As the bright colors of summer transition into the cozy hues of autumn, it's the perfect time to rejuvenate your landscape. Fall is an ideal season for planting, as the cooler temperatures and increased moisture create optimal conditions for root establishment and growth.
The Advantages of Fall Planting:
1. Root Growth: During the fall, soil temperatures remain warm even as the air cools. This encourages root development, allowing plants to establish themselves before winter arrives.
2. Less Stress: Fall planting minimizes stress on plants. Unlike spring, when the sudden transition from cold to warm can be challenging for new plants, fall offers a gradual transition of temperatures.
3. Increased Moisture: In our area, fall usually brings consistent rainfall. Combined with lower evaporation rates and reduced heat stress, this ensures that newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials have ample moisture to thrive.
4. Early Bloomers: Many fall-planted perennials and bulbs are early bloomers, rewarding you with colorful flowers in the spring when you need it most.
Selecting the Right Plants:
1. Perennials: Perennials like asters, hardy mums, and sedums are excellent choices for fall color. Plant them in well-drained soil with plenty sun.
2. Bulbs: Plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in the fall. Their bright blooms will be a welcome sight after the long winter.
3. Trees and Shrubs: Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs, as they can establish strong root systems before winter. Look for species that are well-suited to your location. Larger trees and shrubs can be planted until the ground is frozen, but many smaller shrubs and perennials should be in the ground by mid October or they risk winter damage.
4. Cool-Season Vegetables: Extend your vegetable garden's growing season by planting cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, and carrots. Some varieties of kale and cabbage can be ornamental as well.
Planting Tips for Success:
1. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperatures.
2. Fertilization: Avoid heavy fertilization in the fall, as it can encourage new growth that may be susceptible to winter damage. Wait until spring to apply fertilizer.
3. Protection: Adding a layer of mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs insulates the soil and protects against temperature fluctuations.
4. Ongoing Care: Continue to monitor your fall-planted landscape throughout the fall and into early winter. Water as needed, especially evergreen, and be prepared to protect sensitive plants from frost or extreme cold.