heat lamp until ready to transfer outside as a seedling.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil (keep rocks at the bottom of the pot to help drainage), needs watering daily -2x a day, 6-8 hours of sunlight.
7. Mint
With many verities to choose from, mint is a favorite all year long in the 6b-9 zone areas.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Best grown indoors under a heat lamp until ready to transfer outside as a seedling.
- soil/water/sun needs: slightly acidic well drained, rich soil, well watered while avoiding over watering which can cause mold and wilted leaves, sunny area with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
8. Thyme
Perfect for soups and stews, this herb is a must add to your potted garden for fall.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Best grown indoors under a heat lamp until ready to transfer outside as a seedling.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil, watered daily but avoiding over watering which can cause mold and wilted leaves, sunny area with 6 hours of direct sunlight.
9. Hellebores (Christmas Rose)
A part of the butter cup family but with a beautiful, delicate white petal this flower will add beauty to your potted gardens all winter.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before last frost date. It will come back each year if protected by colder winters.
- soil/water/sun needs: Moist but well-drained, water daily (unless top of soil is wet) to prevent flowers from drying out, partial sunlight to prevent leaves from browning.
10. Asters
A butterfly favorite during the fall, this vibrant flower will bring forth color while most flowers have gone to seed from the summer.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
- soil/water/sun needs: slightly acidic well drained soil, well watered soil to prevent flowers from drying up, partial sunlight to prevent petals from wilting.
11. Celosia
These flowers with their many verities and forms can bring depth and beauty to your potted gardens.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Best grown indoors under a heat lamp until ready to transfer outside as a seedling.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained, nutrient-rich soil, daily watering unless the top soil is wet, sunny areas with 6-8 hours of sunlight.
12. Marigold
Another rich in color flower is sure to bring brightness to the fall/winter season lasting until the first frost date. They are also wonderful companion plants due to their ability to repel natural insect predators.
- when to plant: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
- soil/water/sun needs: well drained soil-prefers acidic soil but can thrive in all soil types, watered daily or the petals will wilt and burn due to its need for a sunny location of about 6 hours of sunlight.
As you may have noticed, majority of these plants require a 6-8 week sowing seed date, before the first frost date in your area. Whether you have an abundance of land, a porch area or even community garden: Potted gardens are a perfect way to get started with planting because it is small, doesn’t require an a lot of space or materials. These 12 different plants are sure to help you jump into the fall garden you’ve always wanted! Let me know in the comments below if there are any other plants you enjoy growing during the fall/winter months. Follow along as we share more gardening tips here and on youtube.
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