NWA Garden Guide: What to Plant This Fall

When most people think of gardening, spring gets all the glory.

But in Northwest Arkansas, fall is our best-kept secret and maybe the best time of year to plant. As the heat fades and the air cools, your garden gets a fresh opportunity to thrive. So, whether you're planting trees, shrubs, perennials, or even your fall veggie patch, planting in autumn gives your garden a head start on spring and sets your plants up for long-term success.

We asked the pros at Westwood Gardens for some fall planting advice, and they shared:

• 4 reasons fall planting works so well in our region

• 6 types of plants to get in the ground this season

• 4 expert tips for fall planting success

Let’s dig in!

4 Reasons Fall Planting Works So Well in Our Region

1. Warmer Soil Means Stronger Roots

Even as the air cools down, soil in Northwest Arkansas stays warm well into the fall—creating ideal conditions for root growth. Roots keep developing anytime the soil is above 40°F, even if the top of the plant appears dormant. That means when spring rolls around, fall-planted trees and perennials already have a strong underground foundation.

2. Cooler Temps = Less Plant Stress

Fall weather is gentler on new plants. Cooler days and longer nights mean less evaporation, lower transpiration, and more stable moisture levels. Your plants won’t struggle with heat shock or dry soil the way they might in spring or summer, so they can focus on getting established.

3. Fewer Pests and Weeds Competing

As temperatures drop, insect activity slows down, and many common pests either die off or go dormant. Fungal diseases also ease up, and weed pressure lightens as summer annuals die off and cool-season weeds grow more slowly. All of this gives your new plants a clearer path to thrive.

4. It’s Just a Better Time to Be in the Garden

Let’s be honest. Fall gardening is just more enjoyable. You’re not sweating through 90° days or swatting away mosquitoes. Instead, you get crisp air, fewer bugs, and a calmer pace. It’s the perfect time to plant and enjoy being outside.

6 Types of Plants to Get in the Ground This Fall

If you’re wondering what to plant this fall, you’ve got more options than you might think. From trees that bring long-term beauty to colorful annuals and cold-loving veggies, fall is a great time to refresh your garden.

Here are six plant types that love getting in the ground this time of year.

1. Trees and Shrubs

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in Northwest Arkansas. The soil is still warm, allowing roots to grow deeply before winter, and the cooler air reduces transplant stress. By spring, they’re already established and ready to take off.

Great picks for fall planting:

• Native Dogwoods and Redbuds

• Evergreens like Holly, Juniper, and Arborvitae

• ‘October Glory’ Sugar Maple and Red Maples

• Japanese Maples (they prefer a gentler seasonal shift)

• Flowering shrubs like Hydrangeas, Abelia, and Viburnum

Pro tip: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature—but don’t pile it against the trunk.

2. Perennials

Perennials planted in the fall will come back stronger and earlier in spring. Though they may not bloom now, they’re busy below the surface, developing healthy roots that give them a head start next season.

Favorites to plant now:

• Coral Bells (Heuchera) for year-round color

• Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susan, and Salvias

• Ornamental grasses like Little Bluestem or Muhly

• Hostas — fall is also a great time to divide or relocate them

Pro tip: Mix compost into the soil when planting to boost nutrient uptake and root growth.

3. Fall Annuals

Cool-season annuals bring vibrant color to garden beds and containers when everything else is winding down. Many will bloom well into winter and early spring.

Top choices:

• Snapdragons for height and cold-hardy blooms

• Pansies and Violas for bold color and frost tolerance

• Calendula and Sweet Alyssum for soft, cheerful color

• Ornamental Kale, Cabbage, and Dusty Miller for texture

Pro tip: Pinch back the first round of blooms to encourage fuller growth and more flowers over time.

4. Spring Bulbs

Fall is the only time to plant many spring-blooming bulbs. They need the cold to develop and will reward your patience with vibrant color early next year.

