From fresh annuals to fall bulbs, learn how your landscape can make the most of the season ahead

This paid piece is sponsored by Landscape Garden Centers.

Despite the unseasonably warm September, chances are some of your summer annuals are starting to show that their season is winding down.

But you likely don’t need to ditch all your summer favorites just yet – and there are some beautiful ways to bridge the seasonal gap into fall.

“This isn’t the time to remove your spring and summer annuals if they’re still doing well. Instead, we look at how to add something with extra texture or richer color to bring more seasonality to your containers,” said Tressa Tingle, garden center relationship specialist at Landscape Garden Centers.

“You might have a container that’s looking a little tired, so that’s one to consider adding in some small gourds to give it a more seasonal look.”

Landscape Garden Centers has “an incredible selection of fall annuals available,” Tingle continued. “We have mums of every color, a variety of blooming and foliage plants and a lot of flowers with rich, dark hues for fall in addition to ornamental grasses.”

Fall annuals are more tolerant of cool conditions, she added.

“They can handle lower temperatures,” she said. “We’ve still been reaching 80 degrees, so your summer annuals are doing fine, but when we get the first cold spell and temperatures drop, you will see those flowers drastically change, and that’s where fall annuals come in. Pansies and mums are very frost-resistant. You can have them outside at 40 degrees, and they will thrive.”

When it gets closer to freezing, bring containers in or cover them with a heavy blanket to ensure they will last, she suggested.

“But you can have fall annuals up through November.”

Be mindful of where you set your fall annuals, Tingle said.

“Don’t place them in a super-sunny, west-facing spot because mums will dry out quickly, but look for a partly sunny area and they will be very happy there,” she said.

“The biggest thing is not to fertilize them. They’re not growing much more, so just look at the water intake and test around the root base of each annual because you might have different watering intake for each plant in the container. Continuing to deadhead is always helpful to promote overall plant health.”

Pumpkins, gourds and bulbs galore

Of course, with the arrival of mum season come pumpkins, and there are tons to choose from at Landscape Garden Centers.

“We have an eclectic selection of pumpkins and gourds – basically an indoor pumpkin patch,” Tingle said. “We have pumpkins of many color palettes, including greens and teals, and they really add incredible dimension and color variety.”

Plus, add cornstalks and straw bales for a complete fall look.

“We source pumpkins locally from area growers and just received our final delivery,” said Anna Smith, inventory specialist at Landscape Garden Centers.

“We have some really neat ones this year.”

But don’t stop with just fall annuals and pumpkins. This season can be ideal for planting the bulbs that will bloom into flowers you’ll love next spring and summer.

“I think a lot of people make the mistake of thinking you need to do all your planting in the spring, while fall is actually a great time for planting too,” Smith said. “Your plants aren’t weathering the elements now as they prepare for winter. In the summer, they’re battling heat, wind and storms, and because fall is historically a milder time of year, it’s really nice because it allows the plants to focus on getting established before the first hard freeze and winter dormancy.”

Tulips, hyacinth, crocus and iris all are good bulbs to plant in fall – and some people love planting garlic then too, the experts said.

“A lot of people don’t know how to plant bulbs,” Smith added. “The depth that you want to plant depends on the bulb, where you’re planting and whether you have a lot of shade or sun. Usually, if you imagine the bulb as a Hershey Kiss, the flat side is planted down with the pointy side up.”

Then, prepare for the fun to begin come spring.

“I’ve seen people schedule their planting bed with different types of bulbs, so you have crocus come up early and then tulips,” Smith said. “Iris vary in planting, and they’re very easy, low-depth plants. You really just cover them with heavy mulch.”

This also is a great time to plant grass seed, she continued.

“It’s the best time,” Smith said. “You can get it to germinate, it’s going to root, and it will go into dormancy. Then, it has the whole spring to root deeper and spread, versus in the spring when you have chances of frost and other elements. Right now, we’re not expecting frost for a while, so it’s a good time to get it in the ground without combating weeks of heat and dry weather.”

Need some help deciding what and where to plant?

“Take pictures of the area where you’re looking to plant, bring dimensions and then stop by the garden center and our team will walk through your options, whether you’re planting bulbs or live plant material,” Tingle said. “We’re happy to do that throughout the growing seasons.”

Special events

Landscape Garden Centers continually hosts special events from its location at 47238 271st St. on the south edge of Sioux Falls.

Fall Perennials

Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Ready to learn the best tricks of the trade for your garden as we transition into the cooler months? Learn the secrets to maximizing the color and texture of your landscaping throughout the seasons, as well as best practices for fall cleanup and winter prep to ensure a successful return in spring.

The cost of the class is $15. Attendees receive a 20 percent discount on perennials.

Click HERE to register. Registration closes one hour before class start time.

Paint-a-Pumpkin

This popular event is from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 5 and 12.

Select a pumpkin from the premium Landscape Garden Centers pumpkin patch, and then put your creativity to work at a paint and decorating station. It’s open to all ages and is $5 per person plus the cost of the pumpkin. Pre-registration is suggested here or just stop by.