Flower & Veggie Seeds to Sow in Fall

The snow came and went, leaving these beds ready to sow for earlier blooms in spring.

Three weeks ago, we were told the snow was coming on Monday, so the Sunday prior, everyone was rushing about with their last minute fall chores. Everyone in our neighbourhood was out, raking, cleaning, putting away patio furniture, mowing. Getting ready for winter as sometimes when snow comes early, it stays till spring.

I was pleased as punch on that Sunday, thinking I had everything good and ready. However, the next day, as the snow was falling, I noticed the big stack of flower and veggie seeds sitting on my desk. Oh, no! I was pretty gutted. Some flower seeds, like the beautiful Larkspur I love so much, are sown late in the fall/very early spring, as they need that cold spell to germinate.

Earl Grey Larkspur in my Cedar potager.

Luckily, the snow slowly melted away and was completely gone a week later. The days have been sunny and warm since then, a really lovely November. So, I went out and raked smooth the beds, scattered the flower seeds, sowed the veggie seeds in nice rows, tamped down the soil, and walked away knowing that this time, I truly am ready when winter weather arrives. It took me no time at all and feels so good!

Sow flower seeds in fall! You'll be amazed at how much earlier they bloom in spring.

Perennial on the left, annuals on the right, in my Cedar potager. Many of these can be sown in fall for earlier blooms in spring. Feed your early pollinators.

These seeds can be sown now the prairies, and also in warmer climates, for my followers from the island and west coast.

What flower seeds can be sown in fall?

Bells of Ireland (sow now as they can be difficult to grow if sown in spring)

Delphinium

Calendula (definitely sow on the coast/warmer zones, is a trial for me here on the prairies)

Cosmos

Hollyhocks

Larkspur (my favourites!)

Lupins

Poppies, including edible poppies

Snapdragons

Sunflowers

Sweet Peas (these will blooms many weeks earlier if sown in fall!)

Cosmos and Ammi can both be sown in fall for earlier blooms in spring.

Fall sown lettuces, spinach, and onions are ready to harvest several weeks earlier in spring.

Veggies to sow in fall?

Harvest will be 2 to 4 weeks earlier than if sown in spring. Sow a little bit heavier as germination may vary. Plant seeds just a little bit deeper than spring sown.

Carrots - (sow in December on the island, you don't want them to germinate till late winter). According to Lois Hole, the guru of prairie gardening, sow carrots a bit heavier in fall.

Chard

Lettuce

Onions

Parsnips

Spinach

Back when I lived in the Edmonton area years ago, I used to sow lettuces beside the east facing garage wall. This flower bed was always the first one to thaw out in spring, so I had new leaf lettuces while much of the yard was still covered in snow. Try different areas with your sowings, see where works best in your yard.

The flower seeds went into one of those beds at the back, by the spruce tree. The veggies went into these low, long beds by the fence.

Here at this house, my lettuce, spinach, and onions are in the raised bed on the south side of the house, where the grape vine grows. It is a trial. It will thaw out early but it also gets zero moisture as it is under the overhang of the house. Will see how this area fares.

I have also sown some by the patio, a safer bet. My guess is that the ones in these beds are a few weeks later than the grape bed, but last longer, do not bolt. Ready for spring, let's see how it goes. If you are wondering where to sow in your yard, I would always pick the most sheltered area for fall sowing here on the prairies. Questions? Message me or put them in the comments : )

Happy Fall Sowing ~ Tanja