In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit that autumn is my favorite season. Ever since Sr. Mary Teresa read us 2nd graders a poem that began, "October gave a party; the leaves by hundreds came," I was hooked, an autumn lover for life. As a city kid I only caught glimpses of autumn’s colorful display, but it was enough to make me see how this season greeted the oncoming winter with beauty, fullness and grace. No shirking away from winter’s cold for autumn. No sir!

A growing number of gardener are looking toward the autumn months as a second chance to bring vibrant colors back into their flower gardens. Changing out tired looking flower containers with plants that withstand cooler temperatures and occasional frosts can provide just what’s needed. Autumn is a great time to look to leaf foliage for color without the need for flowers. Many foliage plants even develop better color when temperatures drop. For example, Purple Fountain Grass never looks better as its color deepens into fall.

Unfortunately, many plants used to renovate fall garden containers are annuals, plants that do not overwinter in our area (Zone 6b). While they sometimes continue growing well into November, they are not frost tolerant. These plants need to be protected when there is even the slightest hint of frost. Planting in containers makes this job a little easier. An old sheet or other light-weight fabric does a wonderful job of keeping light frost from harming them. However, they cannot tolerate a hard freeze and will die.

Plants slow down as the weather cools and the day-lengths shorten. How full the container looks when planted is pretty much how it will look all season. These plants will not grow as vigorously as spring planted ones. Also, watch that you are watering properly. Water less in autumn especially as it deepens. Fertilizing in fall is likely unnecessary. Some colorful annuals to choose from include the familiar Mums, Flowering Kale, Marigolds, Hyacinth Beans, Sunflowers, Celosia, Mexican Sunflowers, Zinnias and Canna Lilies.

Another, more permanent way of adding touches of autumn to the landscape is by planting perennials, shrubs and trees with an eye for fall color and texture. Goldenrod, Asters, Sheffield Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, Pansies, Caryopteris, Montauk Daisies, Sedum, Purple Coneflowers, Blanket Flowers, Coreopsis, Chocolate Joe Pye Weed, Purple Beauty Berry and Paper-Bark Maple just begin a list of colorful possibilities.

Planting in autumn provides many advantages for gardeners. After the chaos of spring and summer gardening, weather cools and things slow down. Rainfall is usually adequate. Pests and disease problems fade away. Plants need less maintenance. The soil is still warm, allowing roots to grow until the ground freezes. These conditions benefit both gardeners and plants.

One major obstacle gardeners face is acquiring new plants. Larkspur, Cleome, Bread Poppies and other annuals produce many seeds. Perhaps someone you know grows them and would share some seeds with you. A friend may have a large stand of Black-eyed Susans and is willing to dig a clump for you to divide and plant. Ask. Check with a local garden club member or county Master Gardener for ideas about acquiring plants.

Leftover plants found in greenhouses, nurseries and big box stores look pretty pathetic this time of year, but the prices are right. Regardless of what the top growth looks like, it’s possible the root system is still vigorous. Take a chance on them. Last year, I got some Anemone plants that looked so woeful the clerk didn’t even charge me. I planted them, and they bloomed this summer. Sometimes planting a flower becomes an act of faith.

Locally, the Littlestown Area Garden Club has been holding a fall plant sale for the past 9 years at the Littlestown Good Old Days Festival in Crouse Park, Littlestown. This year the event will take place on Saturday, August 18, from 8 am to 4 pm. Most plants are grown locally by garden club members. For sale at reasonable prices are perennials, annuals, herbs, houseplants, some shrubs and trees, and other garden-related items. Proceeds benefit the Littlestown Area Garden Club’s community service projects.

Have fun in the garden this autumn. English poet, John Keats, called autumn the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness". It’s also a great time for planting.

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