August is the perfect time to start thinking ahead to the next season. While summer gardens are still putting on a beautiful show, planning now gives you the best selection of plants and plenty of time to prepare your landscape for vibrant fall color and a strong start next spring.
From colorful mums and asters to ornamental grasses, shrubs, and cool-season vegetables, there are plenty of ways to keep your New Jersey garden thriving.
Add Color That Lasts
As summer annuals begin to slow down, fresh fall favorites can keep your landscape bright for weeks.
Popular choices include:
- Garden mums
- Asters
- Sedum
- Ornamental kale
- Flowering cabbage
- Late-blooming perennials
These plants provide long-lasting color right through autumn.
Plant Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses bring texture, movement, and beauty to the landscape.
Many varieties offer:
- Graceful foliage
- Decorative seed heads
- Rich fall color
- Winter interest
They’re beautiful planted alongside flowering perennials and shrubs.
Think About Trees and Shrubs
Late summer is a wonderful time to begin planning your fall landscape projects.
Consider adding:
- Flowering shrubs
- Evergreens
- Shade trees
- Ornamental trees
- Native plants
Planning ahead helps you select the best plants before the busy fall planting season begins.
Don’t Forget Spring Bulbs
The best spring gardens begin with a little planning in late summer.
Popular bulbs include:
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Crocus
- Hyacinths
- Alliums
Buying bulbs early gives you the best selection for colorful spring displays.
Grow Cool-Season Vegetables
As warm-weather crops begin winding down, many vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures.
Excellent choices include:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Radishes
- Swiss chard
These vegetables often produce delicious harvests well into fall.
Refresh Your Garden Beds
Now is also a great time to prepare your landscape for the changing season.
Take time to:
- Remove tired annuals
- Pull weeds
- Add fresh mulch
- Mix compost into garden beds
- Divide overcrowded perennials
A little work now helps your garden transition beautifully into fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is August too early to plan for fall?
Not at all. August is one of the best times to prepare for fall planting and enjoy the widest selection of plants.
Can I plant trees and shrubs in late summer?
Yes. Many trees and shrubs establish well when planted in late summer and early fall with consistent watering.
When should I buy spring bulbs?
Purchase bulbs early for the best selection, then plant them once cooler fall temperatures arrive.
What vegetables can I plant now?
Many cool-season vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, and radishes, grow well when planted in late summer.
Why start planning now?
Planning ahead gives you more choices, allows time to prepare your garden, and helps ensure a beautiful landscape through fall and into next spring.
Visit Us
Whether you’re looking for colorful mums, asters, ornamental grasses, trees, shrubs, spring bulbs, or cool-season vegetables, Bayview Garden Nurseries has everything you need to create a beautiful fall landscape.
Bayview Garden Nurseries
2711 Zion Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
Phone: (609) 641-0648
Summer Hours
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Visit us today and let our knowledgeable team help you plan a colorful, productive garden for the seasons ahead.