Fall Isn’t the End - It’s the Beginning: Planting in the Off-Season

It’s August. School is starting again, and summer already feels like it came and went in a blink. When school lets out in May, it feels like we have all the time in the world - but suddenly, we’re back in backpacks and lunchboxes.

That’s why I’m writing now about something that sneaks up on us: planting fall bulbs for spring blooms. October is just around the corner, and that’s prime time to plant things like daffodils, allium, crocus - even peonies like Sarah Bernhardt, Festiva Maxima, and Karl Rosenfield.

Of course, planting bulbs doesn’t just happen. It takes a plan: what to plant, and how you’ll plant it. Yes, you’ll be on your hands and knees - but that’s the perfect time to cue up an audiobook, your favorite playlist, or even better, bring along a friend. Companion planting, indeed.

Speaking of which, if you have deer nearby, choose daffodils and allium over tulips, which deer and rabbits love to devour. Daffodils and alliums also make a beautiful pair: the height and structure of alliums contrast nicely with the softness of daffodils.

While companion planting is usually discussed in the vegetable garden - think marigolds deterring nematodes or basil repelling tomato hornworms - it also applies to bulbs. Combining plants of varying heights, textures, and bloom times brings visual richness to your garden, like an artist layering a canvas. And yes, even planting with a companion - someone who can help dig, dream, and then come back in spring to admire your shared handiwork - counts as companion planting in my book.

So yes, it’s August - but October is coming. There’s soil to prepare, old plants to clear out, ideas to spark, and inspiration to gather. If you’d like help, The Happy Gardener loves this part, too.