The first signs of fall are arriving at McDonald Garden Center! As summer begins to wind down, our stores are filling up with rich colors, interesting textures, and fresh plants that make it easy to get a head start on the season.
Add a Pop of Color with Ornamental Peppers
Ornamental peppers are an easy way to transition containers and garden beds from summer to fall. Their colorful fruits appear in warm shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple, creating a bold seasonal display.
Pair ornamental peppers with mums or celosia for a colorful combination, or use them to add interest to an existing container. Their compact shape also makes them a great option for smaller pots, tabletops, and window boxes.
Ornamental Pepper Care:
- Light: Place in full sun for the best color and fruit production.
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Containers may need more frequent watering during warm weather.
- Soil: Use well-draining soil and make sure containers have drainage holes.
- Seasonal tip: Protect plants from frost and cold temperatures.
- Please note: Ornamental peppers are grown for decoration and are not recommended for eating.
Turn Up the Texture with Celosia
With its vivid color and one-of-a-kind blooms, celosia makes an eye-catching addition to the fall garden. Depending on the variety, its flowers may resemble feathery plumes or sculpted crests in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple.
Celosia looks beautiful planted in groups, mixed into garden beds, or featured in seasonal containers. Combine it with ornamental peppers for bold color or place it alongside grasses to create contrast between soft movement and striking blooms.
Celosia Care:
- Light: Plant in full sun for strong growth and vibrant blooms.
- Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid allowing the plant to sit in soggy soil.
- Soil: Choose rich, well-draining soil.
- Maintenance: Remove faded blooms to help keep the plant looking tidy.
- Seasonal tip: Celosia loves warmth and should be protected from frost.
Bring Movement to the Garden with Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are made for fall. Their graceful foliage and feathery plumes add height, movement, and texture to containers and landscapes.
Use a taller grass as the centerpiece of a container, then surround it with mums, celosia, or ornamental peppers. In the landscape, grasses can help define a garden bed, soften a walkway, and provide interest as the seasons change.
Their neutral tones also balance the brighter colors of fall flowers, making them a versatile addition to almost any planting combination.
Ornamental Grass Care:
- Light: Most varieties perform best in full sun, though light requirements may vary.
- Water: Water regularly while newly planted. Once established, many varieties can tolerate short dry periods.
- Soil: Plant in well-draining soil and avoid areas that remain consistently wet.
- Spacing: Allow enough room for the grass to reach its mature height and width.
- Maintenance: Care varies by type, so check the plant tag before trimming or cutting back.
Welcome the Season with Mums
Nothing signals the start of fall quite like mums. Their full blooms and familiar autumn colors can quickly refresh porches, patios, garden beds, and entryways.
Place a single mum in a favorite planter for an instant seasonal update, or group several together for a fuller display. Mixing different colors and sizes adds variety, while pairing mums with ornamental grasses, peppers, or celosia creates a layered arrangement filled with color and texture.
Mum Care:
- Light: Place in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day.
- Water: Check the soil frequently and water thoroughly when it begins to feel dry. Avoid letting container-grown mums wilt.
- Soil: Use rich, well-draining soil.
- Maintenance: Remove faded flowers to keep plants looking fresh and encourage remaining buds to open.
- Watering tip: Water at the base of the plant instead of over the flowers and foliage.
Start a Cool-Season Vegetable Garden
Fall also brings a fresh opportunity to grow something delicious. Cole crops thrive in cooler weather and can keep the edible garden productive as summer crops begin to fade.
Look for favorites such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, and Brussels sprouts. Add them to a raised bed, traditional vegetable garden, or large container with good drainage.
Cole Crop Care:
- Light: Choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day.
- Water: Provide consistent moisture, aiming for about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation.
- Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or other organic matter.
- Spacing: Follow the plant tag’s spacing recommendations to allow room for mature growth and good air circulation.
- Feeding: Use a fertilizer formulated for vegetables and follow the package directions.
- Pest check: Inspect leaves regularly for common pests such as cabbage worms and aphids. If you find them, our Garden Pharmacy can help you!
Start the Season with Us
A few new plants can completely change the look and feel of a garden. Add ornamental peppers for playful color, celosia for bold blooms, ornamental grasses for movement, mums for classic fall style, or cole crops for a garden that looks good and tastes even better.
Stop by to explore the latest arrivals and talk with our Green Team. Product selection may vary by location and availability. Fall starts here and we can’t wait to help you grow into the season. To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to explore more gardening tips and ideas. To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to explore more gardening tips and ideas.