An electric fence system creates a psychological barrier that keeps uninvited animals out. The animal touches the fence, receives a shock, and learns that this is a “dangerous” area. It quickly becomes trained to stay away from the fence. The pulsating low-voltage current that flows through the fence is not deadly to humans or animals, but the shock is an effective, uncomfortable surprise. If you’re thinking about installing a new electric fence for the garden, read on to learn more.

How electric fencing works

Just a few simple components make up the electric fence system: a fence charger (also known as an “energizer” or “fence controller”), fence wire, fence posts and insulators, a ground rod, and connection wires. The charger converts electricity from a power source into a high voltage (2,000 to 10,000 volts), very low amperage (about 0.12 amps) pulse. It releases the pulse, also known as the “shock,” onto an isolated fence line about once per second.

When nothing else touches the electrified fence wire, the current travels along the wire and creates an open circuit, like the electricity flowing to a light switch that’s been turned off. When an animal touches the wire, the current flows through it to the ground, closing the circuit, like turning on the light switch. The electric pulse shocks the animal at the point of contact. The pain that the animal feels is short-lived and doesn’t cause physical injury.

An electric garden fence will keep animal pests out

An electric fence conditions animals to avoid the fence. When they explore the unfamiliar fence, they may touch it with their nose or brush against it their body. If they experience a sufficient shock the first time, they’ll stay away afterward. To work properly, it must be configured and installed properly.

The power of the charger and the placement of wires determine the system’s success. With a low, closely spaced four- or five-wire electric garden fence, squirrels and rabbits can easily be controlled. Deer, on the other hand, require a tall fence with seven to nine wires, and wider spacing.

Many gardeners incorporate one or more strands of electric fence into decorative garden fencing, for a couple of reasons. Substantial decorative fencing adds a greater sense of permanence along with the attractive appearance. More importantly, it makes the electric fence more easily visible to both people and pests.

Consider the risks to people, pets, and plants

With electricity, current kills. That said, electric fences pulsate extremely low amps. The current they produce won’t kill a squirrel, much less an adult or child. The electric shock is painful and will continue to hurt for a few minutes, but it doesn’t cause a burn or any other injury. If an adult, child, pet, or any other sentient touches it while in contact with the ground, they will be shocked but not otherwise harmed. Birds that perch on the wire won’t be shocked. Still, it’s a good idea to post warning signs on electric fencing to help unknowing visitors avoid accidental contact.

Tall grass and overhanging shrubs can cause the system to short out, especially in wet weather. To avoid this problem, the grass beneath the fence must stay short and any other vegetation that could contact the wires must be cut back.

Construct a DIY electric fence

Electric fence installation is a simple and straightforward DIY project. The most important consideration during the design phase is the types of animals you want to repel, as that will determine the required number of fence strands, spacing requirements, and charger strength. Kits are available for small projects such as flower beds and small to mid-size vegetable gardens. For larger projects, it may be necessary to purchase the components separately. Materials will cost about $250 or less, and should last a decade or more.

Electric fencing is a safe and effective alternative to spray-on or granular animal repellents for protecting garden spaces. The total cost is much lower, and the maintenance of fencing is far less than the amount of time required to apply repellents. If you are in search of a simple and flexible animal deterrent, electric garden fencing could be a great choice.

What are annual flowers?

Garden flowers fall into one of three categories: annuals, biennials, or perennials. Perennials come back year after year. Biennials grow to maturity in their first year, then produce flowers and seed in the second season before they die. Annual flowers complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season. Though they’re short lived, annuals offer the brightest, most diverse, and longest-lasting color.

Making the most of their short lives, annuals have adapted to mature quickly and produce an abundance of flowers throughout the season. These are the flowers that gardeners prefer to plant in strategic pockets around the landscape for an extended display of color. Some grow well in summer heat, but others perform best in the mild days and cool nights of spring or fall.

Why plant cool-season annuals?

Cool-season flowers grow and bloom when daytime temperatures are in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit. They tolerate frosty weather, and some will even maintain their ornamental beauty below freezing. This list includes both flowers and accent plants that can be used for in-ground flower beds and container gardens. Cool-season annuals are what you plant for the “shoulder seasons” of spring and fall, when conditions are mild, yet heat-loving plants would suffer.

