Best Fall Garden Plants for St. Louis Homes

Choosing the right fall garden plants can provide your household with a bountiful harvest of fresh produce and stunning ornamental plants. If you're in the Greater St. Louis area, the following plants are a great choice for the area's unique climate.

Top Plants for a Bountiful Fall Harvest

The following veggies, fruits, flowers, and herbs do well in cooler weather, making them perfect for St. Louis-area yards in the fall.

Vegetable Gardens

Perfect fall vegetables for St. Louis homes include:

• Leafy greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and lettuce
• Root vegetables like radishes, turnips, and beets
• Brassicas like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and arugula

Fruit Gardens

Cold-hardy fruits that can thrive in the St. Louis climate include:

• Stone fruits like plums, cherries, and peaches
• Pome fruits like pears and apples
• Native plants like pawpaws

Flower Gardens

Cool-season flowers that do well St. Louis (and also attract pollinators) include:

• Annuals like violas, petunias, and sweet alyssums
• Perennials like asters, sedums, and black-eyed Susans

Herb Gardens

Oregano, dill, cilantro, and chives can all do well in herb gardens during the fall growing season.

Fall Garden Plant FAQs

What is best to plant in a fall garden?

The best plant to put in your fall garden depends on several factors, including the type of garden soil you have and your climate.

• Soil: St. Louis, Missouri, has silty clay loam-type soil. Plants like Brassicas (e.g., broccoli and kohlrabi), root vegetables, leafy greens, and coneflowers all thrive in this type of soil.
• Climate: St. Louis City and St. Louis County are in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a and 6b, which means the winter minimum extremes range from -5° F to 5° F. Cool-weather plants like leeks, rutabagas, and collards can do well in these zones.

What month should I start a fall garden?

As a general rule of thumb, a good time to start a fall garden in the Midwest is mid to late August or early September. That said, different plants have different ideal planting dates, even if they're both considered fall crops. For best results, it's always best to consult the suggested planting dates on the back of your seed packets.

Can I plant any vegetables in August?

Yes! St. Louisans can plant plenty of vegetables in August. Ideal plants for fall vegetable gardens to begin planting in August include beets, mustard greens, radishes, and turnips.

What should I plant in my raised garden bed in fall?

Vegetable plants that do well in raised beds include cucumbers, tomatoes, and green beans.

Which flowers are best for a fall garden?

Aster, marigold, viola, pansy, mum, and sedum can all do well in St. Louis fall gardens.

How do I prepare my garden for fall planting?

Ways to prepare a fall garden for planting include:

• Removing all debris and other yard waste from your area.
• Aerating the soil to ensure proper drainage, room for root growth, and better nutrient absorption.
• Mulching the garden to help ensure stable soil temperatures for seeds and seedlings.
• Hiring professional lawn care experts who can monitor the health of your garden year-round.