Simple seasonal planting advice to refresh your landscape with purpose, joy, and resilience in every season.

There’s something truly grounding about letting your garden mirror the seasons. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but tuning into what each part of the year naturally offers — that’s where the magic happens.

Planting with the Seasons in Mind

Seasonal planting isn’t just about swapping out color once a season. It’s a gentle rhythm — learning how to work with nature’s timing rather than against it. In the Midwest (zones 5a to 6b), that rhythm means we can enjoy soft, early spring bulbs like crocus and daffodil, watch hardy summer perennials take over, then lean into rich fall textures before the stillness of winter sets in.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a tired planter in July or wondering what to do after your tulips fade, you’re not alone. I’ve designed hundreds of spaces for clients who just want to keep their yard looking “alive” without completely overhauling it each season. The trick is in layering — and having a bit of a plan.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Each Season

• What do I want this space to feel like in the next 2–3 months?
  Calming? Energizing? Festive? That one question will guide your plant choices more than any Pinterest board.

• Do I want to attract pollinators or birds this season?
  Seasonal planting can support biodiversity if done intentionally — think coneflowers in summer or winterberry in fall.

• How much time do I actually have to water, prune, or swap plants?
  Be honest. There are incredible low-maintenance options that still give tons of interest.

• Do I already have a base layer of perennials, or am I starting fresh?
  If you’ve got established beds, seasonal planting is often just a matter of small tweaks or pop-in accents.

The Importance of Transition Periods

Some of the best-looking gardens don’t erase the past season — they transition thoughtfully. That means mixing in mums while the last of your summer coreopsis fade, or underplanting spring bulbs among summer-loving perennials. Let it be fluid.

One Product I Actually Use

When I'm refreshing containers or planting annuals in between perennials, I always add Espoma Organic Flower-tone. It's a slow-release fertilizer that encourages blooms and root development without burning plants or overfeeding. Plenty of other pros I know swear by it too — gentle, effective, and forgiving.

Take It Slow and Let the Seasons Teach You

You don’t need to have it all figured out. Start with one spot. A container on the porch. The bed by the mailbox. See how it feels to adjust that little space four times a year.

Over time, you’ll get to know what performs well in your microclimate and what brings you joy. That’s the whole point, after all.

Let your garden be a space that shifts and grows with the seasons — just like you do.

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