The idea of “cool season” gardening means different things, depending on where you live. Gardeners in the far north can use cool-season annuals as their main season landscape color. In the south, these hardy beauties brighten landscapes and patios from Halloween to Christmas and beyond, survive the mild winter, and rebloom in the early spring. Those in the broad temperate zone in between use cold-tolerant flowers to extend the growing season by planting them early or late in the year.

The best cool-season annuals

These beautiful flowers are easy to grow and produce wave after wave of seasonal color.

Bachelor’s Buttons, Centaurea cyanus

Bachelor’s Buttons, also called Cornflower, plants grow 1 to 3 feet tall on upright stems with slender gray-green foliage. The papery, button-shaped, blue, white, or pink flower heads attract butterflies.

Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis

Pot Marigolds, often simply called Calendula, have an upright habit and grow to about 30 inches. They have somewhat fuzzy foliage and smooth stems. The daisy-like ray flowers range in color from pale yellow to golden, orange, red, or purple. Edible calendula flowers are useful in salads and are popular for herbal remedies.

Lobelia, Lobelia erinus

Also known as Edging Lobelia, this low, trailing plant displays intensely colored flowers in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, violet, purple, and blue. It makes a perfect addition to the front edge of flower beds, or let it spill over the edges of containers.

Violas and Pansies, Viola tricolor and V. x wittrockiana

These are arguably the hardiest and most colorful of all cool-season annuals. Violas, also known as Johnny Jump Ups, continue to produce their 1-inch blooms in masses, as long as they are not frozen solid. They suffer little or no damage from weeks of ice and snow cover, and resume their colorful display as soon as they thaw.

Pansies have larger flowers and bloom slightly less in the coldest part of winter. Both pansies and violas come in a full spectrum of solid and patterned bloom colors from white to (nearly) black, and every color in between.

Snapdragons, Antirrhinum majus

This old garden favorite produces conical spikes of clustered flowers in shades of yellow, pink, red, and orange. Standard varieties grow more than 36 inches tall, while dwarf cultivars stay below 16 inches. These bold, colorful flowers work well at the back border of flower beds or as container garden centerpieces. Enjoy a bloom cycle in fall, and then, after resting through winter, they’ll come back for a spring encore.

Sweet Alyssum, Lobularia maritima

Sweet Alyssum forms spreading mounds of delicately lance-shaped foliage, topped with tiny flowers. The plants grow to about 6 inches high and 12 inches wide. The white, pink, or lavender flowers are sweetly fragrant and often become so dense as to completely obscure the foliage. Sweet Alyssum is an excellent choice for mixed container gardens and border plantings.

Sweet Peas, Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet Peas is a trailing or bushy annual with very fragrant red, pink, blue, lavender, or white blossoms. This cottage garden favorite is most often seen trained to climb on garden trellises or fences, where it reaches heights of 6 to 8 feet.

Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus

Sweet Williams grow 12 to 24 inches tall, although dwarf cultivars are available that only reach 4 to 8 inches. They produce dense, flat-topped clusters of small flowers in shades of purple, red, pink, and white, along with multicolored and double-bloom cultivars. As a bonus, sweet Williams add a pleasantly sweet fragrance to the early spring garden.

Perennials are the herbaceous (non-woody) plants that grow back year after year. Although they typically offer a much shorter blooming season compared with annual flowers, perennials offer a variety of other benefits. These late bloomers look their best as the summer annuals begin to look ragged and worn. By blooming within a window of only a few short weeks, they add to the evolving seasonal interest of the landscape. Plus, many attract and support native wildlife, like butterflies, birds, and bees, by producing the nectar, pollen, and seeds they need for nourishment.

Below are seven beautiful types of perennials for you to consider planting in your garden.

1. Aster, Symphyotrichum spp.

Asters include more than a half dozen species and many hybrids and cultivars that bloom between late summer and the end of fall. Most selections grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, in a mounding form. They produce an abundance of small, daisy-like purple, blue, pink, or white nectar-producing flowers that attract butterflies and bees.

