Fall Is the Best Time to See What Your Landscape Is Missing

During summer, full foliage and colorful blooms can make the landscape feel lush and complete. Once fall arrives and that growth begins to fade, the underlying structure of the garden becomes much easier to see.

At Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery in Hackettstown, NJ, fall is a great time to take a fresh look at your property and identify areas that could use more color, structure or interest next year.

Look for Gaps in Garden Beds

Walk around your landscape and notice which areas suddenly feel empty.

A garden bed that looked full in July may reveal open spaces once perennials begin to fade. You may also notice sections that feel unbalanced or plants that never quite filled the space the way you expected.

Taking photos or making notes now can make planning much easier later.

Does Your Landscape Have Enough Structure?

Flowers are important, but trees, shrubs and evergreens create the framework of the landscape.

If your garden loses most of its shape once summer plants fade, consider adding more plants that provide year-round structure. Evergreens, shrubs and small trees can help garden beds feel more complete through fall and winter.

Think About Four-Season Interest

A landscape can offer something attractive in every season.

Look for places where you could add plants with:

• Colorful fall foliage
• Evergreen foliage
• Interesting bark or branches
• Berries or persistent fruit
• Ornamental grasses
• Dried flowers or seed heads

Combining different types of seasonal interest can help keep your landscape attractive long after summer blooms are gone.

Check the View From Inside Your Home

Fall is also a good time to look at the landscape from indoors.

Check the views from your kitchen, living room or other frequently used spaces. Is there a bare area that will be especially noticeable once winter arrives?

A strategically placed evergreen, shrub or ornamental grass can improve the view throughout the colder months.

Pay Attention to Plants That Struggled

Fall can make problem areas easier to recognize.

Think about which plants struggled during the growing season. Was the location too shady, too sunny, too wet or too dry? Did a plant become too large for its space?

Understanding what did not work can help you make better plant choices for that area next year.

Start Planning Now

You do not have to completely redesign your landscape to make a noticeable improvement.

Sometimes filling one empty space, adding an evergreen or replacing an underperforming plant can make a big difference.

Fall gives you a chance to see the landscape clearly and start planning while the successes and challenges of the growing season are still fresh in your mind.

Fall Landscape Planning FAQs

Why is fall a good time to evaluate my landscape?
As summer growth fades, gaps, weak areas and the overall structure of the landscape become easier to see.

What should I look for during a fall landscape check?
Look for empty spaces, poor balance, plants that struggled and areas that could use more year-round color or structure.

How can I improve winter interest?
Evergreens, colorful bark, berries, ornamental grasses and plants with interesting branching can all add winter interest.

Should I take pictures of my landscape in fall?
Yes. Photos can help you remember exactly where improvements are needed when you begin planning future projects.

Visit Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery

Not sure what your landscape is missing? Stop by Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery in Hackettstown, NJ and explore plants and ideas for creating a more complete, beautiful landscape.

Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery
178 Airport Road
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
(908) 852-7314

Current Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 8 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM