Key Takeaways
You can technically plant perennials in fall right up until your area's first frost, but giving them at least 4 to 6 weeks beforehand helps roots settle and survive winter.
Warmer USDA zones have more flexibility with late planting, while colder zones require earlier action before the ground freezes.
If you're planting close to frost, choose mature plants, loosen their roots, dig generous holes, mulch appropriately, and skip the fertilizer to avoid stressing them.
Fall is prime time to plant perennials , but the calendar isn’t always clear about when to stop: Too early, and you miss out on extending your garden; too late, and your plants might not establish strong roots before winter arrives.
To help you find the sweet spot, we asked a seasoned gardener to share their