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(eg. spring planting, landscape design)

Don’t think of fall as the end of the growing season. Think of fall as the beginning of the next growing season. Envision the landscape you would like to have, establish a plan, then put that plan into action now. Fall is the best time to plant. Why? There are several reasons... 

 

(1)     It reduces the plants' chances of heat injury and drought stress.

 

(2)     It saves water. Typically, plants need far less water during the fall and winter months. Temperatures are cooler, daylight hours are shorter and the rays of the sun are far less intense. Rainfall is also more plentiful during the fall season, as a general rule.  

 

(3)     It allows the plants’ root systems to become established before the next growing season returns. Cool air and warm soil are the ideal combination for planting success. Top growth on plants slows down or stops by late fall, but the soil remains warm for a time, allowing the roots to continue to grow and develop.   

 

The root system is the most important part of any plant. It anchors the plant into the ground, draws water and nutrients into the plant, and stores food to help sustain the plant through the winter. As time goes by, a strong healthy root system will grow down deep into the soil where there is a more constant supply of moisture. This will be a big help to the plant during the hot, dry summer months. 

 

What can you plant in the fall? Just about anything…fescue seed; garden mums and other perennials; shrubs (any size, any variety); trees; cool season vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, collards, lettuce and others); cool season annuals (pansies and violas plus ornamental varieties of cabbage, kale, mustard greens, oregano, parsley and Swiss chard); ground covers and vines; and spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and others). 

 

After planting, be sure to add some form of organic mulch to the planting area. Mulching provides year-round benefits. During the fall and winter, mulches help to insulate the soil and protect the root systems from freezing temperatures or drastic temperature changes. In the summer, mulches reduce evaporation and help to conserve moisture in the soil. They also help to reduce weed production by preventing sunlight from reaching the weed seeds.