2. Goldenrod, Solidago spp.

Native goldenrod grows as a large clump of erect stems with lance-shaped foliage throughout the summer season. At the end of summer, bright, golden-yellow spiked clusters of tiny flowers erupt to brighten fields, roadsides, and gardens, and to feed hungry pollinators. From more than 75 goldenrod species that are native to North America, plant developers have introduced just a handful of improved cultivars, mostly with more compact growth than the wild species. Look for ‘Fireworks,’ ‘Wichita Mountains,’ or ‘Golden Fleece’ at your local garden center.

3. Sedum, Hylotelephium spectabile

Sedum is a succulent perennial that grows in either a trailing or mounding form. The all-time favorite for fall gardens is ‘Autumn Joy,’ with its smooth blue-green foliage and large pink flower clusters that open in mid-August or September. This selection, along with the deeper red ‘Autumn Fire,’ and brilliant ‘Purple Emperor,’ provides a complementary texture and color when paired with black-eyed Susans and white-flowered asters.

4. Joe Pye Weed, Eutrochium purpureum

Joe Pye Weed has been a part of American native herbal remedies since ancient times. It also looks great in fall gardens. Through the growing season, the stems gradually attain a height of 5 to 6 feet before bloom time, making it a perfect privacy perennial. The large pink flower heads make a bold statement at the back of the perennial border, interplanted with similarly sized goldenrods and ironweeds.

5. Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia fulgida

The bright, cheerful blooms of Black-eyed Susan typically begin to emerge around the time back-to-school ads begin. They are some of the most popular annuals, partly for their massive displays of large flowers that last for two months or longer, but also because they retain a more compact size. This is an excellent choice for smaller landscapes, dry gardens, mass plantings, mixed perennial borders, and most other garden situations.

6. Ironweed, Veronia spp.

Ironweed is prized for its rich purple flowers, deep green foliage, and stiff, upright structure. It may grow as high as 8 feet or remain below 3 feet, depending on the species, cultivar, and growing conditions. It loves moist soil, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, but also tolerates dry conditions. Ironweed may be difficult to find at the local garden center, but online retailers carry it.

7. Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale

Don’t let the name deter you. It’s called Sneezeweed because of an old medicinal use. Legend has it that the dried foliage was used to make snuff that would induce sneezing, and thereby rid the body of evil. It does not contribute to seasonal allergies. Sneezeweed grows into an attractive 3- to 5-foot tall plant that covers itself in bright, green-tinted-yellow, daisy-like flowers each fall.

How to grow fall blooming perennials

The best time to plant perennials is in the spring. That way they can become established through the summer and provide their full impact in fall. However, the second best time to plant them is whenever they’re available to purchase. If you plant them in late summer or fall, when the selection tends to be best at local retailers, the plants will thrive with a moderate amount of care.

Plant perennials in average garden soil that has been amended with a 2-inch layer of compost. After planting, cover the root zone with a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch and water well. Water new plants daily for the first week or so, until they begin to produce new growth. Then water two or three times per week, if it hasn’t rained. Monitor the plant’s progress, and increase or decrease the watering schedule when necessary.

After the growing season, allow the brown stems to stand in the garden through winter. In the spring, when the new foliage emerges, remove the prior year’s old, brown growth.

Cool-season flowers

Purchase cool-season flowers from your local garden center in time for October planting. Or, start them from seeds in August or September. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost to amend garden beds prior to planting. For container gardens, use a high-quality outdoor potting mix.

Pansies and violas

Pansies and violas are mound-shaped plants with emerald green foliage and colorful 1- to 2-inch flowers. They love the cold. Plant them in the fall for a colorful display as long as daytime temperatures stay above freezing. In the deep cold, they pause and resume as soon as the weather turns mild. Expect pansies and violas to remain in good condition until warm weather arrives in late spring or early summer.

• Transplant store-bought seedlings from cell packs or 4-inch grower pots. Space them 8 inches apart in flower beds. Apply time-release fertilizer that’s suitable for cold weather use (often labeled “pansy food”), and supplement monthly with water-soluble flower food. Water well-established pansies and violas only if the soil is dry.

