Our e-newsletter is “hot off the press. ” Read about fall color, seasonal planning, cold weather plant care, native plant spotlight, and more.
Spring is often thought of as the best time to plant, but it is the fall time planting that can give some plants a winning edge. The cooler temperatures in fall slow down new top growth, making it possible for the plants to focus on root development before the return of summer heat.
If you have been previously unsuccessful with fall planting, it may be because you have been choosing the wrong plants. Besides, it may be because you are not getting them onto the ground soon enough. Remember! In the Fall the soil is warm and promotes proper growth of roots.
Professional landscapers and yard enthusiasts prefer to plant in the Fall because:
2. Perennials, shrubs and trees get a jump start on Spring growth as colder weather is less stressful for new plants, allowing for root growth. This means that some early season wildflowers will be able to show their flowers sooner.
3. Birds, bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects can struggle to find food at the extreme ends of the gardening season. Earlier blooming plants provide crucial support to pollinators, as earlier sources for nectar are available!
4. Shorter days mean that photosynthesis slows down and cooler weather helps to eliminate evaporation, therefore new plants require less water than if planted in the spring.
5. The soil is softer in the Fall, so it’s easier to dig holes.