Get Ready for Fall Planting

Now is a great time to start getting ready for planting in the fall. Whether you want to plant in your garden or spruce up your yard, you can start gathering plants and supplies now. Here are some easy tips to help make your yard and garden beautiful and friendly for wildlife.

Check Your Space First

Look at the area where you want to plant. See how much space you have and if the area gets a lot of sun or mostly shade. This will help you pick the right plants.

Choose Native Plants

Try to pick native plants. These plants grow well in our climate and don't need a lot of care. Just water them for the first couple of summers, and they will do great! Native plants also help bees, butterflies, and other animals.

Make sure to check how much sun and water the plants need to make sure they will grow well in your space. You can find a list of native plants and their needs on the Clean Streams website.

Check When Plants Bloom

Pick native plants that bloom at different times of the year. This gives food to pollinators all year and makes your yard look nice in every season.

Use Safer Alternatives to Pesticides

Pesticides can hurt helpful insects and animals. Try using natural or organic products instead. You can find ideas for safer options online.

Avoid Weed and Feed Products

Weed and feed products have more chemicals than needed. Also, the best time to fertilize is not always the same as the best time to kill weeds. Fall is the best time to fertilize. You can find safer fertilizer options online.

Plant Milkweed Seeds

Fall, especially October, is the best time to plant milkweed seeds. Milkweed is a native plant that helps monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars can only live on milkweed. By planting milkweed, you can help save these butterflies. Both narrow-leaf and showy milkweed are native to Salem. Learn more about the Mayor's Monarch Pledge and what the City is doing to help monarchs.