Fall
is for Planting
As
Good As (Or Better Than) Spring
With few exceptions,
fall is an excellent time to plant. Most perennials as well as trees
and shrubs generally grow and perform much better during the next growing
season than those planted in the spring.
Roots
are the Reason. Root
growth mainly occurs in the cooler temperatures of fall and spring and
stop in the heat of summer. Roots produce growth before above-ground
parts of a plant in spring, and after leaf drop in fall as long as the
soil temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil
– the great insulator.
Soil temperatures
lag behind air temperatures by several weeks. This allows root growth
to continue in the fall long after leaf drop. Mulching provides further
insulation keeping soils warmer in fall and cooler in spring.
The
Advantages. Besides
the advantage of a fall root growth season, plants set in autumn have
the added benefit of being able to begin spring root growth as soon
as soil conditions are favorable. Trees, shrubs and perennials planted
in fall have two seasons to establish their roots before the heat of
summer. This results in an increase in the size and number of blooms
on those plants that produce flowers or fruit.
Fall
Planting Season
September
– November. In central
Indiana the fall planting period for trees and shrubs begins in early
September and continues into November. Perennials may be planted through
early October.
Beyond
November. You
can safely plant much later than early November as long as soil is workable.
Soil temperatures may prohibit new root growth until next spring, but
your dormant plants will over-winter well and be ready to take off early.
Water
– Water – Water!
Failure to
water new plantings is the most common reason for loss of fall plantings.
Remember, even though the leaves may have dropped from your plant, the
roots are still growing and need water to get established.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
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