Tucson has plenty of beautiful flora, ranging from desert flowers to cacti and trees. You may not think that autumn is the right time to plant some of these native plants, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are plenty of amazing plants you can try in your Tucson garden or yard that are perfect for the fall season. Our team at Complete Landscaping has put together a list of the best autumn plants for your commercial or residential property in Tucson that will add some seasonal color and thrive in our local climate.
Seeds Vs. Transplants
Before we get started with specific plants, it’s important to know whether they will need to start from scratch or if a transplant is best. Some plants should be grown using seeds, while others need to be transplanted (i.e., grown as a seedling or purchased from a garden center). As the temperatures start to drop, some plant seeds won’t be able to fully take root. If you do try to grow seedlings yourself, it’s usually best to grow them indoors where you can fully control the climate and environmental conditions before moving them outside.
Seed Plants for September & October
There are various plants you can grow from seeds, and it’s best to plant them in September or early October. They include:
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Greens (e.g., collards, kale, arugula)
- Onions
- Spinach
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- African daisies
- Forget-me-nots
- Petunias
- Larkspurs
- Snapdragons
Transplants for September & October
During the same time frame, you can plant some of these autumn plants, but be sure that they sprout as seedlings or that you purchase them from a garden center already sprouted. They include:
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Chinese Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Fennel
- Lettuce
- Mustard
- Parsley
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
Seed Plants for October & November
There are some plants that you can add to your garden as late as early November. Try sowing some of these from seed anytime between October 15 and November 15:
- Peas
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Strawberries
- Garlic
- Beets
- Delphinium
- Poppies
- Primroses
- Desert Marigolds
- Desert Milkweed
- Desert Zinnias
Transplants for October & November
You can head to your local garden center, pick up a few seedlings, and add them to your garden as late as November 15. Some of the transplants you can try for late autumn include:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Chinese Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Collards
- Dill
- Fennel
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mustard Parsley
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
You may notice that some of these plants are repeated across different date ranges—that’s because they can be planted in both. For example, you can plant cabbage at almost any point during the Tucson fall season.
Contact Us Today for Expert Landscaping Services!
Each of these plants can stand up to the Tucson climate and add beauty to your garden. At Complete Landscaping, we’re experienced in designing landscapes that take full advantage of our unique local climate, and we’re here to help you choose the right autumn plants for your commercial or residential property. Contact us today to plan for the fall season and learn more about the best autumn plants for your Tucson garden!