False Fall Is Your Planting Green Light: Why Perennials Thrive When Planted Now
If you’ve lived in Georgia for more than a minute, you know the drill: one cool, crisp morning rolls in and suddenly we’re lighting candles and dreaming of sweater weather… and then by noon, we’re back to sweating through our shirts.
This is what we lovingly call “false fall.” It’s the seasonal fake-out that hints at cooler days ahead, and while it’s not time to break out your boots just yet, it is time to start planting perennials.
Fall is around the corner, and when it comes to your garden, planning ahead is everything.
Fall Prep Starts Now
Late August and early September in Georgia is the sweet spot for garden prep. The extreme summer heat is easing up, and even though we’re still getting hot afternoons, the soil is holding onto warmth, which is exactly what your perennials need to get a healthy start.
🍂 Translation: The cooler temps we’re starting to feel are your green light to get planting. Don’t wait for the leaves to change, by then, it may be too late for roots to establish fully.
Perennials Planted Now Are Next Season’s Superstars
When you plant in fall (yes, even “pre-fall”), your plants can focus on developing strong root systems without expending energy on blooming. By the time spring arrives, those roots are raring to go, and you’ll see stronger, more established growth with less effort.
Think of it as giving your garden a head start while everyone else is still figuring out what to plant in April.
Native Plants Know What’s Up
Many of Georgia’s native perennials are naturally adapted to fall planting. That’s how they behave in the wild, seeds drop in late summer, overwinter, and sprout stronger than ever when spring returns.
Some perfect-for-now native perennials:
Bee Balm – A pollinator favorite with respiratory benefits
Echinacea – Immune-boosting and beautiful
Goldenrod – Supports pollinators and adds a late-season burst of color
Anise Hyssop – Soothing for digestion and coughs, loved by pollinators
Mullein – Excellent for respiratory health and soil improvement
These plants don’t just survive, they thrive when you follow their seasonal rhythm. Plus, they support pollinators and local biodiversity, which we love.
Less Stress (For Everyone Involved)
Georgia’s late-summer-into-fall weather can be a rollercoaster, but it’s a gentler one. Milder temps = less transplant shock, fewer pests, and less watering stress for you. That’s a win-win.
And let’s be real, gardening in August heat is rough. Fall planting means more enjoyable mornings in the garden without breaking a sweat by 9am. (We’ve all been there.)
Fall Planting Is Smart Gardening
Fall isn’t just about planting, it’s about planning. It’s the gardener’s reset button: a chance to reflect, refine, and get intentional with what you want to grow next season.
Want to start your medicinal herb garden? Add structure to your native garden beds? Create an oasis for pollinators? It all starts with what you plant now.
What to Plant Now (That We Carry!)
At Planted Wellness Co., we’re stocked up on beautiful native perennials and cold-tolerant culinary herbs that are perfect to get in the ground before fall fully arrives. These plants will root in while the soil is still warm and burst back strong next spring.
Here’s what’s ideal to plant right now:
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – A monarch magnet that thrives in moist soil
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) – A stunning native shrub with fiery fall color
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – Fragrant, pollinator-friendly, and medicinal
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – A charming early bloomer loved by hummingbirds
Culinary Herbs – Now’s a great time to get Lemon Balm, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano in the ground (or in containers) to overwinter and thrive in spring
Pro Tip: Order online for local pick-up and skip the rush!
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the warm afternoons fool you, fall is on its way, and your garden knows it. Now is the time to plant with purpose. Your future self (and your pollinators) will thank you.
So go ahead - beat the rush, plant like a pro, and watch your garden wake up stronger come spring.
