Fall Planting
Things to do in the fall for a beautiful garden
While the industry and many experts have touted fall as an exceptional
time for planting, many of you out there remain unconvinced. I am not
talking about waiting until after the last of the turkey is consumed at
Thanksgiving dinner to plant your entire garden bed for next year, but
certain plants do very well (actually better) planted in fall, so let’s
find out what garden planting can be done now to avoid clogging the planting
schedule in spring and to establish your new plant BEFORE growing season
begins.
Many perennials are very happy about a dig and split this time of year.
I wouldn’t do my delicate little rock garden specimens this time
of year, but you know who your garden bruisers are; the bee-balm, the
Shasta daisies, those cone flowers, hostas, iris, sedums… you know
who we’re talking about. If they don’t give you any trouble
the rest of the year (except for crowding neighbors), they are perfect
candidates for a fall split.
Need a lot more plants? Split them in four or more smaller pieces and
replant (it’ll take longer for them to get back to size, but you’ll
have more). Don’t need a lot (or any) more but the plant needs splitting
anyway? Right down the middle and you’ll have two the same size
as the one you split next year. Perennials need the splitting to stay
fresh and productive, and every three years or so is a must, so why wait
for spring?
Bulbs are a mainstay of the spring garden, but need the vernalization
(over-wintering) to flower then, so now is the time to plant them! Pick
the bulbs that work for your area and climate and make sure to follow
instructions on depth and placement. Summer flowering bulbs could go in
in the spring, but this is still a good time. Trouble with squirrels or
chipmunks digging them back out? Stake down chicken wire after planting
and mulch over it. You won’t notice it, but Mr. Rodent sure will
when he goes after them…
Trees and shrubs are often happy to be planted in the fall, but there
are exceptions. Birches, for instance, are famous in the plant industry
for being finicky in fall; better planted from a container than a balled
and burlapped specimen and NEVER transplanted.
Evergreen plants that will be counting on intact, established root systems
for sustenance are usually best left until spring, but most deciduous
plants go fully dormant in winter and will root very nicely as long as
soil temperatures are in the forties. Planting now gives them a chance
to begin establishing roots so when spring arrives they are ready to go,
not recovering from transplant shock.
As always, watering deeply is essential to remove air pockets around
roots; avoid the fertilizer this time of year, although adding miccorhizhal
supplements, either purchased or homemade (compost or compost tea), is
a great way to assist your roots in getting started. While fall planting
won’t go much further into this season (regularly freezing nights
is a clear indicator to forgo late planting), this is a great way to give
many of your new garden plants a years head start on becoming a mature
and beautiful addition to your garden.
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