Is Fall The Best Time for Planting?

For most of us, when it comes to planting our gardens, we think of springtime, but the truth of the matter is that fall is the perfect time for planting. Your plants will actually get off to a better start in the spring

Perennials, cold-tolerant vegetables, spring flowering bulbs and woody plants can all be planted in the fall.

So here’s the 411 on fall planting, you should plant perennials and woody plants at least six to eight weeks before winter arrives. That way they will have plenty of time to get settled in and make good root growth. Just remember when planting in the fall you will still need to water if the weather is exceptionally dry. But in the winter when they’re inactive, they don’t need much water. It’s not recommended that you let them dry out completely. Your plants probably won’t survive the winter if they become dry.

Just like with spring plantings, you will probably want to add a layer of mulch around the crown of each plant. Make sure that it doesn’t touch the leaves or stems. The mulch will keep the soil moist so less watering is required. And the added bonus is that it will keep the ground warm so your new plants can continue to grow longer in the fall.

The majority of fall plantings don’t need fertilizer except for fall planted bulbs. Fertilizers that are high in nitrogen (the first number listed on the container) can be very bad for your plants. Your plants aren’t growing enough to need fertilizer in the fall. The fertilizer only facilitates growth that won’t be adequately hardened off by winter. You are better off fertilizing in the spring and summer.

Some experts call fall the second season because it is the perfect time to plant a late vegetable garden. The majority of the cold-tolerant vegetables do extremely well in the fall months. Some herbs also do well in the cool weather. These include ones in the onion family, cilantro, chervil, dill, and parsley.

The seeds of annuals can also be planted in the fall. The advantage is that they can get an early start next spring.

For more information about fall planting or any of your other landscaping needs, please contact Designer Landscaping PA today!

The Right Plant for the Right Site

The best way to avoid potential problems in the garden is to use plants that will thrive in the conditions provided. For example...a plant that enjoys a shadier, moist environment (i.e. Astilbe) would not be the best choice to plant in a well-drained soil, full sun site. It would be an uphill battle to provide enough water to make it happy and healthy.

Therefore, good planning up front can save a gardener a lot of work later. Monitoring and keeping good notes about a new garden site the season before will help you select appropriate plants based on their cultural requirements; sun vs. shade, moist or dry soil, wind conditions and hardiness.

It does not just end there. Be aware of a plants mature size and site it appropriately. It makes no sense to plant a tree or shrub that has a mature height of 12’ in a space that only allows it to grow 6’ tall, the pruning would be endless, if not impossible.

Finally, certain perennials and shrubs may require more maintenance (division, pruning, and deadheading) than others. Keep in mind the amount of time you can spend maintaining your new garden and choose plants accordingly. With a little pre-planning you will be well on your way to a beautiful, healthy garden.