As summer’s heat fades in Virginia, savvy gardeners know it’s time to prepare for autumn’s cooler temperatures. The Commonwealth’s unique climate, with its warm summers and moderate falls, creates perfect conditions for extending the growing season with some strategic adjustments.
These nine smart moves will help your Virginia garden transition beautifully from summer’s bounty to fall’s rich harvest and set the stage for next spring’s success.
1. Refreshing Soil With Compost
Summer crops deplete soil nutrients, leaving garden beds tired and depleted. Adding a 2-inch layer of compost now rejuvenates the soil structure and provides slow-release nutrients that will benefit both fall plantings and spring growth.
In my own garden, I’ve found that homemade compost works best, but quality store-bought options deliver good results too. The microorganisms in compost work overtime in Virginia’s still-warm September soil, breaking down organic matter efficiently.
Mix the compost into the top 6 inches of soil rather than leaving it on top. This integration helps prevent nutrient runoff during those unpredictable Virginia fall rainstorms while improving drainage throughout winter.
2. Planting Cool-Season Greens
Early September offers the perfect window for sowing spinach, kale, and lettuce in Virginia gardens. These hardy greens thrive as temperatures drop and actually develop sweeter flavors after light frosts, which we typically start seeing by late October.
Succession planting works wonderfully for fall greens. I start seeds every two weeks through mid-September to ensure continuous harvests. The cooling trend in Virginia’s fall climate means these crops often grow better than their spring-planted counterparts.
Consider using row covers when nighttime temperatures dip below 40°F. This simple protection can extend your harvest well into December in many parts of Virginia, especially in the eastern and central regions.
3. Dividing Overcrowded Perennials
Early fall presents the ideal opportunity to divide perennials that have grown too large or stopped flowering well. The cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock while giving divisions enough time to establish roots before winter dormancy.
For Virginia gardens, hostas, daylilies, and black-eyed Susans respond particularly well to fall division. I’ve noticed dividing every 3-4 years keeps plants vigorous and blooming abundantly in our climate.
After digging up the entire clump, use a sharp spade or knife to create sections with healthy roots and several shoots. Replant immediately at the same depth, water thoroughly, and add a light mulch layer to prevent heaving during Virginia’s freeze-thaw cycles.
4. Swapping Out Summer Annuals
Faded petunias and leggy marigolds can be replaced with cold-tolerant annuals that thrive in Virginia’s fall conditions. Pansies planted now will often survive winter to bloom again in spring, while ornamental kale and cabbage provide structural interest through the coldest months.
When removing summer annuals, I take time to refresh the soil in containers and beds with compost. This small step makes a big difference in plant performance as we transition seasons.
Many Virginia gardeners don’t realize that snapdragons planted in fall often establish better root systems than spring-planted ones. The result is stronger plants with more abundant blooms when temperatures warm again in March and April.
5. Adding Fall-Blooming Flowers
Native asters and goldenrod create a beautiful autumn display while supporting local pollinators preparing for winter. These plants have evolved perfectly for Virginia’s climate and soil conditions, requiring minimal care once established.
Chrysanthemums offer instant color, but for long-term garden value, I’ve found that Japanese anemones, toad lilies, and turtlehead provide more interesting textures and forms. They return reliably year after year in Virginia gardens with minimal fuss.
Consider placement carefully when adding fall bloomers. In my garden near Richmond, plants that receive morning sun and afternoon shade tend to bloom longer as they’re protected from the still-intense midday September sun that can stress new plantings.
6. Preparing Lawns For Cooler Weather
September brings prime conditions for lawn renovation in Virginia. The combination of warm soil and cooler air temperatures creates ideal conditions for seed germination and root development before winter dormancy sets in.
Core aeration helps relieve soil compaction from summer activities and allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate deeply. For my Bermuda lawn areas, I’ve learned to aerate before overseeding with perennial ryegrass for winter color.
Virginia’s transition zone location means cool-season grasses like tall fescue thrive when seeded now. Apply a starter fertilizer with your seed, then follow up with a winterizer application in late October to strengthen root systems through the cold months.
7. Protecting Container Plants
Tropical plants and tender perennials in containers need special attention as Virginia nights grow cooler. Moving them closer to the house provides some protection, as walls radiate heat absorbed during daylight hours.
Grouping containers together creates a microclimate that helps plants weather light frosts. I’ve successfully overwintered many borderline-hardy plants this way at my Northern Virginia home, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically in fall.
For prized specimens, consider bringing them indoors when night temperatures consistently dip below 45°F. Clean pots thoroughly first, check for pests, and place in a bright location away from heating vents to prevent shock from sudden temperature and humidity changes.
8. Mulching To Lock In Warmth
Applying a fresh 2-3 inch layer of mulch in fall serves multiple purposes in Virginia gardens. Beyond suppressing weeds, it insulates soil, maintaining more consistent temperatures as we experience those typical fall fluctuations between warm days and cool nights.
Shredded leaves make excellent free mulch that gradually breaks down to improve soil structure. I rake mine into garden beds directly or run over them with a mower first to speed decomposition.
For vegetable gardens, mulching heavily around fall crops like carrots and parsnips allows harvest well into winter in many parts of Virginia. The protective layer prevents the ground from freezing solid, extending your growing season by weeks or even months.
9. Planning Ahead For Spring Bulbs
Fall is bulb-planting season, with October being ideal for most of Virginia. Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses planted now will reward you with the first splashes of color next spring when the garden awakens.
Virginia’s clay soils benefit from adding compost to bulb planting holes. This simple step improves drainage and prevents rotting during our sometimes wet winters. For my Tidewater garden, I’ve found that mixing in a handful of bone meal helps promote strong root development.
Consider naturalizing daffodils in lawn areas or woodland edges where they’ll multiply over years. Unlike tulips, they’re resistant to deer and voles—persistent challenges for many Virginia gardeners in both rural and suburban settings.