Plant in fall to reduce plant stress and watering, build strong root systems and give your new plants the best chance for success.
Fall is an excellent time of year to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Here are several great reasons to plant in fall.
Stronger root systems
Even after the air cools, the soil stays warm well into fall. This allows newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials to focus their energy on developing strong roots through the fall and winter. In the spring, your plants will be stronger and more established, ready to grow vigorously, produce leaves and flowers and survive the hot summer months.
Less transplant stress
Cooler fall temperatures mean less stress for your plants. Without hot sun to scorch them and hot temperatures, plants are less likely to dry out or experience transplant shock in the transition from nursery pots to your garden bed.
Fall is also a good time to move plants that aren’t doing well in their current location. Do you have plants in your yard that could use more (or less) sunshine, or plants that are crowded by other nearby plants? This is a great time to revise your landscape plantings.
Less need to water
You will need to water deeply when you first put the new plants in the ground, and new plants need regular moisture until their roots become established. But cooler fall temperatures mean your new plants will need less water than plants installed during the summer heat.
Once the rainy season starts, your plants may receive enough water from the sky and you can stop dragging hoses around your yard.
Fewer weeds and pests
When you plant in fall, there is less competition from warm-season weeds, whose growth rate slow as temperatures drop. Insect populations also decline in fall. Less stress from weeds and pests means that plants can spend more energy on root development.
Seasonal savings
Many nurseries offer end-of-season sales, making it a great time to find healthy plants at lower prices. Your plants can rest in their pots for a few weeks before you plant them if needed. However, avoid any plants with obvious signs of disease or with whole branches or sections that are dead. You don’t want to introduce any problems into your landscape.
You can also save money by buying smaller plants. Once planted, they will have months to develop strong, deep roots before the growing season. Next year they may grow faster and bloom more vigorously than a larger one planted in the spring.
Considering a larger landscape update?
If you think your landscape might need more than a few new plants or simple transplants, contact us. We offer sustainable landscape design and installation to help you create a beautiful, easy-care outdoor space with year-round interest that will suit your family’s needs for many years to come.
