Help! My Garden Looks Tired—Here’s What to Plant Right Now in Zone 8b

There’s a moment every year—usually around the third week of September—when I walk out to the garden, look around, and think:

“Yikes. This all looked a lot better a month ago.”

Sunflower holding on to its petals

The zinnias are fading. The basil’s trying to go to seed. The bugs have settled in like they own the place. Even the mulch looks tired.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. And here’s the good news: you don’t need to rip everything out or start from scratch. There’s still time to plant things that will bring color, energy, and beauty back into your space this season—and set you up for a spectacular spring.

First, Why Your Garden Is Acting Weird Right Now

Late September in central Georgia is tricky.

• It’s still hot enough to burn out heat-lovers

• But not cold enough to reset the soil

• Daylight is dropping fast, but not fast enough to trigger strong dormancy

It’s the in-between season. And while your summer plants are tired, your fall and winter ones are just getting ready to shine.

What You Can Plant Right Now (Zone 8b–Approved)

✅ Quick Wins – for Color & Confidence This Fall:

Calendula

These are easy, fast-growing, and don’t mind our warm days + cool nights.

1. Calendula – Blooms fast, keeps going through frost, and self-seeds beautifully.

2. Snapdragons – Start now and they’ll root in fall, hold through winter, and explode in spring.

3. Kale & Collards – Pretty and edible—these do double duty as ornamentals and ingredients.

4. Marigolds – If your garden’s looking flat, plant a few of these and watch the whole bed perk up.

5. Violas & Pansies – Classic for a reason—low fuss, big charm.

Anemone

🌷 Slow but Stunning – for Spring Joy:

Plant these now for major payoff later. They need cool temps to establish and will reward your patience.

1. Tulip Bulbs – Pre-chilled or programmed for Southern growers. You plant in late fall, then let them sleep until February.

2. Ranunculus & Anemone – Slightly higher maintenance, but the blooms are show-stopping.

3. Poppies – Fall-planted poppies will surprise you in early spring if you give them time and space.

How to Keep It Simple (Especially If You're Overwhelmed)

Planter in Luscious Green

You don’t need a huge bed or a total garden overhaul. Start small:

• Try a GreenStalk planter and tuck in kale, pansies, or snapdragons

• Add just one pot of calendula to your front step and watch it catch the morning light

• Grab a Winter Flower or Winter Veggie Sassy Pack—they’re curated for this zone, this moment, and this kind of garden fatigue

And don’t forget mulch. Seriously—sometimes all your garden needs is a blanket, not a full makeover.

When Your Garden Looks Like It Gave Up Before You Did

If your flower beds are looking a little... post-apocalyptic right now—dry marigolds slumped like they lost a bar fight, mulch scattered like confetti, basil trying to bolt for the exit—I promise, you’re in good company.

September has that energy. The garden’s over it. You’re over it. Everyone’s just trying to make it to cooler weather.

But here’s the secret: you don’t need to fix the whole thing. Just pick one thing—one tray of snapdragons, a pack of tulip bulbs, a pot of kale—and plant it like a peace offering.

You’ll be amazed how one fresh start can make the whole garden (and your brain) feel less chaotic.

Sometimes the best kind of gardening therapy starts with one “I tried” moment in a container.

Need help picking what to plant right now? I’ve got you!

Download the "Plant Now in Zone 8b- September" cheat sheet below.

Plant Now in Zone 8b- September.pdf

Download PDF • 1.83MB

Or Join the Sass to get a nudge each time something seasonal, beautiful, and doable hits the stand.

The garden might look tired—but trust me, it’s not done yet.

💛Felicia

Your favorite Zone 8b garden cheerleader