Fall Is Prime Planting Time in Atlanta: Here's What to Plant Now

Ask any experienced Georgia gardener when the best time to plant is, and most will tell you: fall, not spring. Once the scorching summer heat breaks, soil stays warm while air temperatures cool off, giving roots weeks of ideal growing conditions before winter dormancy. That head start means trees, shrubs, and perennials planted this September and October will be noticeably more established by the time spring rolls around, compared to plants installed in the heat of next summer.

Here is what we recommend getting in the ground now around Douglasville and the greater Atlanta area (USDA zone 7b-8a):

Trees and shade plantings. Fall is the single best time to plant shade trees like maples, oaks, and dogwoods. Cooler air means less transplant stress, and the extended root-establishment period through fall and winter sets trees up for strong spring growth.

Evergreens for structure. Boxwood, arborvitae, and other evergreens planted now will fill in foundation beds and privacy screens with far less watering than a summer planting requires.

Cool-season color. This is where mums come in. Nothing signals fall in the South quite like a porch full of mums, and they are one of the easiest, most affordable ways to refresh your curb appeal for the season. Right now we have full, healthy mums in a range of colors for just $8.00 each - grab a few for the porch, or mix them into beds with pansies for color that carries through the cooler months.

Prep beds before the first freeze. If you are planning spring color, fall is also the time to amend beds with compost and get weeds under control before the ground goes dormant.

Stop by the yard this week to see what is in stock. Our team can help you pick the right trees, shrubs, and fall color for your specific spot, whether that is a sunny front bed or a shady corner that needs some evergreen structure.