Ask the Horticulturist: Can I Plant in the Fall?
The official start of fall is just around the corner, and with it comes the promise of cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and nights around the fire pit roasting s’mores. While most of us think of spring as prime planting season, planting in the early fall – prior to mid-October - is also a great choice (and honestly a better choice, in some cases!). There are a few things to consider, though, in order to help newly planted shrubs, trees, and perennials thrive. In this edition of Ask the Horticulturist, we turn to Carlos for his best fall planting tips.
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Always Plant Bulbs in the Fall
Bulbs are a hot topic in the spring since that is when they bloom. But did you know that best practice is to hang onto those Easter bulbs like lilies, hyacinths, and daffodils and plant them in the fall? Once the flowers are spent, allow the foliage to shrivel and cut it back. The bulb will go dormant and can be stored in a dark place like your garage or basement. Now’s the perfect time to get those saved bulbs in the ground. Make sure to plant them nice and deep (a bulb digger is perfect to prep the hole) so the squirrels don’t dig them up as food over the winter. You might even consider planting crocus bulbs – they are the first to pop up in the early spring, and their brilliant purple flowers are a welcome sight after a long, cold winter. If you are planting daffodils, be sure to put them in an area that has space, as they tend to spread.
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What Else Can I Plant in the Fall?
It’s a safe bet to plant just about any tree, shrub, or perennial in the fall. In fact, planting during the fall is often better than the summer because the cooler temperatures and warm soil are perfect for strongly established roots. Plants are prone to stress just like we are, and the act of transplanting to new soil conditions, changed sun exposure, etc. can be hard on them. Lower heat and humidity make a big difference in limiting the stress on plants, making fall a perfect time to get them in the ground.
The one challenge is remembering to water your newly installed plant, tree, or shrub. Fortunately, fall tends to be rainier than summer, but if we go more than a couple days without rain, you should head outside with the hose. Plants don’t need as much water as they do during the summer since soil moisture doesn’t evaporate as quickly, but we naturally think to water when the sun is beating down on us. It’s a little easier to forget this important step when we’re wearing sweaters and jackets, but it’s no less important for the long-term health of the plant. Making sure to water plenty is also important in case it’s a dry winter without much snow (which is, of course, impossible to predict).
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What Should Not be Planted in the Fall?
Be careful with annuals – many of them do better in the heat, so avoid those end-of-season clearance sales. That said, there are hardy annuals such as snapdragons, calendula, and pansies that do just fine in cooler temperatures and can even survive light frosts.
It’s better to wait on container evergreens until spring, as there is just not enough soil volume in the containers to allow strong root establishment. If you’re dreaming of beautiful evergreens on your front porch for the winter holidays, you’re better off buying a cut arrangement (or even getting free tree trimmings from local hardware stores and making your own) this year.
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Should I Wait Until Spring to Plant Fruit Trees?
We get it – fruit (other than apples) is at its ripest and tastiest in the summer, so it seems like they should be planted in the spring. Right? Wrong! Fruit trees that do well in the Midwest (apple, pear, peach, and cherry, for example) require “chill hours” to provide the best fruit in the spring. Planting these trees in early fall gives them the same great conditions we mentioned earlier (cool temps and warm soil) to become well established, and they have those nice, cold winter temperatures to get the accumulation of chill hours that will cause dormant buds to emerge and blooming to begin right on time. Home-grown fruit, here we come!
Will My Porch Mums Survive If I Plant Them?
While mums are actually perennials, most of the ones that we purchase with the intention of decorating our porches are bred to be short-term plants that bloom in the fall. Due to the way they are bred, they most likely will not survive the winter in the ground. If you have space inside, consider bringing your mum indoors in the late fall and care for it until spring; then, it can be planted in the ground. Mums do need a fair amount of water to keep their bright color, so if you have it outdoors during the summer, be sure to water it daily. One other word of caution – mums are poisonous to cats, so if you have a cat who enjoys eating green things, it’s best to toss your porch mum when it gets too cold.
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Fall is a wonderful time of year for so many reasons (yes, give us ALL the pumpkin), not least of which is the perfect conditions to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. Do you have a fall planting question we didn’t answer? We’re here to help! Please feel free to contact us here you’re your question or give us a call at 630.271.9709. Doing a little landscaping work in the fall will ensure when spring rolls around, you will be able to welcome the season with beautiful gardens perfect for enjoying the fresh air.