Fall Planting for Spring Blooms

My favorite time to plant is right now.  If you are thinking about putting in a tree, shrubs, perennials, grass or groundcover – the next few weeks is the time to do it!  Most people plant in the spring but I find that plants that are put in now have a much better chance of surviving than in the spring.  

There are many reasons to plant now. The weather and soil is still warm but the days are shorter which allows for the plant to acclimate before winter…sending out roots to gather resources.  Rains start usually by the end of October meaning it is less difficult to keep the soil wet while the plant is establishing itself.  After a few months of rest during the winter, the plant is ready to grow and bloom once spring has sprung. 

Before you plant keep these points in mind: 

Select the right plant for the right location.  If you have a shady spot, select a plant that doesn’t need a lot of sun.  Read the plant tag or ask a clerk to assist you.  You’ll save money and heartache if you pick the right plant for the right spot. 

Remove all weeds. This means you should dig the whole weed out, not just the top!  Removing weeds, especially perennials weeds, will help your new plant get established better by reducing the competition for resources in the soil.   Weeding should continue as the plant establishes itself. 

Prepare the soil.  If you have heavy/clay soil, mixing in a little bit of soil amendment is a good idea.  This is especially so if the area has been barren or is compacted.  There are many types of amendments – ask for assistance if the labeling on bag is difficult to decipher. 

Plant!  Current rule of thumb for size of planting hole is twice as large and same depth as soil in pot.  If your pot is 6”wide & tall, your hole would be 12” wide & about 5” deep.  Next, gently remove pot from plant and loosen the soil and roots around the sides and base of root ball.  This will help the roots make good contact with the new soil environment. 

Water!  Keep the root ball moist…it’s the same size as the pot you just removed the plant from.  Water the new plant at least once a day for a couple of weeks; more if we get one of our seasonal hot spells.  For people who forget to water, consider adding drip irrigation.  If our winter is dry remember to water your new plant, it still needs water during cold, dry weather.