Fall Planting in New Hampshire zone 5 : Your Guide to a Fall Harvest & Bountiful Spring
For New Hampshire gardeners, fall is a prime time for planting, not just for a late-season harvest, but also to get a jump start on perennials and next spring's flowers and herbs. The cooler weather and moist soil create ideal conditions for many seeds that benefit from a period of cold before they germinate called cold stratification.
At 4 Works Services, we know that a well-prepared garden is the key to bountiful harvest next year and for seasons to come. This guide will walk you through which flowers, herbs, and vegetables to start from seed in the fall, so you can enjoy a harvest now and a stunning display and harvest next year.
Flowers & Herbs to Plant for a Fall Harvest or bounty Next Spring
Starting seeds in the fall can provide a final pop of color, set the stage for a spectacular spring, or give your perennial garden a head start. It's a great way to get ahead of the spring rush.
BEST TREES & SHRUBS TO PLANT THIS FALL
Maples & Dogwoods: Japanese maples, red maples, sugar maples, and Kousa dogwood offer show-stopping fall foliage, ideal for southern NH zone 5 landscapes. New Hampshire Home Magazine
Ornamental Shrubs with Multi-Season Interest: Fothergilla provides fragrant spring blooms and fiery fall colors. Highbush blueberry brings spring flowers, summer fruit, and red-orange fall hues. New Hampshire Home Magazinenhlaonline.org
Wildlife-Friendly Natives: Staghorn sumac offers orange-red foliage and berries for birds; viburnums deliver flowers, fall berries, and vibrant foliage; sassafras adds color and attracts pollinators. Ecological Landscape Alliance
Low-Maintenance Beauties: Beautyberry (Callicarpa) features vivid purple berries, while Oz-native Burning Bush and Oakleaf Hydrangea offer rich fall color with minimal care. Real Simple
Real-life Project Example: In Tamworth, we planted dwarf fothergilla shrubs and highbush blueberries to revitalize a client’s front bed—not only did it add fall color, it supported local wildlife and bloomed early each spring.
Herbs for a Late-Season Harvest
These herbs thrive in cooler temperatures and can be harvested before the ground freezes. Many of these, particularly the perennials, can also be planted in the fall to get a head start for next year.
Cilantro: Unlike in the summer, cilantro loves the cooler weather of fall and is much less likely to "bolt" (go to seed). Plant seeds from late August through September for a fresh harvest of leaves.
Parsley: A very cold-tolerant biennial herb. Plant seeds in the fall and it will produce a fresh crop of leaves. With some protection, it can often overwinter for an early spring harvest.
Dill: This herb thrives in cool weather. Start from seed in late summer for a fall harvest of frilly leaves and seeds.
Chives: A hardy perennial. Planting chive seeds in the fall allows them to establish a root system, leading to a robust plant in the spring.
Oregano, Sage, & Thyme: These perennial herbs can be planted in the fall for a well-established plant next spring. It is often recommended to use starts or divisions rather than seeds, as some varieties can be slow to grow from seed, but with enough time before the ground freezes they can do well.
Flowers for Fall Color & Winter Sowing
Many flowers can be sown in late summer for a final burst of color, or in late fall to let them experience the natural freeze-thaw cycles of a New Hampshire winter, preparing them for a big spring display.
Pansies & Calendula: These are classic cool-weather annuals. Plant seeds in late summer for blooms that will last until a hard frost. They can sometimes even survive the winter and rebloom in the spring.
Poppies: Poppies dislike being transplanted. Sowing their tiny seeds directly onto the soil in the fall is the best way to get a vibrant display of blooms in the spring.
Perennials for Winter Sowing: Many perennials benefit from a cold period (stratification) to germinate. Fall is the perfect time to "winter sow" seeds for flowers like Coneflowers (Echinacea), Lupine, Yarrow, Sweet William, and New England Aster.
Hardy Flowers: Plants like Cornflower, Rockcress, Palmer Penstemon, and Globe Thistle are all good candidates for fall planting, either for late-season color or for a head start on next year.
A Guide to Your New Hampshire Fall Vegetable Garden
While New Hampshire's growing season is shorter than in other parts of the country, late summer and early fall are a perfect time to start a second round of vegetables from seed. The cooler temperatures can actually improve the flavor of many crops and reduce the risk of pests.
Quick-Growing Greens (Ready in 30-60 days)
These are perfect for a fast, satisfying harvest before the first hard frost. Many of these can be planted in late August to early September.
Lettuce & Spinach: Looseleaf lettuce and fall-sown spinach are less likely to "bolt" and can even survive the winter with protection for an early spring harvest.
Arugula & Mustard Greens: These peppery greens grow very fast and thrive in cooler weather. A light frost can make them even sweeter.
Radishes: Some varieties are ready in as little as 25 days, making them an excellent choice for a quick fall crop.
Root Vegetables & Overwintering Crops
These vegetables grow underground and often become sweeter after being touched by a light frost. For these, you'll need to plant them earlier in the fall, generally in late July or August.
Carrots, Beets, & Turnips: These vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures. Cold weather makes carrots and beets especially sweet.
Garlic: While not for a fall harvest, fall is the perfect time to plant garlic for a harvest the following summer. Plant cloves in October or early November before the ground freezes.
Whether you're looking to install new garden beds, create a stunning landscape, or need help with a full property maintenance plan, 4 Works Services is here to help.
Our team provides expert landscaping and property care solutions for the Lakes Region and Central New Hampshire.
Need a hand with your New Hampshire garden?
Contact us today for a free estimate and let us help your garden dreams grow!
📞 603 299 9369
📍 Central New Hampshire
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