Every time someone discusses the benefits of fall garden planting, they inevitably start with why it’s better for the plant’s roots. While I don’t disagree, (I’ll even talk about this benefit in detail below) it’s not my number one reason for advocating for fall planting.

So, what’s the greatest benefit of fall planting? Fall planting works best for me! I can be out in the garden weeding for more than an hour without dripping in sweat, feeling faint or getting bitten by mosquitoes. Rather than hurrying through a task, I can spend time in the crisp weather and actually enjoy what I’m doing.

With the leaves falling, you’re also able to see your garden in a whole new way. Maybe there’s a gap between some of your plants you didn’t notice before. The fall is a great time to make changes in the lay-out of your garden. Don’t forget specialists can help you with adding tiers or retaining walls and removing stumps and boulders.

According to Purdue University experts, plants also like the fall. In fact, some bulbs must be planted in the fall, as they need the cooler winter temperatures before they can bloom in the spring.

Read more to find out why it’s beneficial to do your planting in the fall.

Fall plants require less water.

In the fall, temperatures go down and the amount of sunlight decreases. Evaporation isn’t much of a factor and the shorter days slow photosynthesis. As a result, your fall plants require less water than your spring plants. This saves you time and money!

Fall plants serve as food for pollinators.

Pollinators (animals that move pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower resulting in fertilization and ultimately reproduction) struggle to find plants to feed on in the fall. By doing your planting in the fall, you can do your part to support the food chain!

Fall plants are dedicated to growing their roots.

Once the leaves and flowers fall off the trees, shrubs, and plants, all of the growing effort is focused on the roots. The nutrients that went from the roots out to the foliage can now stay with the roots. And because the plant is under less stress it allows for increased root growth.

Did you know roots grow best in the cool soil? And these root systems keep growing until the soil temperature dips below 50 degrees? It’s true, that means the roots keep growing into the winter.

And the best part is that planting in the fall allows for additional root growth again in early spring before the leaves develop. This is a significant benefit because it allows for the development of a hardy root system before they need to start collecting nutrients and water for leaves. And when the leaves do come back later in the spring, the colors are more vivid. If you plant in the spring, you won’t see the vibrant foliage until the next year.

So make sure you do your fall garden planting now! Don’t wait for the spring.