Fall Planting Tools & Supplies

Planting season is underway! This month I’m busy tucking seeds and transplants into the field on a daily basis. You might be wondering why I’m planting now, at the very end of the season, as we approach cooler temps and shorter days. If you’re new to fall planting, I encourage you to check out this post.

Are you busy planting too? If so, I wanted to share a helpful list of tools and supplies that I use for prepping the field and protecting my plants over the winter months. 

FALL PLANTING TOOLS & SUPPLIES 

FOR BED PREP…

Rototiller. I alternate between a hand-pushed rototiller (this is the one I use) and a tiller attached to my tractor, depending on the size of ground I need to work. If you don’t have access to a rototiller, you can rent one from Home Depot. You might also need to look into a sod cutter if you’re starting a new garden from scratch. 

Drip Tape. This is used to irrigate plants and I find it’s an easier method than running sprinklers throughout my field. You can find smaller home garden-sized drip kits here. I order supplies through Drip Depot; in the field I use 1/2” tubing with the 5/8” drip tape (15mil, 8” spacing). 

Landscape Fabric. Almost all of my hardy annuals (aside from those direct sown) are planted into landscape fabric with holes burned at 6” or 9” spacing. The fabric helps to control weeds and I think it also helps to protect the baby plants. The landscape fabric I use is super durable and I’ve been using a lot of it for going on 7 years. I use 4’ fabric with holes for the beds and overlap the edges with 3’ fabric rows, and repeat. Don’t forget staples! I recommend using the 8” staples placed every 3-4’, especially if you’re in a windy area like I am.

FOR PLANTING… 

Hori Hori or Butter Knife. I have a stash of old butter knives and a few hori hori’s in my bucket caddy that I use to plant seedlings. You might laugh at the butter knife, but it’s the perfect size to get into the small holes burned in my fabric! This is the hori hori that I use for larger planting jobs. 

Bucket Caddy. There’s nothing worse than running all over the place collecting tools when you’re ready to plant. I use this bucket caddy on an old 5-gallon bucket and keep it stocked with all of my go-to tools, gloves, seed packets, sunscreen, water bottle, air pods and backup battery for my phone. 

Seeder. If you’re direct sowing a large number of seeds, a seeder really makes the job easier! I use this one and the smallest plate is perfect for all of the fall-planted seeds. (Here are 3 hardy annuals that I direct sow.)

Hose. Another item I stash in my bucket caddy. I love the retractable hoses and have totally replaced all of the other hoses on the farm and around our house. You’ll want a hose on hand after planting to water in the new babies. 

Backpack sprayer & fertilizer. I like to treat plants to fertilizer about a few days after planting and then again every 2 weeks or so until frost. A backpack sprayer is a must and I use this fertilizer or this one. 

FOR WINTER PROTECTION…

Agribon. Although the plants I’m overwintering are technically hardy, they do benefit from a little protection from the worst of the elements. I use Ag-30 on all of my rows. It goes up usually late October and stays on until the end of March. If you’re using row cover, make sure to remove it ahead of any snow or heavy precipitation; fabric covers can’t support a heavy load and the snow will actually insulate your little plants from the bitter cold and wind! 

Hoops. Along with the row cover, you’ll need wire hoops to suspend the fabric well above the tops of your plants. I use these 76" hoops on my 4' beds. You can easily place them by hand (no bending required) and they also help to anchor the landscape fabric.  

Sand Bags or Bricks. If you’re using row cover you’ll quickly learn how fast even the smallest breeze can derail all of your work. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way and now use LOTS of weights to keep the fabric in place. Any type of brick or cinder block will work, and we use these sand bags filled with soil from the field which are also great. 

Caterpillar Tunnels. These aren’t necessary for the hardy annuals, but I use them for anemone, ranunculus, sweet peas and bells of Ireland. A step up from the fabric row covers, caterpillar tunnels offer additional protection and warmth for the plants underneath. In my case, they keep the ground from freezing which would kill anemone and ranunculus corms. You can learn how to build a caterpillar tunnel and find the supply list here. 

As with all things flower farming, it's best to be prepared ahead of time so you're not scrambling when there are flowers to plant or harvest. I make a point to take inventory of my supplies a few months ahead and order anything that needs to be replaced or restocked. A good rule of thumb is to check supplies for the season when you're ordering seeds and plugs! 

Looking for more? Check out these resources... 

• Fall Favorites: Gear & Footwear for Fall in the Flower Field
• Digging In to Fall Planting
• My List of Top Hardy Annuals
• More Tools, Gear & Supplies (My Amazon Storefront)
• Plant Now: Corms & Roots ready to ship

Happy planting! 

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