Fall Planting

The nights are cooling off, the days are starting to get shorter, and you have a trunk full of 50% off perennials...

Yes, you have lots of time to dig!

Fall is one of my favorite times to plant perennials, trees, and shrubs. The cooler temperatures are easier on the plants, and while everything above ground may be slowing down, the roots still have time to settle into the warm soil before winter.

And yes, those sad-looking clearance perennials are usually just fine.

By September, a perennial at the garden center may be yellowing, flopping over, finished blooming, or simply looking tired. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it.

You're buying the root stock, not the sad, tired foliage sitting on the bench in September.

How Late Is Too Late?

People worry far too much about the calendar.

Oh no, it's Labor Day weekend - throw out the hanging baskets!

NO, No, No.

Don't stop planting because it's September—or even because it's October. What matters is whether you can still work the ground.

The soil holds its warmth until we get consistent freezing temperatures. That warm soil is what's important.

Trees and Shrubs Love Fall, Too

Tree and shrubs will establish more quickly when planted in the fall. Again, that warm soil is the key.

While the cooler temperatures allow the plant to begin dormancy, the warm soil is allowing the plant to spend all of its energy into root growth instead of top growth.

Compare that with late April, early May - when everyone has itchy fingers longing to get dirty.

The cold soil can stunt the growth if the plant isn't still dormant.

Then summer arrives.

You're trying to keep everything watered, while also trying to get a new tree or shrub established during the hottest weather of the year.

On those hottest days, place your yet to planted plants in the shade, with a good soaking mid afternoon as needed and wait until the temperature or weather are more beareable.

What About Those 50% off Perennials?

Go ahead and buy them.

By fall, the sale perennials are what is left from the Spring and the healthy beautiful plants are fresh out of the growing houses.

That's okay. By fall I've had enough too!

Just pay attention to where the stem meets the soil and to the roots. The stem and soil join should not be soft, squishy, or look like the plant is going to fall right off the roots.

Don't be afraid of a plant being "root bound". That is an issue best left for houseplants. The amount of roots is an indicator of health and growth.

If there aren't roots, you don't have a plant.

If someone is very tall would you say they arent healthy? Of course not!

So load up the trunk.

And when that $50 peony you bought for $20 starts coming up next year?

You'll wish you bought two.

Happy Planting,

Jennifer Weber Garden Design