Late Summer Garden Tips for Zone 5b

Written ByLynn Published

Late summer in my Zone 5b garden is that sweet spot where the coneflowers are showing off, the herbs are going wild, and the tomatoes are just about ready to take over my kitchen—meanwhile, I’m trying to stay on top of the weeds one day at a time.

A bush with clusters of delicate pink and white flowers blooms beside a walkway, surrounded by green leaves and mulch—a lovely snapshot to inspire thoughts of what your late summer garden looks like.

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A close-up of a light pink dahlia flower with dark pink accents at the center, surrounded by green leaves and blurred foliage in the background—what does your late summer garden look like?.

What’s Blooming Right Now in Zone 5b?

Here’s a look at what is thriving in my northern Illinois garden this time of year:

  • Hydrangeas are all in bloom
  • Coneflowers (Echinacea) are looking their best
  • Zinna’s are in full bloom
  • The Sedum is forming their signature flower heads
  • Ornamental grasses are pluming beautifully
  • Clematis is climbing high on the fence
  • My Dahlias are a big behind but I should have flowers in a few weeks
  • Rose Shrubs are giving a few final blooms
  • Traditional daylilies are popping with color (Stella D’Oros are mostly done)

Normally at this time of year my sunflowers would be starting their show of beautiful yellow faces but the deer got my first crop and after reseeding we are a bit behind this year.

Daily Garden To-Dos That Actually Work

🧤 30 Minutes of Weeding a Day

It’s a small goal, but it makes a big difference. Before Annie’s wedding, I did this and the garden stayed manageable and beautiful.

🌿 Harvest and Trim Herbs

The herb garden is exploding—especially the basil. I’ll be making pesto soon and freezing it in ice cube trays for winter. If you’re interested in starting an Herb garden, you can read how I created one HERE.

💐 Deadhead Spent Blooms

A few minutes of trimming keeps things tidy and encourages some plants to push out one last round of flowers.

All the Dirt!

Garden Tip

Fall is the time for you to assess plants. I make notes in my gardening journal of plants that need to be moved, divided, or thinned in the spring.

Horizontal decorative divider with a detailed floral illustration in the center, flanked by symmetrical ornamental lines and small stylized motifs on each side, all in a muted blue-gray color on a black background.
Several ripe red Roma tomatoes grow in a cluster on a vine surrounded by green leaves, with part of a garden bed visible in the background. What does your late summer garden look like?.

What’s Happening in the Vegetable Garden

The veggie beds are a whole different story in late summer

  • Tomatoes are turning red fast – canning season is here!
  • Zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and peppers are still producing well.
  • I’ll be pulling up my carrots and beets soon to make room for fall crops.

pI’ll be up to my elbows in sauce soon, but it one of my favorite garden-to-kitchen transitions. I’ll be using a lot of the sauce to make my Go-To Pasta Sauce Recipe, you can find it HERE.

Clusters of pale green hydrangea flowers bloom on a leafy shrub near a patch of grass, with trees and a wooden structure in the background—a tranquil scene that asks, What Does Your Late Summer Garden Look Like?.
Horizontal decorative divider with a detailed floral illustration in the center, flanked by symmetrical ornamental lines and small stylized motifs on each side, all in a muted blue-gray color on a black background.

What I’m Using in My Garden

Horizontal decorative divider with a detailed floral illustration in the center, flanked by symmetrical ornamental lines and small stylized motifs on each side, all in a muted blue-gray color on a black background.
A close-up of a purple coneflower with pink petals and an orange, spiky cone, surrounded by green leaves—an inviting glimpse into what your late summer garden looks like in full bloom.
Bright yellow and orange Black-eyed Susan flowers with dark brown centers are surrounded by green leaves and grass outdoors. What does your late summer garden look like?.
Close-up of a blooming garden captures late summer beauty—pink and yellow coneflowers stand vibrant among lush green leaves and soil. What does your late summer garden look like?.
A close-up of a white daisy with a bright yellow center, surrounded by green leaves and blurred background plants—what does your late summer garden look like?.

What to Plant in Late Summer (Zone 5b)

Believe it or not, it’s not too late to plant a few things. Many perennials are on sale now and it’s a good time to save some money while their is still time for their roots to take hold before the winter. Here are the plants that I always pick up on clearance if they were looking good:

Perennials

  • Coneflowers (Ecinachea)
  • Hydrangeas
  • Hellebore
  • Shasta Daisy
  • Lavender

Cool-Season Vegetables

I put seeds in the ground for all of these when it cools down

  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Arugula

Fall is also the time when we plant our spring blooming bulbs!

two deer in my backyard staring at me

Are you Dealing with Deer? Same Here

If you’re having trouble with deer this year, you’re definately no alone. Despite all my usual tricks, they’ve been treating my garden like their personal salad bar. They’re even jumping the fence into my vegetable garden – something they’ve never done before. I guess they’ve developed a taste for heirloom tomatoes and squash blossoms. If you’re looking for ideas to keep them out, I’ve shared the deer deterrents I use and recommend here.

A close-up of a pale pink zinnia flower in full bloom, surrounded by green leaves, with a white wooden fence in the background. What does your late summer garden look like?.

Final Thoughts

Late sumer in Zone 5b is a season of shifts – some things are fading, but so much is still vibrant and productive. With a bit of daily effort and a lot of garden joy, you’ll ride into fall with less stress and more beauty.

Let me know in the comments: what’s blooming in your late summer garden?

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Late Summer FAQ’s

Nope! Cool-weather crops and hardy perennials are great choices right now.

Yes—especially anything newly planted. Late summer can be dry, and deep watering helps build fall root strength. It actually is essential for good spring growth.

Skip the fertilizers for perennials—they need to wind down. Focus on compost and mulching instead.

Horizontal decorative divider with a detailed floral illustration in the center, flanked by symmetrical ornamental lines and small stylized motifs on each side, all in a muted blue-gray color on a black background.
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A light pink zinnia flower and ripe tomatoes growing on a plant, with text overlay: "What Does Your Late Summer Garden Look Like? Tips for Zone 5B www.livinglargeinasmallhouse.com.
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4 Comments

  1. I love the video! Sadly, my garden looks terrible after our extreme heat this summer. Temps up to 118. Ugh!

    Reply

    1. The heat is what seems to finish off my garden too! This year especially with very little rain in Illinois.

      Reply
  2. Cindy Rust says:

    My garden – veggie and flower – are both probably overgrown too! Your tip about weeding 30 minutes a day is what I do too! One of my sisters does her weeding while chatting with family on the phone. She puts her earbuds in and she is ready to weed! Thanks for listing your flowers – I need to add dahlias to my garden!

    Reply

    1. The 30 minute weeding makes it so much more manageable. I usually stay out longer but I don’t feel guilty if I quit when my timer goes off.

      Reply