Fall is For Planting

Fall is for planting 

September is a great time to plant and there are a number of reasons this is so. The daytime temperatures are cooler and the soil temperature is still warm, a perfect combination for planting perennials, shrubs and trees. There are fewer insects and diseases to contend with. You generally have more time for gardening in the fall. The weather isn't quite as tricky as it is in the spring and you don't have that "spring rush" feeling to get everything done after winter.

There is a great selection of perennials to choose from now, including bearded iris, colorful sedums, blanket flowers, clematis, ornamental grasses and much more. Edibles such as raspberries, grapes, blackberries can be planted now, as well as flowering shrubs such as potentilla and butterfly bushes.

This is a great time to plant roses, as well. The key to fall planting is to prepare the soil, before you plant.  The advantage this time of year is the soil is warm and dryer making it easier to incorporate amendments. Organic amendments such as compost, peat moss and coconut coir  will make your existing soil healthier and more fertile by improving soil texture, helping to lower pH (make your soil more acidic) and encouraging worms and microbes to flourish.

Amendments should be incorporated into the planting site at a 50:50 ratio with the existing soil. Prepare a spot twice as large as the container your plant came in and half again as deep.

Once you have the soil prepared, add Root Stimulator to the planting hole. Remove the plant from its container and break up the root ball. Place the plant in the planting hole just below grade, enough to form a slight depression in the soil. This will help keep water from running off too quickly.  Even though the temperatures during the day are cooler so there's less moisture loss, it's important to keep your plants watered as fall deepens into winter.  All plants will handle winter weather better, if they are well hydrated. After first hard frost, when the ground is cold add a 2" to 3" layer of mulch to help hold in the moisture and keep the ground cold and stable through the winter. Water your plants every 4-5 weeks during the winter.