The Advantages Of Fall Planting

While fall is a great time to transplant perennials, shrubs, and trees across the country – in the Southwestern US, where winters are mild and summers are extremely hot, fall is the best time to plant! 

The changing season means that air temperatures are cooling, while soil is still warm from the summer sun. These conditions are ideal for establishing new transplants. Don't miss out on the benefits of planting this season to enhance your garden, give your new plants the best chance of success, and help save water, too.

• In Fall: Soil is warm and air temperatures begin to cool, offering ideal conditions for establishing new transplants.
• In Winter: Perennial root growth continues until the soil freezes and the plant enters dormancy. The soil stores winter moisture, and the plant requires less water when dormant. In mild winter areas, root growth can continue all winter.
• In Spring: In spring, top growth begins for both plants. Fall-planted perennials have a more established root system, so they have a head start on root growth and are likely to show earlier flowering. These established plants are not held back by transplant shock, as compared to new spring-planted perennials. Spring-planted perennials will adjust and begin root growth.
• By Summer: Fall-planted perennials will display more vigorous top growth, more abundant flowering, and more resilient plants. As well-established plants with strong roots, they will be more drought-tolerant, and better able to handle the harsh, drying winds of spring and the withering heat of summer compared to recent spring transplants.

To summarize, Fall planting means strong roots. 80% of a plant's root growth occurs in the late summer and fall months. While you won't see as much stem and leaf growth in the fall, the plants are busy growing new roots. With the arrival of spring, fall-planted perennials are ready to burst forth with vigorous new growth and a profusion of flowers.

Fall planting is beneficial for gardens in dry climates or – any garden that is experiencing drought conditions.

• As plants begin to go dormant in the fall, and their energy shifts from top growth to root growth, they use much less water.
• Plus, soil is cooler in the fall, and the weather tends to be less windy than spring. As a result, plants and soil are less likely to dry out from heat and evaporation.
• Less frequent watering not only helps to conserve resources and makes caring for new transplants easier, too.
• In spring, young plants are well-established with strong roots, so they will be more drought-tolerant by the time spring and summer weather arrives.

• For 4-6 weeks after planting in fall, the perennial will continue to send new roots out into the soil. Once a plant is established, watering frequency can be reduced. Water regularly through the fall months, decreasing frequency as the daytime temperatures cool in late October and November. 
• In winter, soak plants once every 2-3 weeks if there is no rain, until the ground is frozen solid.
• In zone 5 and colder regions, the soil begins to freeze up in early to mid-November and stays frozen through January. By early to mid-February, when daytime temperatures begin to rise consistently above 45-50°F and the soil begins to thaw, you can begin soaking plants every 2-3 weeks.
• For best results, we recommend using Superthrive root stimulator and Plant Success Soluble Mycorrhizal Root Inoculant at the time of planting to encourage healthy root growth.
• Mulching is also essential to successful fall planting. It keeps the plants from drying out in the dry fall and winter weather, and will keep the soil frozen over the spring months to prevent frost heaving of the roots.