Set roots for success by planting natives this fall

Published on August 20, 2025

Missed your chance to get native plants in the ground earlier this year? Don’t worry. Fall is a great time to plant perennials and set them up for healthy spring growth. 

Our final Native Plant Sale of the season takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Lenexa Farmers Market. City Roots Nursery and Parsons' Gardens will offer a variety of options that are well suited to the local soil and climate. 

Why plant in autumn

• Cooler temperatures reduce stress on new plants compared to hot summer weather.
• Soil stays warm longer than the air, encouraging strong root growth before winter.
• Seasonal rainfall helps with watering needs, making it easier for young plants to establish.
• Roots get a head start so plants are stronger and will be mostly established by the following spring.
• Less competition from weeds and pests than in peak growing season.

Tips for a successful fall planting

Plants started in the fall are easier to manage through their first summer than those planted in spring. Here are some handy tips from City Roots Nursery and Parsons’ Gardens:

• Get your plants in the ground during September through mid-October.
• Add a 2–3-inch layer of mulch around the base of new plants to retain and help plants survive the winter a little better. Mulched fall leaves work great.
• Water plants occasionally until they go dormant. If we have an unusually dry winter with little to no snow, plants might benefit from a couple waterings on warm days. 
  • An easy way to water is to occasionally empty your ice tray from the freezer around the plants. On a warm day, the ice will melt and the plants will get some water. 
• Leave all plant parts intact. Don’t trim back this season’s growth until next spring, between St. Patrick’s Day and Tax Day. This can help add winter interest to your yard as well as provide some habitat for overwintering insects. 

Photo by Bill Harrison