Plant now:

• Crocus for the first signs of spring

• Hyacinths for bold scent and color

• Tulips in a variety of shapes and colors

• Alliums for dramatic, globe-like blooms

• Daffodils (bonus: they’re deer-resistant)

Pro tip: Plant bulbs 2–3 times deeper than their height, and add bone meal for root development.

5. Cool-Season Vegetables

Your fall garden doesn’t have to end with summer tomatoes. Many veggies love the cooler temps and taste even better after a light frost.

What to grow:

• Leafy greens like Lettuce, Spinach, and Kale

• Root crops such as Carrots, Beets, and Radishes

• Brassicas like Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower (use transplants)

Pro tip: Keep row covers or frost cloth handy in case of early cold snaps.

6. Fall Containers

Fall containers are a fun way to freshen up porches, patios, or front steps. Use hardy cool-season plants and layer in textures, colors, and seasonal accents.

Ideas to try:

• Mums for bold fall color

• Ferns for softness in shady areas

• Mini pumpkins or gourds for a festive touch

• Ivy or trailing Sedums to spill over the sides

• Ornamental Peppers for pops of red and purple

Pro tip: Use well-draining potting mix (not garden soil), and make sure your containers have drainage holes—fall rains can lead to soggy roots.

4 Tips for Successful Fall Planting

Fall planting sets your garden up for long-term success, but a little extra help goes a long way. From timing your plantings just right to protecting them from early frosts, these simple strategies will help your trees, shrubs, flowers, and veggies thrive all season and come back even stronger in spring.

Here are four tips to keep in mind when planting in the fall.

1. Plant at Least 6-8 Weeks Before the First Frost

Give your plants time to establish roots before the ground cools too much. In Northwest Arkansas, aim to get everything in the ground by late October for the best results. Trees, shrubs, and perennials especially need that head start to anchor in before winter.

2. Water Deeply and Consistently

Just because it’s cooler doesn’t mean your plants don’t need water. New plantings need consistent moisture as they settle in, though not as much as in summer. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil drainage.

3. Mulch After Planting

A 2–3” layer of mulch helps insulate roots, retain moisture, and reduce weed competition. It’s especially helpful for perennials, shrubs, and trees during their first winter. Just remember to keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems and trunks to prevent rot.

4. Keep an Eye on the Weather

Arkansas’s fall weather can be unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden cold snaps—especially for tender annuals and veggies. Have row covers, frost cloth, or burlap on hand to protect plants during unexpected frosts.

Visit Westwood Gardens This Fall

Whether you’re picking out the perfect tree, freshening up your porch planters, or starting your fall veggie garden, the team at Westwood Gardens has the experience and the plants to guide you through the season.

Stop by any of their four Northwest Arkansas locations to explore their full selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, fall décor, and Westwood Grown plants.

Find the Westwood Gardens nearest you:

West Fayetteville

📍 4324 Wedington Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704
📞 (479) 442-3500

Our original store, established in 1982, features over 180,000 square feet of greenhouse space and is the heart of our Westwood Grown production. Just one mile west of I-49 on Hwy 16 (Wedington Drive)—look for the greenhouses on the right!

Rogers

📍 3112 West New Hope Road, Rogers, AR 72758
📞 (479) 633-0200

Near the Promenade Mall, this location features 24,000+ square feet of greenhouses, a fully stocked tree and shrub yard, and a large showroom filled with garden gifts. From I-49, take Exit 83 and head east on New Hope Road—look for the purple Westwood sign.

East Fayetteville

📍 2104 Mission Boulevard, Fayetteville, AR 72703
📞 (479) 571-1500

Since 1998, this more intimate location has offered creative displays and inspiring garden ideas—located near the intersection of Mission Blvd. (Hwy 45) and Crossover Rd. (Hwy 265).

Springdale

📍 1709 North Thompson Street, Springdale, AR 72764
📞 (479) 872-9200

A full-service location carrying all Westwood Grown plants, trees, shrubs, and garden décor—and it’s the only location with fruit trees! Located on Thompson Street (71B) in North Springdale—just look for the grey building and greenhouses on the east side of the road.