Fall Planting, No Fooling

The article explains why planting in the fall makes sense.

Aquilegia species 'Swallowtail'®
Item # 20822 		Aquilegia species 'Swallowtail'®
Swallowtail Columbine

each $8.29
3 to 6 $7.99
7 or more $7.79
Papaver orientalis 'Brilliant'
Item # 74863 		Papaver orientalis 'Brilliant'
'Brilliant' Oriental Poppy

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
Sedum sieboldii
Item # 89270 		Sedum sieboldii
October Daphne Stonecrop

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
  • Topic: Fall Gardening
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: fall, fall planting, roots, soil, Fall Gardening, gardens
  • Date: September 2003

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When I first heard about fall planting, I thought the whole idea was crazy. “You don’t plant flowers in the fall,” I mumbled, thinking I knew it all. Of course this was years ago. Now my thoughts have changed, and I now expend just as much energy-sometimes more-planting flowers, shrubs and trees in the fall as I do in the spring.

Fall planting is a xeric technique that takes advantage of cooler weather:

  • The soil remains warm, but the days and nights are generally cooler so high temperatures do not stress plants.
  • Gentle breezes now replace the high winds so don’t dry the soil out as much.
  • As plants begin to go dormant, they use less water. The best reason, though, for planting in the fall is what takes place in root systems.
  • It’s All in the Roots

Trees, shrubs and perennials planted in the autumn months have ample time to establish strong roots. This gives them a much better chance at surviving harsh winters. Late summer and fall is the time when the vast majority of root growth occurs.

Although you won’t see a lot of stem and leaf growth in the fall, it’s estimated that 80% of the root growth occurs in the late summer and fall. Until the soil freezes, root systems continue their activity of storing nutrients to get them through the winter.

With a more established root system, fall-planted trees and shrubs are much better off in handling the drying winds of spring and the withering heat of summer. Fall-planted perennials will also have a substantial head start on those that are put out in the spring. They will be much larger and have more bloom, as their root systems will be better established.

Compared to spring-planted perennials, which often suffer a period of transplant shock, plants installed in the fall have both substantial root growth and more vigorous top growth and flowering that first planting season.

Recommended Plants

  • Poppies (Papaver) are super cold hardy perennials that transplant best in the fall in even the coldest areas.
  • Columbine (Aquilegia) are also excellent, particularly as they bloom well that next spring after fall planting.
  • Stonecrops (Sedum) are beautiful late summer-early fall bloomers that enjoy fall planting in even the coldest areas.

Fall Planting Particulars

Salman says late summer is a good time to add substance to a garden, and this means working with ornamental grasses and woody plants, those plants that have fruit and fall foliage. “Many of the woody plants have berries and these will contribute to attracting birds to your garden,” he says.

Fall is the very best time to plant in warm USDA zones 7-10. However, for USDA zones 3-6 here are a few exceptions to fall planting because certain plants prefer the long, hot days of summer for stimulating their root growth. For a plant listing and to read more click here.

Watering and Mulching

Mulching is essential for successful fall planting. Use about a two-inch mat of mulch, beginning a ways from the crown of the plant to keep it from rotting. Mulch keeps the plants from drying out and will keep the soil frozen over the spring months to prevent frost heaving of the roots.

Also, water is crucial during the fall and winter. Water regularly through the fall then decreasing frequency as the daytime temperatures cool in late October and November.

From 4-8 weeks after planting, the roots should be well situated, especially if liquid Seaweed and Superthrive root stimulator is used several times after transplanting. Once a plant is established, watering frequency can be reduced. When the soil begins to freeze, soak it once every 2-3 weeks through the winter months, except when it is very cold and the ground is frozen solid.

You’ll Notice the Difference

With the arrival of spring, the fall-planted garden is ready to burst forth with vigorous new growth and a profusion of flowers. So let go of the old ways-no matter what you think-and dig in your garden now. Fall is the time to plant.