Preparing and Planting a Fall Annual Garden Bed with Ornamental Kale, Dusty Miller, and Pansies
Transitioning a garden bed from summer to fall requires some soil preparation and of course planting the new plants.
1. Clearing the Bed and Preparing the Soil
The first step is to remove the summer annuals, carefully removing any plants that can be saved for next year. Once the summer plants are removed, large holes and loose soil remain—an ideal opportunity for soil improvement.
Compost can be added to the bed to replace the soil that was lost when removing the old plants. It will also enrich the soil. Mixing the compost thoroughly with the existing soil is important. Simply layering compost on top creates a different texture that can restrict root growth, as new roots may stay within the softer compost instead of expanding into the surrounding soil. A well-mixed soil blend encourages strong root systems and supports better water and nutrient movement.
2. Applying Fertilizer and Mulch
Before planting apply a slow-release fertilizer evenly across the bed. A light sprinkling is all that’s needed, just enough to provide nutrients over the season. Normally, mulch would follow immediately after fertilizer to regulate moisture and temperature. In this case, because of the large kale pots, mulch will be applied before planting the smaller annuals. This adjustment prevents putting soil on top the mulch while planting the kale.
3. Planting Ornamental Kale
The first plants to go in are the largest, glamour red ornamental kale. These plants provide structure and a bold center feature in the raised middle of the bed, where drainage is best. Each kale plant is placed at the same depth as its container, ensuring the soil level meets, but does not cover, the crown. Any dead or damaged leaves are trimmed. When planted the kale is green, but the center will turn purple as the weather cools. Once the kale is planted, the mulch is spread around them. Spreading mulch before planting the smaller plants saves time and keeps the small plants from being buried and broken by the mulch.
4. Adding Dusty Miller for Contrast
Next, Dusty Miller is planted around the kale. Its silver-gray foliage offers a striking visual contrast and complements both the kale and the pansies that follow. When planting, the mulch is pulled aside, the hole is dug in the soil, and the plant is set in place before the soil and mulch are gently replaced around it.
5. Finishing with Pansies for Color
Finally, pansies are planted to fill the spaces between the larger plants. Three varieties, white, light blue, and dark blue, are mixed randomly for a natural, blended look. Pansies should be planted with their crowns level with the soil surface to prevent rot. Because the mulch is already in place, small holes can be made directly through it for planting.
As the pansies spread and bloom, they will fill the spaces between the kale and Dusty Miller, creating a balanced cool-season annual bed. The combination of proper soil preparation, slow-release fertilizer, and layered planting ensures a healthy garden bed that provides steady growth and color throughout the winter season.
Here are videos of previous plantings in this bed:
Planting Scaevola, Pentas and Vinca
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color
Planting Tropical Hibiscus and Begonias
Planting Daffodils, Dianthus, and Pansies
Planting Sunpatiens, Joseph's Coat, and Colocasia
Planting Fall Flowers
Planting Summer Flowers
Planting Dusty Miller and Pansies
Planting Petunias, Vinca, and Salvia
Planting Summer Flowers
Transforming Your Flower Bed for Winter: Planting Swiss Chard
Related Videos:
Squirrels Eating Pansies
My pansies had blooms when I planted them. Now they don’t. Why?
Fall and Winter Flowers
Related Resources:
Growing Pansies
Extend the Season with Resilient Pansies
Dusty Miller
How to Grow Swiss Chard in Your Garden
1. Clearing the Bed and Preparing the Soil
The first step is to remove the summer annuals, carefully removing any plants that can be saved for next year. Once the summer plants are removed, large holes and loose soil remain—an ideal opportunity for soil improvement.
Compost can be added to the bed to replace the soil that was lost when removing the old plants. It will also enrich the soil. Mixing the compost thoroughly with the existing soil is important. Simply layering compost on top creates a different texture that can restrict root growth, as new roots may stay within the softer compost instead of expanding into the surrounding soil. A well-mixed soil blend encourages strong root systems and supports better water and nutrient movement.
2. Applying Fertilizer and Mulch
Before planting apply a slow-release fertilizer evenly across the bed. A light sprinkling is all that’s needed, just enough to provide nutrients over the season. Normally, mulch would follow immediately after fertilizer to regulate moisture and temperature. In this case, because of the large kale pots, mulch will be applied before planting the smaller annuals. This adjustment prevents putting soil on top the mulch while planting the kale.
3. Planting Ornamental Kale
The first plants to go in are the largest, glamour red ornamental kale. These plants provide structure and a bold center feature in the raised middle of the bed, where drainage is best. Each kale plant is placed at the same depth as its container, ensuring the soil level meets, but does not cover, the crown. Any dead or damaged leaves are trimmed. When planted the kale is green, but the center will turn purple as the weather cools. Once the kale is planted, the mulch is spread around them. Spreading mulch before planting the smaller plants saves time and keeps the small plants from being buried and broken by the mulch.
4. Adding Dusty Miller for Contrast
Next, Dusty Miller is planted around the kale. Its silver-gray foliage offers a striking visual contrast and complements both the kale and the pansies that follow. When planting, the mulch is pulled aside, the hole is dug in the soil, and the plant is set in place before the soil and mulch are gently replaced around it.
5. Finishing with Pansies for Color
Finally, pansies are planted to fill the spaces between the larger plants. Three varieties, white, light blue, and dark blue, are mixed randomly for a natural, blended look. Pansies should be planted with their crowns level with the soil surface to prevent rot. Because the mulch is already in place, small holes can be made directly through it for planting.
As the pansies spread and bloom, they will fill the spaces between the kale and Dusty Miller, creating a balanced cool-season annual bed. The combination of proper soil preparation, slow-release fertilizer, and layered planting ensures a healthy garden bed that provides steady growth and color throughout the winter season.
Here are videos of previous plantings in this bed:
Planting Scaevola, Pentas and Vinca
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color
Planting Tropical Hibiscus and Begonias
Planting Daffodils, Dianthus, and Pansies
Planting Sunpatiens, Joseph's Coat, and Colocasia
Planting Fall Flowers
Planting Summer Flowers
Planting Dusty Miller and Pansies
Planting Petunias, Vinca, and Salvia
Planting Summer Flowers
Transforming Your Flower Bed for Winter: Planting Swiss Chard
Related Videos:
Squirrels Eating Pansies
My pansies had blooms when I planted them. Now they don’t. Why?
Fall and Winter Flowers
Related Resources:
Growing Pansies
Extend the Season with Resilient Pansies
Dusty Miller
How to Grow Swiss Chard in Your Garden