Back in Bloom: Your Fall Garden Recovery Guide

By the end of summer, many Southern Nevada gardens have seen better days. The hanging basket you bought in May died months ago. Your veggie bed has faded, the stunning perennials in your front yard have become more of a reminder of July than a welcome home, and some of your toughest native plants have gone dormant.

If that's your garden right now, don't throw in the trowel.

One of the biggest advantages of gardening in the Mojave Desert is that we get a second chance. While much of the country is winding down for the season, we're just getting started. As temperatures begin to drop, even if it's only into the 90s, many plants wake up and begin growing with surprising speed.

Maybe you’re a veteran gardener who cherishes the natural seasons of the garden. But maybe you’re not, so if you're looking for quick results, here are some of the best plants to refresh your containers and landscape this fall.

** Please remember that our weather can sometimes be surprising. Always keep your eye on the weather report, and begin replanting your garden in a time that makes sense to you. This blog is meant to be used simply as a guide.

For Instant Color

Sometimes you don't want to wait weeks for a plant to look good, you want your porch or backyard space to look alive again by  this weekend.

These cool-season annuals settle in quickly and begin putting on a show almost immediately.

Sweet Alyssum spills over the edges of containers with clouds of tiny flowers and a sweet fragrance. It's perfect for softening pots and attracting beneficial insects.

Calendula grows quickly and produces cheerful golden blooms that seem made for autumn. Bonus: the flowers are edible and loved by pollinators.

Autumn Sage become stars as soon as nighttime temperatures begin to cool. Their bright blooms can carry your garden all the way into spring.

Snapdragons add vertical interest and bold color without taking up much room, making them perfect for containers or tucked between shrubs.

Gregg’s Purple Mistflower can offer clouds of soft blue and purply flowers well into fall. Loved by butterflies. 

If You Want Your Garden to Look Full

Flowers are wonderful, but foliage is what makes a garden feel lush. Be sure to plant a few of these when you need your landscape or garden beds to look more full.

• Ornamental kale

• Ornamental cabbage

• Dusty miller

• Colorful grasses for movement and texture

Mixing foliage with flowering plants creates containers that look more lived in instead of sparse.

Want Something You Can Harvest Soon?

If you want instant gratification in your garden, after a season of watching plants wither and die, we can’t blame you! 

Many leafy vegetables grow rapidly in our cooling weather and can be harvested long before fruiting crops are ready.

Some of the fastest growers include:

• Loose-leaf lettuce

• Arugula

• Bok choy

• Radishes

• Spinach

• Green onions

Rather than waiting months, you could be picking ingredients for your salad in just a few weeks.

Fall Is Prime Planting Season for Trees & Shrubs

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum (Texas Mountain Laurel)

Most people don't realize that planting in the fall is a sure way to get your plants to thank you. These plants use the cool months to develop strong root systems, making them far more resilient once next summer arrives. 

Plant:

• Desert Willow

• Texas Mountain Laurel

• Hopseed Bush

• Baja Fairy Duster

• Little Leaf Cordia

Fall planting means:

• Less transplant shock

• Lower water use

• Better root establishment

• Bigger spring flush

Be Patient With Your Native Garden

If your native plants looked tired in August, don't assume they're dead. Many Mojave natives naturally slow down during peak summer heat to conserve energy. As nights cool and fall rains arrive, many begin putting on fresh growth.

Give Yourself Permission to Start Over

Every Southern Nevada gardener has looked out at a fried planter and wondered if it was worth replacing. Sometimes a garden can be expensive. Maybe you're not in the position to replace everything so start slowly with a few plants at a time. Opt for seeds. Go with your own pace.

Give yourself grace and realize that every loss is a learning experience. Fall isn't just another season here, it can sometimes be a much needed reset button. Cooler nights, warm soil, and months of growing weather create the perfect conditions for new plants to establish quickly.

So don't focus on what summer took from your garden. Focus on what fall can give back to your landscape. With a few fresh plants and a little cooler weather, you'll be surprised how quickly your patio, porch, or landscape comes back to life!