Dianthus

Annual dianthus have a low, spreading growth habit with dark green leaves and clusters of circular, flattened flowers in shades of white, pink, red, or scarlet. They grow and flower best when days are mild and nights are cool. They look especially vibrant through fall. In winter, they rest and then come back and flower again through spring.

• Transplant store-bought seedlings from cell packs or 4-inch grower pots. Space the plants 6 to 10 inches apart in flower beds.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons grow upright stems with spikes of flower clusters that may reach higher than 36 inches. Dwarf cultivars stay lower than 16 inches. The flowers come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and more. The foliage is medium green. Fall-planted snapdragons produce one heavy bloom cycle that lasts for several weeks, followed by a rest period through the winter. Remove the spent flower spikes in late fall or early winter and they’ll bloom again in spring.

• Transplant store-bought seedlings from cell packs or 4-inch grower pots. Plant dwarf Snapdragons 6 to 8 inches apart, or 10 to 12 inches for standard varieties.

Cool-season veggies

Cool-season veggies are a great way to keep growing backyard produce after things cool down. Some of the fast growing crops will offer a harvest before Thanksgiving, while others will grow through winter for an early spring treat.

Onions

Onions take several months to grow and are edible at any stage, so you can plan on using the thinnings as chives or scallions. Those that remain will produce a nice crop of pungent globes next spring or summer, depending on the variety and your location. Most onions are day-length sensitive. They’re categorized as either “short day” types that grow best in the south, or “long day” varieties for the north. A few day-length neutral varieties are available that grow well over a large area.

• Before direct sowing onion seeds, amend the bed with a 2-inch layer of compost. Work the soil to a medium-fine texture with no rocks or weeds. Sow the seeds thinly in inch-deep furrows spaced 12 inches apart. Water lightly every day to keep the soil from crusting until they sprout.

Garlic

Plant garlic in the winter for next summer’s harvest. Purchase seed garlic from an online source or seed catalog. Certified seed garlic is more likely to produce a healthy, vigorous crop than bulbs from the grocery store produce aisle.

• Store seed garlic in a cool, dry location until planting time. Plant a week or two after your first fall frost. Separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Plant the cloves 6 inches apart in inch-deep furrows. Multiple furrows should be spaced 12 inches apart. Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time, and again when growth begins in the spring.

The cabbage family

The cabbage family, also known as brassicas or cole crops, love cool weather. For best results, start cabbage, kale, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and others of this group indoors a few weeks before planting them in the garden. Garden centers typically offer a nominal selection, but seed catalogs and online retailers have a much wider variety.

• Transplant seedlings from cell packs or 4-inch pots early in the month. These crops all benefit from an application of lime and garden fertilizer ahead of planting. Harvest depends on crop type and climate. Collards and kale can be harvested as individual leaves, starting within a month. Choose early maturing varieties of heading crops for a harvest sometime between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Leafy greens and root crops

Lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, mustard, turnip greens, and other small leafy greens are among the fastest growers, with some types maturing in just over a month, but you can begin snipping baby leaves for salads much sooner. Root crops such as carrots, turnips, and beets grow well until the ground begins to freeze. Choose early maturing cultivars to hedge against an early onset of deep cold.

• Start seeds for the first planting indoors a couple of weeks before planting time, or wait until the garden is ready and sow them directly in place. Soak the larger seeds of spinach and swiss chard overnight for faster germination. Space seeds according to package instructions. Lightly water every day until germination to keep the soil from crusting over.

Protect against the cold

Fall flowers and vegetables face their biggest threat in early cold weather. Young seedlings, even of otherwise hardy plants, can succumb to frost if they haven’t hardened off. Keep an eye on the weather and take action if cold is in the forecast. Water your garden before the cold arrives, because cold and dry is the worst combination for plants. Cover young plants with fabric to keep the frost off of tender foliage.

Now that you know about the variety of plants you can grow in October, go forth and start your autumn garden with confidence!

Fall flowers

These cool-season annuals will add brilliant color to any garden. Whether you’re looking for a few flowers to grow in pots on your front porch or a wide variety to fill your garden with fall beauty, we’ve got you covered!

Chrysanthemums

Mums display mounds of color in autumn shades of white, peach, yellow, orange, bronze, and red. Even the flower types offer variety, such as button, daisy, spider, quill, pompon, reflex, and incurved flower styles, just to name a few. Around this time of year, you’ll find them everywhere, from the garden center to the grocery store in pots ranging from 2 inches to 2 feet. Mums work virtually everywhere, from tabletop decor to instant container garden color to massed landscape plantings.

Pansies

Pansies deliver long-lasting, cool-season color in nearly every shade imaginable. Heavy, consistent flowering and outstanding versatility make pansies the most useful flower for fall. Use them for annual color beds, mixed container plantings, and even hanging baskets. Traditional varieties grow in mounded forms, while some newer types trail. In mild climates, pansies bloom straight through winter. In colder areas, they’ll return to rebloom in spring.

Violas

These small-flowered relatives of pansies offer greater resilience to adverse growing conditions with perhaps even heavier flowers than their cousins. Violas come in seemingly endless color options, including many multicolor blooms. They offer outstanding cold tolerance and perform well in soggy, wet weather. The small flowers work best in locations where they’ll be seen from a close distance, such as annual beds in high-traffic areas or in container gardens.

Dianthus

Dianthus offers masses of brilliant color and delightful aroma. This low-growing annual comes in a range of colors in white, pink, red, and purple tones to complement any garden. Use them in containers or mass plantings, however, be sure to grow them where you can thoroughly take in the fragrance.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are perfect for the shoulder seasons, preferring the cool days of fall and spring to the sweltering summers. With both dwarf and standard varieties to choose from, snaps are useful for borders, adding height to mixed garden and container plantings, and they hold up quite well as fresh-cut flowers. In mild regions, snapdragons return to flower again in spring.

Ornamental peppers

These veggies are meant to be seen, not eaten, and they’re just right for autumn. The small, colorful peppers ripen to shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. With several varieties available, the fruits come in different shapes and sizes from the globe-shaped ‘Black Pearl’ to the ‘Chilly Chili,’ which looks like tongues of fire.

Fall accent foliage

If flowers aren’t your style, then why not try one of these plants? With their colorful leaves, they make excellent accents and borders. You can even cut the leaves and add them to cut flower arrangements.

Swiss chard

Colorful chard cultivars such as Ruby, Orange Fantasia, Flamingo, or multi-colored Bright Lights offer both ornamental and edible value. These members of the beet family were developed for the flavorful foliage with brilliantly colored midribs that also work wonders as accents for autumn flowers. They tolerate frosty weather and grow well both in containers and in the ground.

Ornamental cabbage and kale

Flowering cabbage and kale are some of the most rugged, cool-weather ornamentals. They easily withstand frosty weather and look great until spring, when winter weather is mild. These colorful brassicas deliver dramatic texture and strong white, pink, red, or purple foliage to accent fall flowers. These selections are bred and produced for ornamental value, not taste.

Fall perennials

If you’re looking for a garden that lasts, how about adding a few perennials to the mix? These plants will survive mild winters and continue to grow and bloom.

Aster

Aster is often used as an annual, but is in fact a perennial in most of North America. Flowering in cool shades of blue, purple, white, and pink, they break with the traditional warm fall color palette. Plus these nectar-rich flowers attract colorful butterflies and bees throughout the late summer and fall season.

Black-eyed Susan

The big, bold flowers of the black-eyed Susan are reminiscent of giant golden daisies or small sunflowers. They attract pollinators and migrating birds while brightening the landscape with their warm colors. They’re excellent companions to plant alongside asters and chrysanthemums.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod, with its beautiful golden flower spikes, is often found in old pastures and along country roadsides. In your landscape, it’s one of the best perennials for supporting pollinators late in the growing season. Although it’s sometimes confused with ragweed, there’s no need to worry. This is a low-allergen plant. Look for dwarf varieties like ‘Fireworks’ at your local garden center.

No matter what style of garden you’re looking to create, these plants are a great place to start! Mix and match a few from each category to craft your colorful dream garden. They’ll be sure to delight your family and friends and add some color to the chilly